"Ye're askin' us tae approve kidnappin'," Gregor said finally. "Tae sanction an act that could bring the full weight of the Pact down on our heads."
"I'm askin' ye tae help me protect a child from a man who beats women tae death." Tòrr's voice was quiet but absolute. "Liliane's maither died from his violence. I'll nae leave another girl under his control."
Slowly, reluctantly, heads began to nod around the table.
"Very well," Malcolm said finally. "We'll support this operation. But it needs tae be planned carefully." He paused, his eyes sharp on Tòrr's face. "And we expect regular reports. If this escalates beyond what we can handle, we reserve the right tae reconsider."
Tòrr nodded, though he had no intention of ever givin' Nessa back. That was a truth the council didn't need to know. Not yet.
"First teams deployed at midday," Tòrr continued. "They're sweepin' the eastern forests now. Any man found wearin' Munro colors dies. Nay prisoners."
No one argued. Everyone knew what Munro's men had tried to do.
"Then we're agreed," Malcolm said, standing. "We support both operations."
Tòrr stood as well. "Now if there's naethin' else, I have search parties tae coordinate and a raid tae plan."
The council members filed out slowly, still murmuring among themselves about the boldness of what they'd just approved.
Foulis Castle
"Three men dead. Three! And naethin' tae show fer it but MacDonald's insult delivered with their corpses."
Roderick Munro's fist slammed against the oak table in his solar, making the wine cups jump. Rain lashed against the narrow windows, matching the fury in his voice as he paced before the hearth.
"Calm yerself," Angus Campbell said from his seat, though his own expression was dark with displeasure. "Rage solves naethin'."
"Rage is all I have left! That bastard killed me men and sent word through the villages that anyone else who tries fer his wife will meet the same fate. He's makin' me look weak, Campbell. Weak before the entire Pact."
"Aye. He is." Campbell took a measured sip of wine. "Which is why we need tae be smarter about this."
"The festival was supposed tae be the perfect place—crowds, chaos, enough confusion that me men could take her and disappear." Roderick resumed his pacing. "Instead, he killed them all. And now Liliane's locked away in Keppoch Castle."
"Tell me, have ye heard from the men ye stationed near MacDonald's borders?"
"Nae since the festival. Their silence tells me MacDonald's found them too. Probably huntin' them through the forests as we speak."
"Then we assume they're compromised." Campbell steepled his fingers. "Which means we need a new approach. One that daesnae involve direct confrontation."
"What are ye suggestin'?"
"I'm suggestin' we stop tryin' tae take yer daughter back and start thinkin' about the real problem." Campbell leaned forward. "The real problem isnae Liliane. It's MacDonald himself. As long as he lives, that marriage stands. So we remove the obstacle."
"Ye want tae kill him." It wasn't a question.
"I want him dead. Preferably in a way that cannae be traced back tae either of us." Campbell rose, movin' to stand beside Roderick at the hearth. "MacDonald dies in a tragic accident, and suddenly everythin' would change. The clan would be in turmoil. And yer daughter would become a widow. Free tae marry again. This time tae Ross, as originally planned."
"She'd never agree. She hates me."
"She's yer daughter. She'll dae as she's told." Campbell's voice hardened. "But first, MacDonald has tae die. And that requires careful plannin'."
Roderick stared into the flames. "How?"
"We place men inside his keep. Nae Munro men—they'd be recognized. But men loyal tae the Pact, men with reasons tae hate MacDonald." Campbell's tone took on the quality of a teacher instructin' a slow student. "Servants, guards, merchants. People who can move freely without raisin' suspicion."
"That takes time. Weeks, maybe months."
"Aye. But it's the only way tae ensure success without startin' open war." Campbell met his eyes. "Unless ye'd prefer tae march an army tae Keppoch's gates? See how well that works fer ye?"
