Page 22 of Highland Flame

“No’ me, ye fool.” Yvaine looked down at Avianca, who was sitting on the ground, twirling a blade of grass in her fingers. “After all, she is yer responsibility now.”

Cam opened his mouth, but never got to protest, since his friends agreed with her.

“That’s right,” said North. “She’s yer child so ye need to look after her.”

“Dinna even think of tellin’ us to do it again.” Nash pushed past Cam, followed by North as they made their way to the hall for something to eat.

“Well?” Yvaine crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.

“Canna ye just –”

“Nay!” she spat. “It is time ye take responsibility for yer actions, Cam MacKeefe, starting right here, right now.” Yvaine stepped around him and headed to the refectory as well. She didn’t think he’d just leave the girl there alone. If she did, she never would have walked away. Peering over her shoulder, she smiled. Cam reached down and took the little girl’s hand, talking to her as they followed the rest to the hall to eat.

Mayhap there was a chance for redemption for the fool, after all.

*

“What is this?”asked Cam, sitting on a bench in the refectory next to his friends. He put one bowl of food down in front of Avianca, and wrapped his hands around the other as he peered into it, thinking he’d made a mistake. Perhaps this was leftover paste from the scriptorium to glue the books together.

“It is cooked oats with a hint of cinnamon and honey.” Yvaine put her bowl on the table and sat down next to him.

“I think it’s supposed to be our meal.” Nash held up a spoonful and made a face.

“Nay. This canna be real food. Can it?” North inspected the gruel, letting the thin slop fall from the spoon back into the bowl.

“It’s what the monks eat.” Yvaine dipped her spoon into the bowl, blowing on the hot oats and nibbling at them.

“Nay, really,” said Cam, throwing down his spoon. “Where is the meal?”

“This is it.” Yvaine nodded at the bowl.

“I like it,” said Avianca, smiling and eating it without complaining.

“Well, I dinna like it,” spat Cam, starting to stand up. “I’m goin’ to talk to Brother Gillies and tell him –”

“My guests,” said Brother Gillies, walking up behind him. “I want to make sure you have enough to eat, so I, and some of my brothers will wait until you have all had your fill before we take our food.”

“Brathair, that is so noble of ye, but no’ necessary,” said Yvaine, continuing to eat.

“It is the least I can do for the men who protected you on your way to the priory.” Brother Gillies smiled and nodded. “Cam, do you want me to bring more for you and your friends?”

Cam sat back down, not knowing what to say to the monk who was making a huge sacrifice for them.

“Cam, didna ye want to tell him somethin’?” asked Nash in a hoarse whisper.

“What is it?” asked Brother Gillies with concern in his voice. “I hope nothing is wrong. You are our guests and I want you to be happy.”

“Go on. Tell him,” North said, urging him on.

“Tell me what?” asked Gillies.

“Cam wanted to tell ye –” started Yvaine, but Cam cut her off.

“I wanted to thank ye for yer hospitality,” said Cam.

“That’s no’ what ye were goin’ to say,” mumbled North.

“Nay. He was goin’ to say –” This time Nash was cut off by Cam.