Below, spread out around our loch, our people were being attacked by males wearing Battleborn plaid. Males who were supposed to be our allies, who had decided to punish us instead.
As intended, most of the females and kitlings had retreated to the island and had already set the wooden bridges ablaze. I prayed Issa and Matthias were among them. The attackers had not yet begun to ford the loch, but were instead focused on my warriors who met them fearlessly.
My men were strong, but there were more mainlanders than we’d expected.
I needed to find Callor. If I could threaten him, I could force him to surrender. ‘Twas likely our only chance. When I earlier imagined confronting him, I didn’t think our families and bairns would also be at risk.
MyKteerwas howling for blood and I fought to swallow down my panic. I yanked Rowena—who looked as shocked as I did—to my side and slammed my mouth down for one last kiss.
She met me, strength for strength, because she was my Mate.
When I pulled back, I was panting.
“Get to the island, if ye can,” I commanded. “Lead our people, please.”
Another kiss, knowing ‘twould be my last.
“Always remember that I love ye, Rowena.”
Then, praying that the gods would keep her safe, I unsheathed my sword and threw myself into the battle.
Rowena
I madeit three steps toward the cottage before I stopped.
From here I could see the shape of the battle—the Battleborn warriors being pressed back toward the loch, the enemy spreading through the village like spilled ink, the smoke already rising from somewhere near the grain stores.
If that burned, we’d starve this winter, and our hopes for planting in the spring would die too.
I could see Issa’s cottage. I could see the walkway to the island where the kitlings and elders would have run, and I knew that if the enemy reached it?—
How could I take refuge there when I knew I could do more here?
These weremypeople, now, the same as they were Vrogul’s.
My clan. My family.
And just as my Mate’s kiss had tasted of finality, I knew I could face my fate just as bravely. I would stand beside him, risking it all for our clan.
But before I could do more than stumble toward the fight, I caught myself. These skirts would kill me as easily as anyof Callor’s men. I was used to fighting in trews but had no time to change now.
Oh well, needs must…
I pulled my dagger and made two quick slashes, one up each side to mid-thigh, and felt the fabric fall away. I would apologize to Issa for ruining the gown if I survived.
Better. I rolled my neck, drew my father’s sword, and ran toward the fighting.
Guide me, Da. Keep me alive until I reach Vrogul.
I could die beside my Mate and die well.
The mainland Battleborn warriors were everywhere, swarming over our people. ‘Twas strange that they wore the same colors, and vaguely, as if from a distance, I reminded myself to suggest we alter our plaids somehow—a distinctive line of red, mayhap, to mark the blood spilled this day.
If I hadn’t spent the last weeks here on Islay, I might not have been able to pick out which warriors were ours and which were the enemy. But I’d sparred with some of them, dined with others. They’d welcomed me…
And I owed them.
I kept to the edges at first, using the buildings for cover, working my way toward where I’d last seen Vrogul, my sword in my hand. I was mayhap twenty yards in when one of Callor’s warriors spotted me.
