“What are you doing?” Peter spoke with a clenched jaw.
Instead of being pierced, Mort waved then turned and smiled at him. “It’s our Scottish friends.”
“Your attackers have been disarmed,” the voice he now recognized as Niall called to him again.
“Do you think I can get up now?”
Peter immediately released her and stood, pulling her up behind him until he could assess the situation. Aldred and Lachlann had their swords trained on Brighit’s would-be protectors as they forced them to their knees. Their poorly made bows on the ground.
“Methinks you were under attack,” Niall offered from where he stepped to stand beside his horse, a grin across his young face.
Peter pressed his lips together. He was in his debt. “Yes. So you’ve saved us.”
“Give me any reason.” His voice was low and menacing.
“It appears I have,” Niall said to Peter. He raised one eyebrow in a questioning what-are-you-going-to-give-me-for-it look.
“My thanks.” Peter tried for finality in the statement.
Apparently Niall missed it since he was now focused on Brighit.
“And how are you, fair lady?” The redhead bestowed what was more than likely his most charming smile and bowed deeply, as if he were greeting the Queen.
Brighit shifted her dress back into proper place and pushed her hair over her shoulders before answering. “I am well. Thank you for your assistance.”
Lachlann made quick work of tying Cole and Andrew’s hands. They jerked their arms as if to pull away but Aldred adjusted his blade closer to their throats.
“How did you happen upon us? Is this just a coincidence?” Peter asked.
“You are a suspicious one. Of course this was not planned.” Niall tipped his head toward his friend. “Aldred, go get the man his horse.”
Lachlann held his blade against Ivan’s throat, a murderous glint in his eye. Aldred disappeared into the woods.
“My horse?”
Aldred quickly returned with Roman, handling him by his lead.
“Yes, we came upon him in the woods a day ago. Still saddled—” Niall explained. “We searched for any signs of you but found nothing. The palfrey was nowhere to be found either. I’ve never met a warrior yet who would willingly part with his mount.”
“And you still haven’t.” The horse snorted in recognition. Peter stroked his warm, soft nose. The rest of his items seemed intact. “Look at you. Did you try to find me?”
It had crossed Peter’s mind that Cole and Andrew’s horse abilities must be great. Anyone able to stop his horse from retuning must have good horse skills.
“Not a chance he could have returned.” Aldred pulled a black cloth from his belt. “He had this over his head.”
Snatching the black sack, Peter stalked past Aldred and shoved it in Ivan’s face. “Is this what you did to keep him from returning to me?”
Peter grabbed him by the tunic. Ivan turned his head, straining against Peter’s unyielding grip.
“You son of a whore. You bully women and animals?” Peter pulled back his fist, landed it squarely on the man’s jaw, and released his hold. Ivan fell on his arse with the force of the movement. “You’re a sorry excuse for a man.”
Aldred smiled. He shifted Ivan to his knees and grabbed back his hands to tie him up.
Peter returned to stand beside Niall. His anger still simmering.
“So what will we do with them now?” Lachlann glanced at Niall.
“Whatever the Norman says to do with them.”
