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I knew ye would make it in time. I must tell ye … you must avenge me. Ye will be laird.” His da could barely get the words out, and his chest struggled to hold a breath.
    “Who did this?” Colin’s heart tightened. His da’s strength had been depleted, yet he had fought like a warrior.
    “Colin, the McFies … avenge me, lad. Ye must,” Donald MacKinnon pled. “Your mother, she …” He had taken his last breath without revealing his last thought.
    Colin’s own words still rung in his ears, “Ye will be avenged, da. I will never relent. The McFies will die.”
    A loud snore jarred his thoughts and the vision of that day faded. Peering into the darkened barracks, he sighed in unspoken anguish. If he had arrived home sooner, he might have been able to confront his enemy and defend his da. Colin rolled to his side, trying to shake memories long since passed. The weight of his vow hung over him like a crag loosened from the earth, ready to crush him in its path.
    He wouldn’t give up and hadn’t relented, it being ten years since he’d made that vow. Still, he hadn’t brought the damned McFies to justice. Determined to avenge their da’s death, he and his brothers would soon set out again. As the night wore on, Colin made his plans.
    The day dawned, another beginning to what could be the day he settled his vow. Throughout the morning, Colin settled clan matters and eventually went inside the keep for the meeting of the council. The council of the MacKinnon Clan met for the annual election of the position of laird. They lined the trestle table in the austere home, as every room in the castle bore no decoration or homey appeal. Such comforts didn’t appeal to the MacKinnons and Colin could care less. He wasn’t worried about being voted as their laird, not one of the council members would refuse his right to rule.
    “Colin, sit here, lad. We have decisions to make.” Walter called. “I will be coming along on the next outing. The McFies cannot escape ye much longer.”
    Colin approached the table, taking his rightful place. “They will pay as my da willed.”
    He hadn’t expected to become laird for many years, and yet there he was, being elected once again. The annual election had become a formality, and the clan continued counting on his guidance. The men spoke of his father’s leadership and how Colin had attained his equal. He believed his da became even harder after the death of his mother, who died five years prior. Had it been that long? Fifteen years? His mother had given his da the sons he so wanted, but little of anything else. She married for the alliance to gain peace for her people, but she never given her heart to him. Colin deemed his da must have cared for her.
    Why couldn’t she love him? Had she loved another? Those answers had died with her. Colin decided not to make the same mistake. He swore to keep his own heart intact. His da had tried to tell him something about his mother on his deathbed, but he never finished the words. Those words troubled Colin.
    He tossed the thoughts aside, and addressed the council. “I give ye my oath again; we will hold our alliances and war with our enemies. The clan McFie will be abolished as my father bid. Our clan will grow stronger and we shall prosper.” He pounded his fist on the table, accentuating his statement.
    “Any opposed to Colin continuing as laird?” Walter shouted.
    In unison, the council members shouted, “Nay.”
    A feast began immediately after the meeting honoring his reelection. His brothers jovially dared to jest with him, even though he wasn’t one to jest with.
    “Colin, you’ve been quiet lately. Ye thinking of the bonny women we left behind at Steven’s wedding?”
    “I know you are, Robin.” He laughed, enjoying his brothers baiting for once.
    “I’m headed to the village. Want to join me?” Brendan rose from his seat and pushed his trencher forward. “Stella’s been asking for you, Colin.”
    “Ahhh, the