Ella moved her horse up to the line next to Jamie, the lad being quite brave there among the deadliest warriors in Scotland.

“We are here, Sinclair,” Ethan called across. “We know ye have the strength to conquer or kill. Be done with the conquering then.” His tone showed begrudging surrender. It would be an easy conquest, one without much bloodshed, if any.

Cain drew his sword and moved into the center. He raised it high in the air and inhaled to fill his words with force. “From this day on, the Sinclair and Sutherland clans will be united as allies.” He turned his gaze to Ella. She sat regally in her blue gown on her horse, lovely curls blowing in the breeze, her face tense and brows furrowed.

“Clan Sinclair under my leadership,” Cain continued. “And Clan Sutherland under the leadership of…Jamie Sutherland, thirteenth Earl of Sutherland. Until he comes of age, Kenneth Macleod will act as regent.”

He heard one of his brothers curse behind him, likely Joshua. But Cain watched only Ella’s face. Her beautiful gray eyes blinked as her lush lips parted. Hands clenching together before her, she shut her eyes, bowing her head.

“What are ye about?” Ethan asked, making Cain drag his gaze from her.

He looked across at the frowning man. “The full force of the Sinclairs supports Jamie Sutherland as chief with Kenneth Macleod acting as regent, and any act to dissuade or hinder this will be met with deadly force from Girnigoe.”

Cain looked to Jamie. “Advance,” he said. Kenneth nodded to the lad, and he tapped his mount to stand before Cain’s horse.

“Bring the chief’s sword,” Cain said to Ethan. The man pushed his mount closer, drawing out the Sutherland sword that Cain had asked him to bring. Cain held out his open hand, and after a pause, Ethan passed the hilt to him.

He looked to Jamie. The lad kept a straight spine and a serious squint to his eyes. Cain nodded to him. “This sword rightfully belongs to ye. Kenneth Macleod, Ethan Sutherland, and I will teach ye to wield it well. May ye take the advice of wise men and women and rule with keen strategy and an unselfish heart.”

The lad pressed his horse forward, and Cain laid the blade of the sword across his other palm to hand it over to him. Jamie’s arms were thin, but he would grow muscle. Cain would make certain of it.

Kenneth nodded to Cain and moved closer to Jamie, who wasn’t quite certain where to put the massive weapon. Kenneth pulled a short length of plaid off the back of his saddle and passed it to the lad. “Wrap the blade in this for now and balance it in your saddle,” he said quietly. “We will get ye the scabbard for it from Dunrobin.” Aye, the man would be a wise advisor for the new chief.