“They didn’t stay with her, did they?”
“Of course not,” Androw snapped, insulted that Liam would ask. “They’ve been with Janet and me. Inburgh sobered enough to know the difference between her daughters, but she’s shown no remorse. She hasn’t been to visit or to demand they return. Everyone thinks she’s glad to be done with them. She won’t notice that they’re gone.”
“What will everyone say? I can’t wait until nightfall. As it stands, I’m likely to pass Gunter’s ships as I sail west. He’s as likely to attack me at sea as he is on land.”
“We know. The council and I met the day after Katryne’s beating. We were going to send them to Isbister if you weren’t willing to take them with you. We considered what would happen if you encountered Gunter on the open water. He has far more boats and far more warriors than you. He would slaughter you and take your goods, then sink your birlinns. You need to sail east and go around the southern tip of Rousay, past Egilsay, then around the southern tip of Shapinsay. You’ll pass Dingieshowe if you need to stop again. Otherwise, go directly to South Ronaldsay. You can hide for a couple days until Gunter’s swept through here. From there, you can finally sail to Dunbeath.”
“Where are they?”
“In my croft. Janet has food ready for you.”
“Do I need to sneak them to my boat?”
“No one but Inburgh would stop you. I haven’t seen her in a day. She could have drunk herself to death, and I wouldn’t know.”
As though Androw’s words summoned her, Inburgh lurched through her door and stumbled. She picked up her skirts and hurtled herself toward the two men as they passed the village well. Liam glanced at it, remembering that he’d first seen Elene as she argued with her mother beside the well. It felt like so much longer than a sennight ago. Elene felt like a friend he’d had since childhood. He’d told her stories only his siblings knew. He trusted her as much as he did any member of his family, and he respected her just as much. Liam looked back as Inburgh brandished a knife.
“You took my whoring daughter. You will not take my other two,” Inburgh shouted. Liam locked eyes with her and realized she was far more lucid than he expected. He wasn’t certain whether that made her more dangerous than an intoxicated woman with a blade. He would prefer not to face either. “Gunter expects us ready to sail when he arrives. His son and daughter and his new bride.”
“You’ve married already?” Liam’s brow furrowed.
“They haven’t, but in her mind, they have,” Androw whispered. “She’s not been right in the head since her husband died. She’s a complete bampot now.”
“Inburgh, I—”
“It’s Lady Inburgh to you now, you son of a whore. I’m a prince’s wife.”
Liam inhaled, struggling to grip his tattered patience. “Lady Inburgh, I took no one, and I’m here to take no one. I returned for my ships and to bid my friend and his wife farewell.”
“You lie!” Inburgh lunged. Androw grasped one arm while Liam squeezed the wrist of her knife-wielding hand. The dirk dropped to the ground as Inburgh wailed like an animal. People stopped to stare, but soon turned their back on the trio. The situation screamed to Liam, despite no one speaking. It was clear to Liam that the village cared not what happened to the woman; no one would come to her aid. He wondered if that extended to her children.
“I sentence you to two days in the stocks, Inburgh. You attacked a nobleman.” Androw shook the woman, who mumbled incoherent threats. He turned to Liam and tilted his head toward his home. As Androw dragged Inburgh to the public-shaming post, Liam recognized two village councilmen hurrying forward to help Androw. Liam supposed it was a blessing in disguise. She could no longer oppose the children leaving with him. He hadn’t lied. He hadn’t come to take Johan and Katryne. He believed they would choose to follow, so they could be with Elene.
He knocked once, and Janet pulled the door open as he prepared to knock again. He stepped inside to find the children staring out the window at the scene in the village center. Liam observed their expressions. Neither child’s expression reflected that they watched their mother being dragged, then forced to place her head and arms through the wooden holes before Androw locked the blocks together. He knew they’d noticed him, but neither turned to him until there was nothing left to see.
“Is Elene all right?” Katryne asked, her voice trembling.
“Yes. She’s safe, but she misses you both terribly.”
“We miss her,” Johan whispered. “Why did she leave us behind? It was so much worse than before.”
Liam approached and squatted, bringing him eye level to the children. “She truly thought you would be safe, even if you went to Norway. She feared staying would only endanger you more. But we all know that isn’t the case now. She desperately wants you to come with her.”
“Where’s she going?” Katryne asked.
“I’m not sure, but it’ll be somewhere in Scotland.”
“We don’t speak Scots well,” Johan pointed out.
“But you know Norn. Plenty of words come from Scots. It’s how I learned it so easily as a child. It’ll be easy for you to learn Scots, just like it was for me to learn Norn.”
“What if she wants to live among your people? None of us speak Gaelic.” Katryne appeared on the verge of tears. Speaking about her sister and their future elicited a far different reaction than observing their mother’s punishment.
“Gaelic will be harder to learn, but not impossible. If she chooses Dunbeath, there are plenty of children in the village and in my family who can help teach you.”
“Don’t they only speak Gaelic?” Johan’s lip trembled. Liam placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“My cousins speak Scots and Gaelic. My uncles, aunts, and grandfather all speak Norn. There are plenty who will help you.”
