Anna didn't realize Kevin had his hands on her waist holding her from behind so she wouldn't fall. What came up was mostly blood and she tried not to get it on her skirt, which was ridiculous since it was already ruined. She stood back up. "Please, just let me die."

"I will not let you die. Did they knock out your teeth?"

She shook her head.

"Are you hurt inside?"

Again she shook her head. "My mouth is cut." She felt her lips with her finger tips and then Thomas handed her the cloth. She glanced around and could see three more Highlanders. They were off their horses and stood with their backs to her.

Thomas remembered to use his English. When he spoke to Clymer at the creek in Gaelic, it seemed to disturb her. "We need to get her home, Kevin. She needs rest and who knows how long it has been since she ate a meal."

"It will hurt her if we go faster."

Anna shook her head. "Get it over with. Do not cover me, it hurts my arm."

"She is right, Kevin. The longer she is jostled, the longer she will bleed."

She twisted free of his hands, walked back, waited for Kevin to mount his horse and then let Thomas lifted her back into Kevin's arms. But this time she was the one to see to her comfort. Her legs were over Kevin's leg and the bruise on the side of her knee was touching it.