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

sounds the horses made because they sensed the tension of their riders. The climactic moment when both parties rushed at each other with primal yells that broke the silence of the surroundings like thunder from the skies.

From then on, it was not at all pretty. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It became garish and horrible. Men’s battle cries turned to screams of pain. Horses fell sideways, their thick red blood staining the ground.

He kept Ban back. The stallion was anxious to run. But like the rest of the archers, Ewan was to remain behind the flanks of men with swords and battle axes.

Naill held the archer line tight, just behind the warriors and called for them to stop and fan out on a well-planned slight incline. From there, they could fire arrows at will, hoping to hit enemy warriors. While half the archers shot arrows at the men fighting, he and the other half focused on the enemy’s archer line.

Ewan narrowed his eyes and pulled back. In his bow were three arrows that would fell a man, immediately killing him.

He released the arrows and, seconds later, his victim collapsed forward and onto the ground from atop a horse.

Just then, Naill toppled from his horse. No one tried to help him. This was not the time to care after casualties, but to continue in their fight.

Warnings were cried out by the Sutherland warriors as a second wave of Ross warriors arrived. The men from the northern guard post had received notice and rode toward them, hungry for a taste of battle after long days of watch.

It was not much longer before those left of Clan Sutherland called retreat and did their best to gather their wounded before escaping.

The causalities were plenty on both sides, although most of the dead were Sutherland men.

Ewan and the rest of the archers kept vigil while the men below sought out the injured. It was hours later that they set up camp just a short distance away.

“We will stay and ensure they do not return,” Naill said while being tended to by a healer.

“It is doubtful they will,” Tristan said, waiting for someone to see about a cut on his leg. “They have to travel much further, and their numbers are not as plentiful.”

Clan Sutherland’s lands bordered the Ross’ northern border. Looking to grow his territory, the Sutherland did not care about the loss of men. It made little sense to be at war with all the surrounding clans, but the man’s greed was out of control and it seemed no one in his clan did anything to stop him.

That night while the men ate, Tristan shouted out orders for who would remain on watch at which times.

Ewan volunteered to take the first shift as he doubted he would be able to sleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Catriona’s face. Her stoic expression as she’d broken his heart. It was as if she’d not known him at all.

He walked to a tree and looked up at the night sky. It was a clear night, the sky filled with stars. For a while, he traced patterns, noting some he’d seen many times before. Although he had no idea if they had names, it was comforting to see the familiar formations.

Tristan approached and looked up to the sky. “See anything interesting?”

“I like looking at the stars,” Ewan replied. “How is Naill?”

“He’s asleep. The healer managed to get him to drink something that would make him rest.”

The man was married with two children, which made it important for him to return home alive. It was an unspoken truth, often warriors did their best to ensure the married ones made it home.

“What happened between ye and Catriona?” Tristan asked. “Merida told me ye asked her to marry ye.”

It had not occurred to her that his cousins were informed of everything through their wives. He’d been glad to see that the women got along well with Catriona fitting right in. Now it would be a stark reminder of her absence once she returned to Fraser lands.

“She decided to marry someone else.”

Tristan frowned. “Who?”

“Someone from Clan Fraser.”

“I am sorry,” Tristan replied and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I am also surprised. From what Merida told me, ye and Catriona have become very close.”

Once again, he looked up to the sky. “Once she leaves, I hope I never see her again.”

Tristan nodded. “Do ye plan to remain with us then?”

In that moment, he made a decision. “Yes. There is nothing for me in Uist and here I can make a life working for Malcolm.”

“I am glad to hear it,” Tristan said. “I best walk about and see about the others.

For a long time, Ewan considered his life moving forward. He’d do his best to serve the laird and fight with all his might against aggressors. After staying in the keep for a while, he’d work on building a house for himself. Perhaps he’d ask Malcolm for a piece of land to call his own.

He began formulating what to do when a moan caught his attention. One of the injured was in pain. Deciding to see if there was something he could do for the man, he went to him.

“Water, please,” the injured man asked. He was feverish and so Ewan went to get water and cloths to wash his face.

It took some time, but the man finally fell into a fitful sleep.

“He will not be returning to the northern post,” a guard said, looking down on the sleeping man. “I’ll have to ask for a replacement.”

“I will do it,” Ewan said without thinking. “I can take his place.”

“Ye are an archer. We need a warrior.” The man looked him up and down. “Although, ye’re built like a warrior.”