Part 28 (2/2)

Adam regained his footing quickly, but not before Leod drew blood from Adam's thigh. Ian's continued shouts for them to cease echoed around them, but Leod snarled and continued the fight.

Out of the corner of her eye Gwenyth saw Daron at the edge of the crowd, sword drawn. Others had done the same, and Gwenyth feared more blood would be shed before this was through.

Without taking her gaze from Adam, she pleaded, ”Morogh, do something.”

”Naught to be done, la.s.s,” he said in a resigned voice. ”This has been coming since those two were lads.”

”Well, one or both of them may not live past the day.”

”Aye.”

Please, G.o.d, let Adam live. With a jolt, Gwenyth recalled her fervent prayers for deliverance in Leod's hall. And how Adam had been the answer to those prayers. Yes, G.o.d had given her everything she'd prayed for and until today, she'd been too blind to see it.

Adam.

His face showed the strain, yet still he fought well. Leod, on the other hand, seemed to taunt his adversary and twice left himself wide open. Adam did not take advantage.

Gwenyth couldn't bear to watch but couldn't turn away. What would happen if Leod won? What if he killed Adam? The prospect of a world without Adam, and Leod still alive, didn't bear thinking.

As the men struggled on, Gwenyth remembered Adam smiling as he played and splashed in the loch, moon-blessed on the parapet, the honorable man who would move heaven and hades. . .

For her.

Be strong, my love.

Adam slipped on the now matted gra.s.s, caught himself before he fell, then feinted left. The quickness of the move must have caught Leod unaware, for Adam's next thrust sent Leod's sword sailing out of his hand to land several feet away.

Gwenyth sighed in relief. It was over.

Leod made a mocking bow, then scanned the trees on the hill behind the crowd.

Gwenyth wrenched her gaze from Adam, following Leod's stare, as did Nathara. Movement in the trees caught her eye, and she heard Nathara scream at the same time Morogh shouted, ”Watch out, lad!”

Adam twisted in response to the warnings, and Nathara barged forward, shoving Gwenyth's tiny frame against her husband's mountain of a body. Her shawl slid from her shoulders as Adam grunted in pain. Surprised and confused, Gwenyth stepped back to a.s.sure herself that Adam was unharmed from the unknown danger Nathara had sensed.

Seeing Adam's pained expression, Gwenyth quickly dropped her gaze to where her plaid hung suspended from an arrow imbedded in Adam's arm. Her stomach lurched, but still she had the presence of mind to reach for the dirk strapped to his leg.

Gently she cut away the cloth to reveal Adam's left arm, pinned fast to the leather hauberk and useless.

Blood dripped to the ground and stained Adam's kilt while Morogh and several others raced into the woods in pursuit of the a.s.sa.s.sin. Nathara clung to Leod's back, pounding him with her fists and blistering the air with her rantings. He broke from her hold to run like the coward he was, but Seamus and Daron tackled him and brought him back, one on either side, to face Adam.

Gwenyth pressed her hand against Adam's back. ”Come, my laird. Let me tend to your wound,” she said.

”I'm not finished here, wife.”

”Aye, you are,” she said, somewhat desperately. ”Let the others do what must be done.”

He shook her off, rage and pain making his actions less than gentle. She nearly fell as she backed away from the enraged laird of Clan Chattan.

”Bring his sword and let him go,” Adam ordered, pointing his own weapon at Daron.

”Nay, mya””

”Do it.”

Adam stood his ground, his face contorted with rage and determination, and none dared gainsay him.

None save Daron, who now stood between the two, Leod's sword in hand.

Adam growled, ”Give him the sword.”

Daron glared at Leod as he said, ”You've bested him, my laird. Leave the rest to me.”

”I'm going to kill him.” He turned to Seamus. ”Break off the arrow.”

Seamus moved to do his laird's bidding and Gwenyth ran to stop him, grabbing hold of the giant's arm and hanging fast like a dog with a disputed bone. ”You must not. If you disturb it the bleeding may increase.”

Adam shook his head as if to clear it. ”You promised to accept me no matter how damaged, Gwenyth. Now go, and let me finish this.”

The tenderness in his voice did nothing to allay her fear, but clearly he was determined. She fought tears as she did as he asked, flinching at Adam's grunt of pain when the arrow snapped in Seamus's hands.

Daron, still holding Leod's weapon, implored, ”He doesn't deserve to die a warrior's death, Adam.” He turned to Leod. ”I'm of a mind to settle this myself. You've dishonored my kinswoman and paid an a.s.sa.s.sin to kill my laird.”

Leod didn't deny either charge. Instead he smirked, seeming to defy Adam into finis.h.i.+ng what would be a lost cause, wounded as he was. ”Aye, Adam. How does it feel to know I had your lady before you? Or have you even bedded her?”

Adam roared and despite his wounds and pain, it took four men to hold him from advancing on Leod. Gwenyth held her breath, for clearly the effort had cost him. Pain etched his features, and still the blood seeped. Every instinct urged her to go to him and mend his wounds. But he'd made it clear he did not appreciate her interference, nor would she give him cause to resent her.

He must end this his way. She only prayed he would not insist on finis.h.i.+ng the fight. He'd proven his mastery with the sword by disarming Leoda”the fight should have ended then, would have ended then if not for Leod's treachery.

Daron spoke the words that formed in her own mind. ”You have bested him, Adam. His sword is here in my hand, and you still hold yours. The fight is won.”

”I must avenge Gwenyth's honor.”

Gwenyth stepped close. ”Do not die to avenge me, my laird, I beg of you. I could not bear to live with your death on my conscience.” And I cannot bear the thought of spending my life without you.

”I want him dead.”

Daron nodded. ”Aye, and he deserves it. But Leod has forfeited his right to die an honorable death.”

Adam seemed to hear the words this time, and Gwenyth stepped forward to go to him. But Ian blocked her way. ”Let the man be, my lady. He'll need your care soon enough. But not just yet.”

Gwenyth bit her lip. Ian was right, but Adam's blood formed a puddle on the ground at his feet, and she feared his strength drained away with it. But the rage and determination never left his features despite his pain, despite her plea.

The crowd parted, and Morogh and two others hauled a man wearing a scabbard of arrows to stand before Adam.

”You,” Daron shouted as he accosted the archer.

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