1565.The Liddesdale valley in the borders of Scotland was witness to a bitter and violent feud between the powerful families of Scott and Elliot. An armed man, Sandie Scott, arrives at the house of Hob Elliot. He finds Hob's wife, Meg, his daughter, Marjory and his sister-in-law, Janet Kerr. Sandie is a scarred veteran of the border feuds. He will obey his orders without question but takes no pleasure in bloodshed, unlike his companion, Clem, who relishes the taste.
SANDIE Hob Elliot. Whaur is he?
CLEM She telt me he was jist ootby.
SANDIE Then we ken she was lee'in.
MEG I did lee, I admit it. He's no here. He's awa.
SANDIE Whaur?
MEG Why are you speirin for him?
SANDIE I'm askin'. Awa whaur?
MEG Ablow the border.
CLEM (laughing) Fetchin firewuid.
SANDIE Will he no? (he moves to the fireplace) There's kail in this pot and fresh bannocks on the hearth. And ye still say he's awa?
MEG Aye. Yon's for oor supper.
SANDIE (picking up a used dish from the table) And wha left this? Ye're lee'in. Ye're expectin him back sune. Am I correct? (MEG does not reply) Sneckit lips, eh? As ye wish. We'll wait. (he sits. A longish pause)
MEG My husband....
SANDIE Aye?
MEG Why are ye seekin him?
SANDIE (very matter of fact) To kill him.
(MEG stiffens. MARJORY stifles a scream, but JANET does not react in any way)
MARJORY (to MEG) Mither, dae they mean.... (MEG nods gravely) What can we dae?
MEG (whispering) Warn yer faither, or try to prevent....
(She falls silent as she realises that CLEM has approached her)
CLEM See thae twa notches cairvit in the butt o' this gun? Tonicht I'll add a third
SANDIE The winnock! I'll no tell ye again! Or Hob Elliot micht surprise us instead o' the contrair.
CLEM Hah! Why the laird should trust an auld man. I still say we should lay an ambush abune the stream.
SANDIE At nicht-time? Ye ken aucht. We bide here. Forbye, we hae hostages.
MEG To be killt as weel?
SANDIE Na, we only want Hob Elliot.
