Page 65 of My Scarred Laird
Callum nodded and Egan went on, “Though they shouldna have gotten this far. I apologize Laird. My men were aware of the second man for a long time, just keepin’ an eye on him if he did somethin’ like this and I’m glad we had. He had blended inta the shadows ta wait, but we had already marked him and if we hadna, we would have lost her tha’ much easier. I should have stopped them sooner, and I failed ye and the lady, but I just didna want Islay ta be harmed.”
Callum nodded, “Ye didna fail Egan. If anythin’ ye kept her safe and saw it all. Had yer men no’ been as well hidden as they were no doubt this could have gone differently, and Islay could have been harmed. I would have done the same thing ye did. Ye did well. All the men did well. Yer men are some of the best warriors in the highlands. When ye suggested that men arena seen from outside forces, I thought ye ta be mad. But they see more than most. And ye are all ta be rewarded. I am grateful ta all of ye. For keepin’ my lass safe. For no’ alertin’ those men who had her tha’ ye kenned she was taken. She could have been killed had ye done tha’.”
Egan nodded, “Aye. Connall kenned that he needed ta let them leave.”
Callum inclined his head, “When we get back and Islay is my wife, ye are ta be promoted if ye wish. As her personal guard.”
Egan shook his head, “I need ta make certain my men will still be well trained. No one else can do it like I can. But I will pick the best man in the guard. He is riding with us tonight. Lachlan is one of the best men ye have. And he has already sworn ta protect the lady with his life. As has Fraser.”
Callum thought for a second and knew that Egan was right. Callum had seen Lachlan and Fraser fight. Lachlan was efficient, ruthless with his blade, and he was also married to a wonderful girl who worked in the kitchens.
Fraser fought differently and was so stealthy with his blades that you didn’t see your death at his hands. He knew both the men would be perfect to keep Islay safe.
“Aye. Lachlan and Fraser will be just right.”
They rode hard for an hour or so in silence after that and they heard a whistle come from the trees ahead of them.
Callum and his men slowed their horses, silencing everyone as they made their way to the whistle.
It was Fraser. He had been following Islay and her captors.
He seemed to blend into the shadows before he was seen, and he said, “They have turned around Laird. I saw their horses no’ a half a league from here.”
Callum slid off his horse, “Then we shall await them here. Why do ye think they turned?”
Fraser shook his head, “I ken not. I stayed back tae far ta see. I didna wish them spooked. They believe they made a clean get-away, but I have kept them in my sights, just not enough ta be able ta see why they turned back.”
Callum nodded, “Get ready. These bastards die tonight.”
His men got off their horses, tying them up amongst the trees, and making their way further away from the beasts so as not to have their horses give away their positions.
They waited in silence in the dark trees as the horses got closer.
Callum had a man scouting up ahead, and he heard a soft whistle, knowing the horses would be upon them soon.
Then he heard another sharp whistle, and the scout stood, “Oy! ‘Tis the lady! She is alone!”
The men moved out from their positions as Callum rushed to where his scout was.
Certain enough, Islay was alone, her white nightshift blowing in the breeze from how hard she was riding.
She had a horse trailing behind hers, and she hadn’t noticed them yet.
Her face was set in a mask of determination though, and she kept checking over her shoulder as if someone was chasing her.
When she made it close to the trees, he and his men stepped out from them, and Islay stopped her frantic run on her horse as she saw who it was, and relief broke over her features as she spotted him with his men.
He smiled at her, and she jumped off her horse, running to him as fast as she could.
He caught her in his arms, taking a step back to keep his balance, and then he kissed her.
“Ye are alive! Ye are whole,” he said between kisses, and she nodded, “Aye. Oh Callum. I was so frightened.”
He hugged her closer to his chest, “I was tae. So afraid ye were lost ta me forever.”
She nodded, kissing him once more, then cupping his face in her hands, “I love ye. I would have done anything ta get back ta ye.”
He smiled, “I ken. Ye are my world Islay. My very soul. I would have gone ta the ends of the earth ta have ye back by my side once more.”
