The door leading outside flew open and Kenzie bounced down the steps toward them. “We brushed down your horses, Grandsire. You’ll take good care of Mama while we’re gone?” Kenzie moved over to hug Bella fiercely.
“We will. I promise you.”
Kenzie stared at the floor for a moment before he whispered, “Do you think I’m daft, Grandmama? Do you think my true sire hates me for loving Mama and Papa?”
“Oh, Kenzie.” She handed Lucas off to Loki and patted her lap. To everyone’s surprise, the lad settled sideways on her lap, resting his head on her shoulder. “Your sire left this world too soon. He could not see you become a man, but I think he would be thrilled that you found Loki and Bella. Love is what makes us happiest, and have you not heard that the more love you give, the more you will receive?”
Kenzie sat up to stare into his grandmother’s eyes, his expression serious. “I’ll have to think on that. You do not think my true sire is upset with me for loving all of you?”
“Nay. I think if he were here, he would thank us all for taking you in and loving you as though you were our verra own. We do not ask you to forget your parents, which is also important. You do not believe your parents would be pleased to think of you living alone on the streets of Ayr, do you?”
“Nay, they would not want me to live there. That is true, but I must find out for sure. And I must find out about why the man in my dreams is so interested in Papa. ‘Tis strange that we’re having the same dreams, is it not?”
Brodie stood up and clasped his grandson’s shoulder. “Our hope is that you’ll find the answers you seek quickly so you can return to your mama and help her with the new bairn.”
They left the next morning.
Chapter Three
Loki decided to stop and visit Clan Grant since they needed to travel through Grant land in order to reach the well-traveled path out of the Highlands. Every time he visited his childhood home, he was flooded with memories of the past. Happy times he’d spent running across the grounds with his cousins Jamie and Jake, playing with Torrian and his deerhound, and courting his Bella. Aunt Maddie and Uncle Alex persuaded them to stay for the night, and after dinner they gathered around the warm hearth to talk with their dear relatives.
“I hope you return in time to share in our Christmas celebration,” Aunt Maddie said.
Kenzie hopped out of his chair. “We have to be back, do we not, Papa?” he asked eagerly.
Loki said, “We’ll do our best as long as the storms don’t keep us away. We’ve agreed to celebrate the solstice here and at Castle Curanta. We also must consider ‘tis possible Bella could bring this new bairn into the world around the winter solstice. You know I cannot miss that, nor would you like to miss it. Am I not correct?”
“Aye, we must be home to see the new bairn. We will have to find the man with the furs quickly,” Kenzie said, the expression on his face clearly communicating that he had no intention of spending much time in Ayr. All the better.
“We’ll do our best to wait for you, lad,” Uncle Alex said.
Aunt Maddie added, “And we’ll all go to Castle Curanta if Bella delivers the bairn. Caralyn’s help will be needed, and we can keep one another company.”
“My thanks to you both. I know Bella will appreciate the assistance, especially with wee Lucas.” Loki couldn’t help but worry about the timing of their trip, but he knew it would be worse to wait. Bella would be more than busy after the babe came, and travel would be dangerous once winter settled in. No, best to go ahead of the winter solstice.
Alex brought him back to their conversation, knowing just what Kenzie wished to hear. “We’re hoping to have a successful hunting trip, Kenzie. At least one or two deer and a goose or two is our hope.”
“Aye, Uncle Alex,” the lad said, jumping up and down in excitement. “‘Tis my favorite. I love venison meat pies. We must return, Papa. And fruit pies, too, Aunt Maddie?” Loki couldn’t help but smile at the lad’s exuberance. He himself had probably looked that way after his first experiences with the Grants and their wonderful cook. A lad who’d gone hungry many times learned to appreciate the blessings of good food.
“Of course,” Maddie said with a grin. “We have many berries and apples. We will have plenty for all. We’ll be sure to send a basket to your mama and grandparents if you’re not back in time for the celebration. I’ll give you a sack of fruit and some oatcakes to take on your trip.”
“But we will be back in time. We will!” Kenzie glanced from Alex to Maddie and back. “Will you not have evergreens decorated around the hall so it smells sweet?”
“Aye, we will.”
“And fresh rushes?”
“Aye.”
“And big, fat loaves of bread?”
Maddie smiled. “Of course. I’ll make you your own special loaf, Kenzie.”
“Papa, we must return in time. We must!”
The door burst open, a gust of wind howling in behind the newest visitors. Alex and Maddie’s son, Jamie, entered with his second, Finlay, and Finlay’s brother Fergus. Gillie followed them in, stomping his feet for warmth. The lad, an orphan of ten and four summers, had joined Clan Grant after the clan’s recent battle with the Buchans.
“Loki, what brings you to Grant land in this cold weather?” Jamie bellowed, his cheeks pink from the weather. He grinned at them with his usual good cheer.
“Och, we have an important journey to make to Ayr. Kenzie and I are looking to visit with some old friends.” Loki gave Kenzie a pointed look, hoping he wouldn’t talk about his dreams to all. They’d already created enough of a fuss.
“Why not take Gillie with you?” Jamie asked. “He was planning to visit you around the time of the wee bairn’s arrival.”
Gillie grinned. “Aye, normally I would, but I’d prefer to be here for the winter solstice after all the tales I’ve heard about the food. I’m heading home to help Nicol with some chores, but I wished to stop by and give greetings to you and Kenzie.” He stayed for a moment, chatting with Kenzie, and then left with a wave.
As the door closed behind him, a quiet voice said, “I’d like to go with you if you’ll have me.” Fergus lifted his chin a notch.
Finlay shot a surprised look at his elder brother. The two had lost their mother not long ago—a loss that was still felt by all in the clan. Of the brothers, Finlay had recovered more fully from his grief. He’d married Kyla, Alex and Maddie’s daughter, but Fergus still seemed lost. Perhaps it would be good for him to get out.
“Truly?” Finlay asked. “Back to Ayr? During the solstice? Why not stay and enjoy the brief holiday? ‘Twill do you good.”
“Aye. I know not what to say except that I’m restless. I’ve felt unsettled ever since we lost Mama. Loki? What say you?” Fergus didn’t look at anyone else for guidance.
Loki glanced at his uncle Alex first to gauge his reaction, but as always, his uncle kept his feelings well hidden. So he took the measure of the others before he replied.
Finlay took two steps back, staying outside of his brother’s view, and shook his head no.
Jamie took a step behind Finlay and nodded his head in agreement.
At last he turned to look at Aunt Maddie. He paused for a moment to reflect in her goodness, how much they all treasured her presence and guidance. Then she gave him a barely perceptible nod and a wink.
Loki said, “Pack your things. We leave at dawn, as soon as we get our bellies filled. The pickings will be random on our journey.”
* * *
Fergus MacNicol left the great hall with a smile on his face. He knew all too well that his brother would follow him. Sure enough, he heard the door bang shut behind him as Finlay rushed out to speak with him.
“Could your decision not have waited until we talk with Da?” Fergus peered sideways at his brother, huddled inside the wool tunic he’d worn to practice in the lists. “I know ‘tis our first solstice celebration without Mama, but I don’t wish to lose my brother, too.” He gave a shudder, t
hen said, “‘Tis a mighty bitter wind out here today. Let’s move along.”
Rather than answer, Fergus pushed himself to a run toward the small cottage he and his sire and now Gillie shared inside the bailey—the same cottage where they’d lost their mother to that awful growth in her belly. Finlay broke into a run behind him.
“Why now?” his brother shouted.
“I didn’t choose the timing for Loki’s trip.”
They arrived at the cottage and Fergus burst in through the door. His sire and Gillie were busy piling wood next to the hearth, enough to keep the building warm overnight against the cutting wind. The hut was neatly tucked into a corner not far from the curtain wall, which protected it from the worst of the wind.
As soon as they stepped inside, Finlay hurried over to their father. Between gasps of air, he said, “Fergus is leaving with Loki.”
Their sire didn’t even hesitate. “When is Loki leaving? And why? What are his plans?”
“He’s bringing Kenzie to Ayr to visit someone. Fergus asked if he could go along. What say you, Papa?”
Nicol tossed wood into the dying embers, stirring the fire to keep it going. “From your question, I’m assuming you do not agree with Fergus’s decision. Or is it Loki you disagree with?”
“I think Fergus should stay with us. ‘Tis out first year without Mama. We should all be together.”
“But you have Kyla.” Finlay had had the good fortune of marrying his perfect match, something that had not yet happened for Fergus. At one time, he’d fancied himself in love with Gracie Grant, but now he knew they’d have never suited. Gracie and Jamie belonged together, undoubtedly.
“Aye, so Papa will be alone if you leave.”
“Nay, I will not be alone.” Their sire stood and turned to face them both.
“What?” Finlay asked, dumbfounded.
“This will be a difficult year for all of us. Finlay, you have a new wife, and you’ll be celebrating with her family. You know how her mother fusses over the holiday, and she’ll involve you in all of the Grants’ plans. I couldn’t be happier for you. I made this plan just the other day.”
“Why?” Fergus asked, now joining his brother in curiosity.
“Since Brodie and Celestina have gone to Castle Curanta to be with Bella when the new bairn arrives, they’ve invited all of us to join them. Fergus, you’re welcome to come if you’d like, but if you’d prefer to travel with Loki, you have my blessing.” Fergus’s father and Brodie Grant were lifelong friends, so it was no surprise the couple had issued such an invitation.
“You knew Loki was leaving?” Finlay pressed.
“Aye, Loki sent word to his parents to ask for their help. The Grant castle is always bustling at the holidays, and Bella will be needing help, so I said I would be happy to join them, and Gillie said he also wished to go, though perhaps he’d rather travel with the lads.”
“Then I’ll be here alone,” Finlay stated, his hands on his hips.
“Will you?” his sire asked.
“Nay, you’ll not be alone,” Gillie insisted.
Finlay settled into a chair by the hearth with a whoosh. “Nay, I’ll have Kyla and Jamie and Gracie and…”
“Too many to count. I couldn’t be happier for you, son. Gillie did not know your mother, so he can make his own choice of where he wishes to go, but Fergus and I are alone. I had hoped he would go to Loki’s with me, but if he’d prefer to travel to Ayr, then I encourage him to do so.” With that, he turned to face Fergus. “Is there any special reason you’re leaving? May I help in any way?”
Fergus sat at the table in the far corner. “As I explained to Finlay, I’m restless.”
“You’re missing your mother, as we all are. I feel exactly the same way, which is why I plan to be with my old friend for the holidays. You recall ‘twas Brodie and I who found Loki hiding in the bushes in Ayr, do you not? He was a wee lad as small as his Kenzie.”
Finlay nodded. After a deep sigh, he heaved himself out of the chair and made his way to the table. Clasping his brother’s shoulder, he said, “Then go with my blessing, but I’ll still wish you’ll return by the solstice.”
Gillie stood by the pile of wood, kneading his hands. “I’ll stay here with your papa. Will we enjoy a feast at Castle Curanta, too? I don’t wish to miss Maddie’s, but I’d rather stay with you, Nicol.”
“Aye, we’ll have food at both places. ‘Tis our tradition at the winter solstice—feast and make merry with the clan. We are close enough to travel to both eventually.”
Gillie nodded emphatically. “I’ll go wherever there’s a celebration. I’ve had enough of being cold and hungry during the solstice. I have no desire to return to Edinburgh. Mayhap someday.”
Nicol declared, “Fergus, go with all of our blessings. Is that not right, Finlay?”
“Aye,” Finlay said, squeezing his brother’s shoulder again. “I wish you a safe journey.”
Fergus nodded. He wouldn’t tell his brother or his sire the truth.
He needed to find the woman of his dreams.
Chapter Four
Loki had hoped for the chance to talk to Gillie earlier, but there had been too many people around. A lad living in the streets was often aware of everything that happened in a burgh. Though Gillie might not know aught, he thought it wise to ask.
Before they sought their bed that night, Loki and Kenzie made their way to Nicol’s cottage. When they arrived, Nicol and Gillie were the only two present, sitting at the table with hot drinks. When Nicol issued an invitation for the pair to join them, Loki sat and motioned for his son to do the same. Loki trusted his father’s friend implicitly, so he didn’t mind speaking openly in front of him.
“Sorry to disturb you both so late,” Loki said, “but we were hoping to ask some questions of Gillie.”
“Aye, what is it?” the lad asked curiously.
“You lived in Edinburgh for a while. Have you ever heard of a man who wears furs, even a hood of furs that covers his face?”
“All the way to his feet,” Kenzie added, glancing sideways at his papa.
“Aye, I’ve seen a man like that,” Gillie shrugged his shoulders, oblivious to the importance of his revelation to Kenzie and Loki.
“You have?” Kenzie bolted to his feet in a matter of seconds.
Loki gently tugged on his son’s plaid until he was once again seated. “Where have you seen him and how long ago?” He did his best to hide his own excitement, especially since the wee lad expressed enough for both of them. Besides, there could very well be two such men.
“That is, if you mean the man of the bairns. He used to come to Edinburgh once every couple of moons in search of children who lived in the streets. He took them off the streets, fed them at his big cottage.”
“Why didn’t you go along with him?” Kenzie asked. “If he’d been in Ayr when I was there, I would have gone. Many nights it was verra cold.”
“I noticed he usually took the young ones in, not any lads of my age. After the first time I saw him, I asked others about him and they said he was most reputable. I met someone who’d lived with him for a while. He took in the lost souls, that’s what he called them. If you had no home and wished to eat, he was the one who’d help you. He kept around ten bairns in his cottage, all huddled together on the floor in his hut. He slept separately. He fed them and they all did chores.”
“And they were warmer than I was.”
“But you’ve no need of his help now, Kenzie. Recall why we need to find this man in the furs.” Sometimes it was a challenge keeping Kenzie focused, but he tried to keep that hidden from the lad, doing his best to patiently guide him instead.
“Aye, Papa. Where is his cottage, Gillie? We’ll go talk to him.”
Gillie gave them a look Loki didn’t like. “I have no idea. Sorry. No one ever said where, and I never asked.”
“Papa, we must go to Edinburgh instead. We’re heading the wrong way.”
Gillie said, “Mayhap not. They sa
id he traveled to all the Scottish royal burghs. Gathered bairns from everywhere.”
“Then we head to Ayr. Remember your dream, Kenzie? We must heed it.” The others exchanged looks, but no one questioned them.
The following morning was clear, which pleased Loki. There was little he hated more than traveling in drenching rain. He’d take the snow any day over the dampness that soaked deep into your bones. His favorite part of the ride to Ayr was the stunning view it gave him of the mountains of the Highlands. Something about that expanse of beautiful, rugged land both reminded him of how small he was in comparison with nature’s glory and anchored him to his adopted home. He always gave thanks when he saw that view, forever grateful for how the Grants had changed and expanded his world.
The group ended up being larger than Loki had anticipated, but since it was almost the dead of winter, it was a good idea to have extra travelers. Besides Kenzie and Fergus, he’d brought three of his own guards, and Uncle Alex had insisted on sending another five men. His uncle had claimed he was sending them just to help hunt, but Loki knew better. They all knew unrest still roiled in the Highlands after the defeat of Glenn of Buchan, the Grants’ longtime adversary. His uncle was ensuring they had protection from reivers searching for coin or wealth.
They’d almost made it to Ayr when they found a cave to settle in for the night to protect them against the wind, one large enough for the horses to huddle in just at the edge. The wind kept up a brief whistle, but the furs and shelter would keep them warm.
They allowed the horses to graze while they made a fire just at the mouth of the cave to cook the two rabbits they’d shot along the way. Fergus’s skills with a bow were impressive.
They sat chewing rabbit bones around the fire, discussing their plan for the trip to Ayr.
“Are you visiting your true sire, the priest, Loki? Does he not live in Ayr?” Fergus asked.
“Aye, he lives there for most of the year, but he heads to Edinburgh every Christmas. I’ll probably not see him, but I know he’ll be up to visit the new bairn in the spring,” Loki replied, tossing his bare rabbit bone off into the woods.
Loki's Christmas Story Page 2
