Alpin could see them now, a line of riders emerging from the forest, banners streaming.
Ashcombe's ducal standard, unmistakable even at this distance. And beside it, Graham's colors, the scarred laird apparently having thrown in completely with the English duke.
"Archers!" Alpin's voice rang out clear and strong. "Nock arrows! Wait fer me signal!"
The sound of arrows being drawn from quivers, strings creaking as bows were pulled taut. Fifty archers on the rooftops, all waiting for his command.
The riders charged, hooves thundering across the field, weapons raised, war cries echoing.
Alpin waited. Let them come closer. Closer.
"Now!" he roared. "Fire!"
Arrows streaked through the morning air, a deadly rain descending on the charging riders. Men screamed. Horses went down, throwing their riders. The charge faltered?—
But didn't break.
They kept coming, crashing into the barricades with the force of desperation and rage.
And the battle began.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
The first scream cut through the chaos like a blade.
Mhairi's head snapped up from where she'd been preparing bandages at the medical station. Through the smoke and dust, she could see the main barricade buckling under the assault. Riders were trying to force their way through, their horses screaming as arrows found their marks.
"They're breakin’ through the eastern barrier!" Kenina shouted, grabbing Mhairi's arm. "We need tae get the children further back!"
Mhairi didn't hesitate.
She dropped the bandages and ran toward the cottage where a group of children huddled behind stacked firewood, their eyes wide with terror. An elderly woman crouched with them, trying to keep them quiet, but panic was spreading fast.
"Come on," Mhairi urged, reaching for the nearest child, a girl perhaps six years old. "We're movin’ ye further intae the cellars. Now."
"I want me mam!" the girl sobbed.
"I ken, dear, but right now I need ye tae be brave and?—"
The crash of splintering wood made them all flinch.
Mhairi spun to see three riders burst through a gap in the eastern defenses, their swords already bloody. One of them spotted the children immediately.
"There!" he shouted, spurring his horse toward them.
Mhairi's hand closed around a spear someone had left leaning against the cottage wall. She planted herself between the attackers and the children, the weapon raised despite her shaking hands.
"Get back!" she screamed at the riders. "Ye'll have tae go through me first!"
The lead rider laughed, a cruel sound that made her stomach turn. "Gladly, lass. Though I'm guessin’ the duke will want ye alive when we hand ye over."
He dismounted, approaching with his sword drawn. Mhairi thrust the spear at him, forcing him to step back.
"Stay away from them," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Stay away or I swear I'll?—"
He lunged.
Mhairi jabbed with the spear, catching him in the shoulder. He cursed, stumbling back, but before she could press her advantage, another soldier grabbed the spear shaft and yanked it hard.
