Free In Love With A Warrior (Gunn Guardsman (Book 4)) by Kara Griffin

covering her dark tunic, and then pulled on a helmet, ensuring her hair tucked well up into it so no one would see it.
    With the heavy mail against her breasts, she knew none would suspect she was a female. She could’ve laughed, for most of the time her father’s men didn’t know they fought against her. If they had, they would’ve forfeited, and that would have upset her. Only her brothers were aware she trained with them and they never told anyone her secret.
    That had ended the day she bested Rhun and her father praised her in front of his men. Since, she hadn’t trained with the men because she’d been distracted with making amends with Branwyn and keeping her mother content.
    Emlyn snapped her fingers, and Aled followed her outside. He was the best pet a lass could ask for. He was extremely loyal, and protected her fiercely. The only time she worried for him was when the owl came. Emlyn looked above and as if on cue, the feathered beast came flapping her wings.
    “Good morn, Iola. Aye, your friend awaits you.” The owl landed on Aled’s back and he galloped away, through the gate, and toward the hills. “I shall see you this eve,” she called to them.
    She would see neither of them the rest of the day. Emlyn wondered how a hound befriended an owl, for their friendship was indeed odd. But she allowed Aled to have his friendship, and went on toward the training fields.
    As she approached, she saw the hundreds of Scottish warriors standing about, getting ready to join her father’s thousands. The only way she could tell the difference betwixt the two armies was that her father’s men wore blackened mail and tunics with a large red dragon as embellishment on the front.
    The Scotsmen wore many colors of garments, some matching those they stood around, and she learned most northern clans wore alike colors. They didn’t wear any mail.
    This day would be exciting, and she hoped to avert her mind from her parent’s discussion. She’d work out her frustration on the field and would verily feel much better. At least the warriors would be good sport. Emlyn hurried to stand with her brothers and gave them a nod.
    “You’re late. I would’ve thought you would have been here by now,” David said, laughing and knew well that she wanted to fight with their visitors.
    “I’m surprised she wasn’t here at dawn,” Griffen remarked dryly.
    “Sorry, I was detained. Who leads the training this day?”
    David turned and nodded. “I do. Come, we’ll begin.” He marched off and assembled various leaders to give instruction on the various tactics they’d take to.
    Emlyn was put in the same group as her elder brother, Griffen, and was glad because he wasn’t as concerned for her as David. He allowed her to take to combat with any weapon she chose and any partner. David, on the other hand, often chose the weapon and partner for he didn’t have as much faith in her.
    She removed her sword, but was directed to the quintains. Let down, she marched forward and sheathed her sword. For she was terrible at using the bow and would verily be bested. That was something that irked her for she wanted to be the best at any and all weapons.
    As she stood in line, awaiting her turn, she saw the dark-haired warrior walk by. Oh that she could test her skills against him. Her eyes took in his muscular form, his bared legs, and stealthy gait. He had the confidence of a true warrior. How she wished she had as much self-assurance.
    The man in front her finished his round and left the quintain with his arrows in hand. He bumped into her on purpose and muttered something about a lad getting in his way. She turned back to the quintain and ignored him.
    Emlyn pulled the five arrows she’d brought and held the bow in her hand. Fortunately everyone’s attention was caught by the Scotsmen who began to train with swords. She heard the shouts of the men, the cheers, and the crowd’s dejection when someone faltered. How she wanted to run off and