Page 38 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
She cleared her throat just as Lennox settled himself in a chair across from her, his gaze locked on her face.
“I was told by a merchant in the village market that the kirk would allow me one night’s stay in exchange for some kitchen work, which I was glad to provide, though that is how I injured my finger. I cut the vegetables, was given a warm meal and a small pallet for the night. When I awakened, I heard men discussing a shipment of bairns they’d received, and one man advised the other to keep me to care for them.
“I attempted to take my leave, but I was forced inside a small chamber in a different building where I met Lia, Magni, Rowan, and Tora. As soon as we were able to, we escaped and made our way toward the sea.”
“What town was the market in?” Alasdair asked. “Or the name of the kirk?”
“I cannot tell you. I had only been away from home to a kirk and a small market when I was younger, so I am unfamiliar with the area. This was two days from my cottage. I’d never been to this kirk before. I followed a family to market, then was advised by a vendor to get to the kirk for my own safety, unsavory characters usually prowled the market, he warned me.
“I rode my horse to the kirk. I had to leave my mare behind when we escaped—but the kirk did have a large building for the altar, a smaller part in the back where the kitchens were found. I slept in the cellar. There was a stable behind it and two other outer buildings, the one we were held in, and another. I have no idea the purpose of the other building.”
“The men,” Logan said. “Names? Did you hear any?”
“One was named Herbert.”
Logan said, “The other must have been Ellis.”
Meg said, “Then I’ll refer to him that way. The lads called EllisPirateManbecause he had a patch over one eye.” She did her best to describe both men. “Herbert was verra hairy, so the lads gave him that name, but I heard him called Herbert. Drab brown hair sticking up, a long brown beard, hair coming out of both ears and his nose, and he was thin. Ellis was tall and stronger as he was the one who lifted me when I fought, but I couldn’t fight both of them.”
“How many days did it take you to get to Oban from the kirk?” Sloan asked.
She thought for a moment, then replied, “We ran and walked for much of a day, spent one night on the ground, then found a cave for the second night. I don’t recall how long it took to travel to Oban from that cave where Lennox found us.”
“Half a day, so a two-and-a-half-day journey from Oban.”
“Did no one follow you?” Dyna asked.
Meg blushed, a sudden memory in her head. “Aye.” She paused, kneading her hands in her lap, taking a sip of the warm broth before confessing. She hated to do it, but she guessed she might need their help. Her hands shook at the horrid memory, something she’d forgotten.
To her surprise, Lennox moved over and set his hand on hers. “We will protect you from anyone, lass. We are all in your debt. And when they all take their leave,” he said as his gaze scanned the group, “I pledge to protect you and see you to your sister. No one will harm you.” He took two steps back but remained standing.
“You may not feel the same when I tell all.” She looked up at Lennox, grateful he was there, but she had to be truthful. “I killed a man. He tried to steal Lia and Tora, so I threw my axe and hit him in the forehead. I did not think, I just reacted instinctively.” She closed her eyes at the gore she recalled.
No one said a word, but she was suddenly lifted, her eyes opening to find herself settled next to Lennox, his arms wrapped around her, warming her. “I suppose the sheriff will be coming for me for killing a man.”
“Like hell. Do not worry on that,” Logan said. “I’ll give you a reward for killing a man and saving four innocent bairns. Did you recognize the man?”
She nodded. “Herbert. The one the bairns called Hairy.”
“We need you to finish this story,” Lennox prompted. “I’ll keep you warm.” His explanation suited her fine. “Now, how exactly did you escape from the chamber at the kirk?”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Who is the parent of Lia and Magni?” She’d missed that introduction or forgotten.
Dyna said, “They are orphans. Brother and sister. Why do you ask?”
She wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to say, but she finally asked, “Does Lia seem different to anyone else? We were locked in that chamber for a long time. I tried the door several times, tried using my dagger on it, even my axe to break the lock, but I couldn’t do it. It was locked from the outside and there were no windows that we could reach. So, we made a plan to get the men inside, trip them, then escape and lock them in. It worked, but I think Lia helped a bit.”
“Lia?” Sloan asked.
“Lia seems much older than her age. She managed to get the men inside without much work on our part. She’s…different.”
Logan glanced at Connor, but neither said anything.
“Where is Lia? I know she’s missing, but I don’t recall what happened.”
Lennox explained, “She told Magni and the others she had something to do. She promised him she would return, but she intentionally lost herself in the crowd. We plan to return to find her at first light.”
Connor said, “Once you’ve told us all you recall, we’ll make our plans, but we will be breaking into groups. One group to look for the kirk, one to look for Lia, and one to attempt to find out who is running this collection of bastards. Who was in charge—Ellis or Herbert?”
