Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 2)

Whether Galvin liked the warriors or not didn’t matter. Someone had killed one of Wolf’s men and the Northman wasn’t going to tolerate that.

“Stabbed in the chest,” Purity said, looking down at the man lying on the ground in the confines of the camp. “This isn’t where he was found, is it?”

“No,” Freen said. “He was found in the woods.”

“At his post?” Arran asked, knowing Wolf’s warriors always posted sentinels wherever they went, though he was surprised one would be caught unaware.

“His post had finished and he was returning to camp,” Freen said. “Brynjar must be the one responsible for this.”

“Why? What possible reason could Brynjar have for killing one of Wolf’s warriors? It makes no sense.” Purity shook her head, not comfortable with Freen’s assumption.

“Nothing Brynjar does makes sense,” Arran said. “He strikes without provocation or reason and that instills fear in his enemy, leaving them to feel vulnerable.”

“So this warrior’s death was meant as a warning, that we’re vulnerable to Brynjar’s whims?” Purity asked, finding the reasoning hard to grasp. “I don’t see way Brynjar would waste killing one of Wolf’s warriors when none of them have anything to do with what goes on with the agreement he made with my father.”

“To show that he can,” Arran said. “Strength and power are everything to Brynjar. If he can kill one of Wolf’s seasoned warriors so easily, then how do we stop him from killing anyone?”

Purity saw her husband’s point, yet something didn’t seem right about it. Why kill a warrior who had nothing to do with Brynjar’s reason for being here? Why not someone in the clan?

“You sent word to Wolf?” Arran asked.

Freen bobbed his head. “I sent word immediately.”

“I have no say over Wolf’s men, but I’d advise more vigilance if I did,” Arran said.

“It has already been seen to,” Freen said.

Arran turned to Quiver, who stood off to the side. “Ask around in the village if anyone saw or heard anything unusual last night or this morning.”

Quiver bobbed his head and took off.

Arran kept a slow pace as he walked with his wife back to the keep. King and Princess followed, walking off to sniff areas of interest now and then, but not going far. They, like others, felt the unrest in the air. Tongues were already spreading the news and worry would grow.

“Speak your mind, wife, since I know there’s something on it,” Arran said, taking her hand as they walked.

Purity squeezed his hand. “There is, but I don’t know what.”

“Trust me, that’s what Brynjar wants. Confusion and uncertainty cause people to worry, fear, and often do foolish things.”

“Still, why one of Wolf’s warriors? Why not someone in the clan?” she asked.

“If Wolf’s warriors are easy prey, then how easily would it be for Brynjar to kill anyone else? It’s a sign to our clan that no one is safe.”

“You will post more sentinels as you advised Freen to do with Wolf’s warriors?” she asked anxiously.

“No. Our warriors are not as well-trained as Wolf’s warriors. Brynjar would easily rid himself of the ones on the outer borders of the village. I will leave that area to Wolf’s men. I will post our warriors just inside the village and throughout.”

“My father has brought evil upon the clan by turning to that horrible man for help,” Purity said, feeling responsible for the danger thrust upon the clan.

“We’ll see it through and be rid of Brynjar,” Arran assured, though it wouldn’t be as easy as he made it sound.

Purity stopped and brought their clenched hands to rest against her chest. “I don’t want to lose you, Arran. I want a good life with you and the many bairns we will have.”

“Intend to keep me busy in bed, do you?” he asked with a smile that easily filled his face.

Lord, but she loved his smile and was so happy to see him smile more often. “That I do—very busy, which is why you will not do anything foolish.” His smile faded, letting her know she was right in what she thought. “You will not go after Brynjar.”

“Hopefully it won’t be necessary,” he said to ease his wife’s worry.

“You’ll give me your word that you won’t go after him,” she ordered sternly.

“I can’t do that, Purity, for if it comes to that, I will do what needs to be done.”

Purity would have argued with him, but a bark from Princess caught both their attention and they looked to see Arran’s da and Wren approach on horses.

“You sent for Wren?’ Purity asked, having told him it wasn’t necessary.

“I didn’t need to. I knew once Royden told her what happened, she’d come on her own to make sure you were all right.” He brought their joined hands to his lips to kiss hers. “We’re all family, Purity. They care for you—please let them.”