Two hours later, whenKenn arrived, Darach and Morven joined others at the great hall. It was a full table, with almost all of the council members present. When Kenn saw the brothers, he immediately stood. Darach noticed that his ginger hair had grown much longer than it had been, and that his tunic and trews were ripped in places. He stank of piss and dung, and his green eyes shone through the dirt streaks that covered his face. He was a terrifying sight. Darach ignored the odor and moved in closer, pulling him into a hug.
“Welcome back tae the land ye call home, friend. Ye made us all quite worried.”
He smiled brightly and nodded at Darach. “Thank the gods yer health is restored as well.”
Darach laid his other hand over his stomach. “Ah, restored enough now that I feel less pain and more hunger. ‘Tis quite good tae be hungry, as they say.”
He ended his sentence with a dramatic eye roll. Kenn laughed, and everyone sat down. He extended his greetings to both Morven and Lorna. When his gaze was drawn to Jane, he trembled slightly, looking uneasy as he smoothed his hand over his hair and drew away slowly. Darach attributed his reactions to being uncomfortable sitting at a table with the daughter of the man who had imprisoned him in a dungeon.
“Ye should be near tae starving, Kenn.”
“Oh, aye,” he answered, turning his attention to Darach. “I'd been on the run for three days now, and I'd emptied the contents of the little food I stole on day one.”
“Three days?” Lorna was utterly appalled, and her voice did nothing to hide that.
“Aye, my lady, three days.” Kenn's tone grew more serious, and lines appeared on his face. He looked flustered, as if he was suddenly not comfortable in his skin.
“Ye look tired, friend,” Darach cut in. “I’m thinking ye have yer food, we talk for a bit, and then ye get a long rest.”
He looked back at him and nodded. “My gratitude, my laird. Now that I am home, I will indeed sleep. But I truly look forward tae being back at yer side and working on our missions together.”
The rest of the breakfast was uneventful, and after it, Darach led the way to his study while Kenn and Morven followed.
One of the maids poured the three of them some ale before she stepped out. They sipped in silence at first, and Darach kept his gaze fastened on Kenn for a moment.
“So, pray tell us,” Morven muttered.
Darach observed Kenn as he shot his brother the full force of his glare. “Is there something ye wanted?” he asked simply.
“Aye,” Morven drawled. “For instance, tae ken whether ye are good or nae.”
“As ye can see, I am. But I was surprised tae find the lass of the man who'd locked me in a dungeon at yer table, my laird. Is that the worst retribution ye could give?” Kenn shook his head and sat on the stool next to the bed.
Darach raised his eyebrows. “Forget yer bitterness with the lass for a moment. There are things we must know, starting with how ye managed tae escape and why the other men are nae with ye.”
Kenn sighed. It was clear that the last thing he wanted was an inquisition at this moment.
“I dinnae ken,” he said firmly. “I think it was more of luck than anything else. It was in the middle of the night. The guards had a skirmish, and I took advantage. I barely managed escape for myself and dinnae remember much beyond waking up feeling as though I had been trampled all over.”
Morven shook his head. “I thought ye went tae the kitchen tae steal some food?”
“Aye,” Kenn was obviously disturbed. “I went back in later.”
Darach looked into his eyes. “And ye could still find yer way out?”
“Tae be honest, my laird,” he groaned. “I dinnae remember much of it.”
Morven stood up and went to the window. “Dinnae tell me that one of the men with the best minds has forgotten such a harrowing experience.”
He turned back to face Kenn, his eyes glowing. “Because I ken what it feels like in the darkness of dungeons, and I dinnae think that can be forgotten.”
“Nay,” Kenn shook his head. “I have nae forgotten it. Weariness and the relief at finding myself safe and at home may have clouded my mind, but I have nae forgotten what I'd experienced on this journey where one of our allies became our enemy.”
“Ye reckon our current differences cannae be easily mended when I return his daughter?” Darach asked softly.
Kenn scoffed. “I'd never trust him, my laird. There were whispers that he believed his daughter coming under yer roof had ruined her and that ye might have laid yer ‘beastly’ hands on his firstborn. I fear that him knowing she'd spent time in yer court, at yer table, only worsens things.”
Anger and guilt coursed through Darach's blood, stirring frustration and a blinding rage in his head.