Page 11 of The Fierce Highlander

“What have you learned, Penn?” Noble asked before the barrel-chested warrior brought his horse to a stop.

Leora was surprised at the contrast between the warrior’s sheared head and his bushy red beard and moustache that appeared to devour his mouth. He had more hair on his face than his head. She thought for sure both would stifle his voice, but he had a strong, distinct voice that was easily heard.

“Two men claim to call themselves Chieftain of Clan Skirling, neither are fit to do so, and neither are from Clan Skirling. And there are none in Clan Skirling fit or wise enough to lead the clan. The people themselves seem to be a good lot but suffering, their chieftain having been unwise. Much help is needed there. As you know, the land does not sit far from Clan Ravinsher, and the people there worry that Lord Slayer will take over their clan and Clan Skirling will exist no more.”

“Our men remain where they cannot be seen?” Noble asked.

“Aye, sir, they do, and are prepared for your arrival,” Penn said. “Also, Lord Slayer sent a small troop of warriors to wait with us for your arrival. Ross leads them and he has a message for you from Lord Slayer. They expect you in about three or four days.”

Leora had sat silent, listening to them, though excitement surged through her hearing that one of Lord Slayer’s warriors was at Clan Skirling. She would see if he knew anything about Sky and if he could possibly take a message to her to let her know that Leora was close and would see her soon.

“Did you come across any mercenaries on your way here?” Noble asked.

Penn shook his head. “None, but then I took a quicker path that is less traveled.” He nodded toward the prisoners standing together, the troop having been brought to a halt with his arrival. “I see that you came across a few.”

“Some claim they did not know it was Gallowglass they would face,” Noble said.

“Foolishness is not an excuse,” Penn said.

Leora had a good idea those were not Penn’s words. It was more something she would expect to hear her husband say. Her husband was rigid about obedience, and she wondered why. She had time to find out just as she had time to decide what to do about their marriage. Her only concern now was her sister Sky, all else could wait.

They were soon on their way again and both she and Noble remained silent. She had much on her mind, and she imagined Noble did as well. It was quite a while later when Noble finally broke the silence.

“If Clan Skirling is offered to me, it would mean you would remain close to your sister Sky.”

“That would be selfish of me to want her nearby. Sky needs to return home and be with family,” Leora said, a tightness settling in her chest when she thought about what Sky had gone through at the abbey.

She wondered how her sister was after having lived with a hood over her head and chained to the wall for a few weeks. It would drive any sane person mad and yet the abbey supposedly had taken on the task of helping the insane. Leora had seen firsthand that had not been true.

“I have my doubts that Slayer will allow your sister to leave his care. Knowing him, he would feel it was his duty to see his brother’s widow kept safe.”

“Perhaps Penn heard something about my sister, I could ask him,” she suggested.

“You will say nothing to him,” Noble ordered.

“Why?”

“Because I command it.” He pressed his finger to her lips to silence any protest. “No more. It is done.”

Maybe for him but not for her, though she held her tongue since arguing would get her nowhere. When she got a chance, she would speak with Penn.

It was hours later that they finally stopped for the night. Leora had to admit that her husband was well organized. He sent men ahead of them to hunt and set up camp so that food was ready to eat and campfires were ready to keep the chilly night at bay.

Leora was exhausted from the long day, and she ate little, more interested in sleep than food. She stretched out on the blanket on the ground provided for her and secured her cloak around her. The heat of the campfire drifted over her, and it was not long before she fell asleep.

Noble watched his wife from where he sat talking with Penn. He did not like that she barely ate or that she looked like she would topple over from exhaustion at any moment. He was glad when she finally laid down and fell asleep. She would need her strength since he intended to hurry their pace tomorrow so they could reach Clan Skirling sooner than planned.

“What else have you to tell me, Penn?” Noble asked, the message having been clear when he mentioned Ross. There was more to tell but not in front of others. It was the way of the Gallowglass warriors to speak in a code of sorts that only they understood.

“Ross has a message for you from Lord Slayer. It is imperative that you hear it before you arrive at Clan Skirling. Do you think this could be it, sir?” Penn asked, hope in his voice. “Could Lord Slayer be offering us a permanent home, a clan of our own?”

“It is a possibility, Penn, but we will still serve him, serve the Gallowglass.”

“Will we?” Penn shrugged. “Ross seems as tired as many of us who have fought for so many years. Do not think I would not fight for the Highlands. I will always do that. It is just that I would rather fight more often to protect a wife and gaggle of bairns than fight others’ senseless battles.”

Noble understood, he had been feeling the same lately, more so since he had accepted the marriage proposal Slayer had put forth. He would not mind hearing the laughter of children rather than the sounds of battle.

“If not Clan Skirling, then another clan,” Noble said.

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