Kenneth was already among the beasts, shoulder to flank, his hand on the young beast’s head, keeping his voice low and steady against the impending chaos. “That’s it. Stand. |Hold steady.”
Callum appeared beside him without a word, the two of them bracing together as another wave struck. The cattle settled, shuddering, their breath steaming in the cold air.
“Too many bodies, too little patience,” Callum muttered.
“Aye,” Kenneth replied grimly. “In that they’re just like men.”
By the time Donnachaidh, the chief herdsman, arrived – red-faced, breathless, his boots half-laced – the worst of it had passed, the cattle had settled uneasily but the slightest thing could set them off again.
Planks were laid from the birlinn to the landing, the ropes holding the cattle were loosened with care, and one by one the cattle were guided down to firmer ground, hooves slipping on wet stone, men shouting warnings and encouragement in equal measure. This time they needed no urging.
Kenneth stayed close, his hands never idle, hauling, steadying, lifting where needed. When at last the final beast was offloaded, the tension broke like a snapped cord.
A cheer rose from the gathered villagers.
Kenneth’s focus narrowed. There would be time later for reunion and warmth and Selene’s smile. Now there were cattle to be safely penned, men to direct, and a village watching to see what sort of laird had returned to them.
Callum joined him at once, already rolling his shoulders.
Kenneth did not linger. “Tae the pens,” he said at once. “Before they remember they’re stronger than we are.”
He led Arkan by the reins as they set off for the village, refusing the saddle despite Callum’s raised brow.
“I’ll mount later,” Kenneth said. “Today I walk with me people.”
The path wound upward between rough stone walls and frost-stiff grass, the village coming into clearer view with every step. Smoke curled from chimneys, the air rich with peat smoke and damp earth. Children ran alongside them, laughing, darting away when a cow tossed her head in their direction.
Kenneth enjoyed this connection to the village, and the knowledge that he was holding fast to the commitment he’d made to them. A part of him blamed himself for Aidan’s attack, although he knew this was nonsense. Yet, were it not for him, Aidan would never have sworn to avenge his lost love.
Arkan’s massive presence at his shoulder drew respectful glances, but Kenneth kept a loose hand on the reins, staying level with his people.
This is what a laird is, nae above his people, but among them.
He worked alongside them in the pens, boots sinking into churned mud, his hands half frozen. He made sure of the posts and rails of the fencing himself, examining the recent repairs with a critical eye. There must be no possibility of those cattle breaking free.
“Strengthen that,” he told one man, tapping a rail that was threatening to come loose. “And brace the corner.”
The man grinned, tugging his forelock. “Aye, Laird Kenneth.”
Even as he worked, his gaze never stilled. He scanned across the open field, white now with frost and scattered snow. He studied the ridgelines, watching for any movement among the trees, searching for footprints in the fresh snow along the distant bends in the path.
Aidan would not announce himself with horns and banners. He would come silently, on stealthy feet.
But the fences held. The pens were solid. The cattle settled, huddling close, lowing softly now, the panic fading as they felt the solid earth beneath their feet and a pile of hay to chew on.
Kenneth released a long, slow breath.
When it was done and the last gate was secured, Donnachaidh nodded his approval.
His hat clutched in his two hands before him, the older man dipped his head in acknowledgment of his laird.
“These are fine beasts tae grow our herd again. I thank ye fer helpin’ tae rebuild our pride after the loss of so much.”
Kenneth nodded, finally stepping back, wiping his grimy hands on his cloak, a grin spreading across his cheeks.
“Well done lads,” he said simply.
His words were met with a cheer from the assembled villagers, each face turned up to him with gratitude in their eyes.
