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“Tis’ certainly a cause worth fightin’ for, and the two of ye have proved that,” it said, and Murdina and Kin turned to find none other than Gilroy MacFlinn smiling back at them across the garden.
“Gilroy!” Kin exclaimed, and the two of them hurried forward to greet the old man, who walked with a stick.
“I soon learned of all that happened here, and I have witnessed Murdoch and Iver’s journey north. Ye have done a great service, Kin, one that will nae be forgotten by any of us. The order owes ye a great deal,” Gilroy said, holding out his hand to Kin, who took it and smiled.
“I have had my vengeance, too,” he said, and Gilroy nodded.
“Yer family would be proud of ye, and I know Murdina’s father is, too,” he said, glancing at Murdina, who nodded.
“He has accepted Kin as a son, and his bravery will be known across the generations,” she replied.
“But yers, too, Murdina. The two of ye couldnae have done this without the other. That is why I have come,” he said, and Murdina looked at him curiously.
“To see me?” she asked, and Gilroy nodded.
“To see both of ye. Come now, let us sit a moment,” he said, pointing to a stone bench in the far corner of the garden.
They made their way through the flower borders, budding now as late spring turned to early summer, and sat down on the bench. Gilroy seemed different–gone was the stoop, his face proud, his features handsome in the daylight, his beard combed, and he wore a brightly colored waistcoat, breeches, and a sword at his belt with a patterned scabbard depicting the now-familiar knotted symbol of the brotherhood.
“You have come to give us your blessing? To release me from my duties?” Kin asked, but Gilroy shook his head.
“A member of the brotherhood is forever bound to his duties. But ye have served us well, Kin, and ye are to be rewarded with peace. Ye will nae be called on again, save in the gravest of dangers. But there is another…” he said, turning to Murdina.
She stared at him in amazement, as now he put his hand in his pocket and took out a small box.
“But I… what is this?” she said, and he opened it to reveal a ring.
It was the same ring he and Kin wore, with the symbol of the knot engraved on it. Murdina turned to Kin, who smiled and nodded.
“She deserves this,” he said, and Gilroy took the ring from the box and held it out to Murdina, even as she now realized what this visit meant.
“Am I worthy?” she asked, and Gilroy nodded.
“Ye are more than worthy, lass. Ye have proved yerself beyond all measure. Ye have earned yer place in the brotherhood–ye would be the first woman, but nay finer woman can be imagined than ye. Yer bravery is unquestionable, and ye have proved yerself in all things,” he said, placing the ring on Murdina’s finger and taking out a coin from his pocket–the coin with the image of the phoenix, the second symbol of the brotherhood.
It caught the sun, glinting as she held it up, her eyes wide with amazement. Murdina had never expected this. The fellowship was a secret, known only to a few. She knew only a few of its members–Kin and Gilroy, the priest and the nobles who had come to her aid on the day of the wedding. What would she be expected to do? Would some great task even now be given her?
“I… I cannae,” she said, but Gilroy shook his head.
“Nay one has ever refused the order, Murdina. Tis’ for us to choose ye, nay for ye to choose us. We need people like ye–those of principle, courage, and determination. Ye possess those things in abundance, and I am proud to be tasked with admittin’ ye to our fellowship,” he said.
Murdina looked down at the ring on her finger. It fitted perfectly, and she turned to Kin, who nodded.
“I knew nothing of this, but it is richly deserved, Murdina. Welcome to our fellowship,” he said, and she smiled.
“Then if I am chosen, so be it,” she said, and Gilroy smiled.
“We shall call on ye when the times comes–both of ye, perhaps,” he said, rising to his feet.
“But what now? Is there some task we must see to?” Kin asked, but Gilroy shook his head.
“I think you know your task well enough, Kin,” he said, and Kin looked at him in surprise, a puzzled expression coming over his face.
“I… I am not sure,” he said, but Gilroy only laughed and shook his head.
“Think on it, Kin,” he replied before wandering off across the gardens smiling to himself.
Murdina was in shock. She could hardly believe what had just happened. To be admitted to the order was the greatest of privileges, and to be its first woman was a sign that her years of training and determination had born fruit. She had always dreamed of being a warrior, of riding out to victory, but this was different. Now she would use her skills for the good of the cause, which both she and Kin believed in. She would play her part alongside the man she loved, and together they would be as one.
