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“Nay,” Roan said. “The lad, Philip, sleeps and will not wake. He took a tumble while playing, got a good gash on his head, and soon after collapsed and has not woken since.”
“I must go and see if I can help him,” Bliss said. “But there is Dolca to consider.”
“The women tend her, giving her your special brew. She rests comfortably, and her cough has subsided.”
“I am relieved to hear that, and now we must go immediately to the lad, Philip.”
“There is a problem with that,” Roan said.
“What problem?” Trey asked, stepping alongside Bliss.
She had sensed him standing behind her, leaving her and Roan to talk. But with a problem at hand, she would have expected nothing less than for him to step forward and protect her.
“The lad isn’t a Pict. His father, Albert, ventured into Pict territory specifically in search of you,” Roan said with a nod to Bliss. “He begged for your help. Albert and his wife Teresa had been blessed with their son after many years of marriage and all hope of having children gone. They cannot bear losing Philip, their only child.”
“I see no problem,” Trey said. “Bliss tends all people, Pict or not.”
“It’s where the child lives that presents the problem,” Roan said. “He lives north of the Pict borders, and, recently, a large contingent of the king’s men has established a camp in the area between Pict territory and Albert’s farm. He had managed to avoid them on his way here, keeping to the deep woods when possible. Just as he reached Pict territory, he spotted a troop of the king’s soldiers and wasn’t surprised to see that they were headed in the direction of the camp.”
“It appears King Kenneth is getting ready to attack from the north,” Trey said.
“You must go and warn your family,” Bliss urged.
“And you?” he asked and answered. “You will go to heal the lad.” He looked to Roan. “Can you send someone to take the news to my brothers?”
“If that is what you wish,” Roan said. “Or perhaps you would prefer to take this news yourself. My men and I can get Bliss safely to the lad.”
“And if attacked?” Trey asked. “Will you retaliate, thus declaring war on the king?”
“The Picts will have no choice but to join in the fray sooner or later,” Roan said. “We cannot continue to stand apart from it.”
Trey rested a hand on Roan’s shoulder. “Then choose the right time. Besides”—Trey removed his hand and wrapped his arm around Bliss—“I protectmy wife.”
Bliss had not wanted her people to know of their strange union. Marriage was sacred to the Picts and never taken lightly. Few, if any, ended their marriages willingly, death being the only thing parting husbands and wives permanently.
Roan broke out in a grin after a moment of shock passed. “What wonderful news. The Picts will surely want to celebrate this special union.”
“There is no time for celebration now,” Bliss said. “Too many are suffering, and no doubt more will with war on the horizon.”
“What better time than for all to know that you have wed a MacAlpin. They fight for the true king, and when he takes the throne, our people and land will be safe once more.”
Bliss hadn’t considered what her marriage to Trey could mean for her people. Of course it would help them. In order to be a true king of Scotland, one had to have been born of a Pict mother and, therefore, the true king would protect his people.
How foolish of her not to realize the significance, and perhaps it made clearer the reason fate had brought Trey and her together.
“Not if we don’t get news of this troop buildup to my brothers,” Trey reminded. “Time is needed to alert those who will fight at our side to prepare for battle.”
“I will see to it,” Roan said.
“Also, I would prefer to deliver the good news of my marriage to my family, but do advise them that I will return home as soon as I can.”
Bliss was relieved that he chose not to spread word of their union to his family. It would only complicate matters, and it was complicated enough already.
“I could send men to follow you discreetly and help only if necessary,” Roan said.
“And if something happens that provokes the king, it could place your people in harm’s way. And that I will not do,” said Trey.
“This is all right with you?” Roan asked, turning to Bliss. “All will be well?”
