Page 83 of Highland Sky

“Ye canna stop us,” called out one of the Sutherland Clan.

“Then mayhap the Gunn Clan can,” came the voice of a Gunn member from the opposite direction.

“The MacKeefes are here as well,” shouted Storm MacKeefe, leading his clan into camp, too.

“Bid the devil! They’re all here,” mumbled Nash, scooping up his sword and running to greet them. “Sutherlands, yer chieftain is dead,” he shouted. “I just killed him. Surrender now, or ye will all die.”

“Our chieftain is dead?” asked one of the Sutherlands and they quietly talked to each other.

“We surrender,” said one of the Sutherlands. “Drop yer weapons, men,” he called out to his clan. “It is over.” They all did as told, raising their empty hands above their heads, rather than die at the hands of the other four clans.

“Thank ye,” called out Tomas, running over to Storm MacKeefe and Nash.

“What do ye want us to do with them?” asked Storm.

“I’m no’ sure,” said Tomas.

“I am,” said Nash. “If I may?”

“Go on,” said Tomas. “I trust ye.”

Nash walked out into the middle of the camp, holding up his sword. “Sutherlands, ye will never bother the MacKenzie Clan again, or ye will be killed by the MacKenzies, the MacKeefes, the Gordons, and the Gunns. Do ye understand?”

“Aye,” the Sutherlands answered, one after another.

That is no’ all,” Nash continued. “Ye will return all the livestock ye stole from the MacKenzies, and add half of yers to the mix as well.”

“That’s no’ fair,” shouted a Sutherland.

“Neither was it fair that ye killed innocent women and children the last time ye raided,” called out one of the MacKenzies.

“Kill them all!” called out another MacKenzie.

“They deserve to die for the lives of our loved ones they took,” shouted Alice.

“That’s true,” said Tomas. “They killed our chieftain’s family, and should pay for it.”

“Nay! Stop,” yelled Kellina, running to join them, with her sword in hand. “Look around ye,” she spat. “Too many have died already, and killing more isna goin’ to bring back our loved ones.”

“She’s right,” said Nash. “They can never repay us for the lives lost, but remember we took loved ones’ lives from them as well now.” He nodded at all the dead bodies littering the camp.

“We’ll take no’ only our livestock and half of yers, but ye’ll also give us half of yer harvest, and seeds to plant for next year,” said Tomas, adding to the deal.

“And thatch, to make up for burnin’ our homes,” said Kellina. “Ye’ll send over whatever thatch ye possess for us to store for the future.”

“Fine,” growled the Sutherland who had stepped forward since their chieftain was killed. “Can we leave now?”

“Is there anythin’ else?” Storm asked Nash and Tomas.

“I’m guid,” said Tomas.

Nash looked over to Kellina and she shook her head.

“We also want a promise that the Sutherlands will never attack the MacKenzies again,” Nash added as an afterthought.

“What about us?” asked one of the Sutherlands. “We have no promise that any of these clans will no’ attack us.”

“That’s right, and that is just how it will be,” said Nash. “Now do ye agree to the terms or no’?”