Chapter Sixteen
While he ate a bowl of mutton stew, Sleat eyed Gegrim across the table at the Red Stag Tavern in Acharacle. Gegrim was one of the guards from Bearach that Sleat had managed to lure to his side through Parlan MacDonald. Sleat thought he could trust the guard but was unsure as of yet. He glanced around the tavern, making sure no other clansmen from Bearach were around.
Korbin MacDonald owned the establishment and he'd already informed Sleat that Neacal was helping some lady that another chief, named MacCromar, was looking for. And that there had been a wee skirmish just outside in which Neacal had killed some men. The remaining ones had all left, returning to their chief. If only Sleat knew where to find MacCromar, they could join forces, storm the castle and easily defeat Neacal and his dwindling clan.
Gegrim took a sip of ale, swallowed, then wiped the foam from his mustache. "Matthew MacDonald, the war leader, made us believe he was on our side but when the chief disappeared for a few days, Matthew locked up five of our men in the dungeon."
"Parlan and Roy?" Sleat asked between bites, outrage crawling through him.
"Aye, and three more they'd recruited. 'Tis where they remain."
Sleat muttered a curse. "Why did Neacal disappear and where was he?" He already knew it had to do with the lady but he needed more information.
"He wouldn't tell us, but after I saw who he returned with, I gathered he'd gone off with a woman, a singer named Anna Douglas." Gegrim shrugged. "I don't keep up with the chief's liaisons."
"A singer? Or is she a lady?"
"She's part of a traveling band of minstrels. And now I reckon she's caught the chief's eye. He already killed one of his own guards over her."
"Indeed?" Sleat felt his eyes flare wide. Neacal's madness could only work in Sleat's favor. "What did the clan say about that?"
"Some were worried at first, but then Neacal made it known the guard had tried to rape the singer. She is rather bonny."
Sleat shook his head. Neacal and his women. Even though he was scarred hideously, the women were still after him. He would never understand it. "How many men loyal to me remain free?" Sleat asked, then took a bite of bread.
"'Tis uncertain. I've been trying to sway more of the guards to our side but some are stubborn and daft enough to believe Neacal is a good chief."
Sleat chewed and swallowed. "We both ken that's a stupid notion. One inside man is all I need. I wish we'd arrived before Neacal returned to the castle, or better yet, encountered him outside the walls. Since we didn't, we'll need to sneak inside."
"Inside the castle?" The guard's eyes widened. "When?"
"Tomorrow night. Simply get me a key to the postern gate."
Gegrim hesitated. "What is your plan?"
Why would the guard waver? Was he not on Sleat's side? Was he a spy for Neacal? He'd best not betray Sleat or he would be a dead man.
Unfortunately, to get what he wanted, Sleat had no choice but to tell him the plan. "'Tis simple. I intend to slip into the castle, unseen, unheard, and kill Neacal while he sleeps. Everyone else will live, as long as they don't challenge me or my men. Taking over will be easy and no one in your clan need suffer, except Neacal, of course."
Gegrim nodded.
Sleat eyed him critically, watching for any deception. A man who betrayed his own chief was not trustworthy, of course. "I know the inside of the castle well. I can find my way to the chief's chamber."
"He usually has a bodyguard posted outside his door at night," Gegrim said.
"He may not fare so well, but I'll leave the rest unharmed."
"The chief also has a large Irish wolfhound."
Sleat snorted. "I remember, but I'm not worried about a dog, unless he can wield a sword."
"Nay, but he will bark and wake the chief, giving him forewarning."
"By then, it won't matter. I'll have several soldiers with me. We can easily break down the door, kill the dog, then kill Neacal."
"Another thing—when he returned, Colin Cameron came with him, bringing a few dozen men."
"Good to know, but I'm nay worried about it. I have the whole of the MacRankin clan to back me, in addition to my clansmen. You'll fight on my side, along with the men you release from the dungeon."
