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"I know what they say."

"And you know it is the truth. The man has no honor. He is a murderer, a kin-slayer—"

"Stop!" Deirdre cried, pressing her hands over her ears. "Get out! I won't listen to you—"

"You are a fool!" he cried, starting for the door. "Or else he has beglamored you in truth."

She turned away and stared out the window, her back stiff. As he passed the table, he hesitated, glancing at a pile of wilted greenery on its surface. Among the fading blossoms sat a dagger. He stared at it, noting the beauty of the finely wrought stag's head, the emeralds winking in the sunlight.

"Dee, won't you listen to me?" he cried desperately. "Can't you see how you have changed, what he has done to you?"

"Get out," she said, not turning. "Just leave. I don't want you here."

"Fine. I will."

His hand shot out and grasped the dagger. He thrust it into his belt and hurried from the room.

CHAPTER 34

Water dripped from the eaves of the deserted croft tucked away among the hills. Inside it was cold and drear; the hearth was dark and empty, save for the swallows' nest halfway up the crumbled chimney. The one room held only a table on which a smoking lantern had been set. It lit the faces of the two men standing above it, sharpening their noses and making shadowed hollows of their eyes.

"What news?" Though all was deserted for miles around, still the smaller of the men spoke in a whisper.

"Och, fine news," the larger man said. When he laughed his hood fell back, revealing the bearded face of Calder. "The laird is dying. He'll no' last out the night. And tomorrow we'll be rid of Alistair."

"Fine for you. But what of Brodie?"

"Dinna fear, man. I havena forgotten ye." Calder laughed. "Alistair and Brodie will both be dead by sunset."

"How?" the smaller man asked sourly. "'Tis hardly likely they'll kill each other on the field."

"They'll never even have the chance. Listen, friend, and tell me what ye think...."

Calder bent and lowered his voice even further. As he spoke, the smaller man began to laugh.

"Damn if I don't think it will work!"

"Of course it will. If ye do your part."

Calder held out his hand and the dagger glittered in his palm, the emeralds catching the lantern light.

"Oh, that's good, Calder. Verra good."

Calder handed off the dagger and followed his companion to the door. With a flash of Maxwell plaid, the man mounted and rode off.

CHAPTER 35

Deirdre rolled over onto her back and sighed, staring up at the shadows dancing on the ceiling. A moment later she turned on her side and shut her eyes, then with an impatient gesture threw off the twisted coverlet and rose from the disordered bed.

Finn whined and twitched in his sleep. Deirdre sank down on the settle and laid a hand on his shaggy gray pelt. He quieted, then jumped up with a startled "woof" and ran to the door, his tail whipping furiously from side to side.

"Deirdre?" Alistair's voice was hardly more than a whisper.

She leaped to her feet and hurried toward the door. And if I had a tail, it would be wagging like the hound's, she thought wryly as she drew the latch.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Did I wake you?"

"No."