24
The pain in Drew's leg was still agonizing, but the dressing had been changed and the blood loss had been stemmed. He felt light-headed, but he was just about able to guide his horse back home. It was a pleasing thought to be leaving the battlefield and returning home. He wanted to begin his life with Sarah in earnest, but first he just wanted to rest.
However, he knew that rest would not come easily. There would be much revelry to celebrate the defeat of the English first, and only then would he be able to retreat to his room and sleep.
There was much to talk about for the future as well, and this new English girl that Sarah insisted was brought back. She always had good intentions, and indeed her kindness was a virtue, but Drew wondered if it would not lead her, and possibly all of them, into trouble.
Drew cast a glance towards Catherine. She certainly didn't look happy or grateful to be here. She often shot daggers at Drew as well, but then again he was the man who had killed her brother. Drew imagined anger must have been simmering inside her, ready to boil over. He could only imagine how he would feel if someone had struck down Blair.
The Highlanders returned home. Fianna was there waiting for them, as were the others they had left behind. Fianna had declined to travel with them, saying that she had seen enough battles in her time. Deirdre and Old Will were there as well, looking somewhat disappointed that Blair and Drew had returned home.
“My boys, I am so glad ye hae made it back alive,” Fianna said, hugging them both at the same time. She also had an embrace ready for Rosemary, and then Drew introduced Sarah.
“She saved my life. I owe her everything,” Drew said.
“Then I owe her everything tae,” Fianna said, clasping Sarah's hands. Sarah giggled nervously and looked around wide-eyed at the home and the castle that loomed over the moors.
“I hope ye will feel at home,” Fianna said. “There is plenty of room for ye, and I'm sure Drew will show ye around properly later. But now it is time for a feast. We hae been slaving away preparing things for the return of the army. Get yerselves some ale and celebrate!”
There was a cheer from the Highlanders as they alighted from their horses and scattered around, breaking off into small circles of clans, friends, and family, sharing ale. Drew staggered forward, his leg still giving him trouble. Blair and Rosemary went off together. Sarah quickly ran towards Drew, offering him support.
The first person to greet him was Deirdre, who came up to him wearing a scowl.
“Ye would bring back another one?!” she asked, face apoplectic with rage at the thought of another English girl being present in the Highlands.
“I dinnae hae time for this, Deirdre. Find someone else tae bother. And dinnae spend time with Declan anymore. The last thing he needs is the likes of ye playing with his mind.”
Deirdre sniffed haughtily and spun on her heels, striding away.
“What was that about?” Sarah asked.
“There are some who dinnae like us choosing English lasses,” Drew explained. “But she is nae harm. Mostly she's jealous of Rosemary. She thinks she had a claim on Blair, but she is wrong.”
“It sounds like living here could be complicated,” Sarah said.
“Do ye have regrets?” Drew asked.
“No, none,” she answered, smiling. “Let's get you inside and off that leg.”
“In a moment,” Drew said, then called out for Declan, searching the army with his eyes for his young cousin. The pain in his leg was telling him to sit down, but he knew he could not do so just yet. It took a few times of him yelling Declan's name for his cousin to appear. Declan looked sullen. His face was without a beard yet, and his eyes were dark, looking as though he was exhausted.
The boy had been born in war and was now turning into a man, but what kind of man would he turn out to be? Drew knew he had to make his stand carefully and nurture the boy, try to not let him be influenced by Deirdre's poisonous words.
“What dae ye want, cousin?” Declan asked, sauntering up with a mug of ale in his hands. His shoulders were rounded and he had a grim look on his face. In his expression, Drew saw a reflection of the war. This young man had seen the brutal and bloody battle up close, had bathed himself in blood and was forced to see horrors that few young men should face. After enduring the battle Drew understood his father better, and why Aife had sought to protect his sons from the effects of war.
“I have a task for ye, if ye are sticking around,” Drew said.
“I would nae leave now,” Declan said.
“Then I want ye on guard duty. There is an English lass we captured. Guard her, make sure she disnae try tae escape or try anything else.”
“Can ye find nobody else tae dae that?”
“I am asking ye. If ye want tae be a soldier then ye must learn tae take orders. This is important, Declan.”
“I'll watch her closely. And I will nae make the same mistake as ye and Blair,” Declan said. “I'm going tae treat her like the enemy, because that's what she is.”
With that he moved away to find Catherine. Drew and Sarah moved forward into the castle. Sarah's eyes went wide.
“I'm sure this is different from the homes ye are used tae,” Drew said.
“It is, but it's beautiful. It's like you, beautiful, but hard. You can tell a lot of effort went into building this,” she murmured.
They went into the main chamber were Drew was finally able to sit down. He breathed a sigh of relief as he took the weight off of his leg. Blair and Rosemary followed in shortly, their arms wrapped around each other.
“I am worried about Catherine. Are you sure that she is safe?” Sarah asked.
“Aye, nae harm will come tae her. Declan is a good lad, he is just a wee bit misguided at the moment.”
“We must root out this conspiracy, brother, if it is still in effect,” Blair said.
“I should nae think ye hae anything tae worry about, Blair. Ye hae proved yer merit in battle. Nobody can claim otherwise.”
“I was nae the only one tae prove myself. Ye did us all proud when ye slew Lord Flynn.”
“Thank ye, brother,” Drew said, leaning his head back. Food and drink was brought to them and they all feasted. Drew hadn't realized how hungry he actually was until the food was on a plate in front of him, and he devoured the meat quickly. At least, he intended to, but then he was aware of Sarah's presence. Instead of gorging on the meat he tried to eat a little more slowly, wanting to give her a good impression.
Sarah seemed to realize what he was doing, and it made her chuckle.
“Who would hae thought that we would end up like this, with two English lasses,” Blair said, smiling widely, raising his mug in a toast.
“Aye, and nae finer lasses are there in all the world,” Drew replied, his mug clashing against Blair's. They took hearty gulps.
“I would just like to say that I'm glad Sarah found us. I have missed you so much, Sarah, and it is pleasing to me to have you back in my life, especially since not all the Highland women have been so friendly to me.”
“It is good to be back in your company too, and although in some ways I am in the home of the enemy I feel safer here than I did in Lord Flynn's estate. But, Rosemary, I do not think I shall be your handmaid anymore,” Sarah said, a smile on her face. Rosemary laughed, and the others soon broke out in laughter too.
“But what does the future hold for us?” Rosemary asked.
“That remains tae be seen,” Blair answered. “Dae ye think Flynn's father will seek vengeance?” he asked, looking towards Sarah. Drew looked at her as well, and saw how troubled she was.
“From the stories I heard he is a prideful man. The only thing that matters to him is the prestige of his family. His children are his legacy. Without them he is nothing. He is a powerful man as well, with many allies. I fear that if he attacks the battle may not be as swift as this one.”
“He can attack us, but we will show him that he should nae mess with us Highlanders,” Blair said.
“I'm more worried about Catherine. I thought she would have reacted differently,” Sarah said.
“She will in time.”
“I believe any conflict could be avoided if she speaks to her father and tells him that she came here willingly, but I do not know what could make her feel like that.”
“There will be a way. It is better not to think of that anyway. That is all in the future, and may not come to pass anyway. We should seek to be happy that the battle is over and we are all here, safe with each other. That is the most important thing,” Rosemary reminded everyone, and the sentiment she expressed was met with great acceptance.