She thanked him, grateful when he helped both her and her mother to their feet.
“Are you all right?” Finally gathering her wits, Greer frowned at his wounded knuckles. “I can dress that for you.”
“Nay, ’tis fine.” His brow furrowed, and he kept his hand at her waist. “Are ye well enough to ride?”
“I am,” she assured, gaining her footing. She looked around only to realize most were already gone. “Are you sure Randolph heads for your castle? Could it be Edmund’s men simply led him astray?”
“Nay, his men went in the opposite direction of MacLauchlin Castle,” he replied. “So, he’s definitely heading for Julianna.”
“Then we should go.” Her gaze fell to Bartholomew, her feelings raw but not for him. He’d reaped what he sowed. “Someone should see him properly buried.”
“The holy man said he would see to it.” Teagan saw her mother onto her horse before helping Greer onto his and swinging up behind her. “’Twill be hard riding.”
Though her mind continued going in circles, still partly in the past, she grew more aware by the moment.
“Good,” Margery would have said. “Enough with all that back there. ’Tis time to help your husband and new friends and live the life you were destined for.”
“As are you,” she whispered.
“As was I,” Margery corrected, putting emphasis on the past tense. “Now focus on the here and now so that you might make it home to MacLauchlin Castle.”
Although the rain had let up last night, the ground was still slick underfoot and the rivers swollen, so traveling wasn’t as easy as it might have been. Even so, they moved fast enough that there was little time to speak with Teagan about what had happened back there.
Because something had happened.
What, exactly, remained just out of reach.
Regardless, they moved right along and, fortunately, caught up with the others at the next village.
“Malcolm’s gone on ahead, aye?” Teagan asked Edmund when he didn’t spy his brother. “Scouting?”
“Aye,” Edmund confirmed.
Teagan helped Greer down, only for Ada to embrace her tightly.
“Is everything all right?” Greer frowned and looked around, trying not to envision the worst. “Where are the children?”
“Here and safe, thanks to you, Teagan, and Alfred.” Ada shook her head when she pulled back, referring to Greer’s flashback. “I’m so sorry we couldnae stay on when ye needed me most, but Edmund insisted we keep moving. That Bartholomew’s men could turn back at any moment.”
“He was right to insist such,” she assured. “I’m sorry I snuck out of the tavern like that.”
Greer had snuck out to go to Teagan’s aid if need be, not realizing Duncan had done the same determined to fight alongside the men. Suffice it to say, she’d happened upon the boy just in the nick of time before he rushed into battle.
“Though ’twas trying all the way around,” Ada replied. “I amnae sorry ye snuck out and came upon my lad.”
Ada shook her head at Duncan, who had just joined them. His eyes widened on Teagan.
“Did ye see it?” He blinked at Teagan in wonder before he looked at Greer. “Did ye see how the fairies came to yer warrior-hero's aid in battle? How their fairy fire protected his blade, then gave him the good wisdom to be a better man than his enemy?”
“I saw it from the window,” Besse echoed in awe, though she couldn't possibly have. But brothers and sisters stuck together. “I saw it clear as day!”
When Teagan and Greer looked at Ada in confusion, she was sure to look impressed. “Aye, how could they not see the sparks on Teagan’s blade when he fought his greatest foe?” She perked a brow. “Or when he chose to spare his mortal enemy rather than become like him and slay him ruthlessly?”
Ah, so the metal clashing caused sparks, and imaginations took over.
“’Twas quite impressive,” Duncan praised, eyeing Alfred with newfound respect as he helped with the horses. “As was Sir Alfred’s valor in finally putting the beast out of his misery.”
“I could not agree more,” Greer's mother concurred. “As always, I’m proud to call him kin.” She shared a knowing look with Greer. “He is most unlike my brother.”
“Yes, he is.” She looked at Teagan. “Speaking of kin, will we press on? There are still a few hours of daylight left.”
“Aye, I will continue on with the MacLomains,” he responded. “Ye and yers will stay here for the eve where ’tis safer.”
“No,” she and her mother said at the same time. They glanced at each other, understanding one another perfectly.
“If my daughter and your kin are in danger,” Mother went on, “I prefer to press on with you and help any way I can.”
“As do I.” Greer couldn’t imagine being anywhere but by Teagan's side at this point. Yes, it was quick and might make little sense to some, but it was true. Not only was he her husband, but they were connected in a way her mind and heart struggled to make sense of. “I go where you go, husband.”
Teagan frowned in concern, no doubt worried about her episode earlier. Her state of mind. “Are ye sure?”
“Yes.” She nodded, never so certain of anything. “I need to be part of this final leg of the journey.”
While remaining by his side felt crucial, she also wanted to be there when they faced off with her uncle. In a strange way, it felt like facing her past. She didn't want to tremble and hide in helpless cowardly terror anymore but meet her demons head-on. Monsters she hadn't realized until this morning still haunted her so much. She might not be able to wield a blade yet, but there were other ways to slay her demons.
“Sadly, I must stay here with my bairns,” Ada said on a sigh, ignoring Duncan’s groan of dismay. She shook her head at Greer. “After what happened earlier, I cannae risk their safety.”
“Nor should ye.” Teagan looked at Edmund. “Malcolm and I have enough fighting men thanks to the MacLomains staying on. Ye should remain here and watch over Ada and her bairns until we send word all is well.”
“Are ye sure?” Edmund frowned, despite his obvious relief. He clearly wanted to help but, at the same time, didn’t want Ada and the children left alone.
“Ye dinnae need to do that,” Ada argued.
“’Tis not about need, lass,” Edmund winked at Duncan, “but about being here to battle alongside yer lad if need be.”
“Thank ye, good sir.” Duncan rested a hand on the hilt of an imaginary dirk sheathed at his waist. “’Tis well past time I fight alongside an English-Scot.”
Greer bit back a smile at the less derogatory term.
“Och, I dinnae need protecting,” Ada muttered. She kissed Greer on the cheek and wished her well before ushering her children toward the village. Not before she had the final word, though.
“If ye must,” Ada called over her shoulder, “come keep being our bloody hero, Sassenach!”
“But of course, darling,” Edmund called back, sounding properly English just to irritate her. He grinned and tipped an imaginary hat to Greer, Teagan, and Cecille before he sauntered after Ada, muttering, “Ye feisty wench,” under his breath.