Chapter Forty-One
Edan
Later that night, Edan sat in his sister’s cottage in their clachan.
Milo was in the corner, curled up on a pallet, his thumb in his mouth.
Heilyn had joined him. The two had fallen fast asleep.
Roger had come over from his own cottage when he’d heard Edan was on his way, Gormela staying back with the other bairns. Roger and Arne sat at a nearby table.
“You seem bothered, Edan,” Catrina said. “What is it?”
“I need to tell you about Da.”
Catrina said, “Edan, he said not to go to Islay, and we did. We should have stayed on Jura. What’s happened has been horrible for both of us. I don’t know why Da believed it to be so, but it did prove true.”
“I do know. Ailith saw the vision. I know exactly what happened, and I need to tell you.” He’d spent so much time trying to convince everyone that his father’s tales of bad faeries were false, that faeries didn’t exist, that it seemed only right to tell all he’d learned from the seers of the Woven Circle.
“Years ago, our clachan was dying. The summer had been dry, our crops failed, and Da met up with someone in Finlaggan, trying to find a way to save our family.”
Roger smirked. “Did he make a bargain with the devil?”
“Something like that. He had to promise them something, and they would bring their crops back to life, enough food to feed them and to have extra to put into storage. Da jumped at the opportunity, not realizing he was dealing with the Unseelie.”
Catrina stated, “What did he wager?”
“His first-born son.”
Catrina gasped. Roger stared at him wide-eyed. “You?” his brother asked. “He wagered your life?”
“Aye, my life for the lives of our whole clachan. But when I was born, he couldn’t do it. He told Mama he was going to take me to Jura, and she was to come when she was hale again.”
Catrina bolted out of her chair. “Oh my goodness. Edan…”
Edan told them everything. He explained their father’s bargain, of his flight to Jura, of the iron in his blood. He watched as decades of confusion and resentment toward their father melted away, replaced by a horrified understanding.
Catrina sat, her face in her hands. “That explains everything. That’s why they stole Heilyn.”
Arne asked, “But why Milo? And why not you?”
“They wanted me in exchange for Heilyn and Milo, but as soon as I cut my hand, the Unseelie ran from my blood. The faery named Lia explained it all to me, with the seers’ help.”
Catrina stared at the cut on his palm, then reached for him. “Edan, I can’t imagine how you must feel? But Da fought for you, nay?”
“Aye, he did. Ran across to the sound, found someone to take him to Jura and never stopped.”
Roger, staring at the wall, asked, “And Mama followed later?”
“When she was able. It’s all I know. Ailith said it was my fist. It came up out of the swaddling and when the Unseelie tried to grab me, it recoiled. Somehow my blood fought so hard that it changed to iron blood, so they assume.”
Roger chuckled. “So you are as strong and special as you always tried to convince me when we were wee ones fighting with our sticks as swords?”
Edan smirked at his brother. “I told you I was stronger than you. I just didn’t know why.”
No one spoke for a long moment, the truth of so much in their lives settling on them each in their own way. A bit later, Edan whispered, “Da, all he said was true.”
Roger came over and clasped his shoulder. “It does explain Da’s odd ramblings near the end of his life, does it not?”
“It does.”
“So what will you do?” Arne asked.
“I’m leaving Islay with you, but I hope to go to Duart Castle. I have one more task, and I plan to be on the ship with you on the morrow. You and Roger go to Tristan’s, and I’ll head to Duart. We’ll be only about two hours apart, I think.”
Tears slid down his sister’s cheeks. “You love her, do you not? Ailith is a blessing, and she’s wonderful with Heilyn. Your lassie deserves a mama.”
“I do love her.”
“Then what is your last task?” Roger asked. “I can help you.”
“Nay, I must do this on my own. Will you keep Heilyn until the morrow?” he asked, standing from his seat and going over to plant a kiss on his daughter’s forehead. She smiled, but her eyes never opened. He wished to remember her face forever.
“Of course. Where are you going?” Catrina asked.
“Going to see a Grant about his daughter.”
They got up together, Arne and Roger pounding his back, grinning.
His brother said, “I hope you survive. Alasdair Grant must be quite a swordsman.”
“He is. But he also raised quite a daughter.”
Edan took his leave and headed down the path toward Loch Ardnahoe, the moon bright enough to lead the way.
It was just a bit past the full moon, and he shuddered, thinking what would have happened if Heilyn had been in the hill after the full moon.
She would have come back changed. She would have come back not theirs.
She would not have recognized any of them.
He hadn’t traveled far when he met a lone horseman on a dark destrier—Ailith’s father.
“I thought you might be coming this way.”
Edan was surprised to see him but decided it was a good omen.
No reason to mince words. “Alasdair, I love your daughter Ailith, and I’d like your approval to pursue her as my wife.
We need time to get to know one another, so I’ll not suggest we do it quickly, but I hope to announce our betrothal soon. ”
Alasdair Grant surprised him, his face breaking into a wide grin.
“You have my blessing and Emmalin’s. We also wish to invite you and your daughter to stay at Duart Castle.
My wife and I have been speaking of it. There’s a small cottage in the bailey at Duart that would suit you and Heilyn.
I’ve spoken with Maitland and Dyna, they ask that you train with their guards and also use your skills with the armorer.
If you agree, the cottage is yours, if you’ll have it. ”
“I accept, gratefully. I need to build my sword skills and would be honored to work with your armorer.”
Alasdair turned his horse around, speaking over his shoulder. “The ship leaves at high noon on the morrow. It’s a special trip, with Morgan, Magni, and Cormac joining us. We’ll have plenty of room for your brother and sister.”
Puzzled but pleased, Edan had to ask. “Grant, a question, if you will.”
“Ask it.” He stopped his horse and faced Edan.
“Why were you so agreeable? I expected an argument.”
Alasdair gave a slow nod, staring off into the trees before turning back to him.
“Because this is the first time I’ve seen Ailith truly happy in seven years.
I prefer to keep it that way.” Then he brought his gaze back to Edan’s.
“But you brought danger and darkness to our doorstep. Know that I will be watching, and if you ever cause her a moment’s pain, iron blood or not, I will end you. ”
Alasdair Grant rode off into the dark with a raise of his hand.