Page 137 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"The selkies took out one of their galleys!" Brodie grinned.

"Grand news," Gavin said.

The wind was growing colder, using the loch as a funnel, and it sped their progress. Soon they were bypassing the overturned galley and the men who'd climbed onto the hull, yelling curses at them.

If they could swim at all, they would reach the loch shore in only a few minutes. But he kenned a lot of men couldn't swim.

They lowered the glowing white sails of the remaining two galleys, but the lantern remained.

"The castle is just ahead. They've docked. Lower the sails and row," he told the men, hoping they could slip in on the blackguards.

Some of the females are here in the loch! Harcus communicated to Brodie.

What do you mean?

The ones who were captured first! They are alright and in human form. They say Lady Elsea released them from the dungeon.

When? Brodie asked, frozen with shock. How? Lady Elsea is at Farspag.

All were silent.

Harcus!

But Brodie received communication from a few of the females, repeating Elsea's name. A short while ago, she unlocked the cell doors and led us out. She told us you are her friend.

"Damnation!" Brodie roared.

"What's wrong?" Torr asked, eyeing him as if he were mad.

"Elsea is here! Or she has been. She released the earliest captured females from the dungeon a short while ago."

"Saints!" Torr said. "How did she travel here so quickly?"

Where is she now? Brodie sent the question out to the females.

But they didn't know. They had focused on their own escape when they'd jumped into the loch.

"They have nay inkling if she escaped safely or not," Brodie growled.

Hell, he was going to give her a piece of his mind if he found her alive and well. How dare she take such a massive risk again? He knew she wished to help the selkie females, but this was ridiculous.

Through the increasing snowfall, they rowed in beside Talnaroch's galleys. Since two of the knave's galleys were missing, they had room. The men at the dock raised the alarm, and more soldiers charged in, shouting and brandishing weapons.

Swords, dirks, and targes at the ready, Brodie and all the men disembarked.

Where the hell was Elsea? Was she still alive?

Brodie slashed, parried, stabbed, and thrust. His bloodied foes fell before him as he battled his way inside the crumbled curtain wall. He glanced aside, glad to see Torr and Gavin fighting on either side of him. Kenneth and two bodyguards had his back. A couple of torches lit the bailey, and sleet hissed through the air.

Yells and war cries echoed from the keep's exit. More men emerged, all heavily armed, and charged into the fray. Moving faster than his opponents, Brodie ran one through and cut the throat of another before either could block. He sliced the sword arm of another foe and shoved him down with his targe, the central boss spike stabbing.

Where was Talnaroch? Brodie wanted to dispatch the bastard soonest, for the selkie kidnappings and especially for Elsea.

Making his way across the bailey, he defeated two more enemies, then noticed some steps leading down to a door. Was that the dungeon? Were Elsea or the latest abducted selkies down there?

Shouts and a loud commotion erupted at the keep's entrance. Even in the dimness, Brodie recognized Talnaroch standing at the top of the steps.

"That bastard must die," Brodie growled. His grip tightening on the sword hilt, he surged forward, but Talnaroch lifted a pistol.