“Alisdair! Brodie!” he called, his voice piercing the stillness.
Bound by blood and common cause, the brothers arrived hastily. Alisdair’s eyes met Lachlan’s with shared understanding while Brodie surveyed the scene attentively.
“Spread the word,” Lachlan commanded, “Ailis is missing.”
Brodie studied Lachlan. “I wonder if the attack was to distract us so they could take her. We’ve all thought that the attacks were by the Sinclairs.”
“I hope not,” Lachlan huffed, praying they didn’t have Ailis.
The McAfee men, burdened with the aftermath of conflict, dispersed into the evening. They searched the land. Whispers of a sighting—two soldiers escorting a captive toward Sinclair lands—stirred them into action.
The boy who had told the tale was barely able to speak he was so nervous. “I thought it was Lady Ailis, but I couldna tell for certain,” he said looking down at his feet as his whispered words reached the large man in front of him.
“Sinclair lands?” Brodie questioned.
“We must go there,” declared Lachlan. He looked down at the boy who couldn’t have been more than six or seven. “Ye did well. Now we ken where to find her.”
The boy nodded, smiling slightly.
Lachlan was more afraid than ever before. Ailis must be all right. He couldn’t imagine what he would do without her in his life.
Feeling the pull of duty, Lachlan understood they would be in enemy lands and must be ready to defend themselves.
“Ready yerselves,” he commanded. “We must find Ailis.”
The three brothers put their heads together and whispered about plans and strategies. Only the three of them would go into Sinclair lands, as it would be easier to hide the three of them than an army.
*
In Sinclair keep,Arran Sinclair penned a message with ruthless intent. “Deliver this to Duncan McAfee without delay,” he ordered his swiftest rider. “Inform him that Ailis’s life is at stake if she refuses to marry me son Ian.”
As the messenger rode into the night, a somber expression crossed Arran’s face. He had no problem with betraying the McAfees, but taking lasses prisoner made him feel as if he was doing evil work. But he knew he must obey the mystery man if he was to be second in command, and he longed for the power that would bring.
*
“Let us hurry,”Lachlan urged. “We must reach Ailis before dawn. I worry that she will be hurt or killed. She will not give in to their demands. Not Ailis.”
They ventured into enemy territory. Approaching Sinclair castle cautiously, they knew Arran Sinclair held an unyielding heart.
“Ye ken we maynae be welcome here,” Alisdair muttered at the threshold.
“Then let us hope our words will shield us as well as any dirk,” Brodie added, hand on his sword hilt.
In the great hall, Lachlan didn’t waver. The Sinclairs watched the McClain brothers with spear-sharp eyes. No one came to fight with them, but it seemed as if everyone held their breath as they waited to see what the brothers would do.
“We seek an audience with yer laird,” Lachlan declared. “We’ve grave matters to discuss.”
“Ye accuse us of treachery?” a Sinclair elder asked coldly.
Lachlan replied calmly, “Accusations are unnecessary. We seek only truth… and Ailis McAfee’s safe return.”
“Ye come here demanding without proof.” Ian shook his head. “I’m offended by the very sight of ye.
“Proof lies in the absence of doubt,” Lachlan countered. “And there is none left to shelter behind. ’Twas Sinclair men who took her.”
The Sinclairs exchanged glances. Lachlan observed them closely, searching for any sign of Ailis’s location.
“Grant us time to confer,” Callum finally spoke without emotion. “Return on the morrow, and ye shall have yer answers.”
