Teeth flashed and a wicked glint entered Morgann’s eyes.“That sounds like a fine idea indeed.What did ye have in mind?”
***
Tèile listened in on their plans.She liked the way they thought.Rubbing her hands together, she saw how she could take a role in this battle.To use much magic was too risky, but so too was this battle.She greatly feared all her work would be for nothing.But creating some disruption would be easy enough.By the stars, the greedy laird deserved no less.
She took the opportunity to fly out of the armoury and high above the keep.They were indeed outnumbered by a vast amount.Scores of men dotted the hills, and Tèile had to fly high to avoid the arrows zinging around the castle.She had seen battle before and knew this was only the start.While most of the arrows pinged harmlessly off the stone or landed futilely by the enemies’ feet, soon they’d turn their attention to gaining access to the keep—by any means necessary.She had seen whole castles burned to the ground in her time in the human realm.
Once past the archers, she glided down to the scattered tents.Warm vegetables scented the air, and she followed that scent to the large pot of boiling broth.A man diligently stirred it and messily ladled some into proffered bowls when soldiers approached.Tèile hovered for a moment, tilting her head in contemplation.Men could not fight on empty stomachs Finn had said.
She dropped to the ground.The long grass nearly swallowed her, but it shielded her enough from the heat of the fire beneath the pot.Hands held out, she focused on the fire.It would take a minor amount of magic, but not enough to cause any long-term damage to the fabric of fate.She grinned.Fire was a favourite tool of hers.So beautiful, yet dangerous.
The flames grew, marginally at first so the man did not notice, but soon the heat made her skin prick.She stepped back as they continued to rise.The cook let out an exclamation and jumped back when flames licked the side of the pot and engulfed it.Startled onlookers shouted and gaped.Tèile urged the flames higher still until the pot was barely visible.A few men tried to beat at it with their plaids and blankets, but they failed to douse the flames.Only when a hulking Viking stormed over and threw a pot of...somethingover the fire, did it fizzle out.
Tèile fluttered back.She’d have grinned if it hadn’t been for the pungent smell drifting from the charred wood.When she rose above the pot, she saw that plenty of the broth had boiled away but best of all, the Norseman had thrown the contents of a chamber pot over the meal.She chuckled to herself as the other men took note and a fight broke out.Mayhap she had not foreseen that, but her plot could not have gone any better.Now there would be no morning meal for them.
Moving away from the stench, she took the time to survey the encampment...what else could she do to weaken the enemy?
***
The sound of arrows skittering across the stone made Lorna wince.She glanced at her friends and saw their pale faces, riddled with just as much concern.Catriona appeared particularly ashen, but having once been nearly ravished and killed by a Norseman, she understood why.None of them would say it, but they all feared what would happen should they succeed in breaking through.
She stood and peered through the gap in the shutters, shushing Ewan as he wriggled and stretched in her arms.Her body ached all over from having been confined in the solar with nothing to do but pace and hold the babe.Ewan wanted the comfort of his bed, as did she.
Outside, only the spatter of golden torches was visible, reminding her of Gillean’s presence outside their walls.The men had spent much of the day planning and readying the keep for battle.The fight may have started but this constant shower of arrows was a mere prelude.On the morrow she knew the stakes would be raised.
As did they all if the heavy breaths and anxious twisting hands were anything to go by.The old laird sat in bed now, unable to stay awake any longer, and a long snore sounded from him as his head slipped to the side.Alana came to her feet and moved the old man into a more comfortable position.The snoring ceased and Lorna offered her a grateful smile.
She was fond of the laird, but he would do no good should the enemy enter the castle.Years of illness had drained him and though he was quick-witted, his physical strength had been sapped and would likely never return.It would be up to them, should anyone enter the solar, to fend off the enemy—a heavily pregnant woman, a feisty, yet delicate lass and herself, a short woman with a babe in her arm.She didn’t doubt she could do some damage if needed but to fight off a whole army?
Lorna was about to sit again when the men stomped into the room.Having not seen Logan since midday, she immediately went to his side and he wrapped her into an embrace.She inhaled the musky scent of him.He needed to bathe, but the scent only comforted her right now.With her nose tucked against his firm body, the sense of helplessness that had followed her about all day trickled away.
“How goes it?”
“We’ve been fighting them with fire.We’ve caused some damage I think,” he said against her hair as he held her tight.Almost like he did not wish to let her go.
“The archers can fire that far?”
“Only a few.We’ve scorched some tents and made their accommodations less comfortable.There appeared to be a great blaze this morning though it looked to be an accident.Either way, we will have wearied them greatly.”
“And yerselves.”She drew away to look at her cousin and brother who had taken the opportunity to see to their wives.
“We have a strong stone keep to sleep in.”He cupped Ewan’s head in a large palm, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.“And fine women for company.We are waging war on their minds,” he explained.“They shall be demoralised and weary on the morrow.Their greater numbers will mean nothing.”
His confidence almost defeated the tension coiling her belly tight, but not quite.However, his sure expression and the way he spoke—so steadily and with such conviction—made her smile.She remembered this man.He had caught her attention the first time she met him, even though she was but a young married lass.For a peasant boy, he had carried himself so well, with such assurance, that she had known then he was meant for more.Upon the death of her husband, she had raised him through the ranks to be her most trusted man.She’d never regretted it.
The rest of the evening was spent huddled in the solar, eating a simple meal of bread and fruit.They had already begun rationing their food supplies but it was pointless.Lorna doubted the castle would hold out long enough for them to run short.Still, she understood they had to be cautious.
Catriona tugged Lorna aside before they settled on pallets on the floor for the night.“Put the babe in the coffer.”She motioned to the large chest at the end of the bed.
Lorna tried not to laugh.“I cannae put him in there!”
“Ye’ve been holding him all day and ye must be weary.Take off the lid and ‘twill be no smaller than his crib.There’s many blankets in there.He’ll be far warmer and more comfortable than on the floor with ye.”
Lorna sighed.Her arms did ache, but part of her was reluctant to release him.She’d spent long enough away from him already.She very nearly hadn’t returned to him.Catriona removed the lid and put it to one side before fussing with the blankets.
“See?He’ll sleep better and Lord knows, ye need yer rest.”
Nodding wearily, she lowered Ewan into the oak chest and conceded it really was no different to his crib and far more comfortable-looking than the straw pallets on the floor.Finn shoved one over to her so she could settle next to the babe, and Logan joined her.
