Eithne sneered at him. “Well, that is at least one similarity he doesn’t share with his father.”
“Ye need to guard your tongue, woman. If things don’t go well for us today, I suspect ye will be banished from Duncurra, and would therefore be well advised not to bite the only hand left to feed ye.”
“If things don’t go well? Have we not already failed?”
“Not entirely, my dear. Victory will be a bit more difficult, but it is still within our grasp.” With that Malcolm turned his horse and headed back to his men.
Eithne followed him. “You are going to do battle with Chisholm?”
“Well, I have no intention of leading the charge, but aye, I have an army here, and I intend to take Duncurra very soon.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Order the attack and let’s get this over with.”
“Eithne, my love, I believe in having contingencies. I had hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to use them, but as soon as I realized the Chisholm army approached, I sent a large number of my men into the forest on the east side of Loch Craos. It was partially to prevent Chisholm from knowing just how large a force I brought. But also, if a battle became necessary, my men there could approach from the other side, effectively surrounding Chisholm. I can destroy him. I just need to give my men enough time to get into place.”
“And what if Niall returns before they do?”
“That will not happen. Ye continue to underestimate me. I also sent Duncan with a contingent of men into position near Cnocreidh yesterday. Once Niall has had the chance to get there and lay siege, my men will move in and take up positions well behind him. If Niall appears to be making any gains, they will attack. If he retreats, they will do away with whatever is left of his army. Either way, my dear, before the end of the day, Niall will no longer be an obstacle.”
“And what if Niall happens upon them himself before reaching Cnocreidh?”
“Naturally, he will think I sent them there to support him,” Malcolm said with a malevolent sneer.
~ * ~
When Fingal returned, Fearghas asked, “What’s wrong? Ye look defeated. What did they tell you, lad?”
“It is as we suspected, Malcolm intends to take Duncurra. He planned to stroll in as an ally and simply seize control.”
“He admitted this to ye?” asked Fearghas, looking astonished.
“Aye. He told me the entire plan. Lady Chishom was right, he and Eithne have been plotting this for some time. They mistakenly believed I would join them.”
“Because Eithne is your mother? Are they daft? Do they not recognize your devotion to your brother?”
“It seems that Niall is not my brother.” Fearghas looked at Fingal askance. “Apparently, Malcolm is my father. Eithne was already carrying when she married Laird MacIan. They did all of this for me,” Fingal said bitterly. “Niall was right, it is my fault.”
“Don’t be an idiot! If anyone is to blame, it is I. I should have known that conniving bitch was up to something when she pushed me to arrange the marriage. But I’m not sorry I did. Ye are the man ye are now solely because Alastair MacIan raised ye. Make no mistake, lad, ye are his son, regardless of what man that tart spread her legs for first.”
“But the destruction they have wrought was for me,” said Fingal in anguish.
“If ye believe that, ye are the daft one. Ye had nothing to do with this. This is about what they want. If this was truly all for ye, Malcolm should be turning his army home now ye have refused to be a part of it. Greed is the only thing that drives Malcolm, not paternal devotion. Given the chance, he would run ye through today regardless of whose son ye are, if it was the only way to achieve his goal. I’m not sure why he waits to attack, but I have no doubt he will, and probably very soon.”
~ * ~
Malcolm didn’t wait much longer, just before midday, he ordered the attack to begin. From the rear he watched the battle with some dismay. The Chisholm warriors were fierce and highly skilled. Although Malcolm had superior numbers, he was losing men quickly. Then he saw something which caused him to doubt his ability to win the day. The men he sent around the loch had arrived as planned. However, Niall’s army, reinforced by Matheson, approached from the west. Now, not only were his opponents more skilled, his army was also seriously outnumbered.
Malcolm did not know what could have happened. Niall should have just been reaching Cnocreidh and yet here he was with Tadhg Matheson at his side. Now it seemed not only would he not be victorious, he stood to lose the entire force currently in battle. If he ordered a retreat now, Niall would pursue him. He risked not being able to make good his own escape.