Page 59 of A Fierce Archer

“I couldn’t possibly...” Catriona could not think of a good reason to refuse. She had no other duties at the moment, and it made sense, since she was not married and not tied to remaining there at Ross Keep. “Oh, goodness.”

Chapter Sixteen

Despite the change in season, Ewan could not warm up. He shivered in his makeshift bedroll and considered leaving the slight warmth of it to add wood to the bonfire.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, he pushed out of his bedroll and grabbed several pieces of wood that he threw into the fire.

“Ah, yes, thank ye,” someone called out.

“One of ye could have done it,” Ewan grumbled. But he smiled knowing he, too, had been waiting and hoping someone else would add wood.

The heat from the flames was instant. He went back to his bedroll and pulled it just a bit closer to the fire and then slid between the folds.

In the morning, they would arrive in Uist. They’d make their way across the water in bìrlinns and be greeted by whoever was sent. They’d sent a scout ahead to announce their arrival so his family would not be caught unaware.

When the sun rose, everyone moved quickly, attempting to warm themselves by moving about as it made little sense to add wood to the fire at this point.

Kieran came up to Ewan. His cousin looked to him and then away. “Is there anything ye require me to do upon arriving?”

“Aye, can ye be present when I tell my brothers about my becoming laird? I will require a show of support from Malcolm.”

“Of course.” Kieran frowned. “Anything else I should know?”

Ewan wondered many times while traveling if Una remained there at the house. Hopefully now that his father was gone, she’d been sent away.

“I hope not to see anyone but family. I presume the burial ceremonies are over. The main purpose of this visit is to see my mother and siblings. There is no reason for me to pay any kind of homage to my father.”

Kieran waited, not saying a word, but obviously wishing to know a good reason.

“My father fucked my wife. I caught them together, saw with my own eyes. I almost killed him. My brothers tore me away. I demanded she be sent away.”

Ewan took a breath, looking toward the trees. “When my father refused, I left.”

When he looked to Kieran, there was no pity in the warrior’s gaze. His eyes were flat, as if he heard this type of thing regularly and it ceased to surprise him.

“I will endeavor to avoid that topic of conversation.”

Ewan laughed. “Cousin, sometimes ye surprise me. Who would guess the most intimidating of the Ross brothers had a sense of humor?”

After a simple meal, they mounted and rode toward the shore. At the scent of the salty ocean air, Ewan closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It was the one thing he missed the most, the smell of the ocean. He also missed the sounds of lapping waves upon the shore.

There were three bìrlinns waiting, each of them manned by four men. Two would be for their horses and one for Naill, Kieran and him.

Ewan immediately recognized several of the men. He called them out by name and was given warm greetings in return. The trip over the water was swift. Ewan looked anxiously over at the larger vessel where Ban was. The horse was used to the water, but it had been some time since he’d been on it. Nonetheless, the silver animal kept its head down, seeming to be asleep.

“My horse looks like it’s about to jump over the side,” Kieran said, his gaze locked on the animal. “If he does, I will be most cross.”

“At who? Me or the animal?”

“Both,” Kieran replied.

Thankfully, Kieran’s horse remained safe and once they landed on Uist, both men and Naill mounted again.

It wasn’t long before Ross Keep came into view. The large keep was surrounded by planting fields which were kept by local villagers.

The wall that surrounded the home was not as tall as the one at Dun Airgid, mainly because they fought most battles at the shores and not at the keep.

However, if it came to it, the gates would be closed and archers posted atop. It was a safe fortress.