Grandsire climbed down from his horse and moved over to stand in front of Branwen. Alick edged a bit closer to her. His grandsire, though he’d probably shrunk a wee bit, was still a large man, and he towered over her. Although Branwen probably understood the Grants wouldn’t hurt her, he wanted her to know he supported her. That she needn’t worry with him by her side.
“Now, think before you answer,” Grandsire said. “Would you have recognized the voice of those men in the manor if they were in your uncle’s guard? Would you know the voices of the head of your uncle’s guard or his strongest warriors? His steward? Those would be the people most likely to be able to hide a captive in your dungeon.”
“I didn’t recognize any voices.”
Jamie asked, “Does your clan often put women in the dungeon? Is it a punishment they assign at your judgment day?”
She squared her shoulders and said, “I didn’t think the cells were in use at all. They never mention it at judgment day. My uncle usually assigns lashings or extra work for restitution. My sire was the one who put me there. I ran away after he attempted to marry me to an old man not of my choosing.”
“Did you notice anything else about her?” Alick asked gently. “What she was wearing? Her shoes? Anything?”
She shook her head. “Just her hair.”
Alick took both of her hands in his and asked, “If I go with you, can you lead me to that cell?”
She nodded. “Of course. They put the other prisoner in the last one, if I recall. And if I ask the stablemaster, he’ll know if anyone is there. He knows everything.”
Alick turned around to face the group. “Then we head that way, and Branwen and I will go inside the dungeon.”
Several of the others nodded, including Uncle Jamie and Els.
“I’ll agree with that plan,” Da said. “But I’m going too.”
His grandfather shook his head.
“What’s wrong, Grandsire?”
“Oh, I agree that a small group of us must go to Thane Castle, but you’re not going inside with Branwen. Assuming the stablemaster is willing to help, she’ll go with him and Dyna.”
“What?” Alick sputtered in disbelief. “She’s my mother.”
Da put his hands on his hips. “She’s my wife.”
Grandsire said, “Nay to both of you. You’ll compromise the whole situation because you’re too emotional.”
“Too emotional,” Da barked. “I can control my emotions.”
“And if your wife has been beaten?” Grandsire asked, looking from Da to Alick.
Fury pumped through him, so fast and furious he had to calm himself to reconsider his grandfather’s advice. It was the same fury he’d felt when he’d seen Branwen’s sire try to strike her. As usual, Grandsire was explaining his answer calmly, unruffled by the seriousness of their venture and its possible repercussions.
How Alick wished he could control his emotions the way his grandfather did.
The wizened warrior’s voice turned into a soothing baritone. “Have you forgotten the first time so quickly, Finlay? I would have thought it would stick in your mind forever.” Grandsire looked at Cailean, Sorcha, Branwen, and a few others. “Finlay carried Kyla to me after she’d been nearly beaten to death. Themen who did it almost killed him for protecting her.” He turned back to his daughter’s husband. “Even your hands shook as you held her. Can you promise me you’ll not do the same? You’re not the strong young warrior you were back then, and your son’s emotions will overpower him. Alick is a fine Grant warrior, but I never expect the impossible. Nor do I want anything to get in the way of my daughter’s safety—even the love you bear for her.”
A horrible look of grief crossed Da’s face. He left them, making his way to a nearby boulder, and sat down. The tears misting his eyes did not escape Alick’s notice.
“Alex is right,” Maggie said softly, her tone firm. “You two are too close. Branwen, the stablemaster, and Dyna should go in.”
“Why Dyna?” Els asked. “We can go in.” He had his arm wrapped around his wife, Joya.
Grandsire said, “Because Dyna found Branwen and got her out. She obviously knows how to get in and out of that cellar undetected.”
Maggie said, “Agreed.”
The others were a bit disgruntled, but Alick had to admit the plan made sense. Dyna was a talented lass and he trusted Jep completely.
He had to pray his mother was still there and unhurt.
