Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

T he sun slipped toward the horizon and the air grew chilly. It was yet another reminder that the winter season was upon them, and it would be deathly cold before long. Magnus MacLeod stood on the battlements of Dunvegan Castle, his ancestral home, staring out at the bank of slate gray clouds sweeping in from the east. They looked to him as if they carried the promise of snow. If not snow though, he was certain they would bring bone-chilling temperatures.

His eyes drifted to the land below the wall of clouds in the distance. He gazed even farther to the east, his heart growing heavier with every mile he could see. Though the battlefield was too far away for his gaze, Magnus could see it all too clearly in his mind’s eye. Even now, as he stood safely upon the ramparts of his family home, he could hear the ring of steel and the cries of the wounded and dying. He could still smell the blood in the air. Worst of all, he could still see his father’s broken and bloodied form crumpled upon the ground. He could still see it as clearly as if he was standing right there. Magnus reined in his emotions and pulled his furs tighter around him.

“I thought I’d find ye here, braither.”

“I wasnae hiding.”

Domnhall, Magnus’ eldest brother and laird of their clan, stepped up beside him and together, they gazed out across the endless sea of green, the mood growing as heavy as the air around them. Magnus was silent.

“I dinnae need yer mind-reading gift tae ken what ye’re thinking about, little braither,” Domhnall said.

“Today is the anniversary of…”

“I ken.”

They stood together for several long moments and Magnus kept seeing the horrible events of the day their father was killed in battle playing on an endless loop in his mind.

“It’s nae yer fault,” Domhnall said softly.

“Ye keep saying that. Year after year, ye tell me that,” Magnus replied. “And yet, it still feels like it is. It was me plan that led us there. It was me plan?—”

“It was yer plan that carried the day and saved the clan. If nae fer what ye did, our lands—our home—might have been lost,” Domhnall said gently. “Our family would surely have been put tae the sword. Ye saved our lives, Magnus.”

“Nae all of us.”

“Sometimes, things happen ye cannae control, braither. As powerful as yer gifts are, ye cannae change the hand of fate.”

“Ye sound like Thora.”

The corners of Domhnall’s mouth and eyes crinkled as he smiled “For being so young, our sister is wise. Her second sight has given her a wisdom nae granted tae the rest of us. Maybe ye should give her yer ear,” he said softly. “Or perhaps ye should let Enya take away yer hurts or Kai replace the emotions ye are feeling and ease yer conscience, little braither..”

“Living with these wounds and the pain that lingers is a reminder tae nae make the same mistakes that led tae faither’s death.”

“That’s just the point though… ye didnae make a mistake. It was simply faither’s and maither’s time. And none of us can ken when our time is—nae even Thora,” Domhnall said. “And were Da here, he’d slap yer head and tell ye tae stop mopin’ around like a bleedin’ mule. He lived a good life. A life of honor. And he died the way he wanted tae die—with meaning.”

Deep down, Magnus knew everything his brother was telling him was true and right. Their father wanted his death to have as much purpose and meaning as his life had. And yet, even knowing that didn’t absolve him of the guilt that had plagued him ever since the day their father had been slain upon the field of battle. The ache in his heart was a constant reminder that he had failed.

“Come, little braither,” Domhnall said. “It is almost time for ye and Kai tae depart.”

“I ken. I just wanted tae pay me respects and honor the day.”

“Ye can honor our faither by continuing to protect this family and our clan, just as he’d appointed ye tae do.”

Domhnall gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze and Magnus let his older brother lead him from the ramparts down through the castle and out to the yard, which was bustling with activity as servants ran back and forth, loading up the wagon. Others were already putting up decorations to celebrate the coming of the Yuletide season and preparing for the annual celebratory feast they hosted. Magnus turned to his brother.

“I dinnae want tae take the wagon,” he said. “I would rather just ride with Kai.”

“’Tis a long, arduous trip. Ye’re going tae need supplies.”

“We’ll take what we can load into our bags and forage should we need anything more,” he said. “There are also plenty of taverns and inns along the road. We’ll nae want for much.”

“I would feel better if ye took a wagon of supplies.”

“And be moving targets for raiders along the trail? Thank ye, but nae. Nae tae mention that storm that’s bearin’ down. Nay, I want tae be able tae move quickly should the need arise.”

“Ye’re a stubborn, bleedin’ mule,” Domhnall said.

“Aye. It’s one of me better qualities.”

“Whoever told ye that lied tae ye, Magnus.”

Magnus laughed and clapped his brother on the shoulder. Domnhall stopped Eldrick, their chamberlain, telling him that Magnus and Kai would be taking horses instead, instructing him to load up their bags. Eldrick nodded then scurried off to carry out his orders.

Domhnall looked around the bustling yard. “Now, where is Kai?”

“I’m nae sure,” Magnus replied. “But I’d start looking in the chambermaid’s quarters.”

“Aye. Probably so.”

Magnus grabbed one of the servants that was passing by. “Find me braither,” he said. “Tell Kai to get his bleedin’ breeches on and get out here. Time’s a wastin’.”

“Aye. I’ll send him right along,” the servant said with a nod.

“Ye make sure ye keep an eye on our little braither,” Domhnall said.

“Afraid somebody will try to kill him?”

“If somebody does, it will likely be the husband of some woman he charms,” he replied with a chuckle. “It’s yer job tae keep the lad out of trouble.”

“I havenae been able tae keep that bleedin’ fool out of trouble since he was a bairn.”

A couple of moments later, Kai swaggered into the yard with a lopsided grin on his face. His blue eyes—a trait shared by all the MacLeod siblings—sparkled mischievously and he ran a hand through his tousled chestnut locks. Where Magnus and Domhnall were large and strong, Kai was smaller in stature. Wiry and athletic, he was agile and quicker than his older brothers—something else he often took advantage of. But his physical and special gifts were what made him perfect in his role as the clan’s chief scout.

The second youngest of the siblings, Kai had a youthful face and a seemingly perpetual sunny disposition. Most regarded him well, though he had a reputation for romancing the lasses and had caused more than a few hard feelings over his affairs. He had a swagger and bravado to him and projected an outward confidence that was attractive to many. Magnus, though, knew his brother Kai hid insecurities deep within and he took great pains to hide them, using that confidence as a mask. However, they never spoke about the touchy subject.

“And where have ye been all morning?” Domhnall demanded.

Kai shrugged. “We’re going tae be gone a while, so I wanted tae say goodbye to Flora. And Aisla. And?—”

Domhnall waved him off. “We get the bleedin’ point. Ye’re popular with the lasses.”

“Indeed I am.”

“Maybe ye should get yer head out of the chambermaid’s bedclothes and focus on the bleedin’ task at hand. We’ve got a job to dae,” Magnus grumbled.

Kai flashed him a wide smile. “Ye really should get yerself a woman, big braither. I bet they’d be linin’ up fer a big, strappin’ lad like yerself. Of course, they’ll all be old, withered, and have the temperament of a donkey with a toothache, but I bet ye’d dae well enough.”

Magnus turned to Domhnall. “Dae I have tae take him?”

“Unfortunately, his gift might prove useful.”

“More useful than him, tae be sure,” Magnus grumbled.

“Now, that’s just hurtful,” Kai teased.

A grin on his face, Magnus grabbed hold of Kai and put him in a headlock, tousling his hair even more as his brother squirmed, unable to break his iron grip.

“Enough. Both of ye,” Domhnall snapped. “We’ve got business. Nae more foolin’ about.”

Magnus let go of their brother and they both straightened up.

“Ye both understand what’s at stake, aye?” Domhnall asked.

“Aye,” Magnus replied.

“Aye, Domhnall,” Kai said.

“Enjoy yerselves, but I dinnae want ye two causin’ any mischief,” Domhnall said. “And above all, I want ye tae find her.”

“If she even exists,” Kai said.

“He’s nae wrong. Ye are sending us on this mission based on nothin’ more than a rumor that’s runnin’ around. We dinnae ken if it’s true,” Magnus added.

“Maybe it’s true and maybe it’s nae,” Domhnall said and held Magnus’ gaze. “But ye of all people ken how devastating it could be for us if it turned out to be true. Especially if we sat back and did nothing.”

Magnus ran a hand over the dark stubble on his face. “Aye. I dae. Catastrophic is the word I would use, I think.”

“There you go,” Domhnall said. “That is why I am sendin’ the two of ye tae ferret out the truth of it.”

“And if we find her?” Kai asked.

“Then ye’re to bring her to Dunvegan immediately. We will need tae talk to her.”

“Aye,” Magnus said.

“Laird MacLeod, the horses are ready,” Eldrick said.

“Thank ye,” Domhnall said then turned to Magnus. “Any questions afore ye go?”

“Aye, just one,” he replied. “Are ye sure there’s nae somebody I can take in Kai’s place? A stableboy or chamberpot scrubber perhaps?”

Domhnall finally cracked a smile and shook his head. “Just keep the lad in line,” he said, then grew serious. “And dinnae be usin’ yer gifts unless ye have tae. And if ye have tae, dae yer best tae nay dae it in front of other people.”

“What good are gifts if we’re nae allowed to show them off?” Kai joked.

“Dae that and I’ll put ye in the stocks fer a week,” Domhnall said, unamused.

Magnus understood that if people knew about their gifts, they would not understand. And people tended to fear that which they did not understand. Their father, long ago, had made a point of explaining this as he told them they must do everything in their power to conceal their gifts from other people. Use them to help, of course, without making a point of showing them off. Scared people made irrational decisions that often led to violence.

“I mean it, Kai. Dinnae use yer gifts unless ye need tae,” Domhnall said. “That means, nay using them tae charm the lasses.”

“I’ve never done anything of the sort,” he replied. “Me charm is all natural.”

Magnus and Domhnall both rolled their eyes, prompting Kai to laugh. The truth, however, was that Kai never used his gifts in that way. While he couldn’t outright compel a person to do as he wanted, he could certainly influence their emotions. It would have been easy to abuse of such a gift. But their faither had made sure that Kai—that all the MacLeod siblings—understood the moral and ethical responsibility of wielding such power.

Magnus and Kai both climbed into their saddles and got themselves adjusted for the journey ahead. It would be a long, hard road but in a way, Magnus was looking forward to it. As the clan’s chief strategist and Domhnall’s closest advisor, he didn’t get out often, so leaving Dunvegan now and then was nice.

“All right,” Domhnall said. “Safe journey tae the both of ye and may God be with ye.”

“We will see ye soon, braither,” Magnus said and clasped hands with his older brother.

Kai flashed Magnus that lopsided grin. “Let’s go, braither. Tae the Isle of Skye we go.”

Magnus pulled his furs around him again. “Aye. Tae the Isle of Skye we go.”