Page 80 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“Because I can get lots of coin. One or the other. He wants the sister of Kelvan’s wife or the other one at the nunnery.”
“Who?”
“The man in charge. You dinnae need to know who.”
“What if we get both?”
“If you find both, I’ll double your part.”
“I’ll help, but only if I can sample the flesh myself first.”
“Nay, hands off. You do not wish to become the enemy of the chieftain of this group.”
“What group?”
Tristan heard at least three different voices. Were they all guilty participants or some just listening?
“The Dubh group.”
That sent a shiver down his spine. He’d been at Duart Castle one eve when Connor Grant had told the tale of the Channel of Dubh years ago. How they’d funneled bairns from all corners of the land over to the east. No care as to who they stole the bairns from, but Connor had reported that they’d killed or arrested everyone involved.
Perhaps they hadn’t caught everyone. He’d pass on what he knew to the Granthams on the next visit.
Until then, he’d find out who was involved here.
“I’m not joining any Dubh group.”
Good for one guard, Tristan thought.
“We have it good here. I’ll not do anything to jeopardize it,” a second man said.
“Fine. I’ll do it all myself.”
“Who the hell is that?” the third man, the evil one, asked. “I like the looks of her.” Tristan wondered who he referred tobecause he didn’t see anyone. He moved around the parapets so he could see in a different direction.
“Where are they coming from?” the second one asked.
First one said, “They’re coming from Erraid. Low tide.”
Tristan stepped away, moving to the edge of the wall where he could peer toward Erraid. He leaned forward, pleased to see who he thought was Taskill. He wasn’t sure of the lass but guessed it could be Sheona. Both looked hale and were happy, but he had to get out to them before either of the guards reached them. “Taskill!” he shouted as he ran down the staircase and headed toward the pair.
Before he caught up with them, he turned back to look at the three guards who stood behind him: Percival, Roger, and Fitz. Which one was planning to go after Sheona?
He’d not allow it to happen.
“Taskill, is that Sheona with you?”
“Aye, we’ve had a rough time of it, but we are here and hale.”
“You must be hungry. Come inside for a brief repast. Tell me all that transpired.”
He took in the two and their clothing, which appeared dry and in good shape, though Taskill was not wearing his clan’s colors, instead a tunic and trews. Tristan had many questions, but they could wait until they were inside.
Once he stepped into the keep, the three guards followed and Percival asked, “May we join you, Chief?”
“Nay, you may not.” He was not willing to let the traitor he’d discovered be a party to whatever was going on with Taskill and Sheona. “Percival, I’ll update you all later. Go fishing, then go search for apples knocked down by the storm. Find another basket before they rot. Then you can hunt or fish. We need a stew for the morrow, and there’s no more meat.”
“We’ll gladly go fishing,” Roger said, and the three departed.
