Page 19 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
“Come with us,” he told the lad.
The young one shook his head vehemently. “I canna. I’ve got to… I’ve got to find my family.”
Beiste frowned, contemplating whether he should simply scoop up the scamp and tell him to keep his mouth shut or to let him wander the wilderness, possibly being eaten in the process, no doubt starving before he found anyone. Nay. That made his decision quite sound. Human decency, not to mention his position in the land as a leader, dictated he simply could not allow the poor thing to suffer. Even if it hindered their mission.
The child had been brave enough to keep an eye on the enemy to see where they went. He deserved, at least, some protection for the night.
“I didna ask ye, lad.”
The gulping sound coming from the lad’s throat was loud enough to reach everyone’s ears and caused a few snickers amongst the men.
The child stepped forward, his feet bare, no doubt covered in bloody, infected scrapes from walking the woods.
“Where are your shoes?” Beiste shook his head. “Never mind. We’ll get ye something to wear.” He held out his hand to the lad, helping him up behind him on the horse. With the moon shining on his face, the lad looked somewhat familiar. Perhaps a trick of the light or, mayhap, even all bairns looked the same. “What is your name?”
“Er—John, sir.”
“I am Laird MacDougall.”
That brought about another round of shivers from the lad, which Beiste ignored. He nodded to his men and they rode down the hill to the castle. The gates were wide open. The specters of the once grand castle welcoming anyone who dared to enter. The scouts quickly dismounted and made a tour of the grounds and keep, only to return to tell Beiste it was, indeed, abandoned.
Any clues as to the Viking who’d taken hold of the place were left in the ashes of small fires, if there ever were any.
“Eat a meal, get some rest. Come first light, we go back to Dunstaffnage for reinforcements. Together, we will ferret out the enemy in the mountains.” Beiste glanced around the eerily empty bailey. “Close the gates. I reclaim this castle in the name of MacDougall.”
A vision of his father flashed before his mind’s eye.
“For now,” Beiste added.
He’d honor his father’s legacy and give the castle and lands back to Erik Cam’béal as soon as the man could be found.
