"Nay," Hugh said. "But 'tis not our quarrel. Our clan is still suffering from the last siege."
"That's no reason to allow a woman to be murdered."
Hugh watched him with calculating eyes. "I ken you fancy her. 'Tis obvious to everyone."
"Whether I fancy her or not, I still wouldn't send a lady back to her husband's murderer. Do you have no honor?"
"Of course I have honor! But our main loyalty should be to our clan. Not a woman who's a stranger. If we have a battle, half our clan could be killed. We don't have that many soldiers to spare. You'll dwindle our ranks to naught."
"Why don't we let the clan decide? If they say nay, that they don't wish to protect an innocent woman, I'll fight Blackburn MacCromar and his men single-handedly."
"You are as mad as everyone says!" Hugh shouted.
"Aye, indeed, I am!"
"You are nay fit leader for this clan!"
Rage snaked along Neacal's veins. "Well, then, problem solved. I'll take the lady and leave. You lead the clan if you think 'tis such a simple and easy job."
As Neacal turned to go, Bhatar approached along the corridor. "What is the ruckus about? I could hear the shouting from the great hall."
"You heard Hugh. I'm not a good leader for the clan."
"He didn't mean it," Bhatar said.
"Of course, he meant it." Neacal drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to let the anger drain away and think logically. "I'll ask the clan who wants to stand with me and fight beside me for the noble cause of protecting the innocent. Do you think our clansmen are loyal and honorable, or terrified, like Hugh?"
"I'm not terrified!"
"You're a knight. I expected more from you," Neacal said.
Hugh sighed. "I am merely thinking of the clan. I cannot sanction more of their deaths."
"MacDonalds don't back down from anyone. We don't fear the MacCromars or Sleat or anyone. 'Tis better to die fighting for what we believe in than to cower in the corner until we're old and gray."
Hugh's eyes narrowed. "I may be old and gray, but I have never cowered in a corner. I was fighting on battlefields before you were born!"
"Aye, I'm well aware. So, what happened? My father hailed you as one of the bravest and most fearsome fighters."
Hugh nodded, his eyes glinting with suppressed emotion. "Things change, lad."
"Not that much. The same things are important now that were important back then."
He nodded, looking defeated of a sudden. "Aye. I simply don't want to see the clan destroyed, more of our kin killed."
"You give up too soon. We have allies. Colin brought a few dozen men. And Chief MacRury is sending for several of his own."
"And what if MacCromar brings his own clan allies? We could easily be outnumbered," Hugh said.
"I could ask the MacKenzies for help, but it might take a week for them to arrive."
"Aye, I think you should," Bhatar said.
"But if MacCromar asks for his wife back, how can you keep her here?" Hugh asked.
"Easy. I keep her behind these walls and I shoot him and his men full of arrows from the ramparts."
***
