A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6), Hildie McQueen [most popular ebook readers TXT] 📗

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.

Ewan straightened in his saddle. Soon, he’d be faced with familiar faces and he was admittedly happy about it. Just as they neared, three men on horseback headed toward them. Kieran turned to him with a questioning look.

“Darach, Stuart and Gideon. Duncan is missing. He lives away from the keep with our half-brother, Calean. I am sure he will turn up later.”

When they got close enough, Ewan called out greetings and his brothers returned the greetings to him, Kieran and Naill.

As a group, they rode through the gates. Introductions would be made once they were indoors.

“How is Mother?” Ewan asked Gideon, the youngest brother.

“She is in good spirits.”

In other words, his mother, who had stopped caring for the late laird, was now free of him and his various lovers. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Una was gone, but he refrained. There would be time for that later.

The courtyard was well kept, just like he remembered. Everything in its place. The one thing his late father had passed down that was useful was his penchant for orderliness.

They dismounted and gave instructions for the care of the horses before heading into the house.

At the top of the stairs was his mother, her arm weaved through his sister Ella’s. Both were beautiful in their own right and beamed upon his approach.

“Welcome home, Son,” his mother said before hugging him tightly. “I hope ye have returned for good.”

There it was. The one thing he feared: breaking his mother’s heart again when she learned he was to never return to live there.

“We have much to discuss,” he told her and pressed a kiss to her brow. “I have missed ye, Mother.” When Ella pressed against his side, he placed an arm around her. “And ye as well.”

Once inside the great room, he waited for everyone to be together and he began introductions.

First he named Kieran, son of their father’s first cousin. There were the expected astounded looks by his mother and sister at Kieran’s attractive looks. Then he introduced Naill, head archer for Clan Ross. Finally, he motioned to his family and introduced them in order. First Darach, who was to be the new laird, then Stuart, and Gideon. Finally, he introduced his mother and, lastly, Ella.

It was Darach that spoke next. “Our brother, Duncan, and half-brother, Caelan, live away from here in another family estate on the southern end of the isle. We have a large family home there from where we can better keep watch over the large village there.”

Kieran nodded in acknowledgement and everyone went to sit around a long table in