Jack went out to the village with his guards early the next morning to calm the riot at the market square. His guards managed to settle the uprising, but the angry chants and protests from the people continued.
“Another farmer was murdered last night,” Aideen informed him. “I think Jamie was right and this the work of the Blacks.”
“My Clan is a target,” Jack said. “Someone is tryin’ to cause a rift between me and my people and it’s workin’,” he said when he saw the crowd of villagers weeping and chanting in their native language.
“My Laird, we must send a man far north to speak with the leader of the Blacks,” Aideen said to convince him.
“I cannae dae that,” Jack replied. “We dinnae ken for certain that the Blacks are responsible, and if they are why would they choose Humphreys of all the Clans closest to them? What could they possibly want? Land? Gold?”
The possibility of making new enemies since they now possess gold which was very valuable in the entire Highland was real. Jack had hoped he would not have to wage war on any clan, but he still would do anything to protect his people.
Even if it meant going to war.
A worker pushed a cart full of already furnaced gold past them and Jack’s jaw hardened.
Elliot must have read his thoughts because he instantly announced. “Gold. Humphreys was never a target to any clan, and after our faither’s death we ceased being threats too. Now that we have gold we are on their minds.”
“Unless someone is usin’ the Blacks to try and take power from us, I dinnae see why Norsemen will be interested in our land or gold,” Jack replied. “It is definitely one of the Clans, and they are using our own men against us.”
Jack could not think of anyone else he could trust other than his brother, Jamie, and Aideen. With their help, he could find this enemy and end them.
He rubbed the back of his neck and stood with his brother and cousin while his guards worked on calming the riot. When Jack finally had the villager's attention, he began to address them in his native dialect.
Jack had left Jamie at the Castle to handle the meeting with the council. As he rounded up his speech, he saw Jamie ride toward them with speed.
Jamie dismounted his saddle, bowed his head then said to Jack. “The councilmen were harder to calm today. They insist the Laird attends to the urgent requests at the borders. The Calloways refused our payment and have requested for payment in gold instead.”
Jack’s neck muscles tensed, and he shook his head. “Never have we paid the Calloways in gold ever.”
“Back then we dinnae have it. Now we dae,” his cousin stated.
“Nonsense, I willnae have this.” Jack grew livid. “I will ride for Calloway and make sure those men see reason myself.”
He mounted his saddle as he spoke but could not move because his cousin stopped him. “Anger isnae the way to settle disputes, My Laird,” Aideen said. “Tossing caution to the wind isnae right. First we must come up with a plan. If ye dinnae want to offer gold, we should have another plan for negotiations sake.”
“We dinnae need another plan,” Jamie said. “We can ride to Calloway and make them accept payment like they always have. In good faith, of course, except they are rousin’ to start a war.”
“The Calloways have been allies of our Clan for centuries. They exist as a small colony in Kirkpatrick, but doesnae mean that they dinnae have the backin’ and support of Laird Kirkpatrick, they are after all one house only divided because of circumstances. We cannae make enemy of them by underestimatin’ their power, My Laird… we must act with caution.”
“The Kirkpatrick history isnae what I am interested in,” Jack cut in. He already sensed an argument looming between Jamie and Aideen and he didn’t want that.
“I will ride for Kirkpatrick,” he continued, “in good faith and I will make them an offer. If they want gold in exchange for their border way, then I assume I might consider it if the offer is reasonable.”
Aideen seemed pleased with his decision, but Jamie did not. He rode back to the Castle and spent the rest of his day in his study mapping out an offer for the Calloways.
Jamie came into his study later that evening, and Jack offered him a drink. They shared a bottle of brandy and discussed his proposal. Although his Clan had gold, they still needed the means to do business with the other Highland clans and Calloway’s water way was their only out to the Clans in the west and east.
Why did they turn against me now?He hadn’t thought far enough to reason that the gold might benefit his Clan as well as cause issues.
“There is somethin’ I must tell ye, My Laird,” Jamie said to him after he closed the scroll in front of him and lifted his quaich to his lips for another sip of his drink.
“A friend of mine… a merchant from Clan Campbell traveled to England of recent times and I sent word to him askin’ about the Lady Isla’s family. He sent word back.”
Jamie’s words about Isla’s family instantly made his heart do a slow dive in his chest and panic rose in him.
Jack’s attention moved to Jamie as he lifted his gaze to meet his. “Ye did what?” he asked in a cold tone. “Why did ye do that?”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed a bit, and Jack could see his surprise. Jack’s entire body froze, and his mind did a rapid spin.