Logan took a deep breath and sat up. “True. Maddie did come to Alex in his sleep.”
“So Gwyneth found a different way to reach you.”
Connor guffawed. “You are a bit thicker in the head, Ramsay.”
Dyna grabbed Alasdair’s hand. “Did you hear what she said before she approached Daran?”
“You mean about Lia coming? How does she know Lia? None of them know Lia, do they? That was a long time ago, way before they were born.” Alasdair looked to the others for an answer.
Logan whispered, “Gwynie knows Lia. She was here then. That was Gwynie speaking.”
Dyna glared at Logan and leaned forward toward Alasdair. “Gwendolyn doesn’t know Lia at all, probably never heard of her either. That’s why it’s eerie to me.”
Her father said, “She’s a seer like your daughters, Dyna. That’s all. I don’t understand why she unsettles you so.”
“I’ll tell you why, because I’m no longer charged with protecting Grant and Eli and Alaric as I was before,” Dyna whined. “I just found out that I’m to protect Grant and Gwen. But why? What exactly is she? She might be more than a seer.”
“That explains it, and that is unexpected.” Connor ticked off his fingers. “But think on all of it. Sandor can speak to the dead. Sylvi hears the unspoken, and Tora sees the present. So what is she? And she doesn’t belong to you so how can she be like your bairns? Since you are to protect her like Grant, I think she’s going to be something different. You’ll not know for certain until she grows up.”
“She’s a wild one, I’m telling you,” Logan whispered.
“Stop calling her that, Logan,” Connor said. “She’s your wife’s namesake.” Then he stood from his chair and paced in a circle. “Och, but this is going to be an interesting visit. I hope Da is watching over you, Dyna. You’re going to need help with those two.”
Logan said, “And you’re leaving all of the wee ones behind, are you not?”
Alasdair said, “Daran is going with us, but Halli will remain here with the others.” He gave everyone a sheepish look. “After witnessing that, I wouldn’t leave the lad here with that group. He’s not ready for that yet.” His hands went to his hips and a small grin crept across his face. “Ask Grandda, Dyna. Mayhap he’ll answer you somehow. He’ll know why she’s special.”
The door from the kitchens opened, and Gwendolyn stepped outside alone. She stopped to stare at them, looking mostly at Dyna, her face quite serious. Then the wee lassie whispered, “I am special.” She lifted her chin a notch and went back into the kitchen.
“That.” Dyna pointed at the door, her face slack. “That’s why she unsettles me, Da.”
Chapter Thirteen
Edan
It had been a busy day at Duart. Packing satchels, a few crates of necessities, settling horses, and arranging food for a voyage had kept everyone busy. Edan and Roger took the opportunity to visit the lists just outside the curtain wall. He’d practiced his sword skills when he was younger, but he hadn’t had many opportunities to use them.
Watching the group for a short time told him he needed to work hard to measure up to this group. They watched Maitland go against three men at a time, then Ailith’s father jumped in to give Maitland a break.
Edan turned to his brother. “I’m asking for a bit of training. Join me, Roger?”
“Nay. I’m going to visit the armorer, see what I can learn. You enjoy yourself.” He clasped Edan’s shoulder and left with a smirk.
Edan moved up to Maitland. “You have some fine warriors here. May I request a session? I need to brush up on my skills. We’ve not had many battles on Islay.” His father had forced him and Roger to practice, but he’d gotten lazy.
“I’d be pleased to give you some pointers. Islay is mostly peaceful? I’ll tell Alasdair. He’ll feel better about this journey.” He wiped the sweat from his brow and cleaned his blade with a thick cloth.
“Let’s go over here. No need to set you in the middle of our best swordsmen until you’re ready.”
Edan worked hard, relishing the feel of his weapon in his hand. He had brought one of their newest creations with him. Maitland was a good instructor and had a calm demeanor that many of the other Grants lacked. When he finished, he said, “My thanks to you, Maitland.”
Maitland winked at him and said, “You’re going to have to show you can protect her if you hope to be accepted.” Then he headed toward the stables, whistling.
He wasn’t quite sure what the man meant by that, but he shrugged it off, heading to the armorer to join his brother.
***
That night, Edan saw Ailith step outside and decided to follow her. Once they cleared the courtyard, he called, “Ailith, a moment, if you please?” Perhaps he should have spoken to someone else, but he found himself inexplicably drawn to her.
