Page 76 of Luthias

“Will you stop?” she muttered to him, and then gave Luthias a reassuring look. “Nothing bad happened. Really, we’re just hanging out by the river, you know, skipping stones, and having a nice chat. I wanted to see more of the highlands and stuff. Camdyn’s going to be my buddy.”

“Indeed.” Taveon eyed the armorer. “Your buddy.”

“Yes. Ah, that means friend.” As the armorer started to swear she discreetly elbowed him. “Turns out that we have lots of things in common.” She grinned as brightly as she could. “I might even go and watch him hammer stuff in the forge later.”

As the laird strode forward Camdyn took Emery by the shoulders, lifted her off her feet and set her to one side. He then staggered back as the laird punched him in the jaw. Emery tried to get between them, but Taveon yanked her back out of the way and put a long arm around her shoulders to hold her against his side.

“Let them brawl, lass,” he told her, patting the side of her arm as Luthias lunged at Camdyn and knocked him to the ground. “’Twill be better for them both.”

“How is this better? Oh. No. Hey, you guys, stop it.” Emery cringed and winced as both men pounded each other while rolling back and forth, sending dead leaves and dirt flying all around them. “Violence never solves anything. Why can’t they use their words?”

“Fists are faster.” Taveon glanced down at her. “Why did you lie for Camdyn? He named you an enemy before the clan, and we ken he took you from the keepe.”

“He just wanted to talk to me because he’s worried about why I’m here. Couldn’t you tell?” Emery said as Luthias dragged a reeling Camdyn to his feet. “Isn’t that enough?” she called out to them. “Oh, come on, now, quit it. You’re both bruised and bloody. Manliness has been firmly established. Stop, please.”

“Stay out the way, wench,” the armorer said, panting the words. “My lord’s fist, ’tisnae ever steady.”

The laird wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. “I should toss your insolent arse in the dungeons.”

“You’d best favor another dagger, War Master,” Camdyn said without looking away from Luthias. “I reckon ’twill be some time before I return to the forge.”

“God, he really never knows when to shut up,” Emery muttered, and then in a louder voice said, “Hey, ah, my lord, I’m really cold and not dressed for staying outdoors. I could really get sick if I stay out here much longer, so can we go back and talk about this by that nice big fire in your castle?” When the laird eyed her she pretended to shiver, and he let go of Camdyn. “Hmmm. I guess the helpless wench card always works with you guys.”

Taveon gave her an amused look. “You’re the least helpless wench I’ve ever met.”

Luthias came and took Emery by the hand, leading her over to his horse. She gasped when he tossed her up onto the very hard wooden saddle, and then swung up behind her, encircling her waist with one arm and taking up the reins with his free hand.

“Wait,” he said when she started to say something, and then made a clicking sound as he turned the horse back toward the castle.

Emery glanced back at Camdyn, who was watching them go, and saw how Taveon was looking at the armorer. The bad-tempered highlander wouldn’t get another beating, but he’d probably have to listen to a lecture. She sensed he was more inclined to listen to the war master, who seemed to feel a little sympathetic toward him.

When they reached Dun Lasair’s front gate house Luthias halted the mount, swung down and then lifted her off, but didn’t put her on her feet. Instead he carried her through the enormous front gate, passing the wide-eyed guards and some of the clan inside the great hall. He stopped to mutter something to a guard, who gave Emery a quick look before he trotted off. The laird then climbed up the stairs and strode through the passages until he reached his chamber, where he took her inside and kicked the door shut.

As soon as he put her down Emery expected to be yelled at, not grabbed and hauled against his chest and hugged. He wasn’t shaking, but he definitely held her tighter than was strictly necessary.

“I’m okay,” she told him as he spread his hands over her back. “It’s okay.”

“’Tisnae,” he muttered.

Being held by the laird should have made Emery uncomfortable––she’d never been a touchy-feely person, and because she was petite people tended to treat her like a doll––but instead it felt good. She fit against him perfectly, so within a minute his big body had warmed up hers. It reminded her of the strange sensations she’d felt holding the Fire Sword, as if being wrapped in something thrilling and luxurious. She finally relaxed, enjoying for once being small and female.

“I really am okay,” she said quietly. “Camdyn’s just a lot of noise. He talks mean, but he’d never hurt me.”

Luthias drew back a little and stroked his hand over her hair. “I ken he wouldnae. ’Twas imagining how frightened you’d feel, taken away thus.”

He’d been concerned about her. As she gazed up into his face, her eyes lingered on the amber highlights of his blond hair. Then she looked into his violet and troubled eyes. It had been so long since anyone had worried about her that Emery felt her heart melt a little.

“He just wanted some inside information, and figured I’d tell him if he scared me enough. We really did talk it out.” She wondered if she should tell him about her water phobia, but that would only make him angrier with Camdyn. She stepped back to take off the cloak the armorer had given her. “Me being here is scaring him, and probably everyone else, too. Well, maybe not Taveon. Does anything ever rattle that guy?”

“Naught yet.” The laird started to reach for her again, then seemed to think better of it and instead went to the hearth. “You’ve come to save us, and here I cannae even guard you from my own brothers.”

Emery walked over to join him. “It wasn’t as bad as all that. Once I got him to open up Camdyn calmed down a lot. His first reaction to any problem seems to be anger. I’m guessing so is his second and third reaction.”

“He’s ever had a hot head,” Luthias admitted.

“You know, maybe hiding me away from the rest of the clan isn’t such a great idea.” She fisted her hands to keep from touching him again. “It’s better to let the rest of your people get used to me and talk to me––with no guards or anything. Give me something to do around the castle while I’m here, so I’ll fit in with everyone else.” And stay away from you, she added silently.

Luthias frowned. “What can you do, lass?”