Chapter 11
Exhausted,Malcolm and Keith waited in the outer chamber for an audience with the council. These men knew little of anything besides lining their pockets and flaunting their power. Regardless, Malcolm needed their support so he swallowed any disdain he felt towardsthem.
“They’ll never supportus.”
“Hold your tongue, Keith. I will make a good enough argument and they will see reason. They do not wish to see two prominent clans continue to tear one another toshreds.”
“Maybe not, but we are not theirpriority.”
It was true King James was more concerned with his newly acquired kingdom of all of Britain. Well, that and his continued obsession with witchcraft, leaving the plight of the clans in the north to the council to oversee. Fat and lazy, they did nothinguseful.
“If they do not, I will return and we will rise up against my father. What other choice do Ihave?”
Keith whistled. “I am not sure which is the hardertask.”
Malcolm grinned. “NorI.”
A large wooden door swung wide and a short, stuffy-looking man motioned for them to follow. They were brought to a large room the size of the hall at Knock Castle with ten chairs positioned in a straight row atop adais.
This day, only seven of the chairs were occupied. Enough for a majority, should a vote be deemednecessary.
“State your business with the council,” the wee mansaid.
“My name is Malcolm MacDonald, my lords. I seek your assistance with the current feud between our clan and theMacLeods.”
Them mumbled amongst themselves. “You need our help?” Another council member leaned forward. “Have they stolen too many of your sheep,MacDonald?”
The others laughed. Malcolm was not impressed. He hadn’t expected much better, but he kept his temper in check. If they agreed, the whole mess could be sorted to everyone’s satisfaction and most importantly, theirsafety.
“You know as well as I the feud between our clans has been escalating these last two years. The recent battles, set about by my father, have left the MacLeods devastated. If you do not intervene, there will be nothing left of either clan togovern.”
His words sobered them.Good.
A tall, lean man with an angular face leaned forward. “As Lord Chancellor here, I have the authority to help, but what can I do? You have been chipping away at one another for decades. Exactly what is it youwant?”
“I want both lairds forced into peaceful negotiation. Believe me when I say, there are entire towns laid to waste because of this feud and it will only get worse. I left dozens of MacLeod prisoners in my father’s dungeon and in his hands, and I do not wish to see any morecarnage.”
The Lord Chancellor approached Malcolm. He had a shrewd look about him which Malcolm took comfort in. Hopefully he would listen toreason.
“Tell me what brought on this recentbattle.”
“It all started with the handfasting between the MacLeod’s sister and my father. It was an attempt to find a peaceful solution. I believe both chiefs entered into it with good intentions. But as the months went by and she did not grow fat with child, my father became enraged with her. She was not treated well at his hand, my Lord Chancellor. And when ’twas all over, she was returned to the MacLeod in an undignified manner. He abused her and set to humiliateher.”
“And I take it the MacLeod did not respondwell?”
“He did not and we have been at war with them ever since. My father has reduced them bit-by-bit and this latest attack has caused far too many losses of innocent life. It was a proper bloodbath, my lord. None of us will surviveanother.”
“You are his son. Surely, he will listen toyou.”
“No my lord, he will not. My companion is the only reason I am not imprisoned with the other MacLeods at themoment.”
The Lord Chancellor’s brows drew up in surprise. “He imprisoned his own son? You challengedhim?”
“Aye, I did. I have taken the MacLeod’s daughter as my wife and he has threatened her aswell.”
“You’ve taken her?Unwillingly?”
“At first she was taken as a prisoner when I thought her common, but once I discovered who she was I set about to protect her from my father. Considering his treatment of her aunt, I did not expect her to fare well at hishands.”
