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“Oh?” Emmel asked.

Fiona cringed, and she glared at Varrik, annoyed that he would make his issues with her public.

“Well, you see, I think we thought that we would be more integral to the clan, a part of the community rather than just workers. At the moment, we’ve just been given menial tasks, and while we’re happy to help out and do our part, it’s frustrating that we don’t then get to feel like a part of things. We’re still eating separately, and I’m not sure we’ve been given a fair chance to settle in.”

“I see,” Emmel said, furrowing his brow in concern. “Dae ye think this is a fair criticism, Fiona?”

Fiona cleared her throat and tried to clear her mind as well, although that was not so easy a task. “I hae tried tae give them work sae that they can prove they are willing tae make the effort. I hae arranged accommodation for them, and I’m sure becoming a part of the community will come in time. They cannae simply expect things tae change as soon as they arrive.”

“All I know is that some of them want to be sure there is a future for them here. They want to think about settling down and marrying, creating families. Otherwise, they fear that this is a jail sentence by any other name,” Varrik said.

“I can assure ye that is nae the intention,” Emmel said, and turned to Fiona. “I know it’s nae easy to hae these men suddenly join with ye, but I want ye tae make the effort tae involve them in yer society. This is their home, and they are nae just here tae dae work. They are here tae live.”

“I understand,” Fiona said, bowing with respect to Emmel. “I will ensure that things change for the better. As I said, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”

Emmel turned to Varrik, who nodded, seeming satisfied with what had been said. Emmel went off to go and speak to Laird Callan.

“Are you well, Fiona? You seem distracted today,” Varrik said.

Fiona’s lips parted. She almost told him about the betrothal but then stopped herself. She wasn’t entirely sure why; all she knew was that she didn’t want him to know about it just yet.

“I’m fine,” she spat, “but how about ye? I didnae realize ye were gaeing tae make me look bad in front of Emmel.”

“It was not my intention.”

“I thought we haed spoken about this? I thought things haed gotten better?” she asked.

“They have, but the other Vikings wanted some reassurances, and they wouldn’t have forgiven me had I not spoken about them with Emmel. But I trust you, Fiona. I know that things are going to feel different soon. I can already feel us becoming a part of this clan. I’m looking forward to many years staying here and learning about each other. Perhaps in time, we could even have another duel, and this time I won’t catch you if you fall,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Fiona smiled, but she could only muster a stammering reply before she left. It was all well and good with him hoping for a future where they were around each other, but the likelihood was that she would be leaving soon, and Varrik would have to get used to this place without her being around. It struck her suddenly how grim this prospect was. She had only started to get used to Varrik’s presence, and now she wasn’t sure if she was ready to say goodbye to him completely. She looked around the village and knew that she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the entire place. It was her home. She had shed blood and tears and sweat for this place, and now she was being ripped away unceremoniously, torn away without any say in the matter.

It had been a long time since she had felt powerless, but now she felt just as she did when she had been sitting by her mother’s bedside as the woman died. It was such a horrible feeling knowing that there was nothing she could do to help her mother, not even to relieve the pain. All she could do was sit there and wait for the inevitable to happen.