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Caoimhe watched Egon march away, and part of her was tempted to call after him, but another part was still suspicious. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen him during the initial raid, and when he presented her with her father's ring, the only possible way he could have had it was to have taken it off Cameron directly. But the more she thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense. If he had done this, why would he show her the ring? Why would he give her any indication that he was responsible for holding her father captive?

She hated herself for jumping to conclusions, but her mind was wild, and there didn't seem to be any other possibility. She stared at the ring, clasping it tightly between her fingers. There was no mistaking that it was her father's ring. These rings were passed down from the leaders of the clans to their successors as a symbol so that everyone would know who was in charge. This ring had been forged generations ago, marked with the symbol of the river that would be forever flowing. But how had it come to be here? It didn't make any sense at all.

She wandered along a path toward the forest, which was her natural refuge. In the daylight, the forest was far more inviting than in the night, and she didn't sense any movement from anything else, so she didn't think Vikings were lying in wait. She walked along at a slow pace, trying to piece the fragmented thoughts together. All she wanted was some clarity. There was something about Egon that drew her in and intrigued her. The more she looked at him, the more she saw kindness in his eyes and some kind of vulnerability beneath his intimidating exterior, and yet conversations with him were always fumbling, awkward affairs. He antagonized her, and then she ended up saying something she regretted. It was much easier with Sven, and perhaps she should just accept the opportunity that fate had presented her with. But Egon had come to her with this for a reason, and she had basically screamed in his face and accused him of being a liar, a murderer, and a thief. No wonder he strode away.

She made her way through the forest and came out near a field where some of the villagers were hard at work. Beside the field were Sven and his Viking companions, sitting on logs and lounging against a fence, idly watching the Highlanders hard at work. It was a stark contrast to the way Egon had pitched in and helped when needed.

“Caoimhe, what a pleasure to see you out here. It seems as though the gods are bringing us together,” Sven called out with a smile. The men with him gave out dark chuckles and muttered secret things to each other, leering at Caoimhe. She kept her distance, relieved to see Sven but also a little wary of his companions. He left them to come to her and asked if she wanted to take a little walk.

“You look troubled,” he said as they walked through the forest to a small meadow, which was vibrant with the vivid colors of flowers.

“I suppose I am,” she said. “What were you doing there? Were you going to help the villagers?”

“We were taking a rest, actually, and discussing the best plan of attack. Things like this cannot be done rashly. There needs to be a lot of planning done. We're also patrolling every path into the village to see which one is more likely to be used by any potential attackers,” he said with a grin.

Caoimhe nodded, although she couldn't help but think to herself that they didn't look as though they were doing any work. But then again, she was not well versed in these matters, so she didn't feel as though she could pass judgment.

“Now tell me, my dear, what troubles you?” he asked again, this time with a more insistent tone, as if to say that he knew she had purposefully avoided the question moments before, and he wasn't going to let her get away with that again.

“I just feel troubled about the attack and what happened at my home. I want tae know what drives these Vikings. Why did they attack us? Is my da alive? There are sae many unanswered questions, and I'm worried that I'm nae gaeing tae learn the truth. I just miss him sae much,” she said, her words transforming into sobs.

“I know it must be difficult for you, but I promise you that you will have answers. I shall see to it myself. These Vikings are a scurrilous lot, and I'm sad to say that many of my brethren have forgotten what honor means. But there are those of us who still hold true to the old ways, who want to protect those who cannot fight for themselves.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, smiling with a look of reassurance on her face. “I just wish I had some answers.”

“I know, but perhaps it would help if you had some other matter to occupy your thoughts,” he said, stopping suddenly. “I saw the look in your eyes when you realized that I had been speaking with your family. You didn't expect it, did you?”

“I cannae say that I did.”

“Did they inform you of my intentions?” he asked.

Caoimhe blushed. “Aye, they did. Kylie is quite taken with ye. She thinks it would be a good idea for me tae pledge myself tae ye.”

“That is a relief to hear, but what do you think? Yours is the opinion that matters above all, of course. I went to them first because I wanted to be respectful, and working for Arne Hagen has taught me to be respectful at all times. But I wanted to tell you personally how I feel. All my life, I have been a man of ambition. I have worked hard to get to where I am today, and I plan to continue working hard to ensure that I make a name for myself. But I am no fool. I know that ambition is nothing without anyone to share in the triumph.

“So far, my life has been empty, Caoimhe. It may sound arrogant of me so please forgive me for that, but I have been waiting for a woman who is worthy of me, one who I know will stand by my side no matter what. I believe that woman is you. From the first moment we met, I was struck by your beauty and your courage. What you have been through is terrible, and a lesser woman would have lost her mind. But you...you are still standing, still willing to fight. I admire your determination, and I can think of no other woman who embodies the qualities I wish for in a wife.”

His words flew on wings, straight to Caoimhe's heart. She was struck by the intensity of his words and the earnestness in his voice. Standing there with him in the meadow, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to say yes, to let go of all her anxieties and doubts and begin a new life for herself right here in this silent, beautiful part of the world. But despite the seductive and sweet proposal, she could not bring herself to say a simple three-letter word because deep down, she knew that it would not make all of her problems go away.

“Sven, what ye're saying is sae sweet, and I'm really thankful and flattered, I really am, but I cannae marry ye when my father is still out there. I cannae allow myself tae be happy when I dinnae know what haes happened tae him. I wouldnae be a good wife tae ye or anyone. I need tae know what happened. I need tae know the truth,” she said, choking on emotion.

Sven placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke with all the confidence he could muster.

“Caoimhe, I understand completely. I would never expect you to do otherwise, but I wanted to make my intentions plain. I am not the type of man who waits for an eternity. I make a pledge to you now that we will not get married until we find your father, and I promise that I will find him.”

She gazed into his eyes and found herself believing him. It was so easy to be swayed by his confidence, yet the presence of the ring in the village still did not make sense. There was something here she was missing...but what?