She was gone.

Completely awake now, he called out into the living space, “Jain?”

When there was no response he swiftly rose to his feet and started putting on his clothes. How could he not have felt her leave? And where would she have gone at this ungodly hour? She couldn’t possibly have been so foolish as to ride off by herself, could she?

He already knew the answer and cursed aloud. Jain was a headstrong woman and that was part of what he loved about her, but that also meant she was stubborn and careless at times. If she was doing what Alan thought she was then there wouldn’t be much time, in fact he may already be too late.

There’s no telling what the Norsemen would do to her when she got there.

Alan threw on a tunic and some hose before running out to the stables and calling out her name. He knew it was a desperate attempt, but he had to try. “Jain! Jain, where are ye?”

There was no answer, just the hoot of an owl in the distance.

When he came to the stables, Alan saw that Angus and some supplies were missing. Of course she would have taken him, Angus always was her favorite. His chest felt heavy at seeing the empty pen, confirming all his fears, and he began breathing through his mouth.

Jain had really done it – she was gone. The foolhardy lass had put herself in the most dangerous position Alan could possibly imagine after he explicitly told her not to. 

He gritted his teeth in a fit of rage, opening the pen to climb onto the gray mare. There was no time for rein and tack, so he climbed on the way she was and rode her bareback. He bolted forward when the horse emerged and galloped all the way to the edge of the farm. As they were about to head north and catch up with Jain, he cast a glance towards the keep.

The stone fortress sat on the top of the hill like a giant beacon. Alan knew he could probably catch up with Jain himself, but what he didn’t know is whether or not he’d be able to get them back alive. As much as he wanted to charge after her, Alan knew he needed help. He needed Eamon. He needed an army.

The Vikings wouldn’t listen to the word of just one man, they would have to be convinced to let her go.

Alan roared in frustration and turned the horse around, guiding it back towards the village gate. Eamon would know what to do. He was wise and had prudent council into matters such as this. Most importantly, he loved Jain as much as Alan did and he could help him find her.

Alan gripped the animal by its mane and rode up the hill through the winding streets until arriving at the stone archway. Guards that had been positioned at the gate became alert when he came into view and walked over to where he dismounted. It was clear they recognized him but were surprised by the unexpected visit. “Alan? What brings ye here?” one asked.

“I need to see my father-in-law,” he told them. “There’s been an incident. My wife, Jain, is missing.”

Immediately, they nodded and one led him deep into the keep where the chieftain and his wife would be sleeping. The stone walls of the castle keep were dark and illuminated only by candlelight and the moon outside while they ran down the corridor. Alan grew increasingly anxious by the necessary precautions needed to procure men for his quest in retrieving Jain. More soldiers were stationed outside the living quarters. “What is this?”

 “Step aside, Ian. I have need to speak with Eamon,” Alan growled.

The warrior stumbled back at his reply and glanced at the guard who first brought him there for confirmation. When the other nodded, Ian let him pass and knock loudly on the wooden door. “My laird? I’m afraid ye’re needed,” Alan called to him inside.

There was a groan and the sound of movement coming from behind the door when Eamon opened it from the other side. “Alan? What has happened that ye would come barging in here in the middle of the night?”

“Forgive me, my laird. I’m aware of the time, but Jain is missing,” Alan told him from the hallway. “I dinnae ken what else to do. I’d go after her myself, but I fear she will need more than that to bring her home.”

Eamon’s eyes snapped awake and he turned to him in shock, as if seeing him for the first time. “What?”

“When I woke up she was gone, and so was Angus,” Alan clarified. “I think she rode off to deal with the Viking threat by herself. She’s convinced that if she could speak with them it would avoid a conflict. I told her that nae such thing was possible, but she ignored my wishes and disappeared.”

Eamon growled. “Oh, that lass will be the death of me!”

“What are we going to do?”

The chieftain glanced back and forth between Alan and the guards before saying, “Dinnae just stand there! Sound the horn and summon our warriors to bring her back. Gather every able-bodied man in the village and we will ride out to meet them at their camp. I want them to ken if they harm a hair on my daughter’s head, we will make them pay.”

“Laird Gordon, do ye really mean to fight them?”

“Of course I do,” Eamon stated. “She’s my daughter. I’ll do whatever is needed to bring her home. Now go and summon the others.”

“Thank ye, my laird.”

“Have ye any idea when she left?” Eamon inquired with a raise of his eyebrow. “It might give us some idea of how far she’s gotten?”

Alan’s expression fell, shaking his head. “Nae, my laird, the bed was cold. Augh! I’m such a fool, I should have suspected that she would do this.”

Eamon frowned. “Lad, I’ve taken care of Jain fer ten years and even I cannae predict the way she will behave. Dinnae blame yerself fer her decision – the fault is hers and hers alone.”

Alan huffed in exasperation and said, “Mayhap I should ride out ahead of the others and see if I can find her. The warriors would be right behind, and we won’t waste any more time.”

“Ye’ll do nae such thing. I plan on bringing Jain home alive – that’s going to require more than just one man. I will not be risking yer life as well, Jain would never forgive me.”

 

Not long after that, Alan and the warriors were gathered in the village green, hoping their numbers would tip the battle in their favor. They’d gathered every axe, sword and shield available to them from the armory and the smithy. Men from all across the region who’d come to fight the Viking horde offered their services as well. It was an impressive group of warriors by the time they finished gathering, enough to call themselves an army. The moon shone brightly overhead, illuminating them all on horseback.

All that was left was for Jain’s da to come out and join them – it wouldn’t be complete without him. When Eamon come out of the keep, he was dressed and ready for action.

Alan had never seen Eamon in his element before.

In all the time Alan knew him, he’d always seen Jain’s da as the humble cottar; kind, even-tempered and deliberate. It was easy to forget he was once a warrior, and a talented one at that. He was raised to be chieftain right along with his brother Keenan ever since they were little. Now Eamon stood before them in full battle regalia and mounted a horse himself. This was the man who raised his beloved Jain, and he couldn’t have been prouder to call Eamon family.

“Men of Moray,” he addressed them properly. “I thank ye fer coming with us this night. Our need is urgent, so I’ll not waste our time with words. We ride fer the coast where the Viking ships have landed and bring home my beloved Jain. Now ride!”

There was a flurry of action when the horses started and thundering hoofbeats pounded the earth beneath them. Alan rode right there with them, his eyes focused on their chieftain as they travelled out the north gate.

His mind was frantic with worry about what could have happened to his Jain by now. Too much time had already been lost while they assembled men to assist him. Wind whipped by him, only serving to fuel his rage and determination. The only consolation was knowing he was not alone, he had a band of brothers with him.

They would see justice. They would see his Jain return home safe.