Page 15 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Magni did giggle, his hand covering his mouth. “Hairy and Pirate Man.”
Pirate Man said, “Anyone who doesn’t do what I tell them will have to clean my feet.” He guffawed at his own jest.
Lia said, “I would do it, if you needed it, Master Pirate Man.”
The man grabbed Lia by the neck and lifted her into the air. “What did you call me?”
Tora, Magni, and Rowan all yelled in unison, “Nay!”
“What did you call me?” he repeated, squeezing her neck.
Tora got up and moved in front of him, her hands on her hips. “Put hew down.”
Pirate Man let go of Lia, dropping her onto Magni’s and Rowan’s laps. Then he picked up Tora by her shoulders and shook her.
“Put me down, or I’ll tell him about the thing you have in youw pocket.”
Pirate Man stopped shaking her, but still held her over his head. “What thing?”
“That thing you took fwom him,” she whispered.
He tossed her down and crossed himself. “You’re a witch! Stay away from me.”
A group of men came aboard and went below deck to handle the oars if the sails didn’t work. Pirate Man came back and said, “We’re shoving off. All the bairns below deck and stay there.”
Magni led the group, Rowan huddling with Tora and Lia strolling behind. Once they reached the bottom, they each took a hard look at the oarsmen, who said nothing to them. Magni moved to the back and put his arm around his sister. “I’ll protect you, Lia.”
“I’m sure I will not need protection here. But many thanks to you. I know I can always depend on you, Magni.”
Rowan turned to Magni and said, “Mayhap they will tell us where we’re going. I bet they’re taking us to Oban.”
“But then where?”
Rowan stepped closer to one man and whispered, “Where are they taking us?”
The man grinned, revealing his two missing front teeth, and leaned toward Rowan. “To the land of daft ogres. You’ll never get away.”
Then he leaned his head back and laughed. The other men joined him, laughing and laughing.
Magni whispered, “But I don’t like ogres.”
Tora said, “I do.”
The first man stopped and leaned down to Tora. “What did you say, wee one?”
“I said I like ogwes.”
The man’s eyes danced with delight, then he broke out in guffaws.
Magni couldn’t help but wonder what kind of land they were headed toward.
Chapter Ten
Lennox
Lennox stepped inside the keep and closed the door behind him, then headed to his chamber above stairs. For some odd reason, more and more of the event in his past continued to haunt him. More visions, more memories.
More truths and explanations of what had happened that day, though it was still unclear.
