"Go retrieve her. And be quick about it!"
The lad ran for the exit.
A cool wind picked up, swirling leaves and debris in the bailey. Far away, thunder rumbled.
"We're in for a storm. Carry Balcot and Waldrop into the barracks and give them whisky if they can swallow."
Once they were inside the barracks and the wounded lying on the cots, Henry asked, "What do you two remember?" He switched his gaze between Balcot and Waldrop.
"Naught," Waldrop mumbled.
"Come on. Think! How many men did MacKenzie have with him?"
"I didn't see any others," Balcot hissed through teeth clenched in pain. "I thought he was one of your new guards, then he threw me over the balustrade."
"Dark." Single-word responses seemed to be all Waldrop could utter.
If MacKenzie alone could reduce his two best guards to broken, addlepated sheep, what could he do with a small army backing him? What about the guards he'd left back at Darby Hall? He would count them as casualties for now. If they lived, no doubt they had severe injuries much like his soldiers here.
"We found Ballantyne alive." Galway and another guard entered, carrying the befuddled man between them, then placed him on one of the narrow beds.
Henry hastened toward him. "Ballantyne? What do you remember?"
The man mumbled gibberish.
Campbell strode in. "Parker is dead. He was hidden under a bush."
"Hell," Henry ground out. Including the guard from the great hall, that made five the bastard had killed. He'd likely slain the five he'd left back at Darby, too, in order to escape. Around half his men were either dead or out of commission. He needed more soldiers and quickly. What about the Highland clan MacTarril had said he would rustle up to add to his forces? He needed them immediately.
"Galway, hasten to MacTarril's home and tell him I need the Highland reinforcements forthwith. Tell him 'tis urgent, and I will double my next donation."
"Aye, m'laird." Galway quit the room.
Henry had to get the wench back before MacKenzie somehow sent word for reinforcements of his own. If Henry could reclaim Lady Grey, he could take her south to his main residence and slip her into the dungeon until she was forced to sign the deeds, then he could quietly and discretely dispose of her in the river.
"I want every able-bodied man out searching for MacKenzie and the harlot! Leave her unharmed and bring her to me immediately. If you see him, kill him!"
