They waited for the beers to be brought then Kai offered a toast.
“Tae warmth and summer. Aye, I pray it is here soon.” As he pretended to sip the beer, having no intention of drinking any more of it, the scout gulped heavily.
Aye, he’s definitely nervous.
“We may be waiting a while fer that.” The man scoffed then coughed, clearly finding the beer as unappetizing as Kai did.
“Ye ken why we are here then.” Kai leaned forward, determined to get to the crux of their meeting. “What can ye tell me?”
The man wiped his mouth uneasily, looked about his shoulders, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“The English. They’re encroaching more and more onto the Highlanders’ territory.” For the first time, Kai noticed there was something more to the Scottish lilt in the man’s voice. There was an English note too.
“Ye have English blood?”
“English maither, Scottish faither.” The man shifted, his face turning pink. Clearly, he had hoped this wouldn’t be noticed. “I fight fer Scotland.”
“Then why are ye nervous? Why worry about telling me these things?”
Once more, the man shifted uncomfortably.
“Because the clan I report tae is considering an alliance with the English. It’s what the English are doing. They’re working their way into our land by diplomacy. Or buying allegiance, call it what ye like.”
“Dae ye think there will be a battle?”
“Nay. Nae yet.” The man shook his head sharply. “They’re too busy having political discussions. I come tae offer yer laird a warning. That is all. Be wary of the riches the English offer ye and beware of clans ye think are yer friends. They may yet be bought.” He spoke with earnestness, not looking away from Kai’s gaze now.
Aye, he is telling the truth.
Kai knew it without having to doubt himself.
“Then I thank ye fer yer information.” Kai nodded. “What did ye risk tae come and tell me this?”
“Me position.” The man shifted. “I’m already nae trusted by some in me own clan because of me English maither, but I willnae let the English wipe out Scotland inch by inch without doing something about it.” The passion was evident. “It is right someone kens, even if me clan intends tae dae naething about it.”
He stood sharply as the door opened. Kai didn’t even look who had walked in this time, for his eyes were set on the man before him. The scout’s hand had gone to the weapons in his belt.
He fears fer his life.
“Then ye best get out of here fast.” Kai put some coins on the table. “Take this. Get yerself a fresh horse and ride home. Thank ye, again.”
The man nodded, jerkily took the coins, and left, sweeping out of the door as quickly as he arrived, with people cursing as the door was opened and more snow came in across the floor.
Kai sat forward after the man had gone. Now this meeting was done, he felt a calm washing over him.
“Aye, it was the truth,” he muttered, staring down into the tankard, knowing in his gut it was. In a way, it was reassuring. No impending battle meant they could protect their forces, rebuild themselves, take care of their clan, yet it was still a cause for concern. Maybe the English intended to make the Scottish their own by buying everyone.
I need tae tell Domhnall.
It was a heavy burden of responsibility. As one of the lairds’ brothers, he knew each of them had a responsibility and a task to attend to in order to keep the clan safe. Kai’s place had come naturally. He was built for quick riding, and his astuteness made him a good judge of character and a man’s honesty.
He pushed the tankard away, not intending to drink anymore as he sat back and debated what to do next. He could go back to Dunvegan castle, report to Domhnall tonight, yet there was an allure to the idea of finding company for the night and going back in the morning. He also didn’t particularly want to drink alone.
He looked around the tavern, seeing many women. Some clearly sold themselves, but there were others who wouldn’t charge. They were here to look for a good night themselves.
There was one particular lass who caught his eye. She was blonde. He had to force himself to look away. His taste for blonde hair in particular stemmed from thinking too much of one woman. It would do no good to sleep with that lass and constantly imagine she was another.
He pushed the tankard aside and stood. Maybe he could share one drink with a lass in this tavern, see what happened. There was always the chance that drink and a night together, full of pleasure, could wash away that part of him which was broken, the part he always tried to mask and stuff down, so he never had to look it in the face.
