James just had to figure out how to prove that he belonged with the warriors, and he had figured out the first step in doing so.
He was going to enter the games at the gathering and win them. When he did so, he would be honored by the clan and shown his worth to the laird. Then his father would have no choice but to do whatever James wished to appease Irvine and the clan.
It was a solid plan, and James planned on seeing it through.
After all, he had nothing more to lose at this point.
The next morning, he rode with the rest of his clan into the green pasture, breathing a sigh of relief that they had finally made it to their destination. It seemed that they were one of the few clansthat had arrived thus far, and once they were shown to their spot, James dismounted with the rest of the men and women.
“Well,” Irvine announced, throwing his arms wide. “It seems that we have found our home for the next few days!”
There was a chorus of ayes at his announcement, and the clan moved to begin setting up their tents that would house the clan for the next few days.
“It will be a good gathering,” his father remarked as James pulled down his satchel. “And I am hoping for a good meeting with the Wallace clan.”
The negotiations. James had already forgotten about the true reason they had come.
“And if they dinnae?” he asked lightly, facing his father.
His father sighed, wiping his hand over his face. “I hope it wilnae come tae that, James. Battles, they only weaken a clan, not strengthen it. Taking another Scot’s life? That is only a hollow victory at best. ’Tis a vicious cycle.”
“But one that makes a point,” James argued, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. “’Tis how the land is run, Da. Not words.”
His father shook his head sadly. “Ye will see the land differently one day, James. Mark mah words.”
James walked off then, unsure of how to answer his father’s parting words. Perhaps one day, when he was older and wiser, but for now, he wanted nothing but to prove his worth.
These games and this gathering were the perfect opportunities for him to do so.
4
Iris moved through the throng of people before her, ignoring their looks as she elbowed past them. They had arrived at the gathering a few hours ago, but she had yet to make her way through the entire lot of people.
All sorts of clans had arrived before them, with many different tartans represented. Iris had never seen so many clans together before. Most were full of warriors, like hers, big burly Scots that had no qualms about using the butt of their swords to hammer in the stakes for their tents into the ground.
Others were smaller clans, with Scots who looked like lads that had never seen the battlefield. Why, there was even one clan that Iris had seen nothing but lasses about, though these lasses were not ones to be trifled with. They had brawn like the Scots she had observed, their swords gleaming from the scabbards at their backs as they had unloaded their wagons with ease.
Iris imagined that none had brought a gown for the feast.
Still, it was a sight to behold. When they had arrived, a member of the host clan was there to greet them, offering a respite of ale for all who wished to have some before showing them to their location on the rolling green pasture. While manyof the clans had yet to arrive, Iris was amazed by the sheer number of tents that had already been put up. Even her father had whistled at the sight.
“’Tis bigger than any gathering I have ever been to,” he had stated while enjoying his ale.
And it wasn’t just the tents. Iris had marveled at the other things that were set up as well, including the area in which the games would be taking place. A platform had been set up, presumably for the host laird and his family, as well as targets for what was likely to be bow shooting and a dirt pit that could only be described as sparring.
It all excited her. Even her brothers had made mention of what was before them, including the lasses they were able to make eye contact with as they passed.
Iris had just rolled her eyes at their catcalls and the giggles that drifted in the wind. It seemed that her brothers had only one thing in their minds for this gathering.
Well, she did as well. Iris was going to win the gathering games for their clan. It wasn’t a matter ofifshe could do it. No, Iris knew that she was smarter, quicker, and far more talented than any opponent they could put in her path.
Ian found Iris watching the scene before her a little while later, slinging his arm around her shoulders.
“Well, dear sister, still want tae compete?”
“Aye,” she stated, shrugging off his heavy arm. “Mah mind is made up.”
He chuckled, crossing his arms over his massive chest. “I figured as much.”
