Chapter 59

As mid day drew near Fann watched from the window of his solar as the people began arriving. Most were quite shocked to see three women in the stocks right outside the keep. This was not what he had hoped to show his people as a first impression of their new Laird, but the women may have been trying to poison him and it was also important the clan know disloyalty and treachery would both be punished. The serving lad was strapped to a chair in the corner of the kitchen with a pitcher in front of him. He either had to tell them what was in the ale, or prove it harmless by drinking it himself. So far he was either unable or unwilling to do either.

Will and An Gille were stationed on either side of the women, warning off the few who thought to do them an insult and telling all who would listen the reason they were in the stocks. Hopefully that would temper the reaction of the people. He didn’t want them to fear him too much to stay. There was no point in having a clan if most of the peopl