Page 28 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
When the man neared them, he called out, “Tora? Is that you, sweeting?” He set his horse to a gallop until he was next to them, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Magni and Rowan started to cry, but Tora grinned, leaning over to the lads. “Don’t be fwightened. This is my gwandpapa. He won’t huwt you.” Then she sat up. “Gweetings, Gwandda.”
“Tora, did this man hurt you? Did he steal you away?” the man in red plaid asked.
“Nay, Gwandpapa. He saved us. And Meg saved us too.” Tora whirled around to pat Meg’s cheek, but she didn’t respond. “Will you take us home? I want Mama.”
The man removed his hand from his weapon and reached for his granddaughter, lifting her onto his horse and hugging her tight, and if Lennox was correct, he shed a few tears as well. When he was back in control, the man said, “Connor Grant. I am indebted to both of you. The lass is injured?”
“Lennox MacVey, chieftain of Clan MacVey of Mull. The lady is feverish from a wound,” Lennox answered. “She needs a healer. She saved the four and got them to a cave three hours back where I discovered them.”
Tora looked up at her grandsire. “Meg got a cut from the kirk where they hid us. They locked hew up with us too. Gwandda, take hew to Eli, please. She must go with us. She saved us.”
Connor nodded toward the three bairns. “And the others were taken with you, Tora?”
“Aye,” Magni said, tears erupting. “Please take us back to Mull. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Grant,” Lennox said. “If we have to wait until you are all ferried across, Meg may not survive. I respectfully request to cross ahead of some of your men.”
“She’ll go on the first boat with me. I can take her once we are near the ferry.”
“Nay, I’ll see her to Mull. I promised her.”
“You know her?”
“Nay, but I have spoken to her, so she is familiar with me. She may think you to be another trying to steal her away.”
Connor arched a brow but didn’t argue. “I’ll see that you all travel on the next voyage. If we have all the missing bairns, I’ll send half my force back to Grant land.”
“Dyna will welcome your guards. I spoke with her this morn before I left Mull. We sent patrols across the isle searching for the bairns.”
“Anything for my daughter.” Connor motioned to two of his men. “Take the lads and the lass to the boat. Tell Alasdair to leave room for six more.” The two headed down toward the boat. The crowd opened for the group as soon as Connor whistled.
The guards around them put their weapons away. One of them took Magni and another took Rowan and Lia. The men waved to Tora along the way, and she giggled, waving back at them. Lennox followed, making sure to keep up with the massive warhorse so he’d not be left behind. Once they made it to the loading area, things became a bit chaotic.
Grant asked, “Your horse going?”
“Aye, if you please.”
A female voice squealed, “Tora? Is that you?” A woman with the whitest hair Lennox had ever seen approached and reached up for Tora, pulling her into her embrace, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Gweetings, Gwandmama. I am fine because Meg saved us, and then the chieftain saved us too.”
Connor dismounted, handling his animal while he leaned over and kissed the woman and Tora. “My wife, Sela, Chief MacVey.”
“I’ll take her on the ferry, Connor. It is too crowded out here,” Sela said. “I don’t like it.”
“Wait, Sela. These two saved them, so they will travel on the first ferry along with the other three bairns.” He motioned for his guards to let the bairns down and they moved over to Tora’s side. “The woman is feverish, so we must get her to Eli. But please, take the two lads and the other girl with you. Go right to the front while I help MacVey with the lass.”
Sela said, “Many thanks to you, Chief. My husband will repay your kindness when we arrive at Duart Castle. Know you our daughter, Dyna?”
Lennox handed Meg to Connor, then climbed down before taking her back into his arms. “Aye, we arranged a patrol with the other clans to search for the missing bairns. Now I see why Dyna’s visions were confusing. She saw the boat and the place where they were hidden. It’s an amazing skill your daughter has.”
They moved among the crowd, and another man who looked like Tora’s grandfather approached. “Tora? Is that you?”
“Aye, Uncle Alasdaiw. I’m going home now.”
Connor said, “We’ll only take four score since the bairns have been located. Send the others back to Grant land. Clear them out. We’re leaving quickly.”
