Page 20 of Highland Sky

Chapter Seven

Nash sat around the cook fire with North and the others, just finishing off their meal of pottage that the women of the clan had made and shared with them. Pottage was a staple food for the poor. This one consisted of boiled vegetables and grain, and no meat. Usually, it was served as a thick stew, but this was more like a thin soup. The chieftain had apologized, saying they were short on supplies since the raid.

It was dark now, and Nash was tired from thatching the roof all day. The infirmary was a long building, and the work seemed endless. His body ached. He was so tired that all he wanted was to get a good night’s sleep. Morning would come fast, and then he’d have to do it all over again.

“Where is Aidan?” Nash asked, just noticing that he was missing.

“He left earlier for Edinvale Castle,” said the chieftain. “He and his squirrel should be back tomorrow. He is goin’ to bring back Lady Spring for a little visit.”

“Spring Gordon is comin’ here?” Kellina overheard, and looked up in surprise. “Why is that, Uncle? She is a fierce warrior woman, and we arena aligned with them. It could be dangerous. I think ye’ve made a mistake. Why would ye do such a thing?”

“Daughter, calm down,” said Ciaran. “I figured ye might want another woman to talk to, that’s all.”

“Another woman?” Kellina looked around at the rest of the clansmembers eating and going about their business. “There are enough lassies right here for me to talk with. I dinna need to converse with one who is our enemy. What is yer real reason for askin’ her here, Uncle? And by the way, please dinna call me yer daughter. I am yer niece.”

“I ken that.” Ciaran stirred uncomfortably on the stump he was using as a stool. “Yer siblin’s called Lorna, Mathair, and I just thought –”

“Nay! Ye thought wrong.” She stood up abruptly, seeming suddenly upset. “I will never call ye Faither. I remember my parents and I willna pretend to forget them. Now, I am goin’ to bed.”

She turned to go, but her uncle stopped her. “Ye and yer husband will use the weddin’ bed tonight,” he told her. “I’ll make sure ye have the entire buildin’ to yerselves since it is important that ye consummate the marriage.”

Nash saw her stop and her body stiffen.

“That’s no’ necessary,” she ground out, never turning around to talk.

“I’m afraid it is, Kellina.” Ciaran struggled to stand with his bad leg. Nash ran over and helped him. “Thank ye, Nash.”

That got her to turn around.

“I suppose ye two have been plottin’ about this all day long,” she snapped.

“Plottin’?” asked her uncle. “Kellina, ye two must consummate yer marriage, or the alliance does no’ hold true.” The chieftain seemed very concerned about this, but Kellina didn’t care at all. She wanted nothing to do with it.

“Ye are right, my laird,” Nash answered, helping him to walk. “I’ll do as is expected to seal the deal between our clans.”

“What about ye, Kellina?” asked the chieftain.

Kellina looked out at the rest of the clan, all staring at her, waiting for her answer. She didn’t want to couple with Nash MacKeefe, even if they were married.

“I never agreed to this marriage, and shouldna be forced to make love with a MacKeefe!”

“Sister, ye must,” said Caitlin.

“It is part of the alliance,” added North. “Without the consummation, the alliance will be broken.”

“If it is broken, the MacKeefes willna be our allies,” called out a man of the clan.

“I dinna want them attackin’ us next,” cried a woman, cradling her young child to her bosom. “I’ve already lost my husband and son to the Sutherlands, and willna lose my daughter, too.”

“Me neither,” called out someone else.

“If ye dinna honor the alliance, it’ll be yer fault when we’re attacked by the MacKeefes,” called out someone else.

“We’re all goin’ to die,” screamed a young girl, causing all the children to start crying.

“Nay! We’re no’ goin’ to die.” Kellina held up her hand. “Please, stop it. This isna doin’ anythin’ to calm the others.”

“Kellina, ye’re the one makin’ the children cry,” shouted her brother. “Ye should be helpin’ our clan, but ye’re hurtin’ it instead.”