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He ventured downstairs and walked to the bar. He nodded to the barkeep, who served him without charge. He still had allies in the Highlands, loyal soldiers to the cause who would never lose sight of what this country should be like. The barkeep jerked his head to a small room adjoining the bar.

Ah good, they were there.

Munro took a long gulp of his ale and enjoyed the heavy taste as it slid down his throat. He belched loudly afterwards, and was glad that in this place he could act as a man should act, without fearing the eye of God upon him. The room was dim, with only a few candles offering light. There was a small table in the middle, around which a few men were hunched. One of them reached to the floor and pulled up a bag, handing it to Munro. Munro opened it and smiled at the sight of meat.

“I owe ye, men, my life. I will make sure ye are handsomely rewarded,” Munro said. He had stolen a few things along the way, but he had been supported by his associates, who remained loyal. They fed and clothed him, and made sure that nobody discovered his presence. He had been given free room and board, and if he needed to take food or anything nice to Amelie, they saw that Munro got it.

“How is the plan developing?” one of them asked.

Munro scowled. “I tried tae get her tae come away with me willingly, but she was nae haeing it. She is like a scared mouse. She is tae frightened tae leave the nunnery. Then I heard that the bastard’s men were on their way, sae I hae tae leave.”

The other men went rigid with tension. “Are they looking for ye?” one of them gasped.

Munro shook his head slowly. “Nae, it’s just a supply run. I was nae gaeing tae stick around just in case one of them recognizes me, though. Besides, it gives Amelie a chance tae miss me,” he chuckled and nudged one of the men in the ribs. Guffaws filled the rooms.

One man didn’t laugh, though. He was far more serious, and his flat tone cut through the air. “We should nae wait tae long. The longer Pascal remains in control of the clan, the harder it will be tae wrest it back from him. We hae already made a significant investment in supporting ye, Munro, and I cannae live on empty promises. We need tae show some progress.”

Munro glared at the man and slammed his palms down onto the table, making the others jump. “Ye will all get what’s coming tae ye. I am nae gaeing tae stay quiet for long. Believe me, this wait hae been harder for me than it hae for any of ye. But I am close. I hae gained her trust. She thinks I love her, and sae when I return tae her she will come tae me just like that,” as he said this he snapped his fingers, and a slanted smile appeared on her face. “Then I will get Pascal tae surrender the clan and I will be in my rightful place again. I will be Laird, and things will be as they should be,” a dark cackle slipped out of his mouth as he thought about all he would do in the future, including savoring the look of heartbreak on Amelie’s face as he discarded her like greasy bones after devouring the sweet, juicy meat.

But there was something he didn’t share with these scheming men; the fact that he had actually enjoyed speaking with Amelie. He had never had anyone listen to him properly before, but she would soon serve her purpose and he would be face to face with Pascal. He had everything planned out, and the fruition was going to be sweet. He rubbed his hands together with glee as he drank heavily and gambled with cards, enjoying his life of freedom before he took on the burden and responsibility of a Laird. It was going to be a life’s work to whip the Highlands back into shape after they had grown so soft, but it was Munro’s destiny to do so.