“I do not even recall. It doesn’t matter. I was wrong. All this time I have wanted nothing but to see every MacLeod dead.” He stood and came toward Malcolm. “You are a brave youngman.”
Malcolm couldn’t believe his ears. “You will follow myplan?”
“Aye, Malcolm. I will follow it. When the Gordon comes I will go along with him willingly and enter into peaceful negotiations.” He placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. “You have done well, lad. I take back what I said before. You are more than capable of leading thisclan.”
“Thank you. I did not want to resort to harsh measures, but I could see no other way forward. I really did not think you would stop until we were alldestroyed.”
“I know. I may not have. I do not know how to atone as your mother says, but I can start by allowing you to follow through with yourplan.”
“It is a good plan. You and the MacLeod will be mediated and will be able to determine which territory you each own. It will go well as long as you both speak in goodfaith.”
“And what happens if it breaksdown?”
“Then I take over foryou.”
“And who takes over forMacLeod?”
“Alasdair, hisson.”
His father nodded. “He has a good mind, unlike hisfather.”
Malcolm shook his head. “Comments like that could break everything down. Keep yourself incheck.”
“Iwill.”
Malcolm left his father’s chamber to check back on the MacLeods feasting in the great hall. He’d omitted telling his father he’d let them go. Considering what he’d just witnessed, he wasn’t about to drive the man completely out of his mind. When he got there, they were justfinishing.
“Are you allset?”
Alasdair came up to him. “Aye, we are off. We have a long walk ahead of us and unsure what faces us at Dunvegan. I will need to see my sister before I go to assure Father she iswell.”
“I will send for herimmediately.”
Before Malcolm could take one step toward Sheona’s chamber, Hamish entered. He was wide-eyed andpale.
“Malcolm, you’d better come look atthis.”
“What isit?”
“I think every MacLeod alive is outside. And they do not lookhappy.”
“Christ’s teeth. Alasdair, you’d better come with me. I cannot diffuse the MacLeod without yourhelp.”
Malcolm went out into the bailey and climbed the steps to the gatehouse. There were indeed several hundred angry-looking MacLeods at hisdoorstep.
“Release my clansmen and my daughter immediately, MacDonald, or I will tear this place apart stone bystone!”
“We are already released, Father.” Alasdair’s response brought about a surprised look on the MacLeod’sface.
“Come inside and we will talk,” Malcolmsaid.
“And what of mydaughter?”
“She is inside andunharmed.”
“And how do we know ’tis not some trickery you’ve planned. Damn you, MacDonald! You cannot betrusted!”
“You have my word, none of yours will come to harm inside thesewalls.”
