Page 46 of The Mad Highlander
“And it gives ye ample time to get yer arse up there. When will ye leave? Overmorrow?”
The handshake finally ended with smiles from both men.
“Aye, overmorrow,” Cayden confirmed. “We’ll ride through Scallig Forest and the back of Loch Oben, stayin’ off the roads. If ye do run into trouble, send a messenger after us. We’ll nae have much of a chance to change course before we get to the castle unless ye alert us hastily.”
“Ye do ken I’ve always defended ye when folks have called ye the mad laird, and then ye go and walk into the castle of our enemy with a handful of men on a rescue mission. Yer nae doin’ yerself any favors.”
Cayden laughed. “I have a reputation to keep. I cannae keep people afraid of me if I make rational decisions, can I?”
“Aye, that’s true.” Hunter looked past Cayden before looking him in the eye again. “Listen, ye need to be careful up there. If anythin’ goes wrong, we willnae hear about it until it is too late, and even if we catch wind, ye will be too far away to help. I dinnae want to have to mount a rescue mission for ye.”
“Dinnae,” Cayden stated. “If I’m taken in the castle, dinnae come after me. Murdoch is plannin’ war, and he’ll use that to divide our forces. As soon as ye reach the predetermined point on the road, ye camp there overnight and then return here as quickly as ye can. I’ll need ye to lead the clans against him.”
“Ye’ll get yer arse back here, or I’ll kill ye meself,” Hunter warned him. “I’ll lead the clans and defend the castle with me life, but with ye nae at the helm, it will cause more unrest, and I ken some will leave the cause. Are ye sure we cannae switch places? I’ll gladly go into the castle to retrieve the lad.”
“I appreciate it, but nay.” Cayden rubbed his head. “I have to be the one to go in.”
Iris’ words the previous night had made him second guess his actions, and Hunter’s were doing the same thing. He hadn’t thought about what would happen if he was caught or killed on the rescue mission.
I just better make sure I’m not.
“Will ye check in with Iris for me when ye return? Ye will be back to the castle first. I have two of me best men watchin’ her while I’m away, but she might need some comfort from ye until I return.”
“Aye,” Hunter said. “And afore ye go, make sure ye spend some time with her to comfort her. All the plans are made, and there is nae need for ye to be sittin’ at the war table and goin’ over everythin’ again and again. Ye need what she gives ye.”
Cayden cocked his eyebrow and smiled. “Aye, and what is that?”
“I’m nae even talkin’ about that,” Hunter stated. “I’ve seen the look in yer eye since ye brought her back here. And the way ye talk sometimes. She’s changin’ ye for the better.”
“Och, she’s nae changin’ me at all.”
Hunter shook his head and placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Aye, she is, and it’s about time ye had some contentment in yer life. She does somethin’ to ye that no one else can, and do I dare claim that ye have found some happiness?”
Cayden wanted to protest, but he knew Hunter was right. He had not felt as content before in his own castle as he had recently. And it was obviously down to one woman.
“Aye, I will spend some time with her,” Cayden agreed. “Me sister has been tellin’ me about a spot by the river that she claims is the most beautiful spot in all Scotland, and I ken she means for me to take Iris there. As if I dinnae have ideas of me own.”
“Ye dinnae.” Hunter laughed. “That’s why ye will be takin’ her there, isn’t it? Unless ye have a place of yer own.”
“I thought ye were me friend,” Cayden complained.
“And as yer friend, I fully support yer decision to take yer betrothed to the place suggested by yer sister. Now, if ye need any advice on what to do when ye get there, ye only have to ask.”
“Aye, away and boil yer head,” Cayden grunted. “Are ye nae leavin’ already?”
“Aye, I am.”
The mood became solemn again—it was truly time for Hunter to leave the castle and set off on the first part of the mission. Cayden took the chance to grab Hunter’s arm again and give it a firm shake. Hunter responded with the same, and they let go as quickly as they took hold.
“Guid luck,” Cayden said.
“Aye, ye too. I’ll see ye back at the castle.”
“Aye, and we’ll have a tankard of ale each with one for the rescued lad,” Cayden said.
“Have ye ever been in a war afore?” Iris asked.
Margot looked up from her embroidery and held Iris’ gaze, but she didn’t answer.
