Page 16 of Highland Storm

“Let’s go,” Hawke told them, leading the way to the solar. “I think I ken a way to get grandda back, and I am goin’ to be the one to do it.”

* * *

Hawke plopped down atop the bed as soon as they entered the solar. He was broken, beaten, and totally exhausted. For some reason, he felt worse than when he returned from a battle. It weighed heavy on his mind that he wasn’t able to stop today’s attacks from happening.

“All right. Tell us everythin’ that happened,” said Aidan, turning a chair backward and straddling it, giving Hawke his undivided attention.

“And leave nothin’ out,” added Onyx. Onyx was raised as a MacKeefe, but found out later in life that he was really an English noble. His eyes were what made everyone think he was a demon, one being black and the other orange. He and his English wife, Lovelle, lived in England the majority of the time, but Onyx spent a lot of time in Scotland with his good friends, Aidan and Ian, who were like brothers to him. His son, Ethan, was the product of a youthful tryst.

“Caleb, open the window for some air,” said Ian to his son, carrying a tankard of ale that he brought with him from the great hall. Ian’s tall frame and dark hair made him look mysterious. His son, Caleb, inherited his dark looks but not the height. Hawke’s grandfather’s name was also Ian, but it was a common name amongst the Scots.

“Aye, Da,” said Caleb, pulling open the shutter and letting in light and air. Sunshine streamed across Hawke’s legs and the slight breeze felt good against his burning skin. He let out a breath and tried to relax.

“What happened, Hawke?” asked Storm with concern in his voice.

“We went to the attack site and the dead men were missin’,” Hawke relayed the information.

“The MacNabs must have taken the bodies with them,” said Renard.

“Nay.” Hawke closed his eyes and laid his head back on the pillow, wanting to sleep. “When they attacked us, they didna have the bodies with them. They must have buried them instead.”

“Didna ye realize the MacNabs were there?” asked Ian.

“No’ at first,” said Hawke. “I thought I’d killed all of them except for the one I let go.”

“Ye did?” asked Aidan.

“Aye. It was actually the girl,” said Hawke. “I didna ken she was a lass at the time. When I saw her standin’ there durin’ the second attack – I – I was distracted. And with three men comin’ at me at once, I failed to hold them off.”

“How many times do I need to tell ye no’ to lose yer focus, Son?” asked Storm.

Hawke’s eyes opened and he looked straight at his father. “Ye also told me no’ to fight if I didna have to,” Hawke reminded him. “Ye spent a lot of time in yer past winnin’ yer earnin’s in competitions rather than fightin’, Da, if I must remind ye.”

“He’s right,” agreed Onyx. “Ye did tell us that, Storm.”

“It doesna matter.” Storm paced the room. “What does matter is that we lost four guid men today and my faither is being held captive. What are we goin’ to do to remedy that?”

“We’ll attack the MacNabs and take Ian back,” suggested Ethan.

“Aye,” agreed Logan, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. “We have plenty of men in the clan to fight back.”

“Nay, that’s too risky,” said Caleb, not agreeing with his friends. “Crookston Castle is a strong fortress closer to our Highland camp than to our castle here on the border. Usin’ Hermitage Castle for cover is out of the question since it is too far away. With only our camp in the Highlands, we’ll be an easy mark.”

“That’s right,” agreed Caleb’s father. “We’d be at a disadvantage.”

“Let’s wait until they ask for a ransom,” said Aidan, coming up with a solution. “Then we’ll set up a spot to meet with them and lop off their heads.” Aidan swiped his hand across his throat for effect.

“Nay, that willna work either,” said Storm, continuing to pace. “They might retaliate and attack our camp in the Highlands. A lot of our clan’s women and children are there right now. We need to make sure they’re protected.”

“Then bring them to the castle,” said Ethan. “Or at least until our battle with the MacNabs is over.”

“Nay,” said Hawke. “We’ve been feudin’ for as long as I can remember. This will never end. We need to find another way.”

“There is no other way,” said Renard. “We need to move in quickly.”

“I have another plan that just might work,” said Hawke with a yawn.

“What is that, Son?” asked Storm.