Chapter Four

Once again his uncle made Ruari wait before finally appearing. "Nephew, I did nae expect to see ye so soon." He didn't acknowledge Kier, who stood just behind Ruari.

"My guard will in all probability lose the use of his leg. All because ye insisted I provide an escort when ye have more than enough men at yer disposal."

His uncle went to sit and both Ruari and Kier joined him.

Archibald motioned for servants to bring forth the midday meal. Trays replete with meats, root vegetables, and cheeses were placed before them.

"Eat." The command was accompanied by his uncle motioning to the tray with both hands. He acted as if Ruari should be impressed with the bounty before him.

"Uncle, ye were there, what exactly occurred?"

A servant poured wine into their cups and his uncle piled food on his plate seeming to ignore his question.

Ruari decided to eat and perhaps that would help him get more information.

Although Finnian had accompanied his uncle on that day as well, the warrior had been sent ahead and had not seen what happened.

"The boy must not be experienced with a horse," his uncle spoke while chewing. "Otherwise, he would have rolled away before the beast landed on him."

"He is a very good horseman. Either he was stunned from the fall, or something else happened."

Archibald rolled his eyes and motioned to Ruari's plate. "Yer food will be cold." Then after a long draw from the cup, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"The guard's leg broke when it became tangled in the horse's saddle. That is why he could nae avoid the animal falling on him."

Visualizing the event made Ruari cringe. All he could picture was how much pain both Robbie and the beast had endured. Not only that, but the man would have to be informed that his horse had been put to death.

"The horse was an experienced warhorse," Ruari stated having a hard time imagining the animal not noting a hole.

"Is there a reason for yer visit, other than to babble about a guard?" His uncle was becoming annoyed.

"I came to request additional guards. After this incident. I only have nine guardsmen."

"Oh, that." His uncle waved his concern away with a flick of a wrist. "Ye claim not to have any troubles with neighboring lairds. Why have guards at all? Have ye considered taking a wife?"

The abrupt change of subject caught Ruari off guard. Instead of replying to the question, he continued with the aforementioned subject. "If the reply is nae about the guardsmen, I will have to find men and train them myself."

His uncle gave him a droll look. "Every man under me is here because they are required to be. Ye do understand that because ye live down the river from me my men protect ye as well. We have enemies on three sides of our borders."

With a frustrated breath his uncle continued speaking in a patronizing tone. "There are spies everywhere. Our enemies are informed of everything. If they learn I am giving guards away, it will only fuel their desires to take us over."

That he said "we" and "us" made Ruari furious. Whatever enemies they had were because of Archibald's inability to keep his word. Each time a truce had been agreed upon, his uncle had violated the terms.

"I need more men," Ruari repeated. "Ye can afford to give me ten."

If Ruari were to be honest, he did not really need the men. However, experienced men would be able to train more, which is what his ulterior motive was for the request.

His uncle stared forward and continued eating. "Ye did nae reply to my question. A wife?"

"I have been laird barely a year. Father instilled in me the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of our people first and foremost. Taking a wife is not a priority."

"Ye are thirty," his uncle said. "Ye should consider marrying. It keeps a man from worrying over inconsequential things." It struck Ruari as comical that his uncle's current wife chose to live with her family to avoid being near him.

Each of his uncle's statements was like a burr in his side. Upon Ruari's father's death, Ruari had done his best to continue the cordial relationship with the neighboring lairds. That his own uncle did not seem to understand that was astounding. At the same time, Archibald Stuart was only enthralled with himself and his need for power.

His uncle rubbed his chin. "Perhaps if I see ye have plans to marry and become more settled, I will agree to give ye some men."

"Fine, I will marry this year. Can I have ten men?"

After a long beat, Archibald lifted both hands as if giving up. "Very well, ye may have eight, but they will volunteer, and I must agree to each of them before they depart."

Before his uncle could change his mind, Ruari pushed away from the table and stood. "May I speak to the men now?"

Eyes to the ceiling, his uncle reluctantly called two guards forward. "Balstair and Edgar, come."

Two warriors approached. One bulky, almost the size of Kier, the other slenderer, but still had the look of a seasoned fighter.

"Balstair is head of the warriors, Edgar of the archers. Ye may have four of each," his uncle explained and then looked to his men, who had astonished expressions. "Have the men gather. Ask for volunteers. Then return to me with who they are. I will choose who can or cannot go."

It took rounds of his uncle denying every man who volunteered and then arguing with Balstair and Edgar, and with Ruari before he finally got the eight men.

What was comical, was that his uncle didn't seem to note that most of the men had volunteered to leave. Instead, he seemed to take delight in denying most of them. Some twice.

"I wonder," his uncle said studying him through narrowed eyes. "Do ye request additional men in order to have an upper hand at the upcoming festival ye will be hosting?"

Only his uncle would think everyone was as calculating as him.

Finally, both Ruari and Kier went to their bedchamber.

"That was painful," Ruari said pouring whiskey into a cup. "No wonder both of his sons left. What is astounding is that he finds fault with everyone, not noting it is he who is the problem."

Kier chuckled. "I must admire the men who were bold enough to come before him more than once."

"I think we ended up with some good men as it is evident my uncle is nae aware of their capabilities." Ruari drained his cup. "We leave in the morning with our men.

After breaking his fast the following morning, Ruari went to the stables. The stablemaster greeted him. "I can fetch yer horse Laird."

"I have a favor to ask of ye. I require a horse, one of good breeding and nae too spirited."

The stablemaster's brow lowered in thought. "I do have a black steed that is much too docile for battle. He has a proud look but too gentle of a nature."

"I will take him with me," Ruari stated, not giving any indication that he'd not asked his uncle. He doubted Archibald ever came to the stables to speak to the man, but just in case he added, "Did my uncle have any plans for it?"

"Nay, yer uncle doesn't bother with such things."

"Good. I will take him then."

Upon departing with the eight additional men and nine horses, Ruari was satisfied with the outcome of his visit. In the coming months, he planned to grow his guard, not to the size of his uncles, but to at least thirty men. Once that was done, he would be assured that his villagers and keep were well protected.

They followed a long creek toward his lands, but made sure to stay clear of Macdonald lands.

"I did nae know we were here to ask for additional men," Keir stated looking over at him. "I thought the purpose of our visit was to ask what happened to Robbie."

"It was nae planned to be honest," Ruari stated. "I wanted him to understand what he'd caused and to tell me the truth about what occurred to Robbie. When he lied, I decided to have him pay a price."

"What do ye think really happened."

"I think he or one of his men argued with Robbie and then ran his horse in the path of a hole in the road."

"To what ends?" Keir asked.

Ruari blew out a harsh breath. "My uncle probably became annoyed when Robbie wouldn't grovel and agree to be his lapdog."

"That sounds possible," Kier replied. "So ye then decided he would pay with men and horses." His friend gave him an approving look.

They rode in silence for a while. It was strange to be leading men back to his small keep. They'd have to build a guardhouse and some temporary housing. Then once the accommodations were complete, the new guards would be given time to return home to pack up and return with their families, if they had any.

Despite the new guards and horse for Robbie, Ruari didn't feel as if he'd accomplished enough with the visit.

He looked to Kier. "Ye should move into the keep. That will give an extra room in the guard quarters, until new ones are built.

Chopping trees and building will be the primary concern for now. If ye wish to return to live in the guard quarters after, it is up to ye."

"I expect to prefer being away from them at night," Kier replied and then frowned. "Why do ye think yer uncle brought up marriage?"

"He does that kind of thing, abruptly changing the subject in an attempt to distract. I dinnae think he cares if I marry."

Ruari didn't add that he'd considered that at his age, perhaps his uncle was right, and it was time for him to settle and find a wife.

He had few prospects. The surrounding lairds were professed enemies of his clan. Despite his good rapport with the Campbell, the man was part of a powerful clan and could aspire to much better matches for his two daughters. Even if the Macdonald of the south would ever agree to a match with one of his daughters, his uncle would intervene and not allow it.

The clan to the west, Clan MacLachlan was small like his, he'd never gotten to know the laird, as the man was older and rarely ventured away from his home.

"There are women in the village," Keir said interrupting his thoughts. Obviously his friend had gotten to know him so well that he'd guessed his thoughts.

"Aye, there are. I dinnae aspire to more than a good woman who will take care of my home and raise our bairns."

"And keep yer bed warm," Keir added. "Ensure all yer needs are met."

Ruari slid his friend a glance and chuckled. "Ye have given it some thought."

Keir looked away. "I am giving ye suggestions, that is all."

"Right."

Ruari thought about Robbie and what the man's future held. Without the use of his leg, he would have to find another way to make a living.

Robbie had mentioned that one day he'd take over the mill, hopefully he would be able to do it without help. There was also the possibility of some kind of duty at the keep. Ruari felt responsible. If he'd not sent the man to escort his uncle, then the injury would not have happened.

He'd taken the black horse as a gift for Robbie. A compensation of sorts.

If Robbie lost his leg, it would be a useless gesture.