Chapter Fifteen

Gavin's side ached, but he managed to ride along with Knox and Hendry. They followed a path along the edge of the forest, keeping an eye out for other riders. It had been several hours of riding, it was past midday and his stomach growled with hunger.

"We can seek a meal at the village," he said to his companions. "Ask questions to see if anyone has seen the men."

It didn't take much encouragement, Knox had been discreetly directing glances toward him to make certain he was not in too much pain.

It wasn't much longer that they arrived at a small establishment in Armandale, the village on Munro's lands. The eatery was run by two elderly sisters. Once seated, they were presented with hearty bowls of stew and chunks of bread to eat with it.

One of the women eyed Gavin up and down. "Are ye kin to the new laird?"

"I am," Gavin replied between bites. "He is my brother."

"Ye seem to be hurting." She walked to another room and returned with a cup of steaming liquid. "I put some herbs in here to help with the pain."

He eyed it suspiciously, so she lifted it to her lips and sipped. "Tis nae poison."

Gavin studied the woman, noting there was warmth in her eyes. "We seek six mounted men, who have attacked several defenseless people. Do ye know of band of men riding about?"

The woman shook her head. "People come in, we serve them." It was clear she was not going to give them any information.

"What of strangers? Men ye have never seen before? Anything of note lately?"

She hesitated. "A few days back, a couple stopped by to ask for help. The man's arm was cut through. He bled badly. They were traveling west to Dornie, when a pair of men came and took a young lass that traveled with them. The woman, Martina, said they would have killed her husband if not for the lass stepping between them."

Gavin's mouth went dry. It had to be Freya who'd been taken.

"The men… were they from here?"

The older woman shook her head. "Nae."

"How do ye know?" Gavin was becoming exasperated.

Knox placed his hand on Gavin's shoulder. "When did this happen?" He asked.

Looking from Gavin, the older woman replied. "Less than a sennight, five days, perhaps six."

"Did they say the lass' name?" Gavin asked fighting to keep his voice even.

The woman shrugged. "They'd only just met her. Said she had hair dark as midnight. She was a sad little creature, looking for a new start."

"Did they overhear where they were taking her?" Gavin asked, ignoring Knox's pointed look.

"Aye mentioned something about returning to Eigg," the woman replied turning away.

Despite the blood roaring in his head, Gavin finished eating, all the while considering what happened to Freya. She must have been trying to get further away and instead had been caught by the very people she hid from. If she'd remained on Skye, she would be on Uist now, safe from the man who pursued her.

"It could be she ran from a husband or hid from her father. We have no way of knowing the truth," Knox remarked, obviously reading his thoughts. "Going to Eigg will only serve to delay yer recovery."

"She is in danger. Without family, she is at the mercy of whomever took her."

Knox was silent and Gavin was glad for it. He had thinking to do. Despite the fact she'd kept things from him, he could not deny that he wished she were still on Skye, at his home. If only he'd insisted she remain. Instead he'd allowed anger and rashness to take control and now she was in all probably held captive, perhaps being mistreated.

If harm came to her, it would be his fault for not standing up for her, for not helping or giving her the opportunity to explain things.

"We should continue our search while the sun is up," Gavin said after finishing the meal.

They mounted once again and headed out of the village in the direction of Edgar's cottage. In his gut, Gavin sensed that the men who'd attacked were either hiding or gone to another portion of Ross lands. It was possible as well that they'd left the isle to bide their time.

Once again his mind went to Freya.

"It is a bad idea," Knox said without looking at him. "Ye are nae fully healed and to go to another isle without knowing what awaits is a fool's errand. Ye have no idea what happens there."

Gavin ground his back teeth. "Stop doing that."

A bark of laughter erupted as Knox threw his head back. "Yer thoughts are clearly visible."

Both looked to Hendry who stared at Gavin and then shook his head. "I am nae able to see it."

"That is because ye are nae a Ross," Knox told him. "We can read each other's minds quite well."

Gavin rolled his eyes. "Dinnae believe him Hendry."

They continued on for a pair of hours. Gavin's side throbbed and he finally had to ask that they return to the keep.

"That was a waste of a day," Hendry said with a long sigh. "No one admits to seeing them. It is an impossible task."

"Aye," Knox added. "They cannae hide forever, sooner or later someone will talk."

"Since the last attack, they've kept away. It's also possible they've not returned to our lands."

Deep in thought they continued their trek back to the keep. Gavin was already planning to travel to the Isle of Eigg. He had to see with his own eyes that Freya was alive and well. Else, he'd not be able to rest.

Once at the keep, he went to Alexander's bedchamber. That his brother was there was odd. His eldest brother usually spent the days dealing with the many clan issues at hand and rarely retired until late in the evening.

The room was large with an imposing four-poster bed centered along the wall directly in front of the door. A large rug covered the stone flooring, upon it a pair of chairs. Alexander sat in one, his gaze on the fire that burned brightly in the hearth. He didn't seem tired or upset, if anything, Alex's expression was one of calmness. The laird glanced up when Gavin entered.

"How do ye feel?"

Rounding a chair, Gavin went to the other one, which was closer to the fire. "I must admit to having to returned from patrol early because my wound ached. However, if pushed, I am able to do almost as much as before."

After a moment, Gavin added. "Why are ye here alone? Is something wrong?"

Alex shook his head. "Nae, nothing that matters. When I noted no one waited to speak to me, I came up here and am contemplating what to do about our problem at hand…" Alex looked to Gavin. "Before Da died, things were different. Now all I do is worried, plan, fight."

"Ye have a heavy yoke, brother." Gavin's statement hung in the air.

Finally Alex nodded. "Strange that before I always had a hobby or interests to occupy my free time. Now, as laird, I am much too busy for anything that interests me."

"Ye have never been one for idle time. It is both a gift and a curse."

It was good that Alex was in a pensive mood. Still, Gavin wasn't sure how to bring up Freya. At the same time, it was imperative that he did so.

Finally, he took a breath. "I wish… I am going to the Isle of Eigg." He continued not allowing Alex time to formulate a response. "I found out that a pair of men took Freya from the back of a wagon when she headed to Dornie with villagers from Tokavaig. I cannae allow her to possibly be in a harmful situation and nae do anything about it."

For a long moment Alex studied him. "It is much too dangerous, and with the attackers about, I cannae spare any men at the moment to go with ye."

He wasn't about to be dissuaded. "The attackers have gone into hiding. Even if they come out and continue to prey on our clan, we cannae capture them unless someone comes forth and tells us where they hide."

Alex shook his head and let out a grunt. "We should be able to protect our people from this. Somehow these bastards have managed to evade us. Someone, or perhaps a group of people are helping them."

By his brother's grim expression, there was something else afoot. Gavin leaned forward. "Is there something else on yer mind?"

As the silence stretched, Gavin allowed it, waiting for Alex to speak. Finally his brother took a deep breath.

"During our trip to Uist, Mother brought up that it is time for me to marry. One of the questions Darach asked, was why I had nae sought a wife as yet." His brother's deep green eyes lifted to his, a furrow between his brows. "In all honestly, I'd not given it much thought. Each time I consider it, my stomach clenches in dread." He visibly shuddered. "I do nae wish to be tied down to one woman."

Gavin chuckled. "By yer reaction, I'd say ye are nae ready. Ye would make the poor lass miserable."

Alex let out a huff. "Marriage is a restriction."

"Then wait. I dinnae see what the hurry is," Gavin said.

"And yet, ye are willing to go into the unknown to find a lass ye barely know," Alex remarked. "Interesting."

"I didnae say I was to marry her," Gavin protested. "It is just that I feel responsible—"

"One step away," Alex interrupted. "Ye are in love and will marry the lass. That is if she is nae already wed."

When Gavin stood, his injured side protested. After a day of riding, he required rest.

His brother stood as well and gave him a pointed look. "I know ye well enough to understand ye will go with or without my permission. Take five of our best warriors. Dinnae take any risks. Find out what ye can before approaching."

"I will." Gavin walked out, not wishing to speak more on the subject. First thing in the morning, he'd leave for the Isle of Eigg. Rest would have to wait, there was much to do.

First he'd find five men willing to go, then the bìrlinn had to be stocked to ensure they could remain self-sufficient for at least a fortnight. Then he needed to pack personal items. He hurried down the stairs and straight outside suddenly barely feeling the pain. He continue through the courtyard, not stopping until arriving at the guard's quarters.

Once there, he found Hendry and asked the warrior to find four more who were willing to travel to another isle.

Next he sought out the storehouse man, who was instructed to prepare provisions for both he and five men. Lastly, he spoke to the stablemaster to ensure the horses would be ready first thing in the morning to embark on the bìrlinn.

Once all that was completed, he went to the great room to wait. The men would eat last meal with him where he would explain the situation. His plan was to find Freya and make sure she is unharmed. Other than that, Gavin didn't dare plan for anything else.

Upon entering the great room, he scanned the room until finding his mother already seated at a small table where she, Cynden's wife, Ainslie and another pair of ladies usually ate. She was alone at the moment.

"Mother, I am to go on a short trip in the morning. Only two or three days at the most. To the Isle of Eigg."

Concern etched her face as she took him in. "The lass, Freya."

Somehow everyone seemed to know how he felt. It was as if he was the last to know. "Aye. I wish to ensure she is unharmed."

"Ye must be with care, my darling. Promise ye will be safe."

Gavin nodded meeting her gaze. "Mother, Alex is nae ready to marry. Ye should nae pressure him."

"He will have to, and the sooner the better." His mother waved him off as a pair of women approached, signaling the conversation was over.

It could be his mother already had a lass in mind. It was possible. If so, Alex didn't have a fighting chance.

During last meal, Knox informed Gavin that he'd not be going to Eigg. It was not surprising, his cousin led a large contingency of Ross guards and had to see to things there at the keep.

The sun was barely past the horizon the next morning as Gavin and his men were already on the bìrlinn headed toward whatever awaited them on the Isle of Eigg.