Page 26

18

Niall’s funeral was a solemn affair with many in attendance, such was his adored reputation among the Highlands. It was an occasion for people to reunite as well and share stories about the man. Allied clans appeared, as did other family members and cousins who came to mourn the passing of the laird. Ruairi could sense that there was much intrigue about his appearance. He searched for Kenna to try and see if she was in attendance, for the Baird clan were supposed to be allies of the Calbraiths, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Many stories were told of Niall’s honor and courage. Many toasts were raised in his name, and he was mourned by all in attendance. Ruairi watched on and listened intently, amazed at how many people cared about his father. It made him think about his own death and how many people would attend a funeral for him. He doubted there would be half as many people, if that. Compared to his father, Ruairi’s life was empty. He had no wife, no companions, no family. All he had was his birthright, and he started to think that it was time for a change. Everyone had been telling him for so long that he should embrace his birthright, but he had been stubborn and willful, acting as though he knew best in everything. But through Kenna, he had learned that he didn’t have to punish himself for a mistake he had made in the past, and people weren’t saying these things to nag and be nice to him. They said these things because they truly believed them.

So, at the end of the day, Ruairi was declared to be Laird Calbraith. Moira and Maura watched on with pride, as did Kevan and wee John. But he knew that other people weren’t as happy. From their perspective, Ruairi had returned from nowhere to take his place as laird. He had not been around to witness the changes in the landscape or deal with any of the other clans. To many of them, he was a stranger, and it was not going to be easy for him to establish a base of power that rivaled his father’s. The Calbraith name was only going to carry him so far. Moira and Maura told him that it was just a matter of time and that he would win them over. They reminded him that he had learned all he needed to know, but still, rumors flew on the wind, and Ruairi worried that some might test his strength.

In a dark chamber, men gathered, sharing wine and gambling coins. Cackling laughter created a cacophony, and their faces were cast in shadow.

“And how is the beggar laird faring?” Laird McAteer said, wiping wine from his jowls. “What a joy it was tae see such a prideful man asking me for hospitality. Ye should hae seen the look on his face; he had rags on his back and nothing tae his name. And now he’s laird! The Beggar Laird!” he cried, his words vicious in their mockery. The other men in attendance chuckled along with him.

“And he haes the audacity tae think he could be worthy of my daughter’s hand,” Laird Baird said, shaking his head.

“Aye,” another laird said, “it seems this one haes ideas above his station. The Calbraiths hae always been strong, but that was only because Niall was a fine man. This son of his, how can we truly trust him tae lead such a clan when he haes been at sea? What kind of man is he? He couldnae even steer his ship home without getting it wrecked! I daresay that’s a grim omen if ever there was one.”

“Perhaps the resolve of the new laird should be tested. A weak laird means a weak clan. If the Calbraiths cannae hold ontae their territory, then perhaps it’s time for it tae be divided among the rest of us,” Laird McAteer said. In this dark chamber, whispers were exchanged as a plan was concocted to swipe at the Beggar Laird and teach him that he could not simply come back and expect to take over from his father without any consequences.

Kenna was sitting in her chambers, gazing out idly at the world around her. Ever since she had returned home, she had felt like a prisoner. Her father would not let her wander around by herself, claiming that it was for her own protection and that she needed to rest after the ordeal she had endured. The freedom she had experienced while traveling through France was a long-lost memory by now. It was only a matter of time before her father arranged another marriage for her, and she knew she was going to be unhappy with the result. She was going to be unhappy with anyone who wasn’t Ruairi. Laird Baird had rebuked her again after Ruairi had left, claiming that she had humiliated herself and the clan by trying to beg for that man as her husband. He said that if that was the man she thought would make a suitable husband, then it was fortunate that she had him to choose for her.

Through rumors and whispers, Kenna had learned of Laird Calbraith’s demise, and she was sorry that she wasn’t there to stand with Ruairi and help him through the grieving process. She had begged her father to allow her to attend the funeral, but he had forbidden it. When she had tried to sneak out, Cal had been there to stop her. Neither of them seemed to realize how much she cared for Ruairi. Either that, or they didn’t care.

When she learned that Ruairi had taken his position as laird, she had been delighted for him, but it left a bittersweet taste in her mouth. She had always hoped that somehow they would keep in touch after they parted, and she thought it might have been easier to endure if he had returned to sea. At least then she would know he was out there in a far corner of the world, unreachable. But now, he was walking along the same land as her and breathing the same air. They were neighbors, but it was still impossible for them to meet, and this tore at her heart.

On this particular day, she saw a messenger arrive bearing the emblem of the Calbraith clan. Kenna’s heart sped up, and she scurried out of her room, finding a nook to hide in so that she might overhear the message. She wondered if it was another marriage proposal from Ruairi. Perhaps now that he was officially laird, her father would be more accepting of his prospects and his reputation. Still, she did not let hope take hold of her heart, though, for she knew how her father could hold a grudge. After everything that happened, it was unlikely Laird Baird would accept Ruairi as her husband even if he was the King of Spain.

But still, she was intrigued by the message, so she listened quietly.

“Laird Calbraith wishes tae extend his goodwill tae all his allies in the area. He mourns his father greatly and hopes tae continue leading the clan in the same vein. He knows that tae many of the other clans, he is a stranger, but he hopes tae correct that soon. Tae ye specifically, Laird Baird, Laird Calbraith wants tae extend his apologies for any disputes that hae arisen between the two of ye, that all he wanted was tae return yer daughter safely tae ye. He wants ye tae know that he still holds ye in the highest esteem and hopes that he can count on the alliance agreed between ye and his da should any trouble arise,” the messenger said. Kenna was sick to her stomach at how Ruairi humiliated himself by apologizing to her father, but she hoped it might go some way to alleviating the tension between the two clans.

“Tell young Laird Calbraith that it’s very magnanimous of him tae extend me such a courtesy, and of course, I accept his apology. Of course, it was a trying time, and I was nae my right self. I may hae been tae harsh for him. I think it would be good for us tae meet again and discuss certain matters, as the landscape of the Highlands is changing, and we should ensure that we are in the right position to take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves tae us.”

Did Kenna dare to hope that such a matter up for discussion was her hand in marriage? If her father was being honest when he said he had been carried away with emotion, it could mean that he had reconsidered and saw the advantages of having his daughter married to Laird Calbraith. However, as the messenger left, Kenna’s hopes faded as a grim laugh emerged from Laird Baird’s throat.

“Oh, Cal, it is sae easy tae play these little games. Laird Calbraith haes spent tae long at sea. He is gaeing tae learn that storms on the land can be just as dangerous as storms at sea. He was responsible for putting my daughter in danger, and if he thinks that some apology sent by a messenger is enough tae make amends for that, then he really doesnae know what he’s daeing. And he should know better than tae think that alliances made with his da will carry over tae himself. Who is he? He’s a nobody, just some common trader that doesnae deserve the position he haes been given. Well, soon enough, we’ll teach him that he never should hae returned. This time we are the storm, and I’m gaeing tae make sure he drowns.”

The color drained from Kenna’s face. A knot of tension twisted in her stomach, and bile rose in the back of her throat. She had always known her father was a ruthless man when it came to business, but she couldn’t believe that he was actually planning an attack on Ruairi. Panic ran rampant in her mind as she scurried away, trying to figure out what she should do. She was trapped in this place, while there was a plot against Ruairi, and if she didn’t do anything, he was going to be killed.

Kenna had been wracking her brains for hours on how she might escape, but escaping wasn’t the only thing she needed to do. It wasn’t enough to tell Ruairi that people were plotting against him; she also needed to tell him how and when they were planning to attack, and such plans would be in her father’s office.

In the depths of night, as moonlight poured in through the wide windows of the Baird estate, Kenna trod lightly as she made her way to the office. She kept her breathing low and tiptoed as carefully and as quietly as she could, for she knew that if her father was roused, then all hope was lost. The door to the office creaked when it opened, and she winced, for it sounded as loud as a clap of thunder in the middle of the night.

She rifled through documents on her father’s desk and rummaged through drawers, hoping to find what she needed, but it was proving difficult. Beads of sweat trickled down her temples as time wore on; the longer she spent in the office, the more likely it was that she would get caught. Thin hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and she knew that someone was watching her. She lifted her gaze and saw a figure standing in the doorway.

“Did ye really think ye could get away with this?” The figure moved into the room. It was Cal.

“I haed tae try,” Kenna said. “How can ye serve a man who would dae something like this? It’s dishonorable.”

“I serve my laird as I always hae done,” Cal said. “And even if ye spent all night looking for his plans, ye wouldnae find them. He is nae a careless man. He haesnae written any of them down. Only he and I are privy tae them.”

“Then ye must tell me,” Kenna said in an urgent whisper, moving around the desk. “Please, Cal, I must know how he is gaeing tae attack Ruairi.”

“I cannae tell ye, lass. I hae tae take ye back tae yer room and tell yer da about this.”

A ball of fury grew in the pit of her stomach. “Ye might as well hae let me die that night in the storm. It would hae been a kinder fate, although I suppose ye were nae really saving me, were ye? Ye were just saving something of my father’s.”

“That’s nae true, lass. I saved ye because I care about ye. I hae watched ye grow up from a wee lass. Ye are like a daughter of my own.”

“And yet ye would condemn me tae this? I dinnae believe ye, Cal. Ye should hae let me die. Only misery awaits me now.”

She stared at Cal, almost daring him to call her father. But Cal remained silent. He thought about the matter for a few moments, the moonlight making his eyes appear to be pools of water. This man had been assigned to protect her and be her shadow. He had saved her life and given her a chance to fall in love with Ruairi. Now she prayed that he would save her life again.

“If ye really care about me that much, then ye need tae tell me what Da is planning. This is nae an honorable choice for him tae make. He’s acting out of anger at Ruairi, and ye know Ruairi doesnae deserve this! He acted responsibly. He respected my virtue. He is a good man, and if ye are gaeing tae help my da in this, then I know that ye are a villain tae, and I might as well just throw myself off the roof because I’m never gaeing tae be happy.”

This seemed to strike something in Cal. “Ye dae love him, dinnae ye? I saw the way ye looked at him, and the way he looked at ye. Aye, I thought it would lead tae trouble somewhere down the line.” Cal still had a thoughtful expression on his face as he straightened his posture. “Yer da trusted me with yer well-being and tae protect ye, but it’s clear that ye are nae happy here. If ye want tae leave, then leave,” he said. “I saved yer life because I wanted ye tae hae the chance tae dae all the things I never haed a chance tae dae. If ye truly mean what ye say, then I’m sorry. I dinnae want ye tae regret yer life being saved.”

“I need the plans, Cal,” Kenna insisted. “I cannae let Ruairi walk intae a trap.”

Cal eventually relented and told her what her father was planning. She opened a window and thanked him before she hopped out and mounted a horse from the stables. In the night, she road quickly, praying to the spirits that they would guide her to Ruairi’s side, and that she could save his life.