Drustan glanced up at the wall walk and studied Coinneach and Aodhan observing him. Then he and the other men went through the gates, and Tristan ran up the tower stairs to join Coinneach and Aodhan.
“Was Osmond banished from the pack?” Coinneach asked Tristan.
“Aye. Gods’ wounds, Drustan said that he was sure you would know something about it. He told me to come up and make sure you watch for Osmond in the event he returns. So what do you know about it?” Tristan was wide-eyed, looking like he couldn’t believe Coinneach would know about it since he had been working on the wall walk.
“He and Morag had a longstanding affair, and Rupert was the result of it,” Coinneach said.
“Nay.” Tristan’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Aye,” Aodhan said.
“He told Collum in front of Aisling and me,” Coinneach confirmed.
“So why isna Morag going with him? And Rupert also?” Tristan asked.
“She convinced the chief that she is innocent of the charges. That Osmond made up the whole story. That Osmond had made overtures toward her, but she had rebuffed them.” Coinneach glanced back at the meadow where Osmond continued to walk toward the forest.
“I’m off to sleep before I have duty tonight. Oh,”—Tristan turned before he left them alone on the wall walk—“is it true that you killed two of Osmond’s stable hands who attempted to hunt you and Aisling down last night?”
“With the help of Aisling and my family.” Coinneach was so proud of her.
“Osmond said Rupert didna have a wolf mark on him when he was born. But”—Tristan glanced at Aodhan as if worried that he shouldn’t make any further comment—“uh, but you have one.”
Aodhan’s eyes widened. “Och, you are right, Tristan.”
“It means naught, I’m sure.” Tristan glanced at Coinneach as if waiting for confirmation.
“What difference does it make?” Coinneach asked, not sure what to make of it.
“Both Collum and Hamish have a wolf mark on their bodies ‘Tis said their da and his da also had wolf marks. They were different shapes in different places, but when Hamish learned Rupert didn’t have one, I’ve heard tell he was more than surprised.”
“Surely, others have such a mark who dinna share the same lineage,” Coinneach said.
“No’ that I know of. But you appear to be about the same age as Rupert, mayhap a wee bit older.” Tristan scrubbed hisbearded chin. “Then again you would have been raised by Hamish if you were his son. Not by Elspeth and Magnus. And Tamhas is your twin brother.”
Could Coinneach trust Tristan with the truth? Coinneach didn’t want Blair to get into trouble over it. If Morag had convinced Hamish she hadn’t been with him in a carnal way, it would be even easier to convince him how ridiculous it sounded that Coinneach had been raised by the crofters when he was Hamish’s son.
As to the business of his wolf mark, if Morag learned of it, she would attempt to have him, Blair, and the other ladies who had helped with his mother’s delivery murdered. Aisling too, he was certain.
Tristan cleared his throat. “Elspeth, Magnus, and Tamhas are your family, are they no’?”
“Aye.”
But Tristan didn’t seem to believe it.
What if Hamish thought his parents had something to do with stealing Coinneach from the castle? He certainly didn’t want his family to be in trouble over all this!
“Oh, and Hamish wants our fighters to practice fighting after the nooning meal,” Tristan said.
“We’re serving on guard duty,” Coinneach reminded him.
“He specifically said he wants you and Aodhan to be there.”
“The others who have to take our place will become annoyed that we always get to leave the wall walk during duty,” Coinneach said.
“You leave even when you are no’ supposed to,” Tristan said, referring to when Coinneach had left the castle to save his family and the croft. “Off to sleep for a while.”
“Are you going to join us in the practice fighting?” Coinneach asked him.
