Page 17 of Fearless Heart
“Serves him right. He never should’ve left the caves.” Heath poured more ale into his cup. “Is that all that’s bothering you?” He purposely glanced at Graeme who continued to scowl.
“Our caves are getting a mite crowded. Hell, the trail we take here is so worn it will lead anyone searching for us here. We need to take greater care and perhaps use a different trail.”
Heath raised a brow. “And you’re ireful about that? There’s nothing we can do about the trail. When the rains come, the grass will grow again.”
“The more people who reside here, the more danger we bring to ourselves,” Brodin nodded, and agreed with Graeme.
Graeme grunted. “I want to send Kerrigan and William to my lands at the soonest. I mean to command it after I speak with Gilroy. Liam should send his family to his lands as well.”
Heath almost choked on the sip of warm ale he’d taken. He quickly swallowed and set his cup on the table. Certain his face reflected his astound, he took a resigned breath. Sending his wife and son away would only cause his friend’s grief. Likewise, Liam was newly wed to Makenna and recently found his young daughter.
“That’s mighty drastic, sending your family away. Neither lady will be pleased to hear this.” Heath could see their disgruntled faces now. He was about to suggest they delay the decision for a time, but before he could voice his opinion, Graeme banged the table with his fist.
“Once we question Gilroy, the lass need be on her way. She cannot stay here. I expect your agreement on this issue.” Without another word, he rose and marched off to the antechamber he and his wife occupied.
Heath dismissed him and turned back to his comrades. “Brodin, Gilroy said nothing of what happened to him? Who beat him? Why he went there?”
“Nay, only that the lass saved him and that she needs the guard’s help.”
He fingered the sparse hair that grew on his cheeks and considered the situation. “Regardless of payment, we should assist her.”
Liam chuckled. “You would say that, you being the most chivalrous of us. But you’re right. My wife would burn my ears were we to send the lass off without offering our help, especially if she’s in danger. And especially if she aided Gilroy. You ken how Makenna feels about the lad.”
Kerrigan came from the antechamber and flopped into the seat vacated by her husband. She pressed her hands over the curly tresses of her blonde hair. “He’s in a foul mood this day. Which one of you irked my husband?” She glared at each of them and snatched his drink from him.
Heath laughed and shrugged his shoulder. “Wasn’t me.”
Brodin caved and hastily told her of Graeme’s intent to send her away. He never could refrain from telling Kerrigan anything she wanted to know. Indeed, none of them would ever deny the sweet woman. They each considered her likened as a sister and protected her as well.
She sat silent for several seconds and then flapped her hand. “Pour me more ale. I disbelieve what you’ve told me, Brodin. He cannot send me away.” After she took a sip of the ale, she stood and placed her hands on her stomach. A large bulge curved the fabric of her overdress. “I’m to have a bairn when winter comes. Glory be, I must speak with him. He cannot send me away.” She hastily left the main chamber.
Heath shared a look with his comrades before he lost his composure. He laughed outright and suspected Graeme would change his mind once his wife told him the news. That got him to thinking about the coin they wagered. “Graeme was more vexed than I’ve ever seen him. I say he will still send her to his lands. What say you, Brodin? Is it worth a wager?”
Brodin nodded. “Aye, a worthy one at that. I doubt he’ll send her way now. She’ll sway him to her will as she usually does.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll continue to hold the coin.” He laughed, but then sobered. “Let us question the lad and see about this lass. We’ll give Kerrigan and Graeme privacy in case he wants to shout his objections.”
“I doubt he’d give a shit if anyone hears him. Graeme’s always been a wee bit temperamental.” Liam grinned as he followed them from the cave.
They sauntered to Liam and Makenna’s home, a smaller cave that rose upon the border of the hills. Night crept forward and lent gloominess to the air. He suspected rain may come soon, but withheld the notion. That trail might be covered yet if the weather persisted in staying warm. His comrades entered the cave and he followed.
Inside, he neared Makenna and assessed Gilroy’s injuries. She lathered salve on his face, tenderly ministering his cuts with her delicate fingers. The lad flinched and kept his eyes closed.
When he realized they were there, Gilroy’s eyes shot open and widened. “M’lords …”
“Tell us what befell you,” Brodin said directly.
“I had to go to the festival.” He retreated from Makenna. “My thanks, m’lady, but I am well enough.”
Makenna backed off and sat on the edge of the bed pallet, watching them suspiciously. “Don’t be too hard on him. He’s been through hell and is bruised and cut. I won’t have you upsetting him.”
Gilroy gave a quick glance at her before turning his attention. “I was in the village when another lad approached and handed me a message. M’lady Makenna taught me to read and I understood …”
Heath grew impatient. “And what did the message say?”
“It bid me to journey to the king’s festival. That I was to be pardoned for returning to the mainland, but not in those words only that all would be forgiven if I came. The king bid me to come and I thought I should go.”
“Do you still have the missive?” Liam asked. “I can discern if it’s the king’s hand that wrote the words.”