Connor smirked and said, “Just inside those trees, waiting for you. I’ll send a few more men with you.”
Logan sent his horse into the woods, smiling when he came upon the man he’d been meeting as an informant for so long. “Och, Samuel. Still think I’m a daft old man?”
“How did you know my name?” Samuel fidgeted with the ropes that bound his hands.
“I know more than you wish to give me credit for. So, you operated as Kelvan’s second, meeting me secretly in the forest, took my information directly to him, and have no guilt over hurting bairns.”
Samuel shrugged. “I did what I was told. Naught more, naught less. I care not about bairns. They don’t belong to me.”
“You did all that just for the coin?”
“Aye. I wanted the coin so I could …”
Logan arched a brow. “And the truth comes out at the end. Because I wish to make sure you will not assume Kelvan’s place and continue to bother the inhabitants of Mull, I’ve arranged for you and a few of your men to be taken into the Highlands.”
“This is the Highlands.”
Logan chuckled. “Clearly, you’ve not been deep in the Highlands, or you wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake. I tire of you, Samuel. Connor Grant and his guardsmen will see you to the Highlands near Inverness. Leave my people alone.”
Logan turned around and headed out.
“You’re a mean son of a bitch, you are,” Samuel called after him. “I’ll work for you for less.”
Logan laughed, a chilling sound that carried through the wind of the forest.
“Nay, you won’t.” He turned back to the area where everyone was taking their leave, finding Gwynie to ride back with him. As soon as she was settled in front of him, he whispered, “It’s finally over, wife.”
“Thank the Lord above, Logan. Enough is enough.”
Maeve and Maitland mounted their horse, Maeve silently crying with Grant now tied to her chest, sound asleep.
Lennox and Meg mounted up on two horses, the rescued lad seated behind Lennox, holding on tightly. They departed straight for Lochaline.
Alasdair approached Broc, Merryn, Alaric, and Eli, John behind him. “Many thanks for coming for us. It wasn’t easy. John and I are grateful.”
Alaric said, “You need to tie up that wound, cousin.” He helped him get an extra plaid around the wound in his thigh. “You fought like a wild man. Great job.”
Finlay approached, Kyla in front of him, exhausted but smiling. “Son, you were a sight to see fighting. You fight like your grandsire.”
Kyla teared up and nodded. “My thanks to you and Alaric and Alasdair. It was a group effort, and we are finally done with the fools. But I don’t think John was ever in trouble. Not with his sword and Lia nearby.”
“I didn’t like being tied up,” John declared. “I wish to return to Duart, Da. I’m sure Mama is verra worried.”
And another group departed.
Dyna rode next to them and said, “I’m going home to hug my bairns. Derric will be so pleased to hear they are done now. What a couple of fools. And one man caused so much traumaand devastation that it’s nearly unbelievable. Good riddance to all of them.” She rubbed her handwhere she’d punched the fool.
Alasdair chuckled. “Derric will know exactly what that’s from.”
Dyna snorted. “He’d be disappointed if I didn’t come back with ragged knuckles.”
Broc and Merryn climbed on Midnight Majesty and rode back together, following the long line of horses leading the way out of Drimnin and back to Lochaline where the ships awaited them. They’d borrowed many MacKinnis horses, but Majesty had been one that they insisted come along.
It was a quiet ride, so many exhausted yet grateful. When they reached Lochaline, Lennox and Meg headed toward Aoineadh Mòr.
Errol asked Lennox, “Do you think they’ll take me back, Chief?”
Meg overheard his question and said, “We heard about you from your mother, Errol. She misses you verra much.”
