Page 51 of To Wed a Witch
"Ye had no claim once Sìne MacKay legally wed Bhaltair Ferguson," he replied coldly."And even if ye had, kidnapping a child and threatening harm to Lady Ferguson are the acts of a coward, not a rightful laird."
"I did what was necessary!"
"Ye did what was evil," interrupted a voice from the crowd.
Everyone turned to see a woman stepping forward with her son Drew at her side.The boy looked healthy and strong now, with color in his cheeks and bright eyes that showed no trace of his recent illness.
Ewan acknowledged her."Ye have something to say?"
"Aye, Laird MacNeil."Her voice shook with emotion as she pointed directly at Sutherland."That man there is the traveling healer who came to our cottage.The one who told me my boy was beyond saving, who warned me about our lady's supposed black magic."
A shocked silence fell over the hall.Sutherland's face had gone pale, but she wasn't finished.
"Drew," she said gently to her son, "tell Laird MacNeil what ye told me about the sweet."
The boy stepped forward bravely, his young voice carrying clearly in the hushed hall."This man gave me a candied fruit.Said it would help me feel better.But it tasted funny, and soon after I felt sick."
The implications were not lost on the crowd.Sutherland had deliberately poisoned a child—an innocent boy—all to frame Sìne as a witch and turn the clan against her.
The murmur that rose from the crowd this time was dark and dangerous.Several men stepped forward with hands on their weapons, their faces murderous.
"Ye poisoned the lad," Bhaltair said, his voice deadly quiet."A helpless boy, to serve yer own ambition?"
"I...that's not...he lies!"Sutherland stammered, but his guilt was written across his features for all to see.
"Draw and quarter the bastard!"someone shouted from the back of the hall.
"Let us have him, my laird!"
Ewan stood, his hand raised for order."Much as this man deserves whatever justice ye would give him, we follow the law, even when dealing with those who do not."
He turned his attention back to Sutherland."As ye are a laird, we cannot keep ye imprisoned indefinitely.But ken this, a formal complaint will be dispatched to the king, detailing yer crimes.Once Laird Ferguson signs it, I will attest to the truth of it."
Sutherland's remaining defiance crumbled at the mention of the king."Ye can't prove anything!"
"We have witnesses," Bhaltair cut him off."We have yer own words, heard by dozens when ye confessed yer crimes in the glen.And we have the testimony of this brave lad and his mother."
He then gestured to where Greig and Ada stood among the crowd.
"Greig and Ada heard yer cousin Paisley confess to spreading lies about my wife.They heard ye threaten to kill innocent people for yer own gain."Bhaltair's voice grew colder with each word."Ye have no defense, Sutherland.Ye have only our mercy, and that is wearing thin."
The hall fell silent as Ewan pronounced his judgment.
"Ye and yer remaining men will be escorted to the border under armed guard.If ye or any bearing yer name set foot on Ferguson or MacKay soil again, ye will be killed on sight.And when the king's justice finds ye—as it will—remember that ye brought it upon yerself through yer own choices."
Two hours later, Sìne watched from the battlements as Sutherland and his surviving men were marched away under heavy guard.They cut a sorry figure in the afternoon sunlight, defeated, disgraced, and facing an uncertain future.
Bhaltair joined her at the wall, slipping his arms around her waist as they watched their enemies disappear into the distance.
"It's over," he said.
"Aye," Sìne agreed, leaning back against his chest."Finally over."
***
TWO DAYS LATER, THEtime came for the MacNeils to return to home.The parting was bittersweet.In the space of a few short days, they had become more than allies.They were true friends.
"I cannot thank ye enough," Bhaltair said as they stood in the courtyard, preparing for the MacNeils' departure."Yer counsel, yer support, yer willingness to stand with us in our darkest hour."
