Mist Warrior (17 page)

“
He spoke not his concerns
,
although anyone with eyes in their head saw them plain on his face every time Raulf and Raina were together. But those two beheld only each other. Finally
,
the day came when Raulf asked for her hand in marriage.
”

“
And her sire refused?
”
Catriona asked.

“
Flatly
,
but Raulf's silver tongue worked its magic and her sire began to consider the proposition. Yet ultimately he refused again.
”

“
How did Raulf convince him?
”
a young man asked.

Duguald laughed.
“
Ne'er forget one simple fact, Raulf could sell a lame plow horse to the best horse trader for a tidy profit, he could send his claymore through the heart of a man afore anyone knew he drew the weapon, and he could near make a lady swoon with a simple smile, but he had one talent greater than all that.
”

Branan smiled.

“
What was that?
”
s
omeone asked.

“
Strategy, lad. Although all of us thought Raulf too captivated with Lady Raina to realize her father's concerns
,
he knew all along,. So when her sire refused him a second time, Raulf played his trump card.
”
He paused gazing at Branan.
“
Tell them what I told ye, laddie, for ye sound exactly like him.
”

Branan grinned. He had
spoken
the lines so many times with Duguald's telling of the story over the years
,
he was well versed in every word, every inflection.

“
I realize
yer
concern for
yer
bonnie daughter
,
but doona think ye award her gracious hand to a Scot who wanders without a home. She well be lady of my lands.
”
He captured Catriona's hand in his, playing to his audience.
“
I am Laird of the clan MacTavish and I daresay my holdings surpass those of the Wardenship.
But I love yer bonnie daughter and will hold her heart within my own.
”
H
e held
Catriona
’s gaze for a long moment, then
slowly pulled her hand to his lips.

She released a startled pant.

Duguald leaped to his feet.
“
Ye see? That is exactly what I had to deal with all those years! Ye see? He be Raulf through and through!
”

The audience roared their laughter, many applauding.

Catriona jumped and ducked her head, her cheeks turning rosy.

Branan laughed softly and pulled her tightly to him.
“
Forgive me, lass,
”
he whispered,
“
but I couldna resist.
”

Catriona hugged him, giggling.
“
You are a rogue, Branan MacTavish, just like your father.
”

Branan renew="4Branan ed his laughter.

“
So Raulf a
ctually outranked Lady Raina?
”
a
voice asked as the
mirth
subsided.

“
Aye,
”
Duguald replied.
“
Our lands are no' large
,
but they are greater than Inglewood. Caught unsuspecting by this news, Raina's sire agreed to the marriage and had the contracts drawn up forthwith.
”

“
But upon Raulf's death, then Raina's
,
wouldn't clan lands fall under Strickland's control?
”

“
Nay,
”
Branan explained.
“
First, in Scotland, inheritance of the Clan doesna pass through the female line unless there is no male relative at all and that is verra rare. At the least the claim would fall to Duguald, being me da's brother, and he managed the lands for a time. But because I am Raulf's son and his only issue, the right of claim is mine and mine alone.
”

Duguald's humor faded a bit, his gaze growing melancholy.
“
Aye, laddie...yer parents...although their time together was brief, they were verra happy. And yer da...yer da would be so proud to see what a fine man his son has become.
”

Branan's throat tightened and he swallowed hard.

“
Aye!
”
a
voice said.
“
And we stand with ye, MacTavish!
”

A chorus of approval resounded.

Master Gordon rose and Branan was surprised to see his eyes liquid.
“
I remember...
”
he began and his voice cracked. He cleareddth. He cl his throat and tried again.
“
I remember when Raulf and Raina managed these lands. I was a young man then. Inglewood prospered under their gentle grace. I remember their happiness and they shared it with all of us. I agree with your uncle. Your father would be proud of you.
”
He cleared his throat again and lifted his cup.
“
To MacTavish, may he return this Wardenship to the peace and prosperity we once knew.
”

“
MacTavish!
”
t
he group cried.

Startled, Branan lifted his cup in acknowledgment and took a drink
,
but a tiny hope kindled to life within him. His arm tightened around Catriona. She gazed up at him and smiled. It was an action, he discovered, that cured a world of ills. Perhaps...just perhaps...with the support and strength of those around him, there was a chance his bid would succeed.

****

A few days later Branan worked to help clear the area around the tower
,
but found himself torn over the increasing discord within him
regarding
Catriona
and her betrothal
.
His fear that she would end up in a marriage similar to what his mother suffered with Strickland was very real.
Only now did
Branan
realize how much he had missed
Catriona
in the ten years he had been gone. He craved every moment he spent with her, every word, every smile, every touch.

The work around the tower advanced well and Branan's community at Thistlewood thrived. He heard a long, low whistle of a sentry
,
warning of more arrivals from Brackenburgh. Branan gazed down the trail.

Through the fog, a knight rode before two wagons. A dozen men and women on foot walked next to the wagons with six mounted knight flanking them, in position of guard. Behind them, rode three more knights
,
but the one in the middle had a lady in his arms
. S
he huddled against him and Branan’s throat tightened, remembering how Catriona had ridden with him in much the same fashion. He dropped his tools and hurried toward them, a crowd gathering.

“
Branan,
”
Duguald whispered harshly.

Branan checked his pace, remembering the plan they had devised
.
“
The lass with the knight,
”
he whispered back.
“
What if she’s injured?
”

Duguald’s eyes narrowed and he stepped in front of Branan.
“
Is anyone injured?
”
He asked, his gaze focusing on the woman.

“
Nay,
”
the lead knight said and glanced over his shoulder.
“
Weary and footsore, nothing more.
”

Duguald nodded and Branan sighed in relief.. The lead knights rode fine battle mounts, their armor gleaming in the muted sunlight. The three in back, while their armor not as fine, appeared to be in good repair and their horses sound.

“
I seek the lord of Thistlewood and bring an offe
ring of goodwill,
”
the lead knight
said.
Branan noted the man appeared close to his same size and age. He had long, light brown hair and blue eyes. He uttered the greeting
he and Courcy had agreed upon so Branan could be assured Courcy truly sent them. The offering of goodwill could be almost anything
,
but one part of it would be a special silver coin, notched and scarred in a seemingly random manner. But to Branan, the randomness was exact.

“
I am the lord of Thistlewood,
”
Duguald said
as part of their
arrangement to protect Branan.

The knight
scowled.
“
I expect you to be much younger.
”
He removed a smal
“
I have been instructed to give you this.
”

“
And who gave ye the instructions?
”
Duguald asked as he took the pouch. Branan moved next to him, in position of guard, his hand on his claymore, as did three other Scots.

“
A monk a
dvised me of a penance,
”
the knight
said.
“
To bring an offer of goodwill to those in need.
”

So far all was well. The knight
followed the code exactly.

Duguald opened the pouch and the contents tumbled into his hand. Branan stole a quick glance at several coins then spotted the one he wanted. He gave Duguald a slight nod.

“
Welcome to Thist
lewood,
”
Branan said and the knight
looked at him in surprise.