Page 29 of Highland Sky

“They’ve returned!” she exclaimed excitedly, running over to meet them. “The rest of our clan has returned from the trade fair, everyone.”

Screams of joy went up from those whose loved ones were still alive and rejoining the clan. Those who returned, ran to hug their families. When Kellina heard crying, she realized it was from those who had lost their loved ones in the battle with the Sutherlands.

“What’s happened to our camp?” asked Tomas, one of the men from the clan as he hugged his wife and children.

“We were attacked by the Sutherlands,” the chieftain told them. “My wife and daughters were killed.”

Silence fell over the room and the mood saddened.

“We are all so sorry, my laird,” said Tomas, speaking for all of them. “I only wish we had been here to help. If so, mayhap we could have saved the lives of those who are now lost.”

“Thank ye,” said Kellina’s uncle. “It is an unfortunate situation, and could have been any one of us.”

“Aye,” added Kellina. “We dinna realize how precious the lives of our friends and loved ones really are until they are gone forever.”

One of the women who had just returned pushed her way through the group. “Where is my husband?” she screamed. “Where is he?”

“Alice, I’m sorry.” Kellina ran over and hugged the woman, trying to comfort her. “Yer husband died protectin’ the clan.”

Alice wailed loudly. The mood turned even more solemn as others found that their loved ones were missing and had been killed as well.

“The bluidy bastards burned the roofs and took most of our livestock,” shouted Kellina’s brother, Jamie, letting everyone know what happened while they were away.

“Kill the Sutherlands,” yelled a man, causing those who had just arrived to go into a fit of frenzy.

“Let’s slaughter them while they sleep, and then take back our livestock,” yelled someone else.

“We’ll impale their heads on spikes,” shouted another angry man.

“Nay! Stop it. Haud yer wheesht!” shouted Ciaran. “We will discuss this later. No one goes anywhere, and no’ a one of ye will attack the Sutherlands unless I command ye to do so.”

“But we canna let the Sutherlands get away with this,” spat Tomas. “I will take a group of men and approach their camp in the dark. We’ll take them by surprise.”

“Nay, Tomas, please dinna go,” begged the man’s wife. His young son clung to his leg.

“I said nay,” Ciaran ground out, becoming more and more agitated by his men’s reactions. “Havena enough lives of those we love already been lost? It will do no guid to lose the rest of ye as well.”

“He is right. Besides, ye’re highly outnumbered now,” Nash pointed out. “Reactin’ like this without first devisin’ a plan could be disastrous in the end.”

“Why are ye tellin’ us what to do? Who the hell are ye?” growled Tomas.

“I am Nash MacKeefe,” he answered, making Kellina cringe since she hadn’t wanted him to reveal his surname to her angry clansmen right now. It wasn’t a good idea since as far as Tomas and the others still knew, the MacKeefes were their enemies. “I am here with my brathair, North, helpin’ to rebuild the camp.”

Kellina saw North step closer to his brother, shaking his head. Aidan walked closer to the twins, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His squirrel disappeared inside a pouch hanging at Aidan’s waist.

“Did he say MacKeefe?” someone called out from the group who had just entered.

“We dinna want MacKeefes here!” shouted a man in the crowd, once again causing a ruckus.

“I agree. The MacKeefes are our enemies, so that means ye are, too!” Tomas drew his sword, followed by many of the other MacKenzies doing the same. It looked like another battle was about to begin. Kellina had no idea how to stop it.

“Whoa!” Nash held up his hands as North and Aidan drew their swords as well. Even so, Nash did not reach for his weapon. That surprised Kellina since she thought he’d be the first one to do so. Especially when they were being threatened.

“Are ye ready to take them down, Brathair?” asked North in a low voice.

“I am proud to be a MacKeefe and I’m with ye,” mumbled Aidan, his eyes flicking back and forth, watching the MacKenzies like a hawk. “Let me warn ye all, they dinna call me Madman MacKeefe for nothin’.”

“Please, calm down,” Nash begged them all. “This is naught but a misunderstandin’. Everyone, put away yer swords. The MacKeefes and the MacKenzies will no’ battle today or ever again, because we are now allies.”