Chapter 71

Izzy took her boots off and sighed as she slipped her feet into the cool running water. Last night, she hadn’t been sure this trip would be possible, but the arrival of the MacDonald’s yesterday afternoon and then the return of the Stewarts just before dark had really changed much of the atmosphere in MacInnis keep. Everyone was light hearted and excited. She had never seen anything like it, but Gair said this is what it was always like for the harvest festival. It was a time of peace and plenty with sharing, goodwill, and usually many weddings.

He had actually agreed, seemingly without pause, to let Fann accompany her to the water for the afternoon! Fann and Ellie’s guard, Thomas, stood one on each side while she and Ellie say on the bank talking.

“It’s oddly warm for autumn, isn’t it?” She said, smiling over at Ellie. “This time last year there was frost on the moat! I had furs on the windows long before the leaves fell from the trees and was wearing my warmer tunic all day long.”