Brynja hopped off Hagen’s horse and moved over to Hildi, who hugged her friend and then passed out, Jowell catching her from behind.
Thane joined them, letting out a sharp whistle. “Artan, we need you.”
Artan arrived a few moments later and said, “We need to get them both back to Ionaland. Get one of the larger boats. Beatris will take care of her.”
Thane said, “I’ll send a few men with you to row. You’ll have to hold her, Brynja.”
“I can do that. Is she going to die?”
Artan arranged for the men to ready the boat, then the group headed to the shore to climb on the boat. Artan barked orders while Brynja went from Hagen to Jowell to Paden. “Is she going to die? Will she wake up? Please tell me she’ll live.”
Hagen said, “I think she’ll be fine, but she may not awaken until the morrow. The moon is bright so we can head across the water, but don’t wake her up. She needs her sleep.” He peered out over the water. “At least it is calm. We should get there quickly.”
The large boat headed toward Iona, four men rowing. Jowell held Hildi on his lap while Brynja leaned against Hagen. She could hardly keep her eyes open. Upset that her dear friend was hurt, she held onto Hagen’s arm as if she were about to be tossed out of the boat.
Once they arrived on Iona, Hagen got out first and helped Brynja, standing her next to him. Brynja watched as Jowell and Paden got Hildi out of the boat as carefully as possible, though she did not awaken.
“Which hut, lass?” Jowell asked, lifting Hildi into his arms.
“The small one on the end belongs to Beatris and she is the healer.” They headed that way, knocking on the door quietly. Beatris answered, cracking the door just a touch. “Beatris, I think Hildi is dying.”
Beatris opened the door, clutching her night rail around her, tightening the belt. “What happened, Brynja?”
“An evil man threw her against a tree. She hit it on her front and snapped her head back before she crumpled to the ground.She woke up once, heaved all over, then she went back to sleep. Can you fix her?”
Beatris said, “Please put her down here. I see she has a bump on her forehead. That’s probably why she’s still sleeping. I need to undress her and look at all her injuries. I’ll ask you all to step out while I do that.”
Brynja nodded, squeezing Hildi’s hand before she left.
The group stepped outside and Hagen asked, “Shall we escort you back to the nunnery or do you wish to stay here?”
“Neither one.”
He frowned, but then said, “What next then?”
“I have something I must do before Hildi dies.” She gripped the front of her tunic as if it were about to fly off into a raging storm.
“What? Can we be of assistance?” Hagen asked. “We will if we are able.”
“Not long ago, we lived on Tiree until evil men came to kill both of our mothers, who were sisters. Our mothers were Norse, and they told us that if we ever found ourselves in dire need, there was something hidden for us. The instructions were simple: dig behind our cottage in a specific spot, and we would discover something meant to help us, no matter the challenge we faced. I think we need it now, whatever it may be.”
Jowell, wide-eyed, asked, “And you wish to go now, in the middle of the night, in the dark?”
“Aye, we have the rowers. The moon is bright. I have to go now. If Hildi dies, I’ll never forgive myself. Besides, the cruel ones left and went in the opposite direction. They are not there now. It’s the safest time. Please. We’ve never been able to go before. No boat and no one to help us. We need a bigger boat to get to Tiree than what the monks have.”
Paden said, “Can’t argue with that reasoning.”
“On one condition,” Hagen said, crossing his arms.
“What?” she asked.
“You have to promise that if we take you to Tiree that you will visit Duart Castle after we return. If you can go off the isle for Tiree, you can go off the isle for Duart Castle.”
She glared at him, giving his words careful consideration. “I’ll agree, but you must help me dig.”
“We will,” Hagen said. “And you will go to Duart within a sennight.”
She thought for a moment, then whispered, “Agreed. Take me to Tiree.”
