"Fergus is dead," Donnan said flatly. "I arranged fer someone tae slit his throat before dawn, makin' sure he couldnae talk."
Conall absorbed this information with a slight nod. Good. One less loose end to worry about. But it also meant they'd lost their man inside the dungeons, their best source of information about Magnus's security.
"What about the others?" Conall asked. "The men I sent tae scout the walls?"
"Gone tae ground. Waitin' fer orders." Donnan straightened slightly, trying to reclaim some dignity. "But Magnus has doubled his guard. Changed patrol routes. He kens someone's workin' against him from the inside, even if he daesnae ken who yet."
"And Ada?"
Donnan's expression darkened. "She's with him. All the time now. I've barely seen her except at meals, and even then Magnus watches her like a hawk. After the attack..." He stopped. Donnan's hands curled into fists. " He cares about her. Really cares."
"Perfect. So he really is as vulnerable as I had hoped." Conall moved to the small table where maps of Barra lay spread across weathered parchment. "A man in love makes mistakes. Gets reckless. Prioritizes the wrong things." He traced the outline of Dun Barra Keep with one finger. "We took Ada nae fer ransom, but tae make Magnus feel vulnerable, like he cannot guarantee the protection of the woman he loves. This will make him make a mistake. But that also gave Magnus time tae respond. Time tae be the hero."
"So what dae we dae now?"
Conall looked up, a cold smile touching his lips. "We stop sneakin' around like thieves and start actin' like warriors with a legitimate grievance. "The one thing that would force the king tae act against Magnus, that would give us permission, nay,encouragementtae attack Barra without fear of royal retributionwould be if Ada claimed she was mistreated. If she said Magnus broke the Pact. The Pact is meant tae create peace through marriage. Through kinship. But if one of those marriages fails, if a Highland bride is abused or neglected by her savage Norse husband––"
"The king would be furious," Donnan said slowly. "Would see it as a betrayal of the agreement."
"More than that. He'd see it as proof that the Norsemen cannae be trusted tae honor their word. That maybe the whole Pact was a mistake." Conall moved around the table, his movements precise. "And which loyal Highland laird stepped forward tae offer his daughter despite the risks? Which man put his family at risk tae serve the Crown's interests?"
"Ye did."
"I did. So when I ride tae the king's court with me daughter claimin' she barely escaped with her life, who dae ye think the king will believe? The schemin' Viking who already has rumors of murderin' his first wife? Or the devoted faither who warned him this might happen?"
Donnan's eyes lit with understanding. "The king would give ye permission tae take Barra. Tae remove Magnus and install someone more... trustworthy."
"Someone like me." Conall's voice was soft with satisfaction. "And all it requires is Ada playin' her part. Tellin' the story we need her tae tell."
"And if she refuses?"
"She willnae refuse. Nae when the alternative is watchin' Magnus die slowly in front of her." Conall's expression hardened. "Daughters are biddable creatures, Donnan. Especially when properly motivated."
Donnan shifted his weight, something uncertain flickering across his face. "About Ada... ye promised that when this was over, when Magnus was dealt with and ye had control of Barra, that she'd be mine. That ye'd arrange the marriage."
"I remember what I promised."
"Dae ye still mean it?"
Conall studied him for a long moment. Donnan had always wanted Ada, had watched her with hungry eyes since she was barely grown. It was one of the reasons Conall had chosen him for that task. Men driven by desire were easy to manipulate, easy to control with the promise of eventually getting what they wanted.
"Aye," Conall said finally. "When this is done, Ada will be yers. Ye've earned her."
"And ye willnae change yer mind? Willnae decide she's more valuable married tae some other laird?"
"I give ye me word, Donnan. Help me destroy Magnus Haraldson, help me take control of Barra, and Ada becomes yer wife." Conall's smile was cold. "Though I'd suggest breakin' whatever affection she's developed fer the Serpent first. A wife with a wanderin' heart is worse than nay wife at all."
Donnan's jaw tightened. "I'll make her forget him."
"Good. Now, let's discuss the details." Conall gestured to the map. "We cannae just attack outright. That would still look aggressive, and the king might question our motives. We need Magnus tae appear guilty first."
"How?"
"We stage an incident. Somethin' public that makes it look like Magnus is unstable, violent." Conall's finger traced the path from the keep to the village. "Ada makes an appearance in the village. Maybe she's visitin' the sick, playin' the dutiful lady. Ye approach her, offer yer concern as an old family friend. And Magnus, jealous and possessive as he's become, attacks ye in front of witnesses."
"He'd never."
"He would if he thought ye were a threat tae her. I've seen the reports, Donnan. The way he growls at any man who looks at her too long. The way he hovers." Conall's smile turned predatory. "All ye have tae dae is touch her. Just a hand on her arm, a concerned question. And when Magnus reacts, ye makesure everyone sees it. Make sure they see the Serpent's famous temper directed at a man who was only tryin' tae help."
