Loki (7 page)

The group ate in silence for a bit. So many questions had been running through Loki’s head, but suddenly he did not know what to ask.

“How many men do you train here, Cliffnock?” Logan asked.

“Not as many as I’d like. We’ve managed to draw a few new men, but not many. All total, mayhap three score. Not as large as the Ramsays or the Grants. ‘Tis true that Clan Grant has a mighty guard?”

“Aye,” Logan said. “The laird lives a distance north in the Highlands, but he’s always drawing more. He’s good to his men and their families. He has over five hundred guards, I’d wager.”

Blackett whistled. “I had no idea there was such a clan in the Highlands. And the Ramsays?”

“We’re not as many, but we have close to three hundred. Both our families have connections throughout the Highlands. My sister married the Menzie, Jennie Grant married the Cameron, and my youngest brother married the Drummond. We have many close ties.”

The Earl of Cliffnock was not quite as tall as Loki, and his brown eyes seemed to always be strategizing. He was mostly bald, which made Loki reach up to run his hand through his thick hair. Seemed most of the Grants and Ramsays had kept their hair, though some had thinner hairlines than others. Brodie’s hair was still the same with little gray, and though Uncle Alex’s dark hair was peppered with gray, it was still long and thick. Uncle Robbie’s hair had thinned a bit around his crown, but he kept it short.

So what qualities had he gained from his sire? He was not sure yet, but he’d pay attention.

“So you’re connected to the Camerons, as well? I hear they have wealthy coffers sitting on their land in Lochluin Abbey.” His eyes seemed to take on a life of their own at the mention of wealthy coffers.

“I do not keep track of Cameron wealth.” Logan gave Blackett a more calculating gaze, one that Loki could not quite interpret. What did Uncle Logan think of the man?

The earl’s hand reached up to clasp Loki’s shoulder. “Son, I’m so pleased to have you home where you belong. You plan on staying, aye? This is your home now, no need to return to the Highlands.”

Loki glanced at Logan. Stay here? Never return to the Grants? Nay, he would never move away from his true family or his Bella. But should he stay a bit to learn more of his sire?

“What say you? You’ll stay for a couple of moons, at least, will you not?” The earl glanced at Logan before turning his gaze on Loki, as if the act of staring could force compliance.

Loki gave the proposal careful consideration before he answered. “I will not promise a couple of moons, but I would like to stay for a couple of nights to get to know you better, if you are agreeable.”

The earl smiled and pushed his chair back. “I cannot ask for more at this point. I’m pleased you’ve decided to stay.”

Logan turned to Loki. “Is this what you want? If you like, I will return to the royal castle, then return here in a sennight to see what you’ve decided. Is that acceptable?”

“Aye. I’ll stay, but you can leave today if you would like. Half a sennight should suit me fine.” Loki turned to Logan, hoping he understood his hesitancy. There was just something about this man he didn’t trust. “Come back in a few days and see how I fare then.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Logan said. “I’ll leave after the meal.”

Loki glanced at his father and nodded, happy to have some time alone with his sire. At the same time, there was a strange glint in his father’s eyes that made him appear far more sinister than when they had first arrived.

An uneasy feeling crept up his spine. What would he discover about his real father?

***

It didn’t take Loki long to discover his father’s true nature.

The next morn, after most of the clan had left to do their daily chores, Loki sat at the dais with his father. His father passed him another goblet of mead.

“Try this one. It comes from my special stores.”

Loki had to ask one more time. “Are you sure I just ran away? And you searched far and wide for me?” For some reason, he’d hoped for a more satisfying answer—one that would tell him his parents had loved him, that they had suffered from losing him.

His father smiled. “Och, you did run away, but I can see you are searching for a different answer, so I’ll give you one. See if it’s what you want.”

A sick feeling settled in Loki’s gut as he took a sip of the mead. His vision blurred, and his knees turned to butter. He attempted to stand, but needed to grab the edge of the table to keep his balance.

“I did not follow you. I did not care a bit about you, lad. ‘Struth is I was glad you were gone. One less mouth to feed.”

Loki whispered the only word he could get out. “Nay…”

He’d been drugged. It was the last thought he had before he crumpled to the ground.

Chapter Eight

The first thing that popped into his mind when he awoke was that he’d finally found his sire, and the man was a bastard—a rat bastard. He held in his groan as he opened one eye to see where he was, only to discover he was behind bars in some type of dungeon. His own father had drugged him and locked him up. But for what purpose?

He pushed himself to a sitting position and glanced around the small area. The entire chamber at the base of a winding staircase was small with half of the area encased in bars, then divided. He sat on the dirt floor in one cell, only an urn of water next to him, the other was empty. There were two stools outside the cells, presently unoccupied, and a table. One small window allowed the light in. Loki had no idea what time of day it was or how long he’d been out. Thank goodness Uncle Logan would be here in a few days. He could survive until then.

A short time later, the door leading to the dungeon opened and his father came down the stairs with Hamish and another guard. His sire chuckled and crossed his arms, leaning up against the stone wall while Hamish stood to one side. “Aye, as I said, Loki, ‘struth is I never missed you, but at least your trip to see me won’t leave me empty-handed.”

Loki snorted. “And just what do you expect to get from me? I have naught to give you.”

“I noticed you had little in your sporran, but you came from a place with coin, and besides, you know many others from whom I can squeeze coin, so ‘tis exactly what I’ll do.”

“And who are you planning to squeeze?” Loki stood up, no longer willing to allow this evil man to look down at him.

“The Grants, the Ramsays, and the Camerons and their rich Lochluin Abbey. I’ll get coin for you from somewhere. You’ll see.”

His father’s cold beady eyes told him he would not be stopped easily.

Loki ran his hand down his face, shocked to find himself in such a situation. “Sorry to disappoint you, dearest Papa, but you’ll get naught for me. I’m of no value to any of them. I would appreciate something to eat while I’m here and you’re waiting for your coin.”

“Come now, lad. I recall how clever you were as a bairn. You were traveling with Logan Ramsay, one of the fiercest of all the Scots. He’ll give good coin for your return, I’m sure of it. In fact, I’ve sent a messenger to the Ramsays, Grants, and the Camerons. Now I’ll just sit back and wait.”

Loki couldn’t believe the bastard was that ignorant. “And you did not think better of sending a messenger to Logan Ramsay at the royal castle? Are you not the least bit concerned about getting caught by the king, losing your land and your title?”

“Nay, I sent the message to the Ramsay keep. I’ll keep Logan Ramsay at bay for a few days. Mayhap I’ll have my men take care of him. As for the king, once I get my coin, I’ll be leaving. Do you think this hole is fair compensation for all I did for him in the war? I smuggled many goods for him. I deserve better, and I’ll find better once I am paid my just due. ”

Loki laughed.

“You think ‘tis funny that I plan to kill Logan Ramsay, lad?”

Loki sauntered over to the metal bars where his sire stood, looking down on the older man. He’d never thought he would be disgusted by the sight of his own father, but the truth stood right in front of him. “Aye, ‘tis funny and foolish if you think you can kill Logan Ramsay. I’ll be having the last laugh on that one. The man’s invincible. And if it did come to pass that something happened to him, his wife would hang you upside down by your ballocks.”

Blackett chuckled as he moved closer to his son, close enough to whisper. He stared down at the old rushes on the dirt floor. “Lad, I raised you to be wiser than that. No one is invincible, least of all a Ramsay.”

Loki took advantage of the moment. As soon as his sire took his eyes off him, he reached through the bars and grabbed ahold of the rotten scum, grasping him behind the neck and slamming his head against the metal bars, sending blood spurting everywhere. He didn’t stop the attack until the guard stuck him in the arm with his dagger.

His sire stepped back, holding his bleeding head, dazed by the beating, but not so much that he could not give orders to his second. “Teach him a lesson and then chain him to the wall. He deserves to be treated like the animal he is.” He moved out of the doorway and up the stairs.

“Thanks, Da. Your feelings warm my heart.” Loki stared at Hamish, hoping Hamish would decide to go easy on him if he did indeed remember him as a wee laddie, but there was naught but excitement in his gaze. The door opened again and two more guards ran down the steps.

His sire yelled down the staircase, “Do not kill him. I want him alive, and I want him able to talk.”

One of the other guards opened the door to the tiny cell and three of them came in after him. Hamish smiled at him as he punched him in the face, “Sorry, lad, but you shouldn’t have done that.”

Loki caught Hamish by surprise when he lifted him and threw him back toward the iron bars of the cell door. He managed to bring down the next two men with his fists and his kicks, but there was no way to hold up against all three of them. His last thoughts were of Bella, many years ago, saying, “I promise to love you forever.”

***

Several days later, Bella was in the kitchens when one of the other maids came into the room and whispered, “You’ll never guess.” Then her shoulders hunched up and she held her hand in front of her mouth as if she were about to be caught and whipped at any moment.

Bella glared at the lass. “What is it?”

“I just heard something terrible, and you’ll want to know.”

Bella grabbed the girl’s wrist. “Tell me.” When the girl did not answer, she stood on her tip-toes and wrenched the lass forward. “Now!”

“A messenger came in and spoke to our laird. Brodie was at the table, too. He spoke to both of them. Loki has met his sire.” The look on her face did not match the news.

“And? That is not terrible.”

The lass scowled at her. “His real sire holds him prisoner. He wants coin for Loki’s life.”

Bella jerked as if the news had physically struck her. Had she heard correctly? Loki’s life was in danger? Saints above, what was she to do now? “Are you sure you heard correctly?”

“Aye. ‘Tis what they said. Brodie Grant jumped out of his chair when he heard the news.” She nodded.

For a long moment, Bella stood there, frozen with fear. Then said a quick prayer and ran into the great hall, but she was too late. The Grants had already departed and reconvened in the laird’s solar. She stood at the staircase, wondering what to do.

After completing her chores in the kitchen as soon as possible, she spoke to Cook. “Please, Cook, may I go home to speak to my sire? Then I promise to return.”

Cook frowned, but then she nodded to Bella. “Ah, Bella, your heart is lost to the boy, is it not? Well, I hope for your sake that they pay the coin and get him back. Loki is a fine lad, though your father has yet to see it. Go…go see your sire and return after the midday meal. I’ll do without you for a bit.”

Bella ran to the tower room and grabbed her things. Brodie and Celestina were speaking privately in their chamber, so Bella sneaked into the main room, trying not to disturb them. She could not help but overhear their conversation.

“Brodie, where is he?” She could almost hear the tremor in Celestina’s voice.

“Do not worry, love, they’ll find our son. His sire, or the man that claims to be his sire, is a fool. How long can he expect to keep him locked up with the Grants, the Ramsays, the Camerons, the Drummonds, and the Menzies all set to battle, if necessary?”

“But how far away is he? I’m so worried.”

“He was in Ayr, but his sire’s castle is northeast of the town, not far from where Bella’s sister will be living once she marries. The castle is between Morna’s betrothed’s castle and Cameron land. ‘Tis part of the reason the man is bartering for coin. He knows how much wealth is housed in Lochluin Abbey.”

“Please save him, Brodie. You must go as soon as you can.”

Arabella’s mind was spinning with all the possibilities. Now that Loki had promised to return to her, she knew there was only one path in life for her. She would do whatever she could to ensure that she married Loki Grant. She hugged Catriona, then said, “Please tell your mama that I must go home.”

She raced out the door, down the steps, and through the courtyard. Ignoring most everyone, she continued without speaking, though it wasn’t hard to notice that most of the clan was in a turmoil. The news about Loki was traveling quickly. Everyone loved him here, everyone except her sire.

As soon as she made it to her cottage, she tore through the doorway and stopped, attempting to catch her breath. Panting, she surveyed her home to see if her sister had left.

Her father barked at her from his chair at the center table. “I wondered how long it would take you to return. ‘Tis about time, your sister needs help, and I certainly cannot assist her. Now do your chores and help her pack. Her back is nearly broken from all the work she’s had to do without you. She’ll be leaving soon and I’ll be following her for the wedding. You can start my packing, also.”

Ignoring her sire, Bella rushed over to Morna’s side. She noticed right away that her sister was in the midst of packing for her trip.

“Here, allow me to help you. I do not mind.”

“Where have you been?” Morna scowled at her.

“I had to get away from Papa. ‘Tis just the way of it sometimes. Now, do you wish to have my assistance or not?” She gave her sister a pointed look that ended her scowl.

“Aye. Look at all I must squeeze into this trunk. ‘Tis the only one I’m allowed to take, so I must fit everything inside. Please help me. I am lost.”

Bella took over for her sister, pulling everything out of the trunk before refolding the items and rolling them to make room for more. Morna watched her as she repacked it, then set her hands on her hips and stared at Bella.

“How did you know how to do that?”

“It just made sense to pack them differently. Now what else must go?”

“Why are you being so agreeable all of a sudden?” Morna asked, as she refolded some linen squares and tucked them neatly into the trunk.

“Because I’ve decided I will go with you after all. I realize ‘twill be better for me to be with you than to be with Papa.” Bella couldn’t look her sister in the eye. She did not want her to guess it was a boldfaced lie.

“Papa’s thinking of getting married,” Morna reminded her. “I think ‘tis a dream. I do not think he’s found anyone yet.”

“And if he finds someone, I’d be happy for him, but what would there be for me here? ‘Twould be time for me to move on. Loki is gone, Papa will be remarried and my only sister is leaving. It makes sense for me to go with you.” She picked up Morna’s slippers and folded them, packing them at the edges of the trunk.

“So you have finally realized you have no future with Loki?”

Bella’s instinct was to slap her sister, but she controlled it. This would go easier if she pretended to be agreeable. “Aye, I’ll leave with you and hope to find another at your new keep.”

“Mayhap we will find you a nice lad there, Bella. You know I only want what is best for you.” Morna leaned over to give her a quick hug.

“I know. When do we leave?” In her mind, she checked off everything she would need to pack into the one small satchel she could carry. Once she arrived at her sister’s destination, she would be off on her own to find her true love. That meant she would not be able to carry much.

“We leave on the morrow. You’ll be busy this eve.”

Bella sighed. “Perfect. I cannot wait to leave.”

Morna glanced at her sister, a perplexed expression on her face. “Why the sudden change of heart? You did not wish to go before, and now you cannot wait.”

“Of course, I’ll go for your wedding, Morna. No change of heart, only that I’ll stay a wee bit longer. Loki’s gone and will probably never return. I need to live my life without him, and I’d prefer to be with you over da.” Bella continued to pack, hoping her sister would cease her questions. She would do whatever necessary to make sure her betrothed was safe. Well, perhaps they were not quite betrothed, but she was certain they would be soon.

Their father walked over to stand and stare at the two of them together. Bella halted her work, unsure of what he was about to do. He had an unsettled expression on his face, something she hadn’t seen before.

He let out a big sigh before setting his hands on his hips. “My wee lassies have grown, have you not?”

Morna replied, “Aye, Da. We have. ‘Tis time for us to start our own families.”

He rubbed the corners of his eyes. “Morna, I hate to see you go. ‘Tis a good thing Bella will return to me so I will not lose you both at the same time.”

Morna hugged her sire while Bella just stared. She’d never seen her father like this. Was it true? Was there a slim possibility that he only turned Loki away because he couldn’t handle losing both his daughters at once? The thought had never occurred to Bella before, and it gave her a bit of hope.

The next morn, the Grant guards arrived to escort them to their destination, and Bella breathed a sigh of relief. She’d gone back to the kitchens herself to speak to Cook and to find a bit more food for her satchel, only to discover that Brodie Grant planned on traveling to Ayr himself in a couple of days.