Page 34 of Fearless Heart
“Grant, Lady Fraser.”
“Ah, the Grants. I don’t believe we are hostile toward the Grants. Are we, Heath?”
He shook his head.
“That is quite a relief. Are all the Grants as handsome as you?”
Before Brodin could voice an answer, the door banged and heavy footsteps sounded. His father appeared at the entrance to the hall with Lagan directly behind him. He stopped upon seeing him, and then noticed his wife. Laird Fraser raised a brow, winked at his mother, and twitched his lips. Heath waited to see if his da would berate the woman as he typically did when she flirted with men, but he didn’t.
“Dearest, I’m home. Ah, I see we have company. Heath, I’m so gladdened you’ve arrived. Lagan, you are relieved.” At his father’s word, the elder man turned on his heel and left the great hall.
His father embraced him. Heath assessed his mien, but his da was good at hiding his regard. “I came as soon as I received your missive.”
Laird Fraser sat warily at the table, and a troubling countenance came with a deep frown and dulled eyes. He reached out to take a cup, but fumbled and knocked the drink over. The liquid trailed to the edge of the table and onto his lap, but he seemed not to notice. “Wife, you will leave us. We have matters of import to discuss.”
She poured another cup of ale and set it in his hand. After, she pulled a trencher toward his father and whispered something. When she looked up, she smiled. “Must I go? I haven’t seen Heath in a long time and—”
“Be gone, woman,” his da said in a gruff manner. His mother pouted but followed his order. Once his mother left the hall, his da waited a few moments before he spoke. “Our neighbor is in great peril.”
“I suppose there is trouble with the Hunters.” Heath realized his father learned that Lillia was missing.
“Plights aplenty. More than you ken. Aylmer’s clan is distraught, beyond so. His daughter has gone missing and now someone abducted his beloved wee sons.”
Heath clenched his fists at the news. “Miles and Macon?” His father nodded. “They’re just lads. Why would someone take them?”
“Aylmer believes the Comyns mean to use the lads to bring Lillia about. He’s called upon all his allies and even clans he’s somewhat amiable with to search for his children or raise their swords against the Comyns. War is inevitable, and Aylmer insists the Comyns have gone too far. They will do anything to secure the throne and Aylmer will do what he must to seek retribution.”
His father knew. Heath slouched in his seat. The news was worse than he imagined. He nodded and had to disclose what he knew. “You ken who she is then, Lillia …”
“I do, for I have always known. When the Guardians brought the bairn to Aylmer all those years ago, I was with him. We’d just returned from hunting for our winter stores. Hunter’s great hall was filled with the lot of them, all standing around his table with a wee bairn set in the center. The Guardians insisted we both take sworn oaths to protect her and keep her safe until they came for her. But alas, the Guardians perished before they could secure the lass, and now she is on her own and in great danger.”
“What does Laird Hunter plan to do?”
“He is unsure. If he trades Lillia for the lads, all is lost for their clan, his daughter, Scotland and most of all for King Robert. If the Comyns take possession of her, they will surely claim the kingdom in Alexander’s name.”
“She is safe.”
His da scrunched his eyes, but said nothing until he explained.
“She found her way to me. We protect her, the king’s guard. The Comyns will never find her where we’ve hidden her. You want me to search for the lads and return them?”
“Aye, that is why I’ve called you. This is definitely a mission for the king’s guard. The Comyns surely ken of Aylmer’s intent to get his sons back. They’ll be expecting a threat from his allies. But the king’s guard can go covert. Many of the Comyns hold up at Bothwell. Mayhap the lads were taken there. I’m pleased to hear the lass is safe with you.”
Heath thought that sounded reasonable for there weren’t many keeps the Comyns occupied since Robert had reclaimed most of the northern lands lost to England. Bothwell was retaken and held by the English supporters, the Comyns associating with the leaders. Unfortunately, their enemies had retaken Stirling which was a thorn of contention in Robert’s arse. “We will find out. Worry not, Da. We’ll leave right off. I hope Lillia doesn’t get wind of this news.”
His father firmed his lips in a grim expression. “Aye, I do too for if she does she’ll do whatever it takes to retrieve her brothers. They are close and the lass dotes on them. She would want to protect them even if it means risking her own life.”
Heath’s heart tensed. “She’s safe enough for now. We’ll retrieve the lads and get them back to their clan.” But he suspected gaining entry into Bothwell’s walls would be difficult. This mission called for stealth and perhaps a wee bit of fright on their part. If all went to plan, the Comyns would hand over the lads without a fight.
“Send word when you’ve rescued the lads.”
He nodded at his father, but kept his eyes lowered. “Aye, and Da, Lillia wants no one to ken where she is, especially her parents.”
“I won’t speak of her whereabouts or mention her. Make haste, because the sooner those lads are retrieved, the better.” Laird Fraser stumbled, and Heath took hold of his da’s arm.
His da walked them out of the keep and stood on the step, watching their departure, what he could see of it. His father’s decrease in vision concerned him, for it appeared he couldn’t see well. Was his condition failing? It seemed to get worse since their last meeting. Heath had no time to ponder it and mounted his horse. He was astounded by his father’s report. The Comyns made a desperate move in taking Lillia’s brothers. Their mistake would cost them.
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