Page 24 of Bride Takes a Laird

Outside, the day was a wee bit chilly and cloudy. He hurried to meet Wyren who stood by the field holding Hale in his arms. Wrapped in a tartan and tied to Wyren’s body, Hale was cradledsecurely, and for once, content. Magnus bellowed a laugh.

His brother glared at him and shushed him.

Magnus kept his voice low. “Is he not a wee bit young to start his training?”

Wyren scoffed. “Aye, that he is. Och, my wife told me to take him out so she could get a wee bit of rest. My poor lass hasn’t gotten a good night’s sleep since he was born. ’Tis the truth neither of us has gotten more than a wink of sleep since the last full moon.”

“You should seek the healer or midwife’s advice. They will tell ye what ye can do to make him sleep at night.”

“I just might take your advice. I set the men to their training schedule for the day.”

Magnus turned and faced the field. More than two scores of soldiers sparred on the field. He spotted Jake right off and watched him. His brother was a large man, likely less than a hand taller than he was. Jake was good with the sword but given time, he would get better. “Should we make Jake a leader soon?”

Wyren shrugged. “I am not certain he is ready.”

“Why?” Magnus was surprised by Wyren’s objection. “I thought we agreed last eve that we would put him over some of the younger lads?”

“I get the feeling he is holding back. Something is off about him and he has been quiet of late. Give me more time to assess him.” Wyren untethered his son and held him out. “Take him for a moment, will ye?”

“Very well.” Magnus held Hale at eye level and grinned at the handsome bairn. He much looked like his brother with light hair. His eyes were still dark but appeared to be lightening. After he settled Hale in his arms, Magnus raked his eyes over the field and was pleased with the efforts his soldiers were putting forth. As he stood with his brother watching the various bouts and tarries, Hayden, one of his most trusted guardsmen approached and stopped before him.

“Laird.” He waited for permission to speak.

Magnus nodded to him. “Hayden, how goes it?”

“I finished the first round of my training earlier and was up just as dawn broke.”

“Aye, that is good. I am sure Wyren could use help with the lesser-skilled soldiers if ye want to join him in leading the men this morn.” Magnus continued to watch the soldiers and didn’t notice Wyren settle by a tree. His brother appeared to have fallen asleep, and likewise, his bairn. Hale slept heavily in his arms. He motioned to Hayden to follow him and they stood far enough away so they wouldn’t disturb his brother. Magnus kept his voice low so he wouldn’t disturb the bairn.

“We should give him a few minutes.”

“Aye, he’s been plagued with no sleep. I have stepped in for him when I found him sleeping on duty.” Hayden chuckled. “’Tis the truth I did not have it in my heart to wake him. Laird, Wyren asked all the soldiers if they noticed anything odd about Ned before his disappearance…”

“Did ye notice something? Speak it and tell me what ye know.”

Hayden fingered his dark beard and grimaced. “I did not think of it until now but… Ned was acting strangely then. I asked if he wanted to go to the village with me to partake drink at The Tavern, but he said he was too busy. Later that week though, I saw him there. He was involved in a dice game but did not see me.”

“Was he wagering?”

Hayden shrugged. “Probably, because most games are wagered. I did not see him after that, here or in the village. That was right around the time that he went missing. I regret now that I did not speak to him or find out why he was being evasive.”

“My thanks, Hayden, for coming forward. Wyren and I are going to the village later. I will ask if anyone saw him around that time. I need ye to relay a message to the gate watchmen. All need to be told… Mywife’s father is to be kept within the walls. Tell them not to allow his passing through the gates.” Magnus described Kendra’s father to him. He had almost forgotten his promise to Kendra. If anything, he would ensure the man stayed within the walls so she wouldn’t worry about him.

“I will do so at once, Laird.” Hayden bowed and retreated to the lane that led to the gate.

Magnus returned to Wyren and shoved his leg with his foot. His brother opened his eyes and stretched. “We should make for the village soon if we want to get back before dark.”

He helped his brother to rise by taking his hand and yanking him upward. Wyren stood, took his son from him, and staggered toward his cottage. He walked beside him and his nephew remained asleep. When Magnus was about to say something, his brother shook his head so he remained quiet. At Wyren’s cottage, his brother entered and returned within a moment without Hale.

“Let us go.”

“Were ye able to settle him without waking him?”

“Aye, och I deem my bairn likes the sound of swords for he fell asleep within minutes of us being at the training field. Marny will be fortunate if he stays asleep until midday.” Wyren motioned him toward the stables.

Magnus found Winston and Sigge outside the entrance of the stable, and his attendant was giving his warhorse a good brushing with a wad of hay. In the adjacent corral, a handful of horses stood by a lone patch of grass that had sprouted, each trying to nibble the newly sprung blades. Their tails flicked and they blew air through their nostrils, sending wafts of steam in the air. The stable master, Vincent, was nowhere to be seen and must have still been inside the stables.

He nodded to his attendant. “Winston, saddle my horse, lad, and then ye should join the soldiers this day and get in some training.”