Page 62 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
They all froze.
Uncle Connor said, “Who are you looking for, Lia?”
“John, may I ride with you?” The wee lass had on a green pair of leggings and a tunic with a green mantle.
Alasdair shouted, “Nay, nay … Lia, nay. Not John. You cannot choose him. Please.”
They all knew at this point that Lia was the green faery who was here to protect someone.
“Then may I accompany you, please, Alasdair?”
“Me?” His eyes widened and he looked from one person to the other. “I don’t need protecting, Lia. Go back and stay with the bairns.”
She turned to Artan and said, “May I?”
Artan nodded. “I won’t fight with you, lassie. If you feel the need to come along, then please join me.”
No one said another word to Lia, and the group moved toward Craignure. Lennox accompanied them—Simone and Artan, Broc and Merryn, Alasdair and John, Uncle Connor, and Alaric.
And Lia.
They loaded the horses on the boat, the many stallions restless because they still hadn’t adjusted to the ships yet, but they eventually settled. Lennox said, “I’ll go as far as MacKinnis with you.”
Broc stood next to Midnight Majesty and kept hold of his bridle. Midnight Moon stood next to him, the two nearly ready to go at it because a sweet mare stood on the other side of Moon, but with a firm command from Uncle Connor, Moon calmed immediately. He’d learned his horse skills well from Grandda Alex.
Broc had left Merryn on the upper deck with Simone because she still could be a bit unsettled around all the big warhorses, but Connor insisted on bringing the best of the beasts they had. Kelvan needed a reminder of who he was dealing with.
Broc had one goal—to find his mother. He had to. There was no option here. He would not go home without her.
Uncle Connor took one look at him and said, “If you feel that way, lad, you should have left the lass home.”
“What?” Broc replied, shocked his uncle could interpret his expression so well. They were the only two on the lower deck with the animals, other than a few guards at the back.
“You have that look of determination I’ve seen on my sister’s face before. The look that says she won’t change her mind for any reason. You are committed to finding your mother, but do not forget you have Merryn’s life in your hands too.”
Broc had thought of that, so he nodded. “Understood, Uncle. I’ll protect her with my life. You know that.”
“I do. But I recall the day your mother vowed to protect another lass’s life and thought it would be worth risking her own. Do what you must, but don’t be foolish. You have not been in many battles, so keep your head where it needs to be.”
The trip was a short voyage across the sound. They landed near Lochaline and Ardtornish Castle as Lennox had arranged with Angus MacKinnis. They didn’t waste time visiting, instead heading straight up the path toward Aeoineadh Mor and the village. Lennox had suggested starting there because if there were any unknowns, the villagers would be aware of changes.
“Godspeed,” Angus called out, Theebet next to him. “I’ll have a few men at the ready should you need them. And we’ll water your horses when you return.”
They saw nothing for over an hour. Broc’s gaze scanned everywhere and there was little to see along the way.
Halfway to the village, everything changed. The attack happened so quickly that no one was prepared. They headed down a wide pathway, forests on both sides, a fork in the path ahead of them.
Midnight Majesty let out a blow that told Broc something threatening was nearby. Alasdair was next to him and his stallion reacted the same.
“John, move closer to me,” Alasdair instructed.
Artan moved toward John on the other side, and Lia hopped over onto the lad’s horse, surprising him. The next moment, John was surrounded by three horsemen, yanked off by one, and tossed over the back of his mount. Lia followed, hopping onto another one’s horse.
Broc had been searching for a tree to set Merryn in when the attack took place. He’d just gotten Merryn on a wide branch when the bellows happened.
Simone whistled and climbed up on an oak near Merryn. “Fire, Merryn!”
Broc unsheathed his weapon and attacked one of the group near John while Alaric sought another, giving Alasdair the chance to go after the horse John was on. Alasdair called out. “I have to follow him!”
