"She wouldnae have lasted the winter."
"M'lord?” Another of Fraser's men stood in the doorway. “The mon we shot is gone."
"It doesnae matter. An he lives to reach anyone, he cannae tell them any more than I did in my message."
"Iain is no fool, Fraser. He willnae walk to ye like some heathen sacrifice,” Islaen said coldly as she and Storm stood up.
"Oh, I think he will. Aye, for his wee wife, he will. And we have Tavis's little Sassanach too.” He stroked Storm's cheek.
Storm slapped his hand away. “Keep your filthy hands off of me, ye swine."
Snarling a curse, Fraser backhanded her across the mouth. “Sassanach bitch. There are few in Scotland that would fault me for killing the spawn of a marcher lord."
As she knelt by the fallen Storm, Islaen glared at Fraser. “There are many who will kill ye if ye harm her. Every one of the MacLagan clan to begin with. Ye are the greatest of fools if ye think ye will live after this."
"I have a right to my vengeance."
"Vengeance? For what? Because a mon stopped ye from raping his wife?"
"He isnae here to stop me now, is he. But first, I must place my men.” He turned sharply and left with his men.
"Are ye all right, Storm?” Islaen asked as she sat down by the woman.
"Aye, I have had worse. Curse it, I see no way out of this."
"Ye dinnae think Iain will come, do ye?"
"I cannot say. His first thought will be to do as he is told, but ‘tis hoped that wiser heads will prevail. They have to know that that will not help us, that they deal with a madman. He must be mad to do this."
"Aye, he cannae win e'en an he gains the blood he seeks. He isnae crafty like MacLennon so there is hope."
Clasping Islaen's hand in hers, Storm hesitantly said, “Islaen, he means to..."
"Aye, I ken it. At least he doesnae threaten ye."
"That does not mean he will let me be."
"Nay, I ken that too. We must pray for a speedy rescue or something to divert him."
"Mayhaps if we fight him together. I have my dagger. The fools did not check for weapons."
"Let us hope he is so stupid as to face us together."
"He has shown little intelligence thus far. Although he did know Robert was there, that he could safely use your brother as bait."
"That would take little to find out. Robert is much about looking for MacLennon and making no secret of it."
"Then he could also know that Iain may not be at Caraidland but at Muircraig,” Storm said quietly, her worried gaze upon Islaen.
Islaen nodded. “I thought on that. We are on our own and must act accordingly until ‘tis proven elsewise."
"Aye. That pig will not find it easy to defile us. Mayhaps we can find some comfort in that."
Despite the fact that there was no way of leaving the croft unseen, they searched for one. They found a weak spot in one wall that could be utilized with some work. It would be of no use until dark, however, when they would have some chance to elude Fraser's men. Both women tried not to think too much about all that could happen to them in the hours until dark.
When Fraser returned, Islaen and Storm stood hand in hand to face him. He was neither as tall nor as strong as either of their husbands, but they both knew he could easily beat them unless Storm could make use of her dagger. For all his weaknesses he was a man of battle and they were two small women. Luck would be needed to defeat him before he could harm them.
To Islaen's horror, Fraser did not even give them a chance. With a surprising swiftness he struck out at Storm, hitting her on the jaw. Storm crumpled unconscious to the ground with barely a whimper. Islaen stared at Fraser, torn between outrage and terror.
