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Iver sat upon his steed just a few paces behind his uncle and the laird of the Chattan attempting to understand all those around him.

He was wondering if it was possible the Laird Errol was impervious to the truth.

Or was he was lacking the full intellect to underhand of all that was transpiring around him?

It was clear to Iver much needed to be done to unify this clan of the Chattan.

The air always appeared fraught with tension as it was on this morn.

Iver was continually seeking ways to bring them together and felt confident he could do so.

He also understood only time would grant them the opportunity to completely fulfill that much needed end.

While nothing was blatantly obvious nor any words ever spoken aloud, it was a real fear within Iver's heart.

"Balfour!Caddock!"

It was the Laird Errol who shouted his summons. The two Highlanders immediately responded to their laird by moving their steeds directly into the great Highlander's stilled path.

"Take a small band, maybe two or three at the most and travel to our northern borders to scout. We must make certain the Fraser do not encroach upon us further. I fear that attack of just two days ago will not be their last."

"No more than five men total, my laird? Surely you cannot mean-"

Iver watched closely as the laird drew in his breath decisively and the anger nearly erupted for Caddock's questioning words.

While he, himself, said nothing he witnessed how the clansman abruptly closed his mouth as he drew his eyes wide.

Iver had to wonder if his laird would be so cruel and send them off with such little protection and on to certain death.

Surely, the laird must understand the risks of such a small party sent in defense.

Iver himself, would have ordered a party of no less than twenty.

He nearly groaned aloud as he understood immediately the Laird Errol had not recognized what he had done and how he had so quickly dismissed two of the truly faithful men he had remaining.

Balfour and Caddock were the only clansmen Iver had no doubt would defend their laird to their deaths.

He was saddened that the laird would dismiss their obvious concerns so easily.

Perhaps in prior days he would have heard their words and at least considered their merit.

As of late, it appeared the Laird Errol cared little for those around him and even less for any words of advice.

Truly, Iver knew he must step in, but he understood he had to be careful and without appearing overly aggressive yet saving the few remaining loyal men the laird had left.

"My laird, if it pleases you, perhaps Balfour can also take a large portion of the McColl so he may acquaint them with your borders? We have not yet had the opportunity to venture anywhere near the northern edges and I know it will be prudent for them-"

Iver's words were cut off abruptly as a small blade flew through the air nearly missing his own shoulder and pierced the flank of the laird's steed.

As the whinny of the animal echoed loudly, Iver immediately turned within his saddle into the direction in which the weapon had been launched.

As he raised his blade protectively over the laird, he realized it was clear to him the life of his laird had just been threatened.

"Who dares these actions?"

He was met with silence. Iver had expected to see the perpetrator, whoever he was, be surrounded by those of his own who were equally as angered as he.

Instead, he found his identity was not to be so easily revealed.

During the flurry of activity that ensued, Iver turned to gaze upon the hardened faces of the more than twenty clansmen of the Chattan behind him.

It was any of whom could have thrown the blade, but none who were being renounced by their peers.

As his own beast and those around him pranced agitatedly upon the ground and he moved his body before the laird in protection, he caught the eyes of the clansmen who was most near. A sneer rose upon his lips as he moved his hand quickly to his side.

It was Iver's voice that pierced the air loudly.

"You dare be so bold and risk the life of your laird? What motives do you have?"

While he did not know his name nor had the opportunity to converse with him, it was in that moment Iver knew he must act. He noticed a blade the clansman pulled from within his belt was threatening as he drew it in obvious anger.

"Donnan! Protect the laird!"

Before the Chattan clansman had an opportunity to throw the weapon at the laird, Iver reacted.

He swung his own large blade forward. In his mind, he was provided no choice except to bury it deep within his fellow clansman before he had an opportunity to release it into the air.

In that briefest of moments had made his decision to prevent him from what he knew to be his ultimate goal.

"It is the laird I will always protect!"

As Iver withdrew the bloodied sword from the chest of the clansman and watched as his lifeless body fell heavily to the ground, he knew he had done what was necessary.

It did not matter a grave quietness engulfed the grassy hillside, and the questioning and outraged stares of those around him were numerous.

He knew what he had chance to witness and understood he had done all that was necessary to save the laird.

Unquestionably, Iver conceded he would do so again given the same circumstance.

It was the angered voice of one of those nearly twenty Chattan who spoke loudly and obviously for the whole band.

"You bastard! How dare you so carelessly take a life of one of our own!"

"I did it to protect our laird! Our-"

It was in that moment of tension and before any more words could be spoken, when a disturbance was seen in the distance as an unknown clansman shouted out.

"Look! It is Tyree and his men!"

Iver could only shift his gaze and stare as the small grouping of men emerging from the treeline with their steeds at a full run. It was obvious even from this distance the fear upon their faces as they clutched their swords tightly at their sides.

As they drew near it was apparent to all they were unkempt and a few were even bloodied. Instantly, the clansmen upon the hillside lurched forward and to gain the small party's side in an attempt to provide whatever protection they deemed necessary.

By the time the two groupings of Highlanders had converged, it was obvious there no longer were any men chasing them. It was Tyree who nearly shouted in his anxiousness.

"We were hunting within the forest beyond the next rise when were nearly surrounded by a band that appeared to be twice our size.

I am certain they were of the Fraser and had I not heard a horse whinny in the distance, it could have been disastrous for us!

We may not have had time to retreat so quickly. "

It was the laird who spoke again loudly and for all to hear.

"Let us get these men back to the keep where we can plan our next move.

Balfour, it will be you and Caddock who will take a band of our men, no less than fifty of our best, to patrol until we can prepare more fully.

And yes, Iver, that will include some of the McColl.

Let us quickly retreat since it appears those of our own need tending. "

"And Afton, my laird?"

All eyes from the party went first to Iver and then back to the lone clansman who now lay dead upon the ground and from where they had come.

"Leave him to rot."

There were no gasps of breath at the laird's incensed words but it was the clear anger upon the faces that told of their displeasure at his callousness.

Iver was not so certain this would have been his way of dealing with the treachery that had nearly cost the laird his life.

Nevertheless, it was not for him to decide.

He could only hope they were granted the much needed time to resolve all the unrest he now was certain resided within the Chattan.