Page 10 of A Fierce Archer

Ewan nodded. “I will return north to my cousin’s lands. There is much to do there to keep me busy.”

“What of Uist? Will yer father not insist ye return?” Keithen asked.

When his face hardened, Keithen gave him a quizzical look.

Ewan pretended his injury caused discomfort and thus the grimace. He touched his midsection gingerly and then blew a breath out.

“I am the fourth born son, there is nothing for me to do there other than guard. There haven’t been any threats against our clan in the entirety of my father’s life. My father agreed with my departure.”

“What about the Norse? Have they never threatened?” Keithen was curious about the state of affairs in other regions. Ewan understood.

“We are on friendly terms with the ones that do come to Uist. Some have come to meet with my father to propose trades and such. There is actually a small village of Norse on the northernmost portion of the Isle.”

“Interesting,” Keithen said. “I can see why ye wished to leave. Boredom is not good for someone born to be a warrior. I will remind ye that for many years, my clan also had peace. Never forget that things can change from one day to the next.”

Ewan grinned at his friend. “And now ye find yerself married to the enemy’s beautiful daughter.”

“Aye, and very glad for it,” Keithen said as he looked to the head table where his wife, Ava, sat.

Later that evening, Ewan joined Keithen and Broden in the laird’s study. Although Laird Fraser remained distant toward him, the man was anxious to hear what Ewan had to say.

He let out a breath. “The man who attacked me was one of the Mackenzie’s guards. He stated that he wished me dead because he believed I killed the Mackenzie.”

Everyone exchanged looks at his statement.

“Aye, I did it,” Ewan stated. “Ye are aware.”

“So ye finally admit to doing it?” Laird Fraser asked. “We all did suspect.”

Ewan wanted to groan at his actions on the day of the tournament. He looked to Keithen. “Yer wife knows then?”

“She’s not come out and said it, but I think she suspects.”

The laird motioned for him to continue. “What was the guard doing there?”

“Skulking about. I believe because it was he and whoever was with him that attacked the farmer’s family.”

“To what end?” Broden asked, frowning. “They have little to gain from a battle against us. If anything, they have more to lose.”

Everyone went quiet considering the reasoning.

Finally, Ewan decided to give his opinion. “It could be whoever is responsible, be it the Mackenzie or not, hoped ye would blame another clan, perhaps a smaller one and begin warring with one another.”

“There have been similar attacks to both of them. That is enough of a reason for them to retaliate, thinking it was us who are responsible,” Laird Fraser noted. “And yet, that the Mackenzie guard was about does not mean it was them who are responsible.”

“As much as I would like to blame them, I have to agree with father,” Keithen added.

“How can we ever find proof?” Broden asked.

An idea struck and Ewan straightened. “Meet with the other lairds. Perhaps it will be easier to find the truth if ye work together.”

Laird Fraser looked at him and nodded. “I believe I will.”

Messengers were dispatched and Ewan left the laird’s study needing to rest.

His midsection ached, the discomfort growing with each step he took. Holding his arm over his stomach, Ewan walked through the great room toward where his room was.

“Do ye require help getting to bed?” The maid from earlier appeared from the direction of the kitchen.