Page 82 of The Bells of Triumph
“I did nae want to believe it when they said ye had returned,” Seamus greeted, stepping off the dais to shake Finn's hand. “Get them some food and drink while we hear their tale.”
“There is nae time for that,” Iona argued. “Ye must hear us now.”
“I am listening,” Seamus told her, his brows furrowed.
“Ye will want to sit for this.”
Heeding Finn's advice, Seamus moved back to his seat on the dais. Flora went to his side, taking up the chair beside him. Iona and Finn followed, standing in front of the dais, while the others gathered on either side of the couple.
“I dinnae ken where to begin,” Finn admitted. “This is nae an easy story to tell.”
“Start at the beginning,” Flora nudged.
“That is with me, then,” Iona spoke up. “I ran away, and that started all of this.”
Flora watched how Finn squeezed Iona's hand, as if to reassure her.
“As ye all ken, I ran from my father and Laird MacKenzie. They had arranged a marriage for me to a man who I found deplorable. I thought running away would solve my problems. But the longer I stayed and watched the selflessness that ye and Flora have led this clan with, the more I realized that I was only making my problems yers. I kent it was only a matter of time before my father blamed ye for my disappearance and attacked the Murray Clan. I could nae be responsible for such a thing. So I lied to Finn, making him think that I was returning to Glenkirk Castle as a favor to ye. When I thought everyone was asleep, I stole a horse and started to make my way back to MacKenzielands. Luckily, Finn was still awake, pouring over plans to protect the clan from Campbell.”
“My men informed me that Iona had fled, so I went after her.”
“He tried to convince me to come back and talk things through with ye, but I would nae listen.”
“So we continued on towards MacKenzie Castle together. I thought that if that was truly what Iona wanted, I could, at the verra least, see to it that she made it there safely.”
“Then why are ye nae there now?” Seamus asked, growing more confused the longer their explanation went on.
“We found someone,” Finn told him evasively.
“It is yer mother, Seamus,” Iona admitted, her eyes full of tears. “We found her bleeding in the forest an hour's ride from Drummond Castle.”
“My mother? What is she doing in Murray lands?”
“That is what we wanted to ken as well. She told us that Campbell has invaded MacKenzie Castle. He slaughtered my father and grandfather and claimed their army as his own.”
Gasps went out from those in the Great Hall listening. It was all Iona could do to finish her story. Flora listened in horror.
“She told us that he is planning to attack here soon. She fled the castle as soon as she could so that she could get word to ye of his plan. She was gravely injured in her escape.”
“She insisted that we leave her at Drummond Castle,” Finn finished, “under the care of the healer there so that we could both ride to ye and pass along her message.”
“I have to go to her,” Seamus announced, standing and frantically searching the room. “I have to see her.”
Flora reached out a hand and stopped him, calming him with her stillness.
“We must think through this, my love.”
There were tears gathered in his eyes to match the ones streaming down Iona's face. But unlike Iona, Seamus was the Laird. He had to act accordingly.
“Drummond Castle is the closest stronghold to MacKenzie lands. If Campbell is planning an attack, that is surely where he will go first. Ye cannae travel there in haste, unarmed and alone. Ye will be caught by Campbell, and he will kill ye without a second thought. Then all of this will have been for nothing.”
“Flora,” Seamus' voice shook, “she is my mother.”
Stepping closer, Flora clasped Seamus' cheek.
“I ken, and I am nae suggesting that we dinnae go see her. I am merely saying that we must be smart in the way we do so. We must think these things through.”
“She is right, ye ken,” Errik said, stepping up. “Drummond Castle is how Campbell was able to invade us the first time. There is nay doubt he will do so again.”
