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Logan

Logan was sitting by the hearth when the group arrived back from Tiree. They’d all been on edge waiting for word on the five missing people. Finlay spent his time fishing, and he managed to get enough of a haul for a fine fish stew.

The others had various ways to pass the time and ease their worry—sewing, archery, working in the lists.

His granddaughter Eli, now carrying her first child, spent most of her time eating. “Eli, if you eat any more fruit tarts, you may turn into one.”

She stopped what she was doing, got up from the table, and strode over to stand in front of him. Logan had to control the smile that threatened to break out on his face. Gwynie must have noticed because she whispered, “Logan!”

Then his wife said, “Now, Eli. He’s not feeling well. His wound still pains him.”

But then Eli spun around to cast a glare at Gwynie. Logan nearly split a gut. It was a good thing he had to keep it inside, or he surely would rip his stitches all out at once.

His beloved granddaughter turned back to him and said, “I should feel bad for you because you had your belly sliced, but right now, I don’t.

Because you show no sympathy for someone who is about to have her belly swell to five times its size, then will have to carry it around without breaking her back and finally will have to have her female parts split in two just to let the wee creature out.

I’m also told I’ll bleed half of my life’s blood all over and that I’ll have to bear more pain than anything else but death could do to me.

” Then she put her face down even to his and said, “Have you something else to say to me, Grandfather?”

He arched a brow and said, “Not a word. Have another fruit tart, my sweet. If I could get up easily to find one for you, I surely would.”

Brenna came along and put her arm around Eli and said, “Do not listen to all the horror stories, lass. And when you hold your wee daughter in your arms, you’ll forget about that pain.”

“Until I have to do it again. I told Alaric he better do all the coupling with me he wants because he’ll never plant his seed inside me again after I deliver this bairn.”

Logan choked on the ale he’d just sipped. When he got his breath back, he looked at his wife and said, “She takes after you, Gwynie.”

Fortunately, the door opened, and a large group spilled inside, bringing everyone into the hall with them. Tora ran over to her sire, who’d just come down the stairs. “Papa, I’m back.”

Sylvi and Sandor ran toward her, Sandor shouting, “Dora, Dora!”

Tristan followed them in from the lists where he’d been working, his eyes lighting up when he saw Merryn and Shealee. “Oh, thank the Lord above.”

“There’s two,” Gwynie whispered. “Kyla? Lia? Magni? Logan, do you see the other three?”

Logan searched for the three but shook his head. “Nay, they’re quiet, Gwynie. They look like they’ve been through hell. Broc is covered in blood and Connor is a mess.”

Connor stepped inside, Broc behind him, and both faces told him all he needed to know.

Kyla wasn’t with them. Finlay had his arm across Broc’s shoulders, clasping it as he spoke quietly to his son.

“Your mother is strong. Fear not. And Lia will take care of Magni. We’ll get her, Broc.

Sit. You look like hell. I’ll find you something to eat. ”

Connor came over and took the chair next to Logan while Simone took one opposite her father. Hugging him lightly, then her mother, she whispered, “You should have called me sooner, Da.”

“I’m glad you came, Simone. We do need you, but you must not have been with Broc and Merryn.”

“Nay, I wasn’t,” she said. “We split up on Tiree. Merryn and Broc found Kyla and the bairns in a hut together. Broc sent Merryn out with the two youngest, then took on three men before another handful arrived. While Broc fought, the others took the three to the ship. Merryn managed to hit Kelvan in the leg with an arrow, but otherwise, they got away. Four of his men dead, not sure how many survived. Tora said they’re going to Mingary.

But they said all three were hale. Kyla told him to take the bairns and leave her behind. ”

“Aye, ’tis true.” Connor sighed. “But that would be my sister. Worrying about the bairns before herself. Broc had a hell of a fight. I wish we had been with them, but Tiree is larger than we thought.” Connor took out a linen square and wiped the sweat from his face.

“So we have to decide our next step. Think on it, Logan, while we eat. We need a brief respite. Dyna’s had enough to deal with.

I’m glad Dyna came to MacQuarie Castle. Tora never let go of me until she caught sight of her mother. ”

Logan said, “She has.”

Simone said, “Look, Da, Artan and I have plenty of fight left in us. We’re going to eat, then plan our next attack. We can go tonight if you wish. I’m not waiting long to get those bastards.”

Logan said, “I knew we could count on you, Simone. We have four things we need to accomplish.”

Simone said, “I know three of them. Kill Glenna, torture Kelvan, and save the three they still hold. What’s the fourth?”

Logan said, “Find Magni’s parents. I think Kelvan is holding them somewhere.”

Connor let out a low whistle. “We promised the lad we would find out what happened to them.”

“Are you sure they are alive?” Simone asked.

“Nay, but my gut says they are. Find them, Simone. A lad is counting on us.” Logan got up and said, “I’m going to take a short rest. You all eat your meal.

The mean one only gives me broth with vegetables, so I’ll eat inside.

I’ll be out later to see what you’ve decided, Connor.

Daughter, make me happy after this is all done. ”

Simone caught up with him and kissed his cheek. “You can count on it, Da.”