Page 65 of The Lion

“We should attack and burn the keep to the ground,” Stuart said between clenched teeth.

“I agree,” Darach replied. “However, we will not.”

His brothers waited for his orders as to what they would do next. “We will not attack, despite the fact I do not think this is over. The man is hungry for power at any cost.”

“Perhaps a good lesson would quell it a bit?” Gideon said, glaring toward the keep.

“I may regret this, but no. We will wait.”

Gideon, Stuart, and Ewan turned their horses around and began shouting out orders for retreat. The flanks of men parted to allow Darach and Duncan to ride through to the front. Only once they were safely protected by the men behind them, would the warriors follow.

Duncan grunted. “What reason did he give for imprisoning ye?”

“He is angry that we did not keep to an agreement he and Da had made.”

“A plan?”

“Aye, they were to attack the Macdonald and split the lands, livestock, and whatever else they found.”

His brother gave him an incredulous look. “It would never have worked. The Macdonalds are allied to the MacLeod, together they are twice as powerful as us.”

“I do not understand either,” Darach said. “With Cairn missing, I am not sure who else would know how they planned to accomplish this.”

As much as he wanted to ask about Isobel, Darach realized his brother would not know much more than him. He’d barely been gone two days before a messenger had been sent about his capture.

“I’m hungry,” he murmured. “Have anything?”

Duncan yanked some dried meat from a sack and handed him a wineskin. “He didn’t feed ye?”

“They did, but I was not about to eat and be poisoned.”

They rode for a bit, Darach taking in the scenery. “I wonder if the Uisdein is under threat and that is the reason he wanted this agreement. To gain our alliance.”

“It was an idiotic way to go about it,” Duncan replied.

“We must send spies and find out exactly what is happening.”

His brother nodded. After spending many years on ships and traveling, Duncan knew men who would take on such a task. His solemn brother had many secrets that he kept to himself. Darach hoped one day to find out more.

“I wish to spend time with ye Duncan. Caelan as well. Perhaps I can get away from my duties this winter and come to visit for a week or two.”

“Ye are always welcome,” Duncan replied without inflection.

When his stomach growled, Darach chewed the meat and washed it down with wine. “Do ye know anyone who Cairn would confide in?”

“There is a guard who I saw at the tavern with Cairn once. I am not sure why I hadn’t considered that he would probably be who freed him.”

“Which one is it?”

“Young man, I believe his name is Jon or James. Has reddish hair, freckled face.”

Darach knew who Duncan referred to. If it was James McTavish, the guard would be punished. McTavish had a young wife and a wee bairn, just born.

“He must have dangled plenty of coin in front of him. I can’t imagine James McTavish being tempted. Although I suppose a wife and wee one can make a man susceptible.”

“What will ye do?”

“Question him. Find out as much as we can. Toss him in the dungeon for a month.”