Near the Northern Coast of Ireland - 1548

On a small country road surrounded by fields of grass glistening with dew, wildflowers blowing gently in the breeze and trees offering sanctuary with shade, a small group of men donned in clan colors rode their horses steadily toward home. A mild breeze tugged at their wisps of hair, refreshing them and drying sweat beaded from the rigorous hunt they were returning from. It was early October which meant time to start hunting more often to have enough meat for the long winter ahead.

The weather hadn't quite started to get cold yet which was unusual. Perhaps the turn in weather toward winter would be more sudden this year versus steady as it typically was.

The noonday sun was high above their heads as Kennedy O'Neill led his small band back toward the keep. Their hunt had been successful as was evident by their horses, heavy laden with their spoils. If future hunts and gatherings continued being this successful, they would have more than enough food and supplies for the winter plus some for emergency stores. The hunting party leader smiled to himself as he enjoyed the breeze on this warm October day.

Kennedy rode in silence listening to his four companions, Patrick, Keith, Aedan and Dylan, chatter and laugh at their latest conquests with some of the village women. Aedan, Kennedy's best friend, had been happily married for the last three years, blessed with an infant son at home. The current subject didn't interest him. Urging into a faster gallop, his horse rode up beside Kennedy's horse. The younger by only a couple of years glanced over, brows furrowed.

"What's bothering you, hmm?" Aedan asked with curiosity. "The hunt was successful."

Kennedy gave his long time friend a sideways glance. "Aye, I know."

"You are the one of us with the most conquests. Have you no advice for these novices?" Aedan smirked. The other men quieted, giving him glares. They didn't need any advice.

That got Kennedy to chuckled lightly. "Not today, lad's. You cannot handle my secrets." The others rolled their eyes, groaning which made Kennedy and Aedan both laughed heartily, the warm, hearty sound filling the air around them.

Their laughter ended abruptly when Kennedy silenced them all with a raised fist, bringing his horse to a sudden halt.

"Hello?" a small, faint voice called in the distance. "Is somebody out there?"

It sounded like a child. Kennedy and the others keenly scanned the open grass area around them cautiously. It could be a trap.

"Over there!" Patrick called to Kennedy, pointing out to their left.

Kennedy pivoted in that direction, frowning at the sight of a small child running up the hill toward them. She was dressed in strange clothing. Floral print breeches, a short tunic with a feline face in the center, and boots. Tears ran in a steady stream down rosy cheeks from her vibrant blue eyes as true as a spring sky after rain.

Aedan jumped down from his horse first, jogging to the girl and kneeling on one knee in front of her. Gently, he cupped her cheeks, swiping away her tears with his thumbs.

"Shh, child. You're alright and safe now. What is your name? Tell me what is wrong?" He asked in a soft, soothing fatherly voice.

The girl sniffed, wiped her nose with her sleeve then took a deep breath to calm herself before answering. "Ashlynn. My mommy is sleeping and won't wake up. There's a lot of blood from an owie on her head."

"What a brave girl you are, Ashlynn. I am Aedan," He smiled, pointing to the others as the trotted up behind them. "These are my good friends. Kennedy, Dylan, Patrick and Keith," indicating to each of his companions, hoping it would comfort the little girl obviously, with good reason, still upset and scared. "We will help you and your momma. Can you lead us to her, lass?" Aedan pressed, smiling warmly.

Glancing up at Kennedy, he rose to his full height taking Ashlynn by the hand and led her to his horse. Aedan lifted her into the saddle then mounted behind her while the other men took to their horses as well.

"She's over there," Ashlynn pointed in the direction where she came from and the men kicked their horses into a gallop.

It took a few moments of riding for them to come upon where Ashlynn indicated her mom was. They slowed their horses to a trot as they came up to a grove of trees. Sure enough, beneath a tree, shadowed by the leaves a woman's limp, battered body lay motionless in the grass. They all dismounted, Kennedy rushing and making it to her first. Aedan stayed back with Ashlynn tightly holding his hand and the other men standing guard on high alert. Whoever or whatever did this, could still be close by.

Kennedy knelt down beside the woman's form, gently pressing two fingers to the woman's fair neck, feeling for and successfully finding a pulse.

"She's alive," he called over his shoulder to the onlookers. "She does have a head wound but it doesn't look to be still bleeding. We need to get her back to the keep."

As Kennedy slipped his hands under her neck and knees to cradle carry Ashlynn's mom to his horse, the woman's head moved as he adjusted his hold. The jostling sent the honey brown curls falling away from her face to cascade loosely over his arm. Her face rolled back, chin tilting toward the sky so he could now see her features.

He sucked in a sharp breath, taking in the sight of her beautiful, sleeping face. Glancing over her curvaceous body, he noted the unusual clothing. She wore a light blue long sleeved button down tunic and scandalously short gray skirt that stopped at her knees. The top two buttons of her white blouse were undone gifting Kennedy a clear view of her creamy, ivory collarbone. This was the most skin he had ever seen on a woman who was supposedly fully dressed. Kennedy had his fair share of linen tumbles with women, but something about this one. He was captivated by the beauty in his arms.

The group quickly walked back to their horses. Kennedy passed the woman to Dylan while he mounted then placed her across his lap, setting her head against his shoulder. Ashlynn once again rode with Aedan. At least he had gotten the girl smiling as she stroked the horses silver gray mane.

Just over the next ridge, the men rode their horses as fast as the unconscious woman could handle until they made it to the keep. As they trotted across the drawbridge, the gate swiftly opened. Kennedy rode through the bailey closer to the main manor door.

"Where is Liam?" Kennedy barked, quickly dismounting while cradling the unconscious woman, warranting a bewildered expression from the guard he was speaking to.

"He's out, Sir," was the confused response.

"Send for him!" Kennedy ordered as he stormed inside. "Send for Cillian, as well, and Ingrid. I'll bring her to the spare bedroom in the family wing."

The guard dutifully nodded, hastily following Kennedy's orders. A maid was sent for Kennedy's father and another guard for the clan healer. Katherine, the head servant caught wind of what was going on and immediately gathered a few other servant girls to get warm water, towels and other supplies they would need to get this woman bathed.

Aedan strolled in shortly after, holding Ashlynn's hand leading her toward a slender blonde woman. Her bright smile faded as the woman's emerald eyes took in the man walking with a little girl dressed so strangely. She headed straight for Aedan, who gave a warm yet nervous smile.

"Ashlynn, this is my wife, Colleen," He introduced, squatting down to the girls level. "She will keep an eye on you while we see to your mama, alright?"

Ashlynn gave a shy smile at the woman from behind Aedan. "Hi," she greeted quietly with a timid wave.

"Hi, sweetheart," Colleen replied with a warm smile, extending her hand. "Let's get you cleaned up, aye?" Aedan was confident Ashlynn would be well looked after with Colleen.

****

Ingrid, the healer, gingerly dabbed at the wound on the woman's face diligently cleaning the dry, crusty blood away to get a better look at the wound. It wasn't as bad as she initially thought. Kennedy hovered in the doorway to the bedroom as Liam's father, Cillian, came to his side, followed shortly by Aedan.

"It's not as bad as it seemed, Kennedy," Ingrid informed him. He nodded, letting out a thoughtful sigh in response. "What is her name?"

"I don't know," he grumbled, shaking his head, broad arms crossing over his chest. "I forgot to inquire of the girl, Ashlynn. Apparently this woman is her mother."

Ingrid retrieved a bundle of dried herbs from her basket and waved them under the unconscious woman's nose. Wide hazel eyes shot open and fear filled her features. She tried to sit up but groaned, immediately squeezing her eyes closed and laid back down.

"Shh, lay back, lass," Ingrid cooed softly. "You've got quite a knock on the head so it's best you rest for a day or two. "What is your name, dear?"

A wide, comforting smile across an aged round face framed by white hair neatly braided and wrapped into a bun greeted the now conscious woman. Wide eyes filled with panic scanned the room The three men looming their large frames in the doorway did nothing to settle her nerves.

The woman winced, clearing her dry throat before answering. "Erin....Where is Ashlynn?" Panic filled her voice but Aedan stepped forward.

"She's safe and with my wife, Colleen," The young, clean shaven man explained, giving a warm smile. "I am Aedan, this is Kennedy. We were in the group Ashlynn found and asked us for help. We brought you back to O'Hagan keep. This is Cillian O'Hagan." Aedan pointed to each as he gave the introductions. "This is Ingrid, our very skilled healer. She's the best in the land so I'd be following her advice."

Erin gave a small smile, calming as she heard Ashlynn was okay. Ingrid stood, waving her hands and shooed the men out. "Let's give her time to rest after a bath."

Three servants came in with a brass tub, water and oils. One stoked a fire in the large stone fireplace as the others filled the tub. Aedan and Cillian promptly left but Kennedy stole one last glance at Erin before he exited. For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Raven black curls tumbling around broad shoulders, dark brows dipped into a scowl above baby blue eyes locked onto Erin's hazel orbs. Hands curled into fists, his figured filled the door frame radiating an aura that didn't sit well with Erin. It screamed danger yet called to her.

Without a word, he spun on his heel and exited the room. Kennedy pivoted angrily toward Cillian and Aedan, releasing a frustrated breath as he wiped a hand down his face. Five minutes with this woman awake and he was coming undone.

"Where is Liam?" he groaned.

"I bet I could guess," Aedan answered sadly on a sigh.