Three cave dwellers came to assist him, but he pushed them away and got up on his own. “Leave me. Help Aidan.”
The melee had begun. Fists flailed. Insults were exchanged.
Lachlann grinned widely. “They have a history that didna end well.”
“And when a woman is involved…” Niall didn’t finish his thought, his gaze intent on the scene playing out before him. When Olaf downed Aidan again, the younger men were more alert to his condition than defending their position.
“They need our help. What say ye?”
“The only thing to do.” Lachlann shrugged. “Besides he tried to steal my damn horse.”
Niall moved to intercept Olaf, who charged like a bull toward Aidan for a third time. Momentarily distracted, Lachlann didn’t see Malcolm flying toward him until they were rolling on the ground together. He landed on top, catching Lachlann on the chin.
“Sorry,” Malcolm said, before yanking Lachlann back to his feet with an arm adorned with a wide, silver band. The man turned back to the fighting.
Lachlann squared his shoulders. Neither having the wind knocked out of him nor the unexpected punch to his face sat well with him. These men might not be as defenseless as they first appeared.
Lachlann dodged a punch from Ciaran. The fist he planted in Ciaran’s gut met solid muscle. The body of a trained warrior.
One of the sheriff’s men broke up the fight. The drunkard, along with his two friends, were tossed out of the fair and ordered to sober up before they returned. The crowds that had gathered to watch the fighting quickly dispersed.
“Many thanks.” The older man took Lachlann’s wrist. “I am called Aidan. I lead this rabble, though they’ve given a good show this day. Aye?”
The men joined in with a resounding “Aye.”
Aidan wiped at the blood dripping from his lip, his gaze full of pride as he looked over the others. “Ye’ve earned yer keep, I tell ye that.”
The men smiled at the comment. None seemed badly bruised.
Malcolm moved closer, a wide grin on his face. “I am Malcolm.”
Niall shook the man’s extended hand. “Though I didna believe ye could defend yerselves so well, ye proved me wrong. Niall.”
“We fight only by necessity.”
A third man with curly hair came to stand beside Malcolm. “Call me Thomas. Ye carried yerselves well.”
Lachlann accepted his hand.
Malcolm chuckled. “And can ye not tell these are seasoned warriors?”
Niall said, “Warriors at one time. Pilgrims now.”
Lachlann smiled. He didn’t need the people in the cave to wonder about their presence here. It would be best if they didn’t see them as a possible threat.
“Pilgrims?” Aidan spit the word out like it was an insult. “And ye’ve come here?”
Lachlann nodded. Mayhap this group didn’t know the story of the Holy man.
Aidan grumbled something under his breath, but Malcolm quickly stepped in front of him and asked, “Have ye got a place to stay this night?”
“Not as of yet.” Lachlann rubbed his jaw. This man had a fist like a rock.
“My apologies again,” Malcolm said.
“Do ye know of a place?” Niall asked.
Aidan and Malcolm exchanged glances. With a curt nod, the older man’s consent seemed grudgingly given.
