Page 57 of Kilted Hate

Magnus gave him a knowing look. “Ye’re the talk o’ the village.”

Panic crossed his face, but Magnus shook his head. “Nay like that. Luckily, naeone actually saw what ye did, but word got around that ye had defeated many men. Some are saying ten, some are saying twenty.”

Domhnall rolled his eyes. “People dae like tae exaggerate.”

“Which one is true?” Magnus asked.

“I would say ten, maybe less, but then, I was too busy fighting tae count. I ken fer a fact it wasnae twenty, though. Has there been any news o’ who they were? Have the scouts discovered anything?”

“I sent scouts intae the village last night, but they could find naething. When they questioned those who thought they kent something, they discovered those people were as clueless as we are.”

“Great,” Domhnall spat sarcastically.

“Ye have tae admit, braither, it is a bit o’ a coincidence, ye getting attacked twice in the same week. If ye are determined that those men in the forest were English, we can only assume the same thing this time.”

The laird nodded. “Aye. I couldnae agree more. I still dinnae understand it, though. I’m doing what that bloody madman who rules their country wants me tae dae. So, why is he attacking me?”

“We already spoke about this. Maybe it’s nae him. Maybe this is a splinter faction. Ye ken, we have plenty o’ those up here as well.”

“Fine,” Domhnall said, stepping back into the room and beginning to pace. “Let’s assume ye are right. It may wellbe a splinter faction. They’re attacking us without the king’s knowledge, but tae what end? What are they hoping tae achieve?”

Magnus dropped himself into a high-backed chair beside the fire. “Could they have allied with an enemy clan? A clan who might be looking tae take over ye and the people o’ our lands?”

It was a possibility, but it had been a long time since they had fought with any other enemies besides the English. That being said, he knew there were clans out there allying themselves with those across the border, hoping that in doing so, they would garner favor with the King and thus be rewarded with lands and titles.

“I want the guard doubled on all the walls and gates,” Domhnall growled. “I cannae let this happen again. I’m nae going tae lose…” he trailed off, thinking about his mother and father. “We’re nae losing any more members o’ this family.”

Magnus nodded. “I agree. The problem with that is, yer wedding is in less than a week. We’re going tae have guests, and sellers, as well as more o’ our own clansmen that might nae ordinarily be in such proximity o’ the castle wandering about the place. How are we supposed tae vet everyone without causing chaos?”

Domhnall heaved a sigh, for he had no idea how to answer that conundrum. It was even more bizarre that he hadn’t taken those points into consideration.

Ye have had a lot on yer mind these last few days.

Indeed, he had, but how many men could say that they’d forgotten about their own damned wedding?

“Ye’re saying it isnae a good idea,” Domhnall growled.

“Nae if it ye dinnae want all and sundry tae ken what’s going on. Nay. I think it might be wise tae come at this from a different angle. A more subtle approach,” Magnus offered.

“That approach being?” Domhnall asked, struggling to curb the impatient tone that threatened to creep into his voice.

For a long moment, Magnus didn’t speak. Clearly, he had made the suggestion without thinking what the ‘more subtle approach’ might be. But Domhnall knew that if anyone was going to come up with a steadfast plan, it was Magnus, and thus, instead of pushing him further, he waited until his brother had worked it out in his own mind.

“Rather than doubling the guard, how about we place more o’ our men inside the castle grounds. Only, instead of dressing as guards, they dress like everyone else. A bit like ye going intae the village in disguise.”

Domhnall frowned, and feeling slightly frustrated at what he thought was a rather lukewarm plan, said, “And what good will that dae? Once our enemy is inside the castle walls, it’s too late.”

“Nae necessarily, braither. The men are strong, intelligent and determined. I believe they will spot someone who isnae supposetae be here with ease. The problem can then be dealt with swiftly and with little fuss.”

“I’m nae convinced,” Domhnall growled.

“I can see that. But doing it yer way will warn our enemy, and thus, they’ll be far sneakier in their approach. If we lull them intae a false sense o’ security…”

“We can trap them,” Domhnall concluded.

“Exactly.”

The laird was still not convinced that it was the greatest plan, but as usual, Magnus had a point. It was him they were after, and rather than having to have eyes in the back of his head every time he left the castle, luring them to him might work far better in their favor.

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