“While I can see the merit in yer plan, Finn, I cannae agree with it. I will nae set aside my morals and risk the lives of countless innocents on the slight chance that it might give us the advantage. In truth, the more I think about it, the more I come to realize that seizing the village will nae weaken Campbell, it will weaken us. I cannae sit by and listen to people starving, children dying, and villagers rioting for relief. I will nae be the reason this clan crumbles.”
The room began to grumble, but Seamus held on to control of it, plowing through their murmurs as he continued to make his point.
“The entire reason we have joined forces, the reason that Chief Rolland founded the Lost Valley and this group of rebels,was to revolt against Campbell's treatment of the clan. We have all been afflicted by the cruelty that Campbell wields to get what he wants. He does nae think about what it will cost anyone else, the lives he is affecting. And I refuse to lower myself to his level. I will nae replace one tyrant with another. We will win this war and be rid of Campbell without sacrificing our morals, without doing away with what is right.”
“Here, here,” Errik called, giving Seamus the boost he needed to finish his speech.
“I look around, and I see the faces of men I am proud to fight beside. Ye are in this room because ye represent a village yerself. I ask ye to think what ye would have us do if it were yer village being starved; yer homes, yer families. I think ye will find that ye agree with my stance. Ye have vowed to fight alongside me, to chase after our common goal together. If my decision means that ye cannae fulfill that vow, I will nae hold it against ye.”
He paused and looked every man in the face, not giving them any room to hide.
“But for those of ye still willing to follow me, pick up yer swords and ready yer horses. We will make for Murray Castle and Campbell. We will go find our destiny ourselves. As for the rest of ye, feel free to watch from afar as we fight for yer freedom. There will be a great view of the battlefield from the ramparts. Ye can await the results there.”
Finn huffed, but the sound was drowned out by the cheering of Seamus' men. Their chairs scratched across the floor as they rose in a hurry, saluting to Seamus before filing out of the war room to prepare themselves for battle. In their wake, they left a very displeased Finn and his conflicted men.
