Page 48 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
Shealee came across the chamber, her wee legs struggling to stay steady. “Mama!”
Merryn nearly sobbed at the sight of the lass. She stepped inside and picked her up as Broc came along behind her.
“Hurry, get them out of there,” he whispered. “I hear men.” He headed back to the main chamber.
She rushed toward the door, the other four behind her while Broc drew his weapon. They made it to the middle of the main chamber when the worst happened.
The back door opened, and three men came in.
And they were fighting mad.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Broc
Broc picked up Tora and handed her to Merryn who already held Shealee. “Run. Just run back to the hamlet with these two and I’ll find you.” His mother hadn’t come out yet with Magni and Lia. He couldn’t protect six people.
So, Merryn raced out the door with the two bairns in her arms.
Broc asked, “Mama, you are hale?”
The men blocked both doors, arranging themselves in a way they thought to achieve an advantage, but they were wrong. Broc reminded himself that these were men, not boars. He could predict how they would move, and if he did it wisely, he could beat them. He was taught how to do so by men wiser than him.
“Aye, we are all fine. Worry about the two other bairns. I can handle this. Come back for me with more guards, Broc.”
“I’m not leaving you, Mama.” He swung his sword at the man closest to the front door, knocking it out of his hands. That left two in the back of the chamber. “Magni, run!”
“Lia, come!” Magni shouted, grabbing her hand, but she shook her head.
“Nay, I must stay, Magni. You go.”
“Not without you, sister!”
The two men came at Broc, one with a sword and the other with a small dagger. His insides dropped to his toes, the fear of being impaled on a sword slowing his reaction for a moment, but then he swung his weapon in a wide arc. He caught one of the men in the flank with the side of his sword and knocked him over. Broc struck the second man’s arm, and he bellowed, grabbing his bleeding extremity and running out the door.
Kyla grabbed the first one by the hair and spun him around to kick him between his legs, dropping him to the floor instantly.Broc manipulated his sword toward the one whom he’d knocked down, now back on his feet and coming at him. He waited until he was nearly upon him, then thrust his weapon into the man’s middle. Broc pulled his sword out and stared at the man, knowing he was dead.
There was so much yelling and screaming that Broc wasn’t sure what was happening, but he had to save his mother. Someone banged on the back door, yanking on it. He prayed Merryn got away. He turned as the one who took the hit to his bollocks stood up, grabbing his paltry sword, a foolish mistake.
Merryn opened the front door and said, “Hurry, Broc. More are coming down the path.”
“Go, Merryn! Run.” He impaled the third man on his blade and that fool fell to the floor. The back door opened, and Kelvan stood there.
Shocked to see his face again, Broc turned back to fight him, but three men all pushed around him, bellowing.
Kelvan shouted, “Get the woman and the faery. Let the wee ones go.” Then he yanked on Broc’s mother’s hair and dragged her out while two others came at him. “Kill him!”
“Broc, leave! I’ll be fine!”
One man grabbed Lia, and the other one took Magni, pulling him back while he screamed.
Three left and Broc faced one man, taking him down quickly. He headed out the front door because he had to see where Merryn was. She was running in the opposite direction, away from the shoreline, while Kelvan and his group headed toward the shore and the ships.
Broc stood in the path, having to make the decision of which way to go. “Merryn, run for Connor. Don’t wait for me!”
Kelvan said, “I’m coming for you, Merryn!” Then he whirled and raced straight for them while he shoved Kyla and the bairnstoward the boat, the two men grabbing and tugging the group behind them.
But Kelvan didn’t stop.
