Page 36 of Highland Dove

“I still dinna understand how we are goin’ to get inside MacLean Castle,” said Daniel. “If Eideard has his guards posted, we’ll be spotted before we even get close. Even with the MacKeefes aidin’ us, I dinna see that this is goin’ to work.”

“I ken. That’s a problem,” said Duncan, pacing back and forth. They stood outside in the sunshine. The weather was warm today. It felt as if it were an omen to Duncan because they wouldn’t be able to attack in a storm.

“Do ye think there is some way that Angus or Mari can open the postern gate?” asked Tillie, sitting at the trestle table with her father. Forba was serving them, and Malmuira was watching Tillie’s girls nearby, also listening to the conversation.

“I dinna ken,” said Duncan in thought. “There is no way to get a message to them to even let them ken when we are comin’.”

“Why havena ye attacked by now?” asked Daniel, regaining his strength every day. “My daughter is in there and she is in danger.”

“It’s because ye still dinna ken where Eideard is keepin’ yer mathair. Am I right?” asked Tillie.

“I suppose so,” said Duncan, still pacing. “If we attack before I find her, the secret might go with Eideard to his grave.” He was distracted by the cooing sound of a bird from overhead. He looked up to see a dove landing on a stump nearby.

“Is that one of yer birds, Daniel?” asked Duncan.

“Nay, I dinna think so,” the man answered. “I only have a few pigeons right now, and that looks more like a dove.”

“It is a dove,” said Duncan, taking off quickly toward the bird with the others following. As he walked up, he recognized it. “Lancelot,” he said, reaching out for the bird. “What are ye doin’ here?”

“There’s somethin’ tied to his leg.” Tillie pointed at it.

Sure enough, there was a message of some sort tied to the bird. “It must be a message from Mari.” He excitedly untied it and read it. A smile spread across his face.

“What is it?” asked Daniel. “Is my daughter all right?”

“She is, and she’s also found my mathair,” he told them. “Daniel, call one of yer messengers over. I dinna ken how we’ll do it, but it is time we send word to the MacKeefes that we are ready to take back MacLean Castle.”

Chapter 13

The next day, luck was with Mari and she was able to sneak into the dungeon. Emmaline insisted on helping her, and purposely let the dungeon guards see her and then ran off. When they went to catch her, Mari slipped inside. With her hood pulled up over her head, she found the key on the wall and opened the door leading to the holding cells.

“Angus? Are ye in here?” she called out, her voice echoing off the stone walls. She looked into each and every cell along the way, peering into the dark but not seeing Angus anywhere. Not understanding, she turned back, and cried out when she knocked into a big man who she figured was a guard. He reached out and grabbed her. Pulling her to him, he covered her mouth with his hand. Struggling in his hold, she bit him.

“Och, lass, that hurts,” came Angus’ voice in the dark.

“Angus?” She looked closer and realized it was him. He no longer wore the gypsy clothes, but instead walked around half naked, just in his braies. “What are ye doin’ outside the cell?”

“It’s a little trick I learned from my big brathair.” He smiled and held up what looked like a filed down spoon. “What are ye doin’ in here?”

“I came to tell ye that I found yer mathair. She’s right here in the castle.”

“She’s alive?”

“She is. And she’s helpin’ us. Eideard has been infected with the hogweed and stays in his room, so that is why I am able to move around without bein’ stopped. I sent a dove to Duncan with a message.”

“Then send him another one. Tell him I’ve been able to open the old grate at the end of the tunnel in the dungeon that connects to outside. Some of them can sneak in that way, and open the front gate for the rest.”

“I’ll tell him,” said Mari. “But I only have one dove left. When should I say that they should attack?”

“As soon as possible,” Angus told her, looking up when he heard a noise. “Ye need to get out of here so Eideard doesna think ye had anythin’ to do with the killin’s.”

“What killin’?”

“The ones I’m about to do once the guards return. Now go, and send that dove and dinna tarry.”

Once Mari had written the message, she hurried back to the mews to send it with Guinevere this time. “Guinevere, I need yer help,” she said, gently picking up the bird and carrying it back to the door. She didn’t see Harris anywhere and wondered where he’d gone. “Ye need to get this message to Duncan.” She was just about to tie the note on the bird’s leg when Eideard appeared, standing in front of her.

“So, ye’re sendin’ messages to Duncan usin’ the birds? Kill it,” he told one of his guards who moved forward with a dagger in his hand.