Page 50 of To Wed a Witch
Chapter 12 - Truth and Justice
The morning after theevents at Agan's Glen dawned bright and clear, as though the mist had washed the air clean.Sìne woke to find Bhaltair's arm wrapped protectively around her waist, and Aidyn sleeping peacefully in her cradle which they had moved closer to their bed.
Later, Sìne had barely finished breaking her fast when the kitchen maid who had first spread the alarm appeared at her elbow.
"My lady," the girl said shyly, "the whole clan is speaking of what happened last night.How ye risked everything for the wee bairn, and how we all came to defend ye."
"Aye, ye did.And I am so grateful for yer part in alerting others."The girl blushed, and Sìne noted the proud gleam in her eyes."If not for ye, no one would ken where I was.As for my bravery, none was braver than Ada.She is the one ye should be praising."
"Och, I did no such thing!"Ada replied as she walked into the room to clear away the dishes."I perhaps made things worse rather than better."
"Ada!Ye are supposed to be abed and resting after such an ordeal."
"Dinnae fash, mistress.As I told the laird, I cannot abide lying abed when there's much to do."With that, she quit the room again.
The girl smiled and excused herself.But before she left, she said, "There's not a Ferguson alive who wouldn't follow ye into battle now.Ye're truly one of us."
The words warmed Sìne's heart more than she could have imagined.After months of feeling like an outsider, her clan had shown their loyalty in the most decisive way possible.
Throughout the morning, similar sentiments were echoed by servants and clansmen alike.The baker's wife nodded when Sìne passed through the kitchens.Elderly men doffed their caps with obvious respect.Even the stable boys smiled brightly when she checked on her horse.
"They love ye," Bhaltair observed, watching the interactions with obvious pride."Last night showed them who ye really are, not the rumors Paisley spread, but the woman willing to sacrifice everything for those she holds dear."
The mention of Paisley brought a shadow to Sìne's mood, and Bhaltair noticed immediately.
"There's something I need to tell ye," he said quietly, leading her to the private solar where they could speak freely."About Paisley and the others who fled..."
Sìne's heart clenched."What is it?"
"My men found them this morning.Paisley and three of Sutherland's hired swords."Bhaltair's voice was gentle but direct."At the bottom of the ravine, about a mile from the glen.Their necks were broken.It seems in their panic to escape through the fog, they lost their way and went over the cliff edge."
Sìne closed her eyes, feeling a complex mix of emotions wash over her.Despite everything Paisley had done, the betrayal and the lies, she had once been someone Sìne cared for.
"I ken she deceived us all," Sìne replied."I ken she would have taken Aidyn from me, maybe even killed me.But still..."
"Ye have a kind heart," Bhaltair said, pulling her close."It's one of the things I love most about ye.But dinnae blame yerself for her choices, Sìne.Paisley chose her path long before she ever came to our Keep."
"I ken ye're right," she replied, leaning into his warmth."It just...it hurts when someone I trusted, someone who held my daughter, betrayed me."
"She's gone now," Bhaltair replied."She can't hurt us anymore."
***
BY MIDDAY, THE GREATHall had been prepared for the formal proceedings regarding Laird Bryce Sutherland.The man himself sat under heavy guard, his earlier arrogance replaced by sullen defiance.Word had been sent throughout the clan that any who wished to witness the confrontation were welcome.
The hall filled quickly.Farmers and craftsmen, servants and warriors, young and old all came to see justice served to the man who had threatened their kin.
Laird Ewan MacNeil, who also happened to be a Justiciar of the king, was to oversee the proceedings as a formal witness.He in large arm chair in front of the hall.
Bhaltair took his place in the laird's chair, with Sìne beside him and Lileas flanking them.The MacNeils' presence lent additional weight to whatever decisions were made.
"Bryce Sutherland," Ewan's voice rang out across the packed hall, "ye stand accused of kidnapping, attempted murder, and acts of war against Clan Ferguson.How do ye answer these charges?"
Sutherland lifted his chin defiantly."I was reclaiming what rightfully belongs to my family.The MacKay lands should be ours."
A murmur of anger rippled through the assembled clan, but Ewan raised his hand for silence.
