“Nay. Died with his hands on his bollocks, dripping with blood.”
Tamsin envisioned Dyna’s story, shocked by this admission. “He kidnapped the girls?”
“Aye, kidnapped them and locked them away. They’d been with him for days. Gwyneth and Logan were not happy. It was something to see, so I was told.”
“He deserved it if he hurt bairns.”
“Indeed he did. There have been many tales about that day. It’s a vision that makes men cover their private area with their hands. Kind of entertaining to tell it.”
Tamsin could envision it, but the man had a different face—Raghnall’s.
“Teach me. I can learn.”
“I’d be happy to do that. But I have another question for you. Did your mother never talk to you about men?”
She shook her head. “My mother died when I was young. My sister and I were raised by our father. He didn’t talk much. Left the hut to hunt in the morn and returned in the eve, expecting to have everything the way it was when Mama was alive. He was not a happy man.” She didn’t expand on the worst parts of the story.
“Where is your sister now? And is she older or younger?”
“A year younger. Her name is Meg, and I have no idea where she is. I’ve not seen my family since I was forced to marry Raghnall.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m going to be verra blunt because I’m guessing your father never taught you the one skill every lass needs to know.”
Puzzled, Tamsin held her breath because she had no idea what Dyna was about to tell her, but by instinct, she knew it was important. “I’m listening.”
“Did you know that hurting a man in his bollocks will cause so much pain that it will drop him to his knees?”
“What?” She’d never heard of such a thing.
“You can kick them between their legs, punch them, and if they are trying to force themselves on you, take their sac in your hands and squeeze. They’ll be powerless to hurt you, and it will give you time to get away.”
Tamsin wished to scream to the world. Why had no one told her such a thing? She could have stopped the times Raghnall had forced himself on her?
“A word of warning.”
“Aye?”
“Make sure you hit them in the right place, and you have a plan to escape, because they will not like it. It’s extremely painful. A man like Raghnall will retaliate with his fists, multiple times. But he will be frozen until you get away. But you better run fast.”
She could definitely run faster than Raghnall.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Thane
The group left the next morning before Tamsin had awakened. Mora was sad to be leaving Clan Grantham, so Thane had promised to return within a moon for a visit. He’d be certain to bring a mare along the next time, hoping for a chance to mate her with one of their fine stallions.
The group was larger than he’d expected because Maitland had decided to come along with Eli and Alaric to patrol Ulva. Maitland had insisted. “It’s not just about Ulva. You are traveling with three bairns, though Mora is hardly young, but she is a beauty. You need more protection.” Thane hadn’t argued with one of the chieftains of Clan Grantham.
Lia rode with Eli and Magni rode with Thane. Mora rode her own horse, her new bow and quiver attached to her saddle. Maitland had also brought two more guards along. With Brian and Artan and his guards, they now numbered over a dozen.
Thane led the way over the most common path but planned to bring them into the rear of his land instead of following the coastline. They could take their leave either way, but he wished to show his new allies how to reach his castle more quickly.
He had a feeling he didn’t like, and it proved to be true.
As he came down the last path to his curtain wall, he had a wide view of the water, the advantage of living in a castle on a hill above the sea. It gave them a clear view of two boats headed toward shore, directly in front of his castle, and if he had to guess, he’d wager it to be Garvie and his men. He often saw fishing boats in the cove in front of his land, but rarely birlinns.
Alaric had also spotted the men from their higher vantage point, off to the side of Thane’s castle. “Friend or enemy?” he asked Thane.
