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In my time the kirk dinna lay rushes on the ground, we were more civilized.

At the far end stood the plain altar with a cloth that had once been white, a cross above it. The air smelled of juniper candles, the same smell I had known in this place in another century, when I would come here with Max when we were lads and thought we ought tae pray tae keep from dyin’. We would beg God tae be fair.

The priest emerged from the shadowed side of the chancel. He was middle aged, but already stoopin’, ink on his fingers, the peerin’ of someone with weak eyes.

He narrowed those eyes at the sight of us, a large wounded man and a woman in fine-strange cloth, both filthy, heavy bags on my shoulders.

I glanced over as Dude leapt up tae an alcove on the wall. “Father, my apologies, this is my cat. He travels with me, but daena mind m’commands.”

The priest said, “He looks like a lion, an amenable companion. Is he a good mouser?”

“Aye, he is good and only asks for an alcove or sill tae rest in for the work of riddin’ the place of vermin.”

The priest chuckled. A good sound, it meant he would be kindly about my requests.

I set the bags down. “Father, I would speak with ye, please.”

Alexandria stood close at m’shoulder. In this light she looked lovely, almost as if she belonged tae this age, like a lass I might hae seen when I was a lad, caught a glimpse of in the kirk, and had followed home tae see if I could glimpse her smile. Och, I would hae yearned for her.

She smiled at me then, and the truth of why I had brought her here settled warm in m’chest. I needed tae marry her, this was important.

I had married her in a kitchen in a year that had not yet come. I meant tae marry her now, where God could hear it, in the kirk nearest the home where I dinna live, not yet.

The priest’s eyes went tae the bruise on m’face. “What is yer name, son?”

“Torin of Elphinstone, member of Clan Campbell.”

“I daena believe we hae met, I am Father Eòin.”

“Nae, we haena, I daena live near, I hae been on a long journey.”

“What brings ye and yer lion tae our humble kirk?”

I took a breath, and began. “I hae been in battle, Father Eòin.”

“I see, ye look as if ye hae dearly lost.”

My hand went tae m’cheek. “Nae, not this, this was a small spar amongst friends. Twas a man of Robert the Bruce’s, a close companion, after a fine meal. We dinna see the same side of things.”

“Did the king forgive ye for it?”

“Aye, after I fought for him at Dunstaffnage. Hae ye heard of the battle there?”

“Nae, son, I daena hear much of wars.”

“I won the castle for him.” I pulled the edge of my collar down and showed Father Eòin my jagged shoulder wound.

“Nae, son, that is a near-mortal wound.”

I nodded. “Aye, tis enough tae turn a jovial man solemn, and tae turn a bonny lass fearful. It has made me consider m’life’s path, Father Eòin, and I want tae marry.”

“This is a good and wise decision.”

“Aye, and this is Lady Alexandria, she is a Campbell. And I mean tae make her my wife.”

“My son, dost ye hae family tae speak for the truthfulness of yer declaration?”

“Nae, Father, we travel alone and must depart at first chance. I daena hae time tae spend on the banns.”