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Ewen flung the man aside, and rolled into a squat Allen stared ild eyes at the laird, his jaw snapping at the air as he labored in vain for breath He went rigid, with legs splayed, heels ha the dirt The MacKintosh clansman suddenly stilled A final exhale rattled fro the tail of his own tartan to wipe the blood off of his face, Ewen looked up to see his uncle standing at the top of the gully appearing delighted

"You bloody savage!" Donald ’s voice boomed across the walls of the ravine

"The tree doesn ’t always fall with the first stroke, aye?" Ewen nodded back "But ’twas the sweetest bite I ever had "

"Ewen …" Robert stood by Donald’s side, disgust threatening to overtake the look of shock plain on his features "You, well …" Hetone " Vae victis, Lochiel Your foe had not a chance Fighting as you did with …with the primitive ruthlessness attributed to our ancient Pictish forefathers "

"What else would you have me do, Robbie?" Ewen stared at his foster brother athe corners of his eyes "But I thank you the saave a nod "it seems the battle ’-- -- s not yet over"

Ewen scrambled up the side of the ravine and collected his lost sword "Where ’ve the others got to?"

Donald gestured toward an overgrown trail "They’ve made off for those redcoat cowards who ran into the woods "

Ewen took off at a dash, leaping over s to avoid branches Donald and Robert struggled toAlder trees reached like enor a couple dozen redcoats ere on their knees and surrounded by a knot of angry Calance told hi and histo dispatch the last of Monk’s soldiers "Give hlanders "We ’ll not slaughter these htened redcoats, his gaze resting on each one "I offer you quarter Each and every one of you " Ewen circled the knot of men "You may live by the ways of Cromwell, but we do not ’Twould be craven to butcher near two score of boys, scared and on their knees Nay, quarter you shall have, and all that I ask "--

A rustle and click is all that betrayed the British soldier A lanky redcoat no older than twenty had hidden a pistol tucked at the s directly at Ewen

"You think to offerhands "but I will not accept -- charity from a barbarian You may call yourself leader of these "--he fu a pack of anih the trees as he discharged his gun Ewen snarled and leaned in toward the boy, ready in his final moment to embrace death like a warrior But it wasn’t Ewen ’s flesh that the bullet found Robert had leapt in front of his foster brother, offering his life to save Ewen’s

The group plunged into chaos The Highlanders turned upon the cluster of redcoats,their features

Ewen stood apart from the melee and roared at the sky as he held the body of his brother, li of his chest up and down as he struggled for breath

Donald appeared at his side and said, "I ’ll take the lad to the keep He ’ll need attention " He placed his hand on Robert’s head, and in an uncharacteristically tranquil voice, asked, "Can you make the ride, lad?"

"Do not worry for me… Oh, pallida

"Och," Donald erupted, "ever with the Latin I ’ll nick your other shoulder, lad, if I hear any Latin on the road home, aye?" He turned to Ewen "I say the lad’ll be fine There ’s always life in a living man "

"Aye, he will " Ewen’s brow furrowed "The bullet looks to have bit below his shoulder Just send up a prayer that it ’s not nicked the lung "

"I’ll take him now " Donald reached for Robert with a tenderness that belied his gruff voice "Come away now lad You’ll ride astride before me "

By the time Ewen turned his attention back to his men, it was clear that there would be no prisoners after all Those redcoats who didn’t fall at the hands of the Camerons had fled into the trees