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James Gunn didn’t stop to knock. He pushed open the tavern door and marched in with purpose. His journey to Ackergill had been an unwelcome but necessary diversion. He meant to make it short.
Henry and Torquil sat at large table dipping fresh bread into a bowl of gravy, each slurping the soggy bits into their mouths. They sucked the tips of their fingers and pulled them free with a pop.
“Where is he?” James asked without salutation.
“Good morning, Uncle.” Henry stood and offered his hand but James ignored it.
“Ah, James, it’s good to see you.” Thomas Sinclair walked slowly down the narrow stairway at the back of the tavern. “William is upstairs. I did exactly as Robert requested in his note. The lad has enough opiate to keep him free from conscious thought for another two days.”
“I am sorry that we had to trouble you this way,” James replied. He turned to Henry and Torquil. “Henry, go fetch your brother. Torquil lend a hand. William will be a dead weight to pack down those narrow stairs.”
“It has been no trouble at all. We added the dream-maker to his stew last night. It didn’t take long. Will you have something to break your fast, a drink at least?”
“I cannot spare the time. I must ride north to meet my ship. This storm has come at the least convenient time, and I fear that if we do not clear the shallows before it fully develops, we may not make it out at all.”
“Would it not be wiser to wait until the storm passes? And William, what will become of William?” Thomas watched Henry and Torquil use their finger to wipe the last of the gravy off the wall of the bowl.
“I could waste a life waiting for tide and wind. William will come with me. That is, if I can get these two louts up those stairs to collect him. Get on with it!” James took a step toward Henry, who stepped away from the stair.
“Is there no other way, Uncle?” Henry asked.
“I don’t know one. Besides I am here now. What does it matter to you anyway?” James glared at Henry, who looked away.
“It no’ seems right, what we are doing here. It’s like an act of betrayal. William asked for our help to get his woman out of the tower. Instead we have filled him with opiate, and you will take him to sea. Betrayal, aye that’s what it is,” Henry said softly.
“You choose a curious time to find a conscience, lad.” James looked at Torquil, who had taken his seat, and determined that he stood with Henry. “Keith will kill him if he tries such a foolish rescue. But mark me; there will be a time for retribution. Dugald Keith will die for what he has done, I promise you that. Today is not that day. Now, are you going to go up and get William or do I have to do it myself?”