Royden stood looking at the MacKinnon keep. He had approached it from the woods, not sure what he’d find. Once he had caught sight of it, he had to get closer, had to finally get home. The stone keep stood tall and proud and didn’t appear as neglected as he feared it might. Although he didn’t know what he’d find inside. For now, it didn’t matter. He was home. After five long, terrible years he was home.
He turned and looked over the village and the sight disturbed him. The cottages were in disrepair and he saw no one tending to chores or lingering about. He didn’t even hear the bark of a dog.
“Few have remained, but the few who have will be happy to see you. Happy to have a chieftain once again.”
Royden turned to see Bethany standing just outside the open doors of the keep.
“You stayed,” he said pleased to see a familiar face, family of sorts.
“Someone had to be here if your sister returned,” she said.
Tears glistened in her eyes that had aged since Royden had last seen her. Her hair had turned completely gray and she appeared thinner, a slight stoop to her shoulders, but the broad smile she wore let him know how happy she was to see him.
“My da, Bethany?” he asked, though feared her response.
“I never saw what became of him.”
“Has Raven returned?” Royden asked anxiously, hoping for good news while trying to accept the inevitable—his da was dead.
Bethany shook her head. “No, she hasn’t been here and I’ve heard nothing about her.”
“The warriors who remained here probably frightened her away,” Royden surmised or more hoped, giving credence that his sister had survived.
“The warriors left about a month ago and have not returned. They were not the same warriors who first remained here. Warriors have come and gone over the years. They all did little while here. Then he came one day.” Bethany shuddered. “A beast of a man. A metal helmet concealed his face and I was glad of it. Something told me if I looked upon him I’d wither and die. His own warriors—the ones who arrived with him and there were many—kept their distance except for one man. He was called Trevor and he did the beast’s bidding.” She shuddered again, her whole body quaking.
“Why was he here?”
Bethany shook her head. “I don’t know for certain. I did hear some say that he was close to getting what he wanted. Whatever that might be.”
Royden wondered himself and intended to find out. “The warriors won’t be coming back. I’m free and I’m home to stay.”
Bethany’s shoulders sagged as if a heavy weight had been lifted off them. “Those who have remained here have struggled to keep the clan together until one of you returned. No one ever doubted that one of you would come home and return strength and pride to the clan.”
“It will be done. The Clan MacKinnon will rise again,” he said and with what he had learned while captive, he’d make his clan close to invincible. “I never got to thank you for what you did that day of the attack, Bethany. It took courage to step forward and lie to protect Raven, and I am forever grateful that you did. I am also grateful that you remained here and did what you could to keep the Clan MacKinnon together.”
“The clan is my family and I would do anything to protect Raven,” Bethany admitted tearfully. “And I’d do anything to find her and help bring her home.”
“You have my word. I will find Raven and bring her home,” Royden said, intent on keeping the promise he had made those many years ago.
“Will Arran return home soon?” Bethany asked.
“I believe he will,” Royden said, sounding and feeling hopeful now that he was home. He’d never forget what his brother had done for him when he’d lost his hand. He owed Arran much and he prayed he’d see him soon. Otherwise he’d… “I’ll go find Arran if necessary.”
“As he would you,” Bethany acknowledged. “Much work is needed here, the fields need to be made ready for summer planting and the cottages repaired along with the storehouses which need stocking. I don’t know if there is enough left of the clan to see it done.”
“I’ll see it done.” Royden didn’t know how, but he’d let nothing stop him from restoring his clan’s power and wealth and providing a thriving home for them all.
“You should be aware that one of the warriors who was here for some time chose to stay,” Bethany said. “He fell in love with Emily, Old George’s granddaughter, and they wed.”
“Emily is so young,” Royden said, thinking she was near the same age as his sister.
“Not anymore. She’s close to ten and nine years now,” Bethany reminded. “And past the age most lassies wed.”