do to let the fools know she was on to them.
“Your mother. And you’ll not get her back.”
Someone whistled in the distance, and Ned nodded to Lewis. “Let her go. That’s our call to move out.”
They both mounted and hurried, headed in the direction that would take them off Grant land.
Her hair was a mess since she’d lost her hair ribbon, but she didn’t care. She had to fight to save her dear mother. Chrissa brushed the dirt off her hands and shouted after them, “You have not seen the last of me, you dirty brutes!”
And she meant it.
Chapter Twelve
The moment Alick and the others stepped into the great hall after the battle, his cousins’ wives soared into their arms, and all he could do was look around, feeling empty, wishing Branwen were here.
He glanced at Dyna, who drawled, “Don’t even think it.”
That made him chuckle. Dyna had always had a way of making him laugh, no matter what the situation. Grandsire sat in his chair by the hearth, John in front of him brandishing his wooden sword. “I fight you, Seanair.”
“Nay, laddie,” he said softly but firmly. “You practice with Seanair. Never fight someone you love.”
The lad stopped to stare at him, confused.
“You don’t wish to hurt Mama or Papa or your sister or me. You don’t fight us. You fight the English. With me, you may practice.”
“I pwatice you?”
“Aye, we’ll practice.” Grandsire picked up a smaller wooden sword lying near the hearth and held it in front of him so the lad could swing at it.
Emmalin sighed when she saw what he was doing. “I’d hoped to keep him away from the harsh truths of war for a bit longer.”
Grandsire said, “’Tis an admirable thought. My Maddie felt the same way, but we’re at war, so ’tis unlikely you’ll succeed. But he needs to learn the difference between friends and foes.”
Emmalin nodded. “My thanks for that. Please mention it to Alasdair.”
Alick sat down next to his grandfather. “It worked again, Grandpapa. I felt the heat, the power. The lightning was clear for all to see, but tell me what started it. I was too busy to notice.”
Dyna said to Els, “Strip down, and I’ll sew your wound closed. ’Tis bleeding too heavily.”
Els took a chair near them, and Dyna pulled a small table over to use for her supplies. “I’ll check to see if there are any others who need sewing after I finish with you. I brought enough salve for a few. Don’t watch. Tell Grandpapa when you first noticed the heat.”
Els clenched his jaw when the needle pierced his skin the first time, so Joya sat next to him and clutched his free hand.
Emmalin sat down with a plunk. “I didn’t want to involve John, but I feared what would happen once those men broke through the gates.”
They spent the next few minutes discussing what had happened, and how it had differed from their past practices. Only one thing stood out: their swords hadn’t become heavier as the fight went on. The power hadn’t sapped them.
Alasdair joined them, bringing a pitcher of ale.
“Alasdair, did your sword become heavier?” Grandsire asked. The others did not experience it this time.”
He nodded, glancing from Els to Alick. “Mine did. No one else?”
Els was too busy gritting his teeth to answer, so Alick answered for him. “Nay. Mine was easier to swing, but never became heavier. How long did it last, Alasdair?”
“’Twas only at the end. My verra last swing when I noticed it.”
“’Tis quite odd that only one of you experienced it. Well, we put on quite a show,” Grandsire said. “We can be sure people will be talking about the lightning.”
“My do yat, Papa. Big bangs,” John said excitedly, looking up at his father.
Alasdair sighed and said, “Aye, you did, laddie. I pray the English never learn that. ’Tis a secret.” He held his finger to his lips and said, “Shhhh.”
“Is a secwet,” he repeated. “Uncoo Els, pwactice?”
Els was currently still gritting his teeth against the pain of Dyna’s ministrations, so Alick said, “I’ll practice with you, John.” He had to do something, or he would run to the stables and not stop until he reached Branwen. He hoped the Earl of Thane had been able to convince her father that she belonged with him, but he knew her sire to be a stubborn man and a cruel one. Although he would have preferred to start his life with Branwen with her family’s approval, they might have to