His mother stood and said, “You don’t control me, Connor. I’ll do what I need to do.”
“Kyla, don’t be foolish. She nearly killed Logan. What the hell do you think she’s got planned for you two? Vengeance. Plain and simple. Neither of you are going. We’ll come up with something.”
Broc’s father paced in the back of the solar, tugging on his beard. “Nay, nay, nay. Do not even think it, Kyla. I agree with Connor.”
Eli stepped inside quietly, making her way over to Alaric.
Dyna stopped and asked, “How is he, Eli?”
“He’s holding up. I sewed him, but he didn’t flinch. Whether he was passed out or withstanding the pain, I couldn’t tell. But we have another problem.”
“What?” Alasdair asked.
“I don’t have enough of the poultice that keeps the fever at bay. I’m nearly out. I was going to send a messenger to Aunt Jennie or Aunt Brenna, but now we will need it soon. Verra soon.”
Dyna said, “We already sent a messenger to Clan Ramsay and to Clan Drummond. I suspect Micheil will be here soon. Mayhap Aunt Brenna will be here too. But I’ll send another message to Clan Ramsay.”
“We can only hope,” Maitland said. “I’m sure Uncle Micheil will get here as soon as he can. Aunt Brenna? I’m not so sure.”
Uncle Connor said, “I think I speak for all of us, Broc, that we are grateful that you were able to get Uncle Logan back here in time. It could have been much worse. Alaric told us how Logan wished to go in on his own, but the two of you argued with him. I’m glad to hear you will stand up to him. Logan can be a bit stubborn, as you know. We thank both you and Alaric for your quick thinking and action.”
His back was thumped a few times, but Broc said, “I should have been able …”
Uncle Connor stood and said, “I’m going to stop you right there, Broc. There is no one I know who is more clever, more astute, wiser, or better to have with you going in to battle than Logan Ramsay. If he didn’t see it coming, no one would. None of what happened is your fault, yours or Alaric’s.”
“I should have gone with them,” Alaric said, his arms crossed.
“Nay, no more of that. If Logan couldn’t stop it, no one could.”
Broc couldn’t help but think how he wished people would be able to say the same about him someday.
Maitland said, “We’ll meet in two days to decide our plan of action. I don’t wish to wait a whole sennight. If we’re going to attack, there is no reason to wait. Discuss it and come up with ideas. Hopefully, Lennox or Tristan will visit so we can determine what is happening elsewhere.”
Dyna added, “And we’re all praying that Logan heals so he can tell us his own version. He knows more about the Buchans than anyone but Torrian, probably.” Logan’s nephew Torrian had almost been forced into a marriage with Buchan’s daughter. They attempted trickery, but an astute Jennet had saved Torrian from a lifetime stuck in an unwanted union.
Broc was pleased they weren’t blaming him for the attack, but he did resolve to train harder. He’d already trained as hard as he could with his sword; perhaps it was time for him to take up archery. He needed to be skilled at both, so he could do better next time.
Perhaps he could train with Merryn on the morrow.
They made their way into the great hall just as the evening meal was brought out. Sloan clasped his shoulder and said, “I’m grabbing a meat pie and going home. Thane is staying until the morrow. I’ll return to see what you’ve decided to do.”
“Many thanks, Sloan, for all your assistance.”
“I couldn’t have done what you did, Broc. Logan is a beast.”
Broc’s fears lightened a bit. He wasn’t going to be sent away. He scanned the hall and saw Merryn sitting at a table with the bairns. Dyna made her way to join her, so Broc did too, both taking a seat.
Merryn arched a brow at him, and he nodded to let her know that he felt better.
But then Dyna added, “He’s not going to be asked to return to Clan Grant as he feared. It was unanimously decided that if Logan couldn’t see it coming, then no one could. Do you not agree, Broc?”
He nodded, giving Dyna a small smile of gratitude. “It was totally unexpected.”
He’d only feel better if Logan survived. Time would tell.
“Dyna, may I train with you on the morrow? I’m taking up archery.”
Dyna smiled. “Can’t wait for it.”
