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The three of them left the village and made their way to the shore, where a boat was waiting for them. They loaded their supplies in the boat and then rowed away. Douglas took the oars while Colby sat there. Brenda kept staring at Colby, hating the way he seemed to be in complete control of the situation. There was no way to speak to Douglas about the things she wanted to speak to him about with Colby there, so Brenda held her tongue and remained silent during the journey across the sea. The current was gentle, and the water was not choppy. It was a calm day, and the journey to the Highlands from the island wasn’t a long one; however, it did annoy her that Colby did not even offer to row. When she pointed this out, Colby told her that he had an old wound that prevented him from moving his shoulder, although she wasn’t sure she believed him at all.

He didn’t help to pull the boat up the shore either, keeping it safe from the gentle caress of the tide. Colby picked up his pack and started to walk away, which finally gave Brenda and Douglas the chance to spend some time together. The only saving grace during the boat ride had been the sight of Douglas’s biceps swelling as he rowed. Brenda’s heart had fluttered, and a warm arousal swam through her body at the sight. She had to hide her gaze for fear that he would discover her attention, and she wondered if he had looked at her that way without her catching it.

“Did he have to come?” Brenda said, pouting, glaring in the direction of Colby.

Douglas’s voice was strained. “I owe him a lot. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be alive.”

Brenda pressed her lips together and supposed that was as good a reason as any to have the man along, although she still didn’t like it.

“I was hoping that we’d have some time together. I was thinking that perhaps once you’re settled here, you might return to my village for a visit. There are still a lot of parts of the island that you haven’t seen. There’s a small lagoon around the other side that’s beautiful,” she said with a smile, but Douglas’s face was impassive.

“I shall hae tae see. I dinnae know yet what my plans are after I hae returned,” he said.

Brenda was dismayed because he seemed different in this change of scenery. No longer was he relaxed, but he was as rigid as a stone, and his gaze barely settled upon her. Undeterred, she tried again, for she was not the type to give up easily.

“How are you feeling now that you are treading on Highland ground again? Is it everything you imagined? Is it the same as you remembered? Does the air taste just as sweet?”

Douglas looked around without stopping and still did not look at her. “Actually, I find that land is much the same wherever ye gae. There’s nae much difference between this and Norway,” he said brusquely, and Brenda scowled. She wasn’t sure what had changed between them since they had left the island, but she didn’t like how he seemed so distant. Where was the man who had stood up for her in the meeting? Where was the man who had called her beautiful?

“I thought you would be happier about being back home.”

“I’m nae home yet, and it’s been a long time,” Douglas replied.

Brenda tried to think of something else to say that might make him smile. She considered the fact that she might have been a little selfish, considering he was going through a lot. Two years was a long time, and there were probably moments where he had never expected to see his home again. But still…to be so cold like this…he was barely even looking at her!

Colby walked on ahead of them, whistling a merry tune. There was a slight bend in the road, and he was about to go the wrong way before Douglas called him back. Colby twisted his neck to check and then resumed going in the right direction. He seemed to want to lead even though he wasn’t the one who knew where they were going.

“Why is he even here? You didn’t mention him when you told me what happened.”

“He just helped me escape, that’s all. He’s a trader. He likes tae make contact with new people tae see what they hae tae offer. He’s harmless, really.”

Brenda huffed. She still didn’t like Colby. This would have all been better if it was just her and Douglas. At least then, she might have been able to talk about what was going through her mind. Usually, she was so straightforward with things and never afraid of talking about anything, but these feelings were unfamiliar to her, and she wasn’t quite sure how to articulate them. She caught herself glancing at Douglas frequently, trying to glean his attention, but his gaze was fixed on the path ahead. It was unwavering, as though nothing else mattered other than getting home. He was a man of intensity, and this sheer determination radiated from him, playing havoc with her mind. She was drawn to him in a primal way. Tingles ran like a cascading stream underneath her flesh; she was left breathless, and there was an urge akin to wanting to fight him, except fighting was the last thing on her mind.

Perhaps things would get better once they reached Erik, she told herself. Once Douglas had returned home and saw that he was welcomed, he would be able to relax, and then they could do away with Colby and just carry on as they had been when on her island.

After walking for a little while, the settlement came into view. Once, there had been two separate settlements: one for the Vikings and one for the Highlanders. However, in time, the two settlements had merged to make one formidable village, and Vikings and Highlanders mixed naturally. Plumes of smoke filled the air as they passed paddocks where cattle grazed. There was a smell of roasting meat, and in the distance, they could hear a crackling of fire. The place was alive with gentle chatter. Brenda always liked visiting here as there were so many more people than on her small island. It always seemed as though there was something new to do.

“Is it as you remember it?” Brenda asked, turning to Douglas again to see if he had any reaction to his actual home. He may have thought the land looked the same, but surely there would be something in his eyes when he saw the people and the houses. Yet still, he was impassive. His eyes were glassy, and his face betrayed no sign of emotion.

“Aye,” he said softly.

Colby, on the other hand, was far more talkative. “This is an impressive place. You did not do it justice Douglas! There are so many people here. I had no idea. Are all of them warriors?” he asked.

“Most people here can fight,” Brenda said, “but Erik prefers the way of peace where possible. The clan can defend itself, though.”

Even the women, she thought.

One of the best days of her life had been when she met Erik’s wife, Sigrid, who had returned with him from Norway. She was unlike any woman Brenda had ever met, and Brenda had been immediately inspired. Sigrid had taken it upon herself to show women that they could be more than what they already were. She trained them in the art of war, and Brenda had benefitted from her skills as well as her personality. Sigrid was the kind of woman who garnered respect. Of course, she was helped by the fact that she was Erik’s wife, but still, her attitude ensured that she suffered no fools, and Brenda almost wished that Emmel had come with them so that he could have been on the sharp end of Sigrid’s harsh glare.

“It’s very impressive what the Hoffstads have built here. Are there any other clans in the area?” Colby asked.

“There are quite a few. All of them are on good terms with us. We help protect them, and in return, we share resources. Everyone knows that if any of them should be attacked, there will be swift retribution. I believe it’s the most peaceful the Highlands have been in a long time; at least, that’s what my father says,” Brenda replied.

Colby chuckled. “Who would have thought that the Vikings would bring peace to the Highlands when for so long all we brought was war. How the world changes,” he said, clapping his hands together, rubbing them with glee. “But peace is good for business. People are always more eager to trade when they aren’t afraid of being attacked. I really admire what has been built here. I suppose we could learn a few lessons.”

Colby smiled his unnerving smile once again, and Brenda frowned. She was certain there was something off about this man, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Douglas didn’t smile or react at all to their conversation. He moved forward one step after the other, and Brenda started to wonder if anything was actually wrong.