Angus ducked under the mantel and stepped out of the shadows, his face and hands covered in soot. "Well well, looks like a dysfunctional family reunion."

"Ye've no business bringin' Brandy here, Wallace," Alban said. "Ye took an oath!"

"Ah, fuck the Black Knights an' fuck yersel', Crabbit. My son's life's worth mair than any oath." He turned to True. "Glad ye're here, big fella. Be a sport an' lend us yer girth, the passageway's stuck."

True glanced at his father, then joined Angus inside the fireplace. The two of them pushed against the back wall until the masonry swiveled on its ancient pivot, revealing a dark hole resembling a vertical mine shaft.

The pit descended straight into the earth, as did a length of heavy rope looped around a pulley, secured to a steel beam high above their heads.

Angus tugged on one end of the rope, drawing up a small wooden platform from the shadows below. "True, are thae charges? I might be needin' them tae clear rubble blockin' the access tunnel."

"I only have two, but they should dae the job. Anyway, I'm comin' wi' ye."

"Me too," Brandy said, squeezing in between them.

"She's no goin' anywhere," Alban growled. "She's no a Black Knight—"

"Nor am I a MacDonald," she spat back, "at least no' anymore! Yer blood may run through my veins but ye treat that monster better than ye do yer own daughter."

"I'm yer faither, an' ye'll listen—"

"Father? Ye haven't been a father tae me since… since my mother passed away, so don't try pullin' rank on me now!"

Alban started to say something, then stopped, staring at the anger on Brandy's face, seeing her as if for the first time.

"My God, lookin' at ye… it's like I'm lookin' at her. Ye've aged intae a bonnie woman, have ye no'. Ye've got yer mum's eyes an' cheekbones, but my temper, God help ye."

"God help us all," mumbled True.

"Ye're right, Brandy. I'm certainly no' deservin' of callin' mysel' yer parent." Alban wiped back tears. "I'm sorry for whit I've done tae ye. I dinnae expect ye'll ever forgive me, but I'll never forgive mysel' if I let ye go in harm's way now."

Brandy's anger subsided, her throat constricting. "Why are ye sayin' this now, ye auld coot?"

"Yer mum… she aye calmed me tae reason. I'm a stubborn auld fool, aye have been, but maybe I can change. If ye let me, maybe I can even right a few wrongs afore they bury me, aye?"

Angus nodded. "Well said, brother Knight."

Brandy moved to her father, but Alban, not sure how to react, cut her off with a half hug, half pat on the head. "Okay, listen now, the two o' ye are stayin' here, only I'll be accompanyin' Angus below."

True started to object, but his father's scowl ended the discussion.