Cam swore under his breath, gripping the edge of the table.
Hubert coughed loudly. “How is it even possible that so many strong clans can fall to one man?”
Angus turned to him. “The few survivors we found all tell the same tale. He attacks as he did with our patrol. He comes in the night, attacking again and again, wearing them down. There is little to fight against. By the time they muster armies he has vanished and when they sally forth, he either swallows them up and they are not seen again or he takes the castle while they hunt for him and then they are besieging him. It is attrition that he craves. They say he enjoys seeing the carnage more than anything.”
“Then that is it,” Hubert replied. “We must move south while we still have room to maneuver.”
“Never,” Cam replied. “This is our home. He is a man like any other and I say what I have said before. He can be defeated.”
“You heard him,” Hubert said, looking wild eyed. “The prophecy is coming true. The barefoot man will swallow the Highlands for sport.”
“Sacrifice,” Hamish said from the end of the table. “That will save us. I have already given the orders, Father.”
Cam stood up, turning to face Hamish directly. “My sword is still stained with the blood of the last of your clan who tried to take my betrothed for burning. Would you attempt another assault?”
The color drained from Hamish’s face. “They do not have her?”
Hubert turned to his son. “What are you talking about? What have you done this time, Hamish?”
“I did it to save us all, Father.”
“Did what?”
Cam waved at Angus to sit down before turning to Hubert. “He sent three of your people to my chamber to take my betrothed. They were to burn her to appease the barefoot man.”
“And where are they now?”
“They lay staining my floor with their blood.”
“You would kill MacKenzies while we parley under a flag of truce?”
Hubert was on his feet too, his hand going for his sword. “Why should I not run you through right now?”
Cam did not stir. He looked at the old man and his sword. That fire was still in his belly even as his body aged and began to fail him. “What would you do if MacGregors came for your wife?”
“Run them through.”
“Then you do not dispute my right to protect my betrothed?”
Hamish scoffed. “You cannot take his side, Father. Give him his way and all the Highlands will fall just like the prophecy foretold.”
Hubert slid his sword back home before sinking into his seat. “I am too old for this. I say we travel south to safety. What say you, Cam MacGregor? Will you accompany us? Remember what Angus said? Safety in numbers.”
“I say we hear the reports full through. Then we eat. After that I will have an answer for you.”
Angus got back to his feet. “We sought him everywhere but those castles that belong to him rained arrows upon us if we came within a quarter of a mile. We have no tale from those on his side, only those who fled the slaughter of their clans. The MacDonalds are gone, the MacDougalls are with him. The Frazers hold out to the east but the rumor is he heads that way after taking our lands, the MacKenzies too.”
“What do they say of him? Has anyone seen him?”
“Some say he’s a demon, others a necromancer. Some talk of him as a druid who uncovered the secret of alchemy. They say that is why he moves so swift, the armor of his army is silent, the weapons unbreakable.”
“We’ll see about that,” Cam replied. “Go on.”
“That is all I hear, my Laird.”
“No description of him?”
“Only that he travels barefoot and cloaked. He has no weapon himself, only his voice which is enough to kill, so I am told.”
