Chapter 19
It took some doing to clean up the mess that was made of things that day.
Once the blaze in the village was successfully put out, temporary accommodations needed to be erected for all of the displaced people while more permanent replacement structures were built.
The soldiers of the McDaugh clan assisted with the construction, and although they were not initially made to feel particularly welcome since many among them were recognized by the Wallaces as those who had slain their friends and loved ones upon the field of battle many times over, their hard work eventually earned them grudging acceptance, then genuine admiration and respect.
By the end of the effort, the members of the two clans found themselves on good terms, laughing and joking together.
Urich oversaw much of the construction, and for the first time since Gareth could remember, his half brother actually seemed relatively happy and at peace.
The hands that had grown so skilled at hunting and killing proved equally capable of building things, and no one seemed more surprised and pleased by that than Urich himself.
Not only that, but Urich’s skill with a practice sword proved useful for Stefan Wallace, who was overjoyed to have someone of equal finesse and dexterity to spar with.
Oddly, it was easier for Stefan to bond with Urich than with the other McDaughs because Urich had always seen himself as something of an outsider within that clan.
The two spent many afternoons together in the courtyard, shirtless and glistening with sweat as their wooden blades clacked and clattered against each other.
Each time these sessions ended, they would take turns congratulating each other and admiring each other’s prowess.
Each had much to learn from the other in terms of technique, and they were both better warriors for it.
Here, in these new lands, Urich was not simply some bastard to be avoided, judged, or whispered about behind his back.
He was simply Urich, a newcomer who had been made to feel as though he belonged there.
Since Jamie’s demise had left an opening in the keep’s guard, Urich decided to join and put his skills to good use.
Yes, Jamie’s death was a sticky thing indeed, in terms of what he’d said and what it meant for the McDaughs and the Wallaces.
Now that his evil scheme had come to light, it was clear to both parties that the Sinclairs were the true enemy and needed to be dealt with swiftly and severely.
An accord was reached quickly, and new plans of battle were drawn up, chiefly by Stefan and Gareth.
Laird Fredric continued to live, though his health remained poor, and he sent a letter to commend them on their unity, giving them his blessings for the battles to come.
The other main order of business was to see to it that Laird Cameron Wallace received a funeral worthy of him, and that was done.
Every member of the Wallace clan was in attendance, and Fredric sent word that he regretted not being able to travel due to his ailment.
Cameron had been a wise and noble laird, and there was no doubt at all that he would be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Which, of course, left the matter of succession to deal with.
After the memorial service, Stefan went to look for Pelna and found her standing on the ramparts of the keep, staring up at the night sky. When she saw him, she gave him a faint, forlorn smile. “Do ye think he’s up there right now, lookin’ down at us?”
Stefan grinned, though his mirth did not reach his eyes. “If ever a man deserved a place among the stars in the heavens, it was him.”
She looked into Stefan’s eyes. “Now ye must live up tae such a legacy. I do not envy ye.”
He chuckled. “Nor should ye, Pelna, for it is ye who shall have tae live up tae it, nae I.”
Pelna frowned, puzzled. “What do ye mean?”
“He means,” said Daric, sauntering up behind Stefan, “that although he will be laird in name—for that is how it must be, and that is what the people will demand—we both ken full well what our father’s real wish was; Ye to lead the clan in the event of his death.”
She shook her head. “I do not understand.”
Stefan put a hand on her shoulder. “I am a good warrior, Sister. Some might even call me a great one. I can plan out battles, I can ride at the vanguard, I can kill many enemies both openly and, if called upon tae do so, quietly and stealthily. These are fine traits and useful ones. I am immensely proud of them. However, I dinnae ken what it takes tae keep an entire clan fed and happy. I ken nothing of taxes and solving disputes. Such matters are crucial. They are tae be taken seriously, and they are tae be handled by someone who knows best how tae do so. That person is very clearly ye.”
She blinked at Daric, surprised. “And ye agree with this?”
Daric laughed and shrugged. “If it means I can continue tae drink and carouse at my leisure without any added responsibilities? Certainly! I say bravo!”
“Granted, engagin’ in the day-to-day runnin’ of the place might prove a bit of a challenge fer ye,” Stefan added with a sly wink, “given that ye will likely be residin’ at the McDaugh keep in the near future.”
Pelna put her hands on her hips. “What on earth is that supposed tae mean?”
“Look at her! She’s blushin’,” Daric crowed. “She knows all too well what it means!”
“It means,” Stefan said good-naturedly, “that anyone with eyes can clearly see how Gareth McDaugh fancies ye. Just as anyone can see that ye feel the same fer him. He seems a good man, Sister. A marriage between ye would strengthen these new bonds between our clans. And more than that, I get the feelin’ that ye could make each other happy, just as our parents were happy together while they lived.
Which means more than anything else in the world, I daresay. ”
“Good gracious!” Daric exclaimed. “It seems I shall have a new brother-in-law tae drink with! How fortunate fer me! That Urich fellow might make a good sparring partner fer ye, Stefan, but he’s a dreadful drinkin’ companion fer me. He’s too damned serious all the time.”
“Then ye both genuinely mean it?” Pelna couldn’t believe her ears. “Ye would have me take the lead in steerin’ this clan?”
“No one can deny that ye have the intellect and strength fer it,” Stefan informed her. “Ye have more than enough courage fer it as well. If ye choose tae accept, that is.”
She gave him an enigmatic half-smile. “And if I do not?”
“Oh, please say aye, Sister, I beg of ye!” Daric pleaded, getting down on his knees and clasping his hands together plaintively. “Do not force me tae interrupt my debauchery with a lot of grown-up nonsense! I won’t be able tae take it, do ye hear? I’ll throw myself off this wall, ye watch!”
“All right, all right!” she laughed. “I accept, then, with gratitude.” She joined hands with the two of them. “We shall do great things together, I promise ye. Things that will make our father proud.”
The stars above twinkled as if in agreement.
Pelna remained on the ramparts for a while after her brothers had taken their leave, and a short while later, she saw Gareth pacing the courtyard below. She went down to speak with him.
“Ye look as though ye have rather a lot on yer mind,” she observed.
“Aye, I suppose I do,” he admitted. “Then again, so do ye.”
“I suppose I ought tae.” She drew herself up to her full height. “I have spoken with my brothers, and they both feel that I am the one tae lead this clan.”
Gareth’s eyebrows went up. “They said that? They would allow a woman tae rule?”
“Well, nae in name, but in practice,” she explained. “Stefan will be named laird, but all decisions regardin’ the runnin’ of the clan shall be made by me. It is bound tae be a strange arrangement and a difficult one fer all of us tae get used tae.”
“Is it what ye want fer yerself?” he asked gently.
She nodded. “Aye. It is what my father wished fer, and I should honor those wishes. And more than that, I do believe I ken what is best fer my people and how tae achieve it. Naturally, we shall start by dealin’ with those odious Sinclairs, with yer help.”
“Aye, and I’m bloody eager fer it, too,” Gareth growled, “as are my kinsmen. In fact, fer once, it seems the only one who isn’t hungry fer a fight is Urich. He seems tae have found some kind of tranquility as a member of yer clan, the kind he never could have achieved among my people.”
“Then I am happy fer him,” Pelna said warmly.
Gareth took her hand. “And I am happy fer ye.”
“Now it is yer turn,” she reminded him. “Ye must tell me what has been weighin’ on yer mind tae the point where ye are stalkin’ around the courtyard anxiously like a caged bear.”
“Ah.” He paused for a long moment. “It was nothing, I assure ye. Nothing of consequence, at any rate.”
“Oh, come now,” she urged. “Surely, after all we have been through together, ye can confide in me?”
Gareth took a deep breath and continued with great difficulty. “I had intended…tae ask fer yer hand in marriage.”
Her eyes widened. “Ye had?”
“Aye. But nae tae worry,” he went on quickly, “fer I have reconsidered.”
Her emotions had briefly soared, only to be bluntly dragged down to earth again.
“I see,” she replied in a disappointed tone. “Might I ask what changed yer mind?”
“If ye are tae rule over yer clan,” he said stiffly, “then I imagine ye will not be fond of the notion of marryin’ me, fer it would mean livin’ at McDaugh Keep. Particularly since my own father may not be long fer this world, and I shall have tae take his place soon as laird.”
Pelna smiled at him, her eyes misty with tears.
“Our two keeps are only a day’s journey apart from each other, Gareth.
Well, perhaps a trifle more during heavy storms,” she amended with a laugh.
“I have no doubt that I will be able tae see tae the runnin’ of my own clan while standin’ by yer side as ye lead yers.
Besides, ye have been there tae console me in my time of bereavement.
I would do the same fer ye when the time comes. ”
“Then…ye will do it?” he asked breathlessly.
She favored him with an impish grin. “I might if ye ask me properly.”
Gareth didn’t hesitate for a moment. He got down on one knee—with a bit of difficulty since he was still recovering from his wound—and took her hands in his.
“Lady Pelna Wallace, will ye do me the very great honor of being my bride?”
“Aye, Gareth McDaugh,” she replied joyously, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Aye, I most certainly shall.”