“Did she say how big the piece was? A necklace? A ring? A brooch?”
“She never said, just that she wished for us to dig it up if we ever left. But of course, the idiots who killed her didn’t know what was here and I had forgotten too. I will be grateful if anything is still there.”
“Have you any idea what it might be? A spear, mayhap? Did she teach you how to use a spear?”
Brynja smiled, the warmth of the memory of her mother the first time she threw a spear washing over her. “Aye. She was so good with a spear, but I doubt she hid one. She wanted the men to know she had many of them. In fact, she used them on a fewfools who thought to sneak up on her at night. She left one under her bed so she could grab it before her attacker even knew she was in the bed.”
“Truly? She sounds like a powerful woman.”
“She was. And she killed two men who tried to sneak up on her.”
“Who taught her?” Hagen asked.
“Her sire. She brought three with her when she traveled with the Norse. She was to hunt with them, her father also, and they joined a group traveling to the land of the Scots. They were told there were riches everywhere, so twenty of them came to the Highlands, surprised that they found no riches other than wood. Her father died when they landed on Arran. They lost another five to the same fever, then the Scots found them and stole my mother and her sister away. Hildi is my cousin. They kept them for a while, then dropped them on Tiree and left. Mama said they tired of them, and she’d never been happier than that day.”
“A forced relationship,” Hagen said, his gaze narrowing as he stared off over the sea. “I’m sorry you had to deal with such a life, lass. Every bairn should know their father and their mother.”
“I need nothing from my sire. He was just a man who planted a seed, no more.”
“That’s a bit harsh, is it not?”
She shrugged. “I’ve not seen evidence of any great sires. Sheona’s father treated her horribly. The poor lass sobbed after he left.”
“Dermot Rankin can be difficult. I wish for you to come to Clan Grantham or Clan Grant, so you see how others live their lives. I look forward to the visit you agreed to take if we are successful on this journey.” Hagen patted her arm, but she quickly pulled it away from his touch, glaring at him.
She pointed up ahead. “Those are our two cottages. Ours is the first one, Hildi’s the second one, so it should be planted under the apple tree behind the closest hut.”
“Have you a shovel for digging?”
“There should be two behind the cottages.”
Hagen and Paden checked the cottage, pleased to see both were empty, though they both showed signs of recent visitors. The men were probably still on the boat, as Brynja had said.
They located the shovels, and Hagen said, “I’ll start, Paden. You keep watch out front. If we have to dig up too many spots, I’ll switch with you for a bit.”
“Any time you need a break, just ask. I’ll switch.”
The area was deserted, but Hagen glanced in three directions before making his way over to the tree. Brynja already had a shovel in her hands, pointing to an area directly under the apple tree. “There.” She pointed, and he nodded.
“I see it. In fact, I think the dirt looks like it’s soft. Why else would anyone dig back here?”
Brynja stuck her shovel into the soft dirt and hit something hard with a clunk. She glanced at Hagen who reached down, easily pushed the dirt aside and pulled out a small box. He set it on the ground and said, “Go ahead, open it and I’ll see if there’s anything else.”
Brynja tipped it sideways to knock all the soil from the top of the box, then opened the latch gingerly, lifting it up. She gasped, grabbing Hagen’s arm. “Oh, my word, look.” A wide smile crossed her face at the number of coins inside. “They’re gold and silver, both. How much are they worth?”
Hagen stopped and lifted a few of the coins, allowing them to drop through his fingers. “These are old coins. Probably worth a fortune. But I’m confused by the soft dirt.”
“What do you think it means?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at nothing.
“I think it means someone in that cottage found it but is keeping it hidden. Probably taking some to get supplies, then hiding it again. Mayhap there were others inside he didn’t wish to see.”
“Who are they? The ones you saw on the isle. You think they are living here? The same men that were in the boat?” Hagen asked.
“One was named Sholto. He’s the one I hit with my dagger. He and his boss went in the opposite direction. And I thought that other man might have been the one who killed my mother and my aunt. I need to get a better look at him. I would wager they are both living here, but I also think they’ll be back. I think we take it and leave.
“Wait.” Brynja said. “I think there was more. Mama said there was something special. Please dig a wee bit more?”
“All right.” Hagen began to dig, the soil much harder to dig through. “What makes you think there is more?”
