Page 19 of Highland Dove

“Tomas,” he said, nodding at him. “What brings ye here?”

“Duncan, thank God ye’re alive,” said the young man named Tomas. He was tall and lanky, and had just entered into manhood. Still, the boy was good with a sword if Duncan remembered correctly.

“What’s wrong?” Duncan looked over to Storm. “What is it? Tell me.”

“Tomas here tells us that Eideard caused some trouble for their clan,” said Storm.

“That’s right,” said Tomas in a shaky voice. “First, Eideard convinced our chieftain ye were dead just so he would let him marry his daughter. But as soon as the agreement was signed, Eideard tried to kill our chieftain in cold blood. A battle broke out. Most of our men are off fightin’ for the king, so we took a hard hit and there were many deaths.”

“God’s eyes, nay!” said Duncan from atop his horse. “What about Mari’s faither? Did Daniel die?”

“Nay, but he is severely wounded,” Tomas relayed the information. “I rode here to ask for help before Eideard and his men return to finish us off. We canna survive another attack.”

“Ye ken ye can count on our help,” offered Storm. “The MacKeefes will do whatever we can even if we are allies of Clan MacLean. We canna let Eideard get away with this. I’ll round up an attack party and we’ll go after Eideard today, no matter if it is Christmas.”

“Aye, let’s kill him!” Angus jumped atop his horse, always ready for a good fight.

“Nay, wait,” said Duncan with a raised hand. “Mari is there, as well as her sister and her sister’s children.”

“That’s right. We dinna want them hurt or killed,” added Angus. “It would be just like Eideard to do somethin’ to them to try to stop us.”

Duncan continued. “Besides, we canna kill Eideard until we find out what he did with Mathair. We need time, but we dinna have it.”

“Then what do ye propose we do?” asked Angus. “Takin’ a few days or even a week to build a small army and prepare for battle might work. But time isna on our side if ye want to stop Eideard from couplin’ with Mari.”

“I think I have an idea,” said Duncan, his intellect finally pushing past his emotions as he took matters into his own hands regarding these horrific events. “Storm, rally yer men and be prepared to attack as soon as I find out where Eideard’s keepin’ Mathair. In the meantime, I need to talk with Mari’s faither as soon as he’s able.”

“Of course,” said Storm. “Right away.”

“I can go to help the wounded at Clan Stewart,” offered Malmuira. “I ken all about plants and healin’.”

“Nay, I’m goin’ to need ye,” said Duncan. “Ye’re goin’ to help me carry out a plan to stop Eideard from couplin’ with Mari.”

“What about me?” asked Angus. “I’ll sneak in and slit his throat while he sleeps.”

“Nay, ye’re comin’ with me and the gypsy, but I have another plan for ye.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“It’s better if ye dinna ask questions, Brathair, because I have a feelin’ ye are no’ goin’ to like it.”

“Whatever it is, I can do it.”

“Guid,” said Duncan with a chuckle. “Then right after ye give yerself a close shave, report back to Malmuira.”

“Shave? What for?” Angus’ hand went to his face and he scratched at his beard. “And why am I reportin’ to a gypsy?”

“Well, without measurin’ ye, how else is Malmuira goin’ to ken how big to alter her gowns?”

“Gown?” Angus scowled. “Now wait a minute, Duncan. I’d do anythin’ at all to help save Mari and Tillie and Mathair and to get back our castle, ye ken that. But I’m no’ goin’ to dress like a girl if that’s what ye have in mind.”

“Ye’ll do it if ye ever want to see Tillie again and taste her cookin’,” said Duncan. “After all, when is the last time ye had haggis or black bun or cock-a-leekie soup?”

“Stop it,” said Angus, licking his lips. “Ye are torturin’ me, Brathair. All right, I’ll dress like a lass if I have to, but stop talkin’ about food because ye’re makin’ my stomach grumble.”

Duncan chuckled under his breath, knowing that his brother would do anything for food. Now, if the old gypsy could help him, he needed to find a poisonous root or plant as fast as possible.

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