Page 31 of Highland Guard
THE LIGHT HAD FADEDwhen the three found a suitable spot to rest for the night. It was by a loch and there was enough foliage and large boulders to keep them sheltered from the wind and elements whilst also hidden from passersby. They worked silently, setting up a makeshift camp. Then Kieran disappeared to go hunting whilst Dermid scouted the perimeter to ensure no one was nearby. Naomi volunteered to light the fire. Kieran was skeptical, but she was adamant about it.
Before he went about his errands, he asked for a quiet word with Dermid.
“I want to ken how you allowed Naomi to be attacked, and then you left her vulnerable.”
Dermid looked contrite. “Aye, I’ve thought on it and I’m ashamed to say twas all my fault.”
“What happened?”
“I was busy trying to flirt with her. I wanted a kiss, you see—”
Kieran was across the distance and had Dermid about the neck. “What did you just say?”
“Calm down,” Dermid demanded and pushed Kieran away from him. “You MacGregor clansmen are so easily riled when you’re in love with a lass. First it was Lachlan who almost beat me to a pulp over Tyra and now tis you, over Naomi.”
“I am not in love with her.”
Dermid merely snorted in disbelief.
“I repeat, I am not in love with her. I am worried about her morals, that’s why I warned you to stay away.”
“Ha! That’s a lie. You dinnae care about her morals. You care abouther. Just admit it.”
“Stop changing the topic. We were talking about your failure to protect her.”
Dermid sighed. “I ken it, all right. I realized my folly at the moment of the attack because I was distracted trying to woo her, and almost got us both killed.”
Kieran calmed down when he saw Dermid’s remorse. The man was having an epiphany, after all. “Then what happened?” he asked.
“Naomi warned me that the man we caught was up to no good and I dismissed it because I was only interested in getting into her—”
Kieran growled, “Say one more word and I will cut out your tongue.”
“All right, calm down, damn you. I only meant from the moment we left the Keep I tried to make her fall for me. I canna help it, tis my ego, I need to have the lasses fawn over me. But today I learnt my ego almost got us both killed.”
“Aye, tis time you learnt well. We are guardsmen, Dermid. People entrust us with their lives and the lives of their loved ones. We cannot afford distractions.”
“I ken it now. I’m ashamed to say, but the more I think about it, Naomi was the one guarding me, it seems. She was scanning the forest for danger and saved my life when the attack came.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far. She’s still just a mere lass,” Kieran scoffed.
“If you think that, then you’re in for a surprise when she beats you to death with her weapon.”
Kieran just snorted. “She is under my protection now. I want to make that very clear. There will be no more flirting and no more distractions.”
“No need to convince me. I will be far more alert for the rest of the journey.”
“Good.”
“But may I offer you some advice now?”
“Aye,” Kieran replied.
“Dinnae underestimate this lass. She may look innocent and weak as a lamb, but there is far more to her than we ken. I saw the way she used that quarterstaff of hers.”
“You mean that wee little stick?”
“Dinnae mock her, Kieran. Tis not about that, tis about thewayshe wields it. I’ve seen no one, man or woman, turn something as plain as a straight piece of wood into a lethal weapon.”
