Page 66 of The Return of the Heir

Marcus came to Alastair’s side as the enemy retreated. “Alex deserves a serious punishment for what he’s done here. Shall I take him to the dungeon?”

“Nay. Come with me. We must find Gwendolyn. Alex’s men will eventually find him and haul him home,” Alastair said as he raced for the keep.

Upon seeing Alastair, Callum headed him off at the stairs to the keep with Ronald at his side. There were gashes at his brother’s shoulder and temple. His face was smeared with blood.

“You’re wounded.”

“’Tis nothing serious, I promise,” Callum said. “But I do think I need a few more fighting lessons.”

Alastair held Callum’s gaze, making certain his brother was not more seriously hurt before he turned to Ronald. “How many casualties were there amongst the men?”

“No one was killed. There are a few men with serious wounds. Lottie is attending them now.”

Alastair nodded. “Your first command was a success, Ronald. Congratulations.”

“On the contrary, m’laird.” His lips tightened. “Garrick came with the first wave of men to breach the wall. He slipped past us and took Gwendolyn.”

“Where?”

“To the loch where Garrick forced her into one of the fishing vessels. She was bound at the hands and feet.” Callum paused before adding, “I think he means to dump Gwendolyn into the loch. Mother tried to stop him. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. She threw everything she could at him—rocks, stones from the castle, shells upon the beach, even a fish, and several big waves—but nothing slowed him down.”

“I’m going after Garrick.” Alastair started for the sea gate when Marcus stopped him with a jerk on his arm.

Marcus’s eyes filled with a plea. “Not to the sea gate. To the horses. You must trust me. I know how to overtake Garrick quickly.”

Indecision tore Alastair in two. Could he trust Marcus? A MacDonald?

As though reading his thoughts, Marcus added, “We are on the same side, Alastair. Trust me.”

Alastair nodded. “To the horses then.”

“First, I must know, is Rowena well?” He turned to Callum.

Callum nodded. “She hid in the castle with Arabella, Samuel, and Lottie. They are all safe.”

Marcus breathed a relieved sigh. “Then let’s ride out, and quickly.”

Ronald and Callum stayed behind to see that the MacDonalds left peacefully with their dead.

Alastair and Marcus rode out of the castle and were about to turn north when the rest of Alastair’s men could be seen returning to the castle with Orrick and Tormod at the front.

Despite his desire to hurry to put into play whatever scheme Marcus had in mind, he waited for Orrick and Tormod to reach them.

“I am eager to hear what happened with the MacDonalds, but at this moment I need Orrick to head back to the castle and oversee whatever is happening there. Tormod, I need you to come with us.” His brothers asked no questions, simply followed his orders.

Alastair, Marcus, and Tormod rode north for a couple of miles until Marcus turned towards the cliffs. It wasn’t until they were closer that Alastair spotted a lee in the rocks and a trail down to the shores of the loch. As they descended the pathway to the beach, a double-masted ship came into view. The wind tugged at their clothes, their hair, as they emerged on the sandy shore.

“Tie the horses here and follow me,” Marcus called over his shoulder as he hurried towards a dock that Alastair had not known was there. Marcus ran down the planked wood and to the ship. “Drop a ladder,” he called to a man leaning over the railing, watching their approach.

“Aye, Captain.”

A rope ladder appeared and the three of them scrambled up. Once on deck, Marcus signalled for the ladder to come up and shouted, “Quickly. Set sail, heading south towards Dunvegan.”

His orders were executed with swift precision, and the boat lurched forward, catching the wind in her hastily raised sails. Men dressed in blue and white striped shirts with red handkerchiefs tied loosely about their necks hurried across the deck in response to Marcus’s commands, unfurling sails and tightening ropes. The ship picked up speed as the white canvas caught the wind, propelling them forward.

Alastair could hardly believe the scene unfolding before him. “Do you want to explain how you happen to have a ship, just when one is needed?”

“Luck, I suppose.” Marcus handed a spyglass to Alastair. “Start scanning the water for them. I’m going to the crow’s nest.” He climbed the mast and searched from above.