Page 65 of A Flawed Scotsman

Keithen stood a hairsbreadth from the man’s face. “Were ye there when Mackenzie guards attacked a defenseless woman?” He pushed his chest against the man’s. “Were ye one of the group of cowards?”

“Enough!” Laird Fraser pulled Keithen back and looked to the guard whose face had reddened with anger. It was obvious the man fought hard not to argue with Keithen.

“Tell yer laird we will meet him at the appointed time.” He then gave a specific destination. Ruari noticed the other men scanned the courtyard and he wondered if they were searching for someone in particular.

It was only after they stood atop the keep and watched the Mackenzie contingent depart that the laird seemed to relax. He’d sent a messenger to the other council members, the new constable and his brother, to come at once.

“We will have messengers prepared to go to the other Frasers at the ready,” he said to no one in particular. “I know it may seem like a fruitless effort as they cannot continue to be at our beck and call. However, I am not sure what else can be done.”

“Have one at the ready to travel to Ross Keep as well,” Ruari said. “Perhaps we can seek assistance from the Grant?”

“He has remained neutral and I doubt there is anything for him to gain from joining forces with us. We are a strong clan and, combined, are strong enough to hold him off. Right now, it is a challenge for the Mackenzie, but I do not think he is willing to lose men to conquer us only to gain enemies that will constantly challenge him.”

What the laird said made sense. Ruari wondered if perhaps after weighing the options, the Mackenzie sought a way to have a truce that would work to his advantage and not make him look weak.

Three days later, Ruari, along with the Fraser and several hundred guards, arrived at the appointed location. Both lairds had agreed to no more than two hundred warriors. From atop the ridge where they came to a stop, the opposing clan appeared. It seemed the Mackenzie had kept his word, his contingent the same size as theirs.

As customary, both parties advanced until the lairds were a few yards away. Then, along with four escorts each, they rode closer until they were able to speak.

Ruari, Keithen and two guards accompanied Laird Fraser.

The Mackenzie’s shrewd gaze pinpointed Ruari for a moment before moving to Keithen and then meeting Laird Fraser’s. “I bid ye good day.”

“Ye as well,” Laird Fraser responded. “Are we here to speak of a way to keep peace?” He went directly to the point, taking control of the conversation. It was obvious by the Mackenzie’s tightening of his jaw that the move was not appreciated.

“I wish to discuss an equal alliance.”

“Yer clan is much larger and more powerful than mine, we both know it. How would we be allies and I am guaranteed that ye would use it as a tool to take over?”

“By marriage. Yer son,” he looked at Keithen, “to my eldest daughter. She has recently become widowed.”

Ruari couldn’t help but wonder if the woman’s husband’s death was coincidental.

“By yer son being married to my daughter, she would come to live with ye.”

Laird Fraser looked at the man and then over his shoulder. “We are a strong clan. Our numbers may not be as great at yers, but we can stand against ye if we have to.” He then looked to Keithen, who stared straight ahead, his features hard, the muscle in his jaw flexing with restraint.

Laird Mackenzie shrugged, acting as if he was nonchalant. However, there was steel in his gaze. “My offer will expire in three days.”

“And then what?” Keithen said between clenched teeth. “Ye attack us again and again?”

Laird Fraser held up a hand to silence his son. “I must do what is best to keep my people safe…” he stopped speaking and his brow furrowed. “I fail to see what ye have to gain with this marriage.”

“I am proving my willingness for peace between our clans. As ye say, yer clan, when combined with the Frasers of the east, is large and strong. I do not wish to continue any animosity between us.”

That a change of heart would happen so soon after battle made Ruari suspicious. Like Laird Fraser, he also did not understand why the man was doing this. To offer his own daughter to a clan so small when not joined with the other portion made little sense.

“I will send a missive with a response to ye within three days,” Laird Fraser said, meeting his opponents gaze. “I hope ye are sincere in yer offer. However, ye should understand why I cannot promptly give ye a reply at the moment.”

The Mackenzie’s chin jutted out as he considered his reply. “I have considered, after advisement, that an alliance rather than a takeover would be more advantageous to…my clan.”

Ruari wondered if the man had started to say “to me” and realized it would reveal narcissism.

“As I said, a messenger will be sent to ye before the three days are up,” Laird Fraser repeated. With that, they turned their horses about and returned to the ridge, the entire time aware that they had given their backs to the enemy. A very dangerous thing.

*

“We must find a way to turn him down without causing a rift,” a councilman said upon their return to the keep. They were in the laird’s study, ten men sitting around a table. All had gone to meet with the Mackenzie but the conversation between the lairds was not repeated until there was no chance of being overheard.