His Bonnie Bride by Hannah Howell (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📕

"Do and I'll see to it ye ne'er sit for a week," he snapped, glaring at her and then at the two men who laughed despite their wounds. "Get off with ye, wench." His lips twitched when she winked at him before moving away, but then grew serious. " 'Tis bad, Sholto."

"Aye. The bastard kens his business. He makes no move that'll let us even the numbers a wee bit, kenning that he only needs to wait 'til our numbers be fewer, too few to hold him back."

"If he keeps whittling our numbers down, he can stroll in ere nightfall on the morrow."

"Then give him the Sassanach lass," cried the woman who was tending the man Tavis had brought in.

"Nay," spoke up the stablemaster's wife before Tavis could respond. "I want no part o' giving a wee lass tae a man what beats her near tae death. I saw her wounds and no man did that. 'Twas an animal, a beastie no Christian deals with. The man will taek her and still taek us. Ye cannae trust a beastie like that tae act with honor or mercy."

Everyone stared after the usually taciturn woman as she strode away. The other woman turned her attention fully upon the man she was tending and said no more. Briefly, Tavis pondered upon the many and varied friends Storm had quietly acquired while at Caraidland before he turned back to present Sholto with a plan he knew would not meet with approval, speaking so as not to be overheard.

"The man must needs leave off fighting when night falls. I will try to go for help."

"Nay, we are encircled. They will be watching for such an attempt. Ye'll nay get past his watch."

" 'Tis a chance I must take. Our men could be on their way back. E'en if they arenae, an I ride long and hard this night, I can reach Athdara and fetch aid back here ere night falls on the morrow."

"If they have solved their own troubles."

"Aye, but can ye give me another choice?" Sholto's silence told Tavis he could not, and Tavis nodded. "I will slip away as soon as 'tis dark. I have told none but ye. Keep it that way."

As Tavis had expected, Sir Hugh left only a token force around Caraidland when night fell, the rest withdrawing to the camp to rest, yet near enough to be called up quickly if needed. There was nothing to be gained in fighting blind in the night. More would be gained by allowing his forces to recoup some strength for the fight on the morrow. There could not be any escape from Caraidland, of that he had made sure.

Only the wounded were allowed to rest at Caraidland. There was always the chance, however small, that Sir Hugh would try to storm the walls during the night. It would be out of character, for it would risk a high loss of men, but an unexpected move was the one to keep the closest watch for. Lacking patience, the man could be driven to make such a rash move.

Dressed in black and leading an equally black horse, Tavis crept out a side gate. It was a very chancy venture he embarked upon, but there was no other choice. They needed more men and that meant trying to get to Athdara. He could only hope that, if he reached there, whatever trouble there had been at Athdara was now at an end, allowing him to return with not only his own men but perhaps some sword-wielding MacBroths as well.

It was not the best night for trying to creep through an enemy's line of watch. Caraidland's own watch fires cast out unwanted light. There was also a moon, its light unfettered by clouds. It was a little difficult to keep both himself and his horse in the shadows as he edged toward the wood. Tension and the need to be as quiet and careful as possible made what was but yards seem like miles, and minutes like hours.

When he was just inside the wood he mounted, but kept his steed at a walk. To spur his horse to a gallop when he was still so close to Sir Hugh's ring of watches would be foolhardy. Slowly, he made his way through the wood, working at an angle through its dark tangles that would eventually bring him to the road that led to Athdara and, he prayed, far enough along it to be beyond sight and reach of Hugh's minions.

The sigh of partial relief that escaped him when he reached the road got caught in his throat as two horsemen entered the road in front of him. It was almost as if they had been waiting for him, but he knew it was just sheer bad luck that had brought him through at the spot where Sir Hugh had placed a watch. The fact that the men were far beyond the usual place for a guard only proved how wily Sir Hugh was. He had guessed what would be tried and had undoubtedly placed his strongest guard on this side of Caraidland. Tavis cursed, for it also meant that Sir Hugh knew exactly how short of men they were and why.

Although the chance of success was dim, Tavis whirled his horse around and raced for the besieged keep. If he could get near the walls of Caraidland, there were ways to get back in. There was no chance of getting to Athdara, but perhaps he could return to Caraidland, thus saving them the painful loss of yet another man. When they did not immediately loose an arrow his way, his hopes rose, for he realized that Sir Hugh had ordered that anyone trying to slip away was to be brought back alive.

He could see the watch fires of Caraidland when the men chasing him suddenly called out. Two more men appeared in the road directly in front