Page 89 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
The lad began to cry and said, “Those men were so mean. I was just picking apples when they grabbed me.”
“We’re almost there, lad,” Lennox said over his shoulder.
As soon as they headed down the path toward the inn, two others noticed Errol and took off toward the building. “Clara! Clara! It’s Errol!” one shouted as they raced toward the tavern at the end of the street.
Clara came out the door at the same time they arrived. “Errol? Is it you? Oh, my wee bairn! Thank the Lord up above. Donnall! Donnall! He’s home.”
Lennox dismounted and helped Errol down. His mother rushed to his side and crushed the lad in a hug. “I thought we’d lost you forever, Errol.”
A man came out of the inn and shouted so loud that everyone ran to see what it was about. He strode slowly over tohis son, stared into his eyes, and pulled his wife back so he could grasp the boy and hold him close. “Who do we thank for this?” Donnall asked.
Meg said, “Many people helped achieve this. We ended a big operation that has been selling bairns for a while. It took nearly all of us on Mull to discover who controlled it. The man in charge was buried in Drimnin along with many others. His name was Kelvan Mortimer, and he won’t be stealing any more bairns.”
Clara began to sob, her hand on her son’s neck.
Meg took Clara’s other hand and whispered, “We found him in an underground holding. A sweet couple who’d also been taken captive watched over him. The only information we had was that Errol became violently sick when they sailed away with the intent of selling him overseas, so he was brought back. We know little else other than he was poorly fed and sickly. Welcome him back with care. He’s been confused but couldn’t wait to get here.”
“He’s home. Come, lad. I’ll take care of you. We’ll fix you up.” His mother led him to a cottage across from the inn. “Many thanks to you all. We are grateful.”
His father barked at two of his workers who ran inside and came out with two wrapped parcels. “We’re closing for the rest of the day. I give you what we have. A nicely smoked pheasant and a hunk of lamb. And a small barrel of our finest brew.”
“Not necessary,” Lennox said.
“Please,” Donnall said. “The meat will be wasted because I’m closing to celebrate his return. Take the barrel to Duart Castle for those returning from battle. They probably could use it.”
Lennox nodded. “Connor Grant and Logan Ramsay will appreciate it.”
Lennox and Meg mounted and started back toward Lochaline. They hadn’t gone far when she reached for Lennox. “Stop, please.”
A sound caught her coming from the woods.
It was a horse, and it was running straight toward them.
“My mare!” Meg hadn’t seen her beloved horse since she was locked up at the kirk not far from Oban. She’d been forced to leave her pet behind in order to save the bairns held captive. It had to be done, but her heart had missed the sweet girl so much.
She took off, but Lennox grabbed her. “Meg, she’s been running wild for a bit. Let her come to you. I can’t protect you if she’s unhinged.”
Tears ran down Meg’s cheeks as she waited for the small horse to approach, but the familiar neigh greeted her. The horse approached and nuzzled her, putting her head next to Meg’s.
Meg was so happy, she couldn’t stop smiling.
***
Later that night, the group had gathered in the great hall, a celebratory evening meal behind them, including many draws from the brew brought from Errol’s father. The younger ones had decided to take a late dip in the cool loch, but the elders remained, now gathered around the hearth, reminiscing, the wee ones playing nearby.
Connor and Sela, Logan and Gwyneth, Kyla and Finlay, Alasdair and Emmalin, Maitland and Maeve, Brenna, Avelina and Drew, and Dyna and Derric sat while the bairns played quietly. Thane, Simone, and Artan had returned to Clan MacQuarie with Magni and his parents going with them. Lennox and Meg had dropped off some gifts and were now in the loch with the other young ones.
It was a much calmer atmosphere than they’d seen as of late.
Grant was sound asleep on his sire’s chest.
Maeve whispered, “Now that most are gone, I have a question for you, Alasdair. While you were held captive, did anything odd happen?”
Alasdair sat up, looking at his son. “What do you mean by odd?”
Maitland said, “Oh, I think there was verra much odd about that holding.”
Alasdair peered over at Maitland. “Why do you say that?”
