Twenty Seven
Cairbre remained at Duncurra with a handful of men to secure it. Midmorning, he received word from the watch that an army under the MacLennan banner approached from the south. He expected reinforcements from the MacLennans, but he was a bit surprised at the early hour. Malcolm must have sent them at least part of the way yesterday. It relieved Cairbre to know Duncurra’s additional protection would arrive soon.
That relief didn’t last long because moments later, the watch informed him an army also approached from the east riding hard under the Chisholm banner. Could he have been so wrong about Fingal? He hadn’t seen the laird’s brother all morning, and assumed Fingal was in his chamber. Cairbre sent for him, determined to discover what treachery was behind this. When the servant returned, it was Father Colm rather than Fingal who accompanied him.
“Father, ye cannot protect him this time. Niall was right, Fingal has to be responsible for this. With the bulk of our army riding on Cnocreidh, Duncurra is vulnerable and the Chisholm army approaches from the east. I will kill him where he stands before I let him wrest control of clan MacIan and Duncurra from Niall’s hands.”
“Cairbre, ye are wrong about Fingal.”
“Are ye telling me the Chisholm army riding full out towards us is a figment of my imagination? Or perhaps Chisholm just happens to be paying a friendly visit with his full garrison?”
“I’m not telling ye either of those things. In fact, I suspect Fingal is at the head of the Chisholm army, as that is where he was going last night. However, he is not preparing to seize Duncurra, but rather to defend it.”
“Are ye daft, old man? Defend it against whom?”
“The MacLennan army, whom I believe also approaches.”
Father Colm proceeded to tell Cairbre what he and Fingal had discussed last night. “Cairbre, ye know in your heart Fingal is not a traitor, he is devoted to his brother. Ye have defended him time and time again to Laird MacIan. Laird MacLennan, on the other hand, seizes every opportunity to create discord. Think back to Childermas, man. He and Lady MacIan gained obscene pleasure in upsetting Lady Katherine and scaring young Tomas. Most scoundrels have no difficulty dissembling with their peers, but it’s harder to conceal their true nature when they deal with those over whom they have power. The urge to feel that power is too great.”
Cairbre knew Father Colm’s insight into human nature was accurate, and he wanted to believe Fingal was loyal, but what would the cost be if he was wrong? “Father, if ye are wrong, and I open Duncurra to Chisholm, Fingal will seize it.”
“Cairbre, if ye are wrong and ye open Duncurra to MacLennan, Malcolm will seize it. Who do ye trust more?”
“I trust Fingal, but my laird, to whom I have sworn fealty, does not.”
“Then open Duncurra to neither, and the truth will out. If neither of them intends to conquer Duncurra, there will be no battle.”
Cairbre saw the wisdom in this and told the few men-at-arms left not to open the gates to anyone. Both armies continued to approach, but the Chisholm army reached Duncurra first. From the wall, Cairbre called to Fingal, “I won’t open Duncurra to ye, Fingal.”
“I didn’t think ye would. I’m not here to lay siege to my home, Cairbre, but I believe that is Laird MacLennan’s intent.”
“I won’t be opening Duncurra to him, either. Father Colm told me of your suspicions. I don’t know whom to believe, so I will take no chances.”
“Then that will be enough for getting on with. Laird Chisolm and I will not allow Malcolm to approach, but neither will we attack. I only mean to defend Duncurra until Niall returns.”
Fearghas directed his men to create a defensive line from the bottom of the crag on which Duncurra stood, extending westward.
~ * ~
So confident he would be able to ride into Duncurra unopposed, Malcolm allowed Eithne to ride at his side. Baffled by the appearance of an army between him and his prize, he took a few appropriate precautions before drawing too close. His messenger assured him Niall had ridden on Cnocreidh at first light, so this could not be his army. It didn’t take long for him to recognize Chisholm’s banner and he halted his men.
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded Eithne. “Who dares prevent me from entering my home?”
Malcolm cast a baleful glance at her and said, “There is no audience for your act here, Eithne. Ye have never considered Duncurra your home. Ye have spent more of your time at court or in my bed than ye ever did here. Your designs on it have only ever been driven by spite.”
“And yours are driven by greed, my love, but spite and greed make excellent bedfellows.”