Page 58 of The Warrior
“Now that we’re here,” Connor said, turning to him, “what did ye want to talk about?”
“I know how to get inside Trotternish Castle,” Duncan said.
“How?” Connor asked.
“With my pipes,” Duncan said.
“Your pipes?” Ian laughed. “I thought ye were serious.”
“I am,” Duncan said. “When Teàrlag came to Dunscaith before I left for Ireland, she told me that my music would provide the answer we need.”
That silenced them for a time. Teàrlag’s predictions usually came true, though not always as one would expect.
“Teàrlag was right about Moira being in danger, and I found her in a pool of blood, just like Teàrlag said,” Duncan told them. The old seer had also predicted Duncan would need his whistle—and indeed, it had led the MacCrimmons to accept him. “So she could be right about my music as well.”
“Go on,” Connor said.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about what Ian said about us needing spies on our enemies,” Duncan said.
Ian groaned. “I can guess what you’re going to propose.”
“I’ll pretend I’m a piper making my way to visit the MacCrimmons,” Duncan explained. “Once I’m inside, I’ll have a look around. If they have a weakness, I’ll find it.”
“Ye believe ye can fool them?” Connor asked.
“I’m a fair piper,” Duncan said with a shrug.
“Ye play well enough, but ye look like a warrior.” Ian squeezed Duncan’s upper arm. “A man doesn’t get muscles like this from blowing on pipes.”
“People see what they expect to see,” Duncan said. “If I carry pipes and dress the part, no one will look beyond that.”
“Someone could recognize ye from a battle or gathering,” Connor said. “I don’t like the idea of ye going in there alone.”
“One man is less likely to draw suspicion,” Duncan said, telling Connor what he already knew. “And neither of ye could play a tune to save your lives.”
“I don’t like him going in alone, either, but it is a good plan,” Ian said, looking at Connor. “We don’t have another way to find out if the castle is vulnerable.”
“It’s too risky,” Connor said, shaking his head. “If the MacLeods find out who ye are, they won’t give ye an easy death.”
That was a risk a warrior faced.
“I need to take the castle from Erik MacLeod,” Duncan said, meeting Connor’s gaze. “I have fought for this clan since I was old enough to swing a claymore. You owe me this chance at vengeance.”
“All right.” Connor blew out his breath and rested his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “If ye do discover a weakness in the castle’s defenses, we’ll need to gather every warrior we can spare for the battle. I’ll send word to Alex on North Uist. By the time you’re back, he’ll be here with his men.”
“I will find a weakness,” Duncan said.
“In the meantime, we must keep this among the three of us,” Connor said. “If a whisper of it reaches the MacLeods, we’ll find Duncan’s broken body in the sea below the cliffs of Trotternish Castle.”
Duncan leaned back in his chair. If they succeeded in taking Trotternish Castle, Connor would surely make him the new keeper. Then he would finally be in a position to marry Moira.
All would be well. Even the twins had stopped screaming. Surely that was a sign.
Chapter 24
Duncan hauled his boat to shore in a quiet cove a couple of miles from Trotternish Castle and hid it in the low shrubs. With a sigh of regret, he unstrapped his claymore and laid it carefully in the bottom of the boat.
“Guard it well while I’m gone, Sàr.” He scratched the wolfhound’s ears and picked up his pipes.
