“Ach! Believe that if ye like, but ye and I ken that neither Galbraith’s men nor yers are a match fer me lads.”
“I dae believe it because I’ve just seen a big pile of corpses wearin’ yer livery, and I put most of them there mesel’. Ach, ye’re a waste of me time. I’ve had enough of yer boastin, ye evil bastard. Now, I’m gonnae enjoy rippin’ yer head from yer neck,” Ewan bellowed through clenched teeth.
Allan was ready for him, and they clashed with a mighty roar, their blades ringing as they met in a deadly dance across the blood-soaked grass, thrusting with their swords, expertly parrying each other’s blows. The corrupt laird was a tough and seasoned fighter, fueled by hatred and greed, but Ewan let his love for his sister, for Isla, and for his clan flow through him, to give him the strength and determination he needed to bring his foe down once and for all.
With renewed energy, he fought ferociously on, deflecting his enemy’s sword’s blows deftly with his own, raining down blows upon the older man, making him work, tiring him out, seeking that fatal lapse in concentration he was watching for. When Allan slipped in the wash of blood under their feet, he saw his chance. He rammed into Allan with his shield and, putting all his body weight into it, toppled the man to the ground, falling on top of him so he could not get up, his weapons useless.
Ewan tore off Allan’s helmet, yanked his head up by the hair, and rammed the point of his sword into Allan’s neck, and then plunged it back down, slicing into the man’s throat. Allan convulsed, and a fountain of blood erupted from the gaping hole when Ewan pulled his blade free.
But Allan was not quite dead yet. Ewan leaned over him, to see his mouth working like a fish’s, gasping for air that did not come. But no words came out, only a horrible choking gurgle. He spat on Alan and growled, “I swore tae kill ye, ye cowardly dog, and now ye ken I’m man of me word. May yer soul burn in hell fer eternity!”
He saw the light in Allan’s eyes go out and turned away, suddenly feeling exhausted but with a sense the world was a better place without the corrupt laird in it. With Galbraith on his side, he had prevailed. Allan was dead, victory was his. And now, all he wanted was to find Isla.
But first, he found her brother. Surrounded by their triumphant troops, dripping with the blood of their vanquished enemies, Laird Ballentine and Laird Galbraith finally stood face to face.Both men sheathed their blades and pulled of their helmets, tossing them to the ground before closing the gap between them.
“I can never thank ye enough fer comin’ out in me support instead of Allan’s. I’ve never been so surprised in me life. I truly thought it was the end,” he looked him straight in the eye. “Thank ye with all me heart,” Ewan told Gregory sincerely as the pair of them clasped bloody hands and grinned at each other.
“I admit, it was a close-run thing, but ye have Isla tae thank fer it,” Gregory told him as they pumped hands vigorously. “She says she’s in love with ye. I could hardly fight alongside Allan after that.”
“Is that what she told ye?” Ewan replied, laughing delightedly. “By God, she’s a hell of a woman that sister of yers, Galbraith.”
“Aye, she is. She looks like an angel, but she has the heart of the bravest warrior,” Gregory told him, joining in his laughter.
“Well, I suppose this might be a good time tae tell ye that I’m in love with her as well,” Ewan replied. Then, thinking he might as well go the whole hog, he added boldly, “In fact, I ken this is nae the time or the place, yet… I’d like tae ask ye fer her hand in marriage. That is, if she’ll agree tae have me.”
“Och, I’ll have ye all right, Ewan Ballentine!” came a familiar voice at his side, and seconds later Isla landed in his arms, hugging him and kissing his face, heedless of the blood and brains of the enemy covering him. Speechless with joy, he held her tightly to him, over the moon to see her safe.
Gregory shook his head and laughed. “It looks like ye have yer answer there, lad. And as I’m nae arguin’ with her, ye have me permission tae wed, and me blessin’ too, a hundred times over. A marriage is the ideal basis fer a profitable partnership between our two clans as well, so the future looks bright fer all of us. Och, and call me Gregory, by the way. If we’re gonnae be brother’s-in-law, we might as well start off as we mean tae go on, eh, Ewan?”
“Aye, indeed, and thank ye again, Gregory, fer everythin’.” Ewan said. “But especially fer this!” He suddenly threw Isla up in the air, making her shriek with laughter before catching her again, while the men surrounding them, exhausted and bloody as they were, clapped and cheered to show their approval of the new state of affairs.
EPILOGUE
Castle Ballentine, one month later
“Try again,” Isla told Ewan as they walked hand in hand along the sea shore below the looming towers of Castle Ballentine, enjoying a little late afternoon sunshine.
“All right. Isla, Katrina, Maria,Annie,” Ewan replied, pretending to concentrate hard and giving special emphasis to the final name.
She giggled and batted at his arm. “Nay! There’s nay Annie!”
“But I like Annie. What’s wrong with it? I’m used tae callin’ ye that. Annie Ballentine. Aye, it has a ring tae it,” he teased.
She sighed laughingly. “I can see I’m just gonnae havetae trust ye tae say me name properly when we stand before the priest tae say our vows. If I hear a breath of Annie, I warn ye, I’ll brain ye with one of the candelabra from the altar.”
“Ye mean ye’ll try, but ye’d need a stool tae stand on tae reach me head,” he pointed out.
“Ye havenae seen me dress yet,” she told him with a chuckle. “The skirts are quite big enough tae hide a stool under there.”
He grinned down at her, his eyes dancing. “Really? Now, that’s interestin’. Och, I might creep under there mesel’ durin’ the ceremony. Just think of what I could get up tae. In fact, I’m gettin’ excited just thinkin’ of it. It’ll give the Faither a shock when I pop up from underneath yer petticoats tae say me piece.” He grabbed her playfully around the waist and swung her about before stopping her laughter with a kiss.
“Mmm, I love ye so much, Ewan,” she murmured when their lips parted and they stood on the sand with their arms wrapped around each other, looking out over the sparking ocean. “I dinnae think I’ll sleep a wink tonight, I’m so excited about tomorrow. I cannae wait tae be married tae ye.”
“Likewise, bonny lassie, likewise,” he said into her hair. “I can always sneak intae yer room tonight if ye cannae sleep and keep ye entertained.”
“Och, nay, ye cheeky devil! Ye ken well ’tis bad luck fer the bride and groom tae see each other on the night before the weddin’,” she pretended to scold him.
He shrugged. “Well, that’s easy tae remedy. Douse the fire and dinnae light any lamps. I dinnae need light fer what I want tae dae tae ye.” He nuzzled her neck and pinched her bottom.
