Page 26 of Unchain the Highlander's Heart

“You will only antagonize the clan further, Murdina. I am grateful to you for helping me. But if I might be allowed to rest a while now. Perhaps I will remember something more,” Kin said, and Murdina reluctantly agreed.

“There is one thing you might do for me,” Kin said, and Murdina nodded.

“Aye, I can try,” she replied.

“The key and the coin–they can hardly be used as weapons. If I am to have a sword–albeit a blunt one–then I would wish for the key and the coin to be returned, too,” he replied.

“I shall see what I can dae,” Murdina said, though she could see no reason for her father to refuse.

She had hoped he would be willing to fight her there and then, for she was anxious to practice her skills, but he seemed tired, and his injuries still appeared to trouble him. Reluctantly, she agreed to visit him later with news of the key and the coin, and leaving him and Cillian alone, she made her way back downstairs to the great hall where she found her father in council with several of the clansmen.

“Has our guest settled into his new quarters?” her father asked, and Murdina nodded.

“Aye, he seems to have done,” she replied.

“Be wary of that man, laird–he brings trouble, I am certain,” one of the clansmen said, and the others muttered among themselves.

But Murdina ignored them, happy in the thought that soon her opportunity to escape this cloistered life would come and that in Kin, she had found a kindred spirit, one whose wings were eager to take flight, too.

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