18
Gavin looked down at the battle taking place below. Beside him was a bow someone had abandoned. He automatically picked it up and flung it over his shoulder. Now all he needed was some arrows.
When they saw the battle from the woods, Mungo had wanted to storm straight in and charge them all but Gavin could tell at once that was a bad idea.
“They have the higher ground.”
“So? They are distracted.”
“The horses could not charge well on such a steep slope.”
Mungo was itching to throw his men into the battle. Gavin was more than ready but he took a moment to think things through.
“So far the outlaws have not seen us,” he said after a few seconds.
“And?”
“And we can take advantage of that. Give me a dozen of your men and ten minutes. When I give the signal, charge.”
“Where are you going?” he asked as Gavin climbed down from Lairdkiller’s back.
“See the cave up there?”
“What of it?”
“The signal will come from there.”
Gavin didn’t wait. He knew Mungo would obey him, the guilt had been evident while Gavin collected his sword from outside the castle. Mungo had begged for forgiveness during their ride toward the cave, repeatedly apologizing for the things he’d done while bewitched by the old crone’s spell.
He made his way up the side of the mountain, amazed the outlaws hadn’t looked his way. His heart yearned to be with his men in the thick of it but this way was better.
Crouching low he ran from rock to rock, slowly but surely looping around the flank of the battle until he was above the cave.
He peered over the top, catching sight of a battle his men were losing. Not for long, he thought, his eyes moving toward the cave entrance.
He caught sight of Jimmy the Snout a moment later. A group of women with daggers had been caught in the open. How had that happened? Then he saw Heather at the front of them, backing slowly away from Jimmy’s sword.
“Give it up,” Jimmy was saying. “We’ve won.”
“No you haven’t!” he shouted, waving his arm high in the air. Jimmy turned and looked up and so did Heather as a roar of noise sounded from further down the valley.
“Gavin MacGregor?” Jimmy’s jaw fell open as Gavin leaped into the air, landing on his back. Other Frazers followed, diving straight into the middle of the battle.
Jimmy turned his sword to try and get Gavin off his back but he couldn’t make it hit. Gavin clung on, trying to force him off balance. They crashed into other men, bouncing off and then falling to the ground. At once Jimmy fell still. Gavin looked down. His dagger was sticking out of Jimmy’s chest.
He didn’t pause, scrambling to his feet eager to continue the fight.
He managed a smile. The tide had turned so fast the outlaws were already running. Frazer men on horseback were thundering through the rout, running down the outlaws that didn’t get out of their way quick enough.
The Frazers who’d come with Gavin were making short work of the group by the cave. One of the outlaws yanked an arrow free from the ground, trying to use it as a skewer. It was immediately snapped by a Frazer sword, the man sliced in the stomach a second later.
The outlaws were losing. Another few minutes and the battle would be over.
“Gavin!” a voice shouted.
He spun around in time to see Keir holding a knife to Heather’s stomach.
“Let her go,” Gavin said, taking a step toward them.
