Page 29 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

Logan shook his head. He wondered if he should be troubled by her absence. He wouldn’t have been surprised if she were trying to make a point or trying to convince the others that she should be made captain while he was absent and could not promote himself.

“Well, I hae been keeping an eye on her. She hae been here every day, fighting like a demon. She’s been demanding bigger and stronger opponents. I think she wants tae test herself in case she comes up against someone like Mikkel again. Look.” He nodded past Logan’s shoulder. Logan watched as Beitris called over a guard.

“She’s ordered them tae fight her with everything they hae. She dinnae want any of them tae gae easy on her. Last night she walked away with a limp.”

“She is a fool.”

Brody waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Ach, she is nae in any real danger. None of them would dare hurt her. They would nae want the wrath of the Laird.”

Logan watched on, remaining unconvinced. The man with whom Beitris was currently dueling had thick arms, legs like tree trunks, and a torso to match. He was like a giant of old, muscles rippling with strength, grunting and growling. Beitris looked so small compared to him and Logan’s heart pitched, unable to shirk the sensation of worry.

“I need tae stop this,” he muttered.

“She will nae thank ye for it,” Brody said, but Logan was already moving towards Beitris.

When he arrived, the giant was bringing his sword down in great swings, hammering Beitris’ blade. Her legs were bent and two hands clasped her sword as she held it above her head, straining to bear the force of her opponent’s blows. Her face glistened with sweat and it seemed as though she was sinking deeper and deeper into the ground.

Logan strode up.

“Stop,” he cried, and then flashed his sword through the air.

The giant turned around, forced to defend himself. The impact sent Logan twisting around. He could feel the wound being ripped open and grit his teeth, swallowing the pain. The giant kicked out at Logan, but Logan shifted to the side and threw himself against the man, barging him with his shoulder and all of his weight. The giant staggered back and Logan pressed the advantage, striking at the man’s leg. He managed to nick skin in between leather guards and then brought his sword around in an arc.

“I yield, I yield!” the giant muttered, dropping his sword and holding up his hands.

Logan drew his sword back. He was breathing intensely and his hands were trembling. The pain caused dark spots to flash at the corners of his vision. The giant muttered as he slunk away, clearly Logan’s reputation was enough to bring a duel to an end.

But that would not be the last duel of the day.

“What are ye daeing? I dinnae need ye tae fight my battles for me,” Beitris snapped.

Logan turned, faced with her angry expression. Her eyes were wild and her sword was still drawn. Logan set his feet, just in case he needed to defend himself. However, when he looked into her eyes he was momentarily stunned as he thought about his nightmare. He saw her face screaming at him in anguish, and it served to distract him.

“Clearly I do. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time until ye get yerself killed. Did ye learn naething from the battle?”

She had an indignant look on her face. “Aye, which is why I’m training against bigger opponents. It’s the only way I am gaeing tae learn.”

“Ye should stand back and stick tae what ye are good at.”

“If I am tae lead then I need tae fight in any way I can. I will nae stand back with the archers while ye lead the front. Ye are only undermining my strength when ye interfere. Ye just want tae make me look bad, is that it?”

“It dinnae bother me how ye look,” he snapped.

“Ye are worried because I will make a better captain than ye.”

“Nae if ye are reckless and get yerself killed.”

“Ye are the one that hae been with the healers.”

“Aye, because otherwise ye would be dead.”

“Ye dinnae ken that.”

“I hae seen enough battles tae ken when someone will nae make it. Ye should gae and clear yer mind with the bow. It will help ye calm down. Ye are letting yer emotions get the better of ye again.”

Beitris trembled with fury and she thrust out a hand, shoving Logan with all her might. He didn’t think she intended to touch his wounded area, but that’s where she touched. A blinding pain coursed through his body, emanating from the wound.

He gasped and bent over, holding his wound.