“’Tis no longer my place. I’ve said my piece. Leave the man.”

“Stand aside, we’ll search the keep.”

“Have your look. I’ve nothing to hide. Malcolm may lie upon the land, but the keep’s otherwise empty.”

“’Tis a trap,” Duncan spat.

“I’ve three servants, all so aged ’tis a wonder I have food on my table and clean rushes on the floors. You see any men?” the old man asked, waving his hands. “There are none. Malcolm has only a handful, and they ride with him.”

Greylen and his men entered the holding. They stood within the hall where Gavin shook visibly as he stared at the steps that led to the bedchambers. Assuming fury caused his actions, Greylen ordered him to stay with the old man. He took Duncan above stairs while Hugh and Kevin searched the main floor.

“I should have killed him years ago,” Gavin hissed.

“Mayhap.” Guy MacFale shrugged as he stood next to Gavin for the first time in years. “But your honor kept you from it.”

“Nay, your weakness did, old man.”

“If I could change the past, Gavin—”

“Would you?”

“You know I’ve tried to make amends, Gavin. My continued silence should be worth something.”

Greylen and his men joined in the entrance, and then together they went below stairs. Let them search all the darkened passages. Malcolm was not there. When they came up, MacGreggor’s words confirmed it. “’Tis empty, just as you said. You’re lucky you spoke the truth, old man.”

“I wish only for peace, MacGreggor, I’ve not caused trouble in years, and I’ve tried to keep a leash on Malcolm. He’s the one who wishes you harm. They’re a nasty, childish bunch.”

“He’ll be mine, old man. Pray you now for his sorry soul.”

The elder MacFale watched sadly as MacGreggor and his men left the keep in unison. He’d made so many wrong choices throughout his life. But now, he was more determined than ever to see the wrongs of the past righted before he died.

God willing, his heir would have his land. And he’d bring it back to its former glory.

He took the stairs slowly, each step harder on his weakening body as he went to the great hall. ’Twas long minutes before he recovered from his exertion, for in truth, he had little time left. But with each breath that remained, he would seek his son’s forgiveness.

Lord, it had been so very good to see him again.

Greylen and his men turned east through the forest as they approached their border. Greylen, consumed with thoughts of the confrontation he’d had with the old man, kept replaying the scene in his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d missed something. There was a message in MacFale’s words, suggestive but directed not at him.