Soon he reached Kilmory Castle, where he had counsel with Sir Oscar and Allan Redmain concerning the protection of their fortress.  It was probable that the enemy would land upon the western side of the island, but lest they should determine to make their first attack upon Rothesay it was deemed wise that Sir Oscar and Kenric should each defend his own castle, and that he who first descried the invaders from afar should send word of their approach to his neighbour.

Being assured that Kilmory was well guarded, and prepared to offer a strong resistance, Kenric asked to see Ailsa Redmain.  Ailsa was in the fields.

“Ailsa,” said he when he had found her, “you have heard of the great danger that threatens our island?”

“Who is there in all Bute that hath not already heard it, my lord?” said she.  “Ah, would that I were a man that I might be of some service at this time!”

“It needs not that you should be a man, Ailsa, to be of very great service, and I will ask your help.  You are no longer a child, and well do I know what wisdom there is in you.  I would trust you in all things to act wisely.”

Then dismounting and standing at her side he told her how the women and children were to be taken to St. Blane’s.

“The Norsemen may arrive,” he said, “even before another day be gone, and passing up Kilbrannan Sound they will doubtless make landing near your father’s castle, where it were most unwise in you to remain.  Go, therefore, to the abbey and make what womanly preparations may be needful.  There will my mother join you.  With her and you do I intrust the children of Bute, so that you may minister to their comforts until the danger be past.  You shall not lack help, but ’tis well that there be some womanly authority whose word may be held as law in case of need.  And now, Ailsa, since it may be that we shall never meet again in this world, fare you well!”

Then as he was about to remount he saw the tears gather in the girl’s eyes, and he put his arms about her neck and drew her to him.

“Ailsa,” he murmured, “never till this moment did I know how dear you are to me!  But now when death faces me —­ when another day may see me slain —­ the thought of you, my playmate, my dear friend, my loved Ailsa, makes life on earth more precious.  God watch between us in our danger.  The holy Mother protect you, and on earth or in Heaven grant that we may meet again!”

Then holding her near him he touched her white brow with his lips and left her sadly.

Passing across the meadows of Kilmory he found Lulach the herd boy.  Lulach was in great terror at knowing that the Norsemen were expected, for though he was himself by blood and nature a Norseman, and was wont to speak their tongue rather than the Gaelic, yet he looked upon the Scots as his friends and upon every Norseman as his enemy.  He was not trained in the use of warlike weapons, and it seemed to Kenric that he would be of little use.  But Kenric stationed him upon the heights and bade him keep constant watch upon the sea, ready to sound the alarm on the enemy’s approach.