"I know not. I was camped out in the wood at the time. I'm naught but a foot soldier."
"Did you see him?"
"Nay. We'd walked for miles and 'twas late. I was asleep."
"Maybe a name was whispered amongst the soldiers," Neacal suggested. "The name of someone from Bearach. One of the MacDonalds. A stranger would've been noticed."
Jarvis shook his head. "Sleat is a MacDonald, too, and I don't ken all his men."
"Damnation," Neacal muttered.
"Will you please let me go now?" Jarvis begged. "I have to get back to my wife and son to take them away so MacRankin will never find me. I told you what you wanted to know."
"I'll think on it. I may have more questions for you. In the meantime, try to recall the traitor's name. I'll return in the morn."
MacRankin likely wouldn't leave the area now. Neacal fully expected him to help Sleat attack Bearach at some point in the near future, so 'twas unlikely Jarvis' family was in danger at the moment. Of course, Neacal would never want to put a woman or child in peril.
After the three of them exited the cell, his guards locked the door and they climbed the steps. "Give the prisoners some bread and clean water," he told one of the guards as he left.
Even if he couldn't find out the traitor's name now, they needed to come up with a plan of action in dealing with another attack.
***
At gloaming, Colin joined Neacal on the ramparts. "Sleat and over two dozen men were in Acharacle at the tavern last night after their failed siege attempt." Colin and his garrison had just returned from scouting the surrounding area. "But they're gone now."
Neacal nodded, his gaze running along the mainland shore. "They must have left their galleys somewhere south of there and come overland. Conniving bastards."
"Aye."
"No doubt they'll be back with more men. What's worse is MacCromar may show up at around the same time."
"The rest of the MacRurys will be here by then, surely," Colin said.
"I certainly hope so or we'll be outnumbered. I doubt the MacKenzies will be here in time. I only just sent for them. I would've done so earlier if I'd known about MacCromar. Or MacRankin" Neacal shook his head. "How did I gain so many enemies?"
"Well, you must admit that ladies are two-thirds of the reason." Colin gave a wry grin.
"You're right." And Neacal had thought no woman would ever want to come near him again after the torture and all his scars. Anna had surprised the hell out of him.
"You've had bad luck with women," Colin observed.
"Aye, but no more. Anna's the only woman I want… and the last. Once I defeat MacCromar, naught will stand between us." Neacal was antsy to get the whole conflict over and done.
"What about the clan council? Will they agree to accept her as lady of this clan?"
Annoyance at the elders made his muscles draw taut. "They'll accept her or find themselves a new chief."
"Well… you're serious then. Willing to give up everything for her."
"Indeed. I've never wanted to marry before now. You ken that. I always had a feeling I would know when I found the right woman. I wasn't sure she existed. But 'tis Anna."
"How do you know she is the right one?" Colin asked.
Neacal eyed him, realizing Colin truly wanted to know the answer and was not teasing him. "Are you looking for a wife?"
Colin let out an audible breath. "As you might expect, my da wishes me to marry forthwith. 'Tis the way of it for a future chief. And I prefer to choose my own bride."
"I don't ken how to find the right woman. Strangely, the best way appears to be tonotlook for her at all. For me, Anna is like the bright blue sky in spring, or the purple heather on the hills in summer. Looking at her makes me forget the evil and the torture. 'Tis like she reached a hand down and drew me effortlessly from the dark abyss."
