“As you say,” Tanin said with a nod.
It was easy for her to tell when Tanin disagreed with her decisions. His manner became rigid, his responses curt. “You don’t agree. Speak your mind, Tanin, I expect it of you.”
He didn’t waste a minute. “Malcolm has yet to rein in his overzealous enthusiasm when on a mission and Burke is still a stranger to us. Leaving you to—”
“Teach Malcolm the finer skills of fighting and learn more about Burke. Trust me.”
“I always have or I wouldn’t follow you. But know this—if either one gets you in trouble, they’ll be answering to me.”
Storm smiled. “I’d have it no other way.”
Hours after they left the camp, Storm signaled for Burke and Malcolm to stop. This was the point where she expected the soldiers to be waiting. The three crouched down and Storm used a stick to scratch a diagram in the earth of where she felt the soldiers lay in wait.
Burke offered a plan of action and Storm agreed. It took only minutes to capture the three soldiers, two of whom had been sleeping.
Hands tied, mouths gagged, the soldiers were led along the path with them. It was another hour before they heard the clang of swords and surmised that Tanin and Angus were in the thick of battle.
Storm ordered Malcolm to tie the prisoners to a tree before she and Burke took off and leaped in to join the melee.
They were outnumbered for sure, but not out-skilled. Storm attempted to make her way to free William and Philip of their restraints. It proved difficult until Burke caught on to her actions and jumped in front of her, fighting off the enemy with a sword. A weapon he had claimed he had no skill with, though it looked otherwise.
She had Philip nearly freed from the thick ropes that bound his wrists, when he shouted a warning to watch out. She gave the rope one last slice and swung around to face her attacker, but not fast enough. His blade sliced her shoulder, though she had moved quickly enough to avert serious damage.
Philip grabbed her sword and ended the man’s life in one swift thrust, then quickly freed William, who picked up the dead man’s sword and joined in. Philip threw Storm her sword and grabbed another off a dead solider.
Storm ignored her wounded shoulder, and in no time, the soldiers were conquered. A few ran off in the end, dragging a couple of wounded with them.
“Gather what weapons and items we need off the dead and be ready to leave,” Storm instructed. “There could be more soldiers close by.”
“We didn’t see any when we came along the creek,” Tanin informed her.
“We caught three from where we approached,” Malcolm said.
“Then this could be the lot of them,” Philip said.
“I don’t want to take any chances. Hurry,” Storm ordered.
“You’re hurt,” Burke said loudly and shot the men heated glares. “Can’t you see that she’s bleeding?”
“Looks like a flesh wound. Time for that later,” Tanin said without concern and walked off, as did the other men, to follow Storm’s instructions.
“Let me see that,” Burke demanded and reached out.
Storm stepped out of his reach. “I gave you orders.”
“The others can see to it. Your shoulder needs tending.”
“Tanin was right. It can wait.”
Burke shook his head. “I don’t think so. That wound needs cleansing and dressing.”
“And we need to be out of here in two minutes. So either help the men or I will.” She plopped down on the rock, the throb in her shoulder causing her stomach to roll.
“Tanin,” Burke called out, and in a second the tall man was at his side. “This is more than a flesh wound.”
“I gave orders—”
“Be quiet,” Burke ordered. “Your injury needs tending now.”
