Alasdair’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I want ye to think very carefully about what ye’re about to do,” Finn insisted.
Alasdair exhaled, his jaw set. “I’ve thought about it plenty. If Thomas is behind the attacks, I need to ken. The best way to ken is to face him. Alone. Away from the others.”
Finn’s eyes flashed. “And what if he’s nae the only one? What if there are more? Ye take him into a room, ye tip them off. Then, ye’re nae fighting one man, but ten.”
“Ye daenae understand, Finn.” Alasdair’s voice dropped. “He is me uncle. He was the one who begged me to return. He said the clan was failing. He asked me to lead. How could he betray me? How?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying,” Finn shot back. “Think. If he asked ye to come, why would he turn around and try to kill ye? Is there nae a chance, just a chance, that he’s nae involved at all?”
Alasdair’s throat tightened. “We need to confront him about it.”
At that moment, a maid came down the corridor.
Alasdair raised his hand, stopping her. “Find Nathan. Tell him that I need him at once.”
“Aye, me Laird.” The maid bobbed a curtsy and scurried away.
Alasdair turned back to Finn. They stood before the doors to the Great Hall now, voices muffled inside. He straightened and put his hand on the wood. “Time to end this, once and for all.”
Finn sighed, but followed as Alasdair pushed the doors open.
The councilmen rose to their feet at once.
“Sit,” Alasdair said, his voice even.
They obeyed, though curiosity flickered in their eyes.
Alasdair’s gaze flicked to Thomas. “Uncle, I am glad ye could join us today.”
Thomas nodded. “I heard about the attack during the cèilidh. A vile thing. I trust nay one was gravely injured?”
“Nay one was,” Alasdair replied, his voice flat. “Save for the men who intruded.”
The councilmen shifted, silence falling like a weight.
Alasdair kept his eyes on Thomas. “Ye wouldnae ken anything about that, would ye?”
Thomas blinked, then nodded once. “I regret nae coming sooner. I should have been here the moment word reached me.”
Colm, one of the older councilmen, cleared his throat. “Aye. That is partly why we meet today. To settle this matter once and for all.”
“Aye,” Alasdair said, his voice hard. “We’ll settle it.”
Thomas leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Where is yer man-at-arms? He is usually by yer side.”
“I’ve asked a maid to fetch him. Ye neednae worry.”
“Good.” Thomas nodded slowly. “Good.”
“Good,” Alasdair uttered.
Thomas shifted in his seat and furrowed his brow. “Me Laird, is everything well? Ye look… unsettled. As though something weighs heavily on yer mind.”
“I daenae ken, Uncle,” Alasdair said, leaning forward, his voice sharp. “Ye tell me.”
“Me Laird—” Finn warned.
