Malcolm could scarcely believe it. He and Irvine had discussed how they would garner help from other clans, but it seemed that his friend had gone about doing so himself.
The Belshes laird motioned for the parchment, and his advisor retrieved it quickly, handing it over. Malcolm and the rest of the room watched as the laird unrolled it and read the names, his eyes widening.
“I see that ye recognize the clans.” Irvine smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “They are fully prepared for battle. Mah question tae ye, Laird Belshes, is are ye?”
Neacal stared at the parchment for a few more moments before he crumpled it in his hands and threw it on the table.
“I’m willing tae allow ye and yer men tae leave mah lands,” Kaiden said. “But in the event ye dinnae, I will shed yer blood on it instead.”
Malcolm watched as the laird realized he had lost it all, and the guards stepped away from him, one of them cutting the binds at his wrists. Clearly, they didn’t want their blood to be shed today.
“This isnae the end!” Neacal sneered as he started to retreat. “Ye arenae the most powerful clans in Scotland!”
Irvine smirked. “Nay, but we might be a little smarter.”
Neacal snorted before walking out of the great hall and leaving his guards to follow him quickly. Malcolm loosened a breath, and Edna ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
“I thought I had lost ye!” she said as he pressed her against him.
“Never,” he murmured in her hair, relishing in the embrace. He wouldn’t leave her ever.
“Well,” Irvine stated as Edna pulled away from Malcolm, her cheeks stained with pink, “I’m glad that I was able tae come just in time then.”
Malcolm walked over to his laird, and they grinned at each other before Irvine pulled him into a hearty embrace. “Ye always feel like ye have tae make an entrance,” Malcolm said dryly.
“Aye, I do,” Irvine laughed as he released him. “And wot an entrance it was.”
“Did ye really get some of these clans tae agree tae aid?” Erik asked, having taken the parchment and smoothed it out.
“Of course not,” Irvine scoffed. “I would be doing so until the end of time, but it will be quite a while before Laird Belshes realizes he was duped.”
Malcolm chuckled. “Well, then I’m grateful all the same.”
“We need tae ensure the Belshes get off mah land,” Kaiden stated.
Malcolm sighed and turned to a waiting Edna. “I should help since they saved mah life.”
Edna nodded. “Aye.”
He winked at her and joined the men that were gathered to head out and drive the rest of the unwelcomed clan from the land. After procuring horses, Malcolm rode flanked by Irvine and Erik, checking the village for any stragglers before riding near the border. There were only a few warriors that hadn’t made it out yet, but the group only watched from the distance, allowing them time to leave.
“So ye and mah daughter...” Erik started evenly, as they watched the warriors ride away. “Wot is yer intentions?”
Malcolm swallowed. It was harder to have this discussion with Erik than he had thought.
“I plan tae wed her.”
“Good,” Erik replied, a grin on his face. “And I trust that ye are going tae let her know by the end of this day?”
“Aye,” Malcolm said quickly. Of course, he wanted to wed Edna, and it mattered not when he did it.
As long as he did it.
“Well then,” Erik said after a moment, “I guess we are welcoming ye tae the McGregor clan.”
“Wait,” Irvine interrupted. “I hadnae wished tae lose mah newest advisor so soon.”
Malcolm looked over at his friend in surprise. “Wot?”
