Murdock is sharpening his sword when she awakes. Something is wrong with her master for he has never looked this dark and brooding. She goes to him wrapped in a blanket and kneels on the floor before him. When he finally finishes he speaks. "Well my beautiful slave our journey is nearing it's end. Tomorrow we will land and you must be given over to my Clanchief."
"No" she says "I want to stay with you Master."
"That is yet to be seen for it is the rule of our people that the Clanchief gets all slaves and booty from our raids. He then decides who gets what with himself getting first choice. Which is his right. I have ordered my captains to meet this afternoon for a very important talk. You must stay hidden for I want you to hear what is said. You have been taught the ways of politics I have been taught the ways of war. Between us we may solve my problems."
"What problems she asks?"
"Listen and learn slave for this may mean my death or my life. The Clanchief set me up to die at your father's castle and will not be pleased by my return. So I must make plans and know who I can trust amongst my men. Now go to the closet and listen well for it may also mean your death if I fail."
His captains arrived shortly and were seated around the table in his cabin. After serving them wine and food he began to tell his plans. Of his four ships only two would be entering the harbor, his and another to be decided later. The others would make for the loch at the rear of the castle. There they would wait for his signal upon which they would land and launch an attack to the rear. With his forces inside attacking at the same time they would overwhelm the castle and relieve the Clanchief of his head.
Shouting greeted this for why would they attack their own Clanchief. "I'll show you why" he said. With that a prisoner was dragged before them. Lifting his head Murdock said "you all know this man." They did he was the Clanchiefs brother. "Now why would I find this fool hiding in the dungeon of the castle we just pillaged. One reason and one reason only. He was sent to alert the king of our coming. If we had not attacked out of the fog we would have been all killed and the blame would have been mine. Just as when my Father attacked he was killed and this traitor's brother was made clanchief in his stead. Now you know what we are up against, will you follow me and gain the riches we so deserve." After much argument the decision was made and they would do as Murdock wanted. He ordered his captains to wait outside for him.
"Now my beautiful slave come out and give me your opinion, who can I trust and who can I not trust." She entered the room and sat before her Master and told him her thoughts.
The captains were upset with the long wait they were forced into but could not leave the ship until allowed by their leader. Murdock stepped to the deck dragging the prisoner behind him. "Now then before you leave we will see this traitor on his way to hell." He looked about and pointed to Seamus "you will have the pleasure of this kill." He pushed the man to him and waited. Seamus was hesitant and then asked if they should not use the clanchiefs brother as hostage in case something went wrong. Murdock thought and walked towards them. "You may be right he may make a good hostage and who knows what may happen." As he talked he stepped behind Seamus. Faster then anyone could believe his kirk was out and slicing across Seamus throat. Unable to cry out Seamus slumped to the deck where his blood flowed freely and his life left him. Then taking hold of the clanchief's brother's head he did the same. Looking at his other captains he told them "this was the other traitor in our midst. He was the only thing standing in the way of our victory for he would have let beknown our plans." They all nodded
agreement. "Now then you shall come with me and enter the castle Roderick. Angus you shall have your second in command take Seamus's ship and approach the castle from behind. I figure the Clanchief will make me cool my
heels before he can decide my fate. So it will be time enough for you to get your men in place. You know the signal so go and may the gods make your sword arms strong and your aim true."
With that they left and Murdock addressed his men. "You are all wondering what that was about. Well now I will tell you. We were set up by the fools I just killed. If not for my tactics you would all now be dead, your wives widows and your children fatherless. In the holds of our ships are riches beyond counting and slaves to do your bidding. What will your share be when the Clancheif gets his hands on it. Just enough to get by on that's what. So when he has another raid to make himself even richer you will go not because you want to but because you have no other choice. I say it is time that we got what is ours. When
we land there will be only two ships the others were lost in the battle. You will be kind and offer the widows help but you will not tell anyone the truth. If you do we are all dead. Of course the clanchief will want to have you celebrate in his castle and you will. But no one will drink everyone will be ready and on my signal we will take back what is rightfully ours."
