Page 15 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

C astle MacFearann’s outer bailey

In the gray light before dawn, from atop his destrier and with Dougal mounted at his right, Rhuad observed the twenty mounted men at arms assembled before him.

“Do you all understand our purpose for attacking the Abbey of St. Margaret?”

“Aye my lord.” Twenty voices shouted in unison.

“We go to save the lives of my wife, mother, and sister. Should we find any other hostages, we will release them as well.”

“Aye my lord,” came the chorus once more.

“If any man objects to attacking a convent, the guards, and perhaps even the holy women, he may go to the barracks now. None will think you less for following your conscience.”

No one moved. Not a sound was uttered.

“Very well. My squire has been sent ahead to prepare our reception at Baile Iasg. We will arrive very close to sunset, but we will not enter the village. We will remain hidden in the forest. My squire will report to me there and let us know if all is well and ready for us.

“Last, know this well, any of you who breaks our silent approach to the town, who in some way gives our enemy warning of the attack or acts the coward, that person or persons will pay a heavy price. The punishment is to be stripped of all knightly belongings—armor, horse, weapons and all. Then that person will be banished from Castle MacFearann and declared an enemy of the clan. Anyone encountering a banished man on MacFearann lands has the right, indeed the duty, to slay that person with all possible dispatch. Is this understood?”

The third “aye my lord,” could have lifted the roof had they been inside.

Satisfied that the men understood the fight to come and the consequences for any betrayal, Rhuad gave the signal to march forward.

He and Dougal rode at the head of the column of men riding in pairs.

About midday, Dougal saw a dismaying sight.

“Look Laird MacFearann. Is that not your squire approaching at a gallop?”

“Aye, that must be James. I’d recognize that horse anywhere. I deliberately mounted him on a very ordinary brown gelding. A finer steed would draw too much notice in the fishing village. He is also dressed more like a peasant than a knight.”

Moments later, James pulled his horse to a halt before them.

“Laird MacFearann,” the young man did not pause for breath. “A large force of armed men approaches. They appear to be headed for Castle MacFearann.”

“How large a force, and how far behind you?” Dougal demanded.

“I would say close to one hundred men, perhaps more. I came on them as I rode toward the crossroads where I would turn to continue on to Baile Iasg. The sun had risen above the forest trees when I reversed direction. As soon as I was some distance away, I galloped as quickly as I could to warn you.”

Dougal looked skyward. “The sun is now halfway towards midday. Most likely they will meet up with us before then.”

“Possibly.” Rhuad frowned. “Did they show any colors? From what direction did they approach, James?”

“I saw no colors. They were coming from the west when I first saw them. Soon after they turned north toward the castle.”

“Shall I order the men to take position for a battle? Dougal asked, though his high-pitched tone suggested he might prefer to run back to Castle MacFearann and hide behind the gates.

“No, for twenty-two men to attempt to defeat more than one hundred men is a fool’s errand. Let us wait here and see what they want. We may be able to negotiate a peaceable solution.”

“But if they are enemies...”

Rhuad raised a hand. “We do not know they are foes. Let us move to the side of the road. Indicating we do not oppose their travel may go some way to avoiding a fight.” A deadly massacre was more likely if the two groups were forced to battle each other.

However, Rhuad did not want to feed fear by saying so.

His job as leader of his men was to remain calm in the face of disaster.

Dougal gave the order.

Then Rhuad, Dougal, and all the men with them, James included, moved their mounts to the right side of the road.

The sun crept higher as they waited. The men took the opportunity to drink water and permit their mounts to rest awhile.

Eventually, the first rider appeared.

Rhuad peered at him. A little bit later, when the man was close enough to see his shield, Rhuad smiled. “Dougal, men, stay here.”

He set his horse to a canter and approached the dark knight in the lead.

“Raeb MacKai,” he shouted when he was close enough to be heard. “By all that’s holy, what brings you and your men here when we most need you?”

He reined to a stop beside his wife’s brother, leaned toward Raeb, and embraced him at the shoulders.

Raeb returned the gesture then signaled his men to stop. “You remember my sister Artis?”

“She’s the youngest, right? She has some sort of sight , if I recall correctly.”

“Her gift is more like a knowing . She says she never sees images or events. Sometimes she simply knows things.”

“What has she to do with you bringing one hundred men and more to my aid I am desperate for help? And what of your wife and babe?”

Raeb grinned. “Our daughter and son were born the day after you left with Seona. I was able to keep my promise to Jessamyn.”

“Twins? I thought that was a trait of Clan Marr.”

“The midwife said twins can happen to anyone. We may talk about all of that later,” Raeb said.

“As for what Artis has to do with my being here, she came to me the day the children were born. She said Seona was in trouble. Artis told me that I must go to your aid with at least one hundred men. I always listen when she speaks so. I contacted Earl Marr for additional men horses and arms. I sent a messenger to Lord MacTavish, but I doubt he’ll be able to respond in time to assist much. ”

“Well, Lady Artis was right.” Rhuad explained the plan he and Seona had formed and the betrayal of his aunt.

“Ah, I understand now. Let us continue toward this fishing village. Remaining hidden until nightfall is wise, as is sending your squire to speak with the tavern keeper.”

“Very well. As we ride, we can discuss how best to use your men to effect the rescue of all three women.”

“There is room enough for three men to ride abreast. Let us include Dougal in our conversation.”

“An excellent idea.”

They gave orders to their men to form two columns.

With the lairds and their friend in the lead they made their way toward the fishing village.

When at last they stopped in the forest nearby the Baile Isag, a plan was formed.

Orders for the coming battle were passed to the men.

Then all that remained was to wait for news from Mr. Clyne and dawn—the hour chosen to commence the attack on the abbey and the guards’ keep.

***

T HE TAVERN KEEPER FURNISHED Rhuad & Raeb with more than information essential to the success of their attack.

He and his servants provided food, small beer, and blankets for those men who had none.

The camp would have no fires tonight. Nothing would happen to alert the guards of the abbey that an attack was imminent.

“Could ye spare one o’ your men to escort Mistress Auchmuty back to Castle MacFearann?” Clyne asked.

“Certainly,” said Rhuad. “I was not aware she was still here. I’ll have a man meet her in the morning, and they can leave from your tavern.”

“She was waiting for messages from Lady Seona and has worried herself sick at that lady’s silence.

She’ll be relieved to know ye’ve come to take the lady from the abbess’s clutches.

I bin trying to keep her calm by talking about Baile Iasg.

Bain’t just fisher folk what live here ’bouts.

We got a good share of shepherds. Their flocks produce some of the finest wool in Scotland. ”

“Oh, I dinna think so,” Hearing Clyne’s claim, one of the MacKai men spoke up. “My family is from the inland part of MacKai holdings. We’ve sold wool to every king of Scotland since Cináed mac Ailpín, and we’ve got letters with the king’s seal to prove it.”

“King’s bain’t allus the best judge of good wool,” replied the tavern owner.

“We’ll have a waulking competition at the next gathering of the clans,” said Rhuad. “A group of ladies selected by a holy man can judge the results and award the prize.”

“Aye, a priest would avoid bias in selecting the judges.”

“I’ll shake on that promise.” Clyne spit into his palm then offered his hand to Rhuad and Raeb in succession.

Following the man’s example Rhuad shook the man’s hand and watched as Raeb did too.

When his helpers were done feeding the men and seeing to their comfort, Mr. Clyne bid them farewell. “We’ll be back afore sunup with oatcakes and cider for breaking your fasts.”

Telling the men to eat and rest, Rhuad and Raeb found Dougal. Then the three made their way to a private spot and settled to their meal.

“Let’s finalize our plans while we eat.”

An hour later they walked through the entire camp making sure each man knew his position and task for the fight.

They also made sure the men were settled for the night.

Dawn would come early, and they must wake and ready themselves before the sun rose.

Their force would be in position to wreak havoc on the abbey guard the moment the sun provided enough light to see the enemy.

***

S EONA’S ATTACKERS HAD been delayed. She had no idea why. Nonetheless, she was certain that one or both of them would eventually come for her. She’d spent her day preparing.

She ate the slop that was delivered that morning and drank brackish water from the metal tankard. She prayed she would not become ill from the wormy food or the distasteful water.

She paced to stay limber and passed the hours sharpening the edges of the plate and the tankard against the stone floor.