Highlander Redeemed (Guardians of the Targe Book 3) by Laurin Wittig Page B

he’d always done, though clearly not always well. He would watch over Scotia like a hawk.
    The other MacGregors bristled at Nicholas’s statement, two of them going so far as to draw their dirks.
    “Put your blades away,” Nicholas said, though he did not take his eyes off Conall. “I have no intention of carrying out this sentence right now.”
    “Never!” one of the MacGregors said.
    “That depends upon Conall”—he turned and looked back at Kenneth—“and Kenneth.” He speared the auld chief with a lookthat shocked Duncan. He knew Nicholas was capable of anything—as a spy in King Edward’s employ he would have had to do many things he might not choose to do in his new life as chief. So far at least. This look said Nicholas was in complete control, that he had stepped fully and confidently into his position as chief of this clan, and that he expected Kenneth to respect whatever Nicholas was up to with Conall. Kenneth glared at Nicholas, but gave him a slight nod and said nothing.
    Nicholas returned his glare to Conall. “Do you give your word that you will do as I bid, putting the protection of this clan and indeed, the entire Highlands, first in your thoughts and your actions for as long as you bide here with us?”
    To Conall’s credit, he straightened his back, dropped his shoulders, and faced the chief like a warrior. “Of course I do. ’Tis why I am here. The MacAlpins have long been our allies, and we are joined by many common kinfolk. You have my word that I am here as a warrior in the service of the Targe and its Guardians.”
    The other allies nodded their agreement, as Nicholas stared into the eyes of each man. “I have the same oath from each of you?”
    “Aye!” they all said at once.
    “Then I welcome you and thank you for coming to our aid in this fight. You are invited to partake of our hospitality, as much as we can offer, and in return for your service you have my oath that should you ever require it, you have but to call upon us and we will come to your aid.”
    “And Conall’s life?” Dermid demanded.
    “Will depend upon his keeping his oath,” Nicholas quickly answered. “If he does, he shall be free to leave here, with his head still upon his shoulders, when this business is done.” Nicholas stared at Conall a long moment, clearly making the lad uncomfortable once more. “If he keeps his oath,” Nicholas repeated.
    Duncan forced himself to keep his face neutral, though he wanted to grin at Nicholas’s masterful way of putting the lad on notice. Nicholas suddenly pivoted and led the small group of alliesfurther into the camp. As Conall passed Duncan and the other two men, he put as many people between himself and Kenneth as he could, and only glanced quickly at Duncan, as he followed the other allies into the camp.
    As Kenneth, Uilliam, and Duncan fell in behind the newcomers, the scant number of them sank in. Ten and three. Only ten and three had come to their aid, though Dermid said more skirmished with the English as they came, which, Duncan suddenly realized, gave proof to at least that part of what Scotia
knew
of the English force. The MacAlpins must pray those skirmishes whittled away many of the English soldiers. Fifteen dead would give the MacAlpins a slim advantage. Ten dead English would bring them close to even numbers. Anything less would make the MacAlpins’ success in defending their home and the Highlands an uncertain undertaking at best.
    Duncan realized that Nicholas had been about more than just putting Conall on notice that he had not emerged from the falling wall as unscathed as he might think. By making it clear he knew exactly who Conall was and what his position was with this clan, Nicholas had asserted his position as chief with the allies, with Conall, and with Kenneth, effectively telling Kenneth he could not touch the lad without the new chief’s assent.
    But Duncan knew, despite Nicholas’s assertion of his position, if Conall so much as