A shout went up from the walls of the Keep.
They were looking out for us,Senga thought, almost too exhausted to form the words in her mind.
Moments later, she stumbled through the Keep gates. Others followed, but Noah hung behind, staying on the outside of the wall, watchful. He did not enter the Keep until everybody was inside.
Brendan and Freya were waiting for them.
“I’m sure ye are tired and need a long rest,” Brendan said as soon as Noah and Senga approached. “But we have a good deal to discuss.”
Noah gave a short nod. “Let me drink some ale and change into dry clothes, and I will meet ye in the council chambers.”
“Very well.” Freya glanced over at Senga, a worried frown settling between her brows. “Senga, lass, ye are as white as a ghost.”
Senga offered a tired smile. “I will tell ye all soon, but not now. I wish to join the meeting, too.”
“It will be a large meeting. I am not sure if?—”
“I’d like to join,” Senga repeated emphatically. “Please.”
Freya shot a questioning look up at her husband, who gave a tiny nod.
That was all Senga needed.
“I shall see you soon, then,” she said, and limped past them into the depths of the Keep.
Half an hour later,she was ready. It felt truly luxurious to be in clean, dry clothes, and already she was beginning to warm up. Senga heard the murmurs drifting out of the meeting room before she had even gotten halfway along the hallway. When she peered inside, the room was even more packed with people than before. This time, there was no space even for Noah at the table. He and Freya stood at either side of Brendan’s chair.
Everybody seemed to be talking at once, interrupting each other and talking over each other. It made Senga’s already sore head ring. She slipped into the room, pressing herself against the wall.
Despite the crowd and the crush, Noah’s gaze swiveled towards her right away, fixing upon her. He gave a small, secret smile, and a warmth spread through Senga’s chest that had nothing to do with her new, dry clothes.
“Quiet.Quiet!” Brendan roared, and the chatter eventually died down. “Now,” he continued, when there was silence, “we must think of what we are to do next. We have a great many refugees to care for, so the supplies we have must be rationed to be sure that everybody has enough.”
“I will care for that, m’Laird,” announced Anneth, a surly, round-faced woman who served as the Steward of the Keep. “Our feasts may be a little less fine than before, but none of us will starve.”
Brendan nodded approvingly. “Good, Anneth. Do what ye must. Now, word has been sent to Keep Kenneth regarding the attack Laird Murray intends for them. I propose that we send a letter to Struan Dickson, too.”
A sense of discomfort spread through the room at the mention Struan’s name. His reputation could not be so easily forgotten, after all. Brendan seemed to notice that and glanced at each face in turn, his expression dark.
“Struan was a great asset to us before,” he remarked, firmly and pointedly. “Perhaps he can help us now, too.”
“All he’ll do is bring the wrath of his father down upon us all,” somebody spoke up, their voice quavering. Brendan smiled tightly.
“Ye think his father’s wrath isn’t already directed our way?”
“I think,” remarked an old, gray-bearded fellow who Senga thought was one of the Grahame council members. “That we should consider expanding our alliances. The Kenneths are fine allies, but we should look to neighboring clans.”
“Neighboring clans? Like who?” Freya spoke up, frowning.
The old fellow rose unsteadily to his feet, glancing around at the room.
“We are one of the largest clans in the Highlands,” he explained. “Clan Dickson is the strongest, by far. But there are countless small clans, some of which have not taken a side in this war. They are simply trying to ride out the terror. But if we were to extend a hand of friendship, they might provide valuable help.”
“What sort of friendship?” Brendan inquired, frowning. “And which clan are ye thinking of? I’m sure ye have somebody in mind.”
The old man chuckled. “Of course. I was thinking of Clan Hector. It is not a large clan, but its territory is so difficult, mountainous and hilly, that Dickson and his cronies have not risked attacking it at all. The Hector soldiers are not numerous, but they are strong and tough. They would jump at the prospect of an alliance with us, and then we can launch attacks on clans Murray and Dickson by traveling through Hector land and accessing their borders that way.”
This was a fairly decent proposition. Senga leaned forward, waiting to see what Brendan would say. Despite herself, she found her gaze sliding towards to Noah’s face. As always, he was already looking at her.
