Page 62 of The Cursed Highland Bride

“And if we dinnae win?”

Alistair shook his head. “We will nae lose. We cannae lose.”

“He is a fierce warrior by reputation.”

“As am I.” His tone held a warning that the conversation needed to come to an end.

Her eyes flickered in acknowledgment, and she lowered her eyes in respect. “O’ course, Faither. My apologies for doubting.”

“Ye are but a lass. Ye dinnae ken o’ war.”

They left the room together and walked down to the great hall. Some of the wounded had been moved inside the hall and were being tended to on the tables and the floor. Women and children scurried about with bandages, water, tea, ale, and food. Alistair walked past them all without batting an eyelash in emotion. He did not care how many men he had to sacrifice to win. He would defeat Dunn Leòideach at all costs. The only price he was not willing to pay was his daughter.

Rejoining his men upon the battlements, Alistair took up his surveillance of the north once more. Come and beat yer fists against my gates, Leòideach, and I will break yer head with mine.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

When Dunn and Tor stepped foot on the mainland, they sent men out to scour the countryside for spies. Ian had traveled back with them and immediately set about providing them with horses. Ewan came to stand with the brothers and handed them each a bannock. Dunn tried to wave him away. “Lady Adamina sent them with me tae make certain ye kept yer strength, my laird. Dinnae make me have tae tell her that I did nae keep my word.”

Smiling, Dunn took the bannock and tore off a bite. “I would nae make ye go through that, my friend. My sister has a fierce temper when riled.”

“She does at that, my laird.” Ewan’s tone held respect for the lady in question, and Dunn was glad to hear it. He had not been certain of the people taking orders from her when he had left her in charge, but she had done well and won over the hearts and minds of their people as a leader. If he and Tor fell in battle, he knew that the clan would be well cared for in Adamina’s capable hands.

“Ye have done well in yer faither’s place upon the council,” Dunn complimented him. “He would be proud.”

Ewan smiled. “I am proud tae be o’ service tae my laird and tae our people. My faither was a great man. His shadow is long. It pleases me tae hear yer words.”

Dunn nodded in understanding. “I thank ye for the service that ye have rendered tae my family and for the protection and care that ye have given tae my wife.”

Ewan shook his head in sorrow. “I am only sorry that I was nae able tae stop her from running away.”

“Ye delivered her safely tae me once. We will do so again.” Dunn squeezed his friend’s shoulder in reassurance then let go. He turned to find Ian approaching.

“My laird.” He inclined his head in respect, handing each of them a horse, and one for himself.

“Ian, ye have a family tae protect. I cannae ask ye tae do this.”

“It is for my family that I do this, my laird. My wife’s brother was killed in the attack by Morgan’s men. His family is now in my keeping, and I will deliver unto them the vengeance that they deserve.”

Dunn laid a reassuring hand on Ian’s shoulder. “It is an honor tae have ye by my side. We will deliver vengeance on behalf o’ yer brother.”

“I thank ye, my laird.”

Without further conversation, the men mounted their horses and turned south toward the Morgan stronghold. Runners went out before them to ensure the way was clear. At the first sign of trouble, they would be warned. Dunn would not be caught unawares again as he had been with the attack of August Raymond. His men had instructions to look for both Morgan clansmen and those of the Romani. If possible, anyone that they found was to be brought to him for questioning. If they were not able to be captured, they were to be killed on sight. It was brutal but effective.

“Morgan will ken that we are coming,” Tor reminded Dunn as he pulled his horse up beside his brother’s steed. “The only element o’ surprise that we have remaining tae us is if he does nae ken exactly when.”

Dunn nodded. His mood was sober, born of vigilance and worry. “As o’ yet, there has been nae word from our spies. Time will reveal tae us whether that is a good or ill omen.”

“I pray that Bran has nae fallen at Morgan’s hand, but I am beginning tae fear the worst,” Tor admitted. “Ewan is right. If he were able, Bran would have reached out tae us by now.”

“Time will reveal tae us many things.” Dunn attempted to encourage hope and patience in his brother, though he himself did not feel much of either. “Bran is an accomplished warrior. We will see him and Katarina again.”

Tor crossed himself. “May God make it so.”

They rode southwest, crossing the River Thurso and the Halladale into Morgan lands. No spies had yet emerged. Dunn had the men come to a halt before they came to the River Naver. He knew that it was impossible for Alistair Morgan not to have had spies to alert him of their coming. If they had not encountered any, then that meant that they had failed at keeping their arrival any kind of a secret. Any element of surprise whatsoever was gone.

Dunn surveyed the landscape as Tor, Ewan, Andrew, and Ian rode up beside him. “He kens we are here.”