Page 4 of Bride of Mist
“What’s happened?” Dougal demanded, wondering what foul mischief the troublesome brothers had gotten into now.
“Fire,” Fergus wheezed.
“An attack,” Morris rasped out.
Dougal’s heart raced. This was more than mere mischief. “Where?”
“In Kirk—” Morris’s words ended in a series of racking coughs.
By now, others had gathered. Murmurs of “fire” circled the courtyard like an ominous wind.
“Kirkoswald?” Dougal asked, his heart in his throat.
Fergus nodded.
Bloody hell. That was where the christening was to be. East of Castle Giric. Roughly three miles away.
“Fetch buckets!” Dougal called out to the bystanders. “We’ll need all the able-bodied folk we can muster to put out the fire.” He turned back to the Fortanachs. “How bad is it?”
“They burned the whole village,” Morris muttered.
Dougal fist tightened in Urramach’s bridle. “Who?”
Fergus shook his head. “We didn’t see them.” Then he held out a tarnished medallion. “But they dropped this.”
Gaufrid had finally arrived. “Let me see that.”
Dougal had to go to Kirkoswald. There was no time to waste. He hauled himself into the saddle and shoved the helm down over his head.
“Men, saddle up and follow me as soon as ye can!” he commanded the warriors.
“Wait!” Gaufrid countermanded him. “I know this badge. ’Tis the mac Giric’s.”
Beneath him, Urramach danced impatiently, eager to run. “And?”
Gaufrid frowned. “The mac Giric stronghold is three days’ ride from here, at…at…” He glanced up at Morris.
“Creagor,” Morris said.
Gaufrid nodded. “Creagor, aye, that’s it. The mac Girics at Creagor.”
Dougal didn’t see how that mattered. “Whoever attacked Kirkoswald, I’ll chase them to the ends o’ the earth.”
“Nay!” Gaufrid suddenly seized Urramach’s bridle. “Not with my men!”
Dougal’s brows slammed together. “What?”
“He’s right,” Fergus interjected. “What if the marauders return?”
Morris said, “Ye can’t leave the clan defenseless.”
“Besides, brother,” Gaufrid sneered, “ye do not command my warriors.”
“Kirkoswald is on fire,” Dougal bit out. “Every moment we delay…” He didn’t want to think about it. “Let go.”
Dougal knew he’d suffer later for defying his brother. Defying and humiliating him in front of the clan. But he’d gladly pay the price to save the village. “Let. Go.”
Gaufrid’s eyes squinched with fury as his knuckles tightened on the bridle.
