Unfortunately, the pain had worn Paul out and he staggered weighing down more heavily one her. She stumbled and fought to regain her balance and for a moment she feared he would propel them both to the ground landing on top of her.
Just as she got him steady, she spotted a lone rider baring down on them… it was Cree and fury blazed in his eyes.
Dawn did not think twice, she dropped Paul to the ground and threw her body over him.
Seconds later she was yanked off him with such force that it made her head spin and then she heard Paul cry out, “Please no, Dawn is helping me.”
The point of Cree’s sword stopped within inches of Paul’s chest and Cree looked to Dawn to confirm Paul’s plea and she nodded. He then pointed to her ripped sleeve and tunic. “Who did this to you?”
She tapped her chest and looked to Paul who hurried to explain that she had used the torn pieces to wrap his wounded leg. He then continued detailing what had happened and the whole time that he did, Cree never let go of her. And while Cree listened to Paul’s plea for mercy and help for his wife who was about to give birth, several of Cree’s warriors formed a protective circle around them.
Cree finally ordered Paul to be silent. He then turned to one of his men. Take this man to the keep for the healer to look after.” He looked to three other warriors and ordered, “Take this woman and let her lead you to her friend in the woods and bring them both to the keep as well.”
When he released Dawn he said to the three warriors, “This one hears clearly enough, but she has no voice to protect herself, let no harm come to her. And make sure she is returned directly to me.”
The three nodded and then formed a protective wall around Dawn, and she found herself running to keep pace with them as she pointed the way.
Cree mounted his horse and glanced around. The battle was near over, his warriors tending to the last of Colum’s men who were quickly laying down their swords. As usual he was victorious. It had been an easy battle as he had thought it would be, Colum’s men no match for his skilled warriors. They had fought brave and hard as always, though the stakes were much higher this time… for them all.
He watched as some women huddled in fear over their injured men while others ran wildly with babes in their arms, where he did not know for there was nowhere for them to go. He could understand their fear, it had griped him when he had seen what he thought was a warrior attacking Dawn.
He had known it could not be one of his, death waited for any who dared to disobey his orders and rape was something he would not tolerate. Rage like none he had ever known before rushed through him when he spotted Dawn’s ripped garments, and he was ready to kill the man who had attacked her with one swift blow.
Pride quickly replaced anger when Paul explained what had happened. That Dawn would put herself in danger to help her friends spoke generously of her nature. She was a good person and he was pleased to see that she was safe, and he intended to see she remained so.
A wave from his most trusted warrior Sloan caught his attention and he rode to where he stood on the keep steps to join him. As soon as Cree dismounted his stallion one of his warrior’s was there to tend the animal.
Annoyance plagued Sloan’s usual pleasant countenance and Cree suspected he was not going to be pleased with the news.
“We cannot find Colum or Goddard.”
Cree was not happy. He had lain awake last night thinking of how he was going to make both men pay for what they had done to Dawn. He thirsted for revenge and he would not be satisfied until that thirst was quenched.
“Send a group of men to scour the surrounding woods. If they have not found them by nightfall tell them to return. He is probably on his way to Gerwan, his feudal lord, to deliver the news and gather troops.
Sloan grinned. “Will the news have reached Gerwan by then?”
“It will have and Colum will no longer be of use to him.”
“Colum will seek revenge against you.”
“I am counting on it,” Cree said. “Now see to the injured and before nightfall I want the villagers gathered here in front of the keep.”
“Has Turbett arrived yet?”
Sloan laughed. “The men argued over who would go fetch him.”
“I expected no less from them. It is another victorious battle and Turbett will prepare a scrumptious feast for all to celebrate.”