At the last minute, Will found the solid path through the bog. But D’Orsey, being unfamiliar with the terrain, forced his horse to ride straight into it. The Frenchman fell off as his horse struggled valiantly in the sinking ground, and David thought luck had finally gone his way.
Though he riding at a full gallop, time seemed to slow to a crawl as he watched D’Orsey reach the path and pull Will off his horse.
With all his attention on Will, David did not notice until now that Robbie had reached the edge of the bog. Robbie dismounted and ran to Will’s aid.
With all his heart, David regretted provoking D’Orsey and risking his brothers. D’Orsey was a famed knight, skilled in battle, said to be unmatched with a sword. Robbie and Will would not last long against him.
David was finally nearing the bog when he saw D’Orsey raising his sword over Will’s head.
“D’Orsey!” David shouted as he urged his horse over the uneven ground.
Robbie charged into the Frenchman. D’Orsey sent Robbie flying into the muck, and Will fell backward onto the ground. Looking straight at David, D’Orsey raised his sword high over his head again to strike the deathblow to Will.
David’s horse found a patch of firm ground and sprang ahead as D’Orsey’s blade began to fall.
Leaning to the side, David swung his sword with all his might and sliced through D’Arcy’s neck as his horse thundered past them.
Over his shoulder, David watched as D’Arcy’s blade continued to fall, its sharp point on a path to Will’s heart. Will rolled to the side just before the blade struck the ground where he had lain.
David slowed his horse to a trot and turned around. Robbie reached Will first and was helping him up when David pulled his horse up beside them.
He dismounted and fell to his knees. Now that it was over, David could not breathe, and his hands shook.Thanks be to God for saving Will, for he is the best of us Humes.
He watched his brothers embrace for the first time in years.
“No one will make jests about him now,” Robbie said as he squeezed Will’s shoulders. “If not for you, Will, D’Orsey would have gotten away.”
David was drenched in a cold sweat. He had nearly lost both his brothers. The image of D’Orsey’s blade over Will would haunt him for a long, long time.
He looked down at the severed head. He had no hostage now to exchange for his father’s widow, and he’d killed the Crown’s warden, a treasonous offence. Somehow, he must turn this to his advantage.
He must ensure the safety of his family, and he knew only one way to do that. His very name must strike terror in the hearts of his enemies. Even the Crown’s forces must fear him.
“What are ye doing?” Will asked, turning wide eyes on him.
“Legends are made by acts such as this,” David said. “And I must be a legend.”
CHAPTER 41
“Praise God, they’ve returned!” Alison pressed her hand to her chest as she watched the riders approaching the castle.
David was at the front, with his brothers on either side. Somehow, he had found Will. The worry that had weighed down her chest, making it hard to breath, suddenly lifted, and she feel light as she raced down from the wall.
“David!” Ignoring decorum, she shouted and waved to him as he rode into the yard through the open gate.
He looked magnificent astride his horse and dressed for battle in his chain mail shirt. She picked up her skirts and ran to meet him.
When he reined in, his horse turned to the side, and Alison came to an abrupt halt.
A grizzly head was tied to David’s saddle by its long hair. Her hands flew to her face, and she heard herself scream, as if it the sound were coming from someone else.
“I know who this is,” she said, pointing at the bloody head. “’Tis Lord D’Orsey.”
She tore her gaze away from the horrible sight and looked up at her husband. David’s expression was hard and distant.
“Nay, ye couldn’t have done this,” she said, backing away and shaking her head.
His eyes were as cold as death. Who was he? She thought she knew him. How could the man she loved be capable of such gruesome brutality?