Page 26 of The Mad Highlander
“I take it that ye have another plan, Me Laird?” Duncan intervened, glaring at McReed.
Cayden fought back the urge to shout as he clenched his jaw. “Aye, we have come up with a plan to retrieve Ashton Whyte without starting a war. If we do it correctly, then the Murdochs need not ken who or where the attack came from, but it would involve the cooperation of our finest men.”
“We?” Duncan interrupted his speech with his eyebrows raised.
“Aye, the Laird of McCabe an’ I have come up with a plan,” Cayden informed him, trying not to lose his temper. He hated being questioned, especially when it came to matters as important as involving themselves with the Murdoch clan.
Duncan exchanged a glance with McReed. “Then please enlighten us of this miracle plan that will not place our own people in jeopardy, Me Laird.”
The sarcasm in the man’s voice grated on his nerves. “The plan was to have Laird McCabe go on ahead and try an’ approach Castle Murdoch. I would then infiltrate the back of the castle with just a few men, creating as little of a disturbance as possible. We would make our way directly to the dungeons an’ retrieve Ashton, making it look as if he’d escaped.”
The men all began to frown before Duncan spoke again. “Ye started yer plan with ‘was’, Me Laird. Are we to understand that that will nae be taking place now?”
Cayden nodded, reaching into his belt and retrieving a note that had arrived that morning. “I have received word from Laird McCabe that a fever has broken out amongst the men at his castle; they will nae be able to leave for quite some time. Since we dinnae have a lot of time to retrieve Ashton, I have asked Laird McLaren if he would be willing to take up the very dangerous task of being his replacement.”
Hunter stood now, scraping the legs of the chair across the stone floor as he pushed it aside with one hand. “Clan McLaren will gladly accept this challenge. We call those who have stood by us kin, nae just those who were birthed by our maithers.” He narrowed his eyes as he looked around the room defiantly.
“That may be very well for the Laird here to offer himself up as a distraction, but that doesnae mean that we are foolish enough to place our men’s lives at risk.” Duncan drummed his fingers on the table, glaring back at Hunter as the men sized each other up.
Cayden quickly intervened, not wanting things to escalate as they had done before. “Aye, it is a dangerous mission, but are ye all afraid of a little danger? Are ye tellin’ me that ye have so little influence that ye cannae stir the hearts of our men? Of course, every man will have a choice, but it is painfully obvious that none will refuse what their laird asks of them. If ye think otherwise, then maybeyerhearts are nae in this?”
Silence filled the room as all the men of the council sat back in their chairs. It was clear by the expressions on their faces that they had prepared to fight Cayden on every front. None of them, however, were prepared to face Cayden head-on.
“That is all well and guid, but what if yer plan fails, an’ the Murdochs take ye into captivity or even discover the identities of the clans involved?” McReed held Cayden’s gaze as the corner of his mouth hooked into a smirk.
“If we fight like I ken we can, none of us shall be taken by the Murdoch clan, and even if one of us is, I ken nae honest man of our clans would dare give information to Laird Murdoch or any of his men. I would rather die than betray any of ye, and I expect the same from all of ye. If ye are nae willin’ to promise that, then ye are free to leave,” Cayden stated.
“Clan McLaren stands with ye,” Hunter said. “Never has it been said that any of our clan is a coward, and we shall prove that.”
Cayden moved to his friend and clapped him fiercely on the back. “Clan McLaren are true Scots as are my men. If any are taken on this mission, we shall break the castle walls to get them back. I can assure ye now that the rest of our allies will rally behind us. There is nae a man among me men who will stand down in the face of danger. Young Ashton is a Scotlander as much as the rest of us, making him kin. We will nae stand by while he wastes away in a dungeon.”
“Are ye calling us cowards?” McReed jumped to his feet, and glowered at Cayden, knocking a mug of ale over in the process.
“Nay, nae yet, McReed!” Cayden boomed. “Yer actions will speak to that. I’m goin’ into battle, and I only expect the strongest and bravest by me side. Give me all or give me nothin’!” Cayden shot back, invoking a wave of anger from the men.
“I will have order!” Duncan came to his feet now, calling for all the men to take their seats.
McReed sat back down reluctantly, keeping his eyes fixed on Cayden.
“Now, the council has heard the Laird’s suggestions, an’ I will ask ye all to vote as ye see fit. Is everyone in favor of joining His Lairdship on the dangerous mission?” Duncan raised the question irritably, looking around the room at all the faces.
Cayden’s words seemed to have put them all to shame as the men glanced down at the table, avoiding looking at him.
Their consciences are bothering them.
Hunter stood up while most stared down at the table. “I will stand by yer side, Laird O’Brien. Laird Murdoch has caused enough trouble in these lands even before he took the boy. I willnae have an innocent lad rot away in a dungeon for Laird Murdoch’s amusement.”
Cayden read the room, feeling a sense of pride at the way his friend had come to his aid. He’d given his life to the clan, keeping them safe from attacks for years. Yet now that he needed them to save the life of his bride’s brother, none of them seemed to feel even the slightest inkling of loyalty.
“This is still a suicide mission.” McReed clenched his jaw as he spoke, balling his hand into a fist on top of the table.
“That may be, but only if we falter in our hearts. Nae a single man who doesnae wish to come along will be forced, ye have me word. I will personally address the men an’ explain the situation. The men have been trained in stealth maneuvers for years, gliding over the lands without so much a single whisper that anyone has ever seen us. I have every confidence that we will be able to do this without being seen.” Cayden spoke passionately, allowing the men time to make a decision.
None of the men so much as stirred as they kept their eyes fixed on the table.
“I will leave ye to make up yer minds.” Cayden nodded and turned to leave, gesturing for Hunter to follow him.
“I will go with ye, Me Laird. It is true what ye say. We have moved about these lands for years, gathering information on all sides without ever being seen.” One of the men stood, causing Cayden and Hunter to stop in their tracks and turn around.
