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“There is nothin’ else that will work. I have tried for years. Please understand, I dinna want to trade ye, but I am only thinkin’ of the best interest of the clan.”
“What about my interest?” she asked. “I dinna want to be yer prisoner. Neither do I want to be traded away as part of some ridiculous deal that all came about because of a silly feud. Ye dinna have to do this, Alastair.”
“Aye, I do, Fia. Ye dinna understand. Sometimes, we have to do things to benefit the masses rather than just one.”
“I think savin’ yer faither is only benefitin’ ye.”
“It is helpin’ Caitlin and also the entire clan,” he pointed out. “My faither was the best chieftain this clan ever had.”
“Then are ye sayin’ ye dinna want to be chieftain anymore?”
“I didna say that.” By his body actions of opening and closing his hands, Fia could tell he was torn. “But tell me, where does a man’s loyalty to his clan and also his family end and his pride and self-esteem begin?” He got off the bed and started to dress.
“I think I ken what ye mean,” she said, scooting to the edge of the bed and putting on her gown. “I recently was in a situation like that as well.”
“How can ye understand?” he asked, donning a tunic and wrapping his plaid around him. “Ye are only a lassie.”
“Only a lassie?” She put on her shoes and stood. “So, are ye sayin’ that women are no’ capable of makin’ decisions and doin’ things the way men are?”
Before he could answer, there came a knock at the door. “My laird,” called out a familiar voice.
Alastair hurriedacross the room and pulled open the door. Cerberus jumped up, almost knocking him over. “Get down!” he growled. The hound shot across the room, over to Fia, sitting obediently at her feet although she hadn’t said a word.
“Guid boy,” Fia said, rewarding the dog by running her hand over his head.
Alastair bit off an oath and directed his attention back to the door where one of his clan members stood waiting patiently to be acknowledged. “Earc, ye’ve returned.”
“I have, my lord, and have brought news of the battle,” responded the man.
“Guid, come in.”
Earc stepped into the room and stopped short when he saw Fia. “Oh, I didna ken ye were with a lassie.”
“It’s just Fia,” he said, getting a nasty stare from the girl in return.
“Perhaps we should speak out in the corridor.”
“Nay, there is no reason to do that,” said Alastair, reaching for his weapon belt and fastening it around his waist. “Whatever ye say can be said in front of Fia as well.”
“Are ye sure, my laird?”
“God’s eyes, spit it out already, Earc. What do ye have to tell me?”
“It is Richard’s army, my laird.”
“Ah, so the ambush is in progress. Guid.” Alastair chuckled as he checked his weapons. “How surprised was Richard when his troops were met by the Highlanders, the French, and our king?”
“I’m afraid it wasna Richard and his troops who were surprised, my laird.”
“Huh? What do ye mean?” Alastair strapped his sword to his back. “There were no surprises on our end. What happened?”
“Richard pulled out his troops and sent them back to England early this mornin’. They never even made it to Fife.”
“Didna make it to Fife? Why no’?” asked Alastair, not liking the sound of this at all.
Earc’s eyes darted over to Fia and then back to him. “Rumor has it, Richard got word about the ambush, and didn’t want to risk the lives of his men after all. Therefore, the English retreated, and there was never a battle.”
“Retreated? Nay, that canna be,” spat Alastair. This news was making him angry. “That means all our work spyin’ on the English and reportin’ back to our king was for naught. How could they have found out? No one in this clan would be a traitor and tell those bluidy Sassenachs our plan. Besides, we had word that John of Gaunt was pushin’ to keep goin’.”
