Later that night, Katie was standing over Campbell. "Campbell, I have to get that arrow head out of you shoulder!"
Campbell was glaring at her. "Hell and damnation, girl!"
Katie turned and pulled a glowing knife out of the fire. "Hold still."
Even William, who was sitting by himself, jumped when Campbell roared with pain.
"Got it!" cried Katie.
"Ah!" shouted Campbell. "Now that'll clear your sinuses, lads!"
Hamish, Katie and the others that had gathered round all laughed.
Katie tossed the knife. Her eyes landed on William. She came over to him. "Killing him didn't help, did it?"
William shook his head wordlessly.
Katie sat down at his feet and leaned her head against his knee.
William was quiet for a long moment. "She's truly gone, Katie."
"Aye."
"I buried her an hour ago."
"I would have gone with ye."
"I want to be alone…with her for one last time." William looked at the top of her head.
"I understand."
"I'm going to die a free man, Katie."
"I know, William."
"I swear it to you."
Just then, a shout of alarm was raised.
Katie stood gracefully to her feet.
"Men are coming this way! Armed!"
William stood now. They hurried to the front of the group that gathered to see who was coming.
Out of the darkness, the shapes of about forty men appeared, armed with hayhooks, knives and axes. And at their head was a man known by all as MacGregor.
"What do ye want?" asked Katie.
"We heard about what was happenin'. And we don't want ya thinkin' ya can have all your fun without us."
"Go home," said William quietly. "Some of us are in this, I can't help that now. But you can help yourselves. Go home."
MacGregor looked at him. "We'll have no homes left when the English garrison at the castle comes through to burn us out."
All eyes went to William. He glanced at Katie. She gave a slight nod. "Welcome."
"Infantry comin back!"
The shout rang through the stronghold of Lord Bottoms and he himself came down the steps. "Open the gates," he called.
The gates swung open and the men came in. The gates banged shut behind them and suddenly, the men sprang apart.
Lord Bottom's eyes widened as he was forced on his knees.
William and Katie's men had every solider at sword point within minuets. William, Katie, and Morrison and his wife came forward. Morrison's wife, Rachael, eyed Lord Bottoms darkly.
"Greetings, milord," said Katie as she took off the helmet and shook down her fiery hair. She glanced around. "'Tis a fine stronghold you have. We'll enjoy looking over it, to be sure."
"Murdering bloody bandit!" shouted Bottoms.
With a grin, William struck him hard across the face. "Such language in front of ladies."
Katie's sword forced Bottoms to look up at her. "My name is Katie Wallace and I told you once to mark my face. I am no bandit who hides her face." She stepped back and glanced at Morrison and Rachael. "Make it quick." She turned even as Bottoms began to scream and beg for mercy. "Bring me a solider."
Hamish came through, dragging one.
Katie looked him up and down.
The soldier's eyes where wide as he watched the end of his Lord at the hands of a woman and her husband.
"Listen to my sister, man. You're lucky she's talking to ye. And not killing ye."
"I'm going to spare you," Katie said quietly. "And every man here who has yielded. But you…you will go to England. Tell them Scotland's daughters and her sons are yours no more."
"Tell them," said William, "Scotland is free."
Katie stood on the walltop as her men tore the castle apart.
William came up and stood by her. "Look what I found." In his hand was a beautiful purple thistle, just like the one Marion had given him so many years ago.
"Who was there with you when you buried her?"
"Just the priest who married us. And bagpipes."
Katie nodded approvingly. "Then she went well." She turned and went down the steps. She whistled loudly and her horse came across the courtyard. She swung up and turned toward the gates.
"And just where do you think you're going?" asked William.
A pretty smile came over Katie's face. "London!"