- Stay calm, Bruce! - said Alistair. - If he despairs, it won't get him anywhere. We have to think about getting to Annabel.
- We're talking about my wife in the hands of that bastard. - I screamed again. - Of course I can't stay calm!
- I know Annabel, Bruce! My sister's smart. - Aideen approached. - At this point, Morvan must embitter the bread that the devil has kneaded, for having kidnapped her. I doubt if she's not making his life a living hell or if she hasn't left any crumbs to be found.
- You should see that wound. - said Alistair approaching me. - He looks serious.
- I don't care much about the wound. - I fired a growl. - I want Annabel back, and I will spare no effort to find her.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. Aideen was right to say that Annabel was very intelligent and she certainly hoped that we would go out looking for her. Yet, I felt desolate to think of the atrocities which that scoundrel could do to her. Alistair was right and I had to calm down and think of something to find her.
- Why didn't I hear you? - I was angry. - If I'd listened to Annabel's concern, that would never have happened. Maybe we would have prevented Morvan from escaping.
- Don't be hard on yourself, my cousin! - Alistair said by passing his hands on my shoulder. - We live days when every man is corrupted by a bag of coins. Looks like money speaks louder than your loyalty.
- Do you really believe they weren't mercenaries? - I asked with a sigh.
- I don't think so, my cousin. They're ambitious, but they're not stupid. No one would be brave enough to get into Dunhill.
- Listen to Alistair, Bruce. - Aideen smiled. - You're a very competent captain. Unfortunately, he was beaten by greed. Surely the mercenaries have paid the guards in the tavern. Remember you said you saved Annabel from a group nights ago? What if there were more?
I shook my head sighing and nodded.
- You may be right, and I intend to punish those who helped Morvan.
- That could be for later! Now we must think. - said Aideen taking a map of all of Scotland. - As far as I know, we have offensives everywhere, from Edinburgh to the limits with Dunhill. If we consider the entire siege, we might be able to figure out what course he's taken.
- Aideen's right! - said Alistair smiling and kissing his wife's forehead. - Thank you, angel.
She smiled at him. Every day Aideen became more and more able to rule beside my brother. If, by any chance, Alistair had to leave it in the lead to do state business, I know that Scotland would be doing very well with Aideen in charge.
- Half the territory is very well guarded, from Inverness to Duvengard. - Alistair pointed to the map. - He couldn't go down, because he would face the militia formed by Bree before going to the front. There's no way he's going through Fort Willians or Gretna Green.
- He also can't take the road that leads to the canyons of the western slopes, because we have guards in each village along the way. This way he could be recognized and stopped.
- Exactly! - Alistair approached. - In this case, he would have to pass through the roads leading east and from there follow through Inverness. He would avoid passing through Bree's soldiers and reach the sea, which is the only route for Morvan to follow to Edinburgh.
He smiles with satisfaction when he realizes that Morvan was trapped.
- He'll take the route Annabel had tried to take when she escaped from her mother's siege. - I whispered. - There's a fork right here, and if he goes the wrong way, he'll end up in a clearing. Let's pray Annabel recognizes the route and takes it right there.
- What if that doesn't happen? - Aideen said.
- We'll surround him on the cliff before he can get down to the beach. - I said.
Alistair nodded.
- I'll have the horses saddled. - he said walking to the door of the hall. - I'll take a contingent from the east of the forest and you from the west. By the time they're gone, they haven't gone very far yet.
- Alistair...
- Before you say I can't be alone... Aideen came up and interrupted me. - Know that I can very well take care of myself and this castle. So I want you to go out with my husband and bring my sister back as soon as possible. That's an order!
I arch my eyebrow in amazement.
- Far be it from me to suggest such a thing, Your Majesty! - said smiling. - I just wanted to say that I'd rather go east than west.
Aideen smiled and kissed me on the cheek.
- Good luck! - she whispered. - Now go!
Settling down, I bowed and left the room. I ran upstairs to put on my black robes. Alistair was ready at the same moment that I did and we
