"I have never been this angry afore. He left us, Kannak. and there was no need."
"All lads go off to war."
"What war? We heard nothing o' a war save the one with the Vikings yesterday and Macoran had no idea he was gone. Yer father has abandoned us and he will not be back."
It was not as though Kannak did not have these same thoughts, but it was surprising her mother would say it out loud. Of all the things Jirvel taught her, respect for her father no matter how drunk he got, was at the top of the list.
"Would Macoran kill him for leaving us?"
Jirvel closed her eyes for a moment. "I'd not like seeing that, but he did not have Macoran's leave to go. A laird must have complete control over his clan or there will be madness."
"Then father dare not come back, not now that Macoran knows."
"Aye, Eogan may not be helpful, but neither be he dim-witted."
Kannak lovingly put her head against her mother's back. "I do like seeing what others have crafted at the market."
"I know ye do. Perhaps Stefan can go with ye and keep the lads away, but ye must not come alone. I will not have ye married until ye are a fully grown lass."
*
By the time they got back, Stefan had a grouse and a rabbit cooking on an outside spit. Jirvel was thrilled, Kannak was not, but that didn't stop her from eating. The meat and an apple each filled their stomachs and all of them were tired enough to go to bed early.
Grinning, Stefan got up from the table and picked up a bucket made of oak staves, "We are in need o' more water."
Kannak slumped. Then she stood, twirled her hand in the air, mockingly curtsied to him, yanked the handle out of his hand and marched out the door. "Bletherskite."
Both Jirvel and Stefan laughed. After she was gone, Stefan sat back down at the table. "Will she be safe going to the river alone?"
"She has done it all her life save these past weeks. Once Eogan was gone, we did everything together."
"Is this clan at war?"
"Nay," Jirvel answered.
"Then whom do ye fear?"
"Any lad who might take advantage o' two lasses alone. Word will spread that yer here to protect us and we will again be safe."
He nodded his understanding and accepted the goblet of mead she handed him. It was a sweet drink, but he did not care for it that much, took only a sip and set it aside.