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“I’m sure ye will get the chance. Jamie prefers tae keep tae himself,” Niall said.

“All I’ve seen him dae is eat,” Moira said, laughing lightly.

“Aye, he likes tae keep his strength up, that one. Sometimes I think he was born at the wrong time. All he’s wanted ever since he was younger was tae be a warrior like the heroes of old and fight in a war, but I dinnae want any wars tae happen. But that doesnae stop him from training. He seems tae enjoy himself though.”

“And Isobel? She certainly seemed popular at the wedding.”

Niall wore a wry smile. “She’s always been trouble, but she doesnae mean any harm. She just likes tae enjoy life. I think she was the one of us who was happiest when Da said he was leaving. They never saw eye tae eye.”

“Why nae?”

“It all gaes back tae our childhood, really. Grizel used tae tell us stories, silly wee things tae pass the time. Anyway, Da never had any time for them and thought she was a strange old hag, but Isobel…well…Isobel couldnae get enough of the stories. She believed everything Grizel was telling her, no matter how impossible it seemed. Isobel would never forgive Da for denying everything.”

“And what about ye?”

Niall had a pensive look on his face. “I think that if there were ever any spirits in the world, they died out a long time ago, or they’re keeping tae themselves. I never haed much time for the stories. Some of them I didnae mind, like the ones about the heroes, but all this talk of spirits?” He shook his head. “I agree with my da on that, but I dinnae argue about it as much as Isobel. She can believe what she wants tae believe.”

“There are times when I like tae believe there’s more tae the world than we can see. I dinnae know if I agree with Grizel and Isobel, but there are times in the night when the moon is high and the stars dance in the sky that I can believe magic exists.”

“Well, then ye and Isobel should have a lot tae talk about,” Niall replied with a wide smile. Moira nodded as they continued to walk, greeting various people as they went. Occasionally they stopped as a cart was pulled along, carrying goods to be traded with nearby towns.

“Why dae ye give Grizel as much freedom as ye dae if ye dinnae agree with what she believes? Why dae ye hang all the wreaths up?” Moira asked, as it still puzzled her why Grizel was given such an important role in the clan.

Niall chuckled. “There are a few reasons. One of them is that Grizel doesnae listen tae anyone but herself. She does what she wants, and unless I want tae force an old woman out of the clan, I hae tae let her hae her own way. She’s harmless, really, and she was always kind tae us when we were children. I cannae find it in my heart tae turn her away. Where would she gae? She would nae be able tae look after herself.”

“The spirits could look after her,” Moira offered.

“Aye, that they could. But I cannae trust her safety tae things that may nae exist. She is still a Calbraith, and it would be wrong of me tae turn her away. But the truth is that it was something my mother wanted.

Mam believed in the spirits tae, and she was very close tae Grizel. Unfortunately, Mam died, and she asked Grizel tae always watch over us. I think it frustrated Da that Mam made this request, as it meant that he couldnae turn Grizel away. I keep her tae honor my mam.”

Moira was touched by his tender emotions. She reached out for his hand and squeezed it gently, offering him a smile.

“I know what it’s like tae lose yer parents. For a long time, Marcas hae been my only family, but I suppose I hae a new one now.”

“Aye, that ye dae,” Niall said. Moira couldn’t help but fall in love with him every time she looked at him. To think that she had fallen in love with a Calbraith man. In the years that came before this, she would never have thought it possible.

As they continued on the tour, Moira found herself glancing towards the woods, wondering if there was anything deeper to the mysteries they held in their dark depths. It was easy to dismiss the talk of spirits as crazy and wild, but Moira liked to think there were unseen forces that moved in the world, that there was more to be known and discovered.

7

Moira enjoyed spending time with Niall. He always said exactly the right thing, and time with him passed swiftly. They shared an easy intimacy, and even though they had only known each other for a short time, it felt as though they had known each other all their lives. She was grateful that she could call him a friend as well as a husband, but he was still the laird of the clan and had many duties to perform, leaving Moira with some time on her hands.

At home, she would have spent this time wandering about the fields, tending to the flowers, and spending time with her niece and nephew. The thought of them brought a wistful smile to her face. As happy as she was with her new life, she missed them terribly, and she knew that if she had the chance to go back to them now, she would surely take it.

While she was happy to enjoy her own company, she wanted to make the effort to make new friends, especially with her new siblings, so she was delighted when Isobel asked Moira to accompany her on a trip to a nearby town to fetch some fabric for a dress that she wanted to make.

Moira accepted instantly, and they were soon walking through the woods towards the shore. Isobel was a beautiful girl, and even though Moira was married, she was still envious of Isobel’s natural beauty. Her hair was a tawny brown, lighter than her brother’s. It was long and flowing, and braided into a ponytail that swung like a pendulum against her back. She had a shapely body and knew how to put together an outfit that would accentuate her figure. She had soft lips and dimples when she smiled.

“Is it strange for ye tae live with us?” Isobel said.

“In a way it is. I hae only know one home, after all,” Moira replied. “But ye hae all been sae kind and Niall haes been wonderful. He’s really made me feel like I belong here.”

“Aye, he does hae a way with people. And he’s happy tae hae ye here as well. He’s been wanting a wife for a wee while now, but he always said he was waiting for the right one. I suppose he’s found the right one in ye.”

“I hope sae. I want tae be a good wife for him and make sure that we hae peace.”

Isobel nodded and then reached into her pouch and pulled out some seeds. She walked to the side of the path and placed them in the crook of a tree.