Page 7 of The Warrior
“But we cannot rest until we take back the lands the MacLeods stole from us,” Connor said. “’Tis time we did.”
This was what they had all been waiting for. As one, they raised their cups and chanted, “A’ phlàigh oirbh, a Chlanna MhicLeòid!” A plague on the MacLeods!
The MacLeods of Dunvegan were their chief rivals on the Isle of Skye, and there was a bloody history between them. Most recently, the wily MacLeod chieftain, Alastair Crotach, had taken advantage of the MacDonalds’ weakness after the Battle of Flodden to capture the MacDonald lands and castle on the Trotternish Peninsula of the island.
“It won’t be easy,” Ian said, leaning his forearms on the table. “The MacLeods have more men and war galleys than we do. Also, Alastair MacLeod doesn’t have his miserable relatives trying to take the chieftainship from him like Connor does.”
“Am fear nach eil làidir ’s fheudar dha ’bhith carach,” Alex said. He who is not strong must be cunning.
“The MacLeods are too strong for us to take them alone,” Connor said.
“We have a powerful alley in the Campbells, especially now that they have the Crown’s authority over the Western Isles,” Ian said. “Can they be persuaded to fight with us?”
“Only if we are attacked,” Connor said, running his hands through his damp hair. “They won’t send warriors to help us recover our stolen lands.”
“There’s a risk the other rebel clans will side with the MacLeods against us,” Duncan said, and immediately regretted speaking up when Connor fixed his gaze on him.
“That is why I need ye to visit our ‘allies’ in Ireland,” Connor said. “We must know which side they will be on when the fighting starts.”
“Send someone else,” Duncan said and took a drink.
“Hugh has spies here at Dunscaith.” Connor leaned forward and spoke in a low voice. “Until I discover who they are, I cannot trust anyone but the three of ye. I need Ian here on Skye to defend Knock Castle and Alex on North Uist to protect our people there. That leaves you, Duncan.”
“Maybe if ye see Moira, ye can finally forget her,” Alex said with his usual lack of tact. At least this time he did not add his personal nickname for her,Sea of Sorrow. “Isn’t it time both you and Connor took brides?”
“Aye,” Ian said. “Connor, ye put the clan in jeopardy by not having an heir.”
“I must make the best alliance possible with my marriage,” Connor said. “I can’t know which clan to choose until the dust settles after this damned rebellion is ended.”
“I suppose that leaves Moira’s son as your heir for the time being,” Ian said.
“That is another reason I’m sending Duncan to Ireland,” Connor said, turning back to him. “Hugh has shown he is willing to murder anyone who stands between him and the chieftainship. The lad’s father must be warned of the danger.”
Damn. Damn. Damn.
“So you’re going to Ireland.” Alex raised his cup to Duncan and winked. “Good luck telling Rhona. Ach, that woman of yours scares me.”
“’Tis time ye showed her the door anyway,” Ian said. “But I’d advise ye to take her dirk from her first.”
They were talking nonsense, but Duncan let them have their laugh.
Suddenly the doors to the keep burst open with a rush of wind and rain and banged against the walls. Duncan was on his feet with his claymore in his hands before he saw the tiny hunched figure silhouetted in the doorway.
God in Heaven, what is the ancient seer doing at the castle?Teàrlag was as old as the mist and older by two, as the saying went. She had not left her cottage in Duncan’s memory.
“I’ve had a vision!” Teàrlag wailed. “Woe, I bring terrible news!”
Chapter 3
Sean finally released Moira and left her to make her own way back to shore. She glared at his back as she coughed up salt water and fought the pull of the undertow.
“If I see that dog again, I’ll slit its throat,” Sean shouted at Ragnall as he passed him in the water. Ragnall was in up to his knees, with each wave threatening to knock him over, but Sean continued to shore without looking back.
“Don’t come any farther!” Moira called out to her son.
She stumbled and fell headlong into the water and came up gasping. Her knees and palms were cut and bleeding from the barnacles, but she concentrated on her son’s face and kept moving. Finally, when she was within a few feet of him, Ragnall ran into her arms. A wave crashed into her from behind, nearly causing her to lose her footing again on the slippery rock.
Ragnall took her hand and pulled her toward shore.
