Page 116 of Bride of Mist
Why did that not surprise him?
“What kind o’ trouble?”
“There was a wee scrap with the laird and the Fortanachs.”
Dougal bit the inside of his cheek. What had happened to Feiyan’s insistence on stealth? “What kind o’ wee scrap?”
Admiration shone in Campbell’s eyes. “Accordin’ to the maids, she left them with broken ribs, bashed faces, and bruised ballocks.”
That sounded like his warrior maid. “And Feiyan?”
Campbell’s face fell. “I fear Merraid laid her low.”
“Merraid?” he asked in disbelief. What the devil did Merraid have to do with any of this? Why would she attack Feiyan? And how could a scrawny maidservant best a warrior maid? “Wee Merraid?”
“Drubbed her with a chamberpot,” Campbell said.
“What?”
“’Tis true. Merraid said so herself.”
“Where is she now?”
“Merraid?”
“Nay, Feiyan.”
“I’m afraid they tossed her in thedùn mara.”
Dougal’s heart dropped. Thedùn marawas what they called the chamber carved into a natural cave at the bottom of the cliff, underneath the castle. His father had used it for storage. His brother had turned it into a prison cell. It was dark. And dank. And there was no way out.
“Merraid said the laird was plannin’ to use her to ransom ye from Rivenloch,” Campbell added.
But Dougal knew better. “Rivenloch never held me. And Merraid’s wrong about Gaufrid.” If his brother recognized who Feiyan was, he would surely use her as leverage against a Rivenloch attack on Darragh. If Rivenloch didn’t go along with his scheme, Gaufrid would kill Feiyan without batting an eye. And Rivenloch would retaliate, probably slaughtering the whole clan.
Dougal knew what he had to do.
Feiyan had tried stealth. It hadn’t worked.
Now he would tryhisway. Confront Gaufrid face to face. Man to man. Demand answers. Threaten his conniving pair of minions. And inform his brother he meant to take control of the clan, once and for all.
With a nod of farewell, he wheeled and strode across the stable yard.
“Where are ye goin’, m’laird?” Campbell called out.
“I’m goin’ to take back what’s mine,” he growled.
Chapter 29
Dougal was no fool. He was well aware he couldn’t simply march into Gaufrid’s chambers and seize the lairdship from him.
But that was not his intention.
He meant to rescue Feiyan first.
News traveled quickly through a castle. By now, his brother would know he’d returned. Cowardly Gaufrid would likely linger in his bedchamber to avoid confrontation.
Dougal had to draw him out.
