“An excuse,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “You prefer those garments over Highland garments. You do your da a dishonor by not wearing his plaid.”

“I had forgotten how outspoken you are,” Tarass said with a slight shake of his head.

“At my age, what difference does it make?” she said with a grin, sending her wrinkles folding into each other.

“How do you get Rannock to tell you things he shouldn’t,” Tarass asked curious she had gotten his friend to talk.

“I told him I’d find him a wife within a moon circle.”

Tarass nodded. “Another thing I had forgotten… how you match people.”

“It’s a gift the heavens gave me. I know when I see people who are meant to be together.” A sadness filled her face. “And I know when people are not meant to be together. It’s a shame when two people, who are wrong for each other, are forced to wed. Unfortunately, it happens more often than not.”

“So who is meant for Rannock?” Tarass asked.

Twilla smiled. “When the time is right, I’ll let you know.” Her smile grew. “I knew as soon as I saw your mum and da together that they were perfect for one another.”

“They did love each other,” Tarass said, recalling memories of them. “They were always holding hands, smiling, laughing, whispering to each other. They had something special.”

“Love. They were deeply in love. I’m sorry you lost them both, but one would have never wanted to live without the other,” Twilla said.

“I know. I thought the same when I found them. The attack had been brutal. I don’t know how my mum and da found the strength to crawl to each other and grasp hands, but they did.”

“Love. Love gave them strength.” Twilla sniffed back a tear as she stood and walked around the table. She placed her hand on Tarass’s arm. “Eat and rest, tomorrow is another day and hopefully the heavens will let me wake tomorrow.”

Tarass laughed. “You’ve been saying that for as long as I can remember.”

Twilla chuckled. “And I’m grateful the heavens have listened and continues to grant my request.”

Tarass watched the old woman amble off, her gait not as slow as one would think for her eighty years.

“Tarass,” she called out as she continued to the door. “So you are aware… you’ve already met your future wife. It’s a perfect match you’ll make, just like your mum and da.”

Tarass stared after her, too stunned by her words to respond. His marriage would be a beneficial one, nothing like his mum and da’s loving marriage. He wanted power and wealth. It was key to surviving in this harsh world.