Page 25 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

Logan looked up, trying to gather his strength. There was a ringing in his ears and saliva swam over his tongue. His vision was blurred and he patted the ground, trying to find his sword.

Then he heard a cry.

His vision cleared enough to see Brody being thrust away, one of Mikkel’s huge legs had kicked Brody like a mule, pushing him back. Mikkel grabbed Beitris’ hair and turned her body aside. There was a nasty snarl on his face as he brought his axe to bear.

Logan was already moving.

He didn’t know where he drew the strength from, only that he needed it.

Pain flared all over his body, but he put it to the back of his mind. He was single-minded in his desire to protect Beitris. He pushed Beitris out of the way and took the blow in his shoulder. He arched his body, wincing in pain as the blood was freed through a dark, deep gash. He didn’t have time to waste, however. In a trembling hand he summoned what remaining strength he had left and then looked up at Mikkel.

“Ye traitor—” Mikkel started, but he never got a chance to finish his sentence.

The tip of his blade found Mikkel’s neck and Logan pushed it as deep as it would go before his strength left him and he let go of the hilt, taking his secret to the grave. Darkness encroached upon his vision and he sank to the ground again. The last thing he saw was a blurred figure leaning over him.

“Logan, Logan please hold on. I cannae gae on without ye.”

Strangely he did not feel angry that he had failed to kill Ryan, only happy that he had saved Beitris.

10

Beitris fell to Logan’s side and clasped his hand.

“Logan… Logan!” she cried.

Everything was put out of her mind as she feared for his life, even what she overheard that giant brute say. Brody was already ripping off his sleeves, covering the wound and then tying it close.

“This is only gaeing tae hold for sae long. We need tae get him back tae the Keep,” he said.

Beitris beckoned to other guards, calling them over to help. She couldn’t help but feel guilty. If she hadn’t charged in like that then Logan would never have needed to come to her aid. She helped the guards and Brody deliver Logan to a wagon where other wounded warriors were being held.

Beitris looked back at the battlefield. The fighting was dying down. She thought it hypocritical of her to leave now after she had been so adamant about joining the fight, but she dared not leave Logan’s side.

The wagon pulled away. Beitris and Brody took horses and kept pace with the wagon until the Keep came into view. As the wounded were carried into the healer’s quarters, Beitris pulled Brody back.

“Brody, wait. That man said he recognized Logan. Something about Warnock looking for his blood. What could he hae meant?”

Brody was stony-faced, and his tone was flat.

“I hae nae idea. Must hae been a mistake, or maybe ye misheard. There was a lot gaeing on in the battle. I would nae trust anything ye heard. Come, we need tae see what’s happening with Logan.”

They found him being tended by a healer. He had been given medicine and his wound had been cleaned and dressed. An ointment had been applied to his skin. The healer told them that the wound was clean and at the moment it didn’t show any sign of infection. They had done well in getting Logan back to the Keep so quickly, although he would be unconscious for a while and there was a chance that he might develop a fever. He would have to be monitored closely.

Brody and Beitris sat beside Logan in silence. She might have thought she and Brody would be united in their mutual affection for this man, although perhaps Brody blamed her as she blamed herself. It became clear to her that Brody’s cheery disposition masked something greater. Both men had lost a lot, and they only had each other left.

She wished she knew what to say that could make Brody feel better, but nothing came to mind. Anything she thought of seemed empty.

It meant that Beitris was alone with her thoughts, and she kept turning back to what she’d overheard.

I ken ye. Warnock hae been looking for his blood.

How would that man have known Logan? Perhaps he was the one who had killed Logan’s family, but then what did he mean by Warnock’s blood? The only thing that made sense was too horrifying to admit, and she dared not allow the thought to pass into her mind.

She would just have to wait for Logan to regain consciousness and ask him then.

The hour grew late.

Brody had been getting agitated, fidgeting. His foot tapped against the ground. He angled his head from right to left, and he drummed his fingers against whatever surface he could find. Eventually it was more than he could take and he left the healer’s quarters in search of food.