From high above the cave arrows flew down. The outlaws were taken by surprise, several of them falling at once.
Jimmy sent in another wave but they had to clamber over the bodies of their fallen comrades. More arrows flew but all too soon they stopped. “That’s it,” Heather said, dagger held in front of her. “Let’s do this.”
She charged forward, screaming at the top of her voice. The others followed her. The outlaws laughed at the sight of so many women and old men coming toward them. Just as they thought they were about to slaughter the MacGregors, Heather turned to the left, the others following her.
The outlaws ran after them, still laughing. Their laughter stopped as from behind the rocks to their left and right Bruce emerged with his men, swords drawn.
The outlaws were surrounded. There was a brief second where nothing happened and then all hell broke loose.
Heather stopped and turned back. The outlaws and the MacGregors were locked in mortal combat.
“Heather Frazer!” a voice called out. She looked up. Keir was holding an ax in his hand, ready to throw it. Just as he hurled it through the air, Bruce jumped in front of her, shield held out to intercept the ax. It embedded itself in the shield as she winced, crouching on the floor under the highlander.
“That was close,” Bruce said, picking the ax from the shield and hurling it back at Keir. It missed him, striking another man in the face. He fell at once, blood spurting from the ax wound. Heather couldn’t stop looking at him. Bruce shook her shoulders, finally gaining her attention. “You better get back to the cave.”
She turned and ran with the women, outlaws yelling abuse at them as they went. Bruce and his men were fighting bravely but Heather could already see the tide was turning.
For every outlaw that fell two fresh ones took his place. Bruce and his men were beginning to tire. Heather felt sick. This was her fault. All of this had happened because of her. She had failed them.
She urged the others toward the cave but a group of outlaws had reached the entrance, blocking their passage.
The archers emerged from hiding above the cave, diving down and plunging into the fray. Heather raised her dagger and ran forward, leading the way. The others followed.
All fear left her as she reached the line of outlaws, her dagger held high. A sword was swung her way and she ducked to avoid it, poking her own knife toward the exposed foot of her attacker. It dug deep and he yelled, hopping away in agony.
Her ears rang with the noise of battle. Staggering back under the weight of attack she ducked again to avoid one sword blow after another. “Stand still,” a voice called. She recognized that voice.
“Jimmy the Snout?”
“You’ve heard of me then?” Jimmy said, sword pointed straight at her. “I will be her right hand man after this. I will give her the key and she will love me for it.” He swung the sword slowly as she held the dagger toward him. “I’ll do you a deal. Give me the key and I’ll let you live.”
“Never.”
“Look around you. You’re outnumbered. I give the word and all this stops. You can save many lives if you just give me the key.”
“Never.”
“You can stop this, Heather.” He lunged and she was just able to bat the sword away. Pushing her dagger toward him she almost made contact.
If she’d had a sword she would have hit him but the dagger blade was too short. Jimmy shifted in place. “Your people are dying,” he said.
She glanced behind her. He was right. The outlaws were winning. “Give it up,” Jimmy said, a wicked smile playing across his lips. “We’ve won.”
