Белые люди

           HeknewwellofMalcolm’sworshipofhischild,andlaidhisplanstotorturehimthroughher.DarkMalcolm,comingbacktohisrude,smallcastleonenightafteraraidinwhichhehadlostfollowersandweaponsandstrength,foundthatWeeBrownElspethhadbeencarriedaway,andunspeakabletauntsandthreatsleftbehindbyIanandhismen.Withunboundwounds,brokendirksandhackedswords,DarkMalcolmandtheremnantofhistroopoffightingclansmenrushedforthintothenight.

           “Neithermennorweaponshavewetowinherback,”screamedDarkMalcolm,ravingmad,“butwemaydiefightingtogetnearenoughtohertodrivedirkintoherlittlebreastandsaveherfromworse.”

           Theywereabandofmadmenintheirblackdespair.Howtheytorethroughtheblacknight;whatunguardedweakspottheyfoundinIan’scastlewalls;howtheyfoughttheirwaythroughit,leavingtheirdeadbodiesinthepath,nonereallyeverknew.BywhatstrangechanceDarkMalcolmcameuponWeeBrownElspeth,craftilysettoplayinghide-and-seekwithachildofIan’ssothatshemightnotcryoutandbetrayherpresence;how,alreadywoundedtohisdeath,hecaughtatanddrovehisdirkintoherchildheart,thestoryonlyoffersguessesat.Butkillandsaveherhedid,fallingdeadwithherbodyheldagainsthisbreast,herbrownhairstreamingoverit.Notonelivingmanwentbacktothesmall,rudecastleontheGlen—notone.

           Isatandreadandreaduntiltheroomgrewdark.WhenIstoppedIfoundthatAngusMacayrewasstandinginthedimnessatthefootoftheladder.HelookedupatmeandIdownathim.