“But wait, you take people out on cruises to search for you!”
“Yes sir, I do. I have a lot of fun doing it. Occasionally, my friend will take a group out and I’ll make an appearance but not too often,” the Captain said with a wink. “Don’t want to become commonplace. A lot of people around here make their living from the Loch Ness Monster, so I do what I can to help out.”
“Now I get it…if something happened to the boat, you’d be able to save us.” Chuckling, Logan turned to Kieran. “Later, we’re going to have a talk about keeping secrets, mate.”
Giggling, Kieran responded, “Sure, I think a perfect place to do that is in bed with my mouth wrapped…”
“Never mind,” Logan said, cutting Kieran short. “Should we get down to business? I’m pretty sure you didn’t pull me out of bed just for me to find out there’s really a Loch Ness Monster.”
Laughing at their antics, the Captain said, “Ye two are perfect for each other.” Then he turned serious. “Yer right about that, Logan. Do either of you know about the dragon clan MacDùghlas?”
Logan looked at Kieran who shook his head. “No, what about them?”
“The MacDùghlas clan is the oldest in Scotland and they’re also the richest. However, Fate hasn’t been kind to them. The head of the clan is a dragon by the name of Artur MacDùghlas and he’s sick.”
“So, what does that have to do with the Shaman? He can’t save Artur,” said Logan. “You need a doctor.”
“Aye, but he can save Artur’s son.”
“His son? Why does he need saving? And from what?” asked Logan.
“From his father,” said the Captain.
Kieran spoke. “What is his father doing to him?”
“He’s chained the boy up in a cave, refusing to feed him or give him water. If he isn’t rescued soon, the boy will die.”
“Why would a father do that?” asked Logan.
“I don’t know. All I’ve been told is the boy’s in mortal danger.”
“Something doesn’t make sense. Does Artur have more children?” Logan asked.
“No, every son born to Artur met with an untimely death. It was his wife who pleaded with the Fates to give them a healthy son to carry on the family name. Eventually, her prayers were answered, and they had Fionn, who escaped all the childhood ailments that had plagued the other dragonlets.”
“Where’s the mother? I can’t believe she’d allow this to happen to her only living son,” said Kieran.
“She died a few years ago and ever since then Artur hasn’t been the same. I’m sure his wife’s death probably accelerated his decline.”
“Where is Fionn?” asked Kieran.
“Don’t know,” said the Captain. “Only know he’s in one of the caves in Appin. We haven’t been able to find which one, but I was told you could.”
Logan looked at the Captain as if he’d lost his mind.How is Kieran supposed to discover which cave the boy is in when no one in Scotland can?
Chapter 38
“How many dragons are in Scotland?” asked Kieran.
“Now? Only the MacDùghlas clan,” answered the Captain.
“And that clan consists only of the father and son, right?” Kieran asked.
“Aye. That’s why we’ve got to find the boy.”
“Where’s the father now?” asked Logan, worried about what a dragon might do to Kieran.
“He was called out of the country on business.”
