I swear by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the holy iron that I hold, to give ye my fealty and pledge ye my loyalty to the name of the clan MacKenzie. If ever my hand shall be raised against ye in rebellion, I ask that this holy iron shall pierce my heart. He lowered the dirk, kissed it at the juncture of haft and tang, and thrust it home in its sheath. Still kneeling, he offered both hands clasped to Colum, who took them between his own and lifted them to his lips in acceptance of the oath so offered. Then he raised Dougal to his feet.
In this passage from "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon, a character pledges allegiance to the MacKenzie clan, vowing loyalty by invoking the sanctity of the cross and a holy dirk. He expresses the seriousness of this commitment, stating that if he were to betray the clan, he wishes for the weapon to pierce his heart, emphasizing the gravity of his loyalty.
After this solemn oath, the character kisses the dirk, symbolizing the sacredness of his promise, and sheaths it. He then kneels and offers his hands to Colum, the clan leader, who accepts the oath by lifting the hands to his lips. This act signifies a bond of trust and loyalty between the two men, reinforcing the values of fealty and respect within the clan.
