"It's vulnerable," Ewan was saying as Kier and Cailean entered the war room. "Even though that bastard Kyle is ready tae move intae the seat, there's still a strategic chance that we can take the castle back at last."
"I dinnae ken. With Senan away on his recruitin' mission, it might be better tae hold back," Hamish retorted. "We need tae be at full strength. We'll have one chance tae take the place back, and if we ruin that chance…"
"We'll just have tae succeed, then," Kier interrupted. Both men looked up and nodded toward Cailean and Kier as the two approached the map on the table. "It's been twenty years since I've seen me home, and I'm more than ready tae get backthere. If me son ever gives me grandbairns, I willnae have them nomads like me son and nephews have had tae be."
"At least the traitor is dead. He and his father sided with the English and betrayed the king when he took that castle, and now they're both gone," Ewan said, sounding grimly satisfied. "That worm Kyle has moved in, but I think we can take him."
"And I think he's stronger than ye expect," argued Hamish. "The men of Darach havenae lost their swords. They'll kill us as easily under Kyle Darach as under Malcolm — more easily, even. The Darachs arenae above slaughter."
Kier scowled. "Stop bickerin' like a pair of old wifies," he ordered. "The fact is, we have two options. We raid… or we dinnae. So which is it?"
"I say we do it," Ewan said immediately. "I say we launch an all out attack and get this over with."
"I say it's too risky," countered Hamish. "We're a wider rebellion than we once were, but our forces cannae match an army. If Senan were here, I'm sure he'd agree with me, and I dinnae think we can come tae an agreement on somethin' like this without him."
Both looked to Kier, who shrugged. "I'm of a mind tae go slaughter the lot of them," the grizzled older man said, "But it isnae up tae me.
All three men's gazes turned to Cailean, who instantly felt uncomfortable.
"Darach took me lands, but he betrayedyerfather when he did it," Kier said evenly. "Our king. And ye, his son, his only heir, are here. So what say ye? What should we do?"
Cailean was already shaking his head. "I am nae me father. I've told ye this over and over again; I'm nae king."
"Then who are ye, lad?" Hamish asked gently. "We've toldyeover again?—"
"I'mnae king," Cailean insisted. "Me birthright was taken away with me family. I'm part of this rebellion, but me voice holds no more weight than any of the others here. I'm nae part of the council, I'm naebody special at all."
The three older men exchanged looks, then Ewan said, "Aye, fine. Just another soldier as ye say. But tell me, as a soldier, what's yer opinion? Should we complete this raid? Should we risk it tae take back what's ours?"
Cailean felt the pressure of their eyes on him and knew he had to give at least something. He weighed up the options in his mind then decided to give the truth; he did not want the decision on his shoulders, but the least he could do was tell them the truth as he saw it. "I think it would be foolish."
The men looked at each other again, but Cailean pressed on.
"I think the plan is fraught with too much danger and not enough return," he said. "It's overly ambitious, and we could lose our numbers before we've even managed tae build them tae full strength. This isnae the right course of action. I'm sorry, Kier. I ken ye want yer home back, but…"
Kier snorted. "Ye talk of risk, do ye? Well, lad, what's war without risk? I've been gentle where I can, but nae in this.Naewar is won without risk, without sacrifice. If we wish tae be in with a chance of winnin' this battle at all, then we must?—"
"What battle?" Cailean demanded. "Whatwar?"
Three sets of eyes were upon him in an instant, but Cailean was suddenly filled with such passion and sadness for his words that he no longer felt their weight.
"This isnae a war, Kier. It hasnae been a war in twenty years, nae since me home and me family both burned tae the ground. We lost that war. Now all we're doin' is survivin'." Cailean shook his head. "And if ye want me tae speak as though me words mean somethin', hear me now: we willnaerisk the men and womenwho've given themselves tae this rebellion without a chance of success. Nae while I'm breathin'."
Silence met his words. To his surprise, all three of the elders wore expressions somewhere close to satisfaction, even though he'd just openly contradicted them. He had the horrible feeling that he'd just been maneuvered into accepting a mantle of leadership that he simply did not want, but before he could accuse them of doing just that, the door slammed open, and Darren burst in, his tree-sap golden curls bouncing around his head and his dark eyes wide with alarm.
"They're comin'. The redcoats, they're comin' this way," Darren said without preamble. "We need tae go. Now."
Cailean's stomach dropped. If the redcoats found them here, it wasn't just the rebels who would be in danger. The nearby village would be branded as traitors to the crown; men, women, and children alike. At best, they'd be imprisoned, but Cailean knew that mass slaughter and capturing for 'sport' were much more likely. He simply couldn't allow that.
He'd gotten so used to this camp, but he'd have to drop it, just like over the years he'd let go of so many temporary homes. But then, it didn't matter. He hadn't had a home in twenty years, and no matter how much Kier thought they were fighting a war to win, he knew the truth. He'd likely never have a home again.
"Come," he said, "Let's round everyone up and gather what we can. We need tae move quickly, but not leave behind what we can manage tae bring. Do we have sick? Injured?"
"Sick, aye. We'll arrange wagons," Darren said. "I'll gather the strong ones tae help."
There was chaos. As much as the council was trying to organize everyone, panic had drummed up around the camp and people were rushing to and fro instead of organizing themselves. The few children in the camp were shrinking back in terror, and the women and men were arguing with each other over the best course of action.
Cailean knew that he had to act. If he let things continue, they would never be able to get everyone out of here on time. Not only would the rebels be in danger, but so too would the people of the nearby village.
