beasts might run back toward the castle, informing the next group that an ambush lay ahead.
A whistle came from Derric, a sound unlike anything Alick had ever heard, but most of the horses gave him their attention. He jumped off his mount and strode into the middle of the wild beasts, talking calmly, pulling on reins and murmuring to the animals.
Alick pulled Shadow away from the group, allowing Derric the space to do what was needed. Alasdair would love to have the ten beasts left behind by the English.
It took him about a quarter hour, but then he finally had the herd all calm. He led them into the forest to the burn, each of them drinking as if they’d been heavily worked for days.
Alick stayed near Shadow to keep him in line, afraid he may upset the others. Dyna jumped out of her tree and whistled. “Nice job, Corbett. I didn’t know you could be useful.”
Derric waggled his brow at her. “Aye, I’ve a talent for charming others. See how they love me? Mayhap you can learn from them.”
She rolled her eyes.
“’Tis a fine talent to bring that many beasts to you,” Alick said. “I suspect Alasdair would love a few of them if you have no use for all of them.”
“I don’t have use for any of them, but we can bring them along, if you like.”
Cailean joined them after checking the dead. “Alick, will you help me clear the main path?” Then he looked at Dyna and asked, “How long before the next group arrives?”
“About half an hour.”
Derric chortled and said, “I don’t know why you’d ask Diamond.”
“And why not?” Sorcha said. “She was correct on the number and the arrival time.”
“Nay, she wasn’t,” he said.
Sorcha, Alick, Cailean, and Dyna all stared at him, although Dyna’s look was more accurately a glare.
“She said ten,” Derric said. “There were a dozen.”
Cailean laughed, and Alick waved a hand to dismiss him.
But Derric moved over to Dyna’s side and leaned down. “Off by two, Diamond,” he said in an undertone. “You’re losing it.”
“And if you don’t behave yourself, you’ll be missing two of your own soon enough,” she responded.
***
Arnald Denton opened the door to the stall and said, “’Tis time to leave this place. Branwen, you and Jep will ride in front. The Grant woman will be last. If the Grants are lying in wait for us, they’ll fire at you first, revealing their location to my warriors. Though they’re probably already dead. I sent a dozen men ahead to take care of any stragglers or reivers lying in wait. We should have clear travels to Lorn.”
Branwen blurted out, “You’re not my father. Why did you not tell me?”
Denton pulled his hand back to slap her, but Jep stopped him. “No more, Denton. She knows.”
Her father, or Arnald Denton as she should call him, gave her a sick grin. “You finally found out the truth about your mother. She was a whore, and I’m certain you’ll be the same. I’m pleased to be rid of you. Every day since she died I’ve had to live with the reminder that my wife cuckolded me. No more.” Then he turned to Jep and said, “You’ll ride first so you can die first. Bastard.”
He spun on his heel and left, but Kyla called out after him. “You don’t know the Grants verra well, do you?” He immediately returned and grabbed her by the elbow, dragging her toward the back of the line of horses.
Branwen and Jep mounted up, and as Jep brought his horse next to hers, he said in an undertone, “Do not worry, lass. Alick Grant will come for you and for his mother. I have faith in them. I hope you do, too.”
She nodded, not knowing what else to say. Staring off into the distance, she let her mind wander over everything that had happened and everything that was still happening.
A familiar voice carried to her. “Branwen, my apologies for having lied all these years. Mayhap I should have told you after your mother died. I promised her I’d keep my silence and watch over you, but I should have told you after we lost her. I did my best to help you, but I didn’t want Denton to send either of us away, so I stayed silent. But I’ve hurt you terribly. I’m sorry.”
Branwen didn’t know what to say. “I’m not angry with you, Jep, or should I call you Papa?”
“Call me whatever you wish,” he said, his tone