Page 4 of Highland Sky

“Especially to fix the roofs,” sniffed Callum. “After all, if ye can ruin roofs, ye can learn to fix them, too.”

“Ye want me to thatch roofs?” Nash was appalled. “That is the work of peasants. I’m a Highland warrior. Surely, there must be somethin’ else I can do.”

“Now that ye mention it, there is,” said Storm. “We have been enemies with the MacKenzies, but I would like to no’ only help them out, but make an alliance with them, too. I feel it is time.”

“We’re makin’ an alliance with the MacKenzies?” gasped North. “They’ve always been our enemies and deserve to rot in hell after killin’ my parents.”

“Our parents,” Nash added.

“Dinna forget that a couple of their people were killed by ours durin’ that event, too,” interrupted Aidan. He looked over to his squirrel, petting it as it once again perched on his shoulder.

“How are we goin’ to form an alliance?” asked Nash, not understanding this at all. “I hardly think thatchin’ a few roofs is goin’ to make us friends. Plus, I’ll be riskin’ my life just bein’ there at all.”

Callum started cackling, and Nash realized this wasn’t going to be good. “That’s why I suggested that ye marry one of them. That’ll form an alliance.” The old man’s face lit up, but Nash’s jaw dropped.

“Marry?” His head snapped around as he looked at Storm. “Storm, nay! Please.”

“I’m sorry,” said Storm.

“But Gavin and Cam didna have to marry anyone to work off their punishments and be accepted back into the clan. This isna fair. Especially no’ with the situation with my parents.”

North shook his head. “Blethers, I am glad this is yer punishment, Nash, and no’ mine. I’d hate to have to marry one of the daughters of Ciaran MacKenzie. My horse is even more comely than those two wenches.”

Nash’s eyes popped open wide, remembering the stories sung by the bards about the homely daughters of Ciaran MacKenzie. “Nay,” he said, feeling as if he were being choked. “God’s eyes, Storm, please tell me I dinna have to marry one of them.”

“Relax, Nash. Nay, ye dinna,” said Storm, causing Nash to let out a deep breath.

“Thank God! That is a relief. It’ll be bad enough just havin’ to be there in the first place.”

Storm continued. “It seems both of the man’s daughters as well as his wife were killed in the raid by the Sutherlands.”

“Oh,” said Nash, hanging his head, feeling like a fool now. Even if the MacKenzies were their enemies, Nash didn’t like to hear of innocent women and young girls dying needlessly. “Sorry to hear that.”

“Who is he goin’ to marry then?” asked North.

“Laird MacKenzie has a niece,” Storm explained. “Her name is Kellina. She’ll be teachin’ ye how to thatch the roofs as well.”

“I’m marryin’ his niece?” This didn’t sit right with Nash either. “What does she look like?” His eyes darted over to his brother who was grinning from ear to ear.

“I dinna ken. I’ve never met her,” said Storm. “I’ve already confirmed the betrothal with MacKenzie. Ye will be married as soon as ye get there. Then ye will help them to rebuild their camp.”

“Well, have fun, Brathair.” North scooped up an empty tankard off the drink board and poured himself a cup of whisky. “I’ll be thinkin’ of ye while I’m here waitin’ for my own sentence.”

“Nay ye willna. Ye’re goin’ with him.” Callum snatched the bottle away.

“Nay, no’ again!” North looked over to Storm, but Storm just nodded his head.

“Sorry, but it’ll be better to have someone there to watch Nash’s back in case of trouble,” said Storm.

Now it was Nash’s turn to grin. “I hope ye’re no’ afraid of heights, North. After all, those roofs willna be mended on their own.”

“He’s no’ goin’ to thatch roofs,” said Storm.

“I’m no’?” North’s expression turned from sour to sweet. “Guid. I’ll help the lassies in any way I can.”

“Ye will help with replantin’ their crops, and tendin’ to the livestock that is left,” Callum told them. “Aidan will travel with ye since he is on his way to see Chieftain Shaw Gordon at Edinvale Castle to pick up somethin’ for me.”

“I’m goin’ with them?” Aidan looked more surprised than the rest of them to hear this.

“Ye ken the MacKenzies better than the rest of us, Aidan, so it will be guid to travel with them.” Storm put his hand on Aidan’s shoulder. “It willna be out of yer way, and done as a favor to the clan. I’d like to have a strong warrior such as ye with them in case trouble breaks out.”

“Aye. Of course,” said Aidan with a nod, his sense of self-worth even greater than Nash’s. “I’ll just let my wife ken. We’ll be leavin’ on the morrow then?”

“At first light,” said Callum, wiping a rag over the drink board. “Now, everyone out. I have a business to run.”

Still in shock, Nash stepped away from the drink board with his brother, shaking his head in disbelief. “I canna marry one of the MacKenzies, North. This is the worst punishment ever.”

“Ye dinna have a choice. No’ if ye want to be accepted back into the clan,” North told him.

“This punishment is goin’ to be worse than both Cam’s and Gavin’s put together.” Nash couldn’t help but feel sorry for himself.

“It’ll be over soon, and then it’ll be my turn,” said North.

“Nay. That’s where ye’re wrong,” said Nash. “Since I’m to marry, this is a sentence that’ll never be done. It’s one that is goin’ to last for a lifetime!”