Damn them! Ella ran forward, but Cain’s warrior, Keenan, stepped before her. She dodged, but more men slid between her and Kenneth, barring her way.

Gideon’s voice rose over the crowd. “We have been at war since Alec Sutherland dishonored our clan by mistreating and divorcing Merida Sinclair.” He stepped to the side where Ella could see that he held the scales so that they dipped back and forth on either side, finally leveling out.

Gideon looked toward where Kenneth was restrained. “But if Chief Sutherland weds the new Chief Sinclair, bloodshed can end with the unifying of our clans. Our warriors will train together under the best horsemen and swordsmen in Scotland. And…ye will not feel a blade twisting in your middle.”

Would Cain impale Kenneth right there in the great hall before his men?

Gideon set a coin on one side of the scales, making the pan dip down. “Tradespeople from both clans will learn from and trade with one another.” He added a coin to the other side, making it balance evenly. “The land will become settled, with our Mackay neighbors knowing that we are united and will not tolerate more attacks on our outlying farms.” Coin to the first side. “The combination of Sutherland and Sinclair clans will bring peace and balance to Dunrobin Castle and Sutherland lands, perhaps to all of northern Scotland.”

The last coin evened out the scales once more, bringing them into perfect balance.

Cain’s voice rang out. “I will wed Ella Sutherland and lead both Sutherland and Sinclair clans together. They will act and live as one.”

Ella knew Kenneth would not agree. Twelve years of planning and preparation, a journey to Edinburgh to present their case to King James, and the future strength of Sutherland Clan still being guarded by Ella would not allow for the combining of the clans. But Cain knew none of this, because she had sworn to keep her mother’s secret.

Kenneth’s voice called out with anger. “I would speak with my chief before consenting.”

Cain’s hard face turned toward her, but before he could deny or consent, Hew Mackay’s voice called out. “I declare war on Clan Sinclair.”

Ella backed up to better see.

Large and broad, Hew’s shorn hair was thick with dirt. His vicious face contorted in anger as he walked into the hall next to the Sinclair warrior who’d gone to collect him. Filth clung to him from living in the dungeon, but he still had his ridiculous swagger as he stomped forward. He didn’t look as if he were dying of thirst. “Ella Sutherland and I are betrothed, so her fight is my fight.”

Holy Mother Mary. “We have already gone over this, Chief Mackay,” Ella said, grabbing her skirt to hurry around the crowd of men to the front where Cain and his brothers stood. She tried not to wrinkle her nose over Hew’s horrible odor.