out of its plait so she could wash it. She grabbed a clean tunic and leggings and headed to the bathing chamber, Claray following her.
“Nay, he wasn’t here last eve. There have been too many people around.”
“Good, then mayhap he’ll leave you be,” she said, opening the door to the chamber. “Do you wish to bathe, too?”
“Nay,” Claray mumbled, the dejection on her face telling Dyna all she needed to know.
“I have to wash up, and then we’ll go out after Grandsire.” She leaned over and hugged Claray. “I promise to help, but first we have to find Grandsire.”
Claray nodded and left, and Dyna was left with the sinking feeling that she’d failed her sister, too.
***
Derric led the group through the woods. He was pleased he had something to contribute to the effort to find Alex. The lairds believed it possible that Alex might have met with King Robert, offered to help him in his final push to win the Highlands. And so they were riding back to the king’s camp.
The Highland Swords group had agreed to travel together, while Connor, Jamie, and Finlay had ridden back toward Cameron land to see if Aedan had learned anything new. Since they had no idea where Alex had gone, or why, they needed to explore different possibilities.
Both groups traveled with plenty of guards, which pleased Derric because Joya and Branwen and Emmalin had all come along. He hadn’t expected Emmalin to leave her bairns.
Then again, she was a true believer in the spectral swords. “Together, we can find him and save him,” she’d said. “I believe it with all my heart, but someone must get us closer to him.”
Joya drew her horse abreast of his. There was enough noise and conversation among the group that he knew they could speak freely without fear of being overheard. But had he known what she wished to talk about, he would have galloped ahead.
“Brother dear, what happened between you and Dyna? You did it, didn’t you?”
His head whipped around so quickly he’d probably have a sore neck later. “What?”
“Don’t play innocent with me. She’s different. You did what she wanted and she’s changed her mind about it.”
Dumbfounded that she had guessed so accurately, he glanced behind him at Dyna, two horses back. She stared off into the horizon, her face filled with sadness. “You do know she’s verra upset her grandsire is missing.”
“Aye, but you didn’t answer my question, did you?” His sister had a small smirk on her face that told him she knew the truth anyway.
“Nay, I did not dodge you. Some things are private, do you not agree?”
Joya turned her head to assess him carefully. “I suppose they should be, I grant you that. Dyna is a fine lass, but I doubt that she has much experience with other men. You are far more worldly than she is.”
“And your reason for telling me this?”
“I want you to guard her heart. She is not used to talking about her feelings the way most lasses are, which is not to say she doesn't have them. Please treat her well and be kind about everything.”
“I’m trying my best, but sometimes I’m a fool, I guess.” He didn’t know how else to explain his inability to make things right with Dyna.
“Dyna has many other things demanding her attention right now—her grandsire, her sister, even her mother. Don’t be too hard on her. Once this all settles, you’ll be able to work things out. I think she’s good for you, brother. And you for her.”
Derric couldn’t argue with her reasoning. “Tell me what you know about the spectral swords. Emmalin insisted the three of you needed to come along. Why?”
“’Tis hard to explain, but Alex Grant believes the spouses are part of the magic, if that’s what you wish to call it. You’ve witnessed the power before. Don’t you believe in our strength together?”
“I can hardly deny it given I was in the middle of it, with Dyna crawling up my back. I saw the thunderstorm, felt the ground shake, watched the enemies drop quicker than in any other battle. Where does the storm come in? Is that where the power originates?” He had a faint memory of the start of a thunderstorm last night, yet it hadn’t continued for long.
“I don’t think any of us completely understand how it works. Dyna is the one who unleashes the power somehow, by raising her weapon over her head, and it channels into the others’ swords.”
“But do you believe