Tears Chapel The MacKay had arrived first and awaited him beneath the spreading branches of a linden tree. Ross entered the churchyard cautiously, just as the church bells pealed noon. True to his word, the MacKay had brought five men with him. Tearlach MacKay dismounted and waited for Ross to do the same. “Shall we go inside?” MacKay invited. Ross nodded to his cousin Niall. Niall dismounted, drew his sword, and entered the chapel. He returned shortly. “ ’Tis no trap, Ross.” “Verra well, MacKay, lead the way,” Ross said, gesturing toward the chapel. A black-clad, rotund priest with tonsured hair, his arms crossed over his barrel chest, greeted them at the doorway. “You must leave your weapons at the door if you wish to enter the house of God.” At first Ross was reluctant, but when MacKay unbuckled his belt and let his sword fall, he did the same. Nevertheless, he waited until his enemy had entered the chapel before he followed. Satisfied, the priest shuffled off, disappearing behind the altar.
