April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 (2 page)

“I thought you went to see James, this morning. Did you not give him my message? He did not show. I waited,” Jacqueline said all in one quick breath.

“He is gone, my lady,” Maggie said with sad eyes.

“Gone? What do you mean, gone?”

“I spoke to his cousin, Merek. All he said was that when he woke this morn, James was gone.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he leave and not say goodbye?” Jacqueline questioned knowing all too well that Maggie did not have the answers she needed.

Jacqueline could see the compassion in Maggie’s eyes. She slowly exited the room and walked out into the lower bailey, wandering through the bustling courtyard. Jacqueline felt confused. James was not one to leave without saying goodbye, but he was the type of man who would leave if he too believed that he was not good enough for her, as her brother suggested.

Jacqueline continued to walk, passing by the gatehouse and watching as the guards removed weapons from the incoming crowd of people. Jacqueline stopped just outside the outer wall of the dungeon as something caught her eye.

Looking at the stone wall, she noticed a small window with iron bars barely big enough to put a man’s hand through positioned at its base. Of all the times she had been out in the bailey, Jacqueline was surprised to have never noticed it before. Hearing the soft cries and moans of the people imprisoned inside made her heart sink even further. Glancing around to see if anyone was watching her, she casually leaned over to peek inside. She had never seen the dungeons before and couldn’t help her curiosity now.

Peeking through the small opening her jaw dropped, Jacqueline abruptly brought her hand to cover her mouth at the sight.
Children
. A dozen men and two young children were chained to the wall. In disbelief, she witnessed the men-at-arms forcefully grab onto a group of five of the older men dragging them out of their cells. Struggling to walk, they were chained together by their hands and ankles. When she saw them heading back up the stairs towards the door, she instantly stood up and hurried back inside the keep.

Jacqueline knew that she was expected to be down in the great hall for the meal, but she needed to speak to her brother at once. Waiting in the hallway for Wayland to exit the library, Jacqueline stopped him on his way out.

“Brother, may I speak with you in private?” she asked with urgency, causing both Lord Wessex and Richard to look at her strangely.

Wayland looked at the other two men and back to Jacqueline and nodded. Holding the door open for her, Jacqueline slipped in underneath his arm and entered the library. She heard Wayland tell the other two men that he would be only a moment and that he would join them shortly in the great hall. Closing the door behind him, Wayland looked at her with impatience.

“What is it, Jacqueline?”

“I have not asked for much from you since our parents died. But please, Brother,” Jacqueline began to say as her brother interrupted her.

“Enough, Jacqueline. The contract has been signed and your James is no longer an issue.”

“But if you would only listen.”

“You will marry Lord Wessex tomorrow and I will not hear another word.”

“I wasn’t going to ask about the marriage contract. Wait, what about James? How do you know that he is gone? Wayland, what did you do?”

“I only did what was best for you. Having him around only makes matters worse. So I sent him away.”

“Away?” she said feeling her stomach begin to tighten from anxiety.

“It does not matter, Jacqueline. You are betrothed to Lord Wessex. Better I banish him than Wessex killing the fool for stealing his bride.”

Jacqueline balled her fists at her side and replied, “And what of the children in the dungeon, have you sealed their fate as well?”

“Children?”

Jacqueline watched as Wayland’s face became angry.

Calmly he continued, “I don’t know how you know that, but the punishment for their crime is not my decision. Lord Wessex has already charged them with thievery and attempted murder. They have stolen the king’s horses and cut down a guard, almost killing him. Those boys are savage criminals. Now, I will not hear another word. Since our parents died, you have been nothing but a burden. Instead of your selfishness, you should be grateful for everything our Uncle Guillaume and cousin has offered us. We would be nothing more than orphans had they not taken us into their home. They have clothed you and fed you and you show them nothing but this show of disrespect. Marriage to Lord Wessex has been decided to help ensure our prosperity. If you cause any further problems, so help me I will lock you back up in your chamber again until Lord Wessex decides to leave. Do you understand?”

Jacqueline looked into her brother’s cloudy hazel eyes. It was as if she did not know the man anymore. He had the same boyish look and dark brown hair but the look in his eyes were foreign. For the first time, she became frightened of him. Jacqueline looked down and nodded her head in anguish.

“Now let’s go, we have guests waiting for us and you are to act as a well-bred lady; in silence,” he continued.

Jacqueline followed closely behind Wayland. Her walk slower than her usual long strides. Looking down at her feet when she walked, she didn’t realize that she had already made it to the head table. Lord Wessex stood up from his chair and pulled hers out for her.

“My lady,” he said holding onto the top of the chair.

Quietly, Jacqueline sat down and allowed him to push in the chair close to the table, which he then scooted his closer to hers. 

“I was hoping that you would join me for a walk this evening. The sun is quite nice today and the weather has warmed since this morning,” he proposed.

Looking at Wayland’s darkened eyes; Jacqueline knew she couldn’t refuse the offer.

“Thank you. Getting some fresh air would do me some good.”

“Very well then,” he smiled.

Jacqueline picked at her food. Not feeling very hungry, she only took small bites of the lamb stew that was served. Silently, she listened to the conversations from the men around her, talking about how the trials would proceed and the depth of their crimes. Little did she know the prisoners were the ones responsible for many of the deaths of her friends and acquaintances who went off to war last summer whom were killed on the battlefield at Stirling.

“We will hold their trials in public,” Lord Wessex announced. “Have them brought into the lower bailey. Allow our people to witness their confessions of murdering their loved ones.”

“I will make sure it is done at once, My Lord,” Richard promised and stood up from the table to exit the room.

Lord Wessex turned in his chair towards Jacqueline. Placing his large strong hand onto her bony fingers, he stroked the back side of her hand.

“My lady, I do not expect these trials to last long. I will seek you out as soon as they are over.”

“Yes, My Lord,” she responded.

Jacqueline watched as the men stood up and eagerly went to gather outside as if it was a joyful festivity. Jacqueline could never bear to watch like the others and was glad that both her brother and cousin did not request her presence. In the past, after the trials were finished and the judgment was heard, the prisoners were marched off to the platform of the gallows.

Her brother’s new position within the king’s army made the people fear him. With his black head covering on, Wayland became a different person when his role came into play. He went from an eager young man who worked hard to bring honor to his family to the king’s executioner. To Jacqueline, his soul was now as black as the darkness.

Not wanting to witness the travesty occurring in the bailey, Jacqueline went off towards the church on the other side of the keep, the only place she could go to find peace and be alone. The small wooden door creaked as it swung on its rusty hinges, disturbing the pigeons asleep on top of the rafters. The nave of the chapel was empty as the priest was with the rest of the crowd, giving the prisoners their last rites.

Jacqueline kneeled down in the center of the aisle next to the first row of benches facing the altar. Offering a silent prayer, she went to sit down on the worn-out wooden bench. Keeping her head down, she waited for the hangings to be over and the bailey to be cleared of the mass of spectators.

It did not take long before she heard the faint muffled echoes of profanities and cries calling out. Jacqueline let out a deep breath as the sound of the beating drum resonated off the stone walls. The beats grew louder and faster as it vibrated throughout her chest. Jacqueline held onto the edge of her seat with so much force she could feel her pulse in the tips of her fingers. Jacqueline lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

Then, all went silent as if time stood still. Jacqueline opened her eyes and looked up at the cross hanging on the wall above the altar. A single tear slowly rolled down her pale cheek and dropped onto the floor.

Chapter 2

Ewan walked around his room one last time making sure that he packed everything he needed for the long journey ahead. Now with the cold winter months behind him and with his cousin’s blessing, Ewan decided to rejoin William Wallace’s army in the fight for Scotland’s independence.

Last fall, he followed his cousin Rory to battle the English, but in a twist of fate their plans had changed when one of their allies, the MacCallum clan was attacked. Rory had took the blame upon himself when the daughter of the clan, Annella was taken prisoner. After they had rescued her, they returned to their home at Dunakin Castle and awaited news from Wallace.

For the past several years, wars broke out all over Scotland due to the threat of the English and the merciless King Edward. Not only did Highland clans fight with the English, but among themselves as well. These were dark days for those of Scotland. The line between friend and foe became blurry when loyalty was at stake.

Ewan knew a great deal about loyalty. He held the position as second commander of the chief’s army of the clan MacKinnon under the rule of his cousin and laird, Rory MacKinnon. Rory had recently married Lady Annella MacCallum and refused to fight and leave behind a widow. Knowing that Rory’s place was at home, Ewan was venturing off to fight alone. With his satchel hanging over his shoulder, he walked down the stairs into the great hall to say his goodbyes.

“Ye take care of yerself. I will nay be there to watch yer arse this time,” Rory said with a smirk.

“If I am no’ mistaken, My Laird, it is I who had to always watch yer back,” Ewan boasted.

Giving him a slight sarcastic look, Rory asked, “How long do ye think Wallace expects this campaign to take?”

“I dinna ken. The missive I received provided little information. Wallace is heavily recruiting in secret. Several of our Scotsmen have been taken captive and Wallace wants to sneak into England right under Longshank’s nose to bring our men home. I am to meet him south of Buchannan Abbey. Father Gregory has made preparations fer my arrival.”

“Ye ken that I would come wit ye if I could.”

“Aye, I ken. But ye got a bairn on the way and a wife to be looking after. Dinna want Annella to be a widow after ye only just married the lass.”

“After the bairn is born, we will be traveling to Dundas in the summer months to visit her sister. I will send word. I have a feelin’ this war between Wallace and the English will require more than we can bargain fer. I want Annella and the babe to be as far away from danger if it arises. Ye must get on yer way. Ye have several days’ journey ahead of ye. Just be sure ye return or yer mother will have me quartered.”

“Aye that she will.”

“God speed, cousin,” Rory said and gave him a mighty hug.

“God speed, My Laird.”

Ewan turned towards the door that led out into the courtyard. He knew that even riding on the back of Aron, the strongest beast of all the clan’s horses, it was going to take him about three to four days of hard riding to reach his destination on time.

With the snow still melting and the spring weather beginning to warm up, traveling through the Highlands would make his voyage much easier. Ewan tied his satchel to the saddle bags and swung a leg up and over the giant animal. Running at a fast pace through the gates, Ewan set off for his adventure.

He rode during most of the daylight hours, only to stop for short breaks. During the cold nights he camped out in the woods away from the high road to avoid any potential dangers. Ewan knew all too well about the highwaymen lurking in the woods ready to slice you down and steal your goods.

Ewan’s mind had stayed heavy on his mission. He had not seen Wallace since before the battle at Stirling several months ago. He was uncertain if any of their plans had changed for better or worse. Ewan knew that crossing into England was going to be tricky. The borders were heavily guarded. Anxiously, he rode onward, ready to serve Scotland once more.

After hours of uneventful riding, Ewan started to feel the numbness in his legs. He felt relieved to have reached the abbey earlier than anticipated. The monks in the courtyard silently attended the gardens, clipping away the hedges where the snow had melted. The abbey was just the same as he last seen it. The stones were starting to crumble from age and vines had begun to grow along the walls.

Spotting an old familiar man, Ewan nodded his head in greeting and smiled back at him. Jumping down off the saddle, he led his horse towards the old man who was waiting along the short brick wall that enclosed the abbey grounds.

“Good day, Father Gregory. It is good to see ye again,” Ewan said as he extended his hand in greeting.

“Ah how time swiftly goes by, aye? How is yer laird and his new bride?”

“They are well. Rory can nay keep his hands off his wife. They are expecting a bairn.”

“That is good news to hear,” Father Gregory said smiling.

“Thank ye again. I shall only stay a night, for tomorrow I must leave. I am on an important mission and the sooner I get on my way, the better.”

“Aye, of course. I will have a hot meal sent to yer room. We have a prayer service in the morning if ye would like to attend. Also, I have a missive for ye. It was sent several nights ago,” Father Gregory said as he pulled out a piece of folded parchment out of the inner pocket of his robes. “The messenger said to give his to ye and nay anyone else.”