October 13, 1378
Ruthven territory

This was the third night Tomas had ridden patrol with Ruthven men. The first two nights he’d gone out with them had been dark and misty. Not the ideal conditions for someone unfamiliar with the terrain to be out raiding. So, it served as an excellent opportunity to instruct, without worrying about actually running in to reivers. And the Ruthvens were catching on quickly to the tactics Ethan, Drew, and now Tomas were teaching them.

Tomas had summed it up. “Basically, ye have to think and behave like thieves and raiders to catch them. Ye know yer land better than anyone. If ye were raiding it, how would ye do it? Where would ye enter the territory? Which farms are at the greatest risk? Once ye’re aware of the weaknesses, then it’s just a matter of moving quietly and staying hidden. Don’t let the thieves know they aren’t alone, until the last possible moment.”

The weather this night was completely different. The sky was clear and the moon was a waning gibbous, high and bright in the wee hours of the morning. “Tonight, I want ye to put to use everything ye’ve learned. If I were going to help myself to another man’s livestock, I’d pick a night like tonight to do it.”

So, it didn’t come as a surprise when Tomas found signs of recent riders having entered Ruthven territory near their eastern border. The men with him spread out and silently followed the path the trespassers left. Before long, they had the thieves surrounded and Tomas signaled the attack.

Initially, the thieves fought. Tomas had engaged the man who seemed to be their leader, based on the fact that he had been the one calling orders to others. His skills with a blade were good, but no match for Tomas, who toyed with him briefly before offering him his life and the lives of his men if he surrendered. The man glanced around, as if he were trying to determine if there was any chance they could escape. Evidently realizing there was none, he capitulated.

Once the men were disarmed. Tomas had them bound.

“Ye promised us our lives,” said the leader.

“Aye, I did. And sure, aren’t ye all still breathing as we speak?”

“For the moment, but what do ye intend to do with us? We’ll hang if ye turn us over to the sheriff.”

“I suppose ye might, but that wasn’t my plan.”

“Then what is your plan?”

“Now, ye see, I figure ye aren’t just wandering thieves or a band of banished clansmen.”

“How would you know that?”

“Ye were riding reasonably good horseflesh.” Tomas picked up one of their swords and held it up. “And this isn’t the sword of a poor man. But, most telling, ye knew how to use it well. Remarkably well. So, the way I see it, ye can tell me who yer laird is and Laird Ruthven will send him a polite letter offering to return ye hale and hearty…for a wee ransom.”

“Ye’re wrong. We’re poor men just trying to feed our families.”

Tomas nodded. “Ah, well then. ’Tis off to the Lord Sheriff with the lot of ye.” Tomas turned to the Ruthven men, who seemed amused. “What do ye say lads? I reckon we can throw these miscreants over the backs of their horses and have them in Perth by morning.”

“Aye. Easily,” answered one of the Ruthvens.

Tomas shrugged. “Then let’s get them on their mounts and we’ll be on our way.”

Two men grabbed one of the thieves and hoisted him over the saddle of one horse. They went for the leader next.

“No. Wait. Stop. Let me down and I’ll tell ye who we are.”

The men holding him looked to Tomas for direction. Tomas inclined his head slightly and the Ruthvens stood the thief on the ground.

“I’m waiting,” said Tomas.

“We’re Gows.”

“And why has Laird Gow been raiding Ruthven land over the past few months?”

“He hasn’t been. This is our first raid.”

Tomas snorted. “Lads, if he’s going to lie to us, just put him back on the horse.”

The men made to lift him again.

“Stop. Let me go.”

When Tomas didn’t interfere, the man yelled. “Fine, it’s not our first raid. Now put me down.”

Tomas motioned for his men to do so. “So, I’ll ask again. Why has Laird Gow been raiding Ruthven land over the past few months?”

“Because he could. He heard Ruthven was a soft target. But I swear to ye, on my life, this is only the third raid our Laird ordered.”

Tomas knew there had been at least eight raids in the last six months. But he also believed the Gow clansman was telling the truth. Just as Laird Carr suspected, word regarding the Ruthvens was circulating. Now Tomas needed men to start spreading a different story. He made great show of inspecting the thieves’ horses. They were indeed fine mounts. The blades and dirks they carried were high quality too.

Tomas addressed the leader again. “I appreciate the honesty. Thank ye. So, now all that’s left to do is ransom ye. But truthfully, that’s a bit of nuisance, wouldn’t ye agree? Hauling ye back to Cotharach. Locking ye in the dungeon. Sending messages back and forth, negotiating ransoms. It could take months. And also, the timing’s a bit unfortunate for prisoners. Ye see, as winter comes on, the rats in the dungeon get a bit more aggressive. They’re unpleasant bedmates to say the least.”

The leader blanched.

“On the other hand, those are fine horses and yer weapons are valuable too.” Tomas looked at them thoughtfully for a moment. “By the look of ye, I’d say it isn’t likely ye’re members of the laird’s family, so ye won’t bring a huge ransom anyway.” Tomas shrugged. “To save us all a lot of bother, how about we accept yer arms and yer mounts in lieu of a ransom. Do ye agree?”

The man looked extremely relieved. “Aye. That’s fair enough.”

“Perfect. Now we’ll help ye find yer way safely off our land. Mind ye, if I ever see any of ye in Ruthven territory again, I’ll give ye no quarter. Is that clear?”

“Aye,” said the leader.

“In fact, ye can tell yer laird, if I ever catch any other Gow on Ruthven land, uninvited, there won’t be anything left to ransom. If ye give a whit about yer clansmen, ye’ll make certain he understands that. Ye ken?”

“Aye. I do.”

Tomas ordered their feet unbound but left their wrists tied behind their backs until they reached the Ruthven border, where they were released.

The leader walked a few paces, then turned and asked, “What in hell is a Highlander doing patrolling Ruthven land?”

Tomas laughed. “I’m on a wee holiday. This is what we do for fun.”

The Ruthven men laughed and if Tomas wasn’t much mistaken, a hint of a smile flirted on the Gow clansman’s lips before he turned and walked away.

Tomas and his men stayed near the border until nearly sunup just to make sure the Gows didn’t return. Clearly they weren’t stupid for there was no further sign of them. When dawn broke, the Ruthven patrol headed back to Cotharach, with four fine horses, tack, and a small collection of weapons.

Tomas took care of Duff, and made a closer inspection of the Gows’ horses before entering the keep. When he stepped through the doors of the great hall, a cheer went up. Clearly, news of the night’s exploits preceded him. Both Drew and Ethan greeted him with hearty slaps on the back.

“On a wee holiday are ye?” asked Drew, laughing.

Tomas shrugged. “It seemed a reasonable answer, all things considered.”

“Tomas, my boy,” called Laird Ruthven, “come join me at the table and tell me everything.”

“Aye, laird,” he answered, thinking this was more punishment than reward until he realized that Vida was at the table too.

He spent the biggest part of the next hour recounting every detail of the night’s events to Ambrose Ruthven, who listened with something akin to awe.

When he reached the part where he decided to let the men go, Ambrose frowned.

“I don’t like the fact that Gow was thieving from me. You should have run them through, tied them to their horses, and sent them home. That would have sent a message.”

Tomas nodded as if agreeing. Obviously Ambrose never gave a thought to the consequences of acting hastily. “I understand, Laird. Believe me, I would have liked nothing more. But as I considered things, I realized that isn’t the message ye would have wanted to send. I’m sure ye know it would have infuriated Gow and he’d have to seek vengeance for their lives. With the current state of things, we might not be able to withstand that kind of attack. But I knew ye’d want him dealt with nonetheless. Ye can be sure, he received a valuable message this way. In the face of their thievery, ye will be seen to have been generous. His men weren’t injured—except perhaps for their pride. The matter was kept quiet and Gow lost a bit less than he would have if ye’d asked a ransom. But most important, he knows ye’re not the soft target he thought ye were. And that is a message we want spread around.”

Ambrose frowned. “I see your point. He has absolutely nothing to be angry about.”

“Exactly.”

Ambrose’s eyes narrowed and he appeared to be considering what Tomas had said. “I wouldn’t have thought of that.”

No, of course ye wouldn’t have, ye vengeful bastard.

“You’ve an excellent head on your shoulders, Tomas. Every day I’m more impressed.”

“Thank ye, laird.” He glanced at Vida who had been listening quietly to the tale.

She gave him the smile he was beginning to crave. The one so full of warmth and light. It fired the heat in his belly.

“You’ve been a blessing to us,” she said, and a faint blush pinked her cheeks. That bit of shyness just increased her allure.

“Aye, that’s precisely it. A blessing.” Echoed her father. “I can never thank you or Laird Carr sufficiently. But now, young man, you’ve earned a rest.”

“Aye. I’ll just finish breaking my fast, then I’ll go to the barracks.” After their second night there, the laird had found sleeping quarters for them with the other Ruthven warriors.

“Nay, lad, yesterday I decided the three of you deserve to have private quarters. I’ve had a room in the keep prepared for you. Vida, my sweet, would you show Sir Tomas to the new accommodations after he’s eaten his fill?”

“Aye, Papa, certainly.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I quite enjoy watching the men train these days.” And with that, Ambrose left the table.

“Thank you, Tomas,” Vida said softly.

“No more thanks are necessary. Once we’ve been likened to a gift from God, there’s not much more to say.” He winked at her

She laughed. “True, but I’m thanking you for something else.”

“I can’t imagine what.”

She let out a deep sigh. “You haven’t been here long and since you have, my father has been in a very good mood. However, he has always been quick to release his wrath. Years ago, I found that I could temper his responses some. I think he didn’t like to reveal his darker side to me. As a result, at least when I’m around, he doesn’t get so uncontrollably angry.”

Tomas frowned. He hadn’t yet seen the truly awful side of Ruthven that he remembered, but neither had he realized it was Vida who was responsible for that.

Perhaps reading his expression, she hastened to clarify. “Don’t get me wrong. He has mellowed since he was a younger man. Everybody says so. But in very bad situations, he is more likely to slip into old patterns. That’s one reason I went with him to Dundee.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Papa has invested quite a bit in two ships bound for Mediterranean ports, and he’s had no word of them. I fear if something goes awry, he’ll be furious.”

“Do ye have some reason to think something went awry?”

“Not precisely. The Mermaid Queen was bound for Genoa and the Merry Mistress for Venice. We didn’t expect the Mermaid Queen before Michaelmas and perhaps not until the end of November. The Merry Mistress isn’t likely to return until Epiphany or later. He wasn’t worried until he heard of another ship bound for Genoa which left port several days after the Mermaid Queen and has since returned.”

“And your father’s hasn’t?”

“Nay. As yet, there’s no cause to worry. The captain of each vessel must sell the goods he carries and use those funds to purchase goods with which to return. He might have taken longer to do that or simply pushed for better trading terms. A small delay is worth it if the journey is more profitable overall and Papa’s captains drive hard bargains. But I went with him to Dundee, just in case he needed my help. As you saw today, when he’s angry, he overreacts. Had he been there last night, instead of you, and without me, he would have done exactly as he threatened.”

Tomas shook his head. “That would have been a disaster. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the Gows riding on Cotharach tomorrow had we done that.”

“Aye, you know that. So do I. And the truth is Papa does too, because it is exactly what he would have done if the situation were reversed. But in the heat of the moment, he would have lost sight of the consequences. Last night you acted with a clear head and fair retribution. And on top of that, the way you explained it, made it easier for Papa to hear. He didn’t feel ye were criticizing or contradicting him. In fact, ye convinced him he would have made exactly the same wise choices and that Gow will attribute those choices to him. For that, Tomas, I am deeply grateful.”

Tomas chuckled.

She smiled. “What amuses you?”

He shrugged. “I guess I didn’t realize it at the time, but I did exactly what my mother does when she wants my da to see things her way. She makes him think it was his idea. She’s always called it, ‘going around to the postern gate.’”

Vida laughed. In Tomas’s opinion, there was no more beautiful sound.

“I think I’d like your mother. Perhaps I can meet her someday.”

Tomas sobered. That wasn’t likely to ever happen. “She rarely leaves the Highlands, but I’m sure ye’d like her.” Tomas was absolutely certain of that. His mother would adore her young cousin.

“Well, maybe someday. For now, you look exhausted. Let me show you to your new quarters.”

He followed her out of the hall, up two flights of stairs. “Yer ankle appears to be completely healed.”

“Aye. It only pained me for the first few days. I used the walking stick for several more so as not to reinjure it. But it’s perfectly fine now.”

She led him down a corridor, opened a chamber door and stood back to let him enter.

“Sir Drew’s chamber is across the hall and Sir Ethan has been given the one next door.”

He was a little surprised. Somehow, he’d assumed they’d all been given one room. Ruthven must be feeling very generous indeed. Tomas stepped into the well-appointed chamber. It was on the east side of the keep and thus was flooded with the morning light.

“This is very nice. Thank ye.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I’m sure it will be most comfortable.”

“I hope so. I’ll go and let you rest now, but before I do, I was just wondering…never mind. Have a good rest.”

“What were ye wondering, lass?”

Her cheeks blushed crimson and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I was just wondering if you’d play chess with me again tonight.”

He grinned, but looking down as she was, she couldn’t have seen it. “I’d love to.”

She glanced up at him briefly, rewarding him with her radiant smile. “Good. I will see ye later then.” She started to leave, but stopped as if she wanted to say more.

“Is there something else?”

“Aye. Well…it’s just…I mean…well…I’m glad you were one of the men who decided to stay.”

Almost before he realized what she said, the door was closed and she was gone. He grinned. He’d have given nearly anything to see the blush that surely stained her cheeks after that comment.