Page 70 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“He’d do well nae to disrespect his Laird in front of the council next time—the gall!” Sebastian scoffed, raising his cane in accusation.

Ryder moved quickly, letting Sebastian’s cane fall into the palm of his hand before it struck Tristan.

Damon glared at the older man. “There will be nay more of that, Sebastian. I willnae stand foranykind of disrespect. Whether it is against meself or others. That should be well understood.”

It looked like Sebastian wanted to say something more, but he bit his tongue and snatched his cane from Ryder’s grip.

Tristan excused himself from the room hurriedly, and Sebastian followed him out, hot on his heels with sharp insults.

“Christ! Marryin’ into that family seems like a chore, does it nae?”

“Tristan is a strong leader. A son of Branloch. He’s good for the council.”

“Aye, but he was actin’ like a pished bampot in here.”

Ryder scoffed. “Aye, he was. Ye’ll find out that’s just how he is. Growin’ up with him, I ken he didnae mean any harm by his speech. Passionate, that one.”

Damon looked over to the door, still able to see the men as they retreated down the corridor, hurling insults at each other. “Passionate.”

“Believe it or nae, I ken him well.”

“Would he ever betray the clan?”

“The man stayed on Magnus’s council even when he was publically humiliated by him.”

“Elaborate.”

“Tristan was brought out in the village to stand in the pillory for three days once!” Ryder said, laughing coldly at the memory.

“What for?”

“Doin’ precisely what he did to ye in here today… only to a much lesser degree.”

“For disagreein’ with Magnus?”

“Aye,” Ryder uttered, all hint of mirth drained from his voice. “Dark times, Damon. Magnus was our hell on earth.”

I wonder what else has happened to the councilmen. What else they’re expectin’ of me, given their experience with Magnus.

Another long, slow breath and Damon pushed himself to his feet.

“I’ll meet ye downstairs,” Ryder said firmly, before he left.

Damon gathered the ledgers and took them to his study before stepping into the courtyard moments later, where Ryder was already waiting with their horses saddled and ready.

He swung himself up into the saddle with practiced ease, adjusting his grip on the reins as he nodded to his second-in-command. “Let’s ride out. I want to check on the border patrols.”

Ryder smirked knowingly. “Aye, best to keep the lads on their toes. Some of ‘em start slackin’ on the job when they think ye’re too busy with council nonsense.”

Damon snorted. “Then let’s remind them who’s watchin’.”

The ride out was brisk, the crisp morning air biting his skin as they left the keep behind, heading toward the borders of the McCallum lands.

I should really ask Lilith if she has any ideas for where we should hold the festival. She kens this land pretty well, after all.

The first patrol they encountered was stationed near a dense cluster of pines. The guard, a broad-shouldered man named Hamish, straightened the moment he spotted them, his expression growing serious.

“Me Laird?” he greeted with a short bow of his head. “All quiet here. Nay sign of trouble since the last report.”