Jaelle clung as close as she could to Breth's side throughout the chieftains' meeting at the bonfire, caressing his arm with her hand and his knee with her knee... doing everything in her power to show him her love short of bringing up marriage right here in front of everyone. That needed to be a private matter between the two of them, that decision.

She had told the chieftains all about John’s hiring the Gaels to attack so that he could rescue them, and the Picts were rethinking their commitment to John as Drest, their leader.

And then Richard showed up.

He appeared without warning, and Jaelle didn't have a chance to hide from him, but he winked at her in such a way that left little doubt he'd known she was here. He got into the center of the group.

She turned to Breth.

"Can he do that?"

Breth shrugged with one shoulder.

"Why not?"

She gave him an ‘Are you crazy?’ look.

He elaborated.

"Usually they all would come. All the druids in the area would present their unity of opinion. But druids come to these meetings all the time. They’re our counselors."

Jaelle wasn't the only one who noticed just one druid had come to the meeting. She saw some of the chieftains whispering to their wives about it.

But Richard had the majority of their attention, and he was obviously enjoying that fact, striking scholarly poses in that aggravatingly presumptive way he had while he waited for them to quiet down before .

"So now you know, with the help of Jaelle here, that Drest is really John from her time. I truly believe John is attempting to help you keep your homeland throughout the next few centuries. However, if you continue to follow his lead, he will become king here, and his children after him. This would in turn destroy the culture of the clans. We do not advise you to follow him."

There was a general hubbub, mostly agreeing with Richard, but one chieftain spoke up.

"Regardless where he comes from, Drest is our chieftain. We have all sworn loyalty to him. We cannot revolt against him, for that too would destroy the culture of the clans."

Jaelle leaned into Breth and gave him a squeeze. She was enjoying this. That comment had put Richard in his place. He couldn’t just waltz in here and single-handedly determine the way things were run, no more than John could.

Breth squeezed back, plainly enjoying the scene as well, and they reclined into each other's arms, hugging and caressing. After all, this was a discussion for planning chieftains, and Breth was only a battle chieftain. He didn’t have to pay close attention.

Breth's father held forth on how he had believed all along that the clans needed to be independent, and how now there was a druid to back him up.

Breth was kissing the side of Jaelle’s neck, and it was all she could do to keep her gasps from being so loud that others could hear them. It took all her concentration.

Another chieftain got up. She didn't know this one's name. He clearly knew leadership, because he was absolute about waiting for attention, and he got it, even from Richard, who sat down on a nearby log and made the pose of the thinker, overdramatic fool.

The chieftain spoke in melodic tones.

"It is good to have heard the opinion of one druid. I wish to put off any decision until there is unity of opinion from them."

Richard stood up in a hurry, rolling his eyes.

"Very well. Sit tight, and I will go round everyone up."

Smiling like a kid on a snow day, Breth took Jaelle’s hand and led her off into the trees, where they enjoyed each other as much as they could without doing things that really shouldn't be interrupted. But all too soon, Deoord was calling them back by name. Jaelle followed Beth back into the clearing and saw that indeed, all the Druids were standing in unity. Two dozen of them, at least.

One exceptional druid whose name she didn't know waited until all were settled before he spoke.

"We agree with Richard. We should not follow Drest. We also agree that casting him aside would destroy clan culture. Therefore, we believe Drest should submit to trial by combat.“

Breth squeezed her tight and she squeezed him.

“This is perfect!” she said, beaming. “He’ll be removed, and we won’t have to do anything.”

Breth beamed right back at her.

“We can get on with what we do want to do.”

He kissed her then, right in front of everyone.

She returned his kiss voraciously, even though they had just exchanged hundreds of kisses while waiting for the Druids. People around them clapped and cheered them on. Jaelle climbed into Breth’s lap so they could be closer, so she could show her love better.

That’s it. That’s all I want to do, love him. I’ve been so stupid.

She managed to pull her mouth away from his, and she nuzzled her mouth up to his ear.

"I want us to be married as soon as possible. Can these Druids do it now?"

At first, Breth stopped, in shock. But then he squeezed her tighter and nuzzled his own mouth down to her ear.

"Yes, are you ready?"

She nodded her head, but she wanted to speak and make sure he heard her.

"Yes, let's do this right now. I can't wait a minute longer!"

He held her more fiercely still, and then stood up and helped her to her feet.

But they both froze when they turned around. All the Druids were looking at Breth.

He looked from one to another, his own face in puzzlement.

"What?"

The lead Druid held out his arm toward Breth, beckoning him over.

Breth turned to Jaelle and smiled excitement, taking her along with him toward the natural focal point at the bonfire, a slight hill on one side of it.

But the head Druid spoke up.

"Leave Jaelle there, Breth. Just you come to us. Come stand with us in ceremony."

Breth stammered.

"I was just going to ask you to marry us. Isn’t that what this is about?"

The druid gave Breth a solemn look.

"Nay. Nay, it  is not."

The statuesque but grizzled man turned and spoke to Jaelle directly, and she felt slightly mollified to be at least accorded the status she deserved as a warrior consort to someone who'd eventually be a planning chieftain.

"Jaelle, you need to remain there and let Breth come face this alone."

Jaelle knew she should be quiet, really she did, but her mouth…

"For the land’s sake, will someone tell me what this is all about?"

By now, Breth was standing beside the lead Druid, who turned him to face all the chieftains, prodding him in the small of his back. This caused Breth to take the warrior stance: shoulders squared back, chin raised high, and legs braced for action as, with pride, he faced his parents and all the other chieftains and their families.

The lead druid waited again for quiet and got it quickly.

"This very evening, Breth will champion the clans in this momentous trial, the trial by combat of Drest."