The Highlander's Secret(43)
“I’m sure ye will. Tell me about Jain and the blacksmith, Alan. Has she taken a liking to him?”
Eamon snorted. “That would be an understatement.”
“Then I am glad to hear it. Go and summon yer family while I finish gathering my army.”
His brother bowed and quickly turned around the corner when Keenan arrived at the armory. Conrad was there waiting for him, with a smug expression on his face. “My laird, I hear we ride. I’ve come to offer my services as a captain, there’s nae need for ye to put yer life in danger.”
Keenan shook his head. “Dinnae lose yer head, lad. A good leader is never afraid to lead his warriors into battle. He fights alongside them, or he is not fit to rule. Do ye understand? That is how the chieftain before me did it, and the chieftain before that, that’s how it has always been.”
Conrad frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I dinnae think it’s a good idea to leave Eamon in charge, he cannae be trusted.”
“That’s my brother ye’re talking about, so I suggest ye watch yer tongue unless ye have good evidence to back it up.”
“I have,” Conrad nodded.
“Oh? And what is that exactly?”
The warrior grinned and pulled a dragonhead brooch out of his bag. The metallic shine of its knotwork glinting in the dim light of the stone hallway. “I found his daughter carrying this brooch the other day. Take a look at it yerself, but I’ve never seen anything like that among our kinsmen.”
Keenan took the piece of metal and examined it more closely. It was exceedingly beautiful, and the craftsmanship was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. However, knowing what he did about Jain’s past made him sure that it was something that should remain secret. Conrad was not a man he trusted with any kind of private information and he knew immediately that he had to stop him from delving any further.
“Ye saying Jain was wearing this?” Keenan mused, turning the brooch over in his hand. “Tis but a pretty trinket.”
“I think there’s more to it than that. How would she get something like this unless it came from a far-off land? It could not have come from any of the shops I’ve seen. What if they’re hiding something?”
Keenan laughed to hide the fear that was steadily growing inside his belly. “Like what?”
Conrad’s face went flush as he stammered. “Perhaps they’re bringing secrets to our enemy. What if the design proves that she is a Viking?”
It was clear that Conrad was not going to drop the issue any time soon, so he decided the best idea was to keep him close. That way he could keep an eye on him in case he tried anything clever. “Lad, dinnae fash yerself. It’s probably something Nora picked up on one of her many travels,” Keenan suggested. “She’s been all across the country, to places ye and I have never even heard of. It could have come from anywhere.”
“But—”
“I’ll not hear another word about it!” Keenan snapped, while hastily shoving the brooch into his bag. “This will be returned to my niece when we get back. Ye’re to stay with me in the battle, is that understood? I dinnae want ye running off and causing any more trouble.”
Conrad gritted his teeth into a forced smile and responded. “Of course, my laird. However, I would think my skill proves more valuable elsewhere.”
“Not today. Ye’ll stay with me until the job is done.”
Chapter Twenty
Within the hour, Keenan and the other warriors had mounted their horses and were galloping out the village gate. Jain stood on the steps of the village keep and watched them leave with a heavy heart. With Alan amongst their numbers, it seemed almost cruel. They had barely pledged themselves to each other only to have him taken away from her. She prayed that he would make it back alive, after all they hadn’t even gotten the chance to start a life together.
Moira came up beside her while Jain lamented and wrapped her arms around her shoulder. “Fear not, Jain. Yer Uncle Keenan is a skilled warrior, I’m sure he’ll make it back all right.”
Jain reached up and patted Moira’s hand where she embraced her. “Thank ye, Mam, but he’s not the only one I’m concerned about.”
Keenan’s footsteps echoed on the floor behind them. “Alan will make it back too, my dear. I promise ye that.”
The skin between her eyebrows puckered when she turned to face him. “How do ye ken?”
Eamon cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms in front of his chest to lean back against the stone archway. “I take it ye’ve never seen the lad with a sword, otherwise ye wouldn’t be asking.”
Her spirits lightened slightly, and she offered a timid smile. “I hope ye’re right.”
He nodded. “As soon as they get back, Keenan will give his blessing to the match and ye’ll be married by the New Year.”
Moira gasped and stepped in front of Jain to face her. “Does that mean…? Has he asked ye fer yer hand?”
Jain laughed and said, “Aye, Mam. That he did. I accepted his proposal just this morning.”
Her mother scoffed. “Well, that would be some awful timing wouldn’t it? I’m sorry this happened to ye, dear, but yer da’s right. Alan will make it back safely.”
Eamon cast his eyes towards the retreating horses and turned to go back inside the keep. “My loves, we should get back inside in case we’re needed. Take a moment to say farewell and then meet me in the great hall.”