The Scot's Pursuit - Keira Montclair Page 0,65

threatened to tremble at the sound of the key in the lock, but she dug down deep and willed it away. She would survive and find Alick’s mother.

When she could finally see, her eyes sought out Jep and found him, leaning against the far wall. And then a clear, voice addressed them, coming from the farthest spot from the door. It was a lovely woman’s voice.

“Greetings. I’m Kyla Grant. Why are you two here?”

***

Alick grabbed Dyna and pulled her into the bushes. His heart was hammering in his chest at the sight of Branwen being led away from him, but he needed to save her—and the best way to do that was to think rationally. He had to remember what Grandsire had told him.

“We can’t get them,” he said in a strangled voice. “Da and I ventured closer to see if we could overhear anything useful, and men were talking about moving the prisoner. That has to be my mother. And they’re putting Branwen and Jep in the dungeon. Now we have three to get.” He had gripped her arm to keep her from chasing after them. Although he wished to do the same—his heart was aching from it—he knew it could not happen.

“I’ll not go after her,” she said. “We’re better off tracking their movement before we act. If they’re moving your mother, we may have to split up. Some go after her, some stay here to retrieve Branwen.”

Alick released Dyna, feeling all the torment of being pulled in two different directions. “What the hell? How am I supposed to choose?”

“You won’t. You’ll go where you’re told,” Dyna said, in a tone that told him she would brook no arguments. “We could try now, but ’twould be too dangerous. What happened is proof of it.”

“Aye, there are too many guards involved with this for us to go alone,” Alick said through gritted teeth. “Sixteen here and six score on the other side of the keep. We must go for reinforcements.”

He and Dyna watched as the number of guards blossomed in front of them. “Listen,” he whispered, honing in on the voices not far away.

He heard Branwen’s sire say they had a major operation underway, something that would have been obvious anyway from the sheer amount of men.

“’Tis what we’ve waited for,” he whispered. “Branwen is strong. She’ll help my mother if Mama needs it.”

“Aye, she will,” Dyna said. She gave him a wry look. “I cannot believe you didn’t chase after her alone, even with all those guards about. Marriage has made you a more patient man.”

He chuckled, leading her back to where his sire stood. “Aye, mayhap ’tis true. My father said this would happen. He convinced me it wouldn’t be a bad thing if you two were put in the cellars with Mama, that you and Branwen could get her out.”

Dyna snorted. “Only one problem with that. I’m here instead of in there.”

Da startled when he saw them. “What happened? Hell, Dyna. You’re supposed to be with them.”

“I saw Alick and moved back to talk to him. It was as if Branwen’s father knew she was coming. He grabbed her inside, then they took her and Jep to the dungeon.”

“It could be worse,” Da said. “I actually sent Alick to tell you we’ve been advised they’re moving soon.”

“They are,” Dyna said. “He called it a big operation, so we have to get help. We can move in while they’re moving out. Go back to Grandsire, and we’ll get help.”

Alick couldn’t get his horse to go fast enough, passing his father quickly. Fortunately, they didn’t have far to go. When they approached Grandsire’s group, Els called out, “This doesn’t look good to me!”

Alick leaped off his horse, Dyna dismounting directly behind him. “Branwen’s father caught her with Jep, and they were both taken to the dungeon. Hopefully they’ll see Mama, Grandsire. There’s a group gathering, around six score horses. Don’t know for certain where they’re going.”

“I know where they’re going,” Alex said. “Thane has promised to support Edward’s son. They’re going after the Bruce. My guess is Thane has no idea my daughter is being held. Whoever kidnapped her is trying to keep it hidden.”

“That could mean Branwen’s sire arranged it,” Alick surmised. “He surely knew there was another prisoner.”

“You could be right, but we don’t know that for certain. Based on this new development, I’m going to change my plans.”

Grandsire paced a bit, thinking. No one interrupted him. Alick finally grabbed the skin of ale and drank