Page 24

Logan

Word traveled about the attack and before nightfall, the great hall was full. The food was plentiful, but the overall aura was one of sadness and defeat.

Thane had returned when he heard that Magni and Lia were taken again.

Tristan had arrived to see how Merryn was doing, surprised to find their niece missing.

He’d decided to stay and see what the plan was to rescue the victims. Lennox had come with Meg, and Sloan had arrived with Eva.

Alasdair and Emmalin, Derric and Dyna, Alaric and Eli, Avelina and Drew, Broc and Merryn, Maitland, and Finlay were all waiting to see how this problem was to be solved.

Micheil and Connor came out of the healing chamber, Micheil taking the floor next to Maitland, raising his arms to quiet everyone.

“With our deepest gratitude to Eli and Brenna, we will welcome Logan for a few moments to give his side of the story, and he will share what he thinks our best approach will be. Before he comes out, as his brother, I’m going to warn you all.

He is not ready to leave this keep yet. He still has much healing to do, but he’s alive, improving, and always ready to share his wisdom. ”

The door opened and Logan entered the hall, his steps careful, Brenna at his side as he crossed the hall to a round of applause and whistles.

Micheil centered a chair not far from the hearth for him, one with enough cushions to keep him comfortable with his wounds.

Sloan set a wee dram of his best amber liquid by Logan’s chair, with promises of more to come.

The first person he saw was Gwynie, tears in her eyes as she sat in her favorite spot by the fire. That was like a punch in the gut for him. After all she’d been through, he hated to see her go through this, but he’d been bested. There was naught else he could say.

He waved to everyone and said, “Sit your arses down. I have a few words to offer, and while I’m glad to be up and moving, I will not last long.”

The group sat down, and Logan stopped by Broc’s chair. He looked over the group and said, “I’ve heard you all thank Brenna and Eli, and I owe them both. But I didn’t hear anyone thank Broc and Alaric for getting me back here. And Sloan.” He sat carefully into the chair Micheil held for him.

“Glenna is a Buchan to the core, thinks like her grandsire, and she bested me. I did not suspect any direct attack from anyone there. They were not expecting us.” He paused to take a swallow of his drink before he continued.

The hall was silent, waiting on his next words.

“There were less than a handful in attendance, none with weapons visible. When she jumped out of her hiding spot, she came at me from behind and struck me, totally unexpected, thus I dropped immediately.” Another pause and he took a deep breath.

“I would not be here speaking if not for Broc. His reaction was as swift as any I’ve seen, his sword thrust so powerful that he amputated her hand, ending her attack with one move.”

Gasps and surprise spread through the hall.

A warm smile creased his face. “Did Broc fail to mention that? I saw it with my own eyes. He cut off the hand that held the weapon that was poised to come at me a second time. Had she succeeded, I wouldn’t be here.

Had he missed, I wouldn’t be here. Her goal was to kill me, and after the first blow, I could not have retaliated.

She failed only because of Broc’s quick actions, and I thank him for that.

And how Alaric and Broc got me back into the boat, rowed me across and back here in time to survive, I’ll never know.

I don’t recall much of it. Broc, Alaric, come here. ”

Everyone applauded while the two made their way up to his side. Logan pushed himself to his feet and gave each of them as much of a hug as he could tolerate with the wound still paining him. “I’ll take you two to fight with me any time.”

The men sat back down, and Logan said, “Kelvan and Glenna are going to be tough to beat. They have forces of an unknown number, drawing from multiple places. Lina tells me we have determined through our dearest Tora that the captives are on Tiree. Thane, do you know the island well?”

Thane said, “It’s much more fertile than the other isles, less mountainous, and it lies west of Coll. More cottages, so they will be harder to find there. I don’t know it well. Sloan?”

Sloan shook his head. “I don’t either.”

Logan said, “Well, I know someone who does, and she’s not far away. And she can also get us to someone who knows Glenna better than we do.” He stopped for another sip of his favorite brew.

Connor asked, “Who? You’ve been hiding this person from us?”

“Nay, I promised not to consult her unless it was an emergency. And this is urgent. If you tell her I was cut down, she’ll be here for us in half the day, and we need her.

She’s one of the finest archers on the mainland, trained by the best, my wife.

Better than Gwynie because her sight is so strong.

Eli is carrying, so she shouldn’t go to Tiree, and Dyna needs to stay here.

We need strong archers. Merryn, I’m asking you and Broc to go with Thane and mayhap two others.

And I know you know her, Merryn. Go find Simmy for us. ”

“Simmy? Who the hell is Simmy?” Connor asked.

Logan ignored Connor. “You should leave at first light. She’s married to Thane’s second, Artan. They spend their time on Iona and Staffa, beautiful islands.”

Tristan looked at Merryn. “But Simmy is married to a man named Tanner.”

Thane smiled. “Tanner is what Artan uses when he’s not on our land. They’ve been married for a few years. She’s one of the finest archers, but she stays hidden.”

“Who the hell is she, Logan?”

Logan did his usual teasing, a big smile on his face, then shrugged.

Gwynie shouted, “Logan!”

“Fine. For you only, Gwynie. Simmy is our daughter, Simone.”

Avelina sighed, and Micheil broke into a broad grin, shaking his head. “Simone is a hell of an archer. She’ll get the bastards. I had no idea she was hiding here.”

“Bring Simone to me, Merryn. You and Broc go find her. Thane will help you.”