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his shoulder.

Chapter 7
    R eeve heard raised angry voices and stopped to listen. They came from Old Jacob’s farm. He feared the king’s soldiers had stopped to question them, though it also could be mercenaries hired by the king to torment those who supported the return of the true king.
    Such incidents had grown in frequency with fear that the true king would soon claim the throne. The MacAlpin clan had sworn allegiance to the true king, and he and his brothers had been trained since they had been young to protect the rightful man who would become the King of all Scotland. And with their diligence, and God willing, they would soon see success. And then people like Old Jacob and his granddaughter-in-law Willow need fear no more.
    But now was a different matter, and until the rightful king took the throne, Reeve and his brothers would do all they could to protect the people.
    â€œTara,” Reeve whispered, giving her a gentle shake. She had fallen asleep not that long ago. He had been glad, sleep relieving her of the pain.
    She stirred, and while she was far from petite, she had been no burden. He had carried much heavier without difficulty. Besides, he favored the feel of her in his arms.
    â€œYou must remain silent,” he whispered, and her head quickly shot up, her eyes growing wide. “We’re at the croft, and so are others.”
    She motioned for him to put her down, and he did so very gently. He took her hand and guided her to a spot amongst the trees where they had a good view of the farm. She limped, and he worried that the brief respite had not helped her ankle. But there was nothing he could do for her at the moment. He had to help Old Jacob.
    He kept hold of her hand, and, surprisingly, she didn’t object, as they both peered through the branches. What he saw infuriated him. And if he was not mistaken the four soldiers who tormented Old Jacob were the same ones that had passed by him this morning. His anger had him fisting his hands. A tiny wince drew his attention, and when he turned, he saw that Tara was biting down on her lower lip to stop from yelling. He remembered then that her hand was in his.
    He immediately released it and pressed his cheek to hers, whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry.”
    â€œI understand,” she murmured. “You must hurry and help him.”
    â€œStay here.”
    She nodded vigorously.
    Reeve was relieved that she didn’t protest and would heed his order. He left her safely tucked amongst towering pines and thick bushes.
    He didn’t hide his approach. After all, there were only four of them. He could dispatch them without a problem though he would not do so until he made them pay for the taunting slaps and punches they were inflicting on Old Jacob. He was a feeble man of five-and-seventy years, hunched over from age and hard toil and didn’t deserve such harsh treatment or disrespect.
    â€œLeave him be,” Reeve shouted, his anger having grown with each step.
    The men stopped and turned, and when they saw that he approached alone, they laughed.
    â€œAre you a fool?” one asked.
    â€œAre you a coward?” Reeve shot back. “You taunt an old man who can do you no harm?”
    The soldier advanced on Reeve, his face flushed red, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Reeve not only had the advantage of strength on his side, but speed as well. He rushed the man and elbowed him so hard in the jaw that the crack could be heard by all as the man dropped to the ground. With precise swings and substantial punches, Reeve finished off the remaining four men.
    He immediately went to Jacob, who was struggling to stand.
    â€œWillow,” Reeve asked, concerned for Jacob’s granddaughter-in-law.
    â€œRoot cellar,” Jacob said with a bloody smile. “I’ll not let anything happen to her.”
    â€œI didn’t think you would.” Reeve helped the old man up to sit on the well-worn bench by the door.