Of the rest of his hunting party there was no sign.
Talorc willed his human form to emerge and seconds later the air shimmered around him as he became a man again. He let out a subsonic growl of warning that had two of the young men spinning to face him.
Damn it, neither could have had more than sixteen summers. The youth on the left showed more intelligence than his companion because the color drained from his face and he offered his neck in instant submission.
The four humans moved only after they realized their companions had done so. They didnt seem able to decide who posed the bigger threat, so they angled their bodies to the side. With more experienced warriors, such a maneuver might have been beneficial, but with these near children, all it did was make them more vulnerable.
Talorc glowered at them all with acute disapproval. The Donegal soldiers needed proper training. Badly.
The young Chrechte who did not have the sense to look frightened, frowned at his fellow clansmen before facing Talorc defiantly. These waters belong to the Donegal clan. You cant have them.
The king says otherwise.
The youth made a sound of disgust. He carries the stench of the Sassenach and mimics their ways.
You do not submit to your king?
I follow the way of the Chrechte. We fight for that
which is ours.
You challenge me for the right to this land? Talorc asked.
I do. The youths voice shook, but his stance of defiance did not falter.
Talorc couldnt help respecting the boys courage if not his wisdom.
What is going on? Abigail peeked from between the two Sinclair warriors blocking her way out of the cave. Her damp hair and glowing skin indicated she had been soaking as directed when the impetuous young Donegal soldiers arrived. He did not think that was the reason for the flush in her lovely face though.
She was staring at his naked body in a way that would have an effect on his manhood soon. Do you always cavort around the forest in the altogether, Talorc?
I was hunting.
So I was informed. She cleared her throat and closed her eyes for a second, only to open them again almost immediately. I did not realize Scotsman hunted in the nude. You were wearing a plaid when you returned from the hunt the night before our wedding, she said almost accusingly.
You have much to learn of our ways.
She sighed, making a production of it. I suppose I do. I think I need to learn something of them now about why these children are here.
We are men, the bolder Chrechte soldier insisted.
Abigail, to her credit, did not gainsay him but merely looked with expectation at Talorc. Obviously, his wife expected an explanation. He just did not know if she was going to like hearing it.
These warriors do not cede the right to this land or the hot springs to the Sinclair clan. He gave them the respect of calling them warriors. More seasoned soldiers of their clan had not thought to challenge Talorcs claim.
If they had, Talorc was honest enough with himself to know he would not have been as lenient. More experienced men that had the gall to challenge him would already be dead.
They are challenging you? Abigail asked in confusion. They dont respect the wishes of their king?
Aye.
I see. She looked at the young Donegals, measuring each one with her soft brown gaze. Then she shook her head. Brave, but foolish.
Her words so closely reflected his own thoughts that Talorc found his lips almost curving into a smile before he caught himself.
Showing his first bit of wisdom so far, the Chrechte boy remained silent in the face of Abigails observation. His compatriots looked like they were already questioning the intelligence of their actions, but none of them appeared ready to back down.
Again, he could respect that.
Are you going to accept the challenge? his wife asked after a moment of silence.
Yes.
Five of the six young soldiers flinched, but the bold Chrechte youth merely looked more determined.
Abigail crossed her arms and nodded. Good.
You approve? he asked in shock.
He would have thought his gentle wife too compassionate to commend behavior so far from her civilized world.
It is obvious these young mens honor demands you win the land.
He nodded, still bemused by his wifes easy acceptance, not to mention her insight into the ways of their people.
Besides, you will not kill him. She did not make it a question.
I wont?
She just looked at him.
It bothered him that she seemed able to read his intentions so clearly, but she was right. He would not make the cost of bravery for these young soldiers be their lives.
Before he could say anything else, the hunting party returned. Though he did not know where they had been. The fragrance of roasting meat told him they had been back to the clearing at least once already.
Were you able to find anything? Abigail asked them.
They both looked at him for instruction, having responded to his warning howl.
My wife sent you on an errand?
Aye, she did, Niall answered for them. She wanted vegetables and berries for the evening meal.