“The moment he ran, he confirmed that all he had said was lies. He knew what his fate would be. The mon kenned weel that he would either succeed or sign his own death warrant. Now he but strikes out in an act of blind vengence. Ranald, ye and”—glancing around, he named the four other youngest men in his band—“will stay with the carts.”
“But, uncle, we too can fight. Aye, we have an equal right to defend our homes and families.” Ranald’s protest was loudly seconded by the other young men.
“Aye, ye do, but guarding what few riches Dubheilrig has is nearly as important. In those carts lies the wealth of every family. Aye, and in this one too.” He nodded toward Jennet. “My wealth and the future of the Gillards. There may weel be some of Balreaves’s men fleeing through here. Or they could attempt some rear guard action. Shall we leave all that we hold dear unguarded for them to steal or destroy at will?” When all five youths shook their heads, he nodded. “Good. I expect it to be guarded weel.
“Robert, I also ask ye to stay with them. I leave it to you to decide when or if they may best serve by joining in the fight at some time. Or by chasing down any of Balreaves’s men.”
Robert nodded and moved to take Dugald’s place in driving the cart which Elizabeth and Jennet shared. “Shall I bring us nearer to Dubheilrig?”
“As near as ye dare, and then hide them weel in the wood.”
“And if we see any of Balreaves’s curs—do ye want them captured or slain?”
“I dinnae think, after this, any will wish to be taken alive.” He turned and, leaning into the cart, gave Jennet a brief kiss. “Ye do as Robert commands.”
“Aye. Take care,” she added in a soft voice as he donned his helmet.
While Hacon moved to remount, Artair rode up beside the cart. “Dinnae do anything foolish, lass. Ye have two lives to consider now.”
“I ken it, Papa.” She raised herself up on her knees so that they could exchange a brief kiss. “Ye do have a skill for appearing at just the right moment.”
“Ye are kind enough to save these troubles for the right times.”
“Take care. And,” she hastily added as he started to move away, “ye can better do that by donning your helmet.”
“I think ye often forget who is the parent,” Artair muttered, but took a moment to don his helmet. He paused by Hacon to say, “I took a close look at number and strength. Your kinsmen will be pushed into the tower house itself soon.”
“Are there any men set on watch to warn Balreaves if we ride up?”
“There was one, but he willnae be warning anyone in this life, though I cannae promise they willnae have found his body by now and set out a new guard.”
“And thus we could ride into a force ready and waiting for us.” Eyeing Artair as he rubbed his chin, Hacon thought out loud. “If we draw close, can ye slip ahead unseen and determine our chances of surprising Balreaves?”
“Oh, aye. God has blessed me with a light tread. I can also take a wee peek to see if matters have changed in the battle.”
“Good. Then we shall delay making set plans until we have that information. Men?” There was a muted bellow from his men, indicating their readiness to ride, and Hacon quickly spurred his horse to lead them.
Jennet watched them gallop away and tried to calm her fears. One look from Robert told her to sit down. The moment she was seated as comfortably and safely as possible, he started them on their way. Ranald rode ahead to ensure they did not draw closer to Dubheilrig than was safe. Jennet turned to Elizabeth.
“Why would Balreaves do this? What can he gain?”
When Elizabeth remained silent, shrugging her inability to reply, Robert spoke up. “He means to steal your husband’s victory. Sir Gillard has won the game, but that low cur means to leave him only ashes and graves.”
There was much truth in that explanation. Jennet grew even more afraid for Hacon, for their family and their friends. Balreaves was doomed, and in his bitterness he meant to destroy all he could before he was brought to justice. For a little while the fear and worry that thought caused, took her mind off of her own discomfort. She prayed Balreaves would receive his just punishment without too high a cost to Dubheilrig.
Hacon paced the ground in front of his men, who waited impatiently on the road but yards away from where it cleared the woods to begin its winding way through the village. He knew Artair had not been gone long, but he was eager, even desperate, to act. Each moment lost could mean another life forfeit. Balreaves wanted to make Dubheilrig bleed. The longer he held siege to the tower house, the more chance he would have to quench that dark thirst.
Hacon was also concerned about Artair. The man had an enviable skill, but that did not guarantee his continued safety. Hacon dreaded the possibility of having to tell Jennet that something had befallen her father. When he finally saw the man trotting leisurely toward him through the pine trees on their left, he was both relieved and tensed for battle.
“Weel, the fools are so caught up in their bloody work that they havenae realized they no longer have a rear guard,” Artair reported as he halted before Hacon.
“So we are free to ride in as we please.”
“Aye, though, as clear as it is all ’round the village, ye might be spotted ere ye reach him. Ye will have to be verra cautious in your approach. A direct assault willnae do. He has at least two men, nearer three, to your every one.”
Using a stick he had picked up earlier, Hacon quickly sketched the plan of Dubheilrig in the dirt and handed the stick to Artair. “Show me how he is placed. We need to strike hard and swiftly. We need to pin him between us and those in the tower house. Only then will we finally lance this boil from our lives.”
With the men encircling them, Artair, Hacon, and Dugald laid out their plan of attack. Once clear of the trees, they would spread out and slip up to the tower house from three sides. The oats and the grass in the fields were long enough to provide partial cover if they were careful. A few men would sneak up on Balreaves through the village. If they used all natural camouflage wisely and approached singly instead of as a solid force, they could get within yards of the outer wall of the tower house, directly behind the attackers. Hacon felt a lessening of his fears. If all went as smoothly as planned, victory would be assured.
