Stefan turned around and grinned at Macoran. "'Tis not enough. I will have Anundi's sword as well."
"This sword…with the golden handle? I love this sword."
"So did Anundi."
"Who be he?"
"He was my father's second but now has taken his place as commander and I will have his sword."
Macoran took a deep breath and looked to Jirvel for help, but she was not forthcoming. "I suppose," he began, "if ye were to promise to bring my daughter to see us often, I might…be persuaded. Though I love this sword. It fits my hand perfectly. Jirvel, do something, he be yer son."
Jirvel stood up, walked to her husband and took his hand. "What I have in mind dinna have to do with our son." She led him toward the stairs. "Which bedchamber be ours?"
Stefan laughed, watched them go, hung his father's shield back up and held out his hand to his wife. "Have we a place to sleep?"
"Now we do, now that mother lives here. Come, I will show ye." She kissed him passionately and then took him home.
*
Every clan had a beginning, and so it was that this small clan began in a hidden castle. The Viking named the clan after Jirvel's brother, Greagor, and they called themselves MacGreagors. One by one, the men who served as slaves with Stefan brought their families and friends, and by spring the clan numbered sixty-seven. They built stone cottages, for if they knew anything at all, they knew how to build.
Stefan used his father's money to buy the tools, seed, horses and weapons needed, beyond those the other men brought, and his grandfather sent as wedding gifts. He named William his second in command and soon, Diarmad and Blair together with their families, joined them. Naturally, they made an alliance with the Macorans and all lived in peace, even with the Brodies - although the Brodies were far from easily trusted.
He took Kannak often to see her parents and the two elders came often to swim in the warm water of the loch. But Macoran would not part with Anundi's sword and it became a running joke between them. After all, Stefan was to save ten women and he had yet to save any after Jirvel.
His grandfather came often too. He hired a new builder and this time he paid men to reinforce his castle. Their strained relationship turned more pleasant as the days went by and both learned how to laugh again. Stefan often thought about the day they landed and wondered if his father meant to land them on Limond land instead of Macoran. If so, it was a mistake Stefan thanked God for every day.