“Who live in France. And, e’en if they send someone to take revenge, we can deal with them. I am certain Brian told ye some of his clan’s history, if only to explain this place.” Arianna nodded and Fiona continued, “Weel, my clan the MacEnroys didnae have any better a life. It was one of three clans that fought until little was left but ruins and graves, and all the remnants of the clans who were struggling to rebuild were nearly destroyed by treachery. My own uncle tried to stir up the killing again and had actually had a part in what had nearly killed us all before. So, treachery, enemies determined to kill us, plots, and lies?” Fiona shrugged. “Naught a thing that we have nay faced before and survived.”
“I had heard that my cousin Gillyanne had wed a mon with a dark past. But ...”
“Nay. The men out there wish to drag three innocents into their plots, think naught of killing two wee lads just to gain more coin, more land, or more power. Any right-thinking mon would fight against that.”
There was no arguing that. Arianna had clung to the hope that there would be no battle, that at some point her pursuers would decide they were simply wasting their time and retreat. She knew that, from the beginning, she had ignored that little voice in her head warning her that it was all so much more complicated than just Amiel wanting to be the heir. She looked up at the men lining the walls of Scarglas who still taunted Amiel and Lord Ignace.
“I just wish they didnae act as if they enjoyed the thought of battle so much,” Arianna murmured.
“Ach, weel, they actually do at the start. They are men and men are a strange lot.”
“True. Verra true.” She laughed along with Fiona.
“Why havenae Fiona and Arianna gone inside?” Brian asked Ewan.
“They are safe enough where they are,” replied Ewan, his gaze fixed upon the men confronting them.
“Nay if someone begins to shoot arrows o’er the wall.”
“I see no archers, Brian.”
“They had a couple at Dubheidland.”
“Ye and Sigimor must have killed them.”
“They would still be safer inside instead of right down there where they can hear and smell the battle.”
Ewan looked at his brother, leaving the verbal harassment of the enemy to his father and other brothers. “I believe my wife is weel acquainted with the sight and sound of battle. Now, Arianna may nay carry knives all o’er as my loving wife does, but I suspicion she is also acquainted with the scent and sound of battle.”
“They may be acquainted with it but that doesnae mean they have to face it when they could go inside the keep.”
“Dinnae worry. Fiona will go in soon and take your lass with her. She will be safe.” He looked down at the men gathered before the walls of Scarglas. “They are so busy making demands they havenae noticed our men at all.”
Deciding he would get no help in making Arianna go inside, Brian also turned his attention to Lucette, DeVeau, and their hirelings. He could see at least two score men who were undoubtedly well-trained men-at-arms. The rest were just men with swords who thought joining this fight was worth the few coins they got. Even the trained men did not notice that they were now surrounded, but then the MacFingals and their cousins were also well trained.
“I would think it time to start this rout,” Brian said.
“A few more minutes. Our fither is having fun.”
“My lord,” said DeVeau.
“Och, I am nay the laird,” said Sir Fingal. “He is.” He pointed at Ewan.
The look on DeVeau’s face told Brian that the man would probably give his soul to be able to get his hands on old Fingal. It was an expression all Fingal’s sons, and many another who met their father, had worn at some time or another. The man’s skill at keeping someone intent on winning an argument with him was just the skill they had needed, however. While Lucette and DeVeau had tried to talk reason to Fingal, Scarglas men and their allies had slipped out, using the berm as shelter as they had slowly encircled DeVeau and his men.
DeVeau turned his attention to Ewan. “You should have spoken up.”
“Why? Ye were nay saying anything I was interested in.”
“Enough of this!” Lucette yelled. “Those boys are my nephews. They are French and we intend to take them back to their home. You have no right to them.”
“Nor do ye. They are where they belong. With their guardian.”
“My brother was mad. No one appoints a woman to be a guardian. The courts will end that insane arrangement.”
“Then bring me the court’s demand and I might think on it.” Ewan glanced at Brian and said quietly, “Time to go down to the gates. Sigimor is waiting for my signal. I will give it as soon as ye and the others are in place. Wish I could join ye in killing these arrogant fools, but if I leave they may pause to finally look around.”
Brian hurried down to the bailey. Once Ewan gave the signal everything would happen fast for Sigimor would give that fierce battle cry of his and all the men hiding behind the berm would be over it. It was Brian’s intention to be the first one to get to Lucette. The man needed to pay for what he had done to Arianna.
The thought of Arianna had him looking toward the steps to the keep. He was pleased to see that she and Fiona had gone back inside. Once the gates were opened to let him and his men out, it would no longer be safe for the women to be outside the keep.