Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

“Sit,” Ruddock ordered, helping to ease her down on the bench.

The door opened and to Ruddock’s relief Bruce escorted Sage into the Great Hall.

Ruddock turned to Willow. “We can trust this healer?”

“Aye,” Willow confirmed. “Wilda made sure she got the poisoned brew and I got the brew to combat the poison.”

“Do you need my help, my lord?” Sage asked, stopping in front of Ruddock.

“I do, Sage, and Willow here, a healer herself, will tell you what help we need.” Ruddock stood. “I need to go bring my wife home.”

Willow reached out and grabbed his hand, tears stinging her eyes as she said, “Bring my sister home safe.”

“You have my word,” Ruddock said and walked out of the Great Hall.

Sorrell sat bundled in furs and still a chill ran through her. The sharp cold air off the North Sea stung her cheeks and the sway of the ship as it sliced its way through the water had her stomach roiling.

Ruddock would come for her and that was what Erskine was counting on. She was safe until then, at least she hoped she was. She would stay strong and survive like her husband had done when taken by the barbarians.

When she had first come to, she wondered what she was doing on a barbarian’s boat, then she recalled what had happened and her thoughts went to Willow. Wilda had hit Willow hard enough to knock her out, but no blood was lost with the blow. It had to have been on purpose as was the exchange between Erskine and Wilda about the boat and going home. They wanted Ruddock to follow. At first thought, she worried how her husband would know how to find her, then she realized the boat had to have been at port, the barbarians trading with the Clan Northwick and the tribe known to them.

“Tell me why,” Sorrell said when Erskine approached her.

He looked far different in the furs wrapped tight around his body. He stood straight and held himself with pride, the slight stoop to his shoulders gone. That he was in command was obvious.

“I was going to wait until your husband arrived to face his fate to tell you both, but I am eager to tell the tale that has been kept a secret far too long.”

“Is it Lord Finn or Ruddock you seek revenge against?” Sorrell asked, as eager to hear the truth as he was to tell the tale.

“And here I thought you intelligent enough to understand Wilda’s clue.”

“Then it is Alida who you wished to see suffer.”

Erskine smiled and turned to call out, “She did understand your clue, Wilda.”

“Actually, it was my sister who figured it out,” Sorrell said loud enough for Wilda to hear, and giving Willow her due.

“Of course, that Willow is a smart one,” Wilda said.

“What has Alida to do with barbarians?” Sorrell asked.

“She’s one of us, half one of us, though I doubt her mother ever told her that,” Erskine said. “Her mother was a slave to my family and bore my father a child… Alida, not her birth name. My father was a great leader, feared by many, and for a good reason. He could be a brutal man in and out of battle. Our tribe thrived under his leadership. Until Alida’s mother attacked my father one night nearly killing him. She took Alida and ran before my father was discovered close to death. He survived, though he wouldn’t agree with that. He was nowhere near the man he had once been.

“I was young at the time, but the memory of that night lingers. Wilda was older and remembers it well. She helped our mother tend our father. His one arm was left lifeless, his speech was never the same, and the scars on his face left him looking like a monster. Unable to defend the clan he was removed as the leader. We barely survived, no one caring to help us.

“I promised my father I would get revenge for what was done to him. What was done to our family. It took years, but Wilda and I were determined. On my father’s deathbed, Wilda and I renewed our vow of revenge to him and he managed to tell us with his last breath how proud he was of us. It took time and I was disappointed when I finally found Edina, Alida’s mother. She was dead, but her daughter wasn’t. And imagine my delight when I discovered she was wed to the mighty warrior, Lord Finn, leader of the powerful Clan Northwick.”

“A joyful moment.” Wilda’s laugh drifted off on the wind.

“Wilda took residence at the clan first, killing off the old healer so Alida would need to seek her skills. I bided my time, though I admit I grew impatient. Then Alida told me that Erland had sent a missive to another clan in search of a steward for the keep. I intercepted the man before he arrived, killed him, and took his place.