and grabbed for Red’s legs. Before long they were both laughing like loons. He gained his feet and despite his sore arm, tried to tackle Red and missed.
Red danced about, taunting him. Then he too got in on the action and tried to tackle Ciaran. They ended up locked together, both trying to kick the other’s legs out from under him. It was the most fun Ciaran had had in… well, he couldn’t remember when.
“Ciaran, come quick!”
So much for fun.
They froze, arms locked gripping each other’s forearms, and out of breath from laughing.
Still grinning, Ciaran turned toward their intruder.
Ian bounced on his toes impatiently with a look on his face that said he was mentally questioning Ciaran’s sanity. Then he shook his head and blurted out, “The whole clan is trying tae kill Hamish!”
CHAPTER TEN
“Running is barbaric and should be outlawed throughout the universe. Matter of fact, so should jumping, walking long distances, or any other kind of physical activity.”
—Timothy on exercise.
“Bluidy hell!”
Ian took off through the lists, leading the way.
Ciaran followed, wondering when the heck his little brother had gotten so fast. It seemed only a sennight ago, Ian was a toddler who leaned forward and put his arms behind himself, convinced that new boots made him faster. The burst of speed he displayed at present did nothing for Ciaran’s peace of mind. Whatever was going on must be bad. Then again this was Ian, and he did tend to exaggerate.
“Ugh! Do we have to run? If they kill him before we get there, he’s still going to be dead, and if they don’t, why the devil are we running?” Red whined behind him.
Ciaran grinned but kept up with his brother. “Exercise is good fer ye, Red.”
“I’m allergic to exercise! I’m an artist. Exercise is against my religion.” This time he sounded seriously out of breath.
Ciaran laughed outright, but he glanced back to check on him.
His face nearly matched his hair, but he kept pace only a couple of yards behind.
Rounding the corner, Ciaran’s heart sank. The targets were still in the same places, but there was no one around. The place looked deserted. This did not bode well, and for the first time, Ciaran thought Ian might not be exaggerating. The entire clan might be trying to kill Hamish. Hamish was a good warrior and a big man, but he didn’t stand a chance against everyone.
They passed the stables and turned left out of the front gate under the portcullis. The shouting reached him before he saw the crowd. There were people standing all around in a circle, and the shouting grew into a discordant mix of high and low voices.
Ian stopped and pointed at the mob as if it were necessary. A blind man could see this crowd. They stood four or five deep just past the gate, between the village and the castle.
Rolling his eyes at his brother, Ciaran shoved his way through the mass of bodies. There were men and women alike. Arms waved and voices rose higher. It was a seething mob. He became cognizant of Red following him, pushing through the crowd behind him, apologizing and saying, “Excuse me.”
Even before Ciaran got to the middle, he heard Hamish’s raised voice telling someone to “Ye haud ye wheesht, ye bawbag.”
“What does that mean?” Red asked beside him.
How had he caught up so fast? Ciaran ducked a waving fist, seconds before it caught him in the nose. “He told him tae quit talking.” After shoving his way into the fray, he stopped short.
The whole council stood in the middle, facing off with Hamish.
Hamish held a sack over his shoulder with one hand and his sword with the other. At the moment, the big claymore pointed right at Frasier.
Frasier, the bampot, was unarmed and still shouting. He was well within striking range and yelling something about being a thief. The man had obviously forgotten he was no longer a warrior, or perhaps he still fancied himself one. Someone should point out to him that he was weaponless and Hamish was a lot more agile than his towering bulk suggested.
Off to the left, Angus tried to calm Maggie, who was ranting and taking swings at him.
Ram held off Stuart. Not that it took much effort.
This was going nowhere fast. It was hard to tell what was going on, but the majority of the crowd seemed to be with the council and against Hamish. Ram and Angus were trying to keep the peace, but it was doubtful anyone