Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,49
Royden asked what he assumed they all must be thinking, recalling the attack five years ago.
“Wolf will not lose the land and clans he has gained here,” Penn said. “His troops are far greater in number than anyone realizes.”
“So he would ride on Brynjar if he should attack any of the surrounding clans?” Arran asked.
“He would,” Penn confirmed. “And he would put an end to Brynjar.”
Arran wanted that satisfaction. He wanted to feel his sword slice through the man until there was nothing left of him.
“So what you’re telling us is to leave ourselves vulnerable once again,” Parlan said an edge of anger to his tone.
“It is different now,” Penn said. “The oath of the beast protects you now. Wolf will let nothing happen to those under his protection. His men will descend on the area like the hounds from hell until nothing is left of those who go against him.”
“Wolf may send the hounds of hell, but Brynjar is the devil himself and will swallow them whole,” Arran said and felt his wife’s hand tremble in his.
Penn had no response for Arran. He turned to Royden. “Trevor says that as soon as he receives more news he will let you know.”
“Thank you, Penn,” Royden said, dismissing the man.
“As much as I don’t like agreeing with Wolf, on this, it is a wait and see situation,” Arran said. “If Brynjar’s intention was to invade, it would have been when his feet touched soil. That means someone extended him an invitation and who invited him and his intentions behind it are what matters more. There could be far more to his presence on our home soil than imagined.”
“Perhaps you and Purity should remain with us until this is settled,” Royden suggested.
“As it is your responsibility to protect the Clan MacKinnon, it is now my responsibility to protect the Clan Macara,” Arran said. “And with Galvin absent at the moment, it falls to me to make sure the clan is protected. We will need to leave sooner than planned.” His wife’s hand tensed in his. He knew she wasn’t keen on returning home, but this couldn’t be helped.
“I fear there is not enough warriors between us to defeat Brynjar,” Royden said, not pleased to admit it. “We would have no choice but to depend on Wolf to protect us.”
“You believe Penn speaks the truth when he says that Wolf has a far greater number of warriors here than anyone realizes?” Parlan asked.
“It would be foolish not to believe him,” Royden said. “Endless warriors can be brought in through Learmonth land without anyone knowing it until it’s too late.”
“Which must have been what happened the last time,” Arran said. “At least we know that Brynjar doesn’t approach from that area since it’s obvious that Wolf controls it.”
“I would think when the King learns of Brynjar’s arrival, he will not be pleased, though he did nothing to stop Wolf from claiming land in this area,” Royden said, the thought having always disturbed him.
“Unless he was aware of it and didn’t object,” Arran said. “He had been in talks with the King of Norway disputing claims on various isles. Could he have surrendered part of this area in return for something?”
Parlan shook his head. “I doubt that. Monarchs don’t surrender land easily, though they may grant it in exchange for help.”
The possibilities disturbed Arran and he was quick to voice his concern. “We need to learn more.”
Purity listened as they went back and forth, keeping silent. She had little knowledge to offer, though she knew something was brewing and had been for a while now. However, she’d been told it was better she didn’t know the why and way of it, and she had trusted it was for the best. But had it been? It was the reason she had spoken up when Parlan had told her to wait in the Great Hall while the men talked. She didn’t want to remain ignorant of what went on. It hadn’t helped the last time. She had been left completely unprepared and she wouldn’t let that happen again.
A snippet of the conversation caught her attention, drawing her out of her musings.
“This is true, Da? You were no way involved with our release?” Arran asked. “When I learned you were alive, I thought you were the one who paid dearly for Royden and me to be released, though I did wonder how it could be possible when we’d been left with nothing.”