“He lives. Go now and free him with my blessing.”
Tavish turned, trying to resist running from the room. He made it down to the dungeon in time to see the door unlocked. Inside smelt strongly, the only light coming from a thin window high in the wall.
At the far end of the room there was another open door and inside that the rattling of chains. Lifting a candle from the sconce in the corridor he walked through the dungeon and into his father’s cell. The servants were already unlocking Fingal’s chains, shielding him from Tavish’s view.
He shoved past them, reaching down for his father’s hand. He tried not to let the shock show on his face, but it was not easy. The strong Highlander he knew from his childhood, the man who’d beaten the plague and carried his son to Castle Sinclair, was gone.
In his place was a will-o-the-wisp. What hair was left was white, lank, and hanging down his shoulders. His beard was ragged, his body little more than skin and bones. Sores covered his wrists and ankles from where the manacles had been removed.
“Father,” Tavish said, getting an arm around him, helping him to his feet. “Ah am back.”
“Tavish?” the old man said, his voice no more than a faint wheeze. “Is that you?”
“Aye, it is me.”
There was barely any weight to Fingal. Tavish could easily have lifted him into his arms but the old man was determined to walk, placing one shaky foot in front of the other as they edged their way out into the open.
The servants hovered nearby, unsure what to do with themselves.
“How long has it been?” Fingal asked as they climbed the steps to the courtyard.
“Ten years, Father.”
“Ten years for them to admit the truth.” He almost spat the words out before breaking off as coughs wracked his body. “To banish my son so long, how could they?” He stumbled, almost falling before Tavish caught him.
“Dinnae talk. Rest, Father.”
It took five minutes to reach the top of the steps. When they walked outside Fingal winced, the bright light impossible to bear after so long in the darkness. He shielded his eyes as the two of them slowly crossed the courtyard to the infirmary. The entire place came to a standstill to watch, no one saying a word.
Once inside, Tavish helped his father into the nearest bed, draping a blanket over him and watching his eyes close.
“Bring me the apothecary,” Tavish said to the steward crammed into the doorway. “My father needs tending for his ailments. And find out where Lilias is hiding. It is time she tell you all the truth.”
