He’d guessed Alasdair would disguise himself to be Grandsire. He had the coloring and the height, so he had to admit it was probably their best chance of getting inside the cottage where John was being held captive.
They had to get him out.
Except Els was wrong—as the lead group came closer, becoming easier to identify in the dark, he realized the impossible really had happened. The man who looked like GrandsirewasGrandsire. His father and Alick rode on one side of him, Dyna and Alasdair on the other. God’s teeth, but he’d guessed the man behind his sire had to be Uncle Finlay. His eyes surely must be deceiving him.
Seeing his family like this, accompanied by about a dozen guards, gave him a strong sense of pride. With these Grants, they’d be successful for sure.
As they approached, they changed to riding two abreast. He led them back into the clearing where he had a small fire going for warmth, and when they dismounted, he couldn’t contain his first question. “Da? Why are you and grandsire here?”
“Why?” his father replied. “Because we’re Grants. You’re my son, and I’m here to support you and Joya. Alasdair has filled us in on everything. Grandsire has been practicing and he’s going in after John. Alick and Uncle Finlay are here to help, and your mother and Aunt Kyla are staying back at the castle with Emmalin so she doesn’t have to suffer alone. We left about three score guards there just in case this is some foolish way to go after MacLintock Castle while we’re gone, but we don’t think so.”
Els turned his disbelief to his grandfather. “Truly, Grandsire?”
“Stop looking so surprised. I’ve been training to build my strength. At least I know all my hard work with Connor will come in use. The English stoop to a new low of stealing laddies out of their homes.” His gray eyes were as sharp as ever.
Els had to admit he had a warm feeling deep in his belly just knowing he had all their support. “My thanks to you. I’m glad you’re here. I worry about John and Joya both. There are hundreds of English camping in the forest.”
His father clasped his shoulder and said, “Remember who your clan is. We haven’t been beaten yet. We have been challenged many times, but we’re quite adept at overcoming adversity.”
How he hoped they’d be victorious again, for this might be their biggest challenge yet.
Once they gathered around the fire, Alasdair said, “Tell us what you know.”
Els assembled his thoughts, still adjusting to all the assistance he hadn’t expected, then said, “I know which hut they’re being kept in. It’s quite isolated, but it has two rooms. One of the sheriffs, though I haven’t determined which one yet, is running the operation. Joya managed to get inside the English camp. She’s been taking care of John, changing his rags and feeding him, while the two scurrilous bastards the sheriff hired watch over them. She says the sheriff will relinquish John to you once Grandsire is in their custody. They will then take him to King Edward to be hanged and quartered for all to see, thus taking out the biggest army of warriors who could be called in to help King Robert. He will be paid well for delivering you to Edward, Grandpapa.”
Jamie chuckled. “They think killing my father will put an end to the Grants? Edward doesn’t know us at all, does he? We’d fight even harder.”
Dyna said, “He must feel ’twould be enough of a statement to risk many of his men to accomplish the foul deed. My guess is he believes if he takes out the great Alexander Grant, no one else will dare stand against him.”
Els got a wide grin on his face. “How wrong he is. We shall prove who is the strongest. I know whose side I wish to be on if it comes down to a battle between the Grant lairds and King Edward.”
Grandsire smiled. “We shall see if the hedgeborn English scoundrel can handle me.” He pulled his sword out of the sheath given to him by his father, embedded with gemstones, and stood back to heft it up over his head. “John,Seanairis coming for you.”
Els looked at Alasdair and said, “Seanair?”
Alasdair sighed as Uncle Finlay grinned at their grandsire. “John can’t say grandpapa or great-grandsire.Seanairis Gaelic for grandfather. He says it like shennar. He likes it because itsounds like Aleshander Grant, his idol. But I must ask, Els—you have spoken with Joya? You know she has seen John and he is hale?”
Els nodded, and then explained what had happened at Glen Trool, telling them how Joya’s cunning had allowed the Scots to outsmart the English.
His father said, “Joya is a talented lass.”
“What else did she say about John?” Alasdair asked.
“They called her in to change his raggies. She said she spoke with him. They’ve been giving him some potion to make him sleep, but he was awake and playing with his wooden sword when she saw him.”
“I owe Joya more than I can ever repay her. I’m amazed she found her way inside and managed to get word to you.”
“The mistake is in men’s foolish minds,” Dyna said. “Thinking lasses belong at home.”
Els added, “She also spoke with Robert the Bruce, and I met him. Though we’d met at Methven, he didn’t recall. He’s doing well. I believe we’ll come out ahead.” Especially now that the cousins were together. If ever there were a time for their ability to work, it was now—with both John and Grandsire at risk. His eyes shifted to his grandfather as the man moved about the clearing, testing the weight of his weapon. Despite his age, his movements had the fluidity of a great warrior.
The man was something to watch, and he noticed he wasn’t the only one doing so. Alick, Alasdair, and Dyna all stared at their grandfather, not used to seeing him like this—they were accustomed to receiving his wisdom, but now he was taking a more active role.
“What’s the plan?” Dyna asked. “We need to end this.”
Alasdair said, “From the message they sent us, I’m to go with Grandsire to an inn at the edge of the burgh and tell them I’m Alex Grant with a package. They’ll lead me to the place. He’sallowed one escort only, so the rest of you will go with Els and hide wherever he recommends. I’ll post our guards at various points in the burgh, waiting for any sign of trouble or wee laddies being transported in the dark.”
“I’m ready, Alasdair,” Grandsire said without hesitation. “Lead on.”
