The Highlander's Secret(35)
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they left the shop together and headed off towards the keep. Bruce locked the door behind them and Alan pulled his cloak up high around his neck. The crisp autumn air nipped at their noses and warned of the coming snow.
He wondered if Aileen and Jain had time to finish reaping the harvest oats before it did. They were passing through the village toward the keep when Conrad and his men came up one of the side roads toward them. Alan scowled at the sight of them, but didn’t want to start another fight in front of Bruce, so he bit his tongue and ignored them. His master was always encouraging him to be the better man and not stoop to Conrad’s level, and Alan did his best to try. Alan’s apprenticeship extended beyond his work in the shop and he wanted Bruce to be proud of him.
They shuffled down the path together as Conrad and his men grew closer. “I asked around about yer betrothal to Jain,” Conrad stated coolly. “Nae one person in the village seemed to ken what ye were talking about.”
Alan grinned without turning around to look at him, a sense of pride welling up inside his chest at the memory. Even if it hadn’t technically been the truth, Alan had every intention of marrying her and it was worth it to see the look on Conrad’s face. “They must not have heard about it yet,” he responded, casting a sideways glance at Bruce.
Suddenly, Conrad grabbed him by the arm and spun him around to face him. His scowl darkened in the fading light and he took a step towards him. Bruce drew his sword at the contact and Conrad let him go, still gritting his teeth with fury. “I think ye lied to me. Ye want Jain fer yerself and think ye can scare me off by claiming her. Well, I’m not giving up that easily.”
“Jain doesn’t like ye, Conrad. And truthfully, I cannae blame her.”
“Ye better watch yer back, Alan Gillies!”
“I always do,” he responded in a tone that was completely serious. Bruce touched him on the shoulder as he sheathed his sword and continued on toward the keep. Alan followed close behind, refusing to let himself be intimidated by the likes of Conrad. He’d dealt with men like him before and wouldn’t hesitate to put him in his place. “Now if ye’ll excuse me, there’s a clan meeting I must attend. Keenan has some news about the northern threat.”
His body tensed knowing they were still behind him but didn’t so much as slow his pace. The roads grew crowded when they got closer to the giant structure, with everyone still gathering inside. The great stone building was packed with several families from the village and some from the surrounding area who were still members of their clan. Torches burned outside to light their way and warriors stood along the doorway.
Alan followed the others up the hill and passed through the stone archway that led into their keep. Most of the village was there, women and children included. It was one of the only places in town large enough to hold them. Woven tapestries hung along the walls to decorate the stone and also keep out the winter chill.
The crowd led into the great hall where everyone was sitting, and Alan made his way into the back and stood next to Bruce. Conrad and the others followed suit, finding the few remaining spots before the doors closed.
Keenan stood up in the front amidst the murmuring crowd and addressed them formally. “Clan Gordon, I am afraid we’re gathered here under most dire of circumstances.”
Murmurs in the crowd rose for a few minutes before quieting down again at Keenan’s signal.
“As most of ye ken, Heather Gordon has gone missing. We’ve sent out a search party to the surrounding area, and they’ve all come back empty.”
“Is there anything that can be done?” Boyd pleaded from where he sat. “She’s been gone fer three days and nae persons heard from her.”
Keenan sighed. “Boyd, I’m very sorry. Please understand, we’re doing everything we can. At this point we may have to assume the worst, but I will not give up until we bring yer daughter home.”
Boyd nodded sadly, his arms wrapped around his wife. “Thank ye, Keenan.”
“We’ll send out another search party in the morning, but I cannae promise anything.”
Alan watched the heartbroken father plead and wished there was something he could do. Boyd was red in the face, with tears streaming down his cheeks. He knew nothing Keenan said could ever soothe the hurt that man was feeling.
The chieftain sighed. “And now, we move on to other business. I’ve met with Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDougall to discuss the Viking raids. The Norsemen have grown bolder – they’ve taken one of the settlements to the east. We’re all in agreement. These heathens must be dealt with once and fer all. We should arm ourselves and prepare fer the worst, in case they come looking fer a fight.”
The crowd grew restless.
“Why have they left the coast?” a woman asked. “They’ve never come this far inland before.”
The chieftain sighed, turning to address her properly. “We dinnae ken. I’ve set up a watch along with the villages to the east and west, but we need volunteers to man them.”
“They’re not just raiding monasteries anymore,” a man shouted from the crowd. “It isn’t about gold, there’s something different about them this time.”
“Aye,” one of the local farmers said. “If it was just about riches they would have taken what they wanted and left, but this group stayed. What could they be after?”