Marti Talbott's Highlander Series, Volume 5 by Marti Talbott

Author:Marti Talbott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Scotland, Young Adult, ya, family saga
Publisher: M T Creations
Published: 2011-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

NEIL WAS ALONE IN THE Great Hall when Thomas came back from bathing in the loch and changing into a MacGreagor kilt. He dropped the meager sacks the three of them brought with them near a wall, went to enjoy the warmth of the crackling fire for a moment and grinned. “I have much to tell you, cousin.”

“And I you, but first tell me about Laird Cameron. After the plague, we heard little of your people.”

Thomas joined Neil at the table and accepted the goblet of wine he handed him. “The Cameron is a ruthless lad. He seized control an hour after Blair died and there were nearly fifty willing to side with him. The rest had not the strength or the desire to fight. Now they regret it, but there is little they can do. He is strong in numbers, giving over unthinkable generosity to keep his lads loyal.”

“Why did the Camerons stop speaking to us?”

Thomas shrugged. “Who understands the mind of a daft lad? Laird Cameron spoke an edict not to talk to any of the other clans and we were afraid to betray him. We planned to ask for your help in our fight against him but the MacDonalds attacked you before we could.”

“Who is we?”

Thomas paused to take a gulp of wine and let the warmth fill his body. “We numbered only six and twenty, mostly under the age of fifteen when we began to plan. The best of us were far more brave in speech than in actions, I must confess. The plague took seven of us, the months passed, we got older and as I said, we waited too long.”

“I see. How old are you now?”

“Seventeen.” Thomas downed the rest of his wine and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Speaking of plagues, I hasten to give you Julia.”

It made Neil grin, “That bad, is she?”

“When she is riled, which is often, she breathes fire.”

“And Catlin, does she breathe fire?”

“Nay, she does not take after her mother. Now there was a woman who could give you a glimpse into hell and then make you wish you were there. I swear by all that is holy I have never again taken a sweet bread without asking.”

Neil laughed and was beginning to like this man very much. He reminded him a great deal of Connor. “I missed your parents after they went to live with the Camerons. I confess I did not truly understand their decision.” His mind wandered back to the day Sween threw Rachel, Connor and their small children off MacGreagor land. He would never forget watching them ride up the hill and disappear over the top.

“Cousin?”

“Do forgive me, what?”

“It was my mother who tried to kill Sween.”

Neil was stunned. “Aunt Rachel did it? She missed and I thought her a better shot than that.” He could not help but chuckle. “You cannot know how much I regretted that missed shot. But I suppose your parents told you about all that.”

“Every detail. Father often liked to tell how you outwitted your brother’s lads.

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