Page 37 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Sloan

A short time later, Sloan sat on the small hill in front of the castle wall, Eva settled between his legs, leaning against him. “You are a strong swimmer, lass. You did well, especially with the two bairns together.”

“They were easy, but I tired quickly. I’ve been thinking about it all, and I’ve decided I know one thing for certain. I don’t think anything is ever going to hurt Alexander Drew Menzie Grantham.”

Shadow spun around and yipped at Sloan as if to agree with her, then launched himself at Eva, right onto her lap. She laughed and tickled her dog. “I know, I know. You are such a good lad. You told them all where I was. And you told Sloan about me traveling there too. You deserve a treat!”

He barked so Eva pulled a piece of dried meat out of a nearby sack and handed it to him. “Here. I knew you deserved some, Shadow, so I grabbed you a wee bit of Thane’s last batch of venison.” The pup ate his treat, then rushed off toward the beach, running in the grassy area.

Thane and Tamsin sat next to them, Maitland on the other side, leaning back on his elbows and chewing on a blade of grass. Maeve and Dyna had taken the bairns inside to wash up and to feed them. They’d all been through an ordeal.

Maitland glanced over at Sloan and Eva. “I don’t know how to thank you properly for saving my wife and son. Both of you. Incredible how well you timed getting Eva off the boat and distracting the men, Sloan, so they never noticed her until it was too late.”

Eva said, “I know we all believe Lia is Grant’s protector, but I wish she would return.”

As if she’d heard them, Lia stepped out from behind a tree, looking as fresh as ever.

Mora had come out to join them, and she rushed over, wrapping Lia in a huge hug. “There you are. I missed you so much and I was worried about you. Will you stay with us for a few days, Lia? Please? And we have to get Magni back, so it feels like it used to. Promise to stay with us?”

Sloan glanced over at Thane, both men smiling at Mora’s exuberance and her inquisitive nature. How she adored Lia and Magni.

Mora stepped back and declared, “Lia, you are not a bit wet. Did you not get thrown into the water with the others? How did you get back here when the boats are out there still? Well, two of them are gone, but one was destroyed with that monster’s tail, and what was that, anyway? Was it a snake or a giant fish? Mayhap an eel of some kind?”

Lia joined them and said, “You know, I’m a bit tired so I think I’ll go inside for a nap. Well done, everyone.” She brushed something off her arm, and it fell to the ground.

Maitland said, “Maeve has Grant inside, feeding him.”

“I do indeed need to take a nap first.” She smiled as she glanced up at the clouds overhead, pausing, then stopped near Maitland. “I let Sylvi and your mother know that everyone is safe so your father and Derric won’t worry. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

Maitland sat up, peering at her oddly. “Don’t you wish to follow Grant?” She’d never been away from him since he’d arrived on the Isle of Mull. Not even for a few moments.

Lia stared at the clouds for a moment longer, but then said, “Nay, he doesn’t need me now. I promised Magni I’d come home for a bit. And Mora too. Pardon me all.”

Mora chased after the lass. “Lia, did you not wish to ask if the bairns all made it back? They could have been hurt by that creature, or the fire, or when the boat tipped over. Or what about when all the swords and the men were punching everyone? I’ve not seen anything like it. Don’t you wonder how everyone is?”

“Nay, Mora. I know you would have told me if there were any problems.” Then she yawned and waved as she moved into the keep.

Mora whispered, “Does anyone else think Lia is a wee bit odd?”

Thane snickered. “We’ll talk later, Mora. You’ve missed a bit.”

Mora reached down and picked up whatever it was that Lia had brushed from her arm. “What is this, Thane?” She handed it to him. “It’s a different color of green, or is it gray? I’ve not seen anything like it. Where do you suppose it came from?”

He studied it for a few moments. “It looks like a scale to me.”

Maitland said, “I’m not asking any more questions about her because I don’t think I wish to hear the answers. I’m just grateful to all, Lia included.”

Tamsin got up and paced closer to the beach. “Thane, did you recognize any of the men? I swear that when I stepped out here, I recognized the man who was bellowing all the orders to the other man. Voices carry so across the water, and I thought he sounded familiar. Did you know any of them?”

“Nay, but one did seem familiar …”

“Which one?” Connor asked.

“He had a name. I heard them call him something.”

Eva said, “O. One is K, one is D, and the other was O.”

“Oh my word, Thane. Odart! It’s Raghnall’s second. That’s it.”

Sloan asked, “From Ulva? Odart, the fool who assisted Garvie?”

“Aye,” Tamsin explained. “He ran everything when Raghnall was traveling. He’s the one who drove the boat when Raghnall tried to drown me. He knows the isles verra well.”

Sloan said, “So, in other words, Odart just took over Garvie’s business of selling bairns like Mora, Brian, and Thane?”

“And Magni.”

Sloan thought for a moment, thinking about all the evil the bastard had caused everyone on the isle. “Eva and I will be taking our leave in about an hour.”

“Back to Rankin land?” Connor asked. “Because we forgot to tell you that Sylvi said your castle will be attacked by someone on the morrow or the next day. Sorry, but we had to focus on this first.”

“Dun Ara? On the morrow?” Eva turned around to look at him, but Sloan knew what he had to do. She’d never be right until they settled the issue with the bastard who attacked her.

“Nay, not returning yet. Those are words from a wee sweet lass. If it turns out to be true, then I’ll be there by the morrow. Lennox, Miles, and Ingelram will protect Dun Ara in my absence, but I have something more important to take care of, and it is sitting on the Isle of Coll.” He squeezed Eva’s hand. “I will escort Eva there. Anyone care to join us?”

Maitland said, “I’m sorry, but I cannot help you. I am presently incapable of leaving my dear wife and son. I’m staying here.”

Connor looked at Alasdair and tipped his head while Alasdair gave him a subtle nod. “Alaric and Eli will join you. They went in to eat. Anyone else wish to go?” Connor asked. “Dyna will stay here. The bairns need her.”

Thane said, “Oh, I’ll be there. You and Eva have just due for one man, Rankin, but I get Odart. We have a score to settle.”

Connor asked, “The man they call K. Is he from Kilchoan?”

“Aye, so they said,” Sloan replied. “Why?”

“Ramsay and I are looking for the man who killed Magni’s parents.”

“ If he killed them. You heard about my parents, did you not? They told me they killed them, but in truth, my mother and father were stolen to take care of the bairns. Every time my sire tried to escape, they would make him watch as they beat my mother.”

Connor said, “Sounds like the man we’re looking for. If we find him, he’s mine. And I want him alive. He’s tortured this isle for long enough.”

“He’s yours.”

“And those three all escaped? Did anyone see any of them go over into the water?”

Eva whispered. “O survived. And I know D is still alive. I heard him when he made it to the big boat.”

Sloan said, “He’ll not be alive for long.” He kissed her neck and helped her up. “Come, we need to eat something before we go.”

Eva said, “And I need to find a couple more axes to bring with me.”

Connor smiled and said, “So O is for Odart. K is in charge. D is the man you’re after. What’s it stand for, Rankin?”

Sloan drawled, “D for Dead man .”