Charlet was terrified. A wild boar could tear her to shreds, a highlander might want her or it could be, God forbid, the English. Her heart raced but she remained outwardly calm. There was no point in trying to run on the rocks, but she could jump from rock to rock as though she suspected nothing.

An arrow suddenly pierced the side of her upper arm. Bridget cried out, grabbed her arm, stepped between the rocks and crouched down as low as she could.

Just as the Englishman let loose his arrow, Blair shot him through the neck. Another man rose up, saw the Highlander and started to run. But Blair reloaded and shot his arrow through the man's back into his heart. A third man also ran, but he was too far away and chasing him meant not helping Charlet. Blair hurried to her, scooped her into his arms and took her deep into the forest.

"Who were they?"

"English. Be still, I must pull the arrow out. It will hurt but you must be quiet." He set her down, found a strong twig, made her put it between her teeth and before she could protest, he held her arm tight and yanked the arrow out. It came out easily, which meant it had not pierced her bone, but her arm was bleeding profusely. He pulled the strip of plaid off his shoulder, cut it with his dagger, wrapped it tightly around her arm and tied it.

The arrow hurt more coming out than going in and Charlet was glad she had the stick to bite on. Still the tears flowed. Then she realized the last Englishman might be coming back, so she pulled the stick out of her mouth and threw it away. As soon as Blair had her arm bound, she got to her feet.

He was impressed with her courage, but there wasn't time to dwell on it. Blair had to take her somewhere other than into the cottage where a fire could trap her. He also needed to alert his brother. He led her through the trees toward the cottage and then stopped. Able to see the doorway, he cupped his hands over his mouth and made a piercing noise.

Instantly, the cottage door opened and Blair's brother stood just inside with his sword drawn. Blair put his hand up to keep him from coming out, then through a series of hand signals, let his brother know there were three, they were English and she was hurt. His brother pointed to his own chest, Blair shook his head and pointed to his own arm. Then he pretended to shoot an arrow.




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