Alex stopped and cursed. There was only one man skilled enough to make a shot like that. Of course Bruce had his best men on watch tonight; it was Alex’s bad luck that he’d run into one he knew too well. “I’m here to see the king, MacGregor.”

Two men stepped out from behind the trees. He didn’t need to see their nasal helm–covered faces to recognize the shadows of Gregor “Arrow” MacGregor and Arthur “Ranger” Campbell.

Alex swore again. Christ, not one but two of his former brethren.

“I think your king is in that big fancy pavilion there on the other side of that burn,” MacGregor quipped.

What had he expected, open arms? He’d known it would be like this. They wouldn’t make this easy. No, they would make him pay for his betrayal—he knew that. And he would take it, damn it, until he convinced the king.

Alex gritted his teeth and said patiently, “I have important information that Bruce will want to hear.”

“I’m sure you do,” Campbell said. “And perhaps an assassin’s dagger as well?”

Alex knew they had no cause to trust him—and every reason not to—but still, the accusation stung. Gritting his teeth some more, he removed his sword, dagger, and even his eating knife, and held them out. “Check me if you wish, but this is all of them.”

Both men came forward. MacGregor took the weapons and Campbell, after a cursory search, stood back. “He’s clean.”

“This better be good, Seton,” MacGregor said. “Make one false move and it won’t just be my arrow that strikes you.”

Alex understood. They would all be vying for that honor.

They took him to the king. Just outside the royal tent, which was about a third of the size of Edward’s and not half as fine, Alex passed by a handful of tied-up men whom he recognized; they were some of the more important English soldiers who’d been taken prisoner by Randolph today.

“Seton,” Sir Thomas Gray said with obvious relief. “You’re a sight for weary eyes. Did the king send you to negotiate our ransom already?”

Alex answered with a shake of his head. They would find out the truth soon enough.

After entering the tent—or rather being shoved through by MacGregor—a glance at the hardened visages surrounding him told Alex that he’d come at the right time. He’d interrupted the king’s war council. For gathered around the king were his chief advisors: Douglas, Randolph, Neil Campbell (Arthur’s elder brother and one of Bruce’s most loyal and longtime companions), Edward Bruce, the Abbot of Inchaffray (who brought the relics of St. Columba), and every single member of the Highland Guard.

Perfect.

He ignored everyone but the king, who if his icy expression was an indication, was just as happy to see him as the rest.