Instead, she saw three people approaching the raised platform in the middle of the courtyard, and a warm serenity flooded through her. Even with all of the chaos, just seeing Cailean was enough to buoy her. She made her way toward the platform where he, Kier Bruce, and Lady Flora McKenzie were taking their places. Cailean spotted her and grinned, holding out a hand to help her up to join them.
As people began to notice the small group, a cheer rippled across the crowded courtyard. People were happy to see their king, Maeve primary among them. Nearby, Darren's unmistakable voice called out, "Give us a speech, Yer Majesty!"
Cailean rolled his eyes, laughing at his friend's teasing, but Maeve wasn't surprised when Darren's request was echoed by many, and soon there were many people entreating their leader to speak before they undertook this mission.
Perhaps out of habit, Cailean glanced at Kier. The older man grinned, and winked at Maeve before addressing Cailean.
"They want tae hear what ye have tae say, son," Kier said, clapping Cailean on the shoulder. "Ye've earned their place as their leader. Now lead."
Cailean nodded, resolution spreading across his face. He turned to face the crowd, then paused. The whole courtyard fell silent, waiting for his words.
But instead of speaking, he put his hand gently on the small of Maeve's back and moved her to the front.
"Friends," he announced. "Yer future queen will address ye. Lend her yer ear."
Another cheer went up as Maeve whipped her head around in shock.Her?She could speak to small groups—she had done so before—but this? This was maybe the most important rallying cry of the rebellion, and Cailean wanted to leave it to her?
"I…" she stammered, turning back to the expectant crowd. "I…"
Then she saw Lady McKenzie's understanding smile and Kier's firm nod. She saw Darren and Fergus, Ferda and Patty, and so many others watching her with smiles from the crowd. She saw Senan, her mentor, giving a supportive gesture as he grinned. And, most importantly, she felt Cailean's supportive touch, steadying her and making sure she knew she was on course.
She could do this. Shewoulddo this.
"Me people," she said, the words suddenly flowing from her tongue. "Me family. Thank ye for all of yer dedication and faith. Thank ye for bein' the strength behind this rebellion, and the power behind everythin' that Cailean and the council—and I—have done so far. We would be naewhere without each and every one of ye."
The people cheered. Maeve smiled, feeling her confidence grow. She waited until the clamor had died down before continuing.
"What we are about tae undertake is the greatest risk that our forces have undertaken so far, but it also stands tae bestow upon us the greatest reward. McNair Castle has been jeopardized in a way we simply cannae allow tae stand. The False King is flagrantly tauntin' us, thinkin' he can claim everythin' we once held dear. But we have taken what was stolen back before. We reclaimed this very castle from the cruel Darachs. And now, we will make a statement—we will take back the home of our True King!"
She took a breath as she allowed the crowd to react.
"Yer courage and sacrifice is more than we could have ever asked for. Nae just those who will march with us, but also those who will stay behind. Each and every one of ye is essential tae the new Scotland we are tryin' tae build." She glanced at Cailean, who nodded. "There will be danger ahead. Dinnae doubt it. The False King's forces are many, and even with the recruits we have gathered, we are still much fewer. But dinnae lose heart. Remember this: McNair Castle is bein' used as a trainin' facility. Most of the soldiers protectin' it will be undertrained and unprepared. We will never have another opportunity so ideal as this tae take back what was stolen from us, and gain unprecedented strength in our fight against the tyrant."
"We'll slaughter them all!" someone shouted.
Maeve bit her lip. She hadn't discussed this yet with Cailean, but she hoped that he agreed with what she was about to say next. "We will fight for the lives that we are owed. Those who have been taken from us. Those who have fallen. But… we will not be butchers. We arenaethe same as them."
The silence that followed the statement was eerie. It was as though they were waiting with bated breath.
She pushed ahead. "We fight for harmony, nae for pain. We willnae hesitate tae fight where we must, and kill if necessary. We will defend ourselves and make the difficult decisions, evenwhen they weigh heavily upon us. But we will also remember what we stand for. Think of men like Eoin Darach, who has gone from the son of our enemy and a captain of the guard of the False King's servant to one of the most faithful members of our rebellion." She closed her eyes, remembering the moment she'd saved Cailean from her father's blade, then opened them again. "Think of me. Of me sister Breana. Of how we were the daughters of the worst of the traitors tae the crown, and yet now she searches for yer princess while I stand here as yer future queen."
"We cannae spare them all," one yelled out. "We cannae take that chance."
"We cannae," Maeve agreed. "And I willnae ask it of ye. But I will ask that if an enemy soldier pleads for mercy, we do our best tae take prisoners, nae create bodies. If someone is willin' tae renounce the False King, we will give them a chance for a trial, and tae come tae our side." She glanced back briefly at Cailean, and saw him watching her seriously. Emboldened, she finished her speech. "But if we are under threat, make no mistake. We will show our strength. We will cut them down where they stand if they fight against us. We will nae be silenced. We will raise our voices, and be the voice for all of those who cannot. Together, friends, we will make Scotland free!"
Suddenly, she found herself swept into Cailean's arms as a passionate roar sounded from all around her. As the crowd celebrated her words, loudly declaring their support through shouts and whistles and even the clapping of hands and stamping of feet, Cailean kissed Maeve deeply right there in front of everyone. Maeve closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss, uncaring of the eyes upon them for a moment, and allowed all the fire in her heart to flow into the man who was her soul.
When they broke apart, she saw a fierce glint in his eye and a wild grin on his face. "Me queen," he whispered.
"Me king," she replied. "It seems we have work tae do."
Her heart racing, her soul aflame, she made her way back down into the crowd. Behind her, Cailean spoke in a low voice with Kier and Lady McKenzie, who would be in charge of protecting Bruce Castle and their people until word arrived of their victory.
The next hour or two passed in a whirlwind, and then it was time.
Dirk would be staying behind as part of the guard who would continue protecting Bruce Castle, as would Deirdre, and even Hamish, though it had taken some convincing to convince the councilman to remain with Kier. Maeve watched as goodbyes and good lucks were shared, smiling as Ewan and Hamish embraced and as Dirk exchanged words with his three cousins who would accompany their army.
Cailean took Maeve's hand and led her to their horse, helping her climb up. The two of them would lead the march. Behind them came their honor guard—Darren and Fergus, Ewan and Senan, and, despite all advice from the despairing healers, Ferda. The rest of the warriors and scouts, along with a few of their healers, fell into position behind them, and the gates of Bruce Castle creaked open before them.
