Page 34 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“It’s true,” said Scott while stepping forward. “I’ve been with him all morn.”

“He looked like ye!” shouted a man with a sickle, shoving it towards Fraser.

Fraser jumped backward. His men dismounted from their horses, withdrawing their blades and pointing them at the villagers. Fraser held up his hands, shouting, “Wait!”

“Sheath yer swords!” Scott shouted angrily. “What has come of ye, lads? Yer laird did not give orders to draw yer blades.”

The soldiers sheathed their swords, and Fraser lowered his hands. “I was with the lady at the falls in the wood. ‘Tis near Castle Dunnegan,” he said calmly to Angus. “I couldn’t have been here.”

“The laird destroyed our homes!” the man with the sickle shouted.

The men edged forwards, shoving their farming tools at Fraser. They stared at him with hate, with anger. He didn’t know if they would listen to him, but he had to try. What was more important was putting out the fires and getting the women and children to shelter quickly and safely.

“Please, listen to me,” Fraser said calmly, holding the villager’s gaze. “I understand yer fear, yer anger, but we must work together to save this village. I will help ye.”

“Ye have done enough,” said a man bitterly, shoving his shovel forward.

Angus raised a hand. “Listen to him, Fergus.”

The crowd stared at Fraser. Only the sounds of the flickering fire and the pattering rain greeted Fraser’s ears as he searched for the words he needed to say.

A woman stepped forward, cradling a baby to her. “How?” she asked softly. “How will ye help us?”

“How can ye help us when yer the one who took our homes?” asked another.

“My men and I will help ye,” said Fraser. “Together, we will rise above this. Until yer homes have been rebuilt, I will find ye lodge at Castle Dunnegan.” He watched as the makeshift weapons lowered. The people glanced at one another, mumbling and whispering, yet their gazes remained shrewd, questioning.

“And if there is not enough room for everyone, I will ensure ye find proper residence within the safety of the clan. There are cottages nearby. My servants would be happy to house ye, and my guards will provide fabric for a tent near the castle walls. Whatever ye may need, I shall provide.” Fraser took a moment to catch his breath, his gaze turning sorrow-filled as he gazed out at the destroyed cottages. "My men will see to yer homes, rebuilding them anew. This I promise ye.”

“I will go with ye,” a woman said, stepping forward with her two children.

“And so will I,” said another woman.

Fraser breathed a sigh of relief as he watched one villager after another step forward, promising to follow him to the castle.

“I will remain behind and help yer men,” said the man with the sickle. Several men strode towards him, nodding in agreement.

“Kenneth, Gavin,” Fraser called, waiting for his soldier’s presence at his side. “Please help these men with their homes. I will return with more in the morn.”

“Aye, my laird,” said Kenneth and Gavin in unison.

“Scott, ye will join me in helping the others to the castle.” Fraser stalked back towards his horse, mounting quickly and turning around.

“Aye, my laird,” said Scott, following him to the front. “Do ye have any idea who might have done this?”

Fraser frowned and shook his head. “Nae, not at all.”

However, the man looked like him. This wasn’t the first time he had been met with such confusion. He recalled Beitris’s slap, the anger in her gaze as she confused him for another.

Perhaps, there was someone out there who looked like him.