know how the clan works.”
“Do you know how this clan works? Do you understand our needs?” Gilroy looked to the other men.
“Aye, ye dinna understand the threat we are under.”
“I do understand. Should I rush to Grant Castle and wave my claymore about? Should I listen to you men who have never laid eyes on the king?”
“Ye ha’e split the clan,” Tavish said.
“Because of you three snatching at power that you do not and will not have. Your support would help the clan better.”
“Ye dinna deserve it,” Tavish said. “Ye are rash an’ dinna understand our needs.”
“I understand the clan needs the land and that comes with Brenna and this marriage. Leave me alone to do what needs to be done.”
* * * *
Brenna slipped into the garden. She drew in a deep breath of the blooming, sweet floral scent. The slight rustling of the leaves made the sweetest music. She planned to steal a few moments for herself and escape the thick, somber mood gripping the castle.
She traveled on the tiny path to the stone bench. She halted as a sneeze shattered the quiet. Finian perched on the bench. He wiped his nose across his sleeve. He glanced up, most likely sensing her presence. He scooted over and patted the space beside him.
She settled next to him. She stared at the wheelbarrow before the trellis of roses climbing the wall.
“I wanna thank ye fae givin’ Gilroy da medicine. He’s stopped gaeng on aboot his pains.”
“I’m glad. Is there anything you need?”
He looked at her from the corner of his eye, not trusting her. “Are ye tryin’ to get me on yer side?”
“A bit, but it is one of my duties. I must admit I like caring for people even though I am a Grant.”
“Ye fostered in this house as a child. This is yer home too.”
“I suppose, but the men who came, this isn’t their home. Why? The laird gave permission.”
He pursed his thin lips. “We ha’e our own people that can benefit frae it.”
“I have brought in more than enough land for all. Most of it has been planted, filled with cattle, or used in some way that benefits the clan. That cannot be your reason to be so against them.”
“Ye ken wat yer father is up to. He wants the land an winna listen to the King if he doesna get wat he desires. They are na loyal to us an’ will report back to their laird.”
“I cannot deny that. Highlanders don’t always obey their king. The truth is, I don’t know what my father wants, but do you think treating them as outcasts is the best course of action?”
“Caelen disnna understand wat we face.”
“Since no one on the council has informed him of the problems, how can he solve them?”
He hung his head. Light glistened off the hairless top and highlighted the brown age spots dotting his smooth skin. “Do ye ken aboot Tavish’s son?”
She shook her head.
“Caelen had come to visit. Oh, he was ten an’ four in age. He had changed much. Gone was the skinny lad. We were pleased to see the changes an’ believed he wod be a fine leader.” Finian ran a hand over his bald head.
“Dairmaid, Tavish’s son, an’ Caelen bonded as weel as Caelen can bond. Well, those two were together one night. They went on their first raid wit’ each other. Somehow, those two got separated frae the others. Caelen returned wit’ Dairmad’s lifeless body. He had been stabbed in the back. Caelen said that they had run into a few men an’ fought. Folks believed the earl failed to protect Dairmaid’s back or worse, Caelen ran away, deserting him.”
“You cannot believe that. Caelen would never run.”
“Perhaps not now, but back then…wat else can it be?”
“Anything but that. I know that, and all are wrong who think otherwise.”
“Ye are loyal to him. Good, but ye are wrong, my lady. We ken the truth an’ that is why he hasna come back. If ye dinna believe me, find out yerself.”
* * * *
Alastronia scanned the fields. Three days had burned away without a glimpse of
“Do you know how this clan works? Do you understand our needs?” Gilroy looked to the other men.
“Aye, ye dinna understand the threat we are under.”
“I do understand. Should I rush to Grant Castle and wave my claymore about? Should I listen to you men who have never laid eyes on the king?”
“Ye ha’e split the clan,” Tavish said.
“Because of you three snatching at power that you do not and will not have. Your support would help the clan better.”
“Ye dinna deserve it,” Tavish said. “Ye are rash an’ dinna understand our needs.”
“I understand the clan needs the land and that comes with Brenna and this marriage. Leave me alone to do what needs to be done.”
* * * *
Brenna slipped into the garden. She drew in a deep breath of the blooming, sweet floral scent. The slight rustling of the leaves made the sweetest music. She planned to steal a few moments for herself and escape the thick, somber mood gripping the castle.
She traveled on the tiny path to the stone bench. She halted as a sneeze shattered the quiet. Finian perched on the bench. He wiped his nose across his sleeve. He glanced up, most likely sensing her presence. He scooted over and patted the space beside him.
She settled next to him. She stared at the wheelbarrow before the trellis of roses climbing the wall.
“I wanna thank ye fae givin’ Gilroy da medicine. He’s stopped gaeng on aboot his pains.”
“I’m glad. Is there anything you need?”
He looked at her from the corner of his eye, not trusting her. “Are ye tryin’ to get me on yer side?”
“A bit, but it is one of my duties. I must admit I like caring for people even though I am a Grant.”
“Ye fostered in this house as a child. This is yer home too.”
“I suppose, but the men who came, this isn’t their home. Why? The laird gave permission.”
He pursed his thin lips. “We ha’e our own people that can benefit frae it.”
“I have brought in more than enough land for all. Most of it has been planted, filled with cattle, or used in some way that benefits the clan. That cannot be your reason to be so against them.”
“Ye ken wat yer father is up to. He wants the land an winna listen to the King if he doesna get wat he desires. They are na loyal to us an’ will report back to their laird.”
“I cannot deny that. Highlanders don’t always obey their king. The truth is, I don’t know what my father wants, but do you think treating them as outcasts is the best course of action?”
“Caelen disnna understand wat we face.”
“Since no one on the council has informed him of the problems, how can he solve them?”
He hung his head. Light glistened off the hairless top and highlighted the brown age spots dotting his smooth skin. “Do ye ken aboot Tavish’s son?”
She shook her head.
“Caelen had come to visit. Oh, he was ten an’ four in age. He had changed much. Gone was the skinny lad. We were pleased to see the changes an’ believed he wod be a fine leader.” Finian ran a hand over his bald head.
“Dairmaid, Tavish’s son, an’ Caelen bonded as weel as Caelen can bond. Well, those two were together one night. They went on their first raid wit’ each other. Somehow, those two got separated frae the others. Caelen returned wit’ Dairmad’s lifeless body. He had been stabbed in the back. Caelen said that they had run into a few men an’ fought. Folks believed the earl failed to protect Dairmaid’s back or worse, Caelen ran away, deserting him.”
“You cannot believe that. Caelen would never run.”
“Perhaps not now, but back then…wat else can it be?”
“Anything but that. I know that, and all are wrong who think otherwise.”
“Ye are loyal to him. Good, but ye are wrong, my lady. We ken the truth an’ that is why he hasna come back. If ye dinna believe me, find out yerself.”
* * * *
Alastronia scanned the fields. Three days had burned away without a glimpse of
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