“Brother Merrick,” Arran said. “I want ye to switch yer research to the southeastern tip of the island. Go through all the land records, old myths, anything that might relate to this area. See if you can find any record of old Norse settlements or myths relating to the place. Especially anything that mentions Njord.”
Brother Merrick nodded. “Aye, my laird. I’ll get to it immediately.”
“Good. And get as many people to help ye as ye need. Let me know the instant ye find anything.” He turned his attention to his other advisors. “Double patrols in that area. If we’re right, they’ve exhausted the other areas they’ve searched so that’s where they’ll attack next. I want to know the moment anything out of the ordinary is spotted. The raiders have always been one step ahead of us, but now we might just have the chance to turn the tables. Mal, take as many men as ye need and set up messenger relays to bring word back here as quickly as possible.”
Mal nodded. “Aye, my laird.”
Arran’s gaze returned to the map. He ought to feel pleased that they’d figured out their enemy’s strategy, but all he felt was a dark sense of foreboding. He stared at the south-eastern tip of the island.What’s there?he thought.What are ye looking for?
He had no idea, but one thing he knew for sure. Whatever it was, he had to stop them finding it.
Chapter Eighteen
“Are ye surethey canna sort this out themselves?” Rosaline asked as she and Jenna wove through the castle towards the great hall. “They aren’t children, ye know.”
Rosaline sounded uncharacteristically grumpy, and Jenna didn’t blame her. She’d probably feel the same if everyone forgotherbirthday.
“I don’t think so,” Jenna replied. “Cook looked pretty angry. Last I saw, she was waving a wooden spoon at the chamberlain like it was a sword. Ingrid said I best come find you before they come to blows.”
Rosaline harrumphed. “And where is Arran?”
“Out training with his men.”
“Of course, he is.” Rosaline muttered something under her breath in Gaelic and while Jenna couldn’t understand the words, she suspected it was not polite.
The corridors of the keep were unusually quiet for early evening—just as Jenna knew they would be. Rosaline, luckily, didn’t seem to notice, and stomped towards the great hall with a scowl on her face that would have curdled milk. Jenna tried to hide her smile as she followed the older woman.
Finally, they reached the doors to the great hall. They stood closed, which again, was unusual. Rosaline grabbed the handle and shouldered them open.
“I dinna know what the two of ye have been arguing about now but ye—” she began.
She trailed off as she caught sight of the crowd waiting inside. Her eyes widened as she looked around at the rows of tables laden with food and drink, at the garlands that had been hung from the rafters, at the three musicians that struck up a lively tune as she entered.
“What?” she murmured, eyes shining. “What is going on?”
Jenna came up beside her. “Surprise! Happy birthday, Rosaline.”
At that, everyone burst into a round of cheering and applause and cries of “happy name day” echoed around the room. Arran was standing by the high table and as the cheers died away, he came around the table and approached his mother. He gave her a flourishing bow.
“If ye will allow me to escort ye, my lady, we can let the festivities begin.”
Rosaline beamed. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “Ye organized all this?”
“Nay, I canna take the credit for that. Jenna and Ingrid are responsible—all I did was get out of their way.”
“Oh my!” Rosaline said. “I thought everyone had forgotten.”
“Not a chance,” Ingrid said as she came up on Rosaline’s other side. “Do ye like it?”
“Like it? I love it!”
“Then let’s get this party started!” Jenna said.
Rosaline laid her arm on Arran’s and he escorted her over to the high table, seating her in the place of honor—the chair that was normally reserved for him. Arran sat on her left side while Jenna took a seat to her right. She couldn’t help glancing at Arran as they took their seats. He was smiling at his mother, both more relaxed than she’d seen them in some time.
A warm sensation stole through her. For an instant she imagined what it would be like if this was her life. If she and Arran were togetherand Rosaline and Ingrid and all the others became her surrogate family. If this was her home. That warm feeling increased, spreading through her like honey, and bringing with it a mix of contentment and wistfulness.
“A drink?”
