Mist Warrior Read Free Page B

time is now. ”
    Branan thought for a long moment. The answers to his future could not be found in Scotland. They resided in the land of the Sassanach and his English heritage.
    Learn before you fight, his mother had said.
    Had he learned all that he needed? Was he ready to face his future?
    Mayhap it was time to face his fears and find out.
    “ Verra well, Gavin, ” he said softly. “ We will leave at first light. ”
     

Chapter Two
    From the Mist
     
    Manor House Newton Reigny
    Inglewood Forest, England
    Three Weeks Later
     
    “ Dear God, Gavin, ” Branan muttered. “ I am sick unto death of being cold. ” He wore heavy mail and plate armor, covered with his plaid. Branan wrapped his heavy woolen brat tighter about his shoulders, trying to keep the flying snow from his face and neck.
    “ Aye, ” Gavin s aid, “ b ut soon we will be at my parent’s hearth fire to warm these old bones. ”
    Branan chuckled softly, his mount moving steadily into the wind. “ Aye, brother. This eve I will enjoy a fine meal and good conversation. ” He glanced over his shoulder . H is uncle and the six me n who had accompanied them rode straight in their saddles, eyes bright and alert. Gavin’s two serjants followed.
    Branan faced the trail , but the wind shifted slightly and a peculiar odor caught his attention. “ Smoke, ” he said.
    “ No doubt ‘tis on ly my father… ” Abruptly Gavin stopped, lifting his head to test the wind. “ ’Tis too strong for a hearth fire…or even a bonfire. ”
    Branan’s heart twisted, cold and hard. “ Aye. ” He kicked his mount forward, surging through the snow.
    Soon the storm parted enough to see the gray, smoking rubble. Branan froze in horror.
    “ Nay! ” Gavin screamed, throwing himself off his mount.
    Branan could not move. The home he had known for two years after his mother’s death had been burnt to the ground.
    Gavin charged into the smoldering pile. “ Father! Mother! Catriona! ”
    Branan’s mind started functioning again. “ Hold, Gavin! T he enemy may still be about. ” His men and the serjants drew their weapons. “ Check around the house, ” he said. They nodded and galloped away, Duguald remaining with him. They both dismounted.
    Gavin was lost to reason. He tore through the ashes, a gray cloud flying around him, calling for his parents and Catriona. Branan wanted to join him , but his feet remained rooted . The ash Gavin sifted through exactly matched Branan’s heart. Gavin continued to search, his voice growing hoarse as he cried out the names that meant everything to him and Branan.
    He hefted a large board, not completely burned. “ Oh God, ” he whispered dropping to his knees.
    Branan’s throat tightene d and he finally managed to step forward , hurrying to his foster-brother’s side. “ What is it? ”
    Gavin choked on a soft sob, lifting something in his fingers. “ My…my father’s signet ring. ” He sucked in his breath and gestured to the ground. “ There’s nothing left but if you look , you can see the outline . M y mother died by his side. ”
    “ Catriona? ” Branan whispered. He gazed around and a dull sheen caught his eye. Something metallic. He stepped to the left and lifted it from the ashes.
    He stared at the small cross, tears pushing into his eyes. It was the necklace he had given Catriona for her birthday the first year he had stayed with the Reigny’s.
    Grief overwhelmed him and he dropped to his knees. For a brief instant , he saw Catl s> he sariona’s bonnie face before him. Blonde hair with r ed-gold highlights streamed down her back, glistening in the bright sunshine. Deep blue eyes sparked with the mischief of a lass who much preferred games than learning how to weave under her mother’s watchful eye. Her childish laugh echoed through his memory. But she wouldn’t be a child now. He stared at the rubble.
    Sweet Catriona…what horror had she suffered?
    “ What happened here? ” Gavin whispered.
    “ Sir