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He kept hold of her hand, and, surprisingly, she didn’t object, as they both peered through the branches. What he saw infuriated him. And if he was not mistaken the four soldiers who tormented Old Jacob were the same ones that had passed by him this morning. His anger had him fisting his hands. A tiny wince drew his attention, and when he turned, he saw that Tara was biting down on her lower lip to stop from yelling. He remembered then that her hand was in his.
He immediately released it and pressed his cheek to hers, whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry.”
“I understand,” she murmured. “You must hurry and help him.”
“Stay here.”
She nodded vigorously.
Reeve was relieved that she didn’t protest and would heed his order. He left her safely tucked amongst towering pines and thick bushes.
He didn’t hide his approach. After all, there were only four of them. He could dispatch them without a problem though he would not do so until he made them pay for the taunting slaps and punches they were inflicting on Old Jacob. He was a feeble man of five-and-seventy years, hunched over from age and hard toil and didn’t deserve such harsh treatment or disrespect.
“Leave him be,” Reeve shouted, his anger having grown with each step.
The men stopped and turned, and when they saw that he approached alone, they laughed.
“Are you a fool?” one asked.
“Are you a coward?” Reeve shot back. “You taunt an old man who can do you no harm?”
The soldier advanced on Reeve, his face flushed red, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Reeve not only had the advantage of strength on his side, but speed as well. He rushed the man and elbowed him so hard in the jaw that the crack could be heard by all as the man dropped to the ground. With precise swings and substantial punches, Reeve finished off the remaining four men.
He immediately went to Jacob, who was struggling to stand.
“Willow,” Reeve asked, concerned for Jacob’s granddaughter-in-law.
“Root cellar,” Jacob said with a bloody smile. “I’ll not let anything happen to her.”
“I didn’t think you would.” Reeve helped the old man up to sit on the well-worn bench by the door. “Stay put until I get rid of them.”
Jacob nodded, slowly cupping his elbow in his hand.
Reeve grew more annoyed seeing that the old man had suffered far too much and for no reason. He withdrew his sword and began poking the soldiers as they starting coming to with groans.
“Get up!” Reeve yelled repeatedly, as they struggled to get to their feet. The one whose jaw he had broken had the most difficulty standing. “Go help the idiot,” Reeve ordered the first man who finally made it to his feet, and poked him with the tip of his sword to get him moving.
“You’ll suffer the consequences for this,” another said as he stumbled to his feet.
“The only ones who will suffer any consequences are the four of you if you don’t leave MacAlpin land immediately. And if you don’t understand consequence, let me enlighten you. I will see you all dead by morning if you do not take your leave of MacAlpin landnow!”
“The king owns all land,” one soldier shouted.
“The kingownsnothing. Heoweseverything to his people,” Reeve said. “Now be gone with you before I regret how lenient I’ve been.”
The four leaned on each other as they hobbled to their horses.
A thought struck Reeve. “Leave one horse.”
The soldiers looked angry and argued among themselves over who would lose his horse, until Reeve ordered, “Leave the gray mare.”
They did, riding off mumbling.
“Cowards the lot of them,” Jacob said, and spat.
Reeve agreed with a nod, then turned to Jacob. “Are you all right?”
“Nothing that won’t heal,” Jacob assured him. “You’ll be staying the night at least, won’t you?”
