The Highlander Series

by Maya Banks

  She tried in vain to engage Rionna in conversation, but the lass focused on her food and kept her head down during the entire meal.

  When finally the men were finished eating, Ewan caught Mairin’s eye, and she rose to excuse herself from the table. The time had come for the men to discuss whatever they discussed in meetings like this, and they no doubt had no desire for women to be present.

  She thought to invite Rionna outside to take a stroll about the keep and perhaps indulge in play with the children, but as soon as Mairin excused herself from the table, Rionna hastened away.

  With a shrug, Mairin went in search of Crispen.

  When the women departed the hall, Laird McDonald nodded toward Ewan. “Your wife does you proud. The meal was magnificent and the welcome was warm.”

  “My wife is a credit to our clan,” Ewan agreed.

  “I was dismayed to hear of your marriage,” the laird continued. “I had hopes of a match between you and Rionna. It would seal an alliance and bind our clans.”

  Ewan lifted his brow but didn’t say anything. He eyed McDonald to see where he was going with the current conversation.

  McDonald looked over at Alaric and Caelen before returning his gaze to Ewan.

  “I would speak plainly with you, Ewan.”

  Ewan motioned for his men to leave the table. Alaric and Caelen remained behind along with Ewan, Laird McDonald, and a few of his men who stood to the side.

  “I want this alliance,” McDonald said.

  Ewan pressed his lips together in thought. “Tell me, Gregor, why do you seek this alliance? Goodwill is not something I associate with our relationship since my father’s death. And yet, you were loyal to him and he to you.”

  McDonald sighed and leaned back in his seat, his hands covering his protruding middle. “ ’Tis necessary now. Duncan Cameron threatens my holding. We’ve become embroiled in a few skirmishes over the last months. I think he’s testing the might of my army, and I’ll be honest, we’ve not faired well in the battles we’ve fought.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Ewan muttered. “Your lands adjoin Neamh Álainn. The bastard is planning for the day he thinks to take over Mairin’s lands.”

  “Aye, and I can’t hold him off by myself.”

  “What are you proposing? ’Tis obvious I can’t marry your daughter.”

  “Nay,” McDonald said, drawing out his words. Then he looked over at Alaric. “But he can.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Alaric nearly choked on his ale. Caelen looked relieved that McDonald’s remark hadn’t been intended for him, but he glanced sideways at his brother with sympathy written all over his face.

  Ewan shot Alaric a warning look and turned his attention back to McDonald.

  “Why is it so important that we seal this alliance with marriage? Surely there are important enough factors at work that we would ally ourselves for the common good.”

  “Rionna is my heir. My only heir. I have no sons to take over when I die. The man she marries must be willing to assume the duties of laird as well as be strong enough to protect the holding from threats like Duncan Cameron. If our clans are allied not only through agreement but marriage, your loyalty to your brother won’t allow you to ever break with our agreement.”

  Ewan stiffened and glared at the older man, outraged by the insult. “Are you saying my word isn’t good?”

  “Nay, I’m saying I would feel more secure in the alliance if there were more at stake than mutual protection. I don’t want my lands in the hands of a man like Duncan Cameron. He’s a greedy, power-hungry bastard who’d betray his own mother to further his cause.

  “There are rumors, Ewan, more now than ever, that Duncan plots against the king. And I’ve heard that he might throw in his lot with Malcolm to support another uprising against the throne.”

  Ewan drummed his fingers on the table and looked again at Alaric, who wore what could only be described as a pained look of resignation.

  “I’ll have to speak to my brothers. I won’t make any decision that affects Alaric without hearing his thoughts on the matter.”

  McDonald nodded. “Of course. I would expect no less. Separately, we are strong clans. But together we would be a force to be reckoned with. Think you the McLauren clan would join in our cause?”

  The McLauren clan, though small, did have well-trained soldiers. Together with the McCabes and the McDonalds, they would form a formidable alliance that would only be strengthened when the McCabes controlled Neamh Álainn.

  “Aye, they will,” Ewan replied. “With the three of us united, it might sway Douglas to our side. He controls the lands north and west of Neamh Álainn.”

  “If we plant the idea of Duncan Cameron sniffing around Neamh Álainn, he’ll come around fast enough,” McDonald said. “He alone can’t stand up to a force like Cameron, but with us, Cameron doesn’t stand a chance against our might.”

  “Duncan Cameron doesn’t stand a chance against me,” Ewan said softly.

  McDonald’s eyebrow lifted in surprise. “That’s a heavy boast, Ewan. You don’t have his numbers.”

  Ewan smiled. “My men are better trained. They’re stronger. They’re more disciplined. I don’t look to this alliance to defeat Cameron. I’ll defeat him with or without allies. I look to alliances to cement the future.”

  At McDonald’s disbelieving look, Ewan leaned back in his seat. “Would you care for a demonstration, Gregor? Perhaps you’d like to view firsthand those you ally yourself with.”

  McDonald’s eyes narrowed. “What sort of demonstration?”

  “Your best men against my best men.”

  A slow smile spread across the older man’s face. “I like a good contest, I do. You’re on. What shall we wager?”

  “Food,” Ewan said. “Three months’ store of meat and spices.”

  “God’s teeth, you drive a hard bargain. I can’t afford to part with that kind of bounty.”

  “If you’re concerned about losing, we can of course call off the contest.”

  Knowing an opponent’s Achilles’ heel was all-important, and for Gregor McDonald, his weakness was a challenge. Suggesting he was afraid of losing a wager was like summoning hounds to a carcass.

  “Done,” McDonald pronounced. He rubbed his hands in glee and his eyes gleamed triumphantly.

  Ewan rose from his seat. “No time like the present.”

  McDonald leaped from his chair and gestured for one of his commanders. Then he peered suspiciously back at Ewan.

  “You and your brothers aren’t allowed to participate. Only your men. Soldier against soldier.”

  Ewan smiled lazily. “If that’s what you prefer. I would not have a man under my command if he weren’t as worthy as I am with a sword.”

  “I shall enjoy raiding your stores when my men prove their mettle,” McDonald crowed.

  Ewan kept his smile and motioned for McDonald to precede him from the hall.

  When McDonald hurried out to his men, Alaric hung back. “Ewan, are you giving consideration to this marriage business?”

  Ewan eyed his younger brother. “Are you telling me you’re not?”

  Alaric frowned. “Nay, it isn’t at all what I’m saying. But hell, Ewan, I’ve no desire to be saddled with a bride.”

  “ ’Tis a good opportunity for you, Alaric. You would be laird of your own clan. You’d have lands and sons to hand that legacy down to.”

  “Nay,” Alaric said quietly. “This is my clan. Not the McDonalds.”

  Ewan put his hand on Alaric’s shoulder. “We’ll always be your clan. But think. My brother will be my closest neighbor. We’ll be allies. If you stay here, you can never be laird. Your heir will never be laird. You should grab on to this with both hands.”

  Alaric sighed. “But marriage?”

  “She’s a bonnie lass,” Ewan pointed out.

  “Pretty enough, I suppose,” Alaric grunted. “I couldn’t see much of her face during the meal because she had it pointed down the entire time.”<
br />
  “There’ll be plenty of time to see her face. Besides, ’tis not the face you need to concern yourself with. ’Tis the rest.”

  Alaric laughed and then looked quickly around. “Better not let your bride hear you say that. You might be sleeping with your men tonight.”

  “Are you ready, Ewan?” McDonald boomed across the courtyard.

  Ewan held up his hand. “Aye, I’m ready.”

  “What on earth are they doing?” Mairin asked as she heard the roar from the courtyard.

  Crispen grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the hill. “Let’s go up the hill so we can see!”

  The other children followed suit and soon they stood atop the hill. Mairin shielded her face from the sun so she could see the goings-on below.

  “They’re fighting!” Crispen exclaimed.

  Mairin’s eyes widened at the sight of so many warriors gathered in a tight circle. In the middle stood two soldiers, one a McCabe and one a McDonald.

  “Why, that’s Gannon,” she whispered. “Why is Gannon fighting the McDonald soldier?”

  “ ’Tis the way of things,” Crispen boasted. “Men fight. Women tend the hearth.”

  Gretchen punched Crispen in the arm and gave him a fierce glare. Robbie in turn shoved Gretchen.

  Mairin frowned and stared down at him. “Your father told you that, no doubt.”

  “Uncle Caelen did.”

  She rolled her eyes. Why didn’t that surprise her?

  “But why are they fighting?” she persisted.

  “ ’Tis a wager, my lady!”

  Mairin turned to see Maddie heading up the hill, several of the McCabe women on her heels. They carried a basket between them.

  “What wager?” she asked, as the women approached.

  Maddie plunked the basket down and the rich smell of bread wafted through the air. Despite the splendid meal in which she had partaken, Mairin put a hand to her rumbling stomach.

  The children leaned forward eagerly, their expressions hopeful as they circled Maddie.

  “Our laird and Laird McDonald have a wager as to whose men can best the other,” Maddie said, as she began passing out bread to the women now sitting on the ground. Then she passed a hunk to each of the children. She motioned to Mairin. “Join us, my lady. We thought to have a picnic and cheer the McCabe warriors on.”

  Mairin settled onto the ground, spreading her skirts about her legs. Crispen plopped down next to her and began devouring his treat. Mairin took a piece of the bread and tore a piece off. As she placed the bit to her lips, she frowned. “What’s the wager?”

  Maddie smiled. “Our laird is cunning! He wagered three months’ stock of food. If the McCabes win, we’ll collect meat and spices from the McDonald stores.”

  Mairin’s mouth gaped open. “But we don’t have three months’ stock of food!”

  Bertha nodded sagely. “Exactly. He wagered the thing we need the most. ’Twas brilliant and well thought out of him.”

  “But what if we lose? We can’t possibly afford to part with such riches. We don’t even have it to lose.”

  One of the older women tsked under her breath. “Our warriors won’t lose. ’Tis disloyal to think they would.”

  Mairin scowled. “I’m not being disloyal. I just thought it was odd the laird would wager what we don’t have.”

  “Since we won’t lose, it really isn’t an issue,” Maddie said, patting Mairin’s arm.

  “Oh, look, Gannon’s won his bout and now ’tis Cormac’s turn!” Christina exclaimed. “He’s ever so handsome, isn’t he?”

  The women around Christina smiled indulgently. Maddie leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. “Our Christina has eyes for Cormac.”

  Mairin observed the way Christina’s cheeks went pink as soon as Cormac strode into the circle. His shirt was off and the muscles bulged and rippled in his arms. He did make a fine sight. Not as fine a sight as Ewan, but still not bad at all.

  Christina gasped when Cormac took a particularly hard blow and fell back. She covered her mouth with her hand and stared as the warrior picked himself up and lunged forward again. The sounds of clanging metal pierced the air as Cormac fought with renewed vengeance.

  It was over seconds later, when Cormac’s opponent’s sword went flying through the air. Cormac raised his sword over his head and then slashed downward until the point rested under the other man’s chin.

  The man held up his hands in surrender and Cormac extended a hand to help him to his feet.

  “Our men are making short work of the McDonald warriors,” Bertha said smugly.

  Indeed the McCabe soldiers quickly dispatched the next two. The match was over, given that four of the McDonald warriors had already fallen, but the fifth stalked into the ring fully adorned with protective armor and helmet.

  “He’s a small one!” Maddie exclaimed. “Why, he can’t be more than a lad.”

  Evidently, Diormid, who’d been chosen to go last, agreed, because he stood to the side, a perplexed look on his face. When the smaller warrior raised his sword, Diormid shook his head and strode forward.

  Though he was a great deal smaller than Diormid, he proved to be extremely nimble and agile. He deftly avoided blows that would likely have knocked him from his feet.

  The McDonald warriors, inspired by the best performance thus far, surged forward, shouting encouragement to the lad. He was quick to parry and he had Diormid fighting to remain on his feet.

  Mairin found herself holding her breath, impressed by the smaller man’s courage. She leaned forward as Diormid dodged a barrage of thrusts and she held her breath when the lad jumped to avoid Diormid’s sweeping kick.

  “ ’Tis so exciting,” Gretchen whispered beside her.

  Mairin smiled at the little girl who was so enraptured by the spectacle in front of them.

  “Aye, it is. It looks like Diormid has his hands full with the lad.”

  The fight wore on and it was apparent that Diormid was frustrated by his inability to make the much smaller man yield. Diormid’s movements became more desperate and wild. It was clear he wanted to end the fight and just as clear the lad was having none of it.

  Then an amazing thing happened. Diormid lunged and the lad’s leg shot out, tripping Diormid. In an instant, the lad leaped on top of Diormid with a yell worthy of the most seasoned warrior. Sword held high, he slashed downward until the point rested against the vulnerable flesh of Diormid’s neck.

  Diormid glared up at the youth but finally dropped his sword in concession.

  “The lad has bested our Diormid,” Maddie whispered.

  Slowly the lad rose and extended his hand down to Diormid. He pulled himself up, nearly knocking the lad off his feet as he struggled with the weight of the much larger warrior.

  The McDonald man staggered back then sheathed his sword. Then he yanked his helmet from his head and a mass of golden hair spilled from the confines.

  Rionna McDonald stood in front of the assembled men, her hair flashing in the sun. The women next to Mairin gasped in astonishment.

  “ ’Tis a lass!” Gretchen exclaimed in delight. She rounded on Robbie, her eyes gleaming with unholy light. “See? I told you that women could be warriors!”

  Crispen and Robbie were both staring at Rionna with a mixture of awe and grudging admiration.

  Rionna’s father was apoplectic. He shoved through the crowd of men, his face mottled in rage. He waved his arms and shouted at Rionna, and Mairin strained to hear his words.

  Rionna bowed her head, but not before Mairin saw the flash of anger cross her face. Rionna’s free hand curled into a fist at her side and she took a step back from her ranting father.

  Mairin was on her feet, her heart going out to the woman despite the fact that she’d donned man’s garb and humiliated a McCabe warrior. Indeed, Diormid was furious, his face as dark as a storm cloud.

  Still, Mairin found herself hurrying toward the courtyard, intent on rescuing the lass from a horde of angry men. Murmuring
pardons, she elbowed through the men, ignoring their irritated murmurs when she shoved them aside.

  Getting through the last line was difficult because the warriors were all shoulder to shoulder. She poked and prodded without success and finally she kicked one in the back of the knee, causing it to buckle.

  He turned with a snarl until he saw who was behind him. His expression turned to one of shock and he hastily stepped aside to let Mairin through.

  Relieved that she’d made it into the ring, she realized she didn’t have a plan beyond getting there. Ewan didn’t take her presence well and he stared holes in her from across the ring of warriors.

  Mairin tucked Rionna’s hand into hers, ignoring Rionna’s look of surprise.

  “Curtsy,” Mairin whispered.

  “What?”

  “Curtsy then back away with me. And smile. Really big smile.”

  “Begging your pardons, Lairds. We’ll be going now. The children of the keep need our attention, and we must see to the evening meal,” Mairin said. She offered them a dazzling smile and dipped into a curtsy.

  Rionna flashed a smile, and Mairin marveled at how stunning the lass was. Her mouth spread into a wide smile, showing perfectly straight, white teeth and a dimple in the smooth skin of her cheek. Rionna also dipped low in a curtsy and then allowed Mairin to drag her toward the perimeter.

  The men tripped over themselves to move as Mairin gifted them with another sweet smile. She dragged Rionna off, fully expecting Ewan’s roar at any moment. When she managed to exit the courtyard, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Where are we going?” Rionna asked.

  “There is a little girl who would dearly love to meet you,” Mairin said cheerfully. “She was most impressed with your performance.”

  Rionna shot her a puzzled look but allowed Mairin to take her all the way up the hill where the others sat watching with avid interest.

  Gretchen could contain herself no longer. As soon as Mairin and Rionna drew near, Gretchen jumped to her feet and fairly danced over to Rionna.

  She curtsied but bubbled over with excitement and proceeded to bombard Rionna with a dozen questions in succession.