Page 58 of Highland Spy

“Ye can both record the events of the Leader of the Lairds Competition,” the king told her. “And I’m goin’ to want to read what both of ye write at the end of the day.”

“Of course. Thank ye, Yer Majesty,” said Brigham with a deep bow.

“Who’s up next?” the king asked.

“Caleb MacKeefe is next,” answered Sorley.

“Ah, guid.” The king chuckled. “After what I read about him in Brigham’s book, I am sure he will do well in the hammer throw.”

Bridget winced when she heard him say this, still regretting she had made Caleb sound so heroic in the book.

“He’s no’ the favored one in this event,” Sorley pointed out. “Angus MacKenzie is, and he’s always won this round of the competition in the past.”

“Well, I favor Caleb MacKeefe,” the king told him. “I’m sure he’ll do well in the hammer throw. And if no’, I’ll be highly disappointed.”

“Please, Caleb,” Bridget whispered, taking her place next to her father. She now wished Caleb had taken the time to practice for the event instead of spending the night with her. If he failed now, she would feel as if it were her fault.

* * *

Logan handed Caleb the hammer as he prepared to take his turn next. The hammer consisted of a heavy iron ball, fastened to the end of a long, wooden pole. The object of the game was to swing the hammer in a circle around the contestant’s head, and then from a standing position, release it, to see how far it flies.

Caleb picked up Slink and handed him to Logan. “Watch Slink for me and keep him away from Jack.”

“Jack is out huntin’ in the woods today, so I dinna expect to see him until tonight,” Logan explained.

Good, thought Caleb. One less thing to worry about. “Och, I’m no’ lookin’ forward to this,” complained Caleb, dusting his hands with powdered chalk.

“Caleb,” called out Storm, limping up to him, using a staff to walk. His foot was still wrapped up.

“Guid mornin’, Storm,” said Caleb with a nod of his head.

Storm came forward and talked in a hushed voice to Caleb and Logan. “Did ye find out yet who the saboteur might be? The king is curious as to what ye’ve discovered.”

“I have some suspicions, but need more evidence,” said Caleb. “I havena had time to investigate further.”

“Why no’?” asked Storm. “The competition was extended and ye had all night to find out more.”

“He was a little busy investigatin’ someone else,” said Logan with a grin.

“Really? Who?”

“I’ll spy some more today, I promise,” Caleb told Storm, not wanting to bring Bridget into this conversation. “I need to concentrate on throwin’ the hammer now.”

“Aye,” agreed Storm. “And I dinna need to remind ye how important it is for the MacKeefes to win this competition since we are hostin’ the event and the king is our guest.”

“I’m doin’ my best,” said Caleb, feeling the pressure even more now.

“Well, do even better,” Storm demanded. “I have to win, and I willna accept second place. I dinna want to lose the title and crown.”

“I understand,” said Caleb. Storm’s competitive nature made it sound as if he believed he was the one actually competing even though it was the furthest thing from the truth.

Caleb walked by Angus who was preparing for his throw since he’d go last. The man looked overconfident which only added to Caleb’s nervousness.

“MacKeefe, ye ken I’m the champ in the hammer throw,” Angus reminded him. “So dinna get yer hopes up. After all, ye are so small, I doubt if ye can even lift it.” He and his friends laughed at Caleb, making him angry and giving him the extra burst of energy he needed to show them all how wrong they were. Caleb wanted to look good in the king’s eyes and for Bridget, too. Plus, Storm and the entire MacKeefe Clan were counting on him. He was their only chance to keep the title. The last thing he wanted to do was let anyone down.

“Just worry about yerself, Angus,” said Caleb, stepping out onto the field to take his turn. The announcer called out his name and Caleb let out a deep breath. He’d only tried this once or twice and didn’t feel as if he were very good at it. Now, he wished he would have gotten more involved when his friends often bet against each other in competitions such as this.

With both hands gripped tightly to the handle, Caleb started to swing it around his head. The heavy hammer whizzed through the air around him, and over his head several times before he let it go. Standing with his back to the direction he’d thrown the hammer, he hoped it would go far.