Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

She heard the tremendous roar that seemed strong enough to splinter the earth. Her husband appeared to fly through the air towards her, his warriors falling to the ground to avoid him. His one hand shot out, shoving her away, and his other swung his sword with such fierce force that it severed the barbarian’s head from his body. It toppled back behind the boulder, as his head fell and rolled along the ground to come to a stop not far away from her, the eyes open wide glaring at her, and she screamed.

Instinct had her beating at the hands that reached for her while she continued screaming.

Fight. Fight. Don’t surrender. Was all she could think.

“Sorrell! Sorrell!” Ruddock yelled through his wife’s chilling screams. He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him and his heart slammed against his chest seeing the terror lodged there. “You’re safe, Sorrell. It’s over. You’re safe.”

It took a bit for her to hear his words over the screaming until she realized that it was her own screams, echoing in her ears, and she stopped. She looked around and saw that he was right. It was over and the barbarians who had helped him were all gone and the ones who had attacked them were all dead. Gratefully, not one of the Northwick six warriors were dead or looked to be injured.

She turned to stare at her husband, splotches of blood marred his garments and was splattered across his face.

“You are safe,” Ruddock said again, her eyes still wide and her body still trembling.

Sorrell tried to speak, but found it difficult. It was hard to breathe, hard to speak, hard to stop hearing the screams even though they were silent now.

As much as Ruddock wanted to take her in his arms, he knew doing so now might not prove wise. The fear and shock had yet to leave her and reason was nowhere in sight.

Sorrell looked around again, then back at her husband. “I want to go home.”

Ruddock nodded, thinking it wasn’t Northwick keep she meant.

Chapter 26

Ruddock had no choice but to let Blodwen see to his wife’s care when they returned to the keep. She had kept herself at a distance from him as soon as they had started walking and had remained silent the entire walk back to the castle.

He stood and watched his wife hurry up the steps to the keep, away from him, and he worried she would run even farther away.

The tolling bell drew his attention and he turned to Bruce who stood with Hollis, at their post, ready to follow Sorrell if she should leave the keep.

“Bruce, stop them from tolling that damn bell. We’re not under attack,” Ruddock ordered and the warrior hurried off.

“You brought the barbarians down on us.”

Ruddock turned to see his father standing on the top step of the keep, leaning on Erland.

“Take him inside, Erland, now,” Ruddock ordered.

Finn looked about to explode his face turned so red and before he could open his mouth Ruddock was up the steps, standing in front of him.

“Accuse me again of something I didn’t do, old man, and I’ll show you what the barbarians taught me.” He looked to a startled Erland. “Now get him inside before I drag him in there myself.”

Finn had no chance to argue, a pain had him doubling over.

“Hollis,” Ruddock called out and the warrior ran up the steps. “Help Erland get my father inside.”

The tolling bell had gone quiet as Ruddock turned away from the trio and walked down the steps to see that several of the villagers had gathered there. Fear and some tears marred most faces. The blood that covered a good part of him didn’t help. He needed to put their fears to rest.

“Listen well,” he said his voice raised with a strength that echoed out into the village. “There is nothing to fear. The castle is not under attack by barbarians. A small band of renegade barbarians was responsible for the attack on our troop. They were defeated, with help from a barbarian tribe we trade with. They will bother us no more. I will let no harm come to the clan. You are safe. Worry not.”

“The barbarian tribe you joined?” someone challenged and sudden silence fell over the crowd.

“Since your wagging tongues have already spread lies about me, I owe none of you an explanation,” Ruddock said, his voice remaining strong. “But keep spreading lies and I will have more stocks built to accommodate the liars. Now return to your chores and mind your tongues.”

Ruddock went to turn away when he spotted Hugh and his wife. They appeared to be arguing with some of the villagers, shaking their heads and pointing toward him. He would have wondered if his once good friend was defending him, if he hadn’t already spoken to him. That they both had missed their friendship had been obvious and he was relieved they were repairing it.