“It’s not quite as simple as that,” Somerled said. “I’m not asking you to commit murder; that would leave too many unanswered questions. This will be a straightforward case of attempted escape, where your efforts to apprehend the prisoner very unfortunately ended in his demise. Keep it behind closed doors, and don’t make too much noise. Send a man up to fetch me when it’s over.”

“But—my lord, you know the fellow’s reputation. He’s a Wolfskin, after all. What if he—?” This was a different voice, and tinged with genuine fear.

“If he frightens you so much, bind his hands before you start,” Somerled said coolly. “Just make sure you untie them afterward, or it won’t look good for you. I don’t want it to be said that we beat prisoners here. Now get on with it, will you? There’s no saying when our unexpected visitors may arrive, and I need to be sure we receive them in an appropriate manner. You appear hesitant. Do I detect some reluctance to carry out this order? The man’s a coward and a traitor. What are you waiting for?”

“My lord, I’m wondering—”

There was the sound of a door closing, then silence. Eyvind waited a moment, senses alert to any sound. It seemed all had gone out, for now at least.

“Eyvind?” The hiss came from the adjoining cell.

“Yes, I heard them.” Eyvind was getting to his feet, forcing his cramped limbs to move, wondering what might be done against a whole group of assailants while his feet were still hobbled.

“You must fight them,” Brother Tadhg whispered fiercely. “Fight, and survive. There’s hope in this somewhere; he senses defeat, or he would not act thus. You can do it, warrior.”

“You, bidding me fight?” Eyvind breathed as he clenched and unclenched his fists, stretched his aching shoulders, stepped back from the grilled doorway so he might have some advantage when they struck. “A Christian priest? I would laugh, if I could spare the breath for it.”

“You are neither Christian nor a priest,” observed Tadhg dryly. “You must fight for me, and for Nessa, and for the truth. You must fight for Somerled. If he kills you, it will lie like a curse on him all his days. Be strong, Wolfskin. I hear them coming.”