Page 46

Broc

Broc stood strong. “My mother, my cousin. I’ll lead.” He would make up for all his failures in the past. This time, he’d bring his mother home along with Alasdair and John.

He didn’t regret making that statement, but he had to admit, as they led the way from Lochaline to Drimnin, his belly was starting to flip-flop as if he were about to run into a thunderstorm with giant snakes falling from the sky.

He wouldn’t allow his fear to slow him this time.

Alaric had volunteered to head the group along with him, Maitland directly behind the pair, with the giggling Grant tied tightly to his chest, directing the group.

Maeve had insisted the lad wear a hat, and he was as happy as he’d ever been.

Merryn rode with Simone behind them. He wished to turn around and speak with her, but he vowed to keep his focus.

This had to be the journey that would end this chapter of torture for his clan.

He hadn’t slept well last night either. Awakened by boar tusks coming at him, he’d been in a heavy sweat, shouting enough to awaken Hagen in the bed next to him. “Sorry, Hagen.”

“You all right?” his cousin had asked.

“Fine. Nightmare.” One that made him think there was a boar in his chamber, a foolish thought, but it had seemed so real.

The smell of the boar, the grunt as it reached him, the crush of its hooves on his leg.

The searing pain as the tusk ripped into him.

He’d escaped another goring. At least, that was what his mind kept telling him. Breathe, breathe, Broc.

“You gotta kill that boar sometime, cousin.” Then Hagen had rolled back over, fast asleep a few moments later.

There were times he wished he’d find a boar on Mull, but he couldn’t think on it now. He had to focus on saving Alasdair, John, and his mother.

Lennox pulled up next to Broc and said, “This spot up ahead is where I would leave some. There is a path that leads to a stream to water the horses. It’s a lovely spot with a waterfall, yet isolated. Maeve, Lia, Logan, and Magni would be best staying here.”

Connor said, “I’ll stay back. I’m watching for our guards. I know the path they’ll take, so I’ll direct them.”

Lennox and Meg led the group to the clearing near the waterfall. “If your men come down the path to Drimnin, that path we left is the only way. You’ll hear them coming and see them as they pass by from here, Chief.”

“My thanks, MacVey.”

Maeve came over and gave Maitland and Grant each a kiss, her tears flooding her cheeks.

“Maeve, we’ll protect him.” Maitland kissed her on the lips. “Our son is special. We’ve known that. Look how happy he is.”

“But he’s just a baby, Maitland. Our beautiful baby.” She lifted his wee hat and kissed the fine dark hairs on the lad’s head, rubbing lightly. Grant tried to kiss her nose, making her laugh.

Broc said, “Alaric and I will not allow anyone near your husband or your son, Maeve.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Lia said, “Grant will protect himself and his sire. Fear not, Maeve.”

“I still don’t understand why you can’t take them there, Lia, and leave Grant here. He will be a hindrance if a battle starts.”

Eli said, “You have three strong archers and two axe-throwers besides the many swordsmen. We can handle their two score men, Maeve. Trust us.”

Grant began to whine, pushing against his mother’s last hug. “Wia.”

“We’ll return soon, happy and whole. We need to put an end to this man’s torturous reign of hell.”

Maeve nodded and stepped back, Uncle Connor wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “I trust them, Maeve.” She turned around and buried her face in her brother’s chest.

Logan came over to Broc and whispered, “Make that bastard hurt, but keep him alive. I have questions for him before you finish him.”

Alaric and Broc both nodded. Broc decided he’d save his questions for later.

The group headed out, everyone quiet as they approached Drimnin.

They came to a fork in the road, so Broc pulled his horse back. “Check for us, Maitland?”

Maitland led his horse down the choice he wouldn’t have picked, and Grant let out a squeal and a cry. They took the other path and Grant reverted to his happy self, his fist now in his mouth, his legs kicking with excitement.

Broc looked back over his shoulder. “Do you wonder why he says Lia instead of John?”

Maitland said, “I’ve given it some thought, and I have concluded that Lia represents whatever special power my son has.

The same type of magick or power that John holds with the sword.

To me, I would bet Wia stands for John’s sword.

I think he’s drawn to that. After all, we left Lia with Maeve, and he’s still saying her name. ”

They reached Drimnin, the beach up ahead, so Lennox and Meg led the way. Lennox explained their goal. “We’ve discussed this with the local people. They directed us the last time to Egan’s place. I’ll see if they can help us.”

He and Meg spoke with the villagers, then they returned, pointing back into the woods.

“Two of them said the men come and go from Egan’s old place over there, but they don’t go to Egan’s hut, instead to a different spot back in the woods. In fact, they said they’ve tried to locate the exact spot, but they can’t find anything.”

Broc asked, “Which way?” While the coastline and the small village’s well-kept huts were inviting, behind them sat nothing but thick woods with two paths, probably used by the locals for hunting.

“That way.”

Broc and Alaric headed in that direction, following the indicated path. Wee Grant agreed.

But they didn’t travel far down the path before it seemed to come to an end. “What the hell?” Alaric asked.

There was nothing but an endless forest in every direction.

“Maitland?”

He led his horse in three different directions, but only the fourth one pleased Grant. He pointed to a pile of brush that they hadn’t noticed.

Maitland declared, “My son and I will not be the first ones. You and Alaric check. This is as far as my son goes.”

Broc jumped down, glancing over at Merryn to make sure she was handling everything well. His hand checked for his dagger, pleased it was still attached to his belt. He wished this entire situation were over, that his mother was home with the others so he and Merryn could enjoy their new love.

Love it was, indeed. He adored Merryn.

Broc and Alaric approached, Lennox behind them. He said, “That pile is hiding something. Alaric, you grab that end. Broc, you over there.” The three found branches to grab, lifting the brush, surprised to discover it was all tied together and lifted easily.

As soon as they tossed it aside, Grant giggled and pointed to the door in the ground. Maitland moved his horse back, but then said, “Wait. I wish to position the archers first.”

Simone said, “I’ll arrange us. We need to cover each angle for whoever comes flying out when you release the door. Open and stand back. I’ll hit them.”

The group situated themselves, archers in the trees, then Maitland stepped far enough away and said, “Unbolt it.”

Broc pulled on the handle, lifting it easily, then dropped the door off to the side before jumping back.

Nothing there but a staircase.

“I’m going down,” Broc said, Alaric following him, both with swords drawn. They weren’t down long before they returned.

“What’s wrong?” Maitland asked.

Grant began to wiggle and kick, whining and pointing at the staircase. “Wia, Wia.”

“There’s a point with three different tunnels off it. We don’t know which way to go.”

“Shite,” Maitland said, closing his eyes to think. “I want Lennox, Finlay, and Artan to stay up here with the lasses.” Grant continued to fuss, so he finally said, “We’ll come, but one of you in front of us and one behind us. I can’t hold my sword with him on my chest. I can only hold my dagger.”

Broc said, “My mother. I’ll lead.” He would find his mother and bring her home, on his honor as a Grant Highlander.

They crept down the staircase, distant torches lighting up the tunnels. Once at the cross path, they stopped and waited for Grant to give them direction, and he did. They took the path to the right and passed two doors. On the third door, the bairn nearly jumped out of his restraints.

“Open this one,” Maitland said to Broc, stepping past the door to protect his son.

Broc opened it, then stood back, his sword in front of him. No one came out.

“Wia.”

Broc stuck his head in and noticed a pallet against one wall. “John?”

“Aye? Broc?”

“Aye, lad. We’re here.” Broc had a hard time holding back his excitement at finding the lad.

Grant had done it, no one could deny it.

He set his weapon down, nodding to Alaric to keep himself at the door.

Maitland and Broc moved over to the lad, both using their daggers to set him free.

Success at last! Now for his mother and Alasdair next.

“Wia! Wia!”

John said, “Greetings, Grant. Why is he here?”

“He led us to you. Where is your father? My mother?” Broc asked.

“I don’t know.”

Maitland asked, “Do you have your sword?”

“Aye.” He held it up and Grant kicked and giggled.

“Wia, Wia.” The blue glow filled the chamber. The wee lad reached over and grabbed the end of the sword, wiggling it without cutting his hands. Broc couldn’t believe that not a speck of blood showed from the lad grabbing the blade of the weapon.

He was not about to try to touch it.

“They took my father because he told Kelvan he was you, Broc. Said he was Kyla’s son.”

“How long ago?”

“A quarter of the day?”

Maitland said, “Tell Grant to lead us to your sire, John. He listens to you.”

John took Grant’s hand and said, “Which way? Where’s my father?”

He pointed back down the passageway to where they started, then led them down another hallway.

They followed the wee bairn’s lead and found the door. Broc opened it, shocked to see his mother sitting on a stool, leaning against the wall. “Mama?” She looked so small, something he never would consider his mother to be. Kyla Grant MacNicol was always larger than life.

A man was chained to the stone edge. “Alasdair!” The man’s head shot up.

“We’ve been waiting for you. Where’s John?”

“Right here, Da.” John came in and searched around for the key to his father’s chains.

Broc moved to his mother and knelt beside her. “Mama?”

She had a black eye and a bruised cheek. Her lip was cut, but her eyes opened. “Broc?”

“Aye, Mama, I’m going to get you out of here. Da is waiting for us.”

“I don’t know if I can walk, Broc.” Her eyes teared up. “I haven’t eaten much. I have no strength left. Been tied up too long.”

Broc sheathed his sword, then lifted her while Alaric found the key and unlocked Alasdair’s chains.

Alasdair said, “Hurry. They are returning. They went to get Glenna so she could return to cut off my hand. Says it was all Logan’s fault that she lost her hand.”

Maitland said, “Let’s move quickly.”

Broc carried his mother, and they headed back down the passageway. They nearly made it, but their escape was interrupted at the cross path.

Men came from four directions.

Broc shouted, “Maitland, get between us. Mama, you’re going to have to stand next to him.”

Alasdair took Maitland’s sword and faced one direction while Broc pushed his mother behind him and faced two men coming at him.

Maitland, Grant, and Kyla were in the middle while Alasdair, Broc, Alaric, and John protected them.

Wee Grant giggled.