October 11, 1378
Duncurra, the central Highlands

Niall was overseeing his men as they trained on the heath beyond Duncurra’s village. He smiled, watching as Turcuil, an absolute giant of a man and the commander of Niall’s guard, yelled praise, criticism, and instructions as he paced along the rows of sparring men.

Eventually, he came to stand beside Niall. “I’m getting too old for this.”

Niall snorted. Turcuil was two score and sixteen, only seven years older than Niall himself. “Ye’re certainly not too old. Ye can still best every man on that field.”

Turcuil growled. “Of course, I can. But that doesn’t mean I still have patience to teach the young eejits.”

Niall laughed. “Ye don’t fool me. I know ye love seeing the results.”

Turcuil chuckled. “Aye, seeing them turn into warriors is rewarding, but the process is painful sometimes.”

They were still discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the young men in training when one of Niall’s younger guardsmen jogged towards them from the keep. Niall frowned. “Con, is something wrong?”

“I’m not certain, Laird. A small party approaches. It appears to be Rowan returning from the royal court.”

“I was expecting them to return about now. What concerns ye?”

“There are only four riders, Laird.”

Niall frowned. “Who’s missing?”

“They’re still far enough away that I can’t be absolutely certain, but it appears that Tomas and Ethan aren’t with them.”

Niall’s frown deepened.

“Laird, perhaps they decided to stay for a few extra days at Brathanead,” said Turcuil.

“It’s possible. But it wouldn’t be like Rowan to not leave a couple of men with them.”

“Don’t borrow trouble,” cautioned Turcuil.

“Aye. I won’t. They’ll be here soon enough and we’ll know then.”

“Laird, Lady Katherine had asked several days ago to be notified as soon as the party was spotted returning. Shall I tell her?”

“Nay.”

Turcuil arched an eyebrow. “She won’t be pleased when she finds out.”

“Maybe not, but the fact is, what she actually wanted was to be notified when Tomas was returning. And he’s not returning.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” said Turcuil.

“All the more reason not to worry her. Con, if it becomes clear that Tomas is actually with them, ye can tell Lady Katherine. Otherwise, wait until I know what’s happened.”

“Aye, Laird,” said Con before he turned and jogged back towards the village.

At Turcuil’s continued look of disapproval, Niall said, “Ye know she’ll be beside herself with worry until Rowan gets here and it isn’t necessary. All that worry won’t change anything. It’s far better to be able to give her the whole story once we have it, whatever it is.”

Turcuil shrugged. “I believe ye, thousands wouldn’t.”

When Rowan did arrive a little over an hour later, he came directly to Niall on the training field. It was true, Tomas and Ethan weren’t with him, but thankfully they were in no danger.

“Laird, no one was anxious to help Ambrose Ruthven, but when we considered everything, we decided Lady Katherine would not want to leave her clan in danger.”

Niall agreed. “Ye’re right. She wouldn’t. But she is going to worry herself sick over Tomas being one of the men who stayed.” He sighed. “I need to go tell her.”

Rowan nodded. “It’s probably not a good idea to risk her seeing me riding up to Duncurra with them, Laird. You can ride Blaze back and give him over to a stable hand. I’ll go straight to my cottage.”

“Thank ye, Rowan. I’m sure yer wife will be glad to see ye home all the sooner.” Niall mounted the horse and was back to the keep in minutes. He entered and found his lovely wife in the midst of preparing the hall for the evening meal. They had been married for more than nineteen years and, if possible, he loved her more every day.

“Niall, ye’re back a bit earlier than usual this evening.” She crossed the hall, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick kiss.

That simply wouldn’t do. He cupped her face in his hands and gave her deeper kiss, breaking it only when he heard titters of laughter from their daughter, Beitris. “That’s enough from ye, young lady,” he said in mock seriousness. “Surely ye’re neglecting some task by standing there gawking.”

She laughed, turning back to the cloth she was spreading on a table. “All right. Go about yer business, Da, and I’ll mind my own.”

“Katherine, come with me to our chamber for a few minutes.”

She laughed. “Niall, can’t this wait until after supper?”

“Nay, my bonnie lass, it can’t.”

She shrugged. “Very well. Beitris, finish seeing to things here. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Aye, Mama,” she said with a cheeky grin that was so like her mother’s. It was time he found a husband for her, but Niall simply wasn’t ready for that yet.

“Naill?” said Katherine, stirring him from his thoughts. “Are we going to our chamber or not?”

“Aye, we are sweetling.” He took her hand in his.

When they reached their chamber, she was barely through the door before she asked, “What’s happened?”

“Why do ye think something’s happened?”

She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head.

He shrugged. “Ye’re right. I need to tell ye something. Rowan returned today, but Tomas and Ethan did not come with him.”

“Why not?” she asked, her voice thick with concern.

He explained what had happened and Tomas’s decision to stay and help the Ruthvens.

She was quiet when he had finished, appearing to consider what he’d told her. Then finally said, “He’s right. I would want to help them. They are my people. I feared my uncle would ruin the clan, but everything we’d heard over the years sounded as if things were going well enough. What do ye think?”

“I’m proud of him. But I’m worried. Apparently, Hugh is most concerned by the blatant raids that have been occurring. He thinks, and I agree, that a neighboring clan is testing Ambrose. If they realize how weakened he really is, they’ll lay siege.”

“Oh dear God, Niall. Nay.”

“There’s no need to worry yet. Winter can only weaken an already struggling clan. If someone does have their eyes on Cotharach, they’ll wait until spring to lay siege. Carr warned the three of them to leave as soon as the weather breaks in February.”

“But ye know they won’t. Not if they really think the clan is in danger.”

“Aye. I’m afraid ye’re right and Hugh suspects as much too.”

“What are we going to do?”

“If we’ve heard nothing about how things are going by December, I’ll send men to help.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Won’t it be odd for MacIan men to show up?”

Niall chuckled. “Aye, I suppose it would be. But they won’t be MacIan men. Hugh has offered his assistance. He’ll add a few of his own to the party and they’ll ride under the Carr banner. I suspect a few MacLennans will go with them, given that Drew MacBain is there too.” 

“And there’s nothing we can do until then?”

Niall pulled her into his arms and held her close. “Katherine, we raised him well. The fact that he elected to stay and do this in spite of Ambrose is testament to that. Tomas is a good man and a strong warrior. There’s none better. Until something changes, let’s rely on him.