Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Scot’s Pursuit
When Kyla goes missing, it brings too many memories back for Alex…
Chapter Five
The view of Alex Grant from his grandson, Alick. Branwen is speaking
“You get along with your grandsire? I never knew mine. I always wondered what it would be like to have one.”
“I adore Grandsire. We all do. He’s the backbone of our clan, the best swordsman and strategist who ever lived. We ask him everything and he guides us even when we don’t ask.”
“Does he ever get angry with you for not listening to him?”
Alick paused for a moment, then shook his head.
“My father likes to remind me if he told me something and he was correct. Grandsire would never do that.” He smiled, glancing up at her with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I never realized that before, but ’tis true.
Papa and Mama will both remind me of my mistakes.
Grandsire? He just raises his eyebrows like this.
” He mimicked a quizzical expression. “And when he does it, we’ve all learned to think about our actions.
When he’s actually angry, his eyebrows go together in the middle and his eyes narrow like this.
” He mimicked him again, chuckling. “Unfortunately, he’s at my cousin’s keep, so I’ll not be able to talk to him about any of this. ”
“Does he live there all the time?” she asked. “I’ve heard of Alexander Grant and his famous sword skills, but I thought he lived at Grant Castle. My brothers were hoping to see him parry during this visit. They say he’s verra good for an old man, or so my brother thinks.”
“Do you understand much about the war? He’s at my cousin’s castle because the English have tried to use him, to blackmail him.”
Chapter Thirteen
Alick brings his grandfather back to memories of Maddie.
“I think I’ll go to Thane Castle. Papa will not be here until the morrow, and we won’t leave for Glasgow for two days. I have more than enough time to travel to Thane Castle and back. I’d feel better if I brought my wife back here. Her sire is a cruel man.”
Grandsire glanced down at his hands in his lap as if thinking of some long past memory.
After a moment, he sighed and whispered, “Go. It will please me to meet the lass you’ve chosen to be your wife, but you must not tarry.
Take Dyna and five guards with you and be back on the morrow. Do not delay.”
Alick nearly hugged the old man, but he held back and offered a nod of gratitude instead. “I appreciate your support, Grandsire.”
“You have it. And I will have to tell your sire you are already married to justify your departure.”
Something Alick would have preferred to do himself, but he agreed with his grandfather’s reasoning. “My thanks to you. I promise we’ll be back soon.”
“Who were you thinking of just then, Grandsire?” Dyna asked.
Alex Grant lifted his head, his eyes moistened with unshed tears, and said, “Maddie. When I came upon her the verra first time, she was in a chamber alone and I could tell she had been beaten. Brodie and I left but returned after receiving a note of warning from her stablemaster. We should never have left, and I still feel the guilt of it on occasion.”
Alasdair came forward. “But that had a good ending, Grandpapa. Do not feel guilty. You did what was right in the end and look how it worked out. Had you done it differently, who knows what might have happened.”
He looked up at his grandson and smiled. “You are wise beyond your young years, Alasdair. Alick, go find your lady and bring her here.”
Chapter Eighteen
The group is still looking for the kidnapped Kyla, and Alex is the voice of reason.
Where?” Alick’s father bellowed, striding over to stand in front of Branwen.
Alick saw the fear in his wife’s gaze and pushed his sire to the side. “Don’t yell at her. She’s had enough trials of her own the last few days.”
His father stepped back and sheepishly apologized. “Take your time and think,” he said.
Alick took her hand. “Tell us what you know, sweetling.”
Branwen played with her plait, then said, “I’m sorry, but I forgot until just now.
When I was in the dungeon, they carried in a person who had long dark hair.
I assumed ’twas a man, but mayhap I was wrong.
It was dark when they carried the person into the cell, and I couldn’t see a face.
But now that we know she’s in the north, it seems ’tis possible.
Do you not agree? I heard them say they gave the person a potion to make them sleep until the morn.
I should have put it together sooner, but you have red hair, and Els and Jamie have yellow hair. And Dyna’s hair is nearly white.”
“Did you hear a name?” Da asked, his voice beseeching now.
“Nay, nothing. And I left before she awakened. They put her in a place far away from me.”
“I don’t wish to discourage you,” Will said, looking between Alick and Finlay, “but it could be anyone.”
“Which castle?” Maggie asked.
“Thane Castle. My uncle William is the Earl of Thane.”
Jamie muttered, “And Thane is not a supporter of Bruce. It fits.”
Grandsire climbed down from his horse and moved over to stand in front of Branwen.
Alick edged a bit closer to her. His grandsire, though he’d probably shrunk a wee bit, was still a large man, and he towered over her.
Although Branwen probably understood the Grants wouldn’t hurt her, he wanted her to know he supported her.
That she needn’t worry with him by her side.
“Now, think before you answer,” Grandsire said.
“Would you have recognized the voice of those men in the manor if they were in your uncle’s guard?
Would you know the voices of the head of your uncle’s guard or his strongest warriors?
His steward? Those would be the people most likely to be able to hide a captive in your dungeon. ”
“I didn’t recognize any voices.”
Jamie asked, “Does your clan often put women in the dungeon? Is it a punishment they assign at your judgment day?”
She squared her shoulders and said, “I didn’t think the cells were in use at all.
They never mention it at judgment day. My uncle usually assigns lashings or extra work for restitution.
My sire was the one who put me there. I ran away after he attempted to marry me to an old man not of my choosing. ”
“Did you notice anything else about her?” Alick asked gently. “What she was wearing? Her shoes? Anything?”
She shook her head. “Just her hair.”
Alick took both of her hands in his and asked, “If I go with you, can you lead me to that cell?”
She nodded. “Of course. They put the other prisoner in the last one, if I recall. And if I ask the stablemaster, he’ll know if anyone is there. He knows everything.”
Alick turned around to face the group. “Then we head that way, and Branwen and I will go inside the dungeon.”
Several of the others nodded, including Uncle Jamie and Els.
“I’ll agree with that plan,” Da said. “But I’m going too.”
His grandfather shook his head.
“What’s wrong, Grandsire?”
“Oh, I agree that a small group of us must go to Thane Castle, but you’re not going inside with Branwen. Assuming the stablemaster is willing to help, she’ll go with him and Dyna.”
“What?” Alick sputtered in disbelief. “She’s my mother.”
Da put his hands on his hips. “She’s my wife.”
Grandsire said, “Nay to both of you. You’ll compromise the whole situation because you’re too emotional.”
“Too emotional,” Da barked. “I can control my emotions.”
“And if your wife has been beaten?” Grandsire asked, looking from Da to Alick.
Fury pumped through him, so fast and furious he had to calm himself to reconsider his grandfather’s advice.
It was the same fury he’d felt when he’d seen Branwen’s sire try to strike her.
As usual, Grandsire was explaining his answer calmly, unruffled by the seriousness of their venture and its possible repercussions.
How Alick wished he could control his emotions the way his grandfather did.
The wizened warrior’s voice turned into a soothing baritone.
“Have you forgotten the first time so quickly, Finlay? I would have thought it would stick in your mind forever.” Grandsire looked at Cailean, Sorcha, Branwen, and a few others.
“Finlay carried Kyla to me after she’d been nearly beaten to death.
The men who did it almost killed him for protecting her.
” He turned back to his daughter’s husband.
“Even your hands shook as you held her. Can you promise me you’ll not do the same?
You’re not the strong young warrior you were back then, and your son’s emotions will overpower him.
Alick is a fine Grant warrior, but I never expect the impossible.
Nor do I want anything to get in the way of my daughter’s safety—even the love you bear for her. ”
A horrible look of grief crossed Da’s face. He left them, making his way to a nearby boulder, and sat down. The tears misting his eyes did not escape Alick’s notice.
“Alex is right,” Maggie said softly, her tone firm. “You two are too close. Branwen, the stablemaster, and Dyna should go in.”
“Why Dyna?” Els asked. “We can go in.” He had his arm wrapped around his wife, Joya.
Grandsire said, “Because Dyna found Branwen and got her out. She obviously knows how to get in and out of that cellar undetected.”
Maggie said, “Agreed.”
The others were a bit disgruntled, but Alick had to admit the plan made sense. Dyna was a talented lass and he trusted Jep completely.
He had to pray his mother was still there and unhurt.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Grandsire helps them all, even a laddie of two…
Emmalin joined them, John and Ailith in tow. “Seanair, would you like one or the other?”
John raced over to Seanair’s side, laying his head in his grandfather’s lap. The old man arched a brow at Emmalin. “’Tis a new event.”
“He woke up from a dream. He kept repeating the same thought to me. You see what you can make of it.”
She headed into the kitchens, calling for one of the serving lasses. “Porridge and honey for three, please?”
“Seanair, you must find her,” John said, blurry-eyed from tears, his lower lip trembling.
“Find who, laddie?” Grandsire asked, his hand on the lad’s head. He brushed all the dark wild strands back from his eyes.
“Her. She’s my lassie. She needs me. You help her?”
Alick peered at his grandfather, looking for his reaction. The lad must have had a dream that had left a strong memory, something he understood all too well.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help you, John. Tell me all about it.”
Emmalin walked out with two bowls and said, “Porridge and fresh goat’s milk for you, John.”
His eyes lit up and he raced to his mother, his troubles clearly forgotten.
“’Twas easily forgotten,” Alick said.
“Don’t think ’tis forgotten for long. He’ll remember later.”
Perhaps Grandsire was right. He had to admit he’d missed him more than he’d guessed. His wisdom was priceless, his strength beyond measure, but his kindness was truly what made him irreplaceable. No matter what your problem, he’d help you through it.
Even if you were only two years old and missing a lassie.
Epilogue
Alex meets Maddie in a dream…
Alexander Grant woke up from a sound sleep in the middle of the night. He could tell by the imposing silence outside the door of his chamber, meaning the fires were out and all were abed.
But he’d had a dream he could not shake.
Maddie.
His dear wife had come to him in his sleep again. In his dream, they’d been in this very chamber together. She’d approached the side of the bed, and he’d sat up and pulled her to him. Savored the familiar feel of her curves and the soft scent that was only hers.
“Maddie mine,” he’d said, “but I do miss you in my arms every night. My bed is lonely without you there.”
“Alex, you could find another,” she’d told him, something she’d said before in these dreams. “I would not be upset.”
He chuckled and ran his finger down her jawline. “You think anyone could compare? They could not.”
“Do you like my hair golden again?”
“Aye,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck. “I had noticed that we look young again.”
His words were rewarded with a smile, but she pulled away slightly when he attempted to draw her closer. “Alex, before you get so distracted that you’ll not hear me, please listen. I came for a reason.”
“Tell me, please.”
He stopped nuzzling her and gave her his complete attention.
“You’re looking at it all wrong.”
“What?”
“The spectral swords. John is not intended to be a part of the group. ’Tis John they protect.
Aye, he helped their power grow, but he is not needed any longer.
He was filling in until the last of the group arrived.
He mustn’t be included in any other battles.
He’s so young and powerful, the surges were draining the cousin’s strength. ”
That gave him pause. “Filling in. Who were we missing?”
A voice came from behind him, one he was pleased to hear. His dear brother Robbie. “You’ll be mighty proud of all of them, Alex. We are.” He waved and disappeared into the mist that had formed at the back of the room.
Alex had a tight hold on his wife because he knew what was coming. “Please stay, Maddie. I miss you so.”
“Alex, I treasure these moments, too, but they are difficult for me, and I’m only given a short time.
You’ll understand someday, but now I must go.
” She kissed him tenderly on the lips. Her last comment was, “This last person will be more difficult to pull in, but he must join the group if they’re to play the role they’re supposed to in the war.
” With that, she disappeared, leaving Alex alone to think on her words.
Restless, he made his way to the hearth and sat down.
John was the true power they needed to protect. He’d helped them for a short while, but only because the last member of the group had not yet arrived. A male who would be difficult to pull in.
Who could it be?
Then suddenly he knew.
Derric.