He took a seat next to Logan while Sela headed to the sideboard. Sloan joined them, bringing Connor a taste of his fine brew. “You know my sire thinks it is the best.”
“My thanks to you, Sloan. It is a fine brew. I’ll have to ask him for his secrets someday. What did you learn?”
“Mingary is deserted,” Sloan replied. “No one there at all. The drawbridge is up. They’ve found a different spot.”
Simone and Artan joined them. Artan said, “Glenna will be back. She will never sleep in some hovel. I would wager she’ll be back at nightfall. She won’t sleep in a small cottage or a hut in the forest.” He glanced over at Simone who gave him a subtlenod. If Connor was to wager, he would bet they would be headed to Mingary after dark.
Magni came flying out of the kitchens and landed on Logan’s lap with an oof from the injured man. “Are you going back to get Lia? Please, Grandsire?”
Logan cleared his throat. “Of course, we’re going back for Lia. But we will also get Kyla, John, and Alasdair too.”
“I know that. I just didn’t want you to forget my sister.”
“We won’t forget to retrieve Lia. Tell me what else you recall about where you were held.”
Magni scowled, then said, “She’s mean, but she’s sickly.”
“And where did you live before, Magni?” Simone asked.
“We lived on an island.”
“With your parents?”
“Aye.”
“Which island did you live on?” Connor asked, changing the subject.
“I forget.” He shrugged and hopped off his grandfather’s lap. “When are you going?”
“Probably on the morrow.”
“And you’ll stay here, Grandsire? With me?”
“I thought you wished for me to go after Lia?”
“I do, but I need you to protect me.”
“Dyna and Maitland will protect you. I may have to go find Lia. You know I’m one of the best trackers. Lia may need me.”
“But you won’t fight?”
“I won’t be swinging any swords. Riding will be tough enough for me.”
Magni hung his head but then picked it back up. “Promise to come back?”
“I promise,” Logan said. “Are you sure you don’t wish to go with me?”
Magni’s face again lit up. “I’ll wait for you, Grandda. Bring Lia home, please.” And then he was gone.
Connor shook his head. “I wish I was as busy as that lad.”
“He’ll probably change his mind again,” Logan said. “Your men be there on the morrow?”
“High sun at the latest,” Connor said.
“What time are we leaving?”
Connor said, “First light or at the return of these two.” He nodded toward Simone and Artan. “I want the information they get from Glenna, and I’d like them to come along.”
