Page 4

Merryn

Two days later, Merryn wandered over to the sea, one of her favorite spots.

She loved to jump from rock to rock, and the sound of the water helped to drown out the pain of her memories.

Losing her sister and her parents on the same day to such a violent act gave her nightmares and recurring headaches, but she stumbled forward for the sake of Shealee.

“Merryn, be careful!” Tristan shouted from the castle wall they were building.

She waved back to her dear brother, content that she didn’t need to worry about Kelvan reaching her here. The evil man hated swimming, so he’d never approach across the rocks. This was the safest place of all, part of the reason she loved it here.

Euna and Olivia watched over wee Shealee in the morn so Merryn could take a walk. Kelvan hated to get up early, so it was the safest time to be about. Merryn’s life had changed so much in less than an hour, yet even a year on, she still had not adjusted to it.

The coast was her favorite place. It was a place where she could cry over her losses and the waves would hide the sound of her sobs, a place where she could feel safe, and a place where the beauty of the isle would pull her from the depression that forced itself into the tiniest parts of her being.

Somedays the darkness was too much for her, so she came out here, especially on sunny days where the warmth of the sun would bring a smile out.

Tristan’s whole outlook had improved since the Granthams had left. He’d whispered to her, “See. We are not alone, Merryn. We have somewhere to go if we need it this winter. That pleases me.”

This was a lonely life on Mull, Olivia and Euna the only other females here to help build the tower they would eventually occupy.

Not that they did much with the boulders, but they made sure the men working on the castle were fed.

Evening meals were often outside, overlooking the sea unless the weather prohibited it, something she enjoyed.

It allowed her to stare off and think about all that had happened.

And what was next?

Tristan had talked with her about marrying someday, but he knew it was too soon. They were both still grieving their losses. “I pray that the day will come when we will both find someone to love. I don’t wish for us to be alone forever.”

Merryn didn’t see it ever happening. Oh, there were times when she would play with Shealee and forget the atrocities she’d witnessed, but the haunting memories always returned.

At present, it was more important that they do what they could to protect themselves and Shealee by finishing the tower before winter set in.

They were close. With a bit of help, they could finish soon.

They were all hopeful, the drops in temperature reminding them that the seasons were indeed changing.

She busied herself by making clothing and warm blankets for the lass and for herself.

She wasn’t much of a seamstress, but Shealee didn’t care how her creations looked.

They also had a cold cellar in the tower, so she spent much of her time picking fruit and vegetables to put in storage for winter.

How she wished she’d spent more time asking her mother about her tasks.

On occasion, she felt useless, but she persisted for the wee lassie she adored and for her brother who worked so hard.

Merryn’s plan for the day would be to take care of Shealee, pick apples and pears, help Euna wash clothes in the nearby burn, and then practice her archery with her new friend, Simmy. After that, she hoped to see their new friends return from Clan Grantham.

Today would be a better day. The Grantham’s surprise visit had brought a hope to her that she’d not expected. The hope of new friends, ones who would come to their aid if needed, and the oddest hope of a man in her life.

Something she’d never expected, sometimes feared, but ultimately set butterflies deep in her belly. Someone who noticed her. She couldn’t wait to see them all again, especially the man named Broc.

To her surprise, Simmy approached the edge of the water. “Can we practice now, lass? I was hunting nearby and decided to stop in.”

“Of course. I’ll be right there, Simmy. I’m sure Olivia can watch Shealee.”

Merryn hurried over to the area in front of the cottage where Olivia watched Shealee, feeding her an apple.

Ever since she’d seen Kelvan kill her sister, she’d done everything she could to learn to protect herself and her niece.

Archery had been the first defensive skill she’d learned, and she loved it.

She found her gear, spoke to Olivia, then met Simmy out near the practice area they’d made at the edge of the forest. “I’m ready, Simmy.”

“Great. See if you can set yourself up and I’ll judge how well you do.”

Merryn let her first arrow fly, pleased when it hit the target. “I did it! Not in the center, but I hit the target. And my first one too!”

Her trainer said, “Well done, Merryn. You’re doing a fine job. Every day you get better.”

“I’m pleased. I forgot to tell you that we have more visitors coming later. They promised to return in two days and I’m excited.”

Simmy reached for her water skin, taking a deep drink before sitting on a huge boulder nearby. When she finished, she leaned back, setting her hands on the rock so she could tilt her face toward the bright sun. “Tell me about your visitors. They were here already?”

“Aye, from Duart Castle. They were all from Clan Grant but came to the Isle of Mull.”

Simmy’s eyes narrowed. “I’d heard that King Robert took the castle from the MacDougalls and awarded it to Clan Ramsay.”

“They call it Clan Grantham, but the four we met were all Grants. Alasdair, Broc, Dyna, and Hagen. They brought us two chickens and a slab of beef, plus a sackful of vegetables and wine. Shealee loves to munch on carrots, and there were a few in there. Her face was orange when she finished. And the wee lass named Sylvi brought her a fabric bunny. She hasn’t set it down yet. ”

Merryn glanced over at Simmy, wondering if she could ask her a personal question. “Simmy, may I ask you something odd?”

“Sure. I’m here if you need me, lass.” She sat up and reached over, tugging Merryn to sit on the rock beside her. “Ask.”

Merryn blushed, thoughts of the handsome man fresh in her mind. “How does one find a man to marry?”

“Och, you liked one of the Grants. Better than any of your uncle’s guardsmen? Have they not tried to steal a kiss or two?”

“Aye, a couple have tried.”

“And?”

“And one did, but I didn’t like it. I don’t like him either. But one of the Grant swordsmen was quite handsome, and he was verra kind.”

“Must be Broc,” Simmy said, grinning from ear to ear. “His mother is a Grant. One of Alex Grant’s daughters. Broc is noble blood. He’d be a fine match for you.”

“How do you know all that?”

“My sire. He used to talk about the wonderful Grants years ago. He was friends with Alex Grant.”

“Oh. I’m not noble, so he’d never be interested in me.”

“Love doesn’t care about blood. If Broc is interested in you, he’ll find a way to make you his. Many handfast these days because it’s hard to find a priest. Especially on the isles. Did you like him?”

“I did,” she admitted, her cheeks flushed.

“He’s big and strong and has a kind smile, but I don’t think I’ll ever marry.

” Merryn stopped to think back on her sister.

“Kelvan was so sweet to Nara, and then, after they married, he used to beat her. She was often crying, carrying bruises. My sire spoke to Kelvan about it once, and he stopped for a bit, but then it started again. He was mean to my sister, especially after she had Shealee. Whenever the bairn cried, he would yell at her to make her stop and then slap Nara and run out. I saw him hit her once, and I wished to slap him myself. Are all men like that?”

“Nay. Tanner has never hit me. He’d regret it if he did.

” Simmy hugged her knees to her chest. “You are doing the right thing learning archery. Every lass should know how to protect herself. Men are bigger than most women, so they can hold you down and do horrible things to you. Knowing how to use a dagger is something else you should learn. I’ll bring one along the next time I come.

Tristan is busy enough with the tower, so he doesn’t have time to show you, but don’t give up on men completely. There are many good ones out there.”

“How can you tell which ones are good?”

“I look at how they treat their horses and their dogs. It can be telling.”

“I need to forget about Broc. It was just a passing thought. For now, all I wish to do is raise Shealee and protect her. She has no one else. She calls me Mama. Is it wrong to allow her?”

“Nay, you will be the only mother she knows. But when she’s older, I would tell her the truth. You should tell her all about Nara and what you loved most about your sister. It’s important to know where you came from, I think.”

“I will when she is older. I just pray we will both still be here.” Merryn would make sure that Shealee knew how sweet her mother was.

Nara had caught many men’s eyes when she grew up, but she’d only been interested in Kelvan.

It was her sweetness that always helped her to get an extra piece of fruit at market or an extra ribbon for her hair.

Sweet and beautiful. That was her sister Nara.

Merryn was not nearly as attractive as her sister was.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Simmy squeezed her hand. “The Grants will protect you. I will if I’m here. Tristan and his men will protect you.”

“But you live on the isle.” As far as Merryn knew, Simmy lived on Iona, only traveling to Mull to hunt deer once in a while.

“But I can visit more often if Kelvan continues to bother you. Tell me more of what you learned from the Grants.”

“They said that a man known as K was stealing bairns, that he’d done it twice, but they were able to save the bairns before he sold them.”