Chapter Six

Instead of going to first meal, Gavin stalked out of the house via one of the rear doorways. In his current sour mood it was best to avoid conversations until he had the opportunity to clear his head.

All night he'd tossed and turned. Thoughts of Freya and how frail she'd looked after his statement. He'd felt guilty at having threatened her, so much so that he'd almost gone back to her. Then there was the situation with Edgar's death and the missing guard. People would be demanding to know who was responsible.

If his and Knox's suspicions were right, the clan's people would be plunged into panic again. In his heart Gavin knew that the period of peace was short-lived and once again they had to plan for battle.

He walked without a destination toward the seashore, the soft sounds of the lapping waves immediately soothing his chaotic mind. Standing with feet apart and arms to his sides, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

Opening his eyes, he looked to the peaceful surroundings. In the distance, fishermen pushed small boats out into the water, others were already out sitting in place casting nets. It was a beautiful land where he lived. Lush green pastures, the grayish blue waters of the sea, and the gently sloping hills butting up against jagged higher ones upon which goats and sheep grazed.

This day they'd ride out to what used to be Mackinnon lands, first they'd speak with Munro and then they'd begin the task of setting a trap for the attackers.

When his stomach growled, he turned to head back to the keep but hesitated at catching sight of Freya walking along the shoreline.

She'd not seen him, which allowed him a candid view of her as she walked slowly, head bent. He smiled when the waves lapped at her ankles, and she hurried away as the chilly waters touched her bare skin.

Bending, she picked up something and studied it, then she continued forth toward him. Seeming to sense him, she looked up and her eyes widened. "I didnae expect anyone to be out here so early."

Gavin pushed hair out of his eyes. "I could nae sleep."

For a moment she studied him. "I was restless as well." She peered toward the house. "I do nae have to work until later today," she explained.

"I am glad," Gavin replied. "What do ye plan to do?"

Her shoulders lifted and lowered. "Since I could nae sleep, I made a list. First walk along the shore. Then I will pick some flowers for my bedside table. I will join the others for the midday meal and then help with mending."

Gavin wanted to remain there with her. To continue talking to her was preferable to what his day would entail. Then again, he considered talking with Freya preferable to most things.

"It sounds like a full day," he said.

For a moment they stood in silence, seeming as though neither wished to walk away. It was almost as if she felt the same pull toward him that he did toward her.

Although Gavin considered, it was probably wishful thinking on his part. She was a beautiful woman who'd surely had love interests in the past. Perhaps she was involved with someone and waited for him to come for her.

"Freya…" he said and stopped.

She looked up at him, the dark gaze meeting his, locking with his. It was as if time stood still. He reached for her hand glad when she didn't pull away. It was cool and delicate.

"What is it?" she asked in a hoarse whisper. There was something pleading in her gaze.

"Tell me something. Anything. About ye."

Her lips parted. When she tried to pull her hand away, he held it fast. "Why are ye so afraid?"

The way her eyes traveled to his lips, made his heart thunder. He wanted this woman and if not careful, she could very well steal his heart.

"I-I do not wish to bring ye more troubles…"

He bent closer until their faces almost touched. "Freya."

For a moment he thought she'd kiss him, their lips but a hair's breadth apart. "I wish I could."

Yanking her hand away, she turned and walked away.

Gavin followed her progress as she went in the direction she'd come, once again studying the shoreline.

As soon as the issues with Edgar's murder were investigated and a culprit or culprits found, there would be no more delays when it came to Freya.

She would be given no choice in the matter. Freya would have to tell them everything.

Looking up to the sky, he hoped she was not tied to another man.

As expected Munro was aggrieved at learning what had occurred, but like them he'd no idea who would agree to join a band of men who would wish to become targets of Clan Ross, especially now that they were at a huge disadvantage.

"A trap could work," Munro stated as they walked to the edge of the surrounding forest near the keep where he lived. They looked across the fields to where the village of Armadale was. It was a large bustling village, almost twice the size of Tokavaig, which made it difficult to pin down who would be part of the warrior force for the late laird.

Additionally, people still didn't fully trust Clan Ross. Despite Munro working toward garnering the trust of the local people, it could take years to actually acquire their full allegiance.

Not surprisingly, there were the residual few who held a grudge against anyone affiliated with their clan.

As it stood, the people of Armadale had learned over years of mistreatment to depend only on one another. They would never turn on their own.

"We have started patrolling the lands near where the attack happened," Gavin stated. "In pairs of two."

Munro gave him a puzzled look. "It could prove dangerous, especially if there are six of them."

"True," Gavin said. "We have to draw them out somehow. They will nae come out against a larger contingency."

"What if we disguise one guard as a villager. Have guards hidden nearby," Knox suggested.

Munro shook his head. "That would be too dangerous as well."

He let out a long sigh. "I dinnae wish to have to send a message to Alexander. I must let him know. He has to be informed."

They continued coming up with different plans, only to discard idea after idea. Wishing to continue their patrol, Gavin and his men left Munro's home, deciding to ride through Armadale and get a sense of the people there.

As they rode down the center of the village, a woman rushed out from her home and hurried her children into the house. Conversations stopped and wary gazes watched in silence, some with ill-disguised hatred.

Most of the people they came across did not look to be warriors. Gavin studied faces, attempting to recognize features. Unfortunately, because he was an archer, it meant he'd rarely been up close during battles. He referred to the other men, hoping they'd be better at seeing someone they'd once fought against.

When leaving the village, it had become obvious how hard it would be to find whoever the attackers were.

Each of the following days, Gavin and several guards questioned people, but nothing came of it. The more days that passed, the more frustrated everyone became.

On a good note, there were no other attacks. However, he dreaded going to see Edgar's family and inform them he'd been unsuccessful in finding the culprit.

The missing guard had not returned, which was still cause for concern. Either he'd left on his own accord, or he was injured.

It was late afternoon, thankfully there hadn't been many grievances that day. Perhaps because there was a steady drizzle all day, which tended to keep most indoors or near their homes.

He'd not seen Freya in a pair of days, so he called to the servant Flora as she entered the great room. The lass came to where he stood looking up at him with curiosity.

"Is Freya continuing to work in the laundry?" he asked, looking from her to the corridor that led to where the kitchens and laundry rooms were.

"Aye, she is. She also helps in the kitchens when Peigi needs help," Flora said following his line of sight with a worried expression of pinched brows. "She is a good worker, she really is."

Gavin tried to soften his expression. "I am only asking because I had nae seen her."

The lass visibly relaxed. "She prefers to remain away from the main rooms, sir."

Several thoughts occurred to him. Was Freya afraid someone would recognize her? Or did she stay away because she wished to avoid being questioned?

He could visit her again in the evening. True it had been uncharacteristic of him to go to her. Especially as he wasn't sure to trust her.

As much as he tried to deny it internally, there was more than just needing to know her past. He was attracted to Freya. An attraction so strong that it could cloud his judgement when it came to finding out if she brought danger to his home.

Alexander had left it up to him to deal with Freya's situation and he would never purposely falter in his duties. At the same time, a strong sense of protecting Freya filled him whenever he was near her.

There was no putting it off. He had to speak to her and find out the truth. Not only because it was his duty, but because he yearned to know her better, know more about the mysterious woman.

A commotion from the entrance yanked Gavin from his musings as guards rushed in with an injured warrior. The man's arms were draped across the other's shoulders, his feet dragging across the stone floor, leaving a trail of blood.

Gavin jumped to his feet and rushed to help them lift the moaning man onto a table.

"Fetch the healer," someone called out and people raced in different directions. Some toward the kitchens for bandaging and water, others to get out of the way.

It was the missing guard.

The injured man was called Gerard, he was an archer. Face scrunched in pain, he held out a hand and Gavin grabbed it. "Who did this?"

"M-MacKinnons," he stuttered and passed out.

"Was anyone with him?" Gavin asked the men who'd brought Gerard in.

Both shook their heads. "Nay he said to be heading away from his family's home when attacked. They near the western coast," one man explained.

Just then the healer came in, obviously the man had been at the keep already, which was fortunate.

Knox walked in and touched Gavin's shoulder. "We must hurry and ride out. Perhaps someone saw this happen."

"Aye, I agree, but his injuries look old. He was probably attacked a day or two ago. I suspect, the cowards are much too clever to attack in plain sight."

As Gavin headed to the stairwell to fetch his weapons, he caught sight of Freya walking into the great room with an armload of bandages. She hesitated at seeing him, their eyes clashing for a moment before she looked to the injured guard. Freya paled, her expression turning sorrowful.

It was obvious, to him at least, that Gerard would probably not survive the injuries.

He would have to question Freya another day.

No one had seen anything. The area where the injured man had been found was remote, no houses for miles. The area was far from where Edgar had been attacked.

"They must have attacked him on the main road here," Knox said, looking around.

They'd stopped by Gerard's home and informed his family, who immediately headed to the keep. They confirmed that he'd visited and left two days earlier. No one had seen or heard anything after he'd gone.

The family lived near the shore, the nearest neighbor was far and not on the way toward the keep. Still they questioned the people who told them not to have seen anything or noticed any men riding past.

Now as they found a place where it was obvious someone had been hurt, by the dark pools of blood and broken low branches, fury engulfed Gavin.

"They are cowards to attack lone men, leaving them for dead," He uttered past a clenched jaw.

"It is fortunate the men on patrol found him," a guard said. The gruff man cleared his throat. "If he survives, that is."

A strange sense of being watched made Gavin turn toward a small grouping of trees in the distance. He pointed. "They could be hiding there."

They road toward the trees, but upon reaching the area, there was no one about. Just past the trees was a thicker forest line.

"This is where they had to come from." Gavin was sure the same group had been lurking about, waiting for any opportunity to attack.

Still he could not shake the sense that someone had recently been there. "Knox, look about."

Knox had already dismounted and was inspecting the area. "Aye, more than one has been through here."

Gavin stomach clenched. "The bastards came far into Ross lands. How is it possible that no one has seen them?"

"Threats," one warrior stated. "People may be afraid to speak."

"No," Gavin said. "They are proficient in hiding. Whoever they are, are seasoned warriors. Men bent on revenge."