Page 19 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Nine

Fraser

Fraser swung his sword, the blade clashing against his opponent’s. He grit his teeth as he held the hilt with both hands. The weight of the blade was heavy, making his muscles flex and burn with exhaustion. They had been at it since the Gordons had left to see to the brigands. He didn’t want to believe he was hiding from his soon-to-be-wife, but being with his men, fighting them over and over again, was easier than trying to discover what lay beyond her fiery gaze.

“So, I hear yer bride is quite the lass!” shouted his adversary, Scott, while waggling his eyebrows.

Scott was a childhood friend, one who had often enjoyed getting Fraser into great amounts of trouble. Often, they would skip practice together to go gallivanting off into the woods or sneak rats into the beds of anyone who gave them reproach.

Scott was an orphan, discovered on a stormy night lying on the chapel’s stairs within the castle’s walls. No one knew of his mother. There was no note, only a screaming babe wrapped in a raggedy worn blanket. The clan’s general adopted the son into his family, given that his wife had been unable to provide him with a child. And she doted on Scott, spoiling him and making him the cocky and willful man he was to this day.

“What do ye mean heard?” laughed another soldier, Gavin, swinging his sword at Fraser’s left. Gavin was a big, brawny man with ginger hair and freckle-covered arms. “Ye know well enough what happened at their first meeting. Quite a fiery lass indeed.” Gavin swung again, swiping at the air as his opponent dodged.

“Aye, and bonnie!” shouted Gavin's opponent, Kenneth, a lanky man known mostly for his speed and cunning skill. “Makes ye wonder what she may be like behind closed doors.”

The men laughed, and Fraser seized his opportunity, lunging forward and swiping his sword. Scott blocked while stumbling backward, all laughter leaving his gaze as he attempted to focus on Fraser’s attack.

“Eh, laddie? Did that anger ye?” Scott taunted. “I didn’t peg ye the type to easily lose his control.”

“I’m not losing control,” Fraser gasped while swinging forward, making Scott trip backward once more. “I’m more focused than ever before.” He lunged forward, but Scott sidestepped him. Before he could strike, Fraser swiped once more, making Scott jump backward. However, he misstepped, tripping over an upturned stone and falling onto his bottom. Scott reached for his discarded sword, but Fraser pointed his blade at his friend’s throat, halting any attempts of escape.

“I believe that’s two to none,” Fraser said in an arrogant tone, earning a menacing scowl from Scott.

“I believe France has turned ye into a wee bit of a wanker.” His scowl dissipated into a smirk as he grabbed Fraser’s outstretched hand. “Either that or ye don’t enjoy us teasing ye about yer new wife-to-be.”

“I wonder what she’s like with a blade in her hand,” said Gavin.

Fraser chuckled. “I don’t think I’d like to find out.”

“She must be quite the adversary to behold,” said Scott while lowering himself into a fighting stance.

Fraser groaned. “Again?”

“Aye, again. I will defeat ye sooner or later.”

Fraser scoffed. “Highly unlikely, given yer exhausted state.”

Scott smirked. Sweat dripped down his face. Fraser could see his body was nearly depleted. His arms were shaking from the weight of his sword, yet Fraser knew Scott wouldn’t concede until he won at least one match.

“We’ll see about that,” Scott said mischievously. He nodded his head at Fraser’s sword. “Now come along, Fraser. Let’s see if ye can get three out of three.”

Fraser shook his head while lifting his blade. Without bothering to wait for Fraser to prepare himself, Scott lunged, taking advantage of the element of surprise. Fraser barely blocked in time, the sound of their swords clashing ever louder and echoing throughout the walls.

“So have ye a plan to woo yer feisty mistress?” Scott gasped.

“Why do ye speak of her?” Fraser said through clenched teeth. “Shouldn’t ye be more concerned for yer own well-being?” Fraser shoved Scott, watching his friend stumble backward. Scott quickly regained control, but before he could attack, Fraser swung his sword at Scott’s side. Scott barely blocked the attack, and the next, as Fraser closed the distance between them.

“How can I not?” Scott laughed. “She is the gossip of the clan.”

Fraser grunted as he swiped his sword towards Scott. His friend jumped backward. The blade swished against his leine yet didn’t graze against any skin. “She’s far from home. I would be a wee on edge if I had to give up my clan and live somewhere unknown.”

“Do ye think that’s her excuse?” Scott’s eyes glimmered mischievously.

Fraser tensed, angered Scott insisted on satiating his curiosity about his future lady, even more angered that his people were speaking so boldly about her. Beitris had her reasons for smacking him. She confused him for someone else. However, Fraser couldn’t tell Scott, nor anyone else for that matter. Not when he wanted to protect Beitris’s honor.

“I’ve already spoken with her,” Fraser said, his tone stern and his gaze dark. “Friend or nae, it’s none of yer concern.”

Scott swung, moving faster than before and catching Fraser by surprise. Fraser jumped backward, his back hitting the wall behind him. He frowned while glancing over his shoulder, finding nowhere for him to run to. His gaze narrowed on Scott, earning a wicked smile in response. Scott had planned this. Fraser had been so distracted by their conversation, he didn’t realize Scott had led him into a corner.