Page 23 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Kelvan

“K, everything is ready.” His second-in-charge, known simply as O, answered. Kelvan didn’t allow anyone to call him by his real name, so Kelvan became K.

K sat in the boat on the far side of Duart Castle, a spot well hidden from anyone watching from the curtain wall, though he doubted they’d be seen because of the dark night. Better to play it safe. “You have the ones inside all ready to pass out the poisoned brew?”

“Aye, it’s being circulated through the hall as we speak.”

“How long before you send the men in?”

“Less than a quarter of the hour.”

“Good. We wait.” He nodded to O, who had the six men masked and ready to go with their weapons. He decided he had to send six to grab four bairns and the mother. The mother and the wee lad would take one, then the golden-haired lasses, all three if they could get them, and finally, the other lad. He was to be left behind if they couldn’t get them all. Wee bairn, mother, and the golden-haired lass were his focus.

He glanced over at the other two boats awaiting transport, one to head to Ulva and one to go across the sound to confuse anyone following them. His boat would head back to Kilchoan until he received word of the successful transfer of the captives to Coll, where he would meet up with them again. First Ulva, then Coll.

Then his wish would come true. The faery would have to grant his request. He’d threaten to kill the mother of the wee one if she didn’t, so all would be done as he instructed.

First, he would find his daughter, then, a thousand gold coins. Next, a golden castle of his own wherever he decided to have it. And lastly, a successful attack for his dearest wife. He wanted the faery to allow an easy takeover of the Isle of Mull. That would require many dead Ramsays and dead Grants.

His wife was angry with the Ramsays and the Grants for killing her grandfather. He had his own crosses to bear. He would settle up with the Menzies, especially the one known as Avelina, the one who stole the sapphire sword.

O asked, “How did you know about the tunnel into the cellars?”

“I have my ways. I paid MacDougall to tell me all the secrets of the castle. The tunnel entrance, the place in the cellar, and the best places to hide during an attack. My wish will be complete soon enough.”

He’d thought to grab the bitch Avelina, but he decided she had too many powers. He had no idea where that sapphire sword was at the moment, but when he learned the faery that had the ability to grant wishes had arrived, he dismissed the idea of the sapphire sword. If he was right, the faery could grant him the secret weapon made from gems. All he had to do was wish for it to come from her hands.

Mayhap later. He took three steps and stared up at the curtain wall. No movement. The men who’d been given the brew had passed out. Now was the time to move.

O looked at him and waited for approval.

“Aye, send them.” K rubbed his hands together, a wee sense of glee coursing through him.

The bairns would be his soon enough.