192

Encouraged by Marwanis, Wallace and Lachlan had their way. Baron MacGregor joined the rebellion. Wallace was exultant. He was one of the very few werewolves whose strength rivalled that of Sarapen. He loved to fight and had feared that such a fine opportunity might not present itself in his lifetime. The MacGregors made their way down from the Rinnalch Hills in the north. They camped on the northern fringes of Colburn Wood, taking cover from the persistent rain, which was now turning to snow.

They were greeted by Morag MacAllister, sister of Douglas, the new Baron. She crossed quickly over the countryside to congratulate the MacGregors on their arrival, and trade banter with Wallace as to who would be first over the castle walls. A meeting was arranged for the following night between representatives of the three Barons, to coordinate their forces ahead of Sarapen’s arrival. It was still five days till the full moon, when Sarapen would lead them to war.

Inside the castle the loyal MacRinnalchs were tense, though not because of the approaching confrontation. The MacRinnalch werewolves did not fear combat. But there were many extra werewolves in the castle, drawn in from the surrounding estates, and it was unnatural for them to be cooped up like this. At night, they transformed into their werewolf shapes and paced the walls, waiting for the enemy.

Kertal MacRinnalch had free rein to go where he pleased but the Mistress of the Werewolves had him closely watched. She didn’t trust Kurian’s son. However, when she was informed that Kertal had briefly encountered Buvalis MacGregor, the head of her household, on the western battlement, she thought nothing of it. Verasa would not have be so sanguine had she known that the few words Buvalis and Kertal exchanged concerned a rope long enough to reach the ground, and where it might be let down unobserved.

When Sarapen learned that the MacGregors had finally entered the fray he felt elated. One part of his plan of attack was nearing completion. He asked Decembrius if he had news from Princess Kabachetka.

“She has assembled everything she needs.”

Sarapen nodded. Again, it was satisfactory. First he would smash all resistance in the south, then he would take the castle. In five days time he’d be Thane, and Markus and Kalix would be dead.

Decembrius reminded Sarapen that they owed money to Merchant MacDoig. Sarapen nodded. It was distasteful, certainly, paying that man for his help in transporting the means for Kabachetka’s sorcery, but the Merchant had done the work as agreed.

“MacDoig is making a fine profit from the MacRinnalchs,” noted Sarapen.

“We could decline to pay,” suggested Decembrius.

Sarapen regarded Decembrius with annoyance.

“The MacRinnalchs do not default on their debts,” he said, sharply. “Pay the man.”

Merchant MacDoig would have been surprised to learn that several of the unfamiliar items he’d transported for Princess Kabachetka were for a new spell designed to penetrate the most skilfully wrought magical defences, and destroy any fabric that lay beyond them. Sarapen would also have been surprised. It was not something he had requested of her. Neither Sarapen nor the Merchant would have understood why the Princess had expended such effort in developing new sorcery just to destroy clothes.