A lone figure exited the church gate silently, then ran toward the beach.
"That's him," Dirk muttered, standing. "McMurdo is escaping. Come on." At the north side of the wall he whistled to the other men and waved them toward the beach. The outlaw's dark cloak disappeared behind a sand dune as he crested the ridge above the beach on the other side of the castle.
"Hurry," Dirk yelled, running to catch up with the bastard. Once he reached the ridge of sand dunes he could see no evidence of the outlaw. "Light the lantern," he told Erskine. "Surely he has not gone out to Faraid Head." Ice ran in his veins. He had not been to Faraid Head since that fateful day twelve years ago. He didn't wish to return now but he would if he had to. "Damn McMurdo," he muttered.
"I wager he's gone to Smoo Cave," Aiden said, breathing hard. "He hides out there sometimes."
Dirk spun to face his brother. "Where did you come from?"
"I was watching from the bushes by the stream."
"'Tis too dangerous for you. Go back to the keep."
"Nay. I'm still the chief and I'll do what I want as long as I am." He smiled, his teeth visible in the moonlight.
Dirk muttered a colorful curse.
"Smoo Cave, you say?" Rebbie asked.
"Aye," Aiden said.
"That makes sense," Dirk said. "He's probably trying to throw us off by doubling back."
Once Erskine had the lantern lit, the footprints in the freshly blown sand and the trace of snow were evident. But the tracks headed toward Faraid Head, which was naught but a maze of sand dunes, and at the end, cliffs.
Ignoring the tracks, Dirk headed the men east as Aiden had suggested, in the direction of Smoo Cave. Soon they came upon more fresh tracks in the snow-dusted sand.
"Aha. You are a canny man, Aiden." Dirk paused and lightly slapped him on the shoulder.
His younger brother smiled proudly. Once Dirk was made chief, he was going to have to find a position that would be perfect for Aiden, one that paid well. He didn't want the lad to feel he was losing anything. Of course, he was a talented musician, but he was so intelligent, he deserved another position.
The cloud cover grew more pronounced and the strong wind off the North Sea buffeted them as they left the sand dunes and moved closer to the rugged coastline again. They increased their speed. Within a half hour they neared the towering embankment over Smoo Cave.
"Careful you don't fall," Dirk warned Rebbie as they descended the narrow path that switched back and forth down the steep hillside toward the sea inlet. The other men followed. The wind was not as severe in this protected ravine because of the tall cliffs on either side.
After reaching the bottom of the trail, Dirk halted, held up his hand for quiet, and listened. He heard naught but the waves of the incoming tide and the squawking of a few disturbed sea birds.
"You stay out here, Aiden. We'll go in and look for McMurdo," Dirk said, keeping his voice low.
"Nay, I'm going in to help. I'm no longer a child so cease ordering me about."
"'Tis for your own good. I don't want you hurt," Dirk muttered in a harsh tone as he visualized McMurdo easily overpowering his much smaller brother.
"I blame myself for the strife you're having now with my mother and I want to do something to make it right."
"'Tis not your fault, brother. Besides that, you have been helping. He may have men waiting inside. Do you know how many in his band of thieves?"
"Nay," Aiden said. "I think most of them were killed a few years ago when Da and his men hunted them down. McMurdo was the only one who escaped. But he may have recruited more men by now."
"Very well. Let's approach quietly." Sword in hand, Dirk crept through Allt Smoo, the wide, shallow river that flowed leisurely from the cave. The icy water did not penetrate his oiled leather boots but he still felt the cold of it.
A small fire burned low in the back corner of the cave but he saw no one. They had to be lurking in the inner cave which was only accessible by boat. Dirk moved toward the narrow entrance to the cave's second room. A waterfall poured inside, its roar diminished because of the time of year. One boat waited at the mooring. It would hold five men.
Dirk turned back to the others. "Who wants to go with me to the inner cave?"
"I'm going," Aiden said and moved forward. "The earl should stay here because he has no experience with this cave."
"Aiden, you truly do try my patience," Dirk said, irritation twisting through him. "You and Rebbie stay here and guard. Keegan, Erskine and Flynn will come with me."
But Aiden didn't listen. He climbed aboard the boat. "I have rowed this boat dozens of times."
Dirk rolled his eyes, vexed that the lad wouldn't listen nor did he care that Dirk was trying to keep him safe. But he couldn't exactly haul his arse out of the boat now. "If the bastards try to escape, Rebbie, you and Flynn stop them."
Rebbie nodded. "Have a care. I detest caves and that one does not look inviting in the least."
"You have the right of it." Dirk had explored all parts of this cave many times in his youth.
After Dirk and Keegan climbed aboard with Aiden, Erskine followed with the lantern and released the boat from its mooring. Aiden rowed across the water-filled cavern.
Although Dirk could hardly get accustomed to the idea, Aiden truly was a man now. Not a helpless little boy. But he still had that thin, lanky lad look about him. And within minutes he was huffing and puffing from the exertion.
"Get up, Aiden, and let me row," Keegan said, rising. The boat rocked.
"Careful you don't overset the boat," Erskine said, his voice echoing from the cave's ceiling. The lantern cast eerie reflections onto the wet walls.
The two cousins carefully switched positions and Keegan, with his brawny upper body strength, started rowing and the boat moved much more swiftly. They stayed to one side of the cave and avoided the waterfall. He was glad the water flow was low. In spring, the waterfall was so exuberant that taking a boat across was dangerous.
Within a couple of minutes, they arrived on the opposite side of the cave. Keegan jumped out and tugged the boat onto the bank and secured it to the mooring beside another boat. Someone was definitely here.
Dirk could hear no sounds, save the waterfall, and no light shined from within the third, much smaller, chamber of the cave. Taking the lantern, and his sword, he advanced toward the narrow opening.
A man rushed from the darkness. Dirk only saw the glint of light off a blade the instant before it swung toward him. He lifted his own weapon just in time, his blade taking a hard strike.
He handed the lantern off to Keegan. Dirk stood in the guard stance, his blade poised and ready to strike. Now he could see his opponent was McMurdo. His hair, once dark, was now long, gray and stringy. But physically, he still appeared strong and robust.
"How long have you worked for Lady MacKay?" Dirk asked.
"I work for no one but myself." 'Twas the same voice that had said those hated words twelve years ago… Lady MacKay sends her regards.
"I understand you bought yourself a crypt in the new church," Dirk said.
"Aye, the former Laird MacKay was a good man."
"But you are not. Do you think your donation makes up for all those people you murdered?"
"I have never murdered anyone." He grinned. "And you are an imposter."