Page 39 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
Chapter Seven
Castle MacFearann’souter bailey
Early morning, March 5, 1297
In the gray light before dawn, from atop his destrier and with Dougal mounted at his right, Rhuad observed the twenty mounted men at arms assembled before him.
“Do you all understand our purpose for attacking the Abbey of St.Margaret?”
“Aye my lord.”Twenty voices shouted in unison.
“We go to save the lives of my wife, mother, and sister.Should we find any other hostages, we will release them as well.”
“Aye my lord,” came the chorus once more.
“If any man objects to attacking a convent, the guards, and perhaps even the holy women, he may go to the barracks now.None will think you less for following your conscience.”
No one moved.Not a sound was uttered.
“Very well.My squire has been sent ahead to prepare our reception at Baile Iasg.We will arrive very close to sunset, but we will not enter the village.We will remain hidden in the forest.My squire will report to me there and let us know if all is well and ready for us.
“Last, know this well, any of you who breaks our silent approach to the town, who in some way gives our enemy warning of the attack or acts the coward, that person or persons will pay a heavy price.The punishment is to be stripped of all knightly belongings—armor, horse, weapons and all.Then that person will be banished from Castle MacFearann and declared an enemy of the clan.Anyone encountering a banished man on MacFearann lands has the right, indeed the duty, to slay that person with all possible dispatch.Is this understood?”
The third “aye my lord,” could have lifted the roof had they been inside.
Satisfied that the men understood the fight to come and the consequences for any betrayal, Rhuad gave the signal to march forward.
He and Dougal rode at the head of the column of men riding in pairs.
About midday, Dougal saw a dismaying sight.
“Look Laird MacFearann.Is that not your squire approaching at a gallop?”
“Aye, that must be James.I’d recognize that horse anywhere.I deliberately mounted him on a very ordinary brown gelding.A finer steed would draw too much notice in the fishing village.He is also dressed more like a peasant than a knight.”
Moments later, James pulled his horse to a halt before them.
“Laird MacFearann,” the young man did not pause for breath.“A large force of armed men approaches.They appear to be headed for Castle MacFearann.”
