Lachlann glanced at Niall. “St. Gervadius. Well, now, we have the name of this Holy Man.”
“And now we have to find a way to gain entrance before we can even search for the treasure.” Niall’s hard tone was not unexpected.
Lachlann blew a breath. “I readily admit ’twill make the search more difficult—”
“—Impossible ye mean.”
Lachlann closed his eyes to fight his own irritation with the situation. When he sat forward, the water sloshed. “We had no reason to believe one way or another about the caves.”
Niall tipped his head non-committedly. Lachlann refused to mention that the cave might not be the right one.
“I wonder what these pagans are actually like that these people want them run off. How bad can they be?” Aldred asked, steam rising around him. “I mean, they canna have two heads or three arms.”
“Pagans,” Lachlann said, “in the truest sense, would have little regard for people. There are even stories of human sacrifices.”
“Ye’re called Pagan all the time,” Niall looked around Lachlann to see Aldred.
Aldred stared blankly. “They call me pagan to roil me.”
“I am a bit perplexed about the loyalties here.” Lachlann shrugged. “To whom do they swear fealty? Fight for? Pay taxes to?”
Niall shifted in his tub. “Our bearded friend—I believe he said his name was Brian the Red—is in charge here while the mormaer is away.”
“We’ve nothing left from yer uncle,” Aldred said.
“If needs be, I brought some items with me that ye can offer in tribute.” Lachlann still had the items he’d gathered in case Garnait had offered nothing. The gem-encrusted goblet from a lass he’d saved in his youth had great value. She’d been put out by her husband, a man of some importance, for adultery she never committed. An armlet her brother had pressed upon him when they’d been reunited did as well. These things meant little to Lachlann, unlike his father’s medallion that lay buried deep in his sack. He’d removed it when he took on his present guise.
“As pilgrims, I do not believe they expect anything of us.” Niall climbed out the tub.
Lachlann did the same, yanking the scratchy tunic over his head and securing it with the leather strap. He chose to go barelegged, which was not an unusual custom for highlanders, but it might be so near the sea.
It was decided they would find out what they could about the people living in the caves. They could always offer something from what Lachlann had brought if tensions arose, but it made more sense to offer their services for any work that needed doing since pilgrims usually had little of value.
Chapter 7
After Lachlann had convinced Niall to remain within the castle in the hopes of learning about the people living in the caves, he’d been disappointed by their lack of information. The castle folk did not trust the cave dwellers. They wanted them gone from the area and they expected the three pilgrims to do the removing.
Going to them with the intent of kicking them out wouldn’t serve their purpose. Strategy was what they needed. And strategy required knowledge. Cull’s invitation to join him and his wife on their trip to the market coming in a few days came at an auspicious time.
Lachlann, Niall, and Aldred said their goodbyes at the castle, tied their mounts to the back of a short, wooden cart, and put their faith in Cull’s ability to direct them to the people who dwelt in the caves. The three of them squeezed into the back of a cart never intended for people or their comfort. Lachlann wedged himself into a corner, one leg bent, one out in front with Niall in the middle. With all its bouncing and tipping from side to side, the tall sides were a blessing.
“The pagans always come to our market days.” Cull spoke calmly from his perch on the bench at the front of the cart, reins in hands, and his bride nestled close beside him as always. “And this is the first market day since Michaelmas. Sure to be a jovial event. Verra well attended, so they may not be easy to spot.”
“What is it that makes ye believe they are pagans?” Niall asked.
“They are never seen in our chapel, and the priest has expressed a concern for their souls. They also have an unusual liking for nighttime ceremonies.” Cull shuddered. “We’ve all come across one, but its best witnessed from the sea. A long procession of their torches moving along the ridges at all hours.”
“So how is it ye spot them at a fair among so many?” Lachlann asked, unable to keep irritation from his voice.
Cull’s shrugged. “It is more a sense of them rather than anything I can say to watch for.”
Lachlann’s challenging tone was thankfully ignored. He’d not anticipated having to retrieve the priory’s silver coin from among cave dwellers. He assumed the caves would be empty. Surely by now, those people would have discovered it themselves.
Aldred snored quietly beside Niall, who elbowed him and received no response. Lachlann would not have been so patient with the man.
“Lachlann, tell me again how long we have been here?” Niall whispered, an exasperated tone.
Lachlann snorted. “A mere two days that we have been amongst these kind and generous people.”
