Page 21 of Wolf Heir (Highland Wolves of Old #3)

Aisling grabbed Nelly’s hand, and they headed to the women’s chamber.

From there, Aisling retrieved her bow and quiver of arrows.

Then the two women left the castle for where the targets were set up.

They both glanced up to see where Coinneach was up on the wall walk and saw him and Aodhan several feet away.

But the men were doing their duty and watching for danger.

“I sure wish I could catch someone like Coinneach for my own. He’s so braw, but then you are too so you suit each other.”

“You’ll find just the wolf for you when the time comes.”

Nelly was shy around the men, which gave Aisling an idea. Tamhas was such a nice man, but he didn’t have many opportunities to meet women. But if Nelly and he really liked each other, would she be able to manage living on the farm? And Nelly was the only ally Aisling had in the kitchen.

“What do you think about farming?” Aisling readied an arrow and aimed it at the target. “See my stance?”

“Uh, yes. What about farming?”

“Would you like to live in a croft instead of the castle, cooking?” Aisling released the arrow, and it hit the target.

“I’ve never lived in a croft, so I dinna know anything about it.”

Aisling helped her with her stance so that Nelly could shoot an arrow.

It dropped at her feet. They both looked down at it and laughed.

But Aisling was thinking that she could take Nelly with her to see Tamhas sometime, and then Nelly could see if that life might be preferable to the kitchen life at the castle.

Aisling helped Nelly again to prepare to shoot an arrow, and this time it flew several feet. “That’s great, Nelly. We’ll keep practicing until you want to stop. Oh, and I…um, wanted to see Coinneach’s family to see how they are faring after the fight last night.”

“Oh, sure.” Nelly kept trying and finally hit the edge of the target. She whooped and hollered.

Aisling laughed. “Practice and you’ll get so much better. You should have seen me when I was starting out.”

“Did you have anyone help you?”

“After struggling with it for a while, Drustan sent a man to help me do it. Before we return to work, let’s visit Coinneach’s family to see how they are.”

“You want me to go with you?” Nelly’s eyes were wide.

“Aye. I would love to have the company.”

“Since you willna be seeing Coinneach.” Nelly smiled. “Aye, let’s go.”

They both headed through the outer bailey and waved at the tiny figures atop the wall walk.

Coinneach cupped his mouth and hollered, “Where are you off to?”

“To check on your family.” Then Aisling waved, and she and Nelly raced through the tall grasses.

“I have only been to the village once to get goods that Cook needed and never even noticed the crofts. I mean, I saw them, but I never paid attention to them. Will it be all right with them if I tag along? They know you, but no’ me.

” Nelly tucked a loose curl of hair sweeping into her eyes behind her ear.

“They will welcome you because you are a good friend of mine.”

When they reached the family’s croft, Tamhas and his da were working in the field. They didn’t see them, so Aisling and Nelly went to the door of the croft and Aisling knocked. “’Tis me, Aisling, and my friend Nelly.”

The door was yanked open. “Aisling!” Coinneach’s mother threw her arms around her and hugged her. “Where is Coinneach?”

“Working as a guard on the wall walk. I told him we were coming to see you.”

“Come and have some tea. And welcome, Nelly.” Elspeth took both their hands and led them into the croft. “Sit and tell me what Coinneach has been up to.” Then she turned her back on them to heat the water for the tea.

Aisling and Nelly shared looks. Aisling shook her head at Nelly, trying to tell her not to mention Coinneach had been injured in a practice fight.

“Well, he did some practice fighting, and then he worked on the wall walk. That’s when he heard Tamhas’s howl and came to the rescue,” Aisling said.

“Aye, and—”

Aisling looked sharply at Nelly, but she only smiled.

“Aisling helped fight the Vikings, using a Viking bow. We’re all so proud of her.”

Not Gormelia, Aisling was thinking.

“We got word from one of the men who had come with the others to take the bodies away. He howled to let us know it was safe to return to our crofts, and he said Coinneach wanted one of the Viking’s long swords to go to Tamhas.

I canna believe you risked your life for just the croft.

We could rebuild it. We couldna replace either of you.

” Elspeth sounded distraught, and when she turned to bring the tea to the table, her eyes were filled with tears.

Once Elspeth set the mugs on the table, Aisling hugged her. She knew she had to tell the whole story now.

“The one man was the brother of the one I had killed as a wolf. He was about to shoot Coinneach with an arrow. We took Ivor’s weapons—the sword that Coinneach kept, the short sword that Coinneach gave Tamhas, and the bow and quiver of arrows that I claimed.

His brother found the short sword that Coinneach had given to Tamhas in the croft. The brother vowed revenge.”

“Och, we didna know that.” Elspeth sat down at the table with them. “I’m glad you saved Coinneach’s life as a wolf.”

“Who couldn’t have escaped in time. Once Holgar found the short sword in your croft, he would have killed all of you the first chance he got. It wasna just a case of him torching your croft.” Aisling sipped some of her tea and saw Nelly was just staring at her.

That was what she’d been afraid of. Telling others that she had killed a Viking warrior when she had been in her wolf form. It just made her sound wilder, more unpredictable.

Elspeth sat back on her chair. “If Coinneach hadna already decided he wanted you for a mate, I would have insisted.”

Aisling smiled. Nelly sat back on the chair and tapped her fingers on the table. “You didna tell me you saved Coinneach’s life while wearing your wolf coat.”

“I wouldna have left my hiding place otherwise,” Aisling said.

“Aye, I mean, well, you didna have the bow before then so it was hard to imagine you killing a mighty Viking warrior with a sgian dubh. But in your wolf coat? So brave, Aisling. You are amazing.” Nelly finished her tea, gathered the empty mugs, and took them into the kitchen.

Male voices approaching the croft made Elspeth and Aisling leave their chairs. They opened the door, and Tamhas smiled to see Aisling, giving her a hug. Magnus likewise hugged her.

“You are here, but where is Coinneach?” Magnus asked.

“He’s guarding the castle. We, Nelly and I, came to see how you were doing after the fight.”

“Due to your quick actions, we didna lose any of the crops or the croft from the fire from their torches.” Magnus hugged her again.

“My mother agreed we could mate.” Aisling hadn’t meant to tell Coinneach’s family without him, but it just slipped out. She was so glad to be part of his family.

Tamhas glanced at Nelly.

“This is my good friend, Nelly.” Aisling rushed over to bring her to where the family was standing.

“Are you staying for the noon meal?” Tamhas asked.

“Nay, we have to return to the castle to prepare it.” Aisling decided she wasn’t much of a matchmaker, as she couldn’t think of anything to say to get Nelly to talk to Tamhas.

Tamhas likewise wasn’t making the effort. Maybe they weren’t meant to be together. Maybe Nelly wouldn’t even like to live in a croft like this. Or work as a farmer’s wife.

“I’m glad you are fine. I just wanted to make sure. We need to return to the castle before we are missed.” Aisling had done her job in checking on the family.

“We’re so glad you dropped by.” Elspeth gave Aisling a hug and Nelly one too this time. She even gave her son a look that said he needed to do something.

“I’ll escort you back to the castle,” Tamhas said, as if recalling that’s what Coinneach always did, and it sounded chivalrous.

“That would be great.” Aisling hugged Magnus. “We’ll see you again soon.” We, meaning maybe Coinneach and Aisling, or Aisling and Nelly.

Then the three left the croft, saying their goodbyes. Still, Aisling saw the conspiratorial smiles that passed between Magnus and Elspeth, and she suspected they knew she was up to matchmaking Nelly and Tamhas and approved. Or just thought it was amusing.

Nelly was sticking by Aisling’s side, not getting near Tamhas, and Aisling wanted to rectify the situation, but she didn’t know how.

“Tamhas can fight like Coinneach, and he can ride a horse.” Aisling figured she could tell Nelly some of his attributes while they made their way to the castle.

“I dinna fight as well as Coinneach,” Tamhas said.

“He has had more training. I’m sure if you had more training, you could too,” Nelly said.

Aisling was thrilled that Nelly finally spoke. Maybe her courage came from having Aisling between her and Tamhas.

Which gave Aisling an idea. Maybe Tamhas could come and train too at the castle on occasion when his da didn't need him, if Drustan approved of another crofter preparing for battle. If Tamhas was even interested.

“If you would like, I could ask Drustan if he would allow it. I’m sure since your brother works for him, he would put in a good word.”

Tamhas scratched his head. “I dinna know. They were no’ friendly toward Coinneach until Alasdair took him to the castle and Coinneach bested the champion in the practice fighting.”

“Aye, and you are friends with Alasdair also. Coinneach would…” She started to say that he would protect him, but thought better of it. “He would spar with you for sure, and you can learn some of the new skills they’ve taught him.”

“Aye.” Tamhas brightened at the idea.

“And I will be cheering you on,” Nelly said.

Tamhas smiled broadly at her.

So maybe Aisling had some matchmaking ability.

Before they arrived at the castle, they waved at Coinneach and Aodhan. Both men waved back.

When they reached the castle gates, Aisling took Tamhas’s hand. “We’ll see Drustan now.” She figured since he was here, they might as well get this over with.

Then she saw Drustan and hauled Tamhas toward him, and Nelly running to keep up with them.

“Drustan, because of the assault on Tamhas’s family’s croft, he needs to learn more sword skills,” Aisling said, taking charge of the situation.

Tamhas glanced at Nelly, and she nodded her head vigorously.

“Aye,” Tamhas said. “Chief Alisdair taught Coinneach and me lots, but I need more experience.”

“Your brother canna fight for three days because of the sword wound he received, but I welcome you to the practice fight we will have soon.” Drustan glanced at the sword swinging from Tamhas’s belt. “I see you have a Viking sword also.”

“Aye. But it was Coinneach’s kill,” Tamhas said. “I’m willing to learn. My da approves.”

“If more of the farmers were so armed and trained, the better for all of us.” Drustan slapped him on the back. “You are welcome.” He glanced up at the wall walk and saw Coinneach watching them. “Go. Tell your brother what you are up to. I’m sure he’ll want to watch you fight.”

Tamhas said to Aisling, “You didna tell us Coinneach was injured in the battle with the Vikings.”

“He wasna. It was during sword practice. He didna want anyone to know.” Now Aisling felt bad that she hadn’t told the family the whole truth.

Tamhas glanced at Drustan. “It happens sometimes. Tristan apologized and was truly remorseful. Because we dinna know how well you can fight, we’ll pair you with fighters who are more your skill level, and you can work up to what the skilled fighters can do.”

“Aye.” Tamhas straightened his shoulders. “I’ll speak with Coinneach now.”

Aisling waved at Coinneach and blew him a kiss. He smiled.

“Can we watch them fight?” Nelly asked.

Nelly had never wanted to watch a fight before, so Aisling thought she might be a wee bit interested in Tamhas.

“If Cook says you’re free, then aye.”

Nelly grabbed Aisling’s hand and raced her to the keep.