Heart's Captive

Chapter 3

The inside of the long house was warm and inviting in a rough and tumble sort of way. There were hounds by the hearth and people moving about. At the lengthy table sat a few people enjoying the beginnings of the evening meal. Scott walked to the older man at the head of the table and bent to clasp him in a short back pounding hug.

"Father, we found some new ones. Very inter'sting." he said and motioned for the others to come forward. Lady Jean was studying each slave as they moved past her. Her green eyes seeming to pin them to the spot. When her eyes fell on the wet, gypsy boy she frowned suddenly and slit her eyes. Looking entirely miffed she moved to supervise the women setting the food out.

The older man let his kind gray eyes travel over the trio and they each felt a strange brush against their thoughts. When his gaze reached Remy, the boy arched one brow and the man returned the expression.

"Curious." he said and rested his chin on his hand. "Welcome to yer new home, for now." he said. He inclined his head to Scott indicating he should tell him what they knew about the new slaves. The younger lord sat next to his father and waved to the big furred man.

"This's Henry of McCoy. He's from Ennis. He speaks t'old tongue an' is very intelligent." he said and nodded to the beast.

~"Greetings. Am I to understand that you are the Laird of this fortress?"~ Henry asked and the older lord nodded his head.

~"Aye. My name is Charles Lord of Summerland."~ he said and then repeated in common. Remy seemed to ease his stance a bit, still keeping Logan in his line of sight. Kurt still looked confused.

~"Henry can you tell me about your self and your blessing?"~ Charles asked and motioned for his daughter in law to sit on his other side. Roe returned to the great room with two young serving wenches carrying bundles of fabric.

Henry nodded his head and began to explain that he was from the neighboring island and had been raised by monks in a secluded monastery in the country. When his body began to change he went into seclusion and the eldest of the brothers took him aside and taught him the old ways. Charles seemed pleased to hear this fact.

~"You are a druid then?"~ he asked and Henry nodded.

~"Trained in the healing and divining arts as well as the knowledge of the elders."~ Henry supplied. The smile seemed to spread from father to son and Remy pretended he didn't understand the Gaelic. The more advantage he had the better chance he had of escape.

Charles' eyes strayed to the boy once or twice, as did the beauty's at his side. The older lord cleared his throat and nodded to Kurt. Robert who still stood at the small slave's side spoke up.

"He's Germanic. Logan spoke wit' him, his name's Kurt. He's injured an'll need't recover 'fore he takes up his duties." he said and inclined his head respectfully to his Liege.

Charles nodded to the young man and then looked to Kurt. The small slave looked back nervously and then suddenly his eyes grew very large and he nodded his head at the older lord.

"Ja." he said several times and seemed to be near tears of relief. The gypsy continued to watch and listen, trying to figure out just what was going on. When the serious gray eyes turned to him the boy lifted his chin. This action got him thumped on the back by Logan.

"Bow yer head to Lord Summerlind, lad!" he growled. Remy scowled and looked sullen.

"A gypsy bowz to no man." he snarled. Logan moved closer to the boy in a threatening manner. Charles lifted his hand and his even voice stilled the man's motion.

"Logan, 'tis all right. His people have reason ta mistrust." he explained and then looked at the red eyes.

"Tell me, Remy? That's yer name, yes?" he asked. The boy nodded shortly and he lifted his chin again. Charles seemed to be studying him.

"The slaver said he makes fire from his hands." Logan side and pointed to the gloves. "Said the holy metal was the thing that keeps it at bay." Charles nodded agian.

"I have heard o'this sacred metal from the skies being used ts suppress the Blessed Ones." he said and continued to watch the gypsy.

"Yer blessing is vast. Ya keep a lot hidden though. Have ta work on that." he said vaguely. He let his eyes graze over the whole group.

"We know th't ya all have been treated bad for yer gifts. We seek ta help ya with that but first you have ta prove ta us ya'er worthy." he said his voice carrying in the vast room.

"Ya will have the chance ta earn yer freedom. We paid the slavers for ya. Until you prove yerselves loyal and worthy of our confidence ya will be a servant." his gentle gray eyes moved from each face to the next. He gaged for emotional response. He repeated what he said to Kurt in the silent mental manner he had before.

Logan shifted his stance as Remy tensed. The boy wasn't sure he wanted anything to do with these people and he was still looking for a chance to escape. Charles continued.

"Henry, ya will serve my son Scott and his wife Jean." he said indicating the woman at his side while grasping his son's shoulder.

"Kurt will serve Robert the Drake." he said nodding to Robert at the small slave's side. "And Remy, ya will serve Lord Howlett." he said and caught the flash of crimson in the boy's gaze.

"Ya will be expected ta assist yer lord in anything he needs and twice a week meet with me ta explore yer blessings and how they best serve ya as well as us." his voice grew deeper as he got to the critical part of his speech.

"Donna think for a moment that we had'na had our share of troubled folk here. Ya will serve, ya will prove worhty of our protection and support. That is the only terms there be. If ya misbehave, are insubordinate, or otherwise disobey ya'll be punished as a slave deserves." he sat up straighter in his chair.

"But if ya prove ta be of the right mettle then ya can earn yer freedom just as Robert has." he said waving a hand at the blonde man. The younger man nodded his head.

"Aye, Lord Summerlind found me when I was gonna hang fer a witch, He gave me that same chance and I would'na change a second since." he confessed blushing slightly. Charles smiled at the young lord with honest affection.

"Make no mistake, my new friends. There are dangerous and powerful people out there who wanna war with our kind. This is what we must do ta stop it." he said. The passion and honesty in his voice was like a wave washing over all who heard it.

Henry seemed to relax and his face bore a smile despite the fact that he had just been told he had to remain a slave for the time being.

Kurt was weeping tears of gratitude and joy. He didn't care if had to serve as long as he was no longer a caged beast.

Remy seemed to still at the words. Logan could hear the boy's heartbeat quicken and his scent spiked to fear. He reached out a hand and held the boy by the shoulder.

"Ya wonna last long out there, lad. Best take our offer. Earn ya way free and then if ya still wanna go ya can try yer luck." his gruff voice rumbled close to the boy's ear.

Remy felt with his gift and sought the emotions of the people around him. He sense honestly, affection, and conviction. All things that pointed to these people being what they said they were.

Still, the ingrained habit of not trusting was hard for the boy to shake. He hadn't really any choice though. So for now, he would play their game. He would agree.

Charles seemed very pleased at the answers he got and then clapped his hands.

"Wonderful. Now, let us have some repast." he said warmly. Robert moved to help Kurt over to the table.

"Tonight ya'll dine with us. in the morn, after ya have rested ya will start yer duties." Scott said motioning Remy and Henry to join them at the table. Henry eagerly sat on the bench folding his big hands before him.

"Tank ye." he said in heavily accent common. Storm stopped Remy with a gentle hand and indicated he should change from his wet clothes.

"The girlz will zhow you where to change." she said and smiled beatifically. Logan nodded to her but followed the boy as he went to the room indicated by the maids. He knew the boy was still skittish and wasn't about to give him a chance to flee.

"Be quick, lad. I'm very hungry." he said grumpily. Remy watched him carefully as he stripped off the wet garments and donned the simple dry ones the maids had left.

When he was done, Logan looked him over a moment. The trewes were a little short for the boy's long limbs and his still wet boots remained on his feet. The tunic was worn but functional.

"Let's go." he said snapping his fingers and motioning for the gypsy to proceed him. Remy sighed and stared at the lord before moving from the room.

He took a seat at the table and waited for the food to reach him. His stomach was growling at the aromas and Logan smirked, his keen ears catching the grumbling.

"Eat all ya want, lad." he said in a low voice and caught the softer look the young man gave him. He thought there might have even been a slight blush to the tanned cheeks.

Interesting.

Remy took the offer Logan made and filled his plate well. He was trying to sort them out. Feel out who was who. He couldn't explain why he was relieved that Logan was to be his master. He both rebelled and submitted to the idea. His need to know more about the dark skinned priestess was another reason to see how things would unfold.

This honesty and passion he got from the older lord was fascinating and itched at something deep inside the boy. The gentle smile and strange coolness about the one named Robert was worth finding more about. Not to mention the piercing gaze of the lady of the house and her some what pensive mate were intriguing to the gypsy.

Sinking his teeth into the delicious lamb, he decided that maybe he could hang around a little while. Just to solve these questions and then he would be on the trail once more.

He could stay just a little while.