Page 83 of Wolf Alliance

“Nay, we’ve been held here as prisoners the whole time. Cook and her servants were supposed to bring a meal to all of us, but—” an elderly man said.

“The guards in charge of them have been dispatched and the meal is being prepared,” Erik said.

“What of Lady Accalia?” a redheaded woman asked.

Erik smiled a little. “She is my mate.” And he hoped they could celebrate their union here, once they got rid of the vermin in their castle.

“I’m her best friend, Niamh. I’m so happy for you both.”

“Dunbar?” a younger woman asked.

“Dead.” Erik heard an audible sigh of relief.

“And the others who backed him in this revolt?” another man asked.

“One is dead. We dinna know where Freigard or Dunbar’s other men have gone if they are no’ here with you,” Erik said. “We need to clear the rest of the castle. We’ll leave some of the men here to guard you.” Luckily after the fight in the barracks, they had enough weapons to go around.

Logan and Rory joined them. “The barracks are clear,” Logan said.

“I want you to be in charge of the men protecting those in the great hall,” Erik said.

Several volunteered to protect those there.

“The rest of you, we need to go in groups of five to seven fighters, search the whole castle to look for any of Freigard’s men, Freigard himself, and Dunbar’s men,” Erik said. “We should have at least one of Baldur’s men with each group who can identify Dunbar’s men if they encounter them.”

“Where are you going to?” Alasdair asked Erik.

“To check on Accalia and make sure they are all right.”

“I’ll help clear the castle of the vermin,” Alasdair said. “We need to bring the rest of our people here.” He sounded anxious to move the pack members they had at camp and bring them to the castle.

“Aye.” Erik didn’t blame him. He felt the same way. “We will as soon as it’s safe here for them.”

All the groups searched different areas while Erik and four other men returned to Baldur’s bedchamber. When they arrived there, he knocked. “’Tis me.”

Accalia threw open the door and hugged Erik soundly. He and the other men went into the room and shut the door. “We are still trying to locate any of Freigard’s men, the rest of Dunbar’s men, and Freigard himself. But we’ve taken down most of his men.”

“I’m so glad,” Accalia said.

“Alasdair wants to move the rest of our people here from the camp, but we need to ensure it’s safe for them first,” Erik said. “Did any more guards try to take the other ones’ places while you’ve been here?”

“Nay, though we were prepared if they had.”

Rory joined them. “We’ve had Baldur’s men search everywhere along with ours and Alasdair’s, but they know all the hiding places best. They searched the bodies and didn’t find the other four men who were friends of Dunbar, or Freigard. Also, some of his men closest to him and his advisor weren’t found. Freigard’s men who were guarding the armory are gone.”

“Is Baldur and everyone accounted for? Our people? Alasdair’s? Baldur’s?” Erik asked.

“Baldur is and has taken charge of accounting for his people. Alasdair has another man doing the same. Alasdair intends to ride to the camp and have them pack up and come here. I’ve been taking care of our people. Three of your men were injured, four of Alasdair’s. None were killed. Baldur lost six people and two were injured. They’re all being taken care of.”

“Good. Stay with Accalia and the rest of our people while I go with Alasdair to bring those from the camp here. I’ll take ten of our men.”

“Alasdair is taking five.”

“That should be enough.”

“I’m going with you,” Accalia said.

Erik wanted to object. He wanted her to stay within the castle walls if Freigard and whatever force had left tried to attack them. But he knew she wanted to see the boys. “Aye.” He could deny her nothing.