Chapter 13
Malcolm walkedto the great hall with a light step. He’d rather stay abed with Sheona for the remainder of the day, but he had to address the men and prepare for the Gordon’s arrival. He also had to release the MacLeods in thedungeon.
Thinking they’d suffered enough, he went to the kitchens and gave instructions for a proper meal for them. Then he went straight to seethem.
“Open the cells, let these men out.” The guard did not hesitate and within a short time, thirty-five MacLeods stood free and staring atMalcolm.
Alasdair approached first. “You weresuccessful?”
“Aye, Iwas.
“Whatnow?”
“You come above and be properly fed and on your way. I have preparations to see to for my father’s surrender and you must do the same. I have a parchment from the council for you to present to the MacLeod. Hopefully, you will not meet with much resistance. If we are very lucky, we will be successful in resolving thismess.”
Alasdair reached out his hand. Malcolm grabbed his forearm and they shook. “I believe we have already overcome the biggest hurdle,MacDonald.”
“Oh? And what isthat?”
“We are in a room together and not killing one another. There must be some magic at play here to have brought about this turn of goodfortune.”
Malcolm grinned. Perhaps there was, but he was not about to share details about his mother’s spirit with these men. He moved to the side and directed them toward the stairs. Once back in the hall he waited until they were all seated and food was served, then went to see hisfather.
He needed the man to engage in the negotiations. Malcolm would step up if necessary, but it was not his place and he did not want to run the clan like this. As much as he despised his father’s ways, there was no honour in usurpingauthority.
He entered his father’s chamber to find him slumped in a chair by the hearth. His entire body screamed defeat. Such a change in demeanour wasunexpected.
“You have come to collect me sosoon?”
“No, I have come to discuss the entire matter with you, if you willlisten.”
“By all means, have a seat and speak yourmind.”
Malcolm took the chair opposite his father. The man had aged ten yearsovernight.
“You do not look well,Father.”
He chuckled. “I am not well, Malcolm. I am being mutinied by my own son and to make matters worse, am losing mywits.”
“I only wish what is best for the clan. It is not a personal attack against you. I would stand up to any man who caused the carnage youhave.”
“What carnage? A few raids and somebloodshed.”
“Some? Do you know how many MacLeods have died by our hand in this attackalone?”
His father said nothing. Malcolm suspected he knew the exacttally.
“Hundreds of people are dead. Hundreds. And they are not all fighting men either. Women and children who look to their chief as protector have no say in how we aim to protectthem.”
“You speak in theory. Real life is much more complicated than that. You think you can lead this clan? Very well. Let’s see how you manage the next wave of MacLeods coming through the Cullins. How many lives would you sacrifice to save the rest, Malcolm? Until you can answer that, you cannot judgeme.”
“I can and I have. There’s always a better way than biting pieces out of oneanother.”
His father shook his head. “You will learn your lessons the hard way, as we alldo.”
“Why do you saythat?”
“She was a wonderfulwoman.”
