Page 86 of Promised to the Cursed Laird

"The marriage itself has nae such deadline. We both ken that. But the longer this siege continues, the more difficult it becomes tae carry out the terms of the Accord as they were intended."

Fearchar’s eyes narrowed. "Because the clans will start tae doubt whether MacKinnon can hold the territory?"

"Aye." Marcas tapped the map with one finger. "The Crown recognized the agreement because it was meant tae settle the dispute between MacKinnon and Chisholm, strengthen the alliance, and put an end tae Cailleach’s claim. But that recognition doesnae make us untouchable. If this becomes a prolonged war, other clans will start asking whether the Accord has brought peace or simply given us another reason tae bleed each other."

Fearchar was silent for a moment.

"And Cailleach wants them asking that."

"He wants them wondering whether the Accord is worth defending."

Marcas's jaw tightened.

"He doesnae need tae break the marriage. He only needs tae make the marriage look as though it has brought war instead of stability. If enough clans begin tae believe that, some will keep their distance. Others may decide Cailleach has the stronger hand. And once they do, every victory we win here becomes harder tae hold."

Fearchar looked down at the map.

"So he means tae make this bigger than MacKinnon and MacRath."

"He already has."

Marcas spread a second map across the table, this one marked with the surrounding clan holdings.

"The longer we remain behind these walls, the more time he has tae send word tae every chief who has reason tae resent us. He'll promise land. Trade. Old grievances settled. He'll tell them the MacKinnon hold is weakened and the Accord is failing."

Fearchar gave a grim laugh.

"And some will believe him."

"Some always believe the man offering them something."

Fearchar traced the edge of the map with one finger.

"Then we're nae only fighting Cailleach."

Marcas looked at him.

"We're fighting what everyone outside these walls will think this war means."

"Aye."

Fearchar leaned over the map.

"Which brings us tae the harder question. If word spreads that MacKinnon stands weakened, how many clans do ye think might see advantage in backing Cailleach rather than standing against him?"

Marcas looked towards the window, where the distant sounds of men moving through the courtyard carried faintly into the room.

Fearchar was quiet a long moment, studying the map, his soldier's mind working through old alliances and older grudges.

"The MacRaes will stand with ye," he said finally. "Lachlan's own kin, and loyal besides. The Camerons are uncertain. They’ve old trade ties tae MacRath land, and they'll weigh their own advantage carefully before committing either way. And the Frasers—" He stopped, something grim settling into his face. "The Frasers have never fully forgiven the Crown for how the last border dispute was settled. If Cailleach offers them a chance tae see a royal Accord fail and a MacKinnon laird weakened for it, I wouldnae put it past them tae find that tempting."

"Then we cannae let his numbers grow unanswered." Marcas's hand came flat against the table. "Every clan that joins him before we've properly fortified is a clan we'll have tae fight later regardless, with considerably worse odds than we face now."

"I'll write tae them myself," Fearchar said, already reaching for parchment. "The Camerons first, I've old standing with their laird from my years fighting alongside his sons. I'll remind them plainly what side has the Crown's blessing, and what side stands on nothing more than an old man's grudge over grazing land."

He dipped his pen and began writing even as he spoke, fast, decisive. "The Frasers will be harder. I'll need tae appeal tae something sharper than loyalty with them. Self-interest, perhaps…remind them that backing a losing claim against a sealed Accord is a poor wager, whatever grievance they're nursing against the Crown."

"Send both tonight," Marcas said. "I want every ally secured or at least neutralized before Cailleach's force is close enough tae make the choice for them."