Lachlann and Niall exchanged glances but shook their heads. “He is not right in the mind.”
“Tadhg is his kinsman. The knife was held until Daisy was returned.”
“Roana.” Sean’s weakened voice could barely be heard.
She looked at him, longing for a glimpse of that exasperated expression. Nothing.
“Yes, Roana. Sean needs to get the knife back. We need to find it.”
“The blacksmith’s,” Sean said.
Thomasina nibbled the inside of her lip. “Yea. We will find it.”
“And Daisy.” Sean sounded ready to pass out. He lurched to the side but Lachlann was there to hold him up.
“We need to get moving. When the soldiers find him gone, they’ll come looking for him.”
“Nae! He must have the knife!” Thomasina used her most demanding tone.
Niall searched her face but only nodded. “Take him up the hill. Tommy and I will catch up.”
Lachlann managed to mount his horse. He wrapped Sean’s arms around him and Thomasina would have laughed at the comical expression they both had if not for the seriousness of them getting caught. With a sure hold of Sean’s clasped hands, Lachlann kicked the horse into a trot. They didn’t have time to take an easy gait for Sean’s comfort.
Niall and Thomasina ducked into the blacksmith’s hut with the sunlight just making its presence known.
“So what does this knife look like?” Niall put his hands to his hips and glanced around the clutter.
Thomasina’s stomach dropped. “I dunna ken.”
Her brother’s piercing gaze said it all. How could she have not asked Sean about the knife? She swept her hair out of her face. “’Tis a knife. How many knives can there be?” She spied the coffer and went to it. “It has to be here.”
Thomasina picked up Sean’s shield that leaned against the side. His brat and sack were all there.
“These are Sean’s as well.”
“I will put them round back.”
Niall returned and they both knelt in front of the chest, poking around helmets, avoiding sharp blades, then started again. Top to bottom. Side to side.
“Damn. I see no knives.”
Niall sat on the floor, leaning his back against the chest. “’Tis of such great importance?”
“Aye. ’Tis to him! That I ken for certain—he had to get the knife back.” Irritation teased at her like a bug that wouldn’t leave. “I did have my horse back after our loving father gave her away, but I had to wait until Sean retrieved his precious knife before he would part with her.”
Niall frowned. “So Sean had Daisy?”
Thomasina glanced at her brother’s expression and wished she’d just kept her mouth shut about the whole thing. “It matters little now.”
A sudden alertness lit his eyes and he turned toward her. “So this man ye barely ken had yer horse?”
“This is immensely frustrating.”
“And look who we found here!”
Niall and Thomasina turned as one to see the man staggering toward them. Their father. They stood, Niall taking her by the hand as if to give her support.
“Been looking for ye, son. Ye been off kissing the arse of my brother again?”
