When Kenneth returned to McClure Keep—when he started his future—he’d have to do the same. Nay, he’d be able to do the same and train the warriors who’d been leaderless for so long. It was his duty, aye, but one he was looking forward to now that he’d had this revelation.
He was looking forward to it almost as much as the begetting.
The overly eager lad pushed his sparring partner backward, but the more experienced warrior waited for his opportunity and swung his blade in from the side. Had this been a real battle, the lad would’ve been seriously inconvenienced in the kidney area.
“Ellis, goddamn yer hide!” Doughall strode into the fray with absolute certainty the other sparring pairs would clear from his path. “Plan yer attack!”
As the commander reached the lad and began to berate—er, correct rather—the lad’s technique, Kenneth heard Coira make a sound in her throat. It might’ve been a swallowed laugh, or mayhap a grunt, or even just a clearing of her throat.
When he glanced at her, she was staring back, a frank expression on her face.
“Why are ye here, Smith-Bruce-Campbell-Stewart?” He noticed she got the order correct, and the heavy sarcasm showed she knew it was an alias. “Ye just like watching shirtless men cavorting?”
“Is that why ye’re here?” he shot back.
With a scowl, she looked away, her attention returning to the training men, her shoulders tense.
Taking pity on her, he tried to make his tone more conciliatory, when he said, “Actually, I’m here because I’ve been looking for ye. I have some questions for ye.”
“Is it about a man named McIlvain?” She didn’t look away from the warriors.
Kenneth was surprised, but he hid it with a quick nod, which she likely didn’t even see.
“Aye,” he said for good measure. “I’m looking for a man named McIlvain. A large man, with light hair and one eye.”
After Leanna’s reaction to his description of the missing Hunter, he suspected describing the man’s weapon might not be McIlvain’s defining feature.
Leanna’s oldest sister flicked a hooded gaze his way. “And ye think I’ve seen him?”
“I think,” Kenneth began carefully, shifting his stance so he could keep an eye on the sparring warriors and Coira, “despite appearances, ye ken much more about what goes on at Oliphant Castle then mayhap even the laird.”
The woman snorted softly, but Kenneth wasn’t certain ‘twas an agreement or not.
Before she could answer, Doughall stomped back toward them, settling into his easy observer’s stance once more. “The lad must learn to think through his attacks.”
Surprising himself, Kenneth spoke up. “There’s something to be said for his speed, which is impressive. But if he doesnae understand how his opponent will counter each of his attacks, then he cannae plan for his next move.”
“Aye.” Grunting in surprise, Doughall leaned forward to crane his neck around Coira. “Would ye like to try explaining that to him?”
“Nay,” Kenneth said with a chuckle. “But I suspect if ye offered to spar with him tomorrow, he’d get the message eventually.”
Coira was nodding. “Especially if ye yell at him the whole time.”
Doughall’s lips thinned as he leaned back into his position, his gaze once more on his warriors. “If ye didnae come to train, Kenneth, why are ye here?”
It was Coira who answered for him. “He’s looking for a man.”
Doughall nodded to the field ahead of them. “Take yer pick,” he said easily, no judgement in his tone.
To Kenneth’s surprise, Coira snorted again, but this time it sounded as if it might’ve been an aborted laugh. “No’ any man. He’s looking for a light-haired one with one eye. Named McIlvain.”
To give Doughall credit, the commander thought for a moment before answering. But with a shake of his head, he said, “I dinnae recall the name or a man who fits that description. A warrior, I suppose.”
“Aye,” Kenneth agreed. “I have information which I suspected meant he was heading for Oliphant Castle.”
Of course, “Beware the Oliphants” could’ve meant McIlvain had gone anywhere except Oliphant Castle. But Kenneth had needed to check.
The commander shook his head again. “If what ye suspect is true, then he must’ve been waylaid before he made it this far, because I havenae seen him.”