“He’s got the Rivenloch warriors with him.”
Fergus paled.
“And he’s waitin’ for the English troops to arrive.”
“English troops?”Fergus barked.“What English troops?”
“Malcolm has forged an alliance with Henry.They’ve joined forces against ye.”
That was a lie.But it served to rile Fergus.His face contorted with rage.
“What?”
No doubt the news would upset Fergus.He was counting on Henry siding with him against Malcolm.
Fergus snagged Adam by the front of his hauberk and drew him up short.“Ye’d better be tellin’ me the truth.”
Adam resisted the urge to shove the laird away.Instead, he gave him a grim smile.“Why would I lie?Ye’re payin’ me fairly.And now, with the extra provisions of ale and oatcakes…”
“If I find ye’ve led me astray…” Fergus threatened.
Adam shrugged.“M’laird, they already outnumber us by half, e’en without the English.If we attack on the morrow as planned?With the Rivenlochs in their ranks, we’ll lose half our men.”
“Lucifer’s ballocks!”Fergus let go of him and began to pace, rubbing an angry hand over his beard.
“I do have an idea,” Adam offered.
“What?”he spat, unimpressed with the guidance of a common mercenary.“What idea could ye possibly have?”
“Ye have one clear advantage,” Adam told him.“Ye know he’s comin’.Ye know where and when.And ye know we’re outnumbered.If we lay low for the next fortnight, we’ll lose no more troops.And there will be time to gather up the provender to withstand a siege.”
“And then what?”Fergus exploded.“The Fergus clan will singlehandedly hold off the entire armies of England and Scotland?”
“Ye won’t have to, m’laird.Once they’ve besieged the keep, ye’ll summon the neighbor lairds who’ve sworn fealty to ye.They’ll come up from behind and surround the kings’ armies.Ye’ll be in a position to attack from both sides.”
Fergus scowled, considering this.
Adam added, “And since the attack will be upon the Fergus stronghold, ’twill be seen by everyone in Scotland as an act of aggression by the king.”
Fergus nodded.“How many men do they have?”
Adam had to strike a balance with his reply.Too few men, and Fergus might imagine he could defeat them in a surprise attack.Too many, and he might consider retreat an option, which would only extend the battle.
“Five dozen at least.Seven with the Rivenlochs.”To be honest, Adam wasn’t sure there were two dozen Rivenloch warriors of fighting age.Even if there were, some always stayed behind to defend their own keeps.And some like Adam were roving in parts unknown.But the number sounded impressive.
“Shite.”Fergus’s brows came together.He punched his fist into his palm, grinding it as if squashing a bug.“After All Souls Day?”
Adam nodded.
“I want ye by my side,” Fergus told him.
Adam knew his remark had nothing to do with loyalty and everything to do with mistrust.Fergus wanted him close at hand.If things went awry, Adam would be there to receive the brunt of his rage.
Adam would deal with that when the time came.At least for now, he had prevented a surprise attack on the king and kept Eve safe from harm.
Eve had no intention of remaining a prisoner.Not even a privileged prisoner of the king.
She had things to do.A Greater Purpose to achieve.
