Page 27 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Avelina

Avelina led Dyna up to the parapets, looking over the water in the same direction the boat had gone. “Sometimes, being near water helps. If we put our minds together, we’ll learn something.” She had to. She could not watch their son go through this torture again. They had to get Maeve and Grant back.

Maitland, Drew, and Derric stood behind the two, Derric with a tight hold on Sylvi who’d not left his side since the attack. “I miss Tora and Sandor.”

Derric said, “We’ll find them. Mama and Lady Menzie are going to help us now.”

“Papa, if I see anything, should I tell you?”

He arched a brow and looked at Dyna who nodded. “Anything at all, tell us, Sylvi.”

Avelina and Dyna faced the water, Avelina taking Dyna’s hand in hers, then said, “Sylvi, would you like to hold Mama’s hand?”

Sylvi nodded, and the three stood together while Maitland moved to his mother’s side, Derric on the far side next to Sylvi, Drew behind Avelina.

Avelina glanced at her son, her heart so wounded for his pain that she vowed this had to work. She said some quick silent prayers, then began her favorite chant that she’d learned from a friend long ago.

“Close your eyes, Sylvi, and think while Lady Lina chants,” Dyna said.

Avelina saw the boat in her mind as soon as she finished her chant, the vessel nearly rounding a bend, indeed headed to Ulva as they had thought. “I see Maeve in the lower deck, eight men rowing. Grant is on her lap laughing with Sandor who is huddled next to Maeve. Lia is on the other side of Maeve huddled with Tora. They have blankets wrapped around them. They are all hale, Maitland.”

“Praise God for that much.”

Dyna added, “The men are all afraid of Tora.”

“Why, Diamond?”

“Because she told Maeve where they were going, and they overheard her,” Dyna said. “She was right, and they wanted to know how she knew. That’s my girl!”

Sylvi said, “Hush, Mama. Lia is trying to talk to me.”

Avelina and Dyna both opened their eyes, the group glancing among themselves, the hope in the group heartbreaking. Avelina said, “Listen and tell Mama everything she says, Sylvi. Good job.”

Sylvi kept her eyes closed, squeezing her mother’s hand. “Lia said they’ll be at Ulva for one night. Then the morrow’s eve, they’ll take two boats to meet one big boat in Loch Tuath not far from Thane’s land. She said to be ready for them there.”

“Anything else? Be patient, lass. In your mind, ask Lia why we can’t get them at Ulva.”

She concentrated, then replied, “Lia said you’ll never find them. Be ready for the boats.” She stared up at her mother. “Did I do good like Tora?”

“Aye, lassie. You did a great job.” Dyna kissed the top of her head.

“Wait, Mama, Lia is calling me again.” Sylvi closed her eyes. Then she said, “Someone wishes to steal Rankin land from Sloan. Someone he knows. In three days. From Kilchoan.”

Sylvi smiled and looked up at her mother. “Am I like you and Tora?”

Dyna, teary-eyed, picked her up for a big squeeze. “Aye, you did a great job. And Derric? She’s staying here with you so we can relay any messages.”

Avelina turned to Maitland and hugged him. “Lia said to tell you to be at Loch Tuath on the morrow and all will be well. You may have to swim.”

Derric said, “Tora is a decent swimmer, but Sandor is not.”

Maitland’s eyes widened because Lina knew that was one of his worst fears. Maeve couldn’t swim, and their son surely could not either.

“We have to trust that Lia will help them all.”