Chapter Twenty-One

Thane

Thane, Artan, and Brian found a spot to hide their small boat on the Isle of Ulva. There was no need for a birlinn for this visit. Their purpose was to find out all they could about Raghnall Garvie and his land. He had no choice in the matter because the memory of a lass with red hair running to a boat would not leave him. Haunting eyes, one blue and one green, had interrupted his thoughts more than he would care to admit.

Watching Tamsin run down to her husband's boat had struck him, piercing his heart in a way he hadn't expected. He was anxious to see what they would find out about Garvie, though he wasn't ready to admit the reason why it meant so much to him.

If he did, it would be admitting he had feelings for a lass, something he swore would never happen before Tamsin came into his life.

They'd studied the coastline and decided to travel on the north end a bit, always observant of the cliffs in the south. Not wanting to leave their boat near the shortest distance from Mull to Ulva, they decided to go around the tip to the south in search of a spot where they could hide their boat and where the foot traffic was much less.

They needed the boat to return home.

Artan pointed to a spot where the coastline was flat with a few places to hide the small vessel, so they ventured there, pleased to see no one was about.

"I wish we had horses."

Artan said, "I was told Garvie's holdings are not far from this spot. There are few other inhabitants on the isle. Take over Garvie's land, and the isle could be yours."

Thane listened, but his mind was intent on taking in all he needed to learn about the isle—the landscape, wildlife, boats, any inhabitants, and buildings. It was beautiful, lush with greenery and birdlife, including Mora's favorite, the puffins, that were abundant on the coastline.

Her squeal whenever she caught sight of a group of puffins was a treat for him. He missed her already, having left her at the Grantham holding to spend time with Astra while she was visiting.

He knew she needed female companionship, and he could think of none better than Eli, Dyna, and Astra. Mora hoped to learn some archery, and she would benefit from her time around the bairns, another pastime she had little experience with.

No women living on their land meant no bairns living with them. Wee ones visited occasionally with their fathers—guards, carpenters, armorers. But Mora rarely had the chance to experience bairns.

Thane looked forward to listening to her chatter about all her new experiences.

For now, his focus was on taking out the evil of the world—Raghnall Garvie. The world would be better off without him.

They made their way to a small village consisting of several merchants hawking their wares. The three headed down the middle of town, observing men at the armorer, the fish market, the baker, and others.

Thane purchased a loaf of bread and split it between the three of them, then began asking questions. "How often is the market open?"

"I only come across the loch one day every sennight. I don't like it here of late."

Thane arched a brow and said nothing, knowing that the man would expand on his comments if he didn't respond.

The merchant glanced around as if he were waiting to be struck down for speaking his mind, then leaned forward. "The man who controls the isle gets meaner every day."

Thane handed his brother and Artan each another hunk of bread, then motioned for them to keep watch for anyone who would interrupt them. He knew Artan would keep others away until he got the information he sought. "Who controls all?"

"Garvie," the merchant whispered, so low Thane strained to hear him. "He's such an evil man that he nearly killed his own wife, and she's a beauty. The man is daft."

Thane took a bite of his bread and said, "Fine bread you make. Please tell me more."

"Many thanks to you. They say he beats her nearly every day. I heard he wants her dead, so he can marry another to give him a son. Said he's trying to get every unmarried lass around carrying and whichever one gets a big belly the fastest will be his new wife."

"His wife never gave him a bairn?"

The man snorted. "Aye, a pretty lass, but she stays with his mother. She keeps her locked up because she hates bairns. In fact, I heard an awful fact, and I fear to even repeat it. But if it's true, others need to know what takes place on the island."

Thane leaned forward but said nothing, while Brian and Artan continued to scan the area for trouble.

"They say the bitch sells bairns. Takes them to other islands and sells them. Puts them on ships for coin. They must be older than two winters. That's how the fools make their coin. There are several cottages on his land where the ones who work for him stay. Guards, cooks, carpenters, those kind. I wish to leave and never return, but he comes after me on Mull."

Thane stood back, the hairs on his neck bristling with a sudden understanding of more than he wished. "Where is Garvie's holding?"

The man pointed to the west. "Follow that path. Though you'll not get past his guards. The only way to any other part on the isle is to land on the coast to the west."

"So where are the other holdings on the isle? Any castles? Brochs?"

"Nay. Just Garvie. He's taken them all over as his own. Anyone who built or lived in a hut has been sent away. We are the only ones allowed because he needs our wares. And if we don't come, he comes after us."

There was only one thing more that Thane needed to know before he made his decision about what to do with Garvie.

"How many men?"

The man shrugged his shoulders. "I'd guess three score. No more."

That was all the information he needed. With his own men and the guards of Clan Grantham, he might be able to accomplish his goal. But it would take time. He didn't have the men to attack yet, and he had no idea if Clan Grantham did either.

Thane paid the man for another loaf of bread and sauntered back to Brian and Artan, filling them in on all he'd learned.

"I say we return," Brian said. "No reason to head to Garvie land."

Artan said, "I agree. We are not prepared to fight anyone."

"I've learned enough for this day." Thane led the way back toward the place where they'd hidden the boat. They glanced around before heading in that direction, making sure they were not being followed, but none had expected to find what they did.

A lad of mayhap ten summers sat inside their boat, his arms crossed in front of him.

The three men stopped to stare at the lad, but he was not frozen, instead speaking his mind quickly, his words coming out in such a rush that Thane almost didn't hear everything.

"Take me with you. Anywhere away from the island. I know why you are here because I followed you, but I need your help. My sister and I were sent here to be sold. We escaped a sennight ago, but we wish to be away from the isle. If you take us with you, I'll tell you all you need to know about the Garvie holding."

Artan responded faster than Thane even thought possible. "Where is your sister?"

The lad pointed to a spot around the corner toward the coastline. The three men stepped around some trees, and there sat a blond-haired lass of around five, her hands folded demurely in her lap.

Thane held his hand out to her, and she got up and took it. "I shall go with Magni, wherever that may be, if you please."

"Is Magni your brother?" Thane led her back around to the boat where the lad was, now standing next to it. He knew what it felt like to be left alone on an island you'd never been to before. He surely would not leave these two behind.

"Aye."

"What's your name?" Thane asked, wondering what the hell kind of game Garvie was playing.

"Lia. Will you be our new papa?"

Thane didn't know exactly how to answer that, but he did his best to be honest, so he knelt in front of her and waved her brother over. "I'll take you both back to our castle. We will not sell you, but you may choose to stay with us, or I can try to find parents to take you in. We'll feed you, though Magni may have some chores to do, and we'll give you a pallet inside, so you'll be warm, but I promise to keep you away from Garvie. That is all I can offer you. Do you accept, Magni? I ask you to speak for both of you."

Magni nodded, tears coming to his eyes, but he brushed them away. "Aye, we will come with you. I promise to work verra hard, and I wish to take any beatings for my sister. She is too young."

"There will be no beatings, Magni, for you or your sister." Others believed in beating bairns, but Thane did not. After witnessing the look of relief on both of their faces, he smiled, then said, "Climb in."

Magni and Lia hugged him first.

What the hell was he going to do with two orphans?

He certainly would not leave them alone like his mother had done to him.