Page 64 of The Cursed Highland Bride

“I do.” To their surprise, it was Ian who had spoken.

“Ian?” Dunn invited him to share.

“I have been yer man on the mainland for most o’ my life. In that time, I have heard many things. There is a way intae the Morgan stronghold, but it is nae for the weak o’ heart or body.”

“Tell me,” Dunn commanded, his heart feeling hopeful for the first time since he had heard of Katarina’s capture.

“There is a privy hole that hangs out over the River Naver. It is high up on the wall. There are nae footholds tae use tae climb. Only a small number o’ men, maybe only one, could do it with a rope and hook.”

“The river washes away the waste. Clever,” Ewan remarked, impressed at Ian’s plan.

“Nae clever enough if I can gain entrance,” Dunn nodded grimly. It was an indecorous plan but one that just might work.

“We sneak in, capture Morgan, make him tell us where the lassies are being held, then offer him up tae the king for his treachery.” Tor clapped Ian on the shoulder in praise for his plan.

“I wish we could simply kill him,” Andrew grumbled.

Dunn nodded in understanding. “Aye, but he has the crown on his side. Until the king kens the truth, we are in danger o’ losing what little we have left. I will nae allow them tae destroy us.”

“And if he gives ye nae choice?”

Dunn shook his head. “Let us pray that it does nae come tae that. As much as I would dearly love tae run my blade through his belly tae his spine, it would mean the end o’ our people. The crown would retaliate.” He stood and thought for a moment. “We will need tae attack by night if I am nae tae be seen. I will climb up intae the castle through the privy. I will take only one other man with me tae aid in the search.”

“I will go,” Tor immediately answered.

Dunn shook his head. “I will need ye tae lead the rest o’ the men.”

“I will go,” Andrew stepped forward. “Perhaps we will find my brother within.”

Dunn nodded in acceptance. “Good man.”

“What do ye want the rest o’ us tae do, my laird?” Ewan asked, his brow furrowed in concern at the idea of Dunn being without them.

“Tor will lead ye intae battle with the Morgan men. They are expecting us. They ken that we are coming. If they dinnae see us, they will grow suspicious and more watchful. I need ye tae distract his men. I will need time tae search the castle and tae extract those being held within. While the castle sleeps, we should remain undiscovered as long as we are careful, but if I have nae returned tae ye by first light, ye must attack. Once the castle awakens, I will need the distraction o’ battle tae get Morgan and any prisoners that he holds within his keep out safely.”

“And what if the Lady Katarina is nae among them?” Ian asked.

Dunn ground his teeth in anger at the thought. “Then we will make Morgan tell us where she is.”

Ian cracked his knuckles and smiled. “Happily, my laird. Happily.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

By the time Tor and Ewan had their men in place, dawn was rapidly approaching. Dunn had asked them to give him time to find the people that they sought before Tor engaged with the enemy. He hoped that he had waited the proper amount of time, but he would have to attack soon, as the light of morning would shortly give away their position.

“How do ye plan tae breach the walls in an attack?” one of the men asked, crouching down in the darkness beside him. He was a young lad, new to the band of soldiers. Tor was not yet certain what he thought about him as a man or a soldier, but the young man had volunteered to join them on their mission. That alone was enough to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“If Dunn can do so, he will open the gates tae us, but his first priority must be tae find Alistair Morgan and make him talk,” Tor explained quietly. “If he can do that, there will be nae need tae breach the walls.”

“And if he cannae? What if Morgan kills him first?”

Tor closed his eyes, fighting off the urge to snap at the younger man. “Then we must do what he could nae.”

“Ye would lead us all tae our deaths over a gypsy?”

Tor snarled and turned, but before he could say a word, Ewan had seized the young man by the front of his shirt and shook him. “Every last one o’ these men before ye would give their last breath tae save our lady. If ye are nae one o’ us, then leave now and never return.”

The younger man shook his head. “I am with ye! I am with ye!” Ewan shook him once more for good measure, then released him. The young man stumbled off to join another group of his clansmen hiding behind some trees.