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“Dinnae ye wish to return tae yer home in Dunrobin?” he said quietly to Bran.

The man shook his head. “I dinnae care where I am. I’ve nay family tae come home tae. As long as I have enough tae eat and somewhere warm tae lay me head at night, I’m happy enough.” He glanced over his shoulder as if afraid someone was listening. “But there are men here with wives and children who are treated little better than slaves. Sutherland’s a hard and brutal man. The price of disobedience is a swift fall overboard, or a drop from the castle walls. Nay one there is happy and none of these men wish tae return. They will only dae so fer the sake of the kinfolk.”

Maxwell returned his full attention to straining mightily at the oar. The sea was rough and it was heavy going. His hand ached but he shrugged the pain aside. His thoughts were busy with what he’d heard from Aileen and Bran. It was clear that Laird Andrew Sutherland would be unlikely to pay him the courtesy expected from any Highland laird. The man was his enemy. He must keep his wits about him if he was to defeat whatever the man’s plans were for both himself and his brother, the Laird of the MacNeils.

The day wore on. Every so often they were drenched with squalling rain, which came and went as if only to frustrate and bedevil them and add to the pall of misery that had descended over the birlinn.

Through the long hours of pulling on the oars, Maxwell watched for Aileen. He wished to talk with her before they reached Dunrobin, but he did not catch so much as a glimpse of her. He assumed she was with Ewen at the rudder, both of them working with all their strength to keep the birlinn on it’s true course south. They sailed close to the shore and all along the coast there were shoals of rocks and hazards from shallow water. Yet sailing deeper into the turbulent sea brought its own risks.

Darkness had already fallen when a scattering of lights along the shore signaled their impending arrival at the place where they would disembark. The sail was furled and the oars were gentled as Aileen guided the birlinn into the landing.

As they stepped ashore Maxwell found Aileen waiting for him. “A quick word, Maxwell, before we make our way up the hill tae the castle.”

He left the company of the other oarsmen and moved to her side.

“Listen tae what I have to say. Be careful when ye reply. I cannae be certain that our conversation will nay be relayed tae Sutherland.”

He glanced around but it was too dark for him to see if anyone was lingering and listening to them.

They found the narrow path leading up a steep rise to the castle and the crew members set off, leaving Finn, Séamus, Aileen and Maxwell to follow. Ewen remained on board seeing to the ship.

“Sutherland will nae wish ye well.” Aileen kept her voice low.

Maxwell gave a sharp laugh. “He’s kidnapped me, Aileen. That’s nay surprise.”

“The man will play a cat-and-mouse game wi’ ye. At first, he will treat ye hospitably as befits a man of his status. Highland hospitality is valued highly by many but I dinnae include Sutherland in that number.” She took Maxwell’s arm. “Ye mustnae be fooled. It is his game to lull ye into believing he is nay threat. He may treat ye tae a fine meal accompanied by his finest wines, provide ye wi’ one of his best rooms, the comfort of a feather bed.”

“And then, when this son-of-a-whore has made me think him benign and jovial, and the perfect host, what then?”

He could barely make out her features but he saw her grimace.

“As ye settle into yer warm bed, his men will come fer ye. They will fling ye in chains into his dungeon tae shiver in yer nightshirt.”

“And he daes this fer amusement?”

She huffed. “His amusement is like nay other’s.”

“And once he has me incarcerated in his dankest cell, what then?”

“Then he will starve ye, and set about ye with his instruments of torture.” She shuddered. “I’ve seen it many times. He has forced me to watch the destruction of more than one poor soul who has fallen into his trap.” She tightened her grip on his arm. “And, when ye’ve succumbed tae his torture and ye cannae resist further, he will tire of his game and put ye tae the sword.”

He nodded slowly. Although there was horror in her words, they did not come wholly as a shock. From what he’d heard of Laird Andrew Sutherland, such cruelty was not unexpected. The question bedeviling him now, was what to do about it.

“I ken what I was tasked tae do, Maxwell. But ye can turn and flee now, and rob the laird of his prize. I dinnae care anymore.”

“Nay lass. I’ll nae dae that fer it would leave ye tae yer fate.”

She sighed. “There’ll be punishment in store once he kens ‘tis Everard MacNeil’s braither I’ve brought him.”

“I’ll nae leave ye, lass.” He took her hand. “If I flee this night will ye come wi’ me?”

She was silent for a long moment. “I cannae say. I cannae leave me faither tae the laird’s whims.”

“Would yer Da nae wish ye tae escape?”

“Och. I’ll think on this. Mayhap I’ll speak wi’ ye later this evening. Now, hasten back tae be with the crew.”

He landed a soft kiss in her hair before turning away and dashing up the hill to join the other men. Reaching them, he fell into step beside Bran.