Page 153 of Halfling
She ignored them, striding up to her father.
Ciaran met her, holding her by the shoulders to look at her. “Sorcha, fates, you had us worried.”
She didn’t ask. She demanded.
“We have to go after Orek.”
Her statement was met with stunned silence, so she filled it herself.
“He must not have believed the danger was just one orc. That’s why he took the head.” Her jaw worked, his leaving still sore. “I don’t know why he didn’t tell me, but he shouldn’t face this alone.”
Ciaran stared down at her, quiet and serious. For the span of one horrible heartbeat, he said nothing.
Then, drawing her into a tight embrace, he said, “All right, my girl. We’ll bring him back.”
“I…” For a moment, words failed her, so surprised was she at his easy agreement. “I’m coming with you.”
Ciaran nodded. “We’ll need you to guide us. And there’s no one better to give him a piece of your mind once we find him.”
More tears stung her eyes, and she threw her arms around her father. This didn’t make right all the heartaches and resentment between them, but it was a start. It wassomething.
He’s trying. For me,she realized, the idea so wonderful and fragile, she hardly wanted to touch it too long in her mind.
When her father released her from his arms, he turned to the rest of the family gathered. He put his hands on his hips, and in a clipped voice that brooked no argument, he issued everyone their marching orders.
Niall was sent on a swift horse to Dundúran to tell Lord Darrow and request a contingent of knights.
Connor went to ready their horses and arms.
Everyone else was to gather and prepare supplies for the journey.
And Sorcha was to bathe, eat, and rest until their departure tomorrow.
By the time she returned downstairs in the evening, the kitchenwas a hive of activity. All her younger siblings, as well as Aunt Sofie, had gathered with Aoife to cut, cook, and package. A mountain of provisions grew steadily taller on the kitchen table.
Sorcha took her place in line, unable to rest even though Aoifekept trying to shoo her to bed. They stayed up late into the night, filling saddlebags full of food.
She caught a little sleep after helping ferry the younger ones up to bed. And though it wasn’t much, she rose to a new dawn with a new sense of purpose.
I’m coming, my love. And you’re going to get such an earful when I find you. And then the biggest, longest kiss of your life.
Her heart was still broken and sore, but it swelled to see the gathering party outside the house. Her father, Connor, and Niall were already mounted up, Connor holding the reins of a saddled Fiora. Lord Darrow had come himself with two dozen mounted knights, and he nodded to Sorcha when she emerged. Aislinn had come to see them off, and she pulled Sorcha into a fierce hug. “Go get your man,” her friend said, and Sorcha promised she would.
Sorcha then hugged and kissed her mother and aunt and every sibling. Even Maeve, who held Sorcha tighter and longer than she had in years. “I hope you find him safe,” Maeve whispered.
She squeezed her sister tight. “We will,” she said.
And they would. She’d accept nothing else.
35
An orc camp could be a very dangerous place, but Orek had learned enough to keep himself undetected in their midst.
It was a fairly standard hunting party, with ten fully armed hunters traveling light. Despite the winter, they’d brought only furs, no tents, choosing instead to carry more weapons and other supplies. They were made for speed and brutal impact. Yet, he came upon them far later than he’d expected.
For days he’d passed landmarks etched in his mind from the journey north with Sorcha. He’d even lost a day seeking Cara and Anghus’s farm, needing to assure himself that he hadn’t led Silas or worse to the family’s homestead.
Orek had found a few markers close to their property but nothing that would point a hunting party in their direction. Still, from the trees, he’d allowed Anghus to catch sight of him on the way back to the house from the barn.
