“Is that when you met Papa?”
“Aye.” Mama smiled and through Christina’s connection to Mama’s mind, she caught the image of Papa standing within the inner courtyard of Matheson House. Papa’s pale hair lay damp against his head from his training session, and Mama appeared so very tiny standing next to him. The images continued to flow. Papa curled one arm around Mama’s back, dipped his head and kissed her, right there next to the center well draped in ivy. Mama’s thoughts swarmed with love.
“My bond with your papa took very quickly and we soon spoke vows. You arrived within the year, finally giving me a child of my own to care for, and no’ a child I would ever have to leave behind as I left Coll and Duncan.”
She nestled deeper into Mama’s side, the wind nipping at her nose and fingertips, turning them numb with the cold. “Yours is a very important skill, Mama, one that saves lives.”
“My skill is both a burden and a privilege. Here, let me warm you up.” From her traveling sack, Mama pulled a plaid out and bundled her in the added layer of soft wool before rubbing her arms and kissing her cheeks. “Is that better?”
“Aye, and thank you for explaining everything to me.” She pulled her mind back and left Mama’s thoughts behind.
Up ahead, the MacKenzie’s castle rose like a fortress within the dark. A touch of moonlight shimmered over the stronghold built on an island a stone’s throw from the mainland. The massive gray tower windows were lit with candles, and torches along the ramparts cast their glow high over the fortified walls. Guardsmen patrolled the barbican in heavy battle attire. So well-guarded.
Mama gazed toward the imposing sight, lowered the sail and picked up the oars then rowed them toward the sea-gate. Leaning closer, Mama whispered, “Do you see that guard standing on duty near the stairs, the one with the bushy red beard?”
“Aye.” Such a big bear of a man he was.
“That is Gregor, the MacKenzie’s most trusted captain, the only man at the keep who knows the truth about Coll and Duncan’s birth. He is extremely loyal to his chief, yet was also rather kind to me during my stay. A touch of fae blood runs somewhere within his line, but ’tis several generations removed and he sensed a kinship with me. I shall ask him to take us to the MacKenzie, although while we’re here, you’re to remain right by my side. No wandering about, and remember my earlier warning.”
“Aye, no touching the mind of another while we’re here.” She wriggled within the layers of wool.
“I love you, my sweet, always and forever.”
“I love you too, Mama, always and forever.” With more love than her little heart could hold at times.
“Gregor!” Mama called out and lifted a hand. “I come in peace.”
“Is that you, Grace?” Hand raised to his forehead, the warrior wearing thick fur boots and a two-handed claymore strapped to his back, squinted through the dark. “What on earth are you doing here, and out on the water so late at night?”
“I’ve had a vision and must speak to Colin. Your chief and his sons must hear what I have to say this night.” Mama scooped her onto her lap.
“One moment. I’ll take you to the chief myself.” Gregor whistled to two of his fellow warriors who waded into the water, gripped the sides of their skiff and guided their boat the last few feet until it nestled next to the stone stairs.
Settled in Mama’s arms, she snuggled as Mama stepped onto the landing.
Up the sea-gate stairs, Mama walked and at the top, Gregor gestured for them to proceed him through the postern gate. They did and Mama crossed the gravelly inner courtyard and halted under the high arch of the front door, set Christina down on her feet and as she stepped inside, glanced over her shoulder. “Stay close.”
With a quick nod, she followed Mama into the great hall.
The blazing fireplace spread its warmth and sent its flicking orange and red glow all about. Trestle tables had been pushed to one side to allow more room for the warriors who’d bedded down on pallets to rest for the night. The drone of their snores echoed all about, while on the far side of the hall, narrow windows rose almost to the ceiling and tapestries covered the stone walls in between the panes of pretty colored stained glass. She tramped across a wealth of rushes scattered across the floor and smiled at a brown dog with floppy ears as he rubbed against a table leg to ease an itchy side.