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“So, this is where the gathering’s at,” Kai’s voice carried across the room from behind him.

A moment later, Kai had brought another chair to the fire, while Magnus returned from the dresser with another bottle and glass. After topping up Domhnall’s glass, he turned to fill Kai’s.

“How are ye, braither?” Kai said, his tone a little more serious.

“How dae ye think I am?” Domhnall growled, his eyes still watching the dancing flames.

“We are here fer ye,” Magnus said carefully. “Ye ken that.”

“Aye,” Domhnall said, his tone betraying the fact that he could not care less.

For a while, the three sat quietly, the crackling and hissing logs the only sound to be heard. His brothers were there to support him, as they always had been, but Domhnall was in no mood to converse. He had retired to his study to be left alone so he could mope in peace.

“Is she fully away?” Magnus said, his question aimed at Kai.

“The scouts are following her and her brother as far as Drynoch,” Kai replied. “Then they’ll have tae rest fer the night, fer they’ll likely be able tae go nay further with the lack o’ light.”

Magnus sighed. “They’ll have another day’s travel tae the coast after that,”

“Aye,” Kai agreed.

His brothers fell silent once more, each of them sipping at their drinks.

“I still cannae believe it,” Kai said a few minutes later. “I mean, she had us all fooled.”

“Hmm,” Magnus replied.

By his tone, Domhnall sensed doubt, and turning to Magnus, he furrowed his brows. “What?”

Magnus shrugged, “It’s naething.”

“What?” Domhnall pressed, his voice a little harsher.

His brother looked him directly in the eye. “I’m just struggling tae accept it, that’s all.” He sighed, seemingly trying to figure something out in his head. “What did she say tae ye when ye confronted her?”

Domhnall turned away and looked back into the fire. “She said naething.”

“Naething?” Magnus balked. “She didnae even try and defend hersel’?”

“I didnae give her a chance. I didnae want tae hear any more lies. I’ve heard enough o’ them fer a lifetime.”

“Right,” Magnus said, frustration simmering in his tone.

“Ye think ye could have done better?” Domhnall snapped. “Ye think ye could have been betrayed as I was and could have handled it differently?”

“Nay, braither. And I cannae imagine how pained ye are,” Magnus replied. “I’m just struggling tae believe that it was all an act.”

“Why?” Domhnall growled. “Tae begin with, she’s a woman. They’re slippery creatures at best. They’re sly and cunning and experts in manipulating us. And then there’s the fact that she’s English. The blood running through her veins is inherited from a nation who’ve hated the Scots fer a very long time.”

Magnus shook his head. “I was privy tae her thoughts on several occasions, Domhnall, and I cannae agree tae all that ye’re saying.”

Domhnall now glared at Magnus. “What are ye talking about? Sure, it was ye who told me about the letter.”

“Aye,” Magnus nodded, “but at the time, I couldnae have imagined what destruction it would bring.”

“There ye go,” he argued. “Then she fooled ye too.”

“Nay,” Magnus shook his head, “I dinnae think she did. I think we’re missing something.”