Melcorka led the rush outside, with Defender held ready and Tuath at her side. "I thought we had rid ourselves of this plague," she said.
"So did I," Tuath said. "We have cut off the head, but it appears that now we have to destroy the body." He lifted his axe. "Let them come."
They stood outside the broch, side by side and with Duncan and the other survivors behind them as the morning sun climbed above the hill to the east.
"Where are these Caterans?" Tuath asked.
"I saw them come over the hill," Liam said. "And now they have gone."
"They must have withdrawn to lure us into an ambush," Melcorka said.
"They heard how good we are," Tuath said. "They know we outnumber them, two to hundreds!" His laugh was sardonic. "Shall we kill some Caterans?"
They moved forward at a trot, with Brad
