Daring the Highlander ~ The Legacy of MacLeod Book 2 by Laurin Wittig

Author:Laurin Wittig [Wittig, Laurin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2016-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

AILIG ENTERED THE hall slowly, still reeling from Neill’s untimely collapse, yet he had no time to dwell on that turn of events, not with the sudden arrival of the king’s man. He could see the messenger and Skaeth sitting at a table near the dais, their heads bent close in conversation, the remains of a meal shoved to one side. There was a swath of unoccupied space about them, but there were many more people in the room than was normal for this time of the day, and all of them seemed to have found some task to busy themselves with that kept them close at hand.

As Ailig strode through the hall, he sent people scattering out of his way.

“On behalf of the chief of Clan Leod of Assynt, I welcome you,” he said, his voice pitched carefully so none would guess the strain he experienced. He had no official right to speak for the chief, and yet someone must. “I hope you have enjoyed your meal.” He nodded to Skaeth, who raised his chin slightly in greeting.

Ailig slid into the seat next to Skaeth, across from their guest. “You have a message for the chief?”

“Aye. Are you Ailig?”

“I am.”

The man nodded. “I am directed to speak to you, and if you are not yet chief, your father as well.”

“Neill, chief of this clan, has taken ill just this morning. Perhaps you should speak with the council.”

Skaeth looked at him askance. “He’ll speak with you, Ailig,” he said, turning an enigmatic look at the newcomer as he rose from the table. “I have training to see to.” He gave a little bow to their guest, then left.

Ailig noted the sign of respect, something he had not seen before in Skaeth, and he bent his attention more fully to the man across from him.

“You are a friend of Skaeth’s?”

“Nay, but we found we had much in common,” the man said, rising.

Ailig puzzled over this. “You have much in common? I have not found Skaeth willing to reveal anything about himself, beyond his skills as a mercenary.”

The messenger shrugged. “Perhaps he was of a mind for a good blether this day.”

“Perhaps.” He did not have time to worry over Skaeth revealing himself to this stranger. There was nothing damaging he would disclose, for Skaeth was not yet privy to the latest news.

“Is the chief well enough to receive His Majesty’s missive?”

“I fear not. If you wish, you may convey the message to me and I shall see it delivered when he is well enough.”

“The king bade me give it directly to the chief. He said you should be present, if you were not yet chief, but I was to give it to the chief.”

Ailig took a deep breath. There would be no hiding Neill’s collapse from the king. ’Twas just as well. ’Twould help nothing to hide the circumstances from the king.

“Very well,” he said to the messenger, as he rose from the table. “Follow me.”

As they entered the chief’s antechamber, Ailig stopped.

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