Chapter 14

14

D eclan, Tarbuck, Rab, and Michael had all arrived at the tavern for a clandestine meeting, held late at night. Torrin had closed the tavern early, citing that there was no room, given that they were taking care of the wounded farmers. The regular patrons did not mind this, as they appreciated Torrin's hospitality, and nobody would begrudge him for making the decision to close early. The farmers had all been given rooms and a hearty meal. They were currently recovering upstairs, wallowing in the grim reality that their land had been ravaged, and their lives would never be the same again. Torrin checked that the doors and windows were all bolted shut, ensuring that nobody could sneak in. Rory helped, casting a glance at Elvira, as she had eavesdropped before.

This time, however, she stayed with Rory and forced herself into the meeting, while Isla remained in the background, taking care of the drinks and chastising the guests for making a mess. Mirella was upstairs. She had spent the day helping and listening to the farmers, soothing their raw emotions. Now, she was recuperating as well, watching over Tereza and Ollie. Elvira's heart was filled with fear. She had known it would be difficult to escape Laird McKovac's reach, but she had hoped it might take longer for this dark shadow to reach her. The atmosphere was tense, and the men of the village all had grim faces.

"Hae there been any word from the keep? Anything at all?" Torrin asked.

Declan shook his head slowly. "The messenger came. Glennrock heard the news himself. He said that he will consider it."

"Consider it?" Tarbuck's face flushed with anger. "What is there tae consider! There's nae denying that McKovac is bringing anger and fury tae our lands, and now farmers are suffering. Daes that fool nae realize that without the farms he will hae nae food?"

"I imagine he hopes he can broker peace with McKovac before they run out of food," Declan replied.

Tarbuck swiped a dismissive hand in the air. "There can be nae peace with that man," he said. Elvira found herself nodding in reply. She did not offer her own insight yet, however, for she wished to observe the meeting.

"What we need is tae get word tae the Laird. I cannae believe he would be sae uncaring tae let farmers be attacked like this. Glennrock cannae be telling him the truth," Torrin said.

"And what are we supposed tae dae? Send someone sneaking intae the keep tae whisper in his ear? I think we hae tae face facts; we cannae count on the Laird. He hae abandoned us for grief. Glennrock hae all the power, and he dinnae want tae use it tae protect us," Rab added.

"We hae tae rely on ourselves," Rory said in a quiet voice.

"We've known it was gaeing tae come down tae this from the beginning," Torrin nodded emphatically. "This just proves how vulnerable we are without support from the keep."

"I cannae believe that he's keeping all those guards up there, squatting behind the sturdy walls. Is he really gaeing tae forsake us like this?" Tarbuck said, his voice bellowing out to all corners of the room.

"He hae forsaken us already," Michael said, his voice close to a whisper. "I was hoping that we could avoid fighting, but it seems that Laird McKovac hae made his intentions clear. We must defend ourselves. We must dae what Glennrock is unwilling tae dae, even if it makes him our enemy as well."

"Aye, he is nae gaeing tae like the fact that we are arming ourselves," Torrin said.

"I hae seen the swords ye hae crafted for us," Rab turned towards Rory and gave an approving nod. "They are fine weapons. Keep them coming. We are gaeing tae need them."

"It's nae a matter of fine swords, it's about the hands that wield them," Declan said. "McKovac is sending soldiers tae attack us. We are defending ourselves with farmers, bakers, men who hae nae trained themselves. We cannae expect them tae defeat McKovac's army."

"There's naething else we can dae. We can hardly welcome McKovac with open arms. Ye will hae tae train people in the basics of combat. Give them enough tae get by. It will hae tae suffice," Torrin said.

Tarbuck puffed out his chest. "I hae already been giving lessons in preparation. The enemy might hae training, but we are fighting for our land, our homes, our lives . That will hae tae be enough tae give us the edge."

"We need more," Michael furrowed his brow. "What we need is information."

"What dae ye mean?" Rab said.

"It's nae good sitting around here waiting tae be attacked. If we knew where McKovac's men were we could prepare traps and defenses, we could organize ourselves more efficiently. We should send out scouting parties and patrols," Michael explained.

"And if these patrols should get captured or killed? We could lose more people, hae them picked off in small groups. It would make life easy for McKovac," Declan dismissed, shaking his head.

"Perhaps we could mark certain buildings as defensive points and train people tae look for anything suspicious. We should focus on their skills with a bow and arrow. If we can kill most of McKovac's men from range, then we will nae hae tae worry about them attacking the village. I can make plenty of arrow-heads," Rory suggested.

"In truth we need all of these things, and we should tae hae put these plans intae action months agae," Torrin said gravely, shaking his head while he stroked his chin. "If only there was a way tae build walls around this village."

"There's nae sense in thinking about wishes and dreams. We need tae focus on the reality of the situation," Declan scowled.

"The reality is that we need tae know what McKovac is planning," Michael said.

Tarbuck rolled his eyes. "What he's planning is tae come here and raze this village tae the ground! Soon enough, flames are gaeing tae be licking at yer heels as ye run away. I think all this talk is pointless. We should be taking what weapons we hae and gaeing after McKovac. The best thing ye can dae is tae take the enemy by surprise, and he certainly will nae expect the entire village tae charge at him."

"And we will hear the death cries of all of them? That's madness," Michael replied with a horrified look on his face. Even Rab was not convinced, and looked towards Tarbuck with a dismayed expression.

"It might shame that coward Glennrock intae sending the men out from the keep," Tarbuck muttered. "Surely, he will nae stand by while the villagers throw themselves intae battle."

"There are nae limits tae his cruelty. As long as he's safe, he dinnae care about anything else. He's blinded himself tae our plight," Torrin said.

Elvira watched as the men began talking over one another, becoming more and more agitated as they all searched for a desperate solution that would ease their fears, yet one did not appear to them. Elvira noticed the anxious look on Rory's face. If the men continued like this then they were never going to be able to defend the village because they would be too busy bickering amongst themselves. Elvira thought this was the perfect time to insert herself into the situation. She clasped her hands together and walked into the middle of the room. The harsh words around her created a cacophony, but she did not allow it to faze her.

"I have some insight that may be useful," she said. Although her words were soft, they were different enough that she managed to capture the attention of the men. Her mere presence was commanding as well, something she had inherited from her mother. The men fell into silence, intrigued by what she had to say. "Before McKovac attacked yer land, he attacked his own land first. Many people hae been made rich by his endeavors, but others hae suffered, and they dinnae look upon him with any fondness. There is dissent amongst his men that could be leveraged. The Laird may find it difficult tae defend himself from conflict within his ranks," Elvira held her head high, proud that she had made a contribution.

That pride was short-lived.

"Lass, with all due respect," Tarbuck said, without showing any respect at all, "I dinnae think ye are qualified tae speak about such matters. Ye hae only been in this village for a short while. I appreciate yer enthusiasm and what ye hae done for the farmers, but this is business for warriors."

"And I fail tae see how ye know of such things," Declan said.

Elvira's cheeks flared with anger. Once again she was being dismissed, and she did not appreciate this at all. "I've lived in McKovac lands. I've seen the way he treats his own people, and I would nae want that tae happen here. He wields power, aye, but there are those who conspire against him. If we can contact them, we can ally ourselves with them and become stronger in the process," she said vehemently.

Declan shook his head. "And what if they refuse our help? Or worse, what if they pass the information we give them on tae McKovac?"

"That will nae happen," Elvira said.

"Oh aye? And who is his main foe within his camp?" Torrin asked.

"His own son, Hamish."

"His son?" Rab spat, shaking his head. "I would nae like tae put my trust in his son. Blood runs thick. How are we tae trust that this enmity will last between them? What if they mend their differences? We will be stranded."

"And Glennrock will nae like that we conspired with the enemy. It will give him more reason tae leave us tae the wolves," Michael added.

"Even if we did seek an alliance with Hamish, it dinnae mean we are safe. We all know that McKovac commands a powerful force, he might defeat his son. Even if he doesn't, we dinnae know that the son will be any better than the father," Declan said.

"He is. He hae been planning tae stop this madness," a desperate tone crept into Elvira's voice. This wasn't how the meeting was supposed to have unfolded. They were supposed to listen to her.

"He hae nae made a good fist of it yet," Tarbuck snorted with laughter. "If he is sae mighty, then he should hae made more progress. I am nae willing tae place our trust in tavern gossip and rumor. We hae tae rely on ourselves. That is all."

It was a definitive statement, and as Elvira's gaze drifted across the room, she saw that most of the men nodded in agreement. She had only been trying to help, yet was being treated like a fool. She dipped her head and stepped back, almost wishing she had never said anything at all. They were sealing their own fates by refusing to listen to her advice. Sadly, they were sealing the fates of the people they were trying to defend as well.

But then, Rory spoke up. He was the one dissenting voice between all the men, the only one to realize that Elvira's insights were valuable.

"Elvira is right," he said. His words were greeted with irritated murmurings and eyerolls. Rory lifted his hand and raised his voice, drowning out the others. His voice was rich and strong, bellowing out from powerful lungs. Elvira found herself captivated by the way he carried himself. "She is right!" he cried. "The solution tae our woes dinnae lie in isolating ourselves. We all know we cannae protect the village without help from trained men. Aye, we might fight valiantly, but blood will be spilled. We need tae make alliances, and if we cannae rely on our own leader, then we should seek help from those who are opposed tae our enemy. Perhaps the reason why they hae made nae progress is because they feel alone as well. Taegether we could be stronger. I dinnae think we can afford tae lose this opportunity. And Elvira's words are nae just whispers or hopes. She lived in McKovac lands for a long time. She knows more than we dae, and we should listen tae her," he offered her a reassuring smile. Elvira returned one of gratitude. Although she regretted that Rory's approval was needed to give her words the proper weight, she was glad that someone in the room heeded them.

"Rory is right," Torrin added, no doubt swayed by Rory's support of Elvira. "Declan, ye know we cannae rely on the keep. Tarbuck, ye must see that we cannae train everyone in time. We would be sending them tae slaughter." The other men began to protest again, but Torrin stretched out his palms, maintaining control of the meeting. "I'm nae saying it's a perfect plan, but at the moment we dinnae hae much choice. It's certainly worth exploring, and we should nae ignore the insight of someone who hae more experience with McKovac than the rest of us put taegether," Torrin turned towards Elvira as he said this, making up in some small way for how he had acted towards her before.

With Rory and now Torrin supporting Elvira, the rest of the men slowly began to agree with them. It took some more persuasive words before they were fully satisfied, but in the end they came to support the plan. It was a risk, but it seemed to have the most benefit while also protecting those who needed protecting. As they discussed the particular details of the plan, it was Michael who came up with a solution about how they were going to travel through McKovac lands without drawing attention to themselves.

"We could send a small group of people posing as merchants. We hae enough stock between us tae fill a merchant wagon, and it would allow us tae move about freely," he suggested, and his words were met with firm nods.

"And I shall come with ye. I know the lay of the land, and I will be able tae offer advice," Elvira said. This time nobody opposed her.

That would come later.

The meeting was coming to an end. What had begun as a tense, febrile dispute had turned into a half-decent plan, but Rory's heart was still filled with doubt. He had stood up for Elvira's insights, knowing that she should not be dismissed. However, he could not understand why she was seeking to put herself in further danger. While the other men were in the process of leaving, Rory cornered Elvira.

"What are ye daeing?" he asked.

Elvira looked at the empty mugs in her hand and blinked slowly. "I'm helping Isla clean up. I sometimes wonder if ye men realize how much mess ye are making, or if ye are oblivious tae it," she said.

"Nae about that," he scowled, "why did ye volunteer tae gae with them?"

Elvira furrowed her brow. They spoke in whispers. Only hours before, they had been standing in a glade, about as close as they were now. She had placed a flower in his hair and he had been lost in her bright eyes. All day he wondered what might have happened had they not been interrupted by the farmers, but every time he did, tension ran through his body and uncomfortable heat prickled over his skin.

"How could I nae gae with them? Ye need my help. I know the lands, I know the people."

"But ye hae already been captured once. Ye are gaeing back intae the heart of the land ye escaped. Ye are only putting yeself in danger. If anyone should see ye…"

"I hae proud warriors tae protect me," she said, a smile curling on her face, gesturing towards Tarbuck and Rab.

"This is nae joke," Rory hissed.

Elvira's face darkened. "Ye dinnae think I know that? It's why I hae tae help. I cannae stand by and watch all of ye risk ye lives when I can help. Ye stand a better chance with me than ye dae without me. I'm nae gaeing tae sit behind these walls like Glennrock sits behind his, or dae ye think me a coward?"

"Ye know I dinnae think that. I'm only trying tae-" Rory said in a beleaguered tone.

Elvira sighed and softened. She massaged the bridge of her nose. It had been a long day for them. "I know what ye are trying tae dae, Rory, and I appreciate it, but this is a fight I cannae avoid. I was unable tae stop them from destroying my home, but at least now I can help stop them from destroying this village. Besides, I want tae keep Tereza and Ollie safe. I'd love for them tae grow up without being afraid of the world. We might be treated as outsiders, but this land is ours and we deserve the chance tae defend it. Dinnae try to take that away from me," she said, and stormed away before Rory could argue against her.

Rory lowered his head and nodded. He understood that there wasn't any way to dissuade her from her intent to partake in this plan, but he would do all he could to protect her. There was something deep in his heart that compelled him to shield her from the world's ills, as though it was some noble duty he had been sworn to. He wasn't about to neglect that duty for anything. He wanted all of this to be over so that they could walk through the forest again without the shadow of war looming in the distance. He wanted to hear her laugh and find more flowers for her. He wanted her to be safe.