The Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger Page B

good as any highlander with little or no formal training can be. But he was a very good man, Keifer. He died protecting his king, a hero’s death.”
    Hero or not, Gordon’s death had been a blow to his family, especially to Keifer. “My mother and sister never blamed you.”
    â€œNo, to their credit, they did not. They proved that tenfold by entrusting you to my care.”
    Keifer didn’t know what to say to that and remained silent.
    â€œI can’t help wondering how it might have been different if I had been sober and alert. ’Tis only by the grace of God that I am alive, Keifer. And all for the want of a bit of self-discipline. Most of the time I am able to accept God’s forgiveness, though it is still hard after all these years.”
    It would be easy for Keifer to blame Sir Adam, to see him as less of a man after this confession. But his pain and regret were obvious, and Keifer couldn’t help admiring him for being willing to expose his own shortcoming in order to teach Keifer. “Thank you for telling me this, my laird. I will keep my weapons clean, I promise.”
    â€œI’m sure you will. Learn from the mistakes of others, lad. Now go and see to your chores. When you are finished and Seamus has inspected your work, see if my wife has any duties for you to perform.”
    Keifer resolved to do better. If he did not, then Sir Adam might not recommend that Keifer receive further training. And Keifer wanted to be trained by the best of King Robert’s knights. Gordon had died when he might have lived had he been better prepared. The same would not happen to Keifer.

FOUR
    T HE DAY TURNED UNSEASONABLY HOT by afternoon. Keifer put the broom away and pulled his tunic on over his head. Seamus had inspected the cleaned weapons and gone home to his wife, telling Keifer he was free to go once he finished the sweeping.
    Keifer went in search of Nola and found her with her mother in the sewing room. “Lady Gwenyth, Sir Adam said I should ask what chores I might do for you today. And I’m sorry about the water this morning—I will do better.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear.” She grinned at Nola. “If the two of you would help me wind the rest of this thread onto spools, I think it might be an excellent day for a swim. Without the sheep, this time.”
    Nola jumped up. “Aye! Let’s go!”
    Keifer, newly mindful of his responsibilities, said, “First the thread.”
    Working quickly, they finished in less than a quarter hour and Lady Gwenyth sent them off. Dense undergrowth provided a screen of privacy, and they took turns changing into something suitable for swimming. Keifer wore an old pair of breeches. Nola had a shirt of her father’s with the sleeves cut short and a pair of Keifer’s breeches he’d outgrown long ago.
    Now the sound of the waterfall soothed Keifer as he and Nola floated in the pool beneath it.
    With each lesson from Adam or Seamus, Keifer became more aware of the responsibility of leading his clan. The more he learned, the more he doubted his ability to do the job. It took everything in him to care for himself! How did a man go about caring for a great many people? How did Robert the Bruce do it? Let alone Adam?
    The thought of such great responsibility overwhelmed him.
    King Robert had recently brokered a truce with England, though Adam didn’t seem to think it would hold. Still, there was hope that this truce might lead to peaceful negotiations. Keifer just hoped that he would have a chance to use his skills before the two countries settled their differences. He was eager to try his hand in battle. Lairdship could wait.
    â€œDo you ever think about the future, Nola?”
    â€œWell, I am worried that Mother will make me take care of my brothers tomorrow while she sews.”
    He splashed water at her. “No, I mean when you’re grown. Where will you live, and will you know everything