Chapter Twenty-Four
Taskill
Taskill ignored the constant blabbering of the lasses following him because he was tired of the same old thing.
He needed to find Lennox and speak with him.
All that had happened mulled over and over in his mind and gave him no answers and no relief.
Sheona was at a nunnery, Dermot feared she would take her vows, and the abbess thought Sheona may have been abused by someone.
There had to be a way to find out who that person was. He’d thought of a possibility but wished to ask his brother first.
“Jasper, where is my brother? I need to speak with him.”
Jasper spun around and pointed toward Duart Castle. “You just missed him, T. He’s headed back to Clan Grantham. They’re trading seed for next year. You can still catch him.”
“Good.” Taskill nodded to the guard and said, “I’m going after him.” Once the stable lad helped him with his horse, he mounted and took off, straight on the path to Duart. This was a perfect time to ask Lennox for his opinion before he decided his next move.
He also had a pervasive thought that he couldn’t get rid of. Since they’d all discovered that Dyna and her bairns had skills that allowed them to see what was going to happen, did that mean that they could see in the past too? Could Dyna look into Sheona’s past and see who had abused her?
Somehow, if he could discover who had hurt Sheona, mayhap she’d be willing to come back from Iona.
If he had to marry her, he would. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for Sheona, because he did.
He had strong feelings for the lass; he always had.
He just knew that he would not be a good husband for her.
There was a failing in his blood that no one knew about. He’d make a lousy husband, but that didn’t mean Sheona should be a nun.
That brought up a different thought. Was it finally time to tell Lennox what he’d learned about their father?
Nay, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t destroy the image of his father that Lennox had.
Everyone thought Douglas was the finest chieftain, the best father and husband, the fiercest swordsman on the isle in his time.
Surely, many of the Granthams would have bettered him on the battlefield or the lists, but when he was strong and alive, Douglas MacVey could send a weapon flying out of the hands of the strongest men in battle.
It was the truth that in his day, Douglas MacVey had been the hero of the isle.
To everyone else. Taskill knew better.
But he wasn’t ready to destroy his father’s memory. Not yet. There was no reason to do so.
“Lennox, wait for me!” he shouted when he was close.
His brother glanced over his shoulder, motioned to the two guards riding with him, then slowed his horse. “What the hell are you doing? I left you home to protect Mama and Meg.”
Taskill snorted. “You think Meg needs protecting with an axe in her hand? Every man on the isle fears raising her ire after seeing her in battle.”
Lennox laughed and motioned for them to continue toward Duart. “And I love to hear it.”
“Shite, she planted an axe in the middle of a man’s forehead, Lennox. How far away was she?”
“Quite a ways away.” Lennox laughed again. “That’s my wife. Don’t forget it.”
Taskill muttered, “The only one I’m more afraid of is that Simone.
When she said she was going to put an arrow in Glenna’s eye, I nearly laughed at the boast. But then she did.
Right in her eye. I don’t know which kill was faster.
And she was in a tree, hidden from everyone. Makes you want to take up archery.”
Lennox grinned. “Or axe throwing. I might try it. What brings you along, Taskill?”
“Sheona. All that Dermot said about her. I know he wants Mama to talk with her, but mayhap she would talk with someone else.”
“Mama told me he was upset, but I didn’t know he was sobbing. Dermot Rankin? I had no idea he had such a soft spot inside him once Ailis was gone.”
Lennox sent the guards on ahead so they couldn’t listen in on their conversation.
“Sobbing so hard he could barely speak. I’m really bothered by what he said, Lennox.
I think I should go to her. Mayhap she would tell me if someone misused her.
We were friends when we were younger. But then I had another thought.
Do you think Dyna would be able to see who hurt Sheona?
Considering that she knows what’s about to happen, could she know what did happen to someone? Is it possible?”
“You pose too many questions. I have no idea what Dyna’s abilities are. If you wish to ask her, then feel free to travel with me and consult with her. She’s more than willing to talk with anyone.”
“It’s surely possible, is it not?”
“Aye, but then are you prepared to deal with whatever you hear?”
“I don’t understand. Of course, I can deal with it. It’s probably one of their guards.”
“And what do you plan to do about it?”
“I don’t know. Take them to the sheriff.”
Lennox snorted. “Do you think the sheriff will do something about someone touching her inappropriately? And the sheriff could force a marriage. Do you want her married to Fitz or someone else?”
Taskill hadn’t considered that possibility. He scratched the beard he hadn’t the time to trim. Lennox stared at his brother, uncertain of how to answer his question.
Lennox barked, “Who would dare touch her? I can’t get past that. Dermot would kill whoever abused his lass. And Sloan would beat him for sport. String him up in the courtyard.”
“I’d kill anyone who touched Eva. Lennox, is it wrong that I wish to do the same to whomever hurt Sheona?”
“Nay. I know exactly how you feel.”
“But what is Dermot going to do? And what about Mama? I wonder if she offered to help him. I couldn’t hear everything that was said.”
“Nay. I don’t know what either one is going to do. Dermot asked Mama for advice, I believe. But I have no idea what she told him. I wished to speak with you before I approached her. What are your plans?”
They arrived at Duart Castle and found Hagen at the gates with Jowell. Taskill didn’t miss the change in Hagen’s composure, but he asked the best question he could. “Welcome, MacVeys. Any Rankins coming along behind you?”
“Nay,” Lennox said. “You’re safe. Dermot has gone home.”
Hagen visibly relaxed. “I hope Sheona is doing well.”
“Maitland or Dyna around?”
“Aye, both just entered the hall for a brief repast. Please join them. Jowell and I will take care of your mounts.”
Lennox and Taskill headed into the great hall, greeting anyone they met along the way.
Taskill entered behind Lennox, pleased to see that Connor was also inside.
He waved them over to the area in front of the hearth.
“Come on in. Winter is coming to Duart. This will be our first full winter here. I’m interested to watch the storms on the seas.
Dyna will be right back, and Maitland is grabbing meat pies and ale. Have a seat.”
Dyna arrived next with her three bairns in tow: Sylvi, Tora, and Sandor. The three ran to the crate in the corner that held their toys. Sandor grabbed his toy sword while the lasses grabbed miniature bows with small arrows.
Maitland came out of the kitchens taking a bite out of a meat pie, Grant tied to his chest, the lad set to kicking as soon as his gaze fell on the others.
“I’ll let you down in a moment, Grant.” He held the meat pie up to the lad’s mouth and he took a bite, hands and feet all swinging.
“MacVeys! Nice to see you. What is new on the isle? Pardon my busy hands. It’s often easier if I feed the laddie. Otherwise, everything goes flying.”
Lennox said, “That’s why we come to you. You know more about what happens on the isle than we do, many times. What have you heard since the festival?”
Dyna said, “I heard Dermot took Sheona to Iona, straight to the nunnery. I suspect to scare her into marrying you, Taskill. What is everyone saying about that?” She gave Taskill a pointed look.
“Only that she’s decided to take her vows. And Dermot is verra upset about it.”
Connor asked, “Does that surprise you? I don’t know the lass well, but she does not seem to be the type to become a nun.”
“It surprises me,” Lennox said. “I don’t know what is going on with Sheona, but I don’t see her as a nun. The way she used to dive into the sound when she was younger doesn’t strike me as someone who wishes to devote their lives to Our Lord. She was always full of life.”
Taskill mumbled, “It surprises me too. Something is wrong. I’m uncertain what, but I intend to find out.”
Dyna said, “If you traveled to Ionaland where Simone’s sister takes care of all the bairns, you might not think it’s so bad. They all love it on Iona. It’s a beautiful isle with sandy beaches.”
Taskill couldn’t explain how he felt. That he needed to go grab Sheona and protect her from whatever, or whomever, hurt her.
Keep her away from anything and anyone. “I have to do something. This is gnawing at me, eating up my insides, though I don’t know why.
And I have no idea what to do to help her. Dyna, may I ask a question?”
“Aye.”
“Do you or your daughters have the ability to see what has happened to someone in their past?”
Dyna shook her head, pausing to narrow her gaze at Taskill. “Nay. Why do you ask? Did someone hurt Sheona?”
Taskill looked at Lennox, who nodded to him. “We’re not sure. It was suggested by the abbess that it was a possibility.”
Dyna sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that. I wish we could help, but I don’t have that ability. I only see what’s still to come.”
Taskill said, “I was hopeful. Have you any suggestions?”
Dyna said, “Staying with the nuns where she can think on her life may be the best thing for her at the moment, especially if something did happen. Her father is going back in a sennight, is he not?”
Taskill sighed. “He says so, aye.”
“Then I would let her stay so she can reflect on everything.” Dyna’s gaze caught on Tora as she dropped her sword, stared up at the ceiling, then ran over to Connor. Dyna’s gaze locked on her daughter and whispered, “Nay, Tora. Nay. Please. No more.”
Tora climbed up on Connor’s lap, causing everyone to stop what they were doing to watch the lass who had a solid reputation as a seer. They’d all seen it happen multiple times.
She cupped her grandfather’s face and said, “Those bad men are after her.” Then she pushed against Connor’s chest to climb down from his lap.
“Who, Tora?” Connor asked, holding her hand. “They’re after who?”
She climbed back up and said, “Sona. At the abbey.” Then she climbed down and ran away.
“Who are the men?” Connor asked, but Tora’s moment of seeing had passed.
And every face turned to Taskill, who stood so quickly he nearly lost his footing.
“I’m going after her, Lennox.”