Page 24 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
The men called out greetings.
“Best get some rest,” Dougal ordered.“Much work must be done tomorrow.”
The men nodded, before going into the barracks.
Seona, Rhuad and Dougal walked in silence until they reached the great hall.They settled themselves around one of the two large hearths.
Rhuad called for ale.“See that we are not disturbed,” he told the servant who brought the crock of ale and three tankards.
“Yes, my lord.”
No words were exchanged as they listened to the servant’s steps recede.Seona heard him speak to someone just after he disappeared into the stairway.She signaled her companions to stay quiet.
Moments passed, but no one emerged from the staircase.
“I think we are safely alone and can begin,” she mused.“Your squire believes the tavern owner, Mr.Clyne, may be a trustworthy ally.James said that Clyne heartily dislikes the abbess.Your squire also discovered an access to the abbey through a cave that opens onto the seaward side of the island.”
“Which means we can make our attack entirely from the sea and avoid battle with the guards at the causeway keep,” Rhuad stated.
“Aye,” Dougal agreed.
“However, we should delay any attack until we know we can recover the MacFearann ladies,” Seona said.
“That is not in question,” Rhuad said.
“Is it not?”Seona sat back.“We know we can get into the abbey.But we do not know if we can get out again.Nor do we know precisely where the hostages are kept.”
“Why wouldn’t we be able to leave the way we came in?”Sir Dougal asked.“As for finding the MacFearann ladies, the Abbey can’t be all that large.”
“Getting in and out and finding the hostages may present many difficulties.Obstacles may block access at the upper end of the cave.We do not know how large the abbey may be.The ladies’ prison may be hidden.Indeed, even should we find them easily, they may be locked in, and we may need to locate the key or someone who can release them.”
“Won’t seeking aid from one of the nuns raise the alarm?”Rhuad asked.
“Not if we do it right.”
“How would that be?”
“Someone must go ahead of the attack and gain the trust of the abbess and anyone who might guard the hostages.”
“The abbess would recognize me instantly,” Rhuad said.
“I doubt she would welcome a man as a guest,” Dougal remarked.“Or trust him easily.”
“Precisely,” Seona said, glad they could see the obvious.“I must precede the attack and prepare the MacFearann ladies to be rescued.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Rhuad,” she spoke calmly, though her husband’s fear for her warmed her heart.“You must know we can send no one originally from Castle MacFearann.They will all be known to either the nuns or folk in Baile Iasg who may rely on the abbey for custom and income.Very few in this area know me.Just as no one knew your squire, which is why he was chosen to gather information.”
“I realize all of that, but I do not have to permit you to place yourself in danger.Your brother would never forgive me if anything happened to you,” his voice was rough with concern.
“Nothing will happen to me,” she said evenly.Calm was the best way to assuage his worries.
Rhuad folded his arms across his chest.“You cannot be certain of that.”
Sir Dougal nodded agreement and twisted his hands together.
“I can be certain,” Seona said.
