Page 96 of Moon Craving

The youth made a sound of disgust. "He carries the stench of the Sassenach and

mimics their ways."

"You do not submit to your king?"

"I follow the way of the Chrechte. We fight for that which is ours."

"You challenge me for the right to this land?" Talorc asked.

"I do." The youth's voice shook, but his stance of defiance did not falter.

Talorc couldn't help respecting the boy's courage if not his wisdom.

"What is going on?" Abigail peeked from between the two Sinclair warriors

blocking her way out of the cave. Her damp hair and glowing skin indicated she had been

soaking as directed when the impetuous young Donegal soldiers arrived. He did not think

that was the reason for the flush in her lovely face though.

She was staring at his naked body in a way that would have an effect on his

manhood soon. "Do you always cavort around the forest in the altogether, Talorc?"

"I was hunting."

"So I was informed." She cleared her throat and closed her eyes for a second, only

to open them again almost immediately. "I did not realize Scotsman hunted in the nude.

You were wearing a plaid when you returned from the hunt the night before our wedding,"

she said almost accusingly.

"You have much to learn of our ways."

She sighed, making a production of it. "I suppose I do. I think I need to learn

something of them now about why these children are here."

"We are men," the bolder Chrechte soldier insisted.

Abigail, to her credit, did not gainsay him but merely looked with expectation at

Talorc. Obviously, his wife expected an explanation. He just did not know if she was going

to like hearing it.

"These warriors do not cede the right to this land or the hot springs to the Sinclair

clan." He gave them the respect of calling them warriors. More seasoned soldiers of their

clan had not thought to challenge Talorc's claim.

If they had, Talorc was honest enough with himself to know he would not have

been as lenient. More experienced men that had the gall to challenge him would already