“Perhaps I care for you a little but I shall think more about it whilst you are gone.”
Breckin chortled to himself as he left Willa’s cottage. By the time he reached the stables, his men had assembled. Gideon had retrieved his sword, armor, and satchel that he used when he went to war.
As they rode out, he kept thinking about Eva and how she’d been miserable. He should have done something to make her feel more welcomed but with his duty to his clan, he had no time to deal with such matters. When he returned, he’d find a way to show her that she was now part of his clan and that she mattered.
Along the route to the Campbell land, they passed through hostile territory of the MacFarlanes. His regiment of soldiers knew how to bequiet to bypass the MacFarlanes’ sentry.
The weather remained fair with a slight breeze but no rain. Over the barren hills, crossing the waterways, and riding past the stretched-out meadows throughout the day exhausted their horses and made his soldiers sullen. Breckin called a halt and for all to make camp. He sent two men to Campbell to alert him of his arrival.
Nearly three days passed as they waited on the border of Campbell land. Throughout the day, Breckin paced between two trees, knowing that his ally wouldn’t have called for him unless there was a good reason. Night pressed onward and lent to the duskiness of the sky, and his men lit fires, hunted for small game, and took the time to rest.
As the sky pitched, his impatience wore on him and he was growing testy. None of his men approached him or spoke to him. Finally, several men on horses rode through the wooded area in the distance.
When Campbell dismounted his horse, Breckin hastened to his comrade and greeted him. “Colin, ye called us. We came.”
Colin slid from his mount and reached him. He shoved his chest in greeting and his blue eyes shone with mirth. The man always wore his long light locks pulled back from his face. Breckin regarded his comrade and grunted.
“What say ye? Are we to war?”
“Aye, at break of dawn. My men encamp close by. We will take to arms, and at last, route the MacDoughalls.” Colin’s words came hard and with more than a touch of ire.
“What did they do to merit a thrashing from the Campbells?”
Colin chortled. “Need they do anything? Still, their misdeed calls forth my army and I will meet their call. They set fire to my storage sheds and encroached on my land. I am through being lenient toward them. ’Tis time I show them that I will not stand for their insolence.”
“Aye, come and join me by the fire. We will discuss the battle plan.”
*
The MacDoughalls musthave gotten wind of their forthcoming attack because when they approached their fief two days later, most of the soldiers were gone. Only women, children, and elders hid in the recesses of walls, and behind barred cottage doors. They peered through windows.
On the return to the border situated between the two clans, they met up with a regiment of MacDoughall soldiers and Colin called his war cry. The Campbells led the attack and Breckin commanded his men to follow closely behind them. Scores of soldiers raised their swords and ran into the breach.
During the fracas, Breckin cut down at least two MacDoughalls. He searched for another foe but it appeared the cowardly MacDoughalls tucked tail, fled, and retreated into the nearby woods. Breckin detested such a cowardly act. Yet he supposed the men were only intent on saving themselves from being injured or even killed.
After the fight, Breckin was invited back to the Campbells’ fief. “Ye be welcome to rest a wee bit before ye head home,” Colin said.
Breckin begged off. “I need to get back to my land, och my thanks for the offer.” He wanted to get settled in the longhouse. A new life would begin when he and Eva took residence. He envisioned a calmer, more enriched life with his wife. Lord, he hoped that would be the result, especially if he rejected the call of his allies in the future.
“My thanks, Breckin, for coming all this way. It was not a complete waste of time because the MacDoughalls will think twice before they intend to encroach again.” Colin shoved his shoulder in a parting farewell and bellowed laughter as he marched away.
Breckin called his men to assemble and his commander stood by his horse and handed him the reins. “Find out if anyone needs aid. We are headed home, Gideon. Direct the men.”
His commander shouted orders as he strode off. When Gideonreturned, he reported, “We suffered minor injuries, Laird. Only two men needed to be stitched and one a wee bit more serious. He’s been tied to the horse for transport home.”
“My thanks. Let us head out then. We will make camp when it gets dark and we are closer to home.” Breckin mounted his horse and rode ahead of his men.
Behind him, a trail of soldiers rode on their steeds, eagerly talking about the melee. They headed easterly toward Buchanan land. The day wasn’t completely gone and the late afternoon sun shone with a glorious glow. It made the ride more enjoyable. Breckin hoped to reach their land before it got too dark to continue.
The blackened trees were silhouetted in the dusky sky in the distance. Breckin heard the sound of riders approaching them from behind and raised his arm to alert his men. As the riders neared, he recognized William Stewart who had a handful of men with him. Stewart stopped his horse but did not dismount.
“Breckin, I was hoping to run into ye.” William bowed his head, respectfully greeting him.
He wasn’t about to appease him and do the same. “Why are ye here?”
“I was asked to come by Laird MacLaren. He wants a meeting to discuss the troubles betwixt ye and seeks peace. He says he has news that will remedy the situation of his clan calling off your betrothal to his daughter.”
“Ye mean your now wife?” Breckin grunted. The two clans were in cahoots, he reckoned, and he wasn’t about to placate either of them.
