Page 20 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

“Pah!” Aaden laughed loudly, continuing to parry Faulkner as he called back to be heard. “Nay man fit fer the task of takin’ down our captain, me laird.”

“Aye, it’s true,” Myers shouted up. “Any new recruit has tae face him. Nay man has lasted longer than two minutes.”

“And he was being generous,” another of the soldiers called. Many laughed, some momentarily pausing in their scuffles before leaping at one another again.

Gilchrist smiled just a little, angling his head around to now look at Laird Shay.

He was clearly unhappy with what the soldiers had said.

“Still looks like the captain is slacking to me,” he said, loud enough for many of the soldiers to hear.

“Ye dinnae ken our captain, me laird,” Aaden called once more.

“Nay man is a finer fighter,” Faulkner agreed, scarcely avoiding a blow from Aaden.

“Faulkner, weight forward,” Gilchrist urged again. “Move yer feet faster. Ye fight with yer whole body and nae just yer sword.”

“Aye, Captain.”

As conversation was drowned out once more by the clatter of swords, Gilchrist turned to look at Laird Shay.

That morning, the laird was dressed ostentatiously, with a rich dark red jerkin and a heavy cloak upon his shoulders to fight off the cold and the wind. His blond hair was tousled by that breeze, though he kept fussing with it, pushing it back across his forehead.

The peacock is dressing tae impress Kyven.

Gilchrist looked away again.

“Something tells me ye need a real opponent, Captain.” Shay walked up behind him, leering in his ear. “Or perhaps ye dinnae want tae lose in a fight against me again,” he whispered, reminding Gilchrist of the day he was threatened by Shay and Larry, warned off the land and exiled from the clan. “Nay? Too weak? Too… cowardly?”

“I willnae rise tae yer taunts,” Gilchrist dismissed him. “I’m here tae train me men, nae tae give yer pride a boost.”

“Ah, so ye dinnae think ye can beat me?” Laird Shay now raised his voice so a number of the soldiers could hear. “Come, I’m challenging ye, Captain Gilchrist.” He took off his glove as he walked around Gilchrist, then threw it to the ground at his feet, like a gauntlet. “Fight me and give yer soldiers some entertainment.”

The youngest of recruits now broke off from their battles and turned to watch in wonder, clearly curious as to whether Gilchrist would fight or not.

“I told ye, I am here tae train me soldiers. I should think a laird has nay need tae challenge a captain. Ye wouldnae want tae tear that doublet of yers, would ye?” Gilchrist taunted him. As Shay ran a hand over his jerkin, fearful of tearing it, many of the soldiers laughed.

Even Aaden now stopped fighting and raised a hand in the air to Faulkner, telling him they needed to pause.

“I am challenging ye, Captain. Surely ye willnae be such a coward as tae refuse.”

“I am nay coward.” Gilchrist’s voice grew dark. To be embarrassed in front of his men with such an insult was beyond everything, but Gilchrist also feared being drawn into this fight. What would Kyven say if she knew the two of them had parried swords? She’d think they were acting like children, brawling. “I am nae here fer sport. I am here tae dae me job, which is tae train me men fer battle.”

“Oh, aye. A coward’s way out, I see.” Laird Shay pulled out his sword from its sheath and swiped it through the air a few times, swishing it against the wind.

Some of the soldiers were forming a circle now, ready for the battle.

I cannae dae this. I cannae!

Gilchrist turned his back.

“I have nay time tae humor ye, me laird,” Gilchrist said scathingly. “Parry yer advisor. I’m here tae train me men. Myers, come. We need tae work on yer sword skills.” He walked toward Myers, but as the soldier took a step toward him, he saw Myers’ eyes widen.

Fear.

It took Gilchrist a second to respond. Rather than wasting time pulling his own sword from his belt, he snatched Myers’ instead and whipped around. He clashed it against Laird Shay’s outstretched sword and the two froze, blades locked in the air together.

There was a hiss of panicked whisper around the soldiers, then one clapped excitedly.