Page 2 of To Charm a Highlander

“I am Callum Gunn and I wish to speak with Laird Sutherland.”

The man studied him for a minute, looking around the area as if expecting hordes of warriors to emerge from the woods.The guard seemed to want to decide whether to throw hot oil on him or let him see the laird.“Come inside and drop your sword, and I will have someone meet you.”

The drawbridge eased down, the squeals of the chain ringing in the evening air.Callum rode on, Fauvel’s hooves clattering over the wood.He approached the portcullis, which raised, allowing him into the outer bailey.

The portcullis closed behind him, and several warriors stood in a small semi-circle behind one mon, a different warrior than the one on the rampart.His hand firmly rested on his sword as he approached him, then his massive warrior’s body came to a full stop a few steps away and he drew out his sword.“Drop your sword and any knives or other weapons you have on ye.”

Callum pulled his sword from the scabbard on his back.He also removed the sword by his side, and the knives strapped to his thigh, chest, and belt.When he was through, he stepped away from the pile.‘Twas a good thing the Sutherlands were known to be men of honor or there was no doubt he would be a dead mon.

The warrior collected the weapons.“Stay here and I will see if the laird wishes to speak with you.”He turned and left, taking the armor with him, making Callum happy that he hadn’t found the knife strapped to the back of his belt, under his leine and deer skin jerkin.

The other men continued to stand, their hands resting on the swords by their side.He waited more than a quarter of an hour before another man approached him.With no warmth in his greeting, he said, “I am Conall Sutherland, brother to the Laird of Sutherland.”He crossed his arms over his chest.“What brings you to us today?”

“I would prefer to speak directly to the laird.”

“It doona matter to me what ye prefer.The mon who let ye in said ye were Callum Gunn.Do ye come today representing yer laird?

“Nay.”

Silence surrounded them as Conall glared at him.“Are ye aware that the Sutherlands are not on the best of terms with yer clan?”

“The Gunns are not my clan.”

Sutherland stared at him for a moment.“What is your relationship to Laird Gunn?”

Callum spat on the ground.“He is my brother.”

Conall raised his eyebrows.“I ken yer da died in a battle a couple of months ago.Why are ye here?Did yer brother toss ye out?”

“I left.”Callum spread his feet apart.“We had a difference of opinions.”

“Serious enough to make ye leave yer clan?”

“Aye.”

Silence reigned for at least a full minute.Callum was growing weary of the mon’s attitude.It wasna in his best interest to antagonize him, though.With as much control as he could muster, he said, “Am I going to see the laird?”

Conall shook his head.“Nay.The mon is busy.If ye have a message, ye can tell me and I’ll pass the word onto him.”He nodded at the front door and turned toward the steps he’d come down.“Ye can pick up your weapons when ye leave the outer bailey.”

It dinna go as well as he’d hoped.He kenned it would be difficult to join another clan, especially one as powerful as the Sutherlands and who were not in the best of graces with the Gunns.He had hoped, however, to at least be able to speak with the laird.

Frustrated, he turned and with the men who had been watching the exchange following behind him, he started toward the door when he heard a loud scream.He looked over toward the stone staircase on the other side of the room where a young lass was frantically waving her arms as she slipped and began to tumble down.

Being the closest to her, he raced in her direction.She smacked her head against one of the stones in the wall but landed in his outstretched arms with a thump, almost tossing them both to the ground.Her eyes slowly closed.

A red stain grew on his leine where blood dripped from her head.The lass was out cold.He turned with her in his arms and yelled, “We need a healer here.”