Oria had seen to food and drink once in the Great Hall and when it was placed on the table she said, “I’ll leave you to talk. It’s my duty to see to the people who have returned home.”
Royden looked ready to disagree, but quelled his response. He wouldn’t stop his wife from doing what was right.
“I’ll join you. Some may need my healing hand,” Wren offered.
“You haven’t eaten and you’re tired from the journey,” Parlan said, taking hold of Wren’s arm when she went to stand.
“You need to talk with your son,” Wren said softly, covering his hand with hers. “I will sup with you later.”
“You love her, don’t you?” Royden asked as his da watched Wren leave the Great Hall with his wife.
“I never expected to fall in love again. Your mother stole my heart and took it with her when she died. I didn’t think I had an ounce of love in me for another woman. Wren was…” He shook his head. “It was like my heart suddenly came alive and I felt things I hadn’t felt since the day I lost your mum.” He took a swig of ale. “Wren is a good woman.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Da,” Royden said. “You love Wren and that’s all that matters.”
“News got back to me about you and Arran. My heart broke when I heard you lost your hand, though I was relieved you survived it.”
“I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for Arran.”
“I wouldn’t have expected anything less from him. He may be all smiles and charm, but Arran is a superior warrior and most of all a devoted brother,” Parlan said with pride. “I heard mentioned that he will be returning home as well. Pray tell it is true.”
“He’s been released and I got word that he must see to something before coming home. I pray it has something to do with Raven.”
“Have you heard anything about her?” Parlan asked anxiously.
Royden cupped his tankard tightly with his one hand. “I only know she has survived, nothing more than that.”
“I heard the same, but wonder if it was nothing more than wishful thinking. I know of no one who has seen or spoken to her.” Parlan reached out to grip his son’s wrist. “I can’t bear to think what may have happened to her or that I failed to protect her.”
“We’re all to blame. Arran and I discussed this and we both agree that one of us should have seen to her safety. I believe she survived and she remains in hiding for fear of what might happen if she shows herself.”
“What has she got to fear now?” Parlan asked. “You have returned to the clan. You are wed and no doubt soon will have news of a bairn on the way. The Clan MacKinnon is secure.”
“It could be that Raven hides so well that she doesn’t know what goes on here,” Royden suggested.
Parlan laughed. “Your sister had her nose in everything. She’s been a little sneak since she was young. I doubt that has changed.”
His da was right about Raven. She had listened more times than not on discussions held in their da’s solar without ever being caught. And she spied on Arran when he and Flora met for a poke or two in the barn.
Parlan’s brow suddenly drew together. “How was it you managed to return home?”
“I was released and you should know that my release was conditioned upon me wedding Oria.”
“Why? You would have wed her anyway,” his da asked.
The thought was like a slap in the face. His da was right. He might have been foolish upon returning home, but in the end he would have wed Oria. He would have never chanced losing her again. It just would have taken some time to realize it.
Everyone knew he and Oria wished to wed, so why had it been a condition of his release? Who would think they wouldn’t wed?
“Not much is making sense right now, Da. I was told a high price had been paid for my release.”
His da shook his head. “It’s not only coin that would be needed to secure your release. It would have to be someone with power or influence or both.” He shook his head again. “You’re right, not much makes sense. There was no strife among the clans in this part so why the attack? Who paid the mercenaries for it?”
“Arran and I tried to find out what we could, but it was useless. No one talked and no one seemed to care,” Royden said. “It’s a puzzle I intend to solve.”
“You have to have all the pieces to solve a puzzle. I don’t believe we have enough pieces to do that just yet,” his da said with a bit of annoyance.
Royden understood what his da meant without saying it. Until Arran and Raven were home there’d be no solving the puzzle.