“Nae, nae! Wait! I’ll tell ye. Dinnae leave me rot here as a silly rat, Duncan,” Finn’s panicked reply came back; the chains holding his wrists clinking wildly with his appeasing gestures.
Duncan slowly turned back and scowled at Finn, cocking his head in waiting.
“What dae I get in return?” He asked.
“So, ye nae going tae tell me, then? Fine.” Duncan turned away once more. He neither had the time nor the patience for these games. Surely, someone, somewhere would know the young girls whereabouts, for Finn could hardly have been acting alone.
“Och, come on, Duncan,” Finn pleaded pathetically. “Her location must be worth something. Is that nae fair?” he bargained. “I tell ye where Rhona is, and ye give me something in return.”
Duncan considered his situation and tried to see it objectively. He had no idea where Finn was keeping her, whether she was with another person or alone in the wilderness. Duncan couldn't bear the thought of another loss. While the prospect of making a deal with himmade him sick to his stomach, he needed to put his pride aside and consider the well-being of a terrified young girl who had been snatched from the arms of her remaining family.
“Is she still alive?” Duncan demanded.
Finn gawpedin astonishment, as though he was some innocent prisoner.
“Dinnae look so offended, Finn. As I said ‘afore, ye have quite a number o’ deaths on yer hands. Ye thought nothing o’ taking Cora and Eoin’s life, and if what ye said earlier about being my father’s son is true, they were yer own family. It’s hardly a stretch o’ the imagination tae consider ye might have done the same tae Elaine’s younger sister.”
The words landed like arrows on stone. Finn's calm expression indicated that he was long past feeling guilty. But then, realizing he didn't know the man he'd spent his entire childhood with, hewondered if he'd ever had the capacity for such feelings in the first place.
“What dae I get in return?” He pressed again.
“If what ye tell me turns out tae be true, and if we find her safe and well, I’ll spare yer life. I’ll send ye intae exile, and the rats will have tae find another meal someplace else.”
Finn spewed out her exact location without hesitation after hearing the news. Fortunately, she was still alive and well—being cared for by a distant cousin of Finn's in a small cottage a day's travel away.
“I’d like tae say I feel sorry for ye, Finn,” Duncan said, turning toward the gate now that he had garnered what he came for. “But the truth is, ye are worse than dead tae me. In fact, I’ll likely nae give ye another thought for as long as I live.”
There was no response, but Duncan was not deluded into thinking his words had had any effect. Finn was no fool, despite being a horrible man. Exile was not pleasant, but it was better than being eaten alive by rats. Finn's silence served only to ensure that he did not squander his one chance. Duncan was well-known for being a man of his word. He valued justice. Even Finn recognized that his exile was far more than he deserved.
Upon leaving the dungeons, he headed through the castle. Garnering the attention of the first soldier he could see, he ordered him to find Colum. “Send him tae my study,” Duncan demanded.
“Aye, my Laird.”
Duncan had just finished unfolding a map across his desk when he heard a knock on his study door.
“Ye wished tae see me, my Laird,” Colum said.
“Aye, lad. Come here,” Duncan gestured him over to the map. “I need ye tae take some men tae this location.” He pointed to a glen to the north. “Go tae the village there and ask directions tae Milly Frazer’s cottage,” Duncan continued. “Now, be wary, lad. There shouldnae be any trouble, but ye ken how I taught ye.”
“Always be ready,” Colum said with a nod.
“Good. There’s a wee lass there. Rhona McNally. She’s being held against her will. I need ye tae bring her back here.”
Colum looked at the map and then looked at Duncan. “Is this tae dae with Finn?”
Clearly, word had spread around the castle like wildfire, as news often did. There was no way Duncan could have contained it, but then, there was no reason he would want to either.
“Aye. He took Elaine’s wee sister hostage.”
Colum’s jaw dropped.
“Aye, I ken, lad. Ye think ye ken someone, but och, well…” Duncan swiped a dismissive hand, desiring to give no more attention to it. “Now, be mindful. The wee lass will nae ken who ye are. She’ll likely be frightened. Just be sure tae tell her Elaine is safe and well, and that ye are bringing her back tae the castle tae see her. Get some men gathered and leave as soon as ye are ready.”
“Aye, my Laird.” Colum turned and made his way across the study and back to the door.
“And, Colum,” Duncan said.
“Aye, my Laird?” he turned, looking over his shoulder.