Chapter Forty-One
Tristan
Tristan MacClane knew something was going on among his men. He hadn’t determined who yet, but he knew they had something planned.
He needed to find out exactly what it was and which guard was guilty.
After his sister Nala had been murdered by her husband, alongside every other villager in their small grouping outside his uncle’s mainland castle, Tristan always looked over his shoulder, afraid one of Kelvan’s evil men had taken over the dead man’s position.
The clans on Mull had banded together to put an end to Kelvan’s attack on bairns, but strange things were happening again, and he didn’t like it. Merryn had left with her husband for McLean Castle, somewhere she would be safe, but she still had to get there without any delays.
Losing her in addition to Nala and his parents would be more than he could bear. Nala’s daughter was at Duart Castle with the Granthams, one of the safest places of all in his mind.
But things were off again, and he had a bad feeling deep in his belly.
Merryn and Broc had gotten off without any problems in his uncle’s galley ship, one that would get them there without issue.
Then why were the men not acting right? He leaned over the parapets, a good place for him to hide because he could overhear much of their conversations without them knowing it.
“What are you always looking over the sea for?” the first guard asked.
A second one said, “The fool is always dreaming of some daft way to make coin. Do you think it will rise up from the sea?” He chuckled heartily.
“We have to find her,” one said, an evil lilt to his voice. One Tristan did not like but could not recognize since he was too far away.
“Why?”
“Because I can get lots of coin. One or the other. He wants the sister of Kelvan’s wife or the other one at the nunnery.”
“Who?”
“The man in charge. You dinnae need to know who.”
“What if we get both?”
“If you find both, I’ll double your part.”
“I’ll help, but only if I can sample the flesh myself first.”
“Nay, hands off. You do not wish to become the enemy of the chieftain of this group.”
“What group?”
Tristan heard at least three different voices. Were they all guilty participants or some just listening?
“The Dubh group.”
That sent a shiver down his spine. He’d been at Duart Castle one eve when Connor Grant had told the tale of the Channel of Dubh years ago.
How they’d funneled bairns from all corners of the land over to the east. No care as to who they stole the bairns from, but Connor had reported that they’d killed or arrested everyone involved.
Perhaps they hadn’t caught everyone. He’d pass on what he knew to the Granthams on the next visit.
Until then, he’d find out who was involved here.
“I’m not joining any Dubh group.”
Good for one guard, Tristan thought.
“We have it good here. I’ll not do anything to jeopardize it,” a second man said.
“Fine. I’ll do it all myself.”
“Who the hell is that?” the third man, the evil one, asked. “I like the looks of her.” Tristan wondered who he referred to because he didn’t see anyone. He moved around the parapets so he could see in a different direction.
“Where are they coming from?” the second one asked.
First one said, “They’re coming from Erraid. Low tide.”
Tristan stepped away, moving to the edge of the wall where he could peer toward Erraid.
He leaned forward, pleased to see who he thought was Taskill.
He wasn’t sure of the lass but guessed it could be Sheona.
Both looked hale and were happy, but he had to get out to them before either of the guards reached them.
“Taskill!” he shouted as he ran down the staircase and headed toward the pair.
Before he caught up with them, he turned back to look at the three guards who stood behind him: Percival, Roger, and Fitz. Which one was planning to go after Sheona?
He’d not allow it to happen.
“Taskill, is that Sheona with you?”
“Aye, we’ve had a rough time of it, but we are here and hale.”
“You must be hungry. Come inside for a brief repast. Tell me all that transpired.”
He took in the two and their clothing, which appeared dry and in good shape, though Taskill was not wearing his clan’s colors, instead a tunic and trews. Tristan had many questions, but they could wait until they were inside.
Once he stepped into the keep, the three guards followed and Percival asked, “May we join you, Chief?”
“Nay, you may not.” He was not willing to let the traitor he’d discovered be a party to whatever was going on with Taskill and Sheona.
“Percival, I’ll update you all later. Go fishing, then go search for apples knocked down by the storm.
Find another basket before they rot. Then you can hunt or fish.
We need a stew for the morrow, and there’s no more meat. ”
“We’ll gladly go fishing,” Roger said, and the three departed.
Tristan stoked the fire and pointed to the sideboard. “Grab a bowl. There’s enough left for three.”
Taskill said, “Are we eating everything you have? We had food last eve, but not yet today.”
“Nay, we have plenty. Help yourself. I have cheese and apples yet.” When he finished banking the fire, he moved into the kitchen and came out with a platter of cheese and fruit.
Sheona moved over to the hearth, shivering as the warmth hit her. “It is cool, but better than the water.”
“What happened? Everyone is looking for you both.”
Sheona glanced at Taskill, who explained, “We headed back from the nunnery just before the storm hit. We were in the middle of the sea when the worst came upon us. The squall came up so quickly and we had no idea. The sheeting rain, the wind, the rolling water was too much. The boat eventually broke apart from a rough wave. I’m sorry, but we have no boat to return to you, Tristan. ”
“No worries. I’m just glad to see you survived. The boat was one I found here when I arrived. We have many more and can build more too. But how did you make it through? That storm was rough.”
Sheona took a goblet of wine and sipped it, taking a seat close to the fire. “I thought we were going to die. It was only because of Taskill that we survived. I swam for a while, but I lost all my strength. That odd thing in the water kept me afloat while Taskill tugged on my tunic and swam.”
“Odd thing?” Tristan asked.
Sheona glanced at Taskill, making Tristan wonder exactly what had happened.
Both were quiet, then Taskill sat forward, setting his bowl on a table and clasping his hands together.
“Look, Tristan. I doubt everyone will believe us, but some odd object helped us stay afloat, and when we finally made it to shore, that lass, Lia, was waiting for us. Told us she knew where we could ride out the storm.”
“Lia? The one known as the angel?”
Sheona nodded furiously and then stopped, her hand covering her mouth. “Taskill, I just thought of something. It didn’t dawn on me before because I was so grateful to be onshore I didn’t notice, but …” She glanced over her shoulder as if someone were there.
“But what?” Taskill asked. “Just say it, Sheona. There were many odd things about our experience.”
She glanced over at Tristan, so he nodded, hoping she would speak her mind.
“Lia … She wasn’t wet. Did you notice? She stood in the rain, yet she was completely dry. Or was I seeing things?”
Taskill closed his eyes, then rubbed them lightly with both palms. He let out a huge breath and said, “You’re right. I didn’t notice either. She led us to that cottage on Erraid, and she was dry as could be while we were soaked through.”
Tristan thought he heard wrong. “Cottage on Erraid? There are no cottages on Erraid.”
Taskill said, “We know that now. It disappeared in front of our eyes. Never mind. I don’t wish to talk about this anymore. Tell me about my mother. Has she been found? Or Dermot?”
“I have not heard anything, but I saw them run across the beach and get on my uncle’s boat that was heading back to the mainland. I’m quite certain it was them. They looked hale.”
“My sire was with Rut? And they went together?”
“Aye. Merryn and Broc just headed that way. They’re going to Clan MacLean on the mainland to visit our aunt and uncle.”
Taskill glanced at Sheona, then subtly nodded to her. “Shall we?”
Sheona nodded. “We must follow them. When’s the next ship arriving, Tristan?”
“Probably within the hour. My uncle was sending four boats within a short time because he had so much furniture custom-made for the keep now that it is completed. He wishes to beat the winter.”
Taskill asked, “May we jump aboard on the return trip of the next boat?”
“Of course,” Tristan replied. “But I need to make you both aware of something.”
“What?” Taskill asked, Sheona also giving Tristan her full attention.
“Be careful. Merryn suspects one of the men involved with Kelvan may still be out there, and I’ve heard some suspicious conversations between my guards. I hate to admit it because some have been with my uncle for a long time, but one is not to be trusted.”
Sheona stared at her hands, looking guilty.
“What is it, Sheona? This should have naught to do with you.”
“But it might. Two men were seen on a boat at Iona, looking for a lass much like me. They were sent away, but they are still out there somewhere. They planned to return to the nunnery after the storm.”
Tristan looked at Taskill and said, “What the hell is wrong with all these men?”
Taskill explained, “One was named Clyde, from Clan Rankin. Have you seen him?”
“Nay, but I would not know him if I did. I’ve not heard the name, but I’ve overheard my guards discussing some business that doesn’t sound right, though they keep it from me.”
Taskill said, “If you hear more, please let us know. And please send a messenger to Clan MacVey about my mother and Dermot. Lennox and Sloan are both waiting to hear any news.”
“I will.” Tristan stood. “I’ll be back in a bit.” He had to check on his men again, then look for the arrival of the boat so he could hold it for Taskill and Sheona.
And he’d be watching to make sure none of his guards went along.