Page 43 of My Brave Highlander

"Who?" Haldane demanded.

Conall hesitated, his fierce blue eyes scanning the room. Did he dare blurt out the truth, Dirk wondered.

"I have no proof as to the murderer's identity," Conall finally admitted.

"You know naught, then." Haldane smirked. "If this is truly Dirk MacKay, where has he been all these years?"

"Many places," Dirk said.

"You are not my father's son."

Dirk snorted and narrowed his eyes. Who did this lad think he was? Dirk was just the man to teach this wee bastard a few things.

Two male clan elders gathered close, visually inspecting Dirk.

"Aye, 'tis Dirk MacKay, as sure as I'm standing here," Ranald, his father's sword-bearer said. "He is the image of his father at that age. He has the look of our Northman ancestors."

"He has a red birthmark in the shape of a dirk on his back. I saw it the day he was born. To Chief Griff, this was a sign he should be called Dirk. That will surely prove who he is," his great uncle Hamish said. Though he had a thick white beard, he appeared hale and hearty.

"You jest!" Haldane said. "A mark upon his back means naught."

The half dozen clan elders ignored him and gathered to talk low in a corner with their heads together.

Dirk had forgotten about the birthmark since it was on the back part of his shoulder. But he was glad the clan might use it to prove his identity.

The elders mumbled for a few moments then faced them again. "Aye, we must see the birthmark and then there will be no more question about his identity," Uncle Hamish said.

"Very well." Dirk removed his outer clothing, his doublet and his shirt until he was bare from the waist up.

"Aye, there 'tis!" Uncle Hamish said to his fellow clansmen and poked the back of Dirk's left shoulder. "You see, 'tis reddish in color and the shape of a Highland dirk, the MacKay's symbol." The other elders murmured their agreement behind him. "Turn and allow the whole clan to see, lad."

Dirk did as he asked, then the clan elders gathered in the corner again to discuss things.

"I will not allow him to take what is rightfully my brother's," Haldane seethed.

His brother's? Dirk's gaze darted back and forth between Aiden's meek, confused frown and Haldane's malicious one.

"Shut your mouth, you upstart lad," Uncle Conall snapped.

"I'm far more than a lad. I, along with my men, lifted a dozen cattle from the Gunns but last month. They feared us so much they let us do it."

Putting his shirt on again, Dirk glared at his brother. Was that how he proved that he was a man? Stealing from and provoking neighboring clans. Aye, it was a time-honored Highland tradition, but this would do naught but cause future strife. Too many were killed in clan feuds as it was.

"You have men?" Dirk asked.

"The men of the MacKay clan. Aiden authorized the raid. 'Tis what we do to prove our manhood here, something I'm sure you've never done."

"Never needed to. 'Tis obvious I'm a man." Dirk forced himself not to smirk. "Besides I was at university when I was your age."

"University?" Haldane snorted. "Of what use is that? It only makes you more like the Sassenachs."

"All chiefs are required by the king to send their eldest sons."

Haldane shrugged. "Ma brought in tutors. I wager we know as much as you do."

The six clan elders disbanded from their private conference. "We will have a hearing to decide whether Dirk MacKay, eldest son and legal heir of Griff MacKay, will become chief," Hamish said in a loud voice. "This meeting will be held three days hence."

Dirk gave a bow of respect to them. "I thank you."