Rory gazed at the simple, tall building that he’d walked past many times today.
‘You don’t want to go in,’ Frederick said.
Mews smelled, feathers flew and, if the birds inside were loose, he’d have waste splattered on him. ‘It would be my pleasure.’
Smiling, he pushed the door and walked in and Frederick quickly closed it after them.
The building was large, the bird collection...not so much. Three hunting birds at most. Not enough to foul the air or his clothing.
‘So this is where we talk?’
‘This is where it is private with also a plausible reason to be here.’
They were followed through the village. ‘We won’t have privacy for long.’
‘No.’
So what to talk about? Why Frederick had avoided him this morning, or about his youngest daughters or should he talk about Paiden and the possible killer? There had been no outbreaks today between the McCrieffs and the Lochmores, but he’d talked to his men, they were taking turns at watch. Thus far there was a temporary truce, but they could not keep that schedule and remain safe. Eventually, someone’s guard or temper would slip and either a sword or poison would fell another Lochmore.
Paiden. Everything in him roared to help his friend. Instead he asked, ‘What was the meeting about?’
Frederick folded his arms. ‘I’m Tanist. It is common for council to be conducted.’
It wasn’t a usual council and they knew it. ‘Imarried your daughter; we’ve gone beyond those border conflicts, haven’t we?’
‘You’re not a McCrieff. The border still exists. As I said, I’ll remain Tanist and I’ll keep the control of this clan.’
Rory stepped back in agitation. The birds skittered on their perches. ‘And the King’s decree?’
‘It will stand with no dispute. This I promise you. Can you promise not to claim more?’
Rory should have expected this, but hadn’t. He’d kept his eyes so focused on the future for his own issue, he wasn’t thinking about now. Striding to the opposite wall, he leaned against it, settling in as the birds settled. ‘My father is Chief and he will decide on Lochmore’s clan. But I offer you congratulations that you married me to a McCrieff, thinking he’d be loath to fight against my chosen family.’
Frederick gave an audible sigh and released his arms. Rory wouldn’t give him the benefit of relief.
‘But know this, if Lochmore’s interests are compromised, it won’t matter whether I married your daughter or not. If you keep your power, I, too, will keep mine.’
‘What are you, then?’ Frederick said. ‘Lochmore or McCrieff?’
‘Shouldn’t you have figured that out beforeyou offered her? You may hope for a peace in the future, but we’re both involved in the present. Right now, I have the right to know what the secret meetings are about.’
‘Secret?’
Rory made a pointed glance to the door. ‘We have little time, remember?’
With a glance at the airways above their head, Frederick moved to the wall Rory leant against.
Rory kept his posture casual as Frederick approached. Even so, he could see that he was a large man who had maintained his training. Which begged the question, how much control and power did Frederick wield? ‘Are there stronger warriors than you here?’
‘Hamish. In his prime, he was as large as a mountain and no one would argue with him.’
‘But he’s not in his prime, is he?’
‘He’s been ill for many seasons now...’
‘In body or mind?’
Frederick huffed. ‘Wise, aren’t you?’
