The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (5 page)

             
Alana guided her to one of the much larger tables that were off to the side. She could now clearly make out many shoes of leather and other materials, as well as many various laces for boots.

             
A man with graying hair greeted them instantly, more specifically looking at Alana and asking, “How do ye fare, Alana?”

             
Kirstin watched as a smile made way to Alana’s lips, “I fare just fine. The weather canna be any more beautiful.”

             
The older man’s eyes gazed upon Alana, and he said, “Nor could ye.”

             
Alana blushed instantly, making Kirstin’s eyebrows rise as she observed the scene unfold.

             
“How can I help the both of ye?” he finally asked, breaking away from the intensity of their conversation.

             
Alana motioned towards Kirstin, “Laird Bateson has instructed me to take this youngling here to town, to retrieve her a new pair of shoes.”

             
“Ah,” the man said, turning to Kirstin, “I believe I have no’ been introduced. The name is Ewan, and I am the cordwainer of this area.”

             
Kirstin curtsied, introducing herself almost too quietly for Ewan to hear.

             
Luckily it was easy for them to find her a pair of new shoes that fit, for her foot size was quite common. They closed the bargain, paying only so many of the gold coins that Kirstin noticed Alana had in a leather pouch. There was no doubt in her mind that Lachlan had provided her with the money.

             
Ewan and Alana began to talk again, a rosy pigment arising on the woman’s pale cheeks. Not wanting to intervene, Kirstin slipped away from the flirtatious couple.

             
She did not walk too far, as she remembered Alana’s demand to stay near her. She ventured to a table that carried many necklaces and stones of all sorts. She observed the items with wide eyes, as a child would while looking at sweets.

             
“See anything that interests ye?” a strong, gloating voice spooked her from behind and Kirstin had turned around to come face to face with green eyes. The man was tall and could not have been much older than Lachlan himself, at least two and twenty years.

             
She did not observe only his red hair and rough beard, but the many scars that scattered about his sculpted body. Though, he was not nearly as toned as Lachlan, something about this man told her that she would not want to see him in a fit of rage.

             
“Nay,” she curtsied, “I was only browsing.”

             
The man scrutinized her, “I have no’ seen ye here before. What do you call yerself?” he quarried.

             
Her eyes glanced towards Alana hesitantly, who was still chatting away with Ewan. “My name?” she questioned, wondering if she should give her identity away to this man.

             
“Aye,” he chuckled lowly, “Yer name. Ye must have one.”

             
“Oh,” she drawled, making eye contact with him once more, “Kirstin.”

             
The man smiled, “Kirstin.” He said as if testing her name on his lips, “They call me Graham. ‘Tis a pleasure to meet a young woman of such beauty. How many years do ye have?”

             
“Seven and ten.” She said. Now, feeling uncomfortable, Kirstin took a step back, “I must get back to my friend.”

             
“And who is yer friend?” he asked once more. Kirstin wearily looked around the many tables, eyeing Alana who had yet to notice her penetrating gaze.

             
Graham followed her gaze and she could have sworn his eyes narrowed at the elderly woman, “Yer a servant of Laird Bateson?” he asked.

Her eyes shot back to Graham, and she gave a wry smile, “Aye. Now if you would excuse me, I must be going.”

              He nodded once, watching her scurry off toward Alana. Kirstin didn’t stop there, tugging at the woman’s arm and grabbing hold of her attention. Graham watched as Alana turned her head to him, and saw her hostile expression that matched his. She nodded once to Kirstin, and led her away from the many tables, barely saying farewell to Ewan whom she had spoken so intimately to. Kirstin noticed the tension between Graham and Alana, and couldn’t help but wonder if they knew one another.

             
Though, little did Kirstin know, that she had caught the attention of the red-haired man.



              The two servants had finished shopping and gathering product such as herbs for cooking and soaps for bathing. As they walked the long way back to the manor, Kirstin said, “I much enjoy going to town. Do ye think I could come more often?”

             
Alana smiled, already forgetting the incident with Graham, “I donna see why not. I am sure that the laird wouldna mind it, if you brought the matter up to him.”

             
The mention of Lachlan put Kirstin on edge, especially since she would have to go to him to inquire about going to town as a part of her daily routine.

             
“I will ask him tonight.” She said, more so to herself.

             
Alana grinned, all too knowing. Then, they finished their walk back to the manor with their basket full.



              Four burly men stood around Lachlan’s desk, as he sat at it with a high head and straight shoulders. His four strongest men were discussing politics in hushed tones, as Lachlan listened intently.

             
It was by the end of the day, and the sun had already fallen. Each man, including Lachlan himself, had a mug of ale or flask of wine in his hand. They were not drunk, for their tolerances of the alcoholic beverages were much too high to make them so.

             
As if perfect timing had arisen, Roderick entered the study, panting for breath.

             
“What is the matter with ye, boy?” came Lachlan’s stern voice. Roderick met his gaze with a worried look.

             
“I fear that the messenger we sent out, has yet to return. It has been almost a day since we he had been sent. Though,” he said, digging in his pocket, “A servant found this by the door.” Roderick handed Lachlan the crumpled piece of paper that he had retrieved.

             
The four other occupants watched with stern faces and wary eyes, as Lachlan scanned the letter. In only a minute, the letter was crumpled to a tight ball within the palm of his hand, and Lachlan threw it aside with force.

             
“Tis but impossible.” His voice had lowered a tone, and a dark look masked his face.

             
“I fear not, my Laird.” Roderick bowed his head, “Tis but another threat.”

             
Just then, one of the burly men interrupted, “What did it say?”

             
Lachlan glanced up at him, glaring, “It as a threat of warning, written in the blood of our messenger.”

             
Roderick cringed, but the other men only tensed slightly.

             
“Let us strike back!” another man gloated, and everyone roared in agreement except for Lachlan and Roderick. Lachlan shook his head, gritting his teeth.

             
“Nay.” He quarried, and the man looked back at him shocked.

             
“Why not? Something must be done.” He argued with the laird.

             
Lachlan sprang up from his chair and was holding the man by his throat in mere seconds. The man choked and gasped for air, as Lachlan’s words pierced through his wheezing, “Do ye question my motives?”

             
The man could barely shake his head in response, as his face was becoming red from the lack of oxygen.

             
“Then I advise ye to not share yer disagreement again.” Lachlan sneered.

             
Unfortunately for Lachlan, he did not recognize the new presence in the room. Only when he heard her sharp gasp, did he turn his head to the doorway.

             
Oh, what a sight to see for little Kirstin. A room full of burly men clad in armor, and amidst them all was Lachlan choking the largest of them. She took a fearful step back, just as Lachlan pushed the man away, his expression unreadable.

             
“Kirstin.” He greeted, his voice kind to the young blonde. All but Roderick looked at Lachlan strangely, as his overall demeanor changed in an instant and all because of the girl.

             
“Mayhap,” she hesitated, looking between all of the men and then lastly at Lachlan, “’Tis no’ a good time. I will come back in the morrow.” She turned around sharply, leaving an appalled looking Lachlan and many confused occupants. Kirstin had barely made it halfway down the hallway before an arm reached out and grabbed her shoulder. She was pulled back and then lightly pushed against the wall.

             
Lachlan stared down at her, his arms bulging and his eyes dark.

             
“What is it ye wanted to speak to me about?” he asked in a mere whisper. The moon’s light shone on his face, from a window at the end of the hallway. It made him look all the more fearful, but also handsome, as it made his strong features all the more distinct.

             
“I-I-I” she stuttered, barely able to make a sentence. She was still thrown off guard from approaching one of his many rages. Kirstin now fully understood why Lachlan was the most feared and merciless amongst these lands, as he couldn’t have been anymore terrifying back in his study. Kirstin felt for the man who had been in a chokehold, and could only imagine what it would be like if it were she in that position.

             
“Tell me, I beg of ye.” Lachlan pleaded, wanting to know why she had sought for him.

             
“I,” she began again, “I was inquiring if I could go into town with Alana, on a daily basis. ‘Tis but a silly time to ask ye, and I apologize for interrupting.” She also severely regretted it. The last thing Kirstin wanted was to watch a man’s throat be wringed by her laird.

             
“Of course.” He spoke a bit too eagerly, “This is all that ye wanted to ask me?”

             
She gave a curt nod, “That is all.”

             
Lachlan frowned briefly, before stepping back, “Well, I wish ye a goodnight.”

             
Kirstin curtsied to Lachlan, to show her respect, “As ye.” She whispered shakily, before walking away. Lachlan watched her round the corner, and then he headed back to the room where his men would no doubt question him. Hopefully Roderick would help sidetrack their thoughts.

             
Either way, he dreaded returning.



              That night, as Kirstin fell asleep, she dreamt that the mattress had dipped down against someone’s weight, and dreamt of a soft kiss being placed to her temple. It was only when she awoke in the middle of the night that she saw a brown leather-bound book sitting next to her pillow. It was the same book that had interested her the day before, in Lachlan’s study. And only then, did she ponder if she had really been dreaming.

Chapter Six

             
Kirstin awoke bright and early, meeting Alana in the foyer.

             
“Good morn’.” She greeted Kirstin, who smiled back at her. As the two of them walked down the long dirt road, basket in hand, Alana said, “I see the laird has allowed ye to accompany me for now on.”

             
“Aye, that is correct.” Kirstin was beaming.

             
Alana observed Kirstin’s reaction, and responded, “What exactly did the laird say? Yer smiling like a child and I canna think of any other reason for it but him.”

             
“Naethin’.” The small blonde replied, “In fact, I came upon his chambers at a bad time. He had a man by the neck, and I swear the man would have passed out from lack of breath if had I no’ arrived.” Kirstin wasn’t about to mention the events that took place after her occurrence. In fact, she had hid the book beneath her mattress and was going to make time to read it later.