SPRING CAME TO Scotland remarkably early that year, thawing the icy highlands and melting the snow drifts as the Great Forest grew warm and green. At Dun Mor the Skaraven Clan began work on the stronghold, clearing away the rockfall that concealed it to build a new keepe atop the subterranean levels that had so long remained hidden. Brennus also tasked Taran and Rowan with the repair of the stable’s roof and also the design of the new stables he intended to build for the clan’s growing herd.

“I think we should break ground once all the pregnant mares have foaled,” Rowan told the chieftain as they discussed their plans over the evening meal. “Tran and I have about thirty to deliver, and it looks like they’re all coming at the same time.”

“’Tis remarkable, how fertile our mounts have proven.” Brennus glanced at his horse master, who held his mate’s hand as if he meant never to release it. “The McAra is surprised as well. In fact, he bid me enter into a new breeding arrangement with his clan, so that he may share in our bounty.”

“Oh, lend him some stallions,” Althea scolded. “He did name his new baby after your brother’s wife.”

Rowan chuckled. “Now there’s a kid who’s going to be spoiled for life.”

They’d all gone to the McAra stronghold for baby Perrin’s presentation to the clan. Elspeth had been glowing with good health, and the little laird had proudly introduced his new daughter, who unlike all her siblings looked exactly like her mother.

After the thaw the chieftain received a dove from the Sky Thatch settlement, sent by Bhaltair Flen. The invitation to attend the first gathering of his Dawn Fire clan at first annoyed the chieftain, for he still didn’t care much for the old druid. Althea persuaded him to see it as a chance to form a new alliance and, as she put it, bury a hatchet.

“I’ll never be free of that facking druid,” he told her as they led the clan out of the sparkling waters of the loch by the Dawn Fire’s new settlement. “He’ll plague me for the rest of time.”

“Yes, but remember that he’s head of the druid conclave now,” his wife said, reaching over to pat his hand. “So when we plague him, he’ll really get things done.”

Bhaltair walked down to greet the chieftain and his clan, and suggested they turn their mounts loose to graze. Taran sent the herd to join the tribe’s horses in the clearing beyond the new settlement, where the emerald grasses grew tall and thick.

After clearing away the cottage and barn, the Dawn Fire had built their new homes atop the ruins of the old settlement. While Emeline admired the sprawling gardens that surrounded the tidy little cottages, Ruadri greeted the tribe’s shaman like an old friend. Lily and Kelturan brought the clan’s gifts of food and herbs to the center of the settlement, where they helped with the preparation of the evening meal. Cadeyrn kept a watchful eye on everyone as he spoke with the tribe’s young defenders.

“If I may have a word, Chieftain?” Bhaltair asked.

Seeing his mate give him a narrow look, Brennus nodded and accompanied the old druid to a small rise above the new village. The view afforded him the full scope of what the Dawn Fire had done to transform the old Wood Dream settlement.

“I yet cannae believe you willingly chose this place to resettle,” the chieftain said. “I reckon I’d have burned the place to the ground. But you’ve done well with it.”

“Aye, but ’tis bursting with life that’s waited twelve centuries to return,” Bhaltair said. “My people shall thrive here, and so shall the land. After so much death, ’tis no’ a place for an ending. ’Tis time for a new beginning.”

Brennus regarded him, and held out his hand. “I’d have peace between us, Conclavist Flen.”

The old druid took it and smiled. “Aye, Chieftain Skaraven. I believe we’ve earned it.”

* * *

After the evening meal Rowan led her mate down to the banks of the loch, where they stood and watched the sun sink slowly over the distant mountains. The light painted the sky dark blue and deep apricot, with a band of bright gold rising to gild the ridges.

“I know we’ve watched so many sunsets we’ve probably seen every kind that there is,” she told him. “But this one feels different, doesn’t it?”

“Aye.” He wrapped his arms around her. “’Tis our first spring as immortal Skaraven.”

Rowan turned around to face him. “And soul-mates. How do you feel about that?”

“Relieved. We’ll never be parted again,” Taran told her before he kissed her. “Mayhap eternity shall be just long enough for me to love you.”

She smiled. “Let’s get started and find out.”