Chapter Nine

What had been a quiet morning turned to chaos as news of a possible attack flew through the keep. Freya along with the other servants rushed to do as Lady Ross ordered. The moved tables to make room for those who'd come for refuge and waited keeping watch.

Soon it was evident that alarms had been sent out to the village and surrounding lands. Villagers and their families streamed through the gates. Within a pair of hours the courtyard was overspilling with people from the nearby farms.

Along with the staff from the keep, Freya, Ainslie, and Lady Ross rushed to help those who required a place to settle. Already the great room was overburdened, mothers with young bairns finding a space on the floor where blankets were spread for them to settle for however long it took.

Guards kept the gates closed until people arrived. Several archers and other warriors stood atop the wall keeping watch. The rest of the Ross warriors were along the shoreline on the ground and others next to bìrlinns.

The unknown men in bìrlinns that had entered the sea inlet remained a short distance from the shore, not making it known what they wanted. From the way they'd not sent forward a messenger, it was obvious they were not friendly.

Although at a disadvantage being they would have to come closer to strike and would be within striking distance of the Ross archers, Freya prayed it meant they would turn around and leave.

She'd rushed to the upper story to peer out to the sea, noting there were three bìrlinns. Each with at least a dozen men.

Knowing she was needed to help, Freya went back down the stairs and through the great room passing crying bairns and worried mothers attempting to keep them calm. A pair of elderly people sat huddled next to the fire, their worried gazes following her progress.

In the kitchens, the scene was chaotic. Pots bubbled in the hearth, while maids chopped piles of potatoes and leeks.

Peigi, the red-faced cook kneaded dough, her hands working furiously as she barked out orders. "Wash the turnips and cut them into small pieces. Someone stir the pot."

A maid came up with an empty tray. "The bairns are hungry."

Peigi gave the maid a bland look. "The guards and Ross family will eat first. The rest can wait for the potato and leek soup."

Lady Ross walked in and spoke to a pair of lads. "Go and tell the stablemaster to slaughter a pair of pigs." The boys rushed out.

"I will pour ale and cider. It should hold off the young ones and elderly," Freya said, dipping a pitcher into a large vat of cider.

"For one day perhaps," Peigi insisted. "What if this goes on?" She looked to Lady Ross.

Before the woman could reply, a guard rushed into the room, Ainslie on his heels.

"They attacked. Gavin insists ye and Lady Ainslie remain in the house upstairs." He looked to Freya. "Ye as well."

Freya's breath caught at being singled out. No one seemed to think anything of it, perhaps because of what occurred.

"Attacked?" Lady Ross and Ainslie asked in unison. "From the sea?"

"Aye," the guard replied and then attempted to usher them from the kitchens.

Lady Ross met the guard's gaze with an unwavering look. "I will remain in the house, but there is much to do. We will nae be cloistered in a room when the clan's people need us." She made shooing motions with her hand. "Go on to yer duties Miles."

After a hesitation, the guard finally left.

"Now," Lady Ross said looking to Ainslie and Freya. "Let us see about helping people get organized in the great room. We must ensure there is room for everyone to rest and sleep."

She turned to one of the maids. "When the lads return, have them dig a trench near the stables for when people need to relieve themselves."

Freya could see everything in a different perspective, what had seemed chaos earlier was not. Everyone had a responsibility and they moved about each other performing duties that were required.

As they made their way down the corridor, chambermaids hurried from the laundry with piles of blankets to make pallets for the people. They walked past a room that was normally the sitting area, the healer oversaw four younger men and women as they set up a room with cots for any injured.

Flora and Ainsley were soon setting up sleeping spots, ensuring everyone was given a small space and Freya rushed back and forth from the kitchens serving cider to the children and mothers.

The entire time her mind kept going to what occurred outside. Who were the attackers?

There had not been any flags on the bìrlinns. She knew it wasn't Tasgall, he didn't have any power or authority over a clan.

Where was Gavin? She'd not caught sight of him. She looked to the stairwell and considered going up to another level to look.

"Miss, can ye help me," an elderly woman had fallen on her side and Freya was pulled back into the fray of helping the distraught people.

From his vantage point on the top of a hill near the shore, Gavin stood with the line of archers.

The attackers were Clan Mackenzie, there was no doubt in Gavin's mind. Why they'd chosen Clan Ross Keep was not clear.

With shields blocking the arrows, the encroachers managed to get their boats closer. Soon they'd be in water shallow enough to disembark, which would be the time for the Ross warriors to fight alongside the archers.

Unfortunately, it meant it would be harder for his archers to strike. The first of the Mackenzie warriors to disembark were soon cut down by the archers. His men loudly cheered each time a man fell.

Surely they had to recognize it was a suicidal mission.

"They must be desperate, to go to these lengths," Knox said lifting his bow, the expression on his face intent he loosed the arrow. A scream let them know he'd hit the target.

Gavin's stomach tightened as he concentrated. Pulling back on the taut string of his bow, he let out a breath and released. A man arched his back when his arrow plunged into it, then he fell face-first into the water.

Scanning the sea for more bìrlinns, he noted there were no other boats nearby. There were more of them, he was sure. If they'd split, it meant other Mackenzie invaders could be coming ashore near where his brother lived, or to the north, where they could approach by land.

Some of the invaders had reached the shore and were now battling with his warriors. It would be harder to hit them, so he concentrated on those making their way through the water. They were smart, crouched down with their shield blocking arrows, so he shot into the water hoping to hit legs.

The Mackenzie had not brought archers, at least not on the boats there. He turned and motioned for the young guard to come closer. "Take five men and ride along the shoreline toward the Macpherson lands. It could be some may have come ashore there. If ye do see them, do not engage. Warn the Macpherson and return here."

Once the guard left, Gavin continued his grim task. Below he noted Cynden in the fray and he hesitated. His brother's opponent was an excellent fighter.

Gavin lifted his bow and aimed at the duo, waiting for the right moment. Then it happened, Cynden stumbled backward, over a fallen man, and landed on his back.

By his opponent's stance, the man smelled victory. His younger brother would be angry at his interference. But Gavin would rather suffer Cynden's anger for his protection, than his mother's for not protecting him.

With a downswing of his sword, the Mackenzie warriors went for the kill, only to stumble sideways when Gavin's arrow sunk into his chest. Cynden had rolled, he would have avoided the strike. Just as the man fell dead to the ground, Cynden glared up in Gavin's direction.

"If nae for being occupied, he would attack ye right now," Knox murmured.

His cousin's gaze was locked forward, so Gavin didn't bother replying. Both knew full well that his mother would be bereft over the loss of any of her children. Cynden, however, was her youngest and if anything happened to him, she would become mad from the grief.

Few Mackenzies barely made it to land, most were struck down before they called a retreat. Ross warriors chased the bleeding and injured back into the waters, striking down those who were too slow to run.

Soon only one bìrlinns retreated back into the waters, Ross bìrlinns gave chase.

There was something wrong. Gavin sensed it through every inch of his body. Why would they send men to be slaughtered?

The last time the brutal Mackenzies had attacked, Clan Ross had perhaps thirty men in total in their guard, unlike now when they stood at over eighty. A lot had changed in the last two years, which the Mackenzies had obviously not been aware of.

"They were nae expecting us to fight back. Why else strike here?" Gavin said to Knox.

"A distraction?" Knox replied, thinking like Gavin that perhaps more came from land.

"To the other side of the keep!" They heard guard calling.

Thankfully Gavin and Cynden had thought ahead and had half of the men on horseback protecting the area surrounding the keep.

Upon nearing, they were met by the sounds of swords clashing and people screaming.

Gavin rushed into the keep and bounded up the uneven stone steps to the top of the wall, where he and several other archers joined the lines.

The Ross warriors were outnumbered, but not by much. Several of the attackers were archers, but they were useless once he and his men shot toward them. The Mackenzie archers were forced into hand-to-hand battle.

Gavin aimed and shot an attacker, the man gripped the arrow before falling from his steed. Half of the guard were still at sea battling the survivors, which meant they were now outnumbered on land.

At sea, there were more Ross than Mackenzie, hopefully word would reach them to retreat and come help.

The Mackenzie were smart to have attacked on both sides. It was unfortunate for them that the men who'd come by land had taken longer to arrive. Otherwise, it would have proven catastrophic for Clan Ross.

Commands were shouted and Ross Warriors retreated and lined up, then as one a line of men lowered long spears and charged forward.

The Mackenzies were not easy to defeat, their style of fighting aggressive and wild. It was as if they had no fear. Gavin notched an arrow, keeping watch for an opening. He recalled his father had told them once that the Mackenzies held Norse beliefs that they would go to a perfect place called Valhalla if they died in battle.

Soon the men were tiring on both sides. After he shot another Mackenzie, Gavin searched the fray for his brother. Cynden was holding his own. The muscled warrior had defeated his opponent and was standing over him.

Screams sounded as a woman, who's dress had been slashed open down the front, was dragged into the center of the fray. The fighting came to an abrupt stop, the Mackenzies retreated, and the Ross guards once again formed a straight line in front of the entrance to the keep.

Holding shields in front of themselves, two Mackenzie fighters held the poor lass by the arms, and one stood behind her. They shouted something Gavin couldn't quite hear.

The hapless young woman sobbed trying in vain to free herself.

Gavin narrowed his eyes, watching the interchange. "What are they demanding?"

"It could be they wish freedom to retreat," Knox said.

"Or want to enter," Gavin added. "Either way, they will kill her, the man behind her will cut her through."

There was little to be done, Cynden looked up to him in question. Gavin had no idea what could be done.

The lass cried out as one of the men who held her pushed the tip of his sword into her side just enough for blood to drip.

"We can give her a swift death."

"Dinnae make me do this," Knox murmured softly.

From below, his brother Cynden looked over his shoulder with the silent command. Knox inhaled sharply and Gavin pressed a hand on Knox's shoulder. "We can lose two arrows at once."

"What of the lass?"

"If I cannae get him, I will maim her. Be prepared." Gavin looked to the archer on his left. "Aim for one to her left."

"At one!" Gavin shouted.

The men who held the lass looked up.

The man to his left notched the arrow, aimed, and released. Hitting his target perfectly. Knox did the same and the men holding the lass fell backward, arrows in their chest.

Gavin aimed for the man behind the woman at the same time, hoping that the distraction of the others falling would give him an opening. Unfortunately, the man did not move.

Gavin released his arrow into the lass' leg, and she screamed and crumpled to the ground.

Another arrow hit the man who'd stood behind her and he fell to his knees and then face first atop the young woman who struggled to get him off.

There were shouts and the fighting began anew, this time the Ross warriors were relentless.

A Ross warrior rushed to the woman's aid, dragging her toward the keep where she disappeared from Gavin's sight.

Eyes sharp, Gavin continued to shoot arrow after arrow, ignoring the protests of his arms and shoulders.

The sun had fallen by the time the Mackenzie retreated and Ross warriors were able to get the last of the injured into the courtyard.

"The bìrlinns offshore are gone. Probably to return on land if I were to guess," Cynden said as the sun fell.

Knox shook his head. "They have been planning this. I remember months ago when bìrlinns were spotted offshore. It must have been them."

No one spoke to Gavin. It was just as well, he couldn't see or hear anything other than the village girl's sobbing as she struggled against her captors And the look of shock and pain before slumping to the ground, an arrow protruding from her leg.

The pretty village girl called Gisela would have died without him injuring her. Despite knowing this, Gavin could not stop thinking that perhaps they should have waited to try and find another way. She could be hobbled for life.

It was quiet the next day, which meant the Mackenzies had gone into hiding. They would return, of that Gavin was sure. Already he'd sent a messenger to Uist to let Alexander know what occurred. He prayed his brother would be safe returning.

After the day of battling, his mother had taken to her bedchamber to pray. She'd not left since. Another reason to hate what happened.

The barbarians were not going to win.

Messengers had returned from neighboring clans stating they too had been attacked. Thankfully, most had held their own by combining forces.

With a contingency, Gavin patrolled the area near the keep, looking for any signs of the attackers. The air was thick with wariness, not only were they on the defense from the Mackenzies, but also from whoever had attacked their clan's people before their arrival.

There were shouts and two men on horseback neared his party.

The men looked from one face to another, with terrified expressions. One was younger with long dark hair, the other an older bearded man.

"We mean no harm. Dinnae have anything to do with whatever occurs. We seek refuge," the older man said.

Gavin scanned their faces. "Why are ye here? Ye are nae from our clan."

The same man held up both hands. "We were sent from Eigg to search for someone. Miss Freya Craig… her betrothed is worried about her. She was lost… at sea."

It felt as if someone had sunk their fist into his gut. He looked from the duo to his men, who kept a blank expression. "I dinnae know any Freya."

"She had black hair, is bonnie, with dark brown eyes," the man insisted. "There is a bounty… a reward for her return."

"I suggest ye leave Skye. We are at war at the moment. 'Tis nae safe. Ye can find refuge in the village, my men are along the road, ye should be safe. Go to the tavern, tell the barkeep Gavin Ross sends ye."

He motioned to the men, and they moved their horses so that the two could leave. The man gave him a questioning look but didn't say more before riding away.

"Did ye nae believe him?" one of his men asked as they continued riding toward the village.

Gavin shrugged hoping he came across as not caring. "I will have to ask the lass if it is true before handing her over to men we know nothing about. She is under our protection at the moment. I am nae going to allow strangers into the keep."

The entire time he rode, his fury grew. Why hadn't Freya told him she was betrothed?

If her betrothed was dangerous, he and his brothers should have the opportunity to ensure not only her safety but the family's as well.

The older man had been scared of what occurred. Gavin was sure what the old man had stated was true.

Anyone wealthy enough to offer a bounty could afford swords for hire.

Annoyed, he needed to tear his mind away from Freya and to the matter at hand. One threat at a time was how he'd have to handle things.

At the moment, the Mackenzies were the greater threat than a resentful betrothed man from another isle.

The next morning at dawn, the Mackenzies attacked again. This time they'd gathered united with the others who'd attacked other landowners on Skye.

They'd nearly doubled in size.

For half a century, they'd fought off the Mackenzies. The enemy clan claiming the land was their birthright. Whether it was true or not mattered little to Clan Ross. It was theirs now and it would not be handed over to idiots who attacked and killed their people.

Later that day. Gavin almost wept with relief when his brother, Alexander, returned from Uist.

He brought with him a large contingency of men sent by their cousin.