“And?” Emmalin asked, crossing her arms. “I love this story!”
Magni rubbed a tear from his eye. “I ran out to the shore screaming as a line of Grantham warriors passed by me: Brynja, Hagen, Artan, Eli, Alaric, Broc, and Thane. Grandda had to shake me to make me stop. I think he said, ‘For the love of all that’s holy, lad, stop your screaming!’ or something similar. I ran straight to Thane and told him I would move in with him. That must have been an inkling too.”
Emmalin moved over and hugged Magni warmly. “We love you, Magni, but nay. Logan is never an inkling. He’s more like a hard slap against the back of your head.”
Magni laughed. “I hope he’s still well. I’ll have to stop for a visit soon.”
“He’s fine, Magni. Still barking orders at everyone, but he can’t chase anyone anymore.”
Alasdair climbed back ashore from the rock, carrying the bucket of fish. “Oh, someone has Logan all shook up.”
“Who?” Magni asked.
“His granddaughter, Gwendolyn. She talks just like Gwynie, and it’s got him unsettled.”
“I’m definitely going to have to visit soon to see that. What are the plans for this day? I have to run a few ferries across the sound.”
Maitland said, “We decided to head to Finlaggan Castle after Edan arrives. I’d wager Lia will be there. We’ll tell her you’d like to see her.”
Magni nodded. “Aye. Please do. I promise to return before nightfall.”
Emmalin waited until he was out of earshot. “I love Magni. What a difficult life he’s had.”
“He has a good life now. But what is his power? Wasn’t he on the list of special talents?”
Maitland said, “He was. I remember it exactly: John and Grant with the sword; Sylvi, Tora, and Sandor; and Magni. Alasdair and Emmalin were to help John, Maeve, and me to help Grant. Brynja and Hagen were bound together for their healing abilities. Dyna, Derric, and bairns had their three talents, and Connor was a general add-on.”
Alasdair stared up at the clouds moving overhead. “Now that I think about it, Ailith was never mentioned, was she? She and Magni have powers we don’t quite understand yet. And whatisMagni’s ability?”
Emmalin whispered, “I’d wager we’ll be finding out soon enough.”
“Bringing that up does make a point.”
“What?” Emmalin grabbed her husband’s hand as they headed back inside.
He kissed her cheek. “We’re all here, and Lia has been here as well. What exactly are we going to find on Islay?”
Chapter Eighteen
Edan
It was nearly high sun when the small group arrived at Finlaggan Castle.
Emmalin stood back and stared. “The castle is on an island?”
“Aye,” explained Catrina, Edan’s sister. “Edan can tell you more.”
“The castle where the council meetings are held is on a different island. This is the residential castle. Their greeter will speak with the chieftain and his staff before meeting us here.”
Edan had to force himself to look away from Ailith. Her beauty nearly took his breath away. She wore a deep green underskirt with a red plaid overskirt, her dark hair plaited in a way he hadn’t seen before. The way she carried herself, the rosy color in her high cheekbones, everything about her called to him.
Catrina, Roger, and Edan had met Dyna, Ailith, Alasdair, and Emmalin at the loch, and the entire group made the short trip together. Once they arrived at the end of the causeway to the castle, the greeters approached.
The two people who met them didn’t look the least bit friendly. One man had the most indignant look he’d ever seen and was certainly not open to helping a group of unknowns. The woman hid behind the man, her gaze on the ground in front of her. They had decided to simply ask for an audience regarding a problem a localclachanhad.
The two returned rather quickly and said, “Lord MacDowall is too busy to see you now. Is there something I can help you with?”
Edan was ready to walk away because he didn’t have much faith in the people at Finlaggan. The chieftain seemed to be a fine man, but he was not fond of his brother, Wilmot, who was rumored to run their land with a heavy hand. Because ofthem, Edan preferred Dunyvaig Castle, but he was willing to do anything for Heilyn. He turned to Catrina and said, “I told you they would not be of much assistance. They have much to do.” Then he turned back to the person and said, “We’ll be on our way.”
