Page 48 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“The way is clear, now.”
“Excellent,” Seona said forcing herself to move against the weakness seeping into her muscles and bones.“We’ll head for the door directly across the courtyard.That’s the shortest distance.Try to hurry.”
***
AS LUCK WOULD HAVEit, the fog covered the approach of the attackers at low tide.All men were in their assigned positions before the sun grew hot enough to burn off some of the fog.The company was divided into four groups.
Three groups would attack the guard keep: the men led by Raeb MacKai to attack the right flank; Rhuad’s group to strike the left flank.Dougal led the group making a frontal sortie.The fourth group of villagers and seamen with Mr.Clyne and Squire James MacShennan in charge took to boats and made for the seaward cave entrance.Since that access was believed to be unguarded, the force sent there was the smallest and least well-armed.
When the fog cleared enough for the men to see the shapes of their opponents, Rhuad gave the signal to begin the attack.
The captain of the abbey guards was in the privy when the first shouts came announcing an assault.He hurried to complete his business then pulled up his braes and tied them in place.He went to open the door and found it blocked.He pounded on the door and yelled for help.But even he could tell the fighting was fierce from the noise of battle.He spent the entire fight trying to escape from his inadvertent and rather smelly prison.
Eventually, the door opened.
Dougal looked inside and saw an angry man staring back.He’d hoped to relieve himself, but resigned himself to a fight.“Who are you?”
“I am captain of these guardsmen.”
“Don’t just stand there, draw your weapon,” he said to the glaring captain.
“I can’t.I left it outside the privy door.’Tis not enough room in here for a weapon.”
Dougal looked to the side of the door and saw an English broadsword leaning against the outer wall.He stepped aside and picked up the abandoned sword.
The angry man emerged.
“That’ll be a lesson not to build so small a privy next time,” Dougal remarked.“I’m just as glad I’ll not have to fight you.I’m tired and need use of the privy myself.First, let’s get you to your men.They fought well, but we outnumbered them.They were smart enough to realize they were beaten almost before the fight started, so very few were killed or injured.”
They started to walk side by side.
“Did you lead the attack?Do you know what will be done with us?”
“Nay, I led only part of the attacking force.’Tis Lairds MacFearann and MacKai to whom you will surrender.As for your fate, I heard some talk earlier about ransoming from Edward all the men we defeated here.However, I’m not certain what was decided.”
The captain groaned.“Do you know what happened to the last group of men that MacKai ransomed from Edward?”
“Can’t say as I do.”Dougal replied as they walked.“Although I was there when that army was defeated.”
“Once Edward had all of the men returned, he stripped them of their weapons, and if they were knights their spurs.Then he ordered them all to Wales where they were to become yeoman farmers and be forced to wed Welsh women.”
“He won’t be able to force you to wed a Scot,” Dougal said.“He hasn’t conquered Scotland yet.I pray he never will.”
“I pray the same.This is a hellish place to live.I’d not want to be forced to try to farm here.Your soil is nothing but rocks.”
Dougal grinned.“You’ve not seen much of Scotland, have you.”
“No,” the captain replied.“I hope I never do.”
Dougal and his captive arrived in the bailey where the defeated men were gathered.The men cheered when they recognized their captain.
He explained his absence from the fight much to the amusement of captives and captors alike.
Dougal left the defeated foe surrounded by a ring of well-armed MacKai and Marr men.He sought out Raeb and Rhuad.
“Where are the rest of your MacFearann fighters?”he asked Rhuad.
“Those who aren’t wounded have entered the abbey and are searching for my mother and sister.”
