Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

four years younger than his brother, Sween, and he looked more like his mother with dark hair and blue eyes. Neil was a happy young man who rarely caused trouble and Kevin found him where he expected to, in the stable caring for and talking to the horses.
    As soon as he noticed his father, Neil smiled. “Do you find it strange that the horse is so large, yet his legs are thin? I find it amazing that thin legs can carry so much weight and do it gracefully.”
    “You have your mother’s love for them and the horses are aware of it. I do believe they tend to love you back.” He walked to his own large stallion and rubbed the horse’s nose. “As for thin legs, I have wondered the same. The legs sometimes break, you know. Perhaps someday we will learn how to fix them so we do not have to kill the animal.”
    “I hope so. Perhaps the English know how to do it.”
    “Perhaps, but sooner or later we hear what the English are up to, and so far nothing much is said about the care of horses.”
    Neil patted the side of a horse’s neck and then lifted one of its legs to examine the hoof. “I have heard the king is a fair lad. Do you believe it?”
    “If he is like his Uncle, he is a good lad.” Kevin noticed when Yule came into the stable and nodded to him.
    “Many say the English cannot be trusted, but mother is English and I trust her,” said Neil, letting go of the horse‘s leg.
    “She is worthy of your trust. However, there is evil in every land. A wise laird rids his land of the evil, even if he has to kill to do it. It takes a great deal of courage, more so than to kill in battle, but he is wise to do it. Still, he must be certain he is not killing out of anger, but for the good of the people.”
    “For what crimes do you kill?”
    “If a lad tortures animals, he will someday do the same to people and he must die. A laird gives him ample warnings first and if he continues to torture, the laird must execute him. The MacGreagor laird also kills those who harm lasses and children. Other clans do not hold to these standards, but the MacGreagors do and I hope they always will.”
    “But why kill these lads, Father? Why not just punish them so they will not do it again?”
    “ Once, when a MacGreagor beat his wife, my father whipped the lad, but let him live. The lad’s anger was not abated and instead, grew into rage. A few years later, he beat his eldest daughter and nearly killed her. Had my father taken the life of the lad, the daughter would not have suffered such cruelty.”
    Neil picked up a sturdy wire brush and began to brush the horse’s mane. Then he paused to ask another question, “What if a lad hurts another lad?”
    Kevin folded his arms, leaned against a post and shrugged. “Lads normally do not hurt each other without just cause. They settle the dispute themselves and the laird is better off staying out of it , if he can.”
    “I see.” Neil went back to brushing the horse. “Have you ever banished anyone?”
    “I have banished three lads. They were lazy and would not hunt to feed their families. However, a banished lad has nowhere to go and if he vows revenge, he is a danger to us all. A laird must judge the danger before he banishes.”
    Kevin turned to Yule and doubted the man was listening. “I see you have a lass on your mind.”
    “I was trying to think what I would do if a lad hurt Maree. I am beginning to understand your ruling,” said Yule.
    “In love already? I am not surprised; Maree is a very pleasing lass. A good lad feels a strong need to protect his mother and his daughters, but most of all, the lass he loves. Even after all these years, I am still relieved when Anna is safe in my arms. I could go daft thinking of all the ways I might lose her.”
    Kevin paused to consider what else he should tell them. “Most lasses are wise in ways a man is not. A lad thinks of how his decision effects today, but a lass thinks of tomorrow, next week and even next month. If you let her, she will teach you more than you are able to imagine.”
    “About what, father?”
    “About all kinds of things, especially your followers. She sees when the people are unhappy or when they are unwell. For that reason, a lad must learn to listen to her. ‘Tis not easy to admit we do not already know everything.” He leaned toward his son and raised an eyebrow, “Do you think Yule is listening?”
    Neil shook his head. “Does love always distract a lad that way?”
    “Always and it never