Apparently, he’d chosen poorly.
He moved up to the portcullis, the sea air catching him by surprise. It had been a long time since they’d traveled to the sea. Too much had happened in his life.
He approached one of the guards. “I’d like to speak to the laird or his second in command. We have missing bairns in ourclachanand I need information.” He guard waved to another soldier who approached. Edan repeated himself. Once he explained the problem, the second said, “Enter. MacKay will speak with you. You and one other.”
Roger nodded to Edan. “You go in. I’ll see what I can learn by the bay.”
Edan, Catrina and her husband Arne entered the great hall, escorted by a guard. The second chased them, “I said one other.”
Arne whirled around and said, “My wife doesn’t go anywhere without me. It’s our son. Both of ours, not just hers.”
The second sighed and said, “Go on in then.”
They entered a large chamber off the great hall, the door closing behind them. Catrina collapsed into a nearby chair, Arne standing behind her, lightly massaging her shoulders. Edan stood next to Arne, both unable to sit. MacKay stood tall on the other side of the desk, brown hair to his shoulders, keen dark eyes taking in everything about the visitors.
The young chieftain took the seat behind the desk and motioned for them to sit, but Edan said, “I’m unable. My daughter and nephew are missing, and we were advised you had knowledge of some bairns missing here also. We are heartsick and don’t know what to do.”
Tavish folded his hands in his lap as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m sorry to hear of your troubles. You were advised correctly. We’ve had a few go missing. I’m uncertain of the exact number, but it has happened.”
“Yours?” Catrina asked, leaning forward.
“Nay, I am not married and have no bairns. I have an unmarried brother also. These were taken from local villagers.”
“When?” Edan asked, pacing from one side to the other in the back of the chamber.
“A sennight ago. There’s talk of changelings, but no changeling bairns were left in their place as the faeries oft do. We’ve discussed the possibility of mercenaries stealing bairns to sell across the water, but as you can see, we have a clear view of any ships leaving here. There’s been no unidentified ships seen here. I’ve had my men watching and documenting all that pass through.”
“How old were the bairns?” Arne asked.
“Under the age of five. No infants.”
Catrina let out a strangled grasp, her hand going up to grip her husband’s hand. “Where are they? Have you any idea where they are?”
Edan stepped over to MacKay’s desk and handed him the small wreath of woven thistles. “We were both left these. Know you anything of them?”
MacKay studied the item then handed it back. “We have not seen anything, but I wish they had as that could give me a clue as to where they are.”
“What does this item tell you?”
MacKay wasn’t much older than Edan, but his presence was strong and powerful. “What know you of the faeries? Anything at all? This speaks of fae involvement to me, and as you know, Islay is often home to faeries.”
Edan said, “Nay. Naught. Forgive me, but I don’t believe in faeries. There must be something else going on. I want my daughter back. Have you any men suspected of stealing bairns for labor or to sell? Any mercenaries living nearby? Have they cottages somewhere?” he dragged his hand through his long locks. Edan wished to run up to the top of the curtain wall and scream at the entire village and ask for help.
MacKay stood and approached him, forcing him to stop pacing. The chieftain set his hand on Edan’s shoulder and said, “We’ve combed all of this area for the bairns. We’re searchingthe rest of Islay for any faery hills, any new cottages hidden in the forests. It’s possible they were taken to be sold. That’s an evil event that happens often enough near ports. We’re acting on that belief. If we find any bairns we don’t know, we’ll surely contact you.”
“What do we do until then? I don’t have the forces to search the entire isle.” Edan had no idea what to do. It was his duty to take care of hisclachan, and clearly he’d failed. He’d failed not only his daughter but his nephew and sister.
“Where do you live?”
“Near Kilmeny. Not far. What can we do?”
Tavish leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms. “If you come to the conclusion that your wee ones were kidnapped by faeries, then I would recommend you head to Mull.”
“Mull? Why?” Edan had no idea what he was talking about.
“Have you not heard of Clan Grantham who took over Duart Castle?”
“Where we live, we hear naught. We keep to ourselves, only heading here or Finlaggan for supplies when we need them. Every two moons. We’ve not been off Islay for five years.”
