Page 6 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
Sloan set his drink down, sat in his chair, and moved closer to the old warrior. “What?”
“The idiot who thinks he is going to overtake the entire Isle of Mull has decided to make his move, and he’s chosen your clan to be first. Someone has advised him that your clan will be an easy takeover. All he has to do is kill you and your brother and the rest will fold and pledge allegiance to him. What say you?”
“The bastard is full of shite if he thinks he can battle us that easily. Who the hell is this leech?”
“I don’t know who he is. He doesn’t reveal his name or where he is established. I discovered him … I’d prefer not to give my sources away. I thought I’d give you warning.”
“Did he say when?”
“Nay, he’s waiting for the Grant group to leave is my best guess. Connor Grant is planning to leave in a couple of days, and he’ll probably take most of his guards with him, though Dyna will ask for some to stay. Then I guess he’ll make his move. He’s gathered three score men. How many have you?”
“Only a score and a half.” Sloan sighed, afraid he’d failed in this endeavor, though there was little history of battles on the isle of late, so he’d not worried until all the bairn stealing had started. “Miles has been training our men harder in the lists after all the foolish kidnapping. We’ve gained a few new ones. Have you any other suggestions?”
Miles said, “I’m open to any advice. Ingelram is working with them now.” Ingelram was one of their most loyal guards and also one of the strongest swordsmen.
“Derric Corbett is willing to trade sword-skill training for some fine brew. They didn’t bring any barrels with him, and with Connor and the others, what little they brought has gone fast. What say you to some extra training? He’s a mighty fine swordsman, and any guard trained by Grant men says he’s one of the best.”
Sloan decided to push the old warrior’s loyalty and leaned back in his chair. “Who is the best? Ramsay guards or Grant? And who has the best archers?”
Logan’s eyes narrowed and a slight smile curved his face. “Always a man of wisdom, are you not, Rankin?”
“I try my best.” He waited, hands folded in his lap, for Ramsay’s answer.
“All right. I’ll be honest. Dyna is a fine archer, but the finest are Ramsay archers. My son Gavin has trained Eli to be one of the best. I think she’ll end up overtaking Gwynie’s reputation as the finest in all the land. Dyna is a fine second. But swordsmen? Since my age has done its job on my shoulders, I am no longer the finest. I’d give it to Connor and Alasdair, but Broc is coming up close. The man works hard. Trust me that Derric has been trained hard by his wife’s father. Connor pushes him hard, and it shows. Your men would be fortunate to learn from him.”
“And Maitland? Where does he fit in since he’s the chieftain?”
“He and Dyna share it. You don’t wish to meet Maitland on the field either. Now that he has a lad to defend, he’s been working harder than anyone I know. Alasdair has been training him.”
“Alasdair and Broc are returning with Connor?”
“Broc will be staying. Not sure about Alasdair yet. He may bring his wife and two bairns here.”
Miles shook his head.
“What?” Logan asked.
“I don’t know how you keep them all straight, Ramsay.”
Logan said, “You remember who’s on your side in battle. I hope you don’t need to learn the truth of my words.”
Sloan said, “We’ll gladly take Derric’s offer. Should I go to Clan Grantham with you?”
“Nay, I’ll send him your way.”
Logan stood and stepped out of the solar at the same time that the door to the keep opened, Dermot entering.
“I want to hear the news from you, Ramsay. One old chieftain to another.”
“I’ve never been a chieftain. I was my brother’s second.”
“They say you were a spy for King Alexander and for King Robert. ’Struth?’”
Logan gave a slow nod to the man.
“Da,” Sloan said. “Let the man take his leave.”
Logan moved over to the door, but Dermot grabbed his arm. “What’s the news? More attacks? More bairns to be stolen? My grandson Rowan still won’t step outside the curtain wall.” Rowan had been one of four bairns kidnapped over the summer.
