Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (67 page)

“Aye,” Aidan said. “Traveling merchants and marketplaces are also excellent sources.” He paused and shook his head. “There be occasions when more might be required, when one must stalk the shadows and enter areas that could mean harm if they are caught, but I ne’er ask one of my birds tae act beyond their skill; I will ne’er ask anyone tae do anything they dinna wish tae do.”

Kenna locked him in her gaze. “In other words, ye would ne’er tell a lass tae bed a man tae gain information.”

Aidan returned her gaze evenly. “I care not how the information is gained.” His gaze traveled from her to Raven and back again. “It is ye who have the choice, and different people will make different choices. All I require is that rumors and opinions are reported as such, not as truth. Truth must be backed with facts. Raven can teach ye the specifics of that, for she kens it well.”

“Normally,” Raven said, “a young man named Gordy brings us word from Aidan if he has specific information he needs tae ken. He also brings us our monthly pay.” She paused and grinned at Aidan. “It is rare when we see the Hawk himself.”

Aidan chuckled. “I try tae check on my birds now and then.”

“Aye,” Raven said, nodding. “But it is also important tae ken what is happening around us. There be times when we might recognize there is trouble afoot and need tae inform Aidan. I also ken how tae get messages tae Gordy when the situation is important.” She drew a deep breath into her lungs and looked again at Aidan. “Unfortunately, Nevin and I didna realize the depth of the trouble here until it was too late, and Nevin died because of it.”

“’Twas not yer fault, Raven,” Aidan said gently. “As I said, some things can develop unexpectedly. That’s why I teach my birds tae fight if they be willing tae learn. I dinna want them going into a dangerous situation unless I’m reasonably certain they can handle themselves.”

“So I would learn from ye?” Kenna asked Aidan, confused.

“Normally aye, but I fear I have tae attend the other business I mentioned earlier, so I willna be able tae.”

Disappointment rose within her and she hesitated, shocked at herself for her reaction. She shook it off and again studied Aidan. If only he wasn’t so damned handsome she could keep her thoughts focused. She noticed they seemed to scramble even more when he smiled at her.

Aidan inclined his head as he watched her. “England brings her might against our homeland. Longshanks commands armies that outnumber us, the nobility and men who serve him have gained experience in combat over the years since the king ascended the throne. We face an enemy who can destroy us completely. The Bruce, however, unlike Balliol, has a better understanding of war and leading a country as its king. We need tae ken his goals, for we canna fight the war on English terms. We need tae ken how the Bruce plans tae lead Scotland’s forces. Where they meet the enemy and what battles they choose tae fight. I need my birds tae learn this information, and that might mean taking on great risks at times and getting close enough tae those in power tae hear their words.”

Kenna had never really concentrated on the politics and the situation happening outside of her home and in the land surrounding Clan MacLean. She had focused only on the threat of her father and his fists looming over her daily. That threat had trapped her in a tiny world, the danger always next to her; she had not known about the greater one that threatened her country. If she became one of Aidan’s birds, she might find herself in similar situations as she tried to learn information. She already had training in this realm, a lifetime of it. Kenna suddenly realized she was free of her father’s threat, and now was the time to focus on a cause greater than herself.

“I will help ye, Aidan. I ken I can do this.”

Aidan’s smile was slow but bright. He pulled her fingers to his lips and kissed them softly. “Well met, my little sparrow,” he said warmly.

Kenna’s heart did a strange dance under her ribs, and she swallowed hard but returned his smile.

“Now,” he said, releasing her hand and rising. “I have preparations tae make tae attend my other business. Connell and I will leave in the morning.”

Alarm suddenly replaced her happiness. “Aidan,” she said quickly, stopping him.

“Aye?”

“Will... ” she shot a nervous glance at Raven. “Will I see ye again?”

He smiled at her. “I will join ye for dinner this eve, but as tae the rest... perhaps.” He turned and strode from the room.

Raven looked at her a long moment. “Unfortunately, with ye being a laird’s daughter, I fear ye will find being a tavern wench beneath ye.”

“I was nothing more than that at my father’s home,” she said bitterly then thought for a moment. “I can also cook.”

“Wonderful,” Raven said with a bright grin.

Kenna’s terribly bleak future suddenly brightened. The idea of becoming a spy, one of Aidan’s birds, absolutely terrified her. But as she looked at Raven, she decided if this lass could do it, so could she. It was the only chance she had at escaping her fate. She was determined to learn all Raven could teach her. She found her smiling growing to match Raven’s.

HHH

Late that night, Aidan lay in his bed in his own room, his fingers laced behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Try as he might, he couldn’t sleep, even though he knew he had a long day tomorrow. He and Connell would leave before dawn and travel south to Cumbria in search of the truth of Lia’s heritage.

But he could not rid his thoughts of the wee lassie sleeping in the room next to his. Raven had been forced to work late again this night. Aidan had offered to watch over Kenna, but she had put on a brave face and insisted she would be fine.

His mouth quirked as he thought of their conversation about becoming one of his birds. She had asked intelligent questions; she had wanted to understand all that was expected of her before she made her decision. She had recognized the opportunity to change her future and had bravely seized it. He respected those qualities.

Aidan also finally admitted that he was happy that he had been able to rescue her, even though he had been hesitant at first. What she would have suffered at Hurstal’s hands had he not arrived when he did . . . he shivered. He was also very glad to have defeated the knights-errant. Granted, Hurstal escaping galled him to no end, but at least the bastard would no longer be a threat to Kenna or to the people living in the area. He would no doubt rebuild his mercenary group, but that would take time, and he would move to safer hunting grounds, where someone else would hopefully hand his arse to him in battle.

Feeling quite pleased with himself, he rolled over and punched his pillow, determined to get some sleep. They wanted to make as much progress as they could tomorrow, and Aidan had no desire to start his journey exhausted.

Kenna’s scream brought him flying out of bed. He grabbed one of his boot daggers from the table next to him, his heart racing in terror.

I hope Hurstal doesna decide tae seek ye out for vengeance.

Holy hell! He only now realized his folly. What if Hurstal had decided to take his vengeance not on Aidan but on Kenna? Wearing only his braies, his dagger fisted in his hand, he bolted from the room with Connell only a step behind him.

“Kenna!” Aidan roared as he exploded through the door of her room. He expected to see Hurstal standing in the middle of it, holding a dagger to her throat. But he slid to a stop, his eyes searching the darkness. The hearth fire still burned but had fallen to a weak light, casting strange, flickering shadows through the room. His heart pounding and his body trembling, waiting for the attack, Aidan sucked in a breath to steady himself.

Kenna screamed again and his gaze stopped on her as she sat in her bed, her eyes wide with terror as she looked at him.

“Kenna,” he called again as his shoulders relaxed and he stepped forward. “Kenna, it’s me. It’s Aidan.”

God, she shook so hard he could see her quaking from across the dimly lit room. But what worried him most was that even though her eyes were open, he thought she might still be in the midst of her nightmare.

“Help me,” she gasped, barely able to speak.

Aidan crossed the room in an instant, placing his dagger on the table and pulling her into his arms. “It be all right, sparrow,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “’Tis only a nightmare.”

He heard Connell release his breath and looked up. He nodded toward the hearth. “Connell, please put more wood on the fire. ’Tis the shadows that spooked her.”

“Aye,” Connell said softly and did as he asked. The room brightened considerably as the fire strengthened. Connell gave him one last glance and stepped back through the door, closing it behind him.

At first Kenna was stiff against him, but she relaxed and clung to him. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to determine reality from nightmare.

“Sparrow . . .” he whispered into her hair as he sat on the bed, his back against the headboard, and pulled her tight against his chest.

“I . . . I opened my eyes and saw Hurstal looming over me.” She finally wrapped her arms around him and clung to him with a strength born of sheer terror.

“It’s all right,” he said again. “’Tis only the shadows.”

Aidan continued to hold her and speak soft, soothing words, and she gradually calmed. Finally, she slightly lifted her head from his chest and peeked at the room. She relaxed even more, but Aidan decided he did not wish to give her up and pulled her tighter against him.

“Forgive me,” she whispered.

He felt the soft silk of her lips brush his bare skin on his chest and an unexpected shiver passed through him. “Dinna worry over it.”

Abruptly, she pushed away from him. Aidan reluctantly released her, but she didn’t bolt from the bed. She only lifted her head to gaze at him. “I ken what ye must be thinking. I will make a terrible bird if I’m always jumping at shadows.”

He blinked at her and felt the pull of a smile but managed to keep his expression neutral. Slowly, he reached out and gently ran his fingers through her hair. “I be thinking ye’d make a terrible seer, for that wasna what I was thinking at all.”

She blinked at him, trying to follow his roundabout words, but she finally managed, and the last of the fear haunting her eyes left her. Aidan allowed his smile a bit of freedom. She bit her lip and looked away. A hot, unexpected desire suddenly roared through Aidan, but he viciously curbed it, his fingers continuing to stroke through her hair.

“My sweet sparrow,” he said softly. “I ken what happened. The light in this room was strange. When I first entered, I saw the shadows too.”

She gazed at him as if she didn’t believe him.

He sighed softly and rose from the bed to get a chair, which he placed next to it, and sat. “Please, lie back down,” he said and took her hand in his. “I will sit with ye.” She hesitantly did so, but her attention wasn’t on him completely, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow. He leaned forward, his hand holding hers securely. “Kenna, the nightmares are perfectly understandable.”

His words finally prompted her to concentrate on him. “They . . . they are?”

Aidan nodded, and with his free hand, he tucked the blankets around her. “Remember I told ye my brother was the Demon Laird?”

“Aye.”

“Well, the English captured him and beat the hell out of him too.” He saw the shiver pass through her, and his thumb traveled a gentle circle on the back of her hand. “They held him for three days,” he continued. “When we finally brought him home, he suffered terrible nightmares. Many times he would awaken but was unable tae realize he was safe at home, believing he was still imprisoned.” He paused and drew a deep breath. “It will take time, my little sparrow, but ye will heal as he did.”

“How long does it take for the nightmares tae stop?”

“They never stop completely, but they do fade in intensity and strike less often. Believe me, I also ken that truth well.”

Her emerald eyes gazed intensely into his. He wondered what it was that she saw. Her regard seemed to peel away his defenses, staring into his soul. “How? Were ye captured too?”

“Nay,” he replied, suddenly feeling as if he were falling into her gaze. “I witnessed a horror no man should ever see.”

Kenna looked at him with such compassion and concern in her eyes it felt as if a chain binding his heart cracked. “What happened?”

“I was at Berwick.” As the words passed his lips, he snapped his jaw shut, horror coiling through him. Bloody hell! What was he doing? He had vowed never to speak of the carnage, but it had escaped him as easily as the insult that had caused the whole thing. Had he learned nothing?

“Mary have mercy, Aidan. I always thought the rumors and tales were exaggerated.”

“They were not,” he said tightly and shook his head. “Forgive me, Kenna, I shouldna have mentioned it.”

This time she pushed herself up on her elbow and tugged her hand from his. She reached out and stroked the hair from his face. With her gentle touch, the horrible memory that had returned because of his careless words faded just a bit.

“Thank ye,” she whispered.

He frowned at her. “For what?”

“For helping me realize I’m not alone in this.”

The tension coiling through him eased, and he was finally able to smile at her again. He caught her hand a second time and kissed the back of it. “Ne’er alone, my little sparrow. I may be leaving upon the morrow, but if ye ever need me, send word, and I will be there.”

February 1307

Near Glen Trool

Scottish West Coast

Y
e be off balance!” Raven cried, and to prove her point, shoved Kenna to the ground. Kenna landed with a muffled
oof
, and rolled as Raven’s short sword plowed into the dirt where her head had just been. Kenna grinned and bounded to her feet.

“Nice recovery,” Raven said, moving with her. In her off-hand, she carried a
targe
, a small shield that barely covered the back of her arm. But it was appropriate for defending against the weapons Kenna wielded.

In each hand, Kenna carried a biodag, the thin deadly blades a bit longer than her forearms. Raven had started her with a short sword, but it rapidly became apparent that Kenna’s size, her dexterity, and lightning quickness worked best when she wielded a long dagger in each hand, much like a man would fight with a pair of swords.

“Remember,” Raven said as they circled each other looking for an opening. “Hit hard, hit fast, and get the hell away. If a man is able tae get his back into the blow, he’ll cave yer defense.”

Kenna lunged in, her daggers as fast as striking snakes. Raven blocked, leaping out of the way. Kenna pursued, her daggers always moving, always a blur. Raven’s eyes widened as Kenna forced her to turn her attention completely to defending herself. Kenna drove her backward then, to her shock, Raven’s defense faltered. She staggered back, missing a block. Kenna only just stopped her daggers from plunging into her chest. Raven threw herself to the ground, landing hard and knocking the wind from her lungs. Kenna slid to a stop, her daggers glittering menacingly.

“Yield!” Raven said. Her eyes, locked on the daggers, widened in shock.

Kenna, breathing hard, also stared in surprise. Since their rescue of her, she had never been able to best Raven . . . until now. Kenna lowered the daggers and slammed one back into its sheath. She reached a hand out.

Raven caught it and Kenna hauled her to her feet. “That was amazing,” Raven said, grinning at her. “I vow yer speed increases every time we practice.”

“Thank ye,” Kenna said, returning her grin, but it quickly faded. “Perhaps we should save some coin tae purchase some blunted weapons, Raven. That was a mite close.”

“Aye,” Raven said, thinking for a moment. “The blacksmith willingly sold us yer biodags because we work in the tavern. He kens them useful for when a man be into his cups and believes his amorous advances warranted. But I dinna ken how we can convince him we be needing practice weapons.”

“True.”

They moved to a bench, and Kenna stared up at the sky through the collapsed roof of the derelict castle. It had been destroyed in the war and seemingly abandoned. They used it for practice so others would not take note of two women dressed as men who fought with real weapons.

The ruined keep was not far from the tiny hut Raven called home and now shared with Kenna. It was nothing more than a peasant hovel, but Kenna and Raven had grown as close as sisters, and the hut was a warm and pleasant place to live, filled with the laughter of two mischievous lassies.

Raven had convinced the owner of the inn to hire Kenna as a cook. That enabled them to live and work normally while also subtly rebuilding Aidan’s nest of birds.

Kenna noted the position of the sun. “We should get back. It will be time for me tae go tae the inn soon.”

“And ye canna go dressed like this,” Raven said with a grin, tugging at the cowl of her cloak.

Kenna wore a tunic and trousers like a man, the biodag strapped to each thigh. She had shortened a cloak so it fell to midthigh on her, the cowl pulled over her head. That way it would not tangle in her legs as she moved, but it also helped hide the fact she was a woman. Raven dressed similarly, and they both appeared as lads with lean and quick builds. They wore their skirts to and from the broken keep, stowing their weapons and hiding their coin in the rubble.

“And it is important that I listen even closer tae the tales of the travelers,” Kenna said.

Over the past few months, the war had not gone well for Scotland’s new king. He had been forced to flee, but no one knew where he had gone. Some had said Ireland, others thought the Hebrides, but the fact was that no one was certain, only that he had abandoned Scotland. Yet Kenna thought all of that was about to change.

“Last night I heard a rumor that the Bruce intends tae return.”

Raven looked at her, startled. “That be a new one. I need tae send another note tae Aidan. No doubt he will want tae learn of this rumor. Gordy should be appearing shortly with our monthly salary, and I can give him the message then.” She paused and grinned again. “Plus, I’m sure Aidan will be happy tae hear how well his little sparrow is doing.”

Kenna felt a hot blush stain her cheeks. Since Aidan’s rescue of her, she could not rid her mind’s-eye of his handsome countenance and winsome smile. But she wasn’t about to let Raven get away with ribbing her with nary a worry. “And what of yer fetching bard, Donnan?”

Raven’s entire face turned crimson, and Kenna almost crowed her laughter. A young bard had visited the tavern a few times and had caught Raven’s eye. She had become quite smitten with him.

“This isna about me,” Raven protested. “I ken ye pine after Aidan,” she paused and thought for a moment. “Of course, he be worth every moment of it. But mind yerself. He be a free spirit who canna be caged.” Her humor faded. “Ye ken he said Clan MacGrigor bears little love for the Bruce.”

“Aye.”

“He told me once that the Bruce’s father stole MacGrigor land and awarded it tae Clan Campbell. That would have been Aidan’s inheritance. Now, it be unlikely he’ll ever be able tae marry.”

Kenna’s heart crashed. As a laird’s daughter, she knew well the restrictions placed on the younger sibling. If it hadn’t been for Aidan capably managing his network of birds, she probably never would have met him; she would probably be dead and he locked away in a church. She shoved away her melancholy. It was only a fantasy anyway. Aidan would never see anything more in her than a frightened sparrow.

She instead decided to give her sister grief and wagged a finger at her. “Careful, or I’ll be telling Donnan that ye be swooning over him.”

“Ye wouldna!”

“I just might.”

Raven laughed and hugged her shoulders. “Truce! Let us change and then we’ll be off. We both have work tae do.”

They changed and stowed their weapons and clothing in the rubble under an old canvas, protected from the weather. Kenna walked with Raven toward their hut, but before they reached the path where Kenna would turn to go to the inn, she paused, seeing someone sitting near the small wood pile beside their hut.

Kenna blinked, recognizing the slight form holding a bairn, a bairn that had grown quite a bit since she had last seen him. “Mairi?” she whispered, stunned.

Raven hesitated, also focusing on the maid. “As I live and breathe,” she whispered.

“Mairi!” Kenna cried, fisting her skirts and sprinting down the path with Raven right behind her.

Mairi spotted them and rose, smiling. She held out her free arm. “Milady!”

Kenna plowed into her with a warm embrace then stood back, gripping her shoulders, noting the changes that had come upon the maid. Her skin had been darkened from the sun and she appeared stronger, although was still as lean and graceful as a willow. Her smile seemed brighter and quicker. Kenna looked to her bairn.

“Bless,” she murmured. “He’s huge. What have ye been feeding him?”

“He’s been growing like a weed, milady.”

“I see that,” Kenna said, grinning up at her.

“Mairi, ’tis good tae see ye hale,” Raven said as she approached. “We were so worried.”

“Forgive me,” Mairi said, ducking her head. “I feared what would happen if the brigands learned I had told ye of milady.” She paused and looked at Kenna. “They didna harm ye?”

“Nothing more than a few bruises,” Kenna said. “Aidan and Raven arrived before Hurstal could do anything more.”

Mairi’s strained expression eased, but Kenna noticed her eyes still darted around her, as if expecting an attack to emerge from the trees at any moment.

“Come inside,” Raven said, tugging on Mairi’s arm. “Where have ye been?”

Kenna followed them into the hut, knowing she needed to go to work, but she had a bit of time to spare.

Mairi entered and took a chair Raven offered, pulling a small blanket from the pack she wore slung over her shoulder. She spread it on the floor then sat Adam on it. A couple of wooden toys quickly followed, and wee Adam, who was no longer as wee as Kenna remembered, immediately put one in his mouth, drool streaming down his chin.

“My word,” Kenna said, “look at him, sitting up all by himself.”

“Aye,” Mairi said, rolling her eyes. “He be teething now.”

“Where have ye been, Mairi?” Raven repeated as she began to prepare dinner. “We were so worried.”

“The knights-errant burned old man Liam’s farm.”

“Aye.”

“I’ve been working for his widow. She be an old woman but insisted on rebuilding the farm. She adored Adam, saying he reminded her of her lads when they were bairns. Unfortunately, she died a few days ago. I happened by the inn, and the owner told me where tae find ye, Raven.” She paused, her expression growing pensive. “He said the brigands had slain the laird’s daughter. I thought milady dead.”

“That’s only what Aidan told them so my father and betrothed wouldna search for me.”

“Speaking of the inn, ye’d better go, Kenna,” Raven said.

“Aye.”

“Go?” Mairi asked in confusion.

“I work at the inn as a cook,” Kenna said with a smile. “It be wearisome at times but a far better duty than what awaited me. Dinna worry though, when I come home, we will talk.”

“Aye,” Mairi said with a warm smile.

Kenna gave her a hug and quickly departed.

HHH

It was dawn; the gates of Castle MacGrigor were only just now opening for the day. Aidan kicked his horse into a trot, Connell following suit. The sentry barked a greeting to them and waved. Aidan returned the gesture, but his arm felt as if it had rocks tied to it. He was cold, exhausted, and hungry.

He couldn’t stop his thoughts as they returned to Kenna. He had stayed with her the rest of the night before they left, waiting for Raven to come to the room. Although his desire had been to leave before dawn, he had been loath to leave Kenna alone. He and Connell had departed the inn much later than he had originally planned, and unfortunately, he had indeed begun his long journey exhausted. Exhaustion which had only grown worse instead of improving.

“I am so glad tae be home,” Aidan muttered as they passed under the barbican and into the bailey.

“Aye,” Connell said softly. Aidan saw him looking around as if expecting his wife, son, or even his brother to greet him as he entered. But no one emerged and his gaze fell. Aidan’s heart twisted.

When Lia had first arrived at Castle MacGrigor, a mysterious plague had struck the villagers. Many claimed it to be the Demon Laird’s curse. Unfortunately, Connell’s wife, son and brother had been stricken. Despite Lia’s battle to save their lives against an illness they later learned had been caused by blighted grain, Connell’s family had not survived. He had lost everyone close to him. Even now, almost three years later, Aidan could clearly see the grief haunting the man’s eyes.

He had hoped Connell would be able to move past their deaths, but his heart was slow to heal.

“I shall eat in the barracks.”

“Connell, at least come tae the great hall.”

He shook his head. “I’ll probably sleep for a week.”

Aidan swallowed hard. Always Connell remained at the castle; he no longer returned to the home he had once shared with his wife and son. He had only visited the fuller shop his wife had managed in the village a single time in order to secure it properly and had not gone back since.

“Aye,” Aidan replied, wishing he could do something to help his friend. They stopped their horses before the steps to the keep and handed the reins of their mounts to a stable boy. Connell trudged to the barracks, his head down, his shoulders slumped, as Aidan ascended the stairs.

He entered the great hall in time to see Lia emerge from the kitchen carrying a wee bairn in her arms. Alba walked behind her, carrying a tray of food. He blinked in shock then quickly counted the months. Saints have mercy, he had been gone long enough for her to have the baby.

“Aidan,” she called, breaking into a warm smile. “You’re home!” She approached and Aidan stood dumbfounded as she moved the blankets away from the bairn. “Meet your niece, Maeve.”

Aidan’s throat tightened unexpectedly, and his vision blurred as he reached for the child.

Lia gently handed her daughter over, smiling as she looked up at him.

“Lia, she’s beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick. He looked at his sister-by-law and smiled. “I ne’er realized being an uncle would strike me so deeply.”

“Aye,” she said, tears gathering in her eyes. “But so help me, if you or her father teach her to climb the walls of this keep, I’ll have your heads for it.”

Aidan managed a laugh. “Dinna look tae me, lassie. My brother, on the other hand . . . well, ye kenned that when ye married him.”

“I did,” she said, grinning. She looped her arm in his and guided him toward the stairs. “Alba, if ye will take the tray above stairs.”

“Of course, milady,” she said and nodded at Aidan, smiling. “’Tis good tae see ye home, young MacGrigor.”

“Thank ye, lass,” Aidan said. Carrying his niece, he and Lia followed Alba up the stairs.

“I am glad you will be able to join us this morn.”

“Are ye certain ye made enough food?”

“You know I always make enough for you,” Lia said as they walked. “If you aren’t here, Ronan usually finishes it off.”

“Careful, lassie, ye dinna want my brother tae get fat.”

She laughed softly. “Ronan has doubled his efforts at working with the claymore since you’ve been gone.”

Aidan joined her laughter escorted her up the stairs, still holding his sleeping niece close. He gazed down at the bairn, noting the thick mat of black hair. “I pray, lassie, what color are her eyes?”