“That and the fact that many a mama cat allows the runty ones to be pushed aside by the others,” said Sigimor. “One of those ugly, hard facts of life.”
“Of which there are far too many,” said Jolene.
“True, but at least we are in a quiet time, no battles or wars. Havenae e’en had a raid. Men are getting soft,” he said with a hint of sadness, but he glanced at his wife as he spoke, and his eyes were full of amusement.
Gybbon decided it was time to talk about something that would draw Sigimor from his game of irritating his wife into yelling at him. “So, what do ye think should be done about her cousin?”
“Kill the murdering bastard,” Sigimor replied. “Aye, and as quickly as ye can.”
“Sigimor,” Jolene said in such a mildly scolding tone Gybbon suspected she agreed with her husband. “Killing is not always the answer.”
“Sometimes, lass, it is the only answer. Dinnae forget, the mon now seeks to get his well-bloodied hands on a lad of only seven and make sure he isnae alive long enough to inherit what his poor murdered parents have left him.”
“True. I just find it hard to believe anyone would murder a whole family just to have their house and lands, especially when there is a big inheritance coming his way anyway.”
“That reasoning is what troubles Mora now and then,” Gybbon said. “She cannae understand it, either. In truth, it does make little sense. They are killing people for what is but a small piece of the estate their da holds, and I dinnae believe Robert intends to share any of that with his brothers, either.”
Gybbon shook his head over the senselessness of it all and asked Sigimor, “So where is this son ye are so puffed up about? And, come to think of it, where are your lassies?”
“My son is asleep as all smart bairns should be, and my beautiful girls are visiting Ilsa. They do that now and then, so when the illness came I sent them right off to her.”
“I hope ye sent her some help to deal with them as weel,” Gybbon teased.
“Seven maids,” said Jolene. “The ones that often help care for them so they know all their tricks.”
Gybbon laughed but then grew serious. “Mora’s uncle, the laird and the father to her cousins, had fallen ill. It was soon after that happened that the trouble began.”
“She thinks they had a hand in that, does she?” asked Sigimor.
“Aye. It fits, doesnae it? The laird liked her parents a lot. Her father was his youngest brother even though they had a break that ended the closeness they used to have, and the mon never had a problem with what the mon had been given.”
“Then Robert decided he wants that piece back and suddenly the laird is near to dying. The mon who was caring for him has also been killed and Robert is blaming Mora. He is claiming she stole his sword and cut the mon down.”
“That wee lass?”
“Men are all too quick to believe women are murderous liars.” Jolene shook her head. “And if they are led to believe she did it because the mon kenned she was poisoning the laird, something else all men believe women commonly do, then she has to also worry about the sheriff or his men.”
“Aye, sadly true. I just wish I kenned a way to find out the fate of her other two brothers. There is nary a male to stand for her now and it would help a great deal if she had one.”
“She has you, and a Murray on your side is not a bad thing to have.”
“Nay, it isnae,” said Sigimor, “and I would stand at her side if it was needed as weel. Mayhap ye ought to get her to Gormfeurach.”
“Her parents told her to come shelter with you.”
“I ken it, and she is most welcome if that is what she chooses, but right now my keep and, sadly, a lot of my men in it are too sick to be much help.”
“The sickness spread so far?”
“Aye. ’Tis why I decided to get the three of us out of there. I was slower to act than I really liked but have been keeping a watch on things. It appears to be passing but they are all weak as babes.”
“Then, aye, I will take her to Gormfeurach as soon as we can find the boy.”
“That I can help ye with. We will set to it in the morning.”
“I will tell Mora.”
“Do ye mean to take her with ye?”
