“B-but…”
“Doona judge me for keeping the ways of foreigners when I lived in their land.”
“It goes against everything we Scots believe in. The Almighty endowedallmen with certain attributes—being a slave isna one of them.”
“Yer concern is appreciated but unwarranted.”
Her look told him she’d never agree.
Alex sighed at the need to further explain himself. “Are we not slaves to the crown? From the poorest tenant to the highest chieftain?”
She considered it. “In a way. We are the king’s subjects.”
“It means the same thing, lass. And if ye must know, I spared the life of their father when I was paid to kill him. He waged war against a rival lord and lost. Twas left to my discretion to do with his life as I wished. As I raised my sword, Lord Kalil made an offer I couldna refuse. His three eldest sons in exchange for his life. Such an offer is only made to an enemy a man respects.”
“That’s a terrible fate for his sons.”
“Again, doona judge their ways by our own. They are an ancient race. And when such an arrangement is made, they must be treated in a certain way—as sons of a prince.”
“They are princes?”
“Aye. They fight with me and receive an equal portion of the rewards we gain by defeating our enemies. The gifts offered to ye were from their own wealth. Slaves have certain rights, Keely, regardless of their high or low birth.”
“I am sorry for misjudging ye without knowing the whole truth.”
Alex escorted his wife back to the high table where Nasim and his brothers waited. Once seated, Alex called for silence.
“In Constantinople, on a man’s wedding day, he is expected to share his good fortune. A tradition not too far from our own. So, on this momentous occasion, I will keep this practice alive.”
The crowd cheered and raised their cups.
Alex did the same, taking a drink of ale. “Cyrus, Kuresh, and Nasim, sons of Kalil, princes in their own right, ye have served me well.”
The brothers raised their cups. “We salute you, Laird Alexander.”
“Such loyalty and bravery deserve freedom,” Alex said.
“Freedom?” Cyrus asked quietly. “What do you mean?”
Alex leaned across the table. “Yer father’s debt to me is satisfied. Walk among men again as an equal.”
“All of us?” Nasim asked.
“Aye.”
“What if we wish to serve you still?” Kuresh asked.
“Then I willna send ye away. Ye will be appointed to my personal guard and honored as a MacKay.”
“A MacKay?” Kuresh asked. “You wish me to take yer surname?”
“If ye choose to stay here, aye. Ye canna live in the past,” Alex said, relying on the wise words of his scholar. “There is time to consider yer futures, to make a choice.”
The brothers bowed.
“Any man who questions my decision and mistreats ye, will feel my rage as Angus did when he laid hands on my bride.”
The guests cheered and called out the brothers’ names.
