Chapter 26
"Tell me again how ye managed tae fail at somethin' so simple."
Conall MacTavish stood at the edge of the camp, his hands clasped behind his back, watching Donnan shift uncomfortably in the firelight.
"The alarm rang before we could get her through the gate," Donnan said, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger. "Someone saw the smoke from the fire she started—"
"The fire she started." Conall's voice was soft. Dangerous. "Ye're tellin' me me daughter—a slip of a lass who's never held a weapon in her life—outsmarted me men?"
"She knocked over a torch during the struggle. It was an accident."
"Was it?" Conall turned slowly, his dark eyes finding Donnan's. "Because it sounds like Ada was clever enough tae create a distraction while me man fumbled like a green boy on his first raid."
Donnan's jaw clenched. "The Serpent apparently came out of nowhere. Moved fast. By the time they realized what was happenin', he'd already taken down Fergus and went fer Malcom."
"And he ran."
"He got away so he could report back tae me. So, we could regroup."
"So ye could all save yer own skin." Conall moved closer, each step deliberate. "Dinnae dress it up as strategy, boy. Malcom panicked. Left Fergus tae rot in Magnus's dungeons because he was too afraid tae stand and fight."
"Fergus is dead," Donnan said flatly. "I arranged fer someone tae slit his throat before dawn, makin' sure he couldnae talk."
Conall absorbed this information with a slight nod. Good. One less loose end to worry about. But it also meant they'd lost their man inside the dungeons, their best source of information about Magnus's security.
"What about the others?" Conall asked. "The men I sent tae scout the walls?"
"Gone tae ground. Waitin' fer orders." Donnan straightened slightly, trying to reclaim some dignity. "But Magnus has doubled his guard. Changed patrol routes. He kens someone's workin' against him from the inside, even if he daesnae ken who yet."
"And Ada?"
Donnan's expression darkened. "She's with him. All the time now. I've barely seen her except at meals, and even then Magnus watches her like a hawk. After the attack..." He stopped. Donnan's hands curled into fists. " He cares about her. Really cares."
"Perfect. So he really is as vulnerable as I had hoped.
" Conall moved to the small table where maps of Barra lay spread across weathered parchment.
"A man in love makes mistakes. Gets reckless.
Prioritizes the wrong things." He traced the outline of Dun Barra Keep with one finger.
"We took Ada nae fer ransom, but tae make Magnus feel vulnerable, like he cannot guarantee the protection of the woman he loves.
This will make him make a mistake. But that also gave Magnus time tae respond. Time tae be the hero."
"So what dae we dae now?"
Conall looked up, a cold smile touching his lips.
"We stop sneakin' around like thieves and start actin' like warriors with a legitimate grievance.
"The one thing that would force the king tae act against Magnus, that would give us permission, nay, encouragement tae attack Barra without fear of royal retribution would be if Ada claimed she was mistreated.
If she said Magnus broke the Pact. The Pact is meant tae create peace through marriage.
Through kinship. But if one of those marriages fails, if a Highland bride is abused or neglected by her savage Norse husband––"
"The king would be furious," Donnan said slowly. "Would see it as a betrayal of the agreement."
"More than that. He'd see it as proof that the Norsemen cannae be trusted tae honor their word.
That maybe the whole Pact was a mistake.
" Conall moved around the table, his movements precise.
"And which loyal Highland laird stepped forward tae offer his daughter despite the risks?
Which man put his family at risk tae serve the Crown's interests? "
"Ye did."
"I did. So when I ride tae the king's court with me daughter claimin' she barely escaped with her life, who dae ye think the king will believe? The schemin' Viking who already has rumors of murderin' his first wife? Or the devoted faither who warned him this might happen?"
Donnan's eyes lit with understanding. "The king would give ye permission tae take Barra. Tae remove Magnus and install someone more... trustworthy."
"Someone like me." Conall's voice was soft with satisfaction. "And all it requires is Ada playin' her part. Tellin' the story we need her tae tell."
"And if she refuses?"
"She willnae refuse. Nae when the alternative is watchin' Magnus die slowly in front of her." Conall's expression hardened. "Daughters are biddable creatures, Donnan. Especially when properly motivated."
Donnan shifted his weight, something uncertain flickering across his face. "About Ada... ye promised that when this was over, when Magnus was dealt with and ye had control of Barra, that she'd be mine. That ye'd arrange the marriage."
"I remember what I promised."
"Dae ye still mean it?"
Conall studied him for a long moment. Donnan had always wanted Ada, had watched her with hungry eyes since she was barely grown.
It was one of the reasons Conall had chosen him for that task.
Men driven by desire were easy to manipulate, easy to control with the promise of eventually getting what they wanted.
"Aye," Conall said finally. "When this is done, Ada will be yers. Ye've earned her."
"And ye willnae change yer mind? Willnae decide she's more valuable married tae some other laird?"
"I give ye me word, Donnan. Help me destroy Magnus Haraldson, help me take control of Barra, and Ada becomes yer wife." Conall's smile was cold. "Though I'd suggest breakin' whatever affection she's developed fer the Serpent first. A wife with a wanderin' heart is worse than nay wife at all."
Donnan's jaw tightened. "I'll make her forget him."
"Good. Now, let's discuss the details." Conall gestured to the map. "We cannae just attack outright. That would still look aggressive, and the king might question our motives. We need Magnus tae appear guilty first."
"How?"
"We stage an incident. Somethin' public that makes it look like Magnus is unstable, violent.
" Conall's finger traced the path from the keep to the village.
"Ada makes an appearance in the village.
Maybe she's visitin' the sick, playin' the dutiful lady.
Ye approach her, offer yer concern as an old family friend.
And Magnus, jealous and possessive as he's become, attacks ye in front of witnesses. "
"He'd never."
"He would if he thought ye were a threat tae her.
I've seen the reports, Donnan. The way he growls at any man who looks at her too long.
The way he hovers." Conall's smile turned predatory.
"All ye have tae dae is touch her. Just a hand on her arm, a concerned question.
And when Magnus reacts, ye make sure everyone sees it.
Make sure they see the Serpent's famous temper directed at a man who was only tryin' tae help. "
Donnan was quiet, considering. "And then?"
"Then I arrive with armed men, claimin' I've heard disturbin' reports about me daughter's treatment. I demand tae see her, tae speak with her privately. And in that moment, Ada will have a choice—tell the truth and watch Magnus die or lie and condemn him tae the king's justice."
"Ye think she'll choose Magnus?"
"I think she's a fool who believes in love.
" Conall's voice dripped with contempt. "But even fools understand consequences.
When I explain that refusin' tae cooperate means watchin' Magnus tortured before her eyes, means seein' his keep burned and his people slaughtered.
.. she'll dae what I ask. Just as she always has. "
Donnan nodded slowly. "When dae we start?"
"Give it a few more days. Let Magnus relax his guard slightly, let him think the danger has passed.
" Conall moved to pour himself a cup of wine from a skin near the fire.
"In the meantime, I want ye tae get word tae our other men inside the keep.
Tell them to spread rumors. Whispers about Magnus's temper, about how he was seen shouting at Ada, about how she looked frightened durin' a recent dinner. "
"What about the other jarls? Erik and the rest? They're part of the Pact too. They might support Magnus."
"Let them. I'll argue that Magnus has endangered the entire agreement through his actions.
That if one marriage fails, it threatens them all.
" Conall's smile was thin. "And between us, I think those Norse lairds will be more concerned with protectin' their own interests than defendin' a man already branded a wife-killer. "
Donnan absorbed this, his expression thoughtful. "Ye've been plannin' this fer a long time."
"Since the moment the king announced the Pact.
" Conall set down his cup. "He thinks he's bein' clever, bindin' the Isles through marriage.
But he's handed us the perfect weapon—his own decree.
When Magnus violates it, when he fails tae honor his bride properly, the king will have nay choice but tae act.
And I'll be there, loyal as ever, ready tae serve however he asks. "
"Even if it means killin' Magnus?"
"Especially if it means killin' Magnus." Conall's voice was cold. "The man is an obstacle tae progress. Tae proper Highland control of the Isles. With him gone and me in his place, Barra becomes part of the Crown's domain in truth rather than just in name."
"And Ada?"
"Ada will dae as she's told. As she should have done from the beginning." Conall's expression hardened. "She embarrassed me, forced me tae hunt her down like a criminal. This time there'll be nay freedom, nay choices. Just obedience."
Donnan's hands clenched at his sides. "And when she's mine?"
"Then she's yer problem, nae mine. Break her if ye have tae, just keep her useful." Conall waved a dismissive hand. "A wife's only value is in the heirs she provides and the alliances she maintains. Everythin' else is sentiment."
"Ye never loved her, dide ye, me laird? Nae even a little."
"Love is a luxury fer men who cannae afford ambition." Conall's gaze was flat, emotionless. "I gave Ada life. That's more than enough. The rest she owes me fer that gift."
They fell silent, the fire crackling between them. Around the camp, other men moved about their tasks—sharpening weapons, tending horses, speaking in low voices about the battle to come.
Finally, Donnan spoke again. "What if it daesnae work? What if Ada refuses tae cooperate and Magnus sees through the trap?"
"Then we resort tae simpler methods." Conall's voice was matter-of-fact.
"We attack directly, kill Magnus in battle, and I claim Ada was already dead, killed by her husband in a fit of rage before we could save her.
Either way, Magnus dies and I take control of Barra.
The only question is whether Ada survives the process. "
"Ye'd really kill yer own daughter?"
"If necessary." Conall met his gaze steadily.
"I told ye before, Donnan. Daughters are tools.
Useful when they serve their purpose, disposable when they dinnae.
Ada has been more trouble than she's worth since the day she was born.
If she finally proves useful in her death, then at least she'll have contributed somethin' tae this family. "
Donnan looked away, something like discomfort crossing his face. But he didn't argue. Didn't object.
"Get some rest," Conall said, moving toward his tent. "We have work tae dae in the comin' days. And I need ye sharp when the time comes."
"Aye, me laird."
Then Conall disappeared inside, leaving Donnan alone by the fire.