- I doubt it very much! - said my father without taking his eyes off the board.
I smiled at Alec and then I signalled him to stay away.
- Excuse me! Let me show you how to play.
Alec gave me the place and then I sat facing my father, who bowed his eyebrows and smiled. Without thinking, and looking into my eyes, he grabbed the bishop with the black line and positioned a few houses in front.
- Check! - said Brice with a dry voice and then took a sip of his wine. - You took your time. We were expecting you to arrive yesterday morning. Trouble?
- No big deal! - I said while I was thinking about a strategy. - My new commander took a while to get to the camp to join the men. She had problems getting to the camp because she was attacked on the way and took longer than she had intended.
- Her? - Alec asked surprised.
- Yes. - I answered. - She's an excellent warrior who joined the army almost three years ago. She knows a lot about herbs and was initially part of the militia led by Keilan Sinclair as a nurse, but she managed to make a name for herself on the battlefield.
- I didn't know we still had female warriors. - Alec said as she folded her arms. - I thought you didn't like women picking up guns.
- I don't really like it, but we need all the trained people available and she was very well recommended by Sinclair. - I smiled, putting my hand on my chin. - She was intercepted by some mercenaries paid by Roy, but managed to escape. She arrived badly wounded, but she assured me she would command the men as promised.
Alec laughed debaucherously and shrugged.
- She must be awful to have joined the army! - he debated. - Maybe she got kicked out of the house.
- On this point I must disagree! - Bruce came up to me chewing an apple. - I had the opportunity to see her in action with the sword and I must say that, besides being skillful, that redhead is beautiful. Not only does he seem to have fire-colored hair, but he also has it running through his veins.
- I agree! She has an attitude, and although she doesn't have as much grace as the clan ladies, she'd make a great wife. - concludes with a serious look while moving another piece. - Checkmate!
- Oh! Damn it! - my father snapped his fingers. - It's always been cowardly to play against you!
Standing up he gave me a hug with a few pats on the shoulders.
- Welcome back, my son!
- Thank you! Thank you!
He then smiled at Bruce and nodded to him for a tight hug.
- I'm glad you're back! - he said turning to us. - We will have a banquet tonight in honor of both of them with the presence of the heads of all the clans. Why don't you guys take a shower and get some rest? As you can see, everyone is very busy.
- Dad, there was no need to invite the clans to dinner! - I reprimanded him. - It's an exaggerated celebration. You know I don't like MacBride. Besides, we won't be staying that long.
My father sighed.
- My son, we have to celebrate that you're back. - he replied. - Besides, we'll have a lot to do from tonight on.
He took a break picking up the glass of wine.
- As for MacBride, rest assured, because Loch gave an excuse and can not come to the banquet.
- New! - I whispered with irony.
I stared at him suspiciously and made a face by folding my arms.
- Dad, what are you up to?
- Nothing! - he responded with the look of innocence. - It's just dinner.
- Hey, Dad! - I insisted. - Just tell me the real reason for this banquet.
My father sighed, passing his hands through his hair and went away to fill the glass with wine. Signalling to my brother and cousin to leave the room, he turned to face me.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Stop it! - he said, causing them to turn around. - I want you to stay.
They looked at our father, who nodded, then came back and approached him, standing next to me. My father sighed and then he started talking. I had a bad feeling before he even explained anything.
- Listen, I'm not a rodeo man, so I'll be brief. I am very worried about the extent of this war and I decided to draw up a plan to end it soon.
- Oh, great! - I shrugged. - I don't know what that has to do with that banquet, but keep going.
- The banquet is a way of making my statement on the conclusion I have reached.
- All right! All right! Explain that better!
Curious about what he had to say, I sat in a nearby chair waiting for him to continue.
- Well, you know that the MacBride clan has English descent, although Ravenna lost the title a long time ago for reasons I'm not interested in knowing.
- Yes. - I answered. - Although, different from the Lord, I am curious to know how Loch managed to become a Scottish lord, but returning to the subject, this makes his daughters very precious to him.
- Exactly!
Franzi's forehead and even though I already knew where that would lead us, I
