Page 75 of A Fearless Rebel

“How does Keithen and Ava’s marriage affect our relationship with them?” Ewan asked.

Laird Fraser considered the question for a long moment. “I am not sure, as they tried to hang my son and accused him of killing the laird and guardsmen.”

Keithen’s leg ached, but it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. He’d managed to get his father to agree to him riding with the guardsmen that would accompany the laird to meet with the new Mackenzie. The only thing was that Keithen was to remain in the back with the archers.

Next to him, Ewan sat straight as the two lairds, flanked by two guards each, rode to meet in the center of an open area.

Behind the lairds, their armies lined up in rows, every man looking across the field to the other side. Every one of them measuring and counting.

From what Keithen could see, the Mackenzie must have brought every man he could gather. There were about two hundred, but it was evident some of them were not warriors. It was easy to tell by the way they had a hard time keeping their horses still.

Keithen huffed under his breath knowing the Fraser army was three hundred and it didn’t count the men they’d left behind to guard the keep.

He hated not being at his father’s side the way it should be. The first-born son was always at his father’s side during times like this. Instead, Broden and his uncle flanked the laird.

Laird Mackenzie was slender. By his dark hair, he looked much younger than Keithen’s father. He rode a black horse and wore the Mackenzie tartan, which was pulled over his shoulder and pinned in place by the Mackenzie Clan crest, if Keithen had to guess.

The conversation continued for longer than anyone expected.

“Seems the Mackenzie is not pleased,” Ewan said, craning his neck. “By the way he’s gesturing, he is not satisfied with the direction of the conversation.”

“I agree,” Keithen said and studied the men in the Mackenzie front lines to ensure none made any sudden moves. It seemed everyone thought the same, because the guardsmen in front of him seemed to all lean forward just enough that it was noticeable.

Ewan turned to him. “I do not think he is stupid enough to start anything. It is obvious we are a much stronger force.”

Finally, the lairds turned away from each other. Each army parted, allowing their laird to ride through and lead them back to their respective keeps. And as the armies turned to ride back, there was a line of men who continued to face forward. They would remain in place until everyone was enough of a distance away that they would pose no threat.

Keithen knew it would be a long standoff as neither side would want to concede first and turn away.

His father motioned for him to ride alongside him and Keithen did so. “How is yer leg, Son?”

Knowing his father would say very little, Keithen didn’t ask any questions. Instead, he motioned to his leg. “Not very much pain for my first ride.”

It was half a day’s ride back to their keep and by the time they arrived, Keithen could barely stand the pain. Sharp pains traveled down his leg and he required assistance dismounting. Once inside the great room, he refused to see the healer, who hurried toward him.

He hobbled to his father’s study, where Broden, Ewan and several council members were already seated.

Despite the pain, Keithen did his best to keep from groaning out loud when he lowered to a chair.

“The Mackenzie expected that our alliance was intact. I told him different,” his father stated. “I informed him that the attempt to hang my son dissolved any goodwill between us.”

Keithen agreed. “What was the final outcome? Did ye tell him about the attack on our guard?”

“Aye,” his father replied. “I told him that we will not stand for attacks on our men on our lands and that if we find the attacker is a Mackenzie, I will not hesitate to order my men to kill any Mackenzies on our land.”

“He became quite indignant at that point,” Broden said. “He began accusing us of killing the last two Mackenzie lairds.”

Neither Keithen nor Esme had told anyone that it was she who’d shot Alastair Mackenzie. Keithen had convinced his sister that he did not want Ava to know. She’d been through enough without having the added burden of knowing her husband’s sister was responsible for her brother’s death.

“It had to have been a Ross who killed Alastair. Clan Ross arrived before we did,” Ewan said. “However, I must say, whoever the archer was who severed the rope, I would love to compete against him. That man had the best marksmanship I have ever seen.” He shrugged. “Besides me.”

Broden grunted. “That would be interesting.” He met Keithen’s gaze and he realized his friend was aware that Esme was the only archer with the ability to sever the rope at a long distance.

Ewan continued. “That same archer could have possibly shot Alastair and caused his death.”

Keithen looked to his father, but the laird was listening to a council member asking a question.

“We ended the conversation with sort of an impasse. We will each stay away from the border until after winter. At that time, we will meet again.”