Page 24 of Highland Spirit

“How is Alana?” asked Ethan, genuinely concerned for her health.

“I closed up her wound and she is sleepin’ soundly. She’ll be feelin’ much better come mornin’.”

“Guid. Then we’ll be on our way.”

“So soon?” asked Kirstine, stepping in their path so they had to stop. “Look. Here comes the food now.”

Ethan turned to find two servants carrying platters of food into the room. His stomach growled. He was so hungry that right now he’d eat a rat and not complain.

“We’re stayin’. Right, Ethan?” asked Caleb with wishful longing in his eyes, staring at the piping-hot food. His tongue shot out and he licked his lips as the servant came closer.

“Come, sit down and eat,” offered Kirstine. “And warm yer bones and dry yer clothes by the fire. Finn,” she called to her brother. “Throw some more logs on the fire. It’s cold in here.”

“Really?” asked the boy. “But Diarmad doesna like us to burn too much wood.”

“Well, he’s no’ here so he willna ken. It’ll be all right for one night,” explained Kirstine. “Now do it.”

“Aye,” said the boy, hurrying off to do the work.

“Diarmad?” Ethan raised a brow. “Who is that? Is he laird of the castle?”

“Aye,” she answered, looking worried. “He is my . . . husband.”

“I see,” Ethan said, perusing the girl. She seemed frightened. “Where is yer faither, Gil Chisholm?” he asked. “Are yer parents livin’ here as well?” He fired the questions at her quickly, eager to learn more.

“Well . . . uh . . . my faither is here,” she said, sounding reluctant to answer.

“Guid. Lead me to him. I’d like to have a word with him,” said Ethan, wanting to kill the man right now for everything he’d done.

“Nay, ye canna do that.”

“Why no’?” asked Ethan.

“Because he is ill. He is sleepin’ and canna be disturbed.” Kirstine looked the other way when she answered. “Let’s all sit down and eat before the food gets cold,” she suggested.

Something wasn’t right here, but Ethan decided he couldn’t push the girl too hard or she’d tell him nothing. He’d eat for now and try to pump her for information later. “Caleb, I suppose a bite to eat and gettin’ warm by the fire might no’ be a bad idea after all,” said Ethan.

“I agree!” Caleb smiled from ear to ear. Then his pine marten saw a mouse run by and jumped out of his arms to run after the rodent.

“But we’re no’ stayin’ the night,” added Ethan.

“We’re no’?” asked Caleb looking quickly at Ethan and then back to the servant with the platter of food again.

“Ye’re no’? Why no’?” asked Kirstine. “I think ye should. I’m sure Alana will want to see ye before ye go.”

“I agree with her,” said Caleb, reaching out and grabbing a leg of mutton from the servant’s tray. “Do ye have any Mountain Magic by any chance?”

“Do ye mean this?” Kirstine held up Caleb’s flask and Ethan took it from her.

“That’ll do.” Ethan lifted it to his mouth and took a swig. The burning sensation of the liquid trailed a path down his throat, making him feel more relaxed immediately.

“Let’s all sit,” said Kirstine, leading them up to the dais.

“Will Alana be joinin’ us?” asked Ethan, taking another swig of the potent brew. “I’d like to talk to her.”

“I’m sorry, but it’ll have to wait until mornin’,” said Kirstine. “My sister needs her rest. She’s been through a lot today.”

“Havena we all?” asked Ethan, taking another swig of whisky before Caleb leaned over and snatched it away from him.