And he would never accept that tale of his sire’s as true, the one that only Edan knew. Because belief meant possibility. And possibility meant blame.
“I can see it in your eyes that you’ll never believe in them. If that is the case, then why are we traveling across the water to Mull?”
“Because I have no other choices. You know it as well as I do. We’ve searched every cottage, every river, every glen, every ravine on all of Islay. They are not there. We’ve seen no sign of Milo or Heilyn. Where could they possibly be?”
“So why visit seers and people who have met faeries?”
“It’s said they also knew of men who sold bairns across the water. Mayhap we can learn more about that. I don’t know. Because I feel helpless. I need hope from someone. Mayhap they can lead us to another place to look. Or mayhap they have a faery living with them to convince me they are real. I need something. Some hope.”
“But if you don’t believe, even if you see one, how can it help? I’m sure you’ll not believe someone is a faery if it approached you as we sit here on the deck of this ship.” His brother’s voice dropped to such a low tone that Edan felt as if their journey would prove to be unsuccessful. Whywashe going to see a clan of seers and faery believers?
“I can’t fight what I don’t understand. If I understand more about faeries, where they live, what they believe, mayhap I’ll know where else I can look for my daughter. I’ve run out of ideas.”
Roger drawled, “I thought you were wiser than that.”
And Edan lost his patience with his well-meaning brother. He bolted up from the place he sat and yelled at him. “Because what else can I do? I’ve looked everywhere, and I will not give up. You don’t understand because you haven’t lost your wife, but Heilyn means more to me than anything else. I’d give my life for her, but how can I when I have no idea who holds her? Where she is? Why would anyone steal my precious daughter? What choice do I have? I’ll do anything. I will not give up. Never! Do you hear me?”
Edan got up and paced across the vessel, realizing he’d caught the attention of the two men managing the ship.
“Never,” he whispered to himself. The word felt less like a vow and more like defiance against something unseen. They didn’t understand the everlasting pledge to protect a child, one who belonged to you, one who should be safely by your side. It was his primary job as a parent, and he’d failed.
Magni approached him. “Did you learn anything new about your missing daughter?” The man was tall with dark brown hair down to his tunic. The breadth of his shoulders told Edan that he knew how to handle the sword sheathed across his back.
Edan gulped down the sour fluid that threatened to be expelled over the side of the vessel. “Nay. As we said, we weretold to go to Mull. That someone there might be able to help us learn about mercenaries who steal bairns. Know you who we should see?”
Magni clasped his shoulder. “Aye, I do. You need to go to Duart Castle and Clan Grantham. It holds many members of Clan Grant and Clan Ramsay. I know the Grants well and they have many seers. I hope they can help you.”
Edan asked, “I don’t believe in seers or faeries. I’m looking for information about mercenaries.”
Magni thought for a moment. “That’s unfortunate. Seers can see what is happening at present and can see what will happen before it does. Some can see in the past, and that is probably the one you need. If they could help you, why not get all the information they can offer? They are verra good and kind-hearted people.”
Roger’s gaze focused on the land emerging ahead. “Is there an inn we can stay at while we visit?”
Magni took a step back, taking the focus away from Edan, something he was glad of. He didn’t wish to hear anything more about faeries and seers.
“We’re traveling to Craignure, a short jaunt from Duart Castle. If you have issues, the Granthams will offer you a chamber for a few nights.”
“In their castle?” Edan asked, stunned by this possibility.
Magni pointed over his shoulder. “We’re about to pass Duart Castle. It’s the large one on the promontory. And aye, they have many chambers with wonderful views. They will offer you a place inside the castle that will more than suit your needs.”
“Why?” Roger asked, brushing his fair beard while he spoke.
“Because they are Highlanders. You’ve not heard of Alexander Grant’s line? Logan Ramsay’s daughters? The archer Gwyneth? Have you never heard of the Highland hospitality?”
Edan nodded. “Aye, we’ve heard of their sword skills. And the woman’s archery skills, but not their hospitality. True that a woman is an archer?”
“Aye. They are all related one way or another to the Grants and Ramsays.”
“Will they help me? Can they find my daughter?” Edan’s hands flexed as if he could actually grab onto something that would give him hope.
Magni scowled, scratching his head just as Cormac jerked the boat and yelled at him.
“MacQuarie! Starboard.”
Magni leaned over the side of the ship in time to see a pod of dolphins go by, and in the middle, a wee golden-haired lass on the back of the largest mammal, waving to him. Then she vigorously nodded.
“Lia?” he shouted, leaning over the side of the vessel. “Lia! Come back!”
