Hagen had returned from Iona last eve but hadn’t said much. It was quite late when he’d heard him return and the lad looked exhausted. Connor had waved to him as he climbed the stairs, Jowell and Paden behind him.
He had to seek him out this morn.
Something was up.
Dyna came over after Tora left and whispered, “What now, Da?”
“Something about Hagen’s Bria. Do you know her?”
“Nay, but I’ve heard of her. The one with the spears. She’s Norse, I think. Brynja.”
“Your daughter says I have to help her.” Connor glanced around, looking for his son. “I’m going to go find him. Time to get up.”
He returned to the great hall, pleased to see that Hagen was eating a bowl of porridge, the only one in the hall at the moment. “You got in late, son?”
“Aye, we were on Iona, helping Brynja and Hildi, but Hildi was hurt and Brynja refused to come here.”
“From the beginning, Hagen. The last I heard, you were headed to MacQuarie land.”
“When we arrived, we told Thane about all we knew, and while we were on his parapets, he noticed two men headed toward Ulva. So we went after them and sure enough, the evil bastards went after Brynja and Hildi, who happened to be on Ulva gathering apples. The bastard grabbed Hildi, used her as a shield against Brynja, then threw her against a tree and she hasn’t awakened yet. We took Hildi to Beatris, then Brynja asked us to take her to Tiree, where we found the place where her mother lived and helped her find something buried behind the cottage, a cache of coins. It was her mother’s, but the soil had been loosened so we think one of the men found the coins and kept them hidden. We took it with us so now they may be after her for taking what is rightfully hers. And she refused to come to Duart though she promised if we took her to Tiree she would come to Duart.”
Connor nodded, then said, “Start from the beginning. Everything.”
Hagen sighed, but repeated everything, filling in with the missing details. “Now do you understand?”
“Somewhat. What is this lass to you? Is she the one you asked about? The one you are interested in? At least you thought you were. Is it any clearer to you now?”
Hagen’s gaze darted to five places around the hall. “Aye. I hope to make her my wife, Da.”
“From one or two times you met her?”
“How many times did you see Mama before you knew?”
“That is not the same thing.”
“How many times did Grandda see Grandmama before he knew?”
“That is not the same thing either.”
“Uncle Brodie and Aunt Celestina?”
Connor cursed. “You made your point. You say she’s refusing to come here. Tora had one of her moments a short time ago.”
“And?”
“And she said I have to help Bria. Hagen’s Bria were her exact words.”
“Shite. I don’t like that, but I’ll take you there to be safe. Those men could come for her.”
“Nay, no need. Tora said she’s coming here later.”
Hagen frowned. “She made it clear she had no interest in coming here. Something would have to change her mind.”
“Or someone.”
“Who are you thinking?”
Logan came down the staircase. “Simone will bring her here later. Avelina already told me so.”
