Page 27 of The Bells of Triumph
“The ones who were nae killed where they stood are in shackles in the dungeons. I ensured that nae a single man made it out of the castle, as I did nae want any of them getting word back to Campbell. He still does nae have any clue that Glenkirk Castle has been taken. And let me tell ye, the dungeons here are much cleaner than the ones in Murray Castle. At least they were when we attacked several days ago.”
“What of the blockades?” Errik asked between bites of food.
“There are three. The one ye came upon when ye tried to get to Glenkirk Castle from Aberfeldy Village. But I have instructed for two more to be put in place, shutting off the roads leading into and out of the village.”
“The village?” Flora asked, not quite understanding his purpose.
“Aye. I did nae want anyone being able to get word to Campbell that we had taken the castle. I have made sure that nay one has left or arrived with the guards positioned at each of the blockades around the village. It must stay closed off.”
There was something more that Finn wasn't saying, but Flora didn't know how to push, how to ask.
“Well, with ye having already captured Glenkirk Castle, ye have made things significantly simpler for us. Our plan was to invade Glenkirk then draw Campbell to the field just beyond the village for one final battle. That is why we have gathered all of our forces here.”
“Why the field?”
The question came from one of Finn's men. In fact, it was the man sitting on Finn's right who was now on the receiving end of a cold stare from Finn.
“The verra last thing I want to do is draw Campbell into the village where there are women and children living. This fight between us has already claimed enough innocent lives. Campbell has destroyed enough families as it is. If there is anything I can do to keep that from happening anymore, I will. Bringing the fight to the field will do just that.” Seamus declared.
“Ye speak as though this war will nae continue to claim lives,” Finn countered.
“I am nae so naive to think that,” Seamus assured, “but I do think that we can take steps to protect as many families as possible. The world does nae need any more orphans.”
Having struck a nerve, Finn narrowed his eyes into such small slits that the color from them was entirely hidden.
“Ye are fooling yerself if ye think ye can stop what is to come. Men will die. Wives will lose their husbands and fathers will lose their children. That is the price of war, the price of being rid of Campbell. And it is a price we must pay.”
“I am nae trying to ignore the realities of war, Finn. Simply trying to lessen them.”
Flora scanned the faces of the men sitting around the table. More than a few of them were grumbling in agreement at Seamus' claim. The air had shifted from tense to somber as she watched them all wrestle with the fact that Finn was just as right as Seamus was. Men would certainly die. And their deaths would have a lasting effect on the families each man represented. Flora knew that better than most. But there was also something to be said about protecting those as much as they could manage.
“So now that we ken Glenkirk Castle is nay longer under Campbell's rule, now that we have taken up our station here, what do we do next?”
Errik always knew how to ask the right questions, how to steer the conversation. Flora sent him a look of thanks from behind Seamus' head. They needed to stay away from arguing over things that could not be resolved. Finn needed to be reminded that their goals were the same, that whether or not they agreed on everything, they were still on the same side. They had to stay focused on creating a plan.
“Now we draw Campbell out of the castle and into the field.”
“And how do ye propose we do that?” Finn questioned, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.
“We send a messenger to Campbell. Perhaps one of the guards ye have in the dungeon could turn out to be useful.”
“Aye,” Flora chimed in. “Campbell would nae order for his own man to be killed on sight. He would at least hear what themessenger has to say first. And that would be one less mouth to feed.”
“Who said anything about feeding them?”
Flora didn't stop her mouth from swinging open at Finn's snarky comment.
“We send a messenger,” Seamus carried on, ignoring Finn's remark entirely. “We give Campbell word that we are gathered in the field just beyond his castle. We tell him that I will be there. He will come.”
“Ye truly think that yer presence is of such importance to Campbell that it must be included in yer message?”
“Are ye daft, lad?” Errik piped up, giving Finn the same look Flora had seen time and time again throughout their training sessions. “Or are ye simply nae thinking straight?”
Finn's hands clenched, as did his jaw, but he didn't dare to interrupt the older warrior.
“Allow me to remind everyone here that Seamus has fooled Campbell time and time again. He escaped from under his nose, went back only to rescue ye, collected as much information as he could on Campbell's plans, then escaped again. The last time the two of them met, Seamus killed Laird Drummond, Campbell's cousin and ally, and then cut off Campbell's leg. It would take the patience and the grace of a saint for Campbell to nae go after Seamus when provided the opportunity. Neither of which he has. So we are to use Seamus' presence as bait. We will draw Campbell out of Murray Castle and into the field of our choosing if that is what it takes to protect the most lives.”
“When do ye wish to send a messenger? Ye only just arrived. Do ye need time to settle in and rest before we set off for battle?”
