Suddenly, Connor was flat on his back on the ground. His shoulder length hair was spilled across the grass and his eyes were wide. His sword was out of his hand; Kevin had both of Connor's arms pinned under his knees and was ready to slice his throat with a dagger. Connor was almost as big as Kevin, but a good fifteen years younger and it shouldn't have been that easy.
"Know where she is, but do not ever look at her in battle." Kevin had fury in his eyes. "It will cost you your life." They were both sweating profusely, but he had no intention of letting the younger man up. He needed men as skilled as Connor. "And know this as well, if you die, she will become another lad's bride."
Connor blinked twice. He hadn't considered that and was about to speak when someone in the forest shouted Kevin's name. There was no mistaking the urgency in the lad's voice and all the men instantly got to their feet prepared to fight. Kevin quickly got off Connor and glanced around to see if anyone was watching their backs. He was pleased. Just as many faced the opposite direction and Rachel was out of sight.
A second later, Justin broke through the trees on his horse. He halted, quickly slid down and ran to Kevin, "Three slain!"
Kevin was shocked. For years, he successfully avoided conflict with the other clans and the MacGreagors lived in peace. Now there would be a war. "Who?"
"Olson, his wife and one son. We are searching, but we fear the other two boys have been taken." The rage in all the men was building and Justin could feel their tension.
"Did you find the lads who did it?"
"Nay, but Olson put up a good fight. We found this." He opened his hand and showed a bloody piece of torn yellow plaid.
Kevin turned to his men and pointed at six of them, "Bring the other families inside the wall until we know what is happening." Then he chose six others. "Find the priest, bury the dead and do it quickly." He watched the men run toward the stables and then turned his attention back to Justin. "Ferguson?"
"You know it is, Kevin. Laird Ferguson thinks you have a better life than he and he aims to take it from you."
"We have heard these rumors for years. Why now?"
*
Anna didn't go to meet Emily as she said. Instead, she went to her mother's cottage. She knocked on the door and as soon as it opened, she pulled her mother into her arms.