IN THE GREAT hall at Dun Mor that night Brennus studied the scroll Emeline had brought back from the McAra. The news that the number of attacks on the midlands had doubled did not surprise him. Judging by the marked locations of the burned villages and crofts, the evil work had some larger purpose. From what the nurse had told him, Maddock had become hard-pressed to accommodate all the survivors, but the mortal laird had vowed to keep providing sanctuary until the homeless villagers could be safely relocated.

“War Master, counsel,” he said to his second, and gestured to the scroll. “See what my eyes cannae.” He glanced at Emeline, who stood speaking in low tones to her husband. “I’m glad of the map and your news of the latest attacks, my lady, but I didnae ask Ru to summon you back to Dun Mor.”

“Nor did I send the dove,” the shaman said, looking grim. “It would seem someone toys with us, Chieftain.”

“I’ve more bad news to deliver,” Emeline said and described the chambermaid’s near-drowning and subsequent murder. “I first thought the mishap at the loch an accident, but it’s clear now that someone wanted the lass dead.”

“And you gone from the castle,” Brennus said and felt his temper rising, and then the cool, slim hand of his wife rested on his arm. Somehow, she always knew when he needed her touch. “This stinks of the mad druids, but for what purpose?”

“Siege work,” Cadeyrn said, and used his finger to trace the marks on the scroll to form an irregular circle around the symbol for McAra’s castle. “Any local villagers who might come to the laird’s aid in an attack have been burned out and killed. Winter renders most of the roads impassable, so men and supplies cannae be sent from McFarlan’s lands or afar. Those who came begging sanctuary shall soon deplete the clan’s stores.” He met Brennus’s gaze. “Maddock shallnae surrender when he may call on the Skaraven to give aid. He’s made lure for their trap.”

Brennus nodded his agreement. “Yet why the ruse of the message to send Lady Emeline to Dun Mor?”

“They may have someone working for them inside the stronghold,” Althea said. “Think about it. Hendry certainly has the power to compel a mortal to commit sabotage for him. He could bespell any mortal: a refugee, a servant, or even one of Maddock’s clansmen. That could be why the chambermaid was killed, too. Maybe she stumbled onto what they were doing, and had to be silenced.”

“I long for the days when we fought our enemies on the battlefields,” Brennus said, “no’ from the shadows.” He regarded his clanmasters. “How may we spoil this attack before it happens?”

“We could move the villagers to Aviemore, and the McAra clan to Dun Mor,” Ruadri suggested. “’Twill take all of us, but ’tis a night’s work. The famhairean shall then siege an empty stronghold.”

“By such we risk bringing their creature into our midst,” Taran said quietly. “And mayhap reveal to Hendry and Murdina Dun Mor’s location. I’ve another notion.”

The clan’s horse master often saw what escaped most, Brennus thought. “Tell us.”

“We go before they expect us,” Taran said. “Half the Skaraven put on the clan’s tartan and pose as the laird’s sentries and patrols. The rest of us take up positions hidden from view, where we might ambush the giants when they attack. We become the McAra.”

“Maddock won’t like that,” Althea said wryly. “He’ll want his clan in the fight.”

“No’ if we put the real McAra clansmen inside the stronghold to protect the laird and his family,” Brennus said. “In that they’ll be part of the scheme, but also out of harm’s way. Aye, this may put an end to the druids and their giants.” He nodded to Taran. “A very fine notion, Brother.”

“I can hand-carry a message directly to the laird when I return, Chieftain,” Emeline said. “That way no one else will have a chance to learn your plans.”

“You cannae return, sweetheart,” Ruadri said. “’Tis too dangerous.” He touched a finger to his wife’s lips as she began to protest. “Bren, sending a coded message by dove to Bhaltair Flen would do as well. Only he shall be able to read it.”

“What a great plan,” another voice said. Rowan Thomas came to stand at the end of the map table, and clapped her hands together a few times. “You’ve found a way to save the mortals and defeat the famhairean. Everyone should live happily ever after. Only one problem.” She glared at the nurse. “Emeline left my sister behind at the McAra’s soon-to-be-besieged castle.”

Cade’s mate Lily made a contemptuous sound. “Oh, you’ve finally remembered Perrin’s still alive, then? Smashing of you.”

“Shut up, Queenie,” Rowan snapped. To Cade she said, “And don’t give me the evil owl eye, either, Master of War. Your wife is being a bitch.”

“She’s the expert,” Lily told her husband.

“Enough,” Brennus declared. He never liked dealing with Perrin’s ill-tempered younger sister, but even less so when she was in the right. “I’ll send Manath to collect her, Mistress Thomas.” A thought occurred to him, and he frowned at Emeline. “Why hasnae Kanyth done so? He left yesterday to fetch her.”

The nurse looked pained now. “There have been some complications with Perrin and Kanyth.”

The dark lass planted her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Like what?”

“Perrin’s been marked by Kanyth’s battle spirit.” Emeline briefly recounted the incident in the gallery. “From what I’ve seen this isn’t a good match for either of them. They’re both opposed to it, for the most part because they hardly know each other.”

“And how is that a problem?” Rowan demanded.

“It seems the choice can’t be easily reversed,” the nurse told her. “Bhaltair Flen came to see what he could do, but evidently it’s not in his power. Also, being marked has changed Perrin’s personality. She’s, ah, very candid, and quite fearless now. She’s also having visions again, and she feels the McAra are in danger. She won’t leave the stronghold willingly.”

The dark lass turned away from the table, her shoulders rigid and her hands fisting at her sides. Taran came around the table and went to her side to speak to her in a low voice.

Brennus exchanged a look with Ruadri, who shook his head slightly. Whether Kanyth and Perrin wished to mate or not, a battle spirit mark changed the lass’s status in the eyes of the clan. Whatever her desires, by Pritani custom Kanyth had charge of her. Brennus also knew better than to reveal any of that to Rowan.

“I don’t think Kanyth is all that much opposed,” Althea murmured to him. “Maybe they just need some time to get to know each other.”

He tucked his arm around her slim waist. “’Tis time that we cannae give them, beloved.”

Suddenly the dark lass shoved Taran away from her, and turned on the chieftain.

“All due respect to your randy battle spirits, Chieftain, but your brother doesn’t get to take my sister as a wife or mate or whatever. I don’t care what kind of mark he put on her. You send someone to bring her back here.” When he didn’t reply she struck the table with her fist. “Now.”

Every Skaraven in the great hall fell silent.

“I dinnae serve you, lass.” He said it kindly, for he understood her anger only too well. Even so, he could not permit an outsider to issue orders to him. “I shall consult with Kanyth on the matter.”

Although no one touched it, the long table began to shake, and splinters popped up from the surface to fly high in the air. Brennus felt the tingle of druid magic and tried to push his wife behind him.

“Rowan, stop it,” Althea said sharply.

Taran came up behind the dark lass and put his hands on her shoulders. “’Tis a leaf, my lady. One leaf.”

The strange words made her eyes close briefly, and when she opened them again the table went still. Without another word she let the Horse Master lead her out of the great hall.

Althea stared after them. “How did he do that? And will he teach me?”

“I cannae tell you,” Brennus said. Taran had always been the clan’s keeper of secrets, but for the first time Brennus wondered about what the horse master was hiding. “Ru, send your coded message to Bhaltair Flen, but have him relate the plan to Kanyth. Bid my brother speak with the laird. Cade, summon the first ranks no’ on duty. We’ve our own trap to build.”