“That is where you had that strange experience. You became ill. I thought you were going to fall or be pulled into the water.” She paled at the memory.
“Aye, there. That is on Loch Harray. The markings are on the other side, near the Watchstone and its mate.”
“We did not search because you were ill,” Soren said.
“Mayhap we need to look there? We might have missed whatever this symbol means?” Then she touched a place near Brodgar’s Ring—the drawing showed a smaller stone or monument. “We may not have been careful when we searched the stones for any signs or messages.”
Ran had a keen mind and could pick up patterns quickly. And he did not miss her reference to their distraction the morning after their first day and night together.
“Should we look closer?” she asked.
“Let us first speak with William. He asks that we tell him of our plans and movements.”
Soren gathered up the completed copies and rolled them. Handing them to Ran, they left the chamber and the broch and walked out. They did not wish to draw attention to their presence there or to give Hugh any sign that the broch held some significance. So, only three priests worked in the chamber at a time, with another keeping watch from over the rise near the road.
The main responsibility of the watchman was to close up the stairway if anyone approached and to leave. Soren had spent most of this last day overseeing both transporting the necessary priests and keeping watch over them and the broch. From up high, Soren could see anyone on the north road miles before they grew close.
Marcus estimated that they would finish their work here in one more day. Then the whole of the knowledge shared by Einar would be ready for their study. He was continually surprised by everything he learned about his grandfather.
A priest? And that of great power and abilities?
And he had grown up believing his grandfather was just a little daft and held some questionable philosophies. Had Soren’s own resistance been the reason Einar had delayed in sharing this knowledge? He would never know now.
They stood in the shadow of the broch, hidden from prying eyes, when he held his hand out to her. She accepted his touch more easily now, but there remained a divide between them. They had not lain together since that morning on Birsay. She slept in the women’s tent and he barely slept anywhere he laid his head.
Reunited in a manner but still very separate, he thought, as if she held some secret from him even as he held his own critical one from her. Love was not the issue for them—he doubted not that their love remained even after his betrayal and two years of separation. Now, trust was the challenge.
She did not trust him.
Soren squeezed her hand and took her in his arms. It took only moments to take her to the encampment and though he became the wind, he could feel her body within his embrace. If he did not put her on her feet immediately, well . . .
“Ah, you have returned.” William approached with Aislinn and her ever-present guard.
Ran held out the rolled parchments to William. “They are quite effective at this task,” William said, nodding to Aislinn.
“It is strange for us to have a written document of our beliefs,” Aislinn said. “Our faith has been handed down from generation to generation through prayers and songs and stories. To see these”—she nodded at the vellum sheets—“is strange and wondrous.”
“I think we may have missed something at Stenness or Brodgar,” Ran said. “There are many markings in that area that we do not understand yet.”
“Ran wants to go and make a closer examination of the Watchstone and the smaller stone just outside Brodgar’s Ring,” Soren explained.
“Two priests are there now,” William said. “Tell them what you seek and they can help.”
“Once Marcus and the others examine these, we should make our plan.” Aislinn looked from William to him. “Brienne said Hugh has touched the goddess. Her own powers have flared uncontrollably.” This development did not sit well with the warrior.
“Where is she?” he asked.
“Away from us, in the hills, until she can gain control,” Aislinn explained.
“Damn it,” William shouted. “Damn him to hell!” His skin began to shift to blue and his eyes blazed. The Warblood was very close. He strode off, calling out orders and growling as he went.
“He will seek her out,” Aislinn explained. Soren knew from the look in the man’s and the warblood’s eyes that his mate would not be alone for long.
“How does he do that?” Ran asked. “Change into that creature and yet keep control.”
“Love.” He turned at the single word reply. She continued. “His love for her and hers for him enables them both to retain their humanity even while in their bloodline form.”
He shook his head. Before he could say anything, Aislinn touched his hand.
