Chapter Sixteen
Lennox
Lennox set Rowan down and rushed to the girl’s side. Shocked to have finally found the bairns after he’d been searching for two days, he thanked the Lord above that they all seemed hale. He removed the axe from her hand and gave it to Magni, who said, “I know where she keeps it, but you have to help her! Her name is Meg and she saved us from those awful men who were going to sell us to work for someone. I’m not going without her.”
Lennox had to smile. He lifted Meg into his arms and sat on the boulder, settling her on his lap. “Rowan, my horse is back a bit. Please go with Magni and fetch it here. But it’s not far from a wee burn. I have a skin on the horse for water. Fill it for me and bring both back. Once I can awaken her, we’ll head to Oban.”
Magni jumped and said, “Aye, Chief. We’ll get the horse and the water!”
Once they left, Lennox called out, “Tora! Are you here?”
The white-haired lass came out of the cave holding the hand of a golden-haired lass who was as serene as any he’d ever seen. “Greetings, Lia.”
“Aye, that is my name. I think we have met before. And you are the chieftain of Clan MacVey, my lord?”
“Aye, true. Tora, your mother is verra worried about you. I promise to get you back to her before nightfall.”
Tora pointed toward the sea. “Gwandpapa is nearly at the fewwy. They’re going over to help Mama. I can wide with him. He has his howse, Midnight Star, with him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you, but the horse will ride in the bottom of the boat. They won’t wish to risk him falling overboard. Do you have anything to gather? Will you get Meg’s things together so we can leave once my horse is here? We need to get her to our healer.”
“Orw ouw healer. Eli is vewwa good.”
“She is, and if Doiron cannot help her, then we’ll get Eli. But first, please gather everyone’s things.”
The two lasses rushed back into the cave.
That gave Lennox the time to do what he wished—stare at the most beautiful face he’d ever seen on a brave soul. She had stood strong against him to protect four bairns—with a fever. Who was this lass? He placed his hand to her forehead, not surprised to feel the fire burning there as strongly as in the rest of her body. He cupped her cheek and turned her face so he could look at her directly.
Her skin carried a bit of the sun with a dash of freckles across her nose, though he would wager that in winter it would be as clear as ivory. She had high, delicate cheekbones and rosy-red lips that begged to be kissed, though it didn’t interest him in her present condition.
Her hair was the color of his favorite chestnut horse, with just a hint of red in it. Her plaits were quite messy, something he found oddly appealing. She had the longest legs he’d ever seen, visible since she was dressed in a pair of men’s trews. He’d have to wonder more about that, but not at the moment. Other than the women at Clan Grantham, he’d never seen a lass in trews.
The lads returned. Magni rushed to Lennox’s side with the waterskin while Rowan led the horse, who nickered sweetly upon finding his master again, his long tail swishing in greeting. “Rowan, grab a linen square from my saddlebag, if you would.”
Rowan found the towel, and Lennox wet the cloth before setting it across Meg’s forehead. He moved it to her cheeks at the same time the lasses exited the cave and Lia announced, “We have everything, my lord.”
Lennox glanced at the lasses and said, “Rowan and Magni, will you attach the bags to the horse, please? I was hoping to allow Meg to ride along with Tora and Lia, but I think I’m going to have to hold her up. Her fever is too high.”
Tora said, “I will walk and pwotect you with my bow.” She pulled a weapon from the inside of her tunic. “I keep it hidden fwom the bad people.”
He couldn’t help but smile. If no one had told him, he would have known her to be Dyna’s daughter.
“Then I’ll ride with Meg and, Lia, you may ride in front of Meg to help keep her steady. You lads will walk with Tora, please.”
“We will,” Magni said, his expression growing serious as he stepped closer to Lennox. “Do you promise not to let the bad men take us back?”
“I do, Magni. Fear not. I’ll have you back at Duart Castle by dark. I’ll send a messenger to your uncle, Rowan. I think perhaps it will be best to have Eli treat Meg.”
Meg lifted her head, stared into his eyes, and asked, “Who the hell are you?”
Tora ran over and put her hand on Meg’s forehead to soothe her, and said, “He’s bwinging us to Oban and my gwandsire. Do not wowry.”
Lennox said, “I’m Lennox MacVey, chieftain of Clan MacVey. I came here looking for four bairns, so I promise to get you all to the Isle of Mull safely. Then their parents will come for them after I send messengers. You will see our healer.”
Her eyes misted and she clutched his arm. “Promise? I’m too tired to go any farther. Please get them safely home.”
“I promise.” Her eyes were a shade of the forest in early spring when the buds were just beginning to break out. “Meg, I’m going to help you get on the horse, and I’ll mount behind you. You can lean against me. You’re not strong enough to ride on your own.”
She grabbed his hand and said, “Nay, I’ll walk. The bairns can ride.”
Three voices shouted, “Nay. We wish to walk.”
Lennox smiled and said, “They are anxious to get to Oban. It’s not far, and better to release their wiggles before we get on the ship. They’ll be fine. Lia will ride in front of you, so if you must grab on to anyone, grab her.”
“Magni, please get my axe.”
“I have it, my lady.” He grinned and held up her carrying case.
Lennox managed to get the two on the horse and mounted behind them. It wasn’t the best arrangement, but he thought it would work. “That way on the path, lads. If you hear anything unusual, you will get behind the horse. Understood? You too, Tora?”
The three nodded and they were off.
Lennox had to admit that he was drawn to this lass. He couldn’t think of one other female he’d like to ride a horse with, but she fit against him quite well. He’d noticed that she was quite tall, her head nearly even with his. Long legs that went on forever made him envision things he shouldn’t be considering with a sick lass and four bairns in his present company, so he had to chastise himself.
He had four important people counting on him to get them home. He’d better be more attentive.
They’d traveled for about two hours when Magni let out a whoop. “There it is! I see it! There’s the sea. We’re going home. Really going home.”
Lia said, “Thane and Tamsin will be verra glad to see us.”
Meg sat up and said, “Tamsin? That’s my sister’s name. But she’s not married to anyone named Thane.”
Lennox had to admit that thought gave him a jolt. Could Thane’s new friend be Meg’s sister? He’d have to find out later.
She fell asleep again, occasionally moaning from bad dreams or the fever, he wasn’t sure which. “Stay close, Magni. Please do not run ahead.”
They continued for another hour before the dock and multiple boats became visible. In fact, there were more birlinns and large galley ships than he’d ever seen. Lines of men in red plaids with their horses stood around, making an unusual crowd for the wharf area. What was taking place at the ferry to cause such crowding? He couldn’t help but wonder why there were so many men needing to ferry to the isle.
And now he was worried they’d not get boarded before it shut down for the evening. But the heavens were watching over their wee group, because Tora came over to him and said, “Up, Chief, pwease?”
“I can’t lift you, Tora. Not with Meg here.”
Lia said, “I’d like to get down, if you please, to move my legs. Tora may come up.”
With Magni’s help, they switched the lasses, giving Tora the chance to peer into the crowd. Moments later, she yelled out, “Gwandpapa! I’m ovew hewe!”
Within seconds, every horse around Lennox moved enough to turn toward them while each guard in red plaid unsheathed their swords in unison to point at him. He froze, unsure of what was happening. “Lads, Lia, stay close to me. Do not move.” The bairns backed up, holding hands on one side of the horse.
The sea of animals parted before him, and a large black warhorse came toward them, the rider dark-haired with broad shoulders. The intensity of his gaze was one that could intimidate many, but not Lennox. Whoever the hell this man was, he was not going to take any of the bairns away.
When the man neared them, he called out, “Tora? Is that you, sweeting?” He set his horse to a gallop until he was next to them, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Magni and Rowan started to cry, but Tora grinned, leaning over to the lads. “Don’t be fwightened. This is my gwandpapa. He won’t huwt you.” Then she sat up. “Gweetings, Gwandda.”
“Tora, did this man hurt you? Did he steal you away?” the man in red plaid asked.
“Nay, Gwandpapa. He saved us. And Meg saved us too.” Tora whirled around to pat Meg’s cheek, but she didn’t respond. “Will you take us home? I want Mama.”
The man removed his hand from his weapon and reached for his granddaughter, lifting her onto his horse and hugging her tight, and if Lennox was correct, he shed a few tears as well. When he was back in control, the man said, “Connor Grant. I am indebted to both of you. The lass is injured?”
“Lennox MacVey, chieftain of Clan MacVey of Mull. The lady is feverish from a wound,” Lennox answered. “She needs a healer. She saved the four and got them to a cave three hours back where I discovered them.”
Tora looked up at her grandsire. “Meg got a cut from the kirk where they hid us. They locked hew up with us too. Gwandda, take hew to Eli, please. She must go with us. She saved us.”
Connor nodded toward the three bairns. “And the others were taken with you, Tora?”
“Aye,” Magni said, tears erupting. “Please take us back to Mull. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Grant,” Lennox said. “If we have to wait until you are all ferried across, Meg may not survive. I respectfully request to cross ahead of some of your men.”
“She’ll go on the first boat with me. I can take her once we are near the ferry.”
“Nay, I’ll see her to Mull. I promised her.”
“You know her?”
“Nay, but I have spoken to her, so she is familiar with me. She may think you to be another trying to steal her away.”
Connor arched a brow but didn’t argue. “I’ll see that you all travel on the next voyage. If we have all the missing bairns, I’ll send half my force back to Grant land.”
“Dyna will welcome your guards. I spoke with her this morn before I left Mull. We sent patrols across the isle searching for the bairns.”
“Anything for my daughter.” Connor motioned to two of his men. “Take the lads and the lass to the boat. Tell Alasdair to leave room for six more.” The two headed down toward the boat. The crowd opened for the group as soon as Connor whistled.
The guards around them put their weapons away. One of them took Magni and another took Rowan and Lia. The men waved to Tora along the way, and she giggled, waving back at them. Lennox followed, making sure to keep up with the massive warhorse so he’d not be left behind. Once they made it to the loading area, things became a bit chaotic.
Grant asked, “Your horse going?”
“Aye, if you please.”
A female voice squealed, “Tora? Is that you?” A woman with the whitest hair Lennox had ever seen approached and reached up for Tora, pulling her into her embrace, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Gweetings, Gwandmama. I am fine because Meg saved us, and then the chieftain saved us too.”
Connor dismounted, handling his animal while he leaned over and kissed the woman and Tora. “My wife, Sela, Chief MacVey.”
“I’ll take her on the ferry, Connor. It is too crowded out here,” Sela said. “I don’t like it.”
“Wait, Sela. These two saved them, so they will travel on the first ferry along with the other three bairns.” He motioned for his guards to let the bairns down and they moved over to Tora’s side. “The woman is feverish, so we must get her to Eli. But please, take the two lads and the other girl with you. Go right to the front while I help MacVey with the lass.”
Sela said, “Many thanks to you, Chief. My husband will repay your kindness when we arrive at Duart Castle. Know you our daughter, Dyna?”
Lennox handed Meg to Connor, then climbed down before taking her back into his arms. “Aye, we arranged a patrol with the other clans to search for the missing bairns. Now I see why Dyna’s visions were confusing. She saw the boat and the place where they were hidden. It’s an amazing skill your daughter has.”
They moved among the crowd, and another man who looked like Tora’s grandfather approached. “Tora? Is that you?”
“Aye, Uncle Alasdaiw. I’m going home now.”
Connor said, “We’ll only take four score since the bairns have been located. Send the others back to Grant land. Clear them out. We’re leaving quickly.”
“I’ll tell Alick and join you.”
“Their savior is sickly, and I wish to move along. Once you speak with Alick, please help Sela get the bairns situated safely on the ship. I’ll take care of Midnight and MacVey’s horse.”
Alasdair glanced over at Meg and Lennox, then directed his question to Lennox. “Do you know who abducted them?”
Connor turned to Lennox, who shook his head. “We don’t. I haven’t questioned the bairns yet. They were too upset. My goal was to get them back first. The five slept in a cave last eve and have traveled for three days, so the men are surely looking for them. Meg was about to collapse when I found them. I did what I thought was best.”
Alasdair said, “Wise move. Get the bairns to safety first. We’ll find the bastards.”
Connor said, “They had better start running.”
Leaving his horse with Grant, Lennox found a spot on the upper deck and sat, laying Meg down with her head in his lap. He’d protect her from the bouncing of the birlinn the best he could. The waves were not bad, but there were enough horses on the lower deck to move things if they got upset. He noticed Alasdair chose the men who were to go below deck to keep the animals calm. A wise move , he thought.
The ship was crowded when they finally shoved away from the dock, but he noticed Magni and Rowan stuck close to Connor while Tora held on to her grandmother’s hand, sitting on her lap.
“Magni, where’s Lia?”
Magni didn’t look him in the eye when he answered. “She had somewhere to go.”
Lennox glanced back at the disappearing shoreline searching for a wee lass running about. “Who took her?”
Sela teared up. “I was so excited to have Tora back that I neglected to pay attention to Lia. I thought the lads had her.”
Connor looked confused. “Where did the other lass go, Tora?” Connor asked.
“Lia said she would be busy. She told us all last night not to fwet about hew.”
Rowan nodded. “She said she was going for a brief journey, then she’d return. She made us promise not to tell anyone until she was gone.”
Lennox didn’t want to yell, though he felt the need to, but this was ridiculous. A young lass like Lia didn’t just make plans to go off on her own.
Tora got up from her grandmother’s lap and moved over to pat Lennox’s hand. “Do not wowwy. She’s not twuly a lass.”
“What?” Connor and Lennox said in unison.
“She’s a faewy. She’ll weturn soon.”