The Ghost by Greyson Maeve

Author:Greyson, Maeve
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Every child in the keep crowded the corner of the large open rooftop of the tower. Well, almost every child, as near as Brenna could tell. She counted eleven tousled heads, a colorful assortment of inky black, coppery red, and golden blonde. The only wean not present was Gretna’s three-year-old daughter, Malina Kirsteen. She was napping in the nursery. Her lively playmate, Catriona’s three-year-old Maisie Leanna, bounced on her mother’s hip, begging to get closer to Magnus and Keigan.

“Nay, I said,” Catriona scolded. “I fear ye’ll fall since Willa said she already caught ye crawling into the crenels to see the glen. Now, be still, or ye will go to yer cot, and there ye will stay and miss yer supper.”

Maisie quieted, but her pouting informed everyone that she wasn’t happy that her twelve-year-old sister had betrayed her.

Brenna wasn’t all that pleased with Keigan’s position on the roof’s edge. Thankfully, the tall merlons rising from the stone battlement reached well above his head. As long as Magnus kept the lad from doing as Maisie had done, climbing into the spaces between them, she’d hold her tongue. Especially since they appeared to be enjoying themselves.

“Hold out yer arm,” Magnus instructed, adjusting the straps on the heavy leather glove he’d had made for Keigan. The long thick cuff extended up over the boy’s shoulder, protecting it and the rest of his small arm from the falcon’s sharp talons. “Now whistle sharply like I taught ye. Merlin’s waiting.”

Pressing two fingers of his gloveless hand to his lips, the lad attempted a loud whistle but only succeeded in a soft shushing shower of spittle.

Brenna bit her lip to keep from laughing. Poor Keigan. One of his front teeth had come out last night and impaired his ability to summon the bird. Magnus ducked his head, struggling to contain his amusement as well.

“Can I just call him by name?” the boy asked after drying his chin on his sleeve.

Magnus peered up into the sky, his narrowed eyes locked on the dark speck soaring above them. His head tilted as he watched the bird. “Try it. He knows ye well enough by now and seems to favor ye.”

The falcon did favor Keigan. It had taken to roosting in the rafters of the lad’s room. Brenna had caught Keigan hurrying to scrub droppings off the floors on more than one occasion. She’d not scolded him or forbidden the winged beastie from his quarters. As long as the lad cleaned up after the thing, she would allow it.

This day was a special one. It was the first time Magnus had given Keigan full control over his feathered companion. The lad stood taller and lifted his gloved hand. “Merlin!” he shouted. “Come ta me!”

An answering cry split the air. The tiny speck grew in size as the falcon’s rapid dive brought him downward. With another piercing screech, it lit on Keigan’s arm, then sidestepped its way up to the lad’s shoulder.

“Well done!” Magnus praised, looking over at Brenna to ensure she had witnessed Keigan’s victory.

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