The Daring Twin - Donna Fletcher Page 0,85
hearth and a weapon lodged in his belt.
“My brother and I have spent years trying to find the twins and when Raynor grew old enough, he joined us,” Odo said proudly. He looked to his nephew. “I remember when he was eight and had practiced with a sword all day until his hands blistered. He informed me quite seriously that he intended to find his sisters and bring them home safely, then he would find the person responsible and kill him.”
“My sisters are safe,” Raynor said. “It is now time for me to complete the promise I made to myself. I will journey to the Wolf clan and find Giann.”
“You will not.” Fiona’s tongue was sharp and adamant.
“Well, that does that,” Tarr smirked. “You are not going.”
“The choice is mine,” Raynor said firmly.
“It certainly is not.”
The voice was not Fiona’s but it sounded enough like her, and Fiona smiled at her mother as she approached the table.
“I finally have my family all together and together they will stay.”
“This is important, Mother,” Raynor said attempting reason.
Anya looked to her brother-in-law. “You go, Odo.”
Raynor attempted to protest. “I—”
Anya did not give her son a chance. “Odo is friends with Giann. It is better he goes.”
“I will gladly go,” Odo said, stepping forward.
A debate began to rage amongst the men as to who should go, with Anya insisting her son was not going. While the heated discussion continued, Fiona slipped away, though not before Tarr caught her eye and nodded, letting her know he was aware of her departure.
Fiona went to see her sister. Aliss was practical, always looking at all sides of a discussion and determining the best approach and solution.
Aliss was sitting at the table sorting through herbs. “Thank goodness it is you. I feared mother’s return.”
“Feared?” Fiona queried.
“Not real fear,” Aliss attempted to explain. “Fear of her constant fussing and insisting I remain in bed. I need to move around and do something. I know when to rest and besides—”
“You do not like being the one who is ill.”
“I abhor it. And to lie abed all day?” She shivered and shook her head. “I cannot abide it.”
“I trust you know what you do so I will not argue with you.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Fiona,” Aliss sighed. “Someone who finally agrees with me. Sit and tell me what goes on.”
Fiona plopped in a chair and watched her sister skillfully blend a variety of herbs that would eventually be used to make potions and salves. She forever worked to perfect her talent and expand her knowledge, seeking advice from the older women of the clans and determining whether it was myth or fact they shared with her.
That was probably what made her view everything with reason. With facts and sound judgment, Aliss felt solutions could be reached for all.
“It seems that this prophetess Giann may be the key to our kidnapping, which means it would be worth our while to speak with her.”
“The problem is that she resides with the unfriendly Wolf clan, as mother mentioned.” Aliss shrugged. “An easy solution to two problems.”
Fiona shook her head. “Easy? Two problems?”
“This Wolf has something that Tarr wants, and it seems that Tarr has something this Wolf wants. An exchange seems the solution.”
“That does make sense.” Fiona sat straight.
“Simple things often do.”
“What if this Wolf does not agree?”
“Then he looks for something Tarr would not be willing to give. Either way, Tarr will have gained knowledge of his enemy that he did not have before.”
“Good point.” Fiona reached out and began helping her sister sort the herbs.
“You do not think of going in search of this Giann, do you?”
“I gave it thought.”
“Leave it thought,” Aliss ordered. “It is not a wise choice.”
“I determined that myself, but sitting here waiting for something to happen is not a wise choice either.”
“You do not think we are safe here?”
Fiona stopped sorting and smiled.
“Do not think to lie to me.”
Fiona’s smile faded quick enough. “It was a fleeting thought.”
Aliss chuckled. “You do not lie well.”
Fiona looked affronted. “I can when necessary.”
“Not really,” Aliss affirmed, her chuckle having turned to a wide grin. “You are much too blunt and honest to lie.”
“Well, being blunt and honest can get you into just as much trouble as lying can.”
“There are times people do not want to hear the truth.”
“Too bad,” Fiona said. “It does no good being ignorant of the truth.”
“It would seem that mother and father thought ignorance of our situation was best for us.”
“I would think that too,