Kaelin was surprised by the sincerity in the man’s voice. ‘We all miss him, Harvester,’ he said.
Galliott led them inside. A small, white-haired man came out of a side room and walked up the stairs. He glanced back at Kaelin and gave an awkward smile, showing gold teeth. Galliott showed them to a waiting room and summoned a servant, ordering the man to fetch refreshments for the Moidart’s guests. Maev sat in a deep armchair, but Kaelin remained standing and strolled to a window. Through it he could see a stretch of lawn leading to a meadow. Beyond that he watched a squad of soldiers patrolling the perimeter wall. Galliott left them and Maev let out a sigh. ‘Relax, Kaelin,’ she said. ‘You are making me nervous.’
He turned from the window and smiled. ‘It is hard to feel comfortable when one is this close to evil,’ he said. ‘The last time I saw Huntsekker I held a pistol to his face. Had Jaim not stopped me I would have sent him to hell.’
‘I know. And yet it was Huntsekker who escorted me from the execution square. Had he not done so I would now be dead.’
‘I never understood that,’ admitted Kaelin. ‘The man is a cold killer.’
‘He liked Jaim. He did it for him.’
‘How could he like him? Jaim stole his bull and made a fool of him, and he stopped him catching Chain Shada. It makes no sense to me.’
‘You of all men should know that Jaim touched hearts. No-one hated him. Not even Galliott. When those musketeers came Galliott tried to stop them shooting. Even he didn’t want to see Jaim dead. Beware the Harvester, Kaelin. But don’t hate him.’
‘Have you noticed how many guards there are?’ said Kaelin, transferring his gaze back to the window. ‘It is as if they are expecting a siege.’
At that moment the door opened and a servant told them the Moidart would see them. Maev pushed herself to her feet and Kaelin followed her and the servant along a panelled corridor, up a flight of stairs, and into a long study. A fire was burning in the hearth. Kaelin found his heart beating faster as he gazed upon the Moidart. The man was sitting at a desk by the window, his black and silver hair drawn back tightly from his lean face. His eyes were hooded and pale, his lips thin. He did not rise from his chair as Maev approached, but gestured for her to take a seat. Kaelin he ignored.
‘Welcome back to Eldacre, madam,’ he said. The voice was deep and cold. There was a controlled tension in the man that put Kaelin on edge.
‘I trust you are well, my lord,’ said Maev. ‘This is my nephew, Kaelin.’
The Moidart’s eyes flickered towards the young highlander. ‘The son of Lanovar,’ he said. ‘I have heard of you.’
At the mention of his father’s name Kaelin felt a rise of anger. All colour fled from his face. He stood staring at the seated man, and, in that moment, wanted nothing more than to leap across the room and tear out his throat. He looked into the Moidart’s eyes, and knew that the older man understood his feelings. He could read him as easily as a child’s book. Kaelin also saw that the Moidart’s right hand was hidden below the desk top. He took a deep breath. ‘Aye,’ he said, ‘the son of Lanovar. Though, sadly, I never knew him.’
The malevolent gleam left the Moidart’s eyes, and he transferred his attention back to Maev Ring. For a little while they spoke about the business of cattle, the improvement of stock and the shipping of herds. In that time Kaelin regained his composure. Maev had been right. It was wise to have taken this opportunity to meet the Moidart. He was not like any man Kaelin had ever met. It was not just that he was chilling; there was about him a fierce intelligence that should never be underestimated.
The meeting ended and Maev rose and curtseyed. The Moidart thanked her for taking the time to visit. As Kaelin turned away towards the door the Moidart spoke. ‘Give me a few moments of your time, Master Ring.’ He walked to the door, opening it for Maev, who glanced back anxiously at her nephew. The Moidart gave a thin smile. ‘No harm will befall him, madam, I can assure you.’ He pushed shut the door and returned to his seat.