Seumas raised a hand in acknowledgment without looking back, and was gone.
***
CORMAC RE-ENTERED THEGreat Hall.His father and Laird Ruthven watched him with varying degrees of suspicion.His mother hovered near the far door, and Annag was now loitering in the gardens with Ninian.
"I have to leave," Cormac announced, moving through the hall with purpose.
"Go?Now?"his mother demanded."What is so urgent that it cannae wait?"
"I am called away on urgent matters."
"But the betrothal—" his father started.
"Is your problem, not mine," Cormac replied."Nessa?"he called.
His sister appeared in the passageway at the far end of the hall."Aye?"
"Come bid me farewell, sprite."
She fell into step beside him as he headed for the stables."What do ye think of the Ruthven lass?"she asked.
"Never in a thousand years will that woman be my wife."
Nessa grinned with relief."Then I am glad to hear it, brother."After a moment's pause she whispered, "I gather ye go to do the king's bidding?"
"Aye, and it cannot wait."
"Then pray, be safe, brother, but dinnae be a stranger too long.I ken we can sometimes be troublesome, but ye are needed here as well."
Cormac nodded.
They entered the stables to find his horse already saddled, for Seumas had seen to it.Though his saddlebags looked fuller than he'd left them.
"I packed ye some provisions, brother."
"When did ye manage this?"he asked, glancing at Nessa.
"I knew ye would head for the hills the moment ye realized what Da was arranging."
Cormac smiled and shook his head."Ye always were the cleverest Stewart among us."
He hugged her goodbye and messed up her hair until she scowled and slapped his hand away.Then he reached into his saddlebag and pressed a heavy pouch of coins into her palm.
"What is this for?"she asked.
"For the needs of the clan."
"Should ye not give it to Ma?"
"No.I ken 'tis ye who really runs the Keep."
Nessa blushed.It was true – she had been acting as chatelaine for the better part of a decade.Their mother was too flighty for the task, their father forever reliving his glory days with his friends, and Ninian spent most of his time carousing at the local inns.
"I am sorry to leave so much responsibility to ye," Cormac said, "but I promise, as soon as I have leave of the king's service, I shall return and help ye."
"What of the Ruthvens?"Nessa asked.
"I am certain the king shall intercede on my behalf."
