Page 78 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
“Nay, Lia. Nay. He’s not going. He is too young to go to battle.” Maeve walked backward as she spoke, her hands fisted. “I don’t care if he does have Grant blood in him.” Then she did the oddest thing. Maeve tipped her head back and screamed, “Da! Nay! Please. Mama, convince him it shouldn’t happen.” The tears covered her cheeks.
“I’m not here for Grant, Maeve.” Lia strode over to her and took her hand.
“Then who?”
“Grant will not be hurt, but it will surely torture you when he goes. Maitland will handle him just fine. But I’m sure it will be difficult for you.”
“Who are you here for then, Lia?” Maeve asked.
Everyone held their breath.
“I’m here for you, Maeve. We’re going too.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Broc
Broc stood strong. “My mother, my cousin. I’ll lead.” He would make up for all his failures in the past. This time, he’d bring his mother home along with Alasdair and John.
He didn’t regret making that statement, but he had to admit, as they led the way from Lochaline to Drimnin, his belly was starting to flip-flop as if he were about to run into a thunderstorm with giant snakes falling from the sky.
He wouldn’t allow his fear to slow him this time. Alaric had volunteered to head the group along with him, Maitland directly behind the pair, with the giggling Grant tied tightly to his chest, directing the group. Maeve had insisted the lad wear a hat, and he was as happy as he’d ever been. Merryn rode with Simone behind them. He wished to turn around and speak with her, but he vowed to keep his focus. This had to be the journey that would end this chapter of torture for his clan.
He hadn’t slept well last night either. Awakened by boar tusks coming at him, he’d been in a heavy sweat, shouting enough to awaken Hagen in the bed next to him. “Sorry, Hagen.”
“You all right?” his cousin had asked.
“Fine. Nightmare.” One that made him think there was a boar in his chamber, a foolish thought, but it had seemed so real. The smell of the boar, the grunt as it reached him, the crush of its hooves on his leg. The searing pain as the tusk ripped into him. He’d escaped another goring. At least, that was what his mind kept telling him.Breathe, breathe, Broc.
“You gotta kill that boar sometime, cousin.” Then Hagen had rolled back over, fast asleep a few moments later.
There were times he wished he’d find a boar on Mull, but he couldn’t think on it now. He had to focus on saving Alasdair, John, and his mother.
Lennox pulled up next to Broc and said, “This spot up ahead is where I would leave some. There is a path that leads to a stream to water the horses. It’s a lovely spot with a waterfall, yet isolated. Maeve, Lia, Logan, and Magni would be best staying here.”
Connor said, “I’ll stay back. I’m watching for our guards. I know the path they’ll take, so I’ll direct them.”
Lennox and Meg led the group to the clearing near the waterfall. “If your men come down the path to Drimnin, that path we left is the only way. You’ll hear them coming and see them as they pass by from here, Chief.”
“My thanks, MacVey.”
Maeve came over and gave Maitland and Grant each a kiss, her tears flooding her cheeks.
“Maeve, we’ll protect him.” Maitland kissed her on the lips. “Our son is special. We’ve known that. Look how happy he is.”
“But he’s just a baby, Maitland. Our beautiful baby.” She lifted his wee hat and kissed the fine dark hairs on the lad’s head, rubbing lightly. Grant tried to kiss her nose, making her laugh.
Broc said, “Alaric and I will not allow anyone near your husband or your son, Maeve.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Lia said, “Grant will protect himself and his sire. Fear not, Maeve.”
“I still don’t understand why you can’t take them there, Lia, and leave Grant here. He will be a hindrance if a battle starts.”
Eli said, “You have three strong archers and two axe-throwers besides the many swordsmen. We can handle their two score men, Maeve. Trust us.”
Grant began to whine, pushing against his mother’s last hug. “Wia.”
“We’ll return soon, happy and whole. We need to put an end to this man’s torturous reign of hell.”
