A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) by Hildie McQueen (great novels TXT) 📕

was not easy to intimidate, he knew it first-hand. So many questions whirled in his mind. But the main question was one only Ava Fraser could answer.

“Do ye ever miss?” she asked in a flat tone. “Even with yer injury, yer accuracy is without compare.”

“I have missed before, usually when I’m distracted.” Ewan looked to the target. “As ye can see.”

When she lifted her gaze to his again, he realized why Keithen did not stand a chance in not falling for the beauty. Her golden-brown eyes were slanted up at the outside corners, her lips were full and, although she rarely smiled, they turned up at the corners, just a bit.

“Why did ye come to me?” she asked, motioning to him. “Is there something ye wish to tell me?”

Obviously, she suspected it was he who’d killed her father. Ewan decided it was time to confirm it. “I shot yer father. I assume ye suspected.”

“I did.” She looked straight ahead. “He was cruel and never kind. However, he was my father and I felt his death.”

“Will ye dress as the masked person again and try to kill me to avenge his death?”

She whirled to look at him with an expression of astonishment. “What do ye speak of?”

“The masked person who saved Keithen from attack in the forest. I think it is ye.”

Ava blew out a breath and waved her hand dismissing his words. “Ye are wrong. Ye are leaving then?”

“I am.”

“Good. I hold ye no ill will Ewan Ross. That said, I hope to never have to see ye again.”

“There is still one person who deserves to die. And it is not me,” Ewan told her.

She studied him for a long moment. “Who?”

“The guard with the red birthmark on his face. If ye are so bent on vengeance, then perhaps avenge what was done by yer clan to Catriona.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I helped her. It was I who demanded she be released upon learning she’d been sent to the guards.” Ava took a step closer to him. “Believe me when I say that they have been made to pay. Many died at the last attack by the Ross and Fraser Clans. Then the other attack by lesser clans finished off the rest of them. The current clan is no longer as powerful.”

“And yet, they continue to cause trouble,” Ewan replied with a sneer. “And he lives still.”

“How do ye know this?”

Obviously Keithen had not informed her for whatever reason. He, on the other hand, had no reason to keep the information to himself. “He is the one who left me for dead.”

Ava’s eyes widened.

Ewan met her gaze. “Or perhaps, ye would rather thank him than kill him?”

When she remained silent, Ewan went back to the marker and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw that Ava continued to stand in the same spot. She didn’t watch him now but, instead, looked past the back wall of the compound towards Mackenzie lands.

***

During first meal on the day of travel, Laird Fraser insisted the Ross guardsmen who were to depart eat in the great hall. Every table was filled as the Fraser guards who were to travel also ate inside.

With the great hall filled to capacity, Ewan imagined Catriona would not eat there. It would be too much for her. He kept an eye across the room to where her bedchamber was on the off chance she’d emerge. The table in the corner where the women sat was currently filled with guards.

“I wish to thank the men of Clan Ross for coming to our assistance,” the laird exclaimed, holding up a tankard. “Ye have ensured that the people of Clan Fraser feel safe and, for that, I am forever indebted to Laird Ross.”

The men banged their tankards on the table in reply, everyone looking around the room to each other.

“Ewan Ross,” Laird Fraser called out his name and Ewan stood and walked to the front of the room.

The laird placed a hand on his shoulder. “I thank ye for commanding yer men and honoring yer laird.” The man met his gaze directly. “Ye are a great leader and warrior who fights well, and we are grateful for yer being here.”

It was the first time Ewan had ever felt so proud. He swallowed at the thick knot in his throat. “It was my honor to serve ye, Laird.”

The laird motioned to a guard who brought a leather bundle. “This is for ye,” Laird Fraser said, unwrapping the folds to divulge a beautiful broadsword. The handle was intricately etched with a vine and thistle. “Thank ye.”

When Ewan reached for the gift, his hand shook just enough to be embarrassing. “I will carry it with pride,” he replied. Then he spoke softer. “If ye ever need me, I will come to do whatever ye may require.”

“I know ye will,” Laird Fraser replied and patted his shoulder. “Godspeed. Take care of my wife and the lass, Catriona.”

At the laird saying “Catriona”, the room seemed to close in. Had he heard the man right? The laird motioned to the table where he’d been sitting.

“A special feast will be served for all,” the laird announced and the people in attendance cheered.

Broden, who sat at the same table as him, stood up when Ewan lowered to his seat and went to another table. At the moment, he could care less. Catriona was traveling to Ross Keep and he decided it was because of him.

The next morning, there was a frenzy of activity after first meal. The laird’s carriage was prepared along with a packed cart that would carry whatever Lady Ross needed for the trip. A wagon was already loaded with items needed for the two nights they’d be spending on the road, as