Hiding Katherine by GG Shalton (reading women .txt) 📗

Katherine’s hand. Her breathing was labored as they desperately looked for a place to hide.

Claudia cried out and pointed toward some trees that had some broken branches. “I think we should climb up and hide in the trees.” The women agreed and followed her up the side of the trunk hiding in some leaves obscuring their view.

They climbed higher to get a better look. Deanna kept touching Katherine. “Forgive me, Sister.”

Katherine’s voice was shaking. “Me too.”

Deanna found an opening and the women watched in horror at the slaughter happening below. Katherine scanned the field trying to find Ian, a panicked feeling overcoming her. Not able to see him, she watched the gory scene unfold. Men were fighting for their lives as blood filled the fields. It was barbaric, and she had never witnessed such brutality before—savages trying to destroy not only the men but their horses as well to knock down the riders. She was frozen in shock watching the slaughter with swords and bare hands. A few seconds later, she saw a flash of a horse and screams of men pierced her ears. She covered her ears to block out the sounds turning her head to not view any more destruction, praying it would be over soon.

After a few minutes, she couldn’t help but to peek and noticed Ian on top of his horse slashing and killing anything in his way. His skills were unchallenged and soon the remaining men ran away. Ian showed no mercy and caught up with them ending their escape and ultimately lives. Turning to his men, he was covered in blood and let out a cry. The men held up their swords in victory as all the remaining men joined together in celebration.

Ian put down his sword and shifted in his seat looking around the camp. He yelled in Gaelic, and then all the men scattered as if looking for someone. Dorian yelled into the fields, “Deanna?”

Katherine’s face had lost all color and grabbing her stomach, she whispered, “I feel queasy.” She looked away and held her stomach, vomiting into the trees.

Claudia kept her head down with her hands covering her face. She was shaking unable to speak.

Hearing yells that were coming closer, Deanna finally whispered, “Here. We are up here.” Her voice cracked again, and she tried to speak louder, “We are up here.” The men kept yelling their names unable to hear her.

Deanna finally cleared her throat and yelled with a strained voice, “We are up in the trees.”

Ian found them riding his stallion into the woods with Dorian close behind. Other men joined behind them. Ian looked past Deanna eyeing Katherine. “Katherine, I am here. Are you hurt?”

The women looked back at Katherine, realizing she was in shock. Her pale face took a moment to respond and she slowly nodded her head. Her chest rose and fell, but she was unable to move. Ian grabbed hold of a branch and pulled himself up into the tree. He climbed up to Katherine and took her into his arms. He smelled of sweat and blood, but she felt comfort in his embrace and buried her head in his chest. He carried her down the tree and mounted the horse pulling her onto his lap.

Dorian looked up in the tree. “Deanna, do you need my help, or can you climb down?” She responded for herself and Claudia. “We can climb.” They climbed down together, and Dorian helped her onto his horse. One of his men took Claudia with him.

They rode to the stream and Ian scrubbed off all the blood and changed into new clothes. Katherine stayed on the horse unresponsive to the flurry of activity around her. Ian took his fur and wrapped it around her. When he finished washing, he looked back at Deanna and said, “She will ride with me.” He turned around and made a call for his men to follow.

He mounted behind Katherine and she lay back on his chest not saying a word. He held her close to him and took off in front to lead the group. He looked back to Dorian and said, “We will give you and your men time to mourn and bury your losses. We will ride ahead and camp at O’Donnell’s loch a few hours away. My men will hunt and provide your men with sup tonight.”

Dorian watched Ian’s group ride away. Deanna studied his expression realizing he was having a tough time holding in his emotions over his men’s deaths. Two of his warriors succumbed to their injuries in their battle.

“Where is he taking Katherine?” She pointed at his horse watching him ride away.

He raked his fingers through his hair. “She will be safe. We will meet with them later.”

Deanna stepped closer to him and touched his arm in comfort. “I am sorry about your men.”

“Thank you. I dread having to tell their families.” He bent down laying a blanket over one of the deceased. “This boy was only eighteen. I almost didn’t bring him.”

He looked around and found the other warrior and laid a blanket over him as well. “Jordan had been with me for years. He leaves a wife and two sons at home.”

A few of his men dug graves and they buried the men. Dorian took the men’s swords and plaids to give to their families. After burying them, the men said a prayer over them. Dorian walked around the field after the burial. He studied the plaids on the other dead bodies and said to his men, “I am grateful Ian’s men were here to help us. Those men are part of the McGregor’s clan.”

His men grunted their disapproval.

Dorian looked at Deanna. “These men have had land disputes with my clan. This encounter is an act of war. I will be speaking to my uncle the laird when we arrive home.”

One his warriors spoke up, “Aye, Dorian.” He looked around at the dead bodies of the attackers. “Did you see the way Cold-Heart and