Maitland let out a whistle and said, “All quiet. Whoever was with him when it happened, tell Eli the exact details, then we are all stepping out. Kyla and Dyna will help you, Eli.”
Broc took a quick swig of a goblet that was handed to him, then swiped his hand across his mouth before he spoke. “Logan went inside and met with Glenna and Kelvan. K and Kelvan are the same. When we left, we walked out the front of the keep and across the drawbridge to go around the curtain wall to the back. Glenna was hiding in a hidden section in the wall. Came out before I could stop her, sliced Logan’s side before he could draw his weapon. Alaric and I stemmed the bleeding enough before we got him in the boat. That’s all I can tell you.”
“Alaric, anything you wish to add?”
“Just that I can’t believe Broc was able to keep him on the galloping horse for so long.”
The door opened and Finlay held Gwyneth in his arms. “Oh, Logan. Glenna?”
Broc replied, “Aye. My apologies, Gwyneth.”
Maitland said, “Everyone out. Get Alaric and Broc something to eat, Kyla. Then we’ll meet in my solar. Many thanks for escorting them back, Sloan. Get yourself a drink too.”
The group exited and left Gwyneth with Kyla and Eli. Dyna came in and said, “I brought a basin of water to clean the wound, Eli.”
Gwyneth tugged on Dyna’s hand and said, “He doesn’t look good. Send a messenger for his brother and Brenna too.”
Dyna nodded and left. “I’ll tell Avelina.”
Eli set to her task, removing Logan’s tunic and cleaning the wound with Gwyneth’s help. When she was ready to sew him up,Logan’s eyes opened and he said, “Don’t give up on me yet, wife. Eli, don’t be timid. Just sew it.”
Aunt Kyla said, “You are drinking this, Logan.”
Aunt Brenna had always insisted on giving her patients water that had been boiled, something her mother and grandfather had taught her. Everyone told her it was foolish, but she insisted.
Gwyneth, being very familiar with Brenna’s practices, asked, “Boiled earlier?”
“Aye,” Aunt Kyla said. Logan drank it before Eli set to her task.
“I love you, Grandda.” She pierced his skin and began sewing.
He never made a sound.
Chapter Fourteen
Merryn
Merryn had been practicing at the small archery target inside the castle walls when the chaos began. Eli screamed just before Broc came inside the gates on his horse, carrying one of the elders of the clan in front of him.
Broc looked so strong on the massive warhorse, like a fierce warrior, his sword bloody from something. He never noticed her standing next to a tree in the outskirts of the courtyard. He didn’t appear to be wounded, but the man next to him looked nearly dead. Merryn would have loved to go to Broc, but he was too busy to bother with her.
Shealee was playing with an imaginary friend, but then Lia came out of the hall. “Oh, there she is. I was looking for her inside.”
Lia approached Merryn and said, “It would be best if she didn’t move far from me.”
Merryn, confused, asked, “Why do you say that, Lia?”
Lia sat down on a tree stump and smoothed her skirt. “Has anyone told you that I’m a faery, Merryn?”
Merryn nodded, thinking on all that Broc had told her. Broc and the others had all moved inside, so she sat down to chat with the wee lass who spoke like an elder. “He did mention it, but I’m not sure if I believe him. Exactly what is your job as a faery, Lia?”
“I am sent by the universe to protect certain people to help make things happen. I have been sent to protect Shealee from her father. I’m sure you understand why better than I do. He is on a mission that will not end well. If you just allow me to stay close by, I can protect her from the terrible man.”
“How do I know you are telling me the truth?”
Lia leaned over and whispered, “Nara said to tell you that you should listen to me. The same way you listened to her and hid in the secret box Da built for you.”
Merryn gasped. “You can talk with her?” She hadn’t told anyone here about the box; only Tristan knew of it.
