FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS (3 page)

Her heart went out to him
, for she realized the responsibility he bore, to govern the clan territory for the benefit of the clan.  He administered justice in times of peace and led the warriors in time of war.  As chief he was responsible for the good of his people who on their part gave every assistance to him for the mutual good of all members of the clan. 

Pridefully
, Brianna looked at this tall, big boned giant of a man with flaming red hair.  Despite his forty five years he was ruggedly handsome.  Only one scar along the right side of his face marred his facial features.  Now that scar twitched as he furled his craggy brows. She gazed upon her father's  face trying to discern his thoughts.

"What is it, Father?"  Only Brianna dared ask the question that
all within the room wondered.

"I've just received a message from Black Duncan.  He calls for a truce between the clans.  I dinna
ken what to make of it!"

"A truce?"  A ripple of uneasiness swept throughout the hall.  It had long been proved that the
Campbells were not to be trusted.  What wickedness had they planned this time?  The mood of the assembled men changed swiftly from apprehension to suspicion.

"The lookouts warned of approaching horsemen but when I rode out with Malcolm and Erskin to see wi' me own eyes, I found it to be but a lone rider.  A messenger with a most surprising missive.  'Tis a most unusual proposition and one that I canna think upon lightly." 
Lachlan paused and in that moment he met Brianna eye to eye.  "The Campbell has suggested that his heir, Robbie, should marry one of my daughters!"

"Och!"  All watching eyes
widened in startled surprise.

"Nae!"  The men
were unanimous in their shout.

"Ye musna even think of it!"
  The women echoed each other.

Anger buzzed around from man to man like  an enraged bee as the clansmen savored this bit of information.  "The
Campbell
heir.  Ha!  He isna good enough for a MacQuarie!  We are descended from kings, not English vassals."

"For all we ken, its a trick and they be plannin' to attack us again.  I lost two sons seventeen years ago and a nephew last December."  The boldest of the men stood up as he spoke, venting hi
s anger.

"The word of a
Campbell is worthless!"  Another followed, then another. Total turmoil raged.

Lachlan MacQuarry silenced the protestations by raising his hand.  Though in truth he was but a few inches taller than most of the men, he seemed to tower over them as he pulled back his shoulders and held up his hand.  "I've told myself all the things ye are sayin' now.  I've scorned the
Campbells and damned them with my every breath.  I've even told myself that Black Duncan was but jesting.  But now I think not.  There comes a time in every mon's life when he longs for peace."  He had come to that time.

"Peace with the
Campbells?  Never!" Cried out a voice.

"They started the
feuding and we canna just forget it.  Too many men hae been killed!"  Another man would not be silenced.

"Aye, too many men.  That is my thought exactly."  Through the years there had been times when the MacQuaries had won, times when the
Campbells had been victors in the battles, but at the cost of many lives.   Both clans had been  losers in the toll taken on their familes.  Warfare between the rival clans had brought forth a torrent of heartache.  Lachlan knew it was in their best interest to contemplate this offer of peace.  And yet what a price he would have to pay!  To give up one of his daughters.  "We canna go on fighting forever."  If a matter of such a marriage can stop the bloodshed, then I am prepared to make the sacrifice."

"What?"  Brianna was aghast at the thought and made her view known by her audible, "no!"  A MacQuarie married to a
Campbell was unthinkable.

"Aye!" 
Lachlan looked at his two  eldest daughters with an appraising eye. Both possessed a beauty no man could resist.  Their finely chiseled noses, high cheekbones and enormous dark-fringed brown eyes of a copper hue were beyond description. Their slender waists and long legs were no doubt the envy of all the women, their well-formed breasts and slim hips were a poets dream. 

They were dressed in identical
arasaids
, a long garment that reached from the head or neck, to the ankles, fastened at the breast with a large brooch and at the waist by a belt.  Beneath this colorful length of material they wore gowns of thin wool which clung to their gentle curves. They were so alike, very lovely, and made him very proud.  Heaven help any men if they dared to mistreat his daughters.

"Bonnie!  Bonnie daughters that I hae.  No doubt the
Campbells hae heard and that's why they seek to make such a bargain."  He strode round and round the two young women.

"But ye didna...ye willna...!"  Once again Brian
na voiced her thoughts aloud.

"I must!" 
Lachlan looked from one to the other, noting that while Glenna's
arasaid
was carefully belted, Brianna's was haphazardly tied.  A smudge of dirt at the tip of her nose made her discernable from her twin.  Brianna was the least manageable one and yet even so, it was Brianna that had always been his favorite because of her spirit.  He could not even think of sending her away.  Glenna then.  He would send the gentle twin.  She would do as he bid without argument and make the young Campbell a docile wife.

The matter was discussed among the clansmen, for
Lachlan was not a man to make such a weighty decision alone.  Though it was to be his daughter that sealed the bargain, what was decided today would affect all the members of the clan.  Though there were  quite a few mumblings, voiced words of disquiet, the others at last approved of the marriage, convinced by Lachlan's arguments.

"But which one?"
  Malcolm raised the question.

"I hae decided on Glenna." 
Lachlan's answer thundered through the room.  All eyes looked that young woman's way as she paled.

"No!  No!"  Glenna's breathless protestation was accompanied by her tears.  She loved Alastair. Her father could not even think to send her away!  She felt cold, couldn't breathe.  It was as if a
forceful blow had winded her.

"Aye, daughter.  It will be as I say." 
Lachlan had not expected argument from Glenna.  "A daughter has been asked for and a daughter I will offer up this day."  Folding his arms across his chest he gave proof that he would brook no defiance.

"No!  No!"  The trembling girl
collapsed in a flood of tears.

Brianna's heart ached for her
and she knew in that moment  she could not allow her sister's unhappiness. Having heard from Glenna's own lips of her love for the blonde bard, Brianna stepped forward to shield her sister from their father's wrath, standing in between them.  

"Then 'tis a daughter the Campbells shall have, but her name will be Brianna and not Glenna!"  It was an act of protectiveness, just as she had always instigated when there was trouble to be dealt with.  "Glenna is gentle.  She will ne'r fare well amongst a  fiercesome clan that is not her own.  She needs love and security."  She tried hard to smile,  though her hands trembled and a large lump had s
uddenly arisen in her throat.

"Ye?"
Lachlan was astounded, never expecting such a development.

She tried to make light of the situation. "I'll give the
Campbells more than they bargained for!"

"Aye, that ye will lassie."  From across the room Erskin was quick to agree, grinning wickedly.  He remembered the punch to the ribs she had granted him when he had wanted na
ught but a kiss.  "Much more."

"Dinna be hasty now..
.." Lachlan's expression pleaded with her silently to change her mind.  "If ye say that ye'll marry the laddie, there will be no turning back!"

"I know."

"Think, daughter....."

Brianna cast a sideways glance at Glenna, saw the frightened look that was still in her sister's eyes and in that moment made an unwavering decision.  "I'll marry Robbie Campbell.  I hae no other choice."  She had acted on impulse because of her love for Glenna and now she would have to keep her word.

Chapter T
wo

Glittering beams of sunlight streaked through the gray of early morning, giving light to the hall where Brianna prowled about.  She had spent a sleepless night tossing and turning, going over in her mind the impulsive, impetuous thing that she had done.  In but a moment, with only a few words, she had consigned herself to marriage, had made the bargain which would take her from this hall and the people she so dearly loved.  In but a few weeks time she would leave family, friends and this beloved Island of Ulva to live among a clan that had been an enemy to her own people since long before she was born.  Dear God, what could have possessed her?  What bewitchment had caused her to be so foolishly bold?

Her eyes flitted about the room as if to brand a permanent image in her mind for the days ahead when she would be far away from here.  Memories.  So many memories.  Down the center of the hall was a long hearth over which big pots from the evening's meal were still placed.  How many stories of fairies, waterbeasts, witches and ghosts had she liste
ned to in front of the evening fire?  Though her family was Christian they knew that their lives would always be ruled by older beliefs too, knew that other beings occupied Ulva and Mull as surely as did those of flesh and blood.  As a child she had listened in awe to such stories and tales of long ago. 

Before this same hearth she had blissfully enjoyed the music from fiddle, harp and pipes, riotious songs or soothing songs of reverie that had at last lulled her to sleep.  Somehow she had always awakened to find herself in her bed, thinking perhaps the fairies had bewtiched her and brought her to her room.  Now in her adult years she knew it had been he father who had carried her off to bed, holding her tenderly and lovingly withi
n the strength of his arms.  But she would be leaving the protection of those arms for a husband's embrace.  A husband.  How strange that sounded.  Just yesterday she had laughingly talked with Glenna about such a thing, had voiced her adamant opposition to any suggestion of marriage.  How quickly one's fate could change.

A loom and several spindle whorls for spinning of wool stood against the farthest wall and Brianna curled her mouth in a bittersweet smile as she recalled how often she had rebelled at joining the women for their daily chores.  Cooking, weaving, and sewing bored her.   Washing with the harsh lye soap seemed a thankless task. Waulking, or hand shrinking woolen cloth was a long and laborious process  which she had  no fondness for.   In truth, she had scorned woman's work, finding a dozen reasons for avoiding tasks any time she could.   But now, oh, what she wouldn't give to be able to stay among these women  instead of  women she would not even know.  And Glenna, sweet Glenna.  They had shared such closeness, had been like the two halves of a whole.  Now they would be parted, never more to enjoy maidenly
prattle.

"And yet I dinna believe I could hae done any less than I did," she whispered aloud.  As difficult as it would be to face this new life that beckoned, it would have been all the more impossible to live with herself knowing of Glenna's pain.  Knowing of the love Glenn
a would have had to sacrifice.

"No, ye couldna d
one anything else.  Not my braw lassie."  Hearing her father's voice from out of the shadows, Brianna turned around, knowing by the tortured look in his eye that Lachlan MacQuarie was suffering even more than she.  "Oh, lassie!  Lassie!"

As if she were but a child again, Brianna flew to his arms furiously dashing tears away with her hand as quickly as they filled her eyes. 
Lachlan's eyes were misted too, yet he held his emotions under control.   He would not let his daughter see him shed unmanly tears.

"I hae half
a mind to tell Cambell no...."

"Father, ye
canna go against your word nor can I go against mine.  What was said was said, what was done has been done.  Let us hope that some good will come of it.  If there will be peace then it is worth the price." Pulling away she feigned a bravery she most certainly did not feel. "Besides, 'tis adventure I hae always craved.  To see a side of Mull I've never seen before, the Campbell's territory.  Perhaps I'll even be fortunate enough to see Duart Castle, at least from afar."  Once owned by the MacDonalds, that massive fortress was now in MacLean hands since they had taken supremacy of the region.  It was far grander than Aros Castle which belonged to the MacQuarie Clan.  Duart Castle had inspired more than one story or two.  "And as to this Robbie Campbell, how ferocious can he really be?  Am I not a match for any mon?"

"Aye, lass, that you are!   You've always been close to my heart because of your spirit and daring.  You've soothed my longing to have a male heir, for no son could please me any better than ye!"  Holding her at arm's l
ength he looked into her eyes.

"I wish... that I could stay here
forever........" she breathed.

"As do I."  Taking her hand, he led her toward one of the large wooden benches lined against the wall and sat her down beside him.  "It's just selfish that I am, Brianna.  I've always hoped to keep ye near me.  Ye are the one who always makes me smile."  He sighed, for just a moment letting down all his defenses, all semblance
to his puffed up manly pride. Only Brianna was ever allowed to look into his heart, to share his joy, to feel his sadness.  "So many of those dear to me hae been taken in one manner or another.  Two of my womenfolk......."

"You're thinking of Mother and Aunt Mary."  Resting her head against his shoulder she
closed her eyes, remembering.

"Aye.  Your Aunt Mary, my youngest and favorite sister vanished without a trace.  Though we searched both
Islands, looked high and low, not even a hair of her head was to be found.  Bewitched, some said.  Carried off by those spirits who lay in wait to capture unsuspecting souls."  Brianna had heard the story several times before.  It had long been supposed that her aunt Mary had drowned.  Two fisherman had seen her walking along the shore, looking out to the sea as if somehow it drew her.  They were the last living mortals to look upon the young woman She had never been seen or heard from again.   Had she jumped into the ocean's depths or had an unseen hand reached out to take her captive? An unsettling thought.  "And your mothers death....I...I...."

"It was no your fault."

"Aye, but it was.  I hounded that poor woman like a savage beastie, always with the thought in mind of having a son.  Is it any wonder that the poor woman lost her mind?  Always chattering about her other child, she was.  Always insisting she had born me a male bairn.  My fault for going on and on about carrying about a son to pass on my chieftain's feathers to. Poor tortured soul.  She wanted a boy bairn so badly to please me that it confused her reasoning.

“It wasna yer fault, but our ways which make a son so important,” Brianna said with a slight curl of her lower lip. To the clan a successor or tanist was of utmost importance. That successor was always a male. Her father had been his grandfather’s tanist and had succeeded as chief when the elder
MacQuarie had died. The clan organization consisted of the chief, the tanist, the chieftains, the captain the
daoin’-uaisle
and the general body of the clan. So far being without a male heir, her father had not chosen a successor, which made the matter of
all
his daughters’ marriages of  utmost importance. Oh, if only she had been a son, Brianna thought, perhaps her mother would not have succumbed to the madness.

“Our ways and my all-consuming pride. I didna gi’ her the understanding that she
deserved and so God at last took her away.  Ten long years I've lived without her.  But you've soothed my heartache, lass.  You and yer sisters.  Now I'm going to lose
ye
."

"Y
ou'll never lose me, Father."  Reaching for his hand, she squeezed it reassuringly.  "Where ever I may be ye will be in my heart and in my thoughts.  And I willna hae ye worry.  The Campbells dinna intend to harm me."

"They dare not!"  He clenched his fists in anger.  "If a one of them causes ye pain, they will rue it."  He might have said more but for the intrusion of the other men and women entering the hall, rustling about as they made ready for the morning meal. 
So many people.

The clan consisted of
native men
and
broken men
. The native men being those related to the chief and to each other by blood ties. This blood relationship was an important fundamental in the clan system, all being bound together in a common interest. The clan also contained branches composed of clansmen who had become powerful or prominent in some way and who had founded families almost as important as that of the chief. The broken men were individuals or groups from other clans who had sought and obtained the protection of the clan. That the clan kept increasing in size was a testimony to her father’s fairness and good name. Aye, how very proud she was that her father was the man who led the MacQuaries.

T
he smell of the bubbling caldrons of oats and barley filled the air.  The clan system recognized that land, the basis of life, was not an individual possession, but belonged to the people in common, and that every clansman was duty bound to assist other members of the clan in time of necessity of any kind, irrespective of his rank. Thus, though Lachlan’s daughters were related to the chief they still were required to do their part in the work. Brianna took her place beside Glenna to stir the steaming pots.

"I've not had time to thank ye for what ye did."  Glenna's eyes held appreciation and more than a hint of respect.  "You're much braver than I.  Had it been ye who had
been requested to go, ye who were already in love, I wouldna had the courage to take your place, Brianna.  Can ye forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive.  It was my choice to take your place.  No one forced me to speak as I did."  Seeing Alastair's heated gaze upon her sister
, she felt assured that what she had done was right.  He was as drawn to Glenna as she was to him, though just as shy. Looking at him searchingly, Brianna sensed he would make her sister happy. Catching his eye, she smiled her approval, but seeing that he  had attracted Brianna's attention , Alastair hastily looked away.  No doubt he was fearful that she had seen his smoldering look.  "The decision has been made.  We'll speak no more about it."

"But Brianna....."

"Nae, not a word.  Besides, there's a young yellow-haired laddie a giving ye the eye.  It's my thought that ye should favor him wi’ a smile, before he dies from longing.  I wouldna wish to have ye a widow before you're a bride.'  Brianna watched as her sister took her advice, noting how the mutal attraction between the two was like two rays of sunshine, lighting the room with warmth.  Once again the wisdom of what she had done was reinforced by the knowledge that her sister would find happiness with this man.  Playfully, she gave her sister a push in Alastair's direction.  "Ye dinna need to flatter me by making me think it's my company ye seek.  Go to yer laddie's side.

Glenna scurried away, taking Alastair a steaming bowl of the cereal as an excuse to approach him.  Soon they were engaged in conversation
, but not so much so that she forgot to flash Brianna a grateful smile.

The hall buzzed with voices as those assembled filled their plates and bowls, then
stood aside to eat or talk. With so much to do at day’s beginning, the breaking of fast was always eaten while standing. Brianna did the same, yet when it came time to eat she found despite her hunger she could not force even one spoonful past her lips.  The company of the others, which she usually welcomed, now made her feel the necessity for privacy.  Now more than at any other time in her life she wanted to be alone.  There were thoughts and emotions rattling about inside her and she needed to sort them out.  She needed to be away from the stifling air and close walls surrounding her.

Making her way across the room, Brianna  stepped out into the cool morning air, feeling soothed by the soft breeze which caressed her face ever so gently.  How many days she had left to roam the
MacQuarie lands in freedom she did not know.  All too soon the arrangements for her betrothal would be made.  Until that day, however, she was unrestricted, unrestrained, bondless, and she would enjoy life to the fullest.