Page 78 of When a Highlander Vows
“McDougall walls hold fast and strong, Lad,” the older man said with a wink. “Wait until the right time.”
“Aye,” he said, nodding in agreement.
He sat down, his mind whirling with ideas.
A few hours later, once the Sun had set, and the sounds of battle had dimmed, Lucas set his plan into motion. They asked a young boy off the street. Young enough to remain hidden if he would carry the message to the castle and find the hidden back door. Lucas was concerned for the young lad, but he had to trust to someone. He scrawled a quick note to Archie. To let the soldiers free to fight the battle while he arrived and asked for a duel.
“Ye will need men as well,” Liam said, frowning next to Lucas as they sat at the long table in the man’s house, a bottle of wine between them. “Ye ken this village. There are thirty here at least who we may call into battle.”
“Aye, we will need all of them, but I hope they willnae need to battle long. I think a duel is the best way out of this.”
“Aye, true enough. Rest well this evenin’, Me Laird, for the soldiers will rest too, and willnae continue the battle until the morn’. If I ken Jack Webster, then they will want to wait until ye arrive.”
After that, Lucas went to the bed the village chief provided him, but he hardly slept a wink, thinking about the boy delivering the message, thinking about Caitlin, and thinking about the rest of them holed up in the castle, not far away.
Stay wise, Archie. Keep her safe for me.
It had not been a comfortable night. They had all stayed in the main hall together and Caitlin woke up with pain in her neck. As soon as she rose, she went to the window to see the soldiers just outside, very comfortable in their camp, not ready to leave anytime soon, making her chest as heavy as it had been all night.
Where is Lucas?
Archie entered the hall then, shutting the door behind him. His face was grave and tired, and he gripped Sarah and Colin in a tight embrace before he waved a small paper in the air.
“Lucas is on his way. He sent this message last eve, and I am to prepare this morn. There will be a battle. We will send the men out, but he will ask for a duel. The battle willnae be long, I hope.”
“Dear God, stay safe, Archie,” Sarah said in tears, and he looked at his wife kindly.
“Daenae stress yerself, me love, for we need to protect the babe.”
“Aye,” she said with a nod, stepping back.
Caitlin stayed where she was, rooted in her fear. Lottie held one hand, and Paige held the other as Archie looked at them. He nodded.
“All will be well, Lass. I have never kenned a man as good a fighter as our laird.”
“Thank ye, Archie. Ye be safe as well.”
“Ye must call for me if ye need me services,” Paige said, her tone confident.
“Aye, I will, Lass.”
Just then, the outcry of soldiers turned their attention to the windows.
“Stay here,” Archie said, leaving them once again, hurrying to his place.
They collected at the narrow windows, and Caitlin could only see figures in the distance.
“Ye must tell me all that happens, Lottie. Promise me.”
“Aye, Lass,” she said, kindly. “Daenae fear. I will dae as ye say.”
They held hands, and Caitlin closed her eyes as she thought of Lucas’ approach. He would fight, and win, and then they could begin their lives together. Surely God would not take someone else away from her? Surely he could not be so cruel as that.
“Lucas has come with men at his back,” Paige said. “The battle has begun, but he is riding hard, in search of Webster, nay doubt!”
Caitlin gripped Lottie’s hand tighter.
“Aye, he is fightin’ well, Lass,” Lottie said with happiness. “Just as I told ye. But he must announce the duel, and soon. We daenae have enough men, and we arenae prepared enough.”
