Where would she find Farlan? With Moira, no doubt. But where was she? Not in the great hall, since they’d left there not long since. And not in council. Making arrangements to bury their dead, mayhap.
Rhian decided to try Moira’s quarters, located behind the great hall. She did not find her sister there, but when she banged on the door and called frantically, Farlan came out.
“Ye maun come wi’ me.”
“Why?”
“Someone has tried to murder yon Leith MacLeod. He is asking for ye.”
Farlan did not argue it. He came away with her, pausing only to seize his weapons. “Where?”
“The pen. The same one where ye were held.”
He said no more, but his features twisted in disgust. They went swiftly, and aye, now they did attract attention. One of those they passed was Alasdair, and Rhian reached out for him.
“Ye maun come. The guards ha’ forsaken their posts, and someone half murdered the MacLeod.”
He grunted and joined them. Others, their interest caught, followed. They had a small train when they reached the pen.
“Wha’ happened?” Alasdair demanded. “I had twa men here.”
“I do no’ ken. ’Twas dark and deserted when I came.”
He grunted. “Go ye in. I will stand guard mysel’.”
They went into the guttering torchlight, Rhian with Farlan at her heels.
“By God!” Farlan sank to Leith’s side. “Leith? I am here, man.”
He clasped Leith’s hands as Rhian had before him. The big man shuddered and gasped.
“Farlan? Wha’ is this place?”
“Ye be still at MacBeith, man. Prisoner.”
“Nay. All these trees.”
Farlan shot a look at Rhian. “Nay trees here, Leith.”
“I canna find my way home.”
“Ye are no’ for home, for the time being.”
“Did Rory lead us here?”
In a way, he had. Rhian imagined it was Rory MacLeod’s ambition that had led them all into this terrible conflict.
She sank to the floor on Leith’s other side. “He canna see ye,” she reminded Farlan. “He took a tremendous blow to the head before they brought him in.”
“Aye, so ye said. And now, by God—ye say someone tried to murder him?”
“Tried to smother him with yon bolster, where he lay.”
Anger kindled in Farlan’s eyes. “Cowards.”
“Aye, but it puzzles me. He lay here both senseless and helpless. Why no’ just employ a dirk and be done?”
“Farlan?” Leith said, his voice rough and desperate. “Can ye get me home?”
