Highland Light (12 page)

He had not expressly been told to lie about his age to Sir David. The remark made by the servant who brought him to Sir David had caused the fear, which in turn caused the lie. He now believed the servant meant no harm. But to a child who was alone and friendless the mention of children being sent away because they were too young to be useful was devastating. So Gideon had added two years to his age. He had lied.

But there had been those in the Order who had not been happy with his presence. He had experienced a few heavy handed cuffs about the head. He had learned to be quick, silent and made himself a shadow within shadows.

He still had not told Sir David the truth of it. There seemed to be no point in worrying about having lied to his benefactor. But it did poke at his conscience now and again. The lie had become a part of him in that setting. At least he had been truthful with Cadell and Ailene.

Gideon cleaned his fingernails with the tip of the dagger. Thinking about Ailene warmed his heart. Smiling as he recalled her tears at his leaving, Gideon thought that Ailene pulled him out of the shadows. A child of light, Ailene had no idea how much he enjoyed the lightness of her, the joyousness of her. Everything she did, Ailene did with a passion. There was no room for darkness in her world. Even her anger was a burst of light, an explosion of something, which did not allow for silent disapproval.

As the stars came out Gideon looked up at them. The sky was blazing with light. He did not feel like sleeping in the cowshed. Instead Gideon used his waulked plaid to curl up in next to the fire. It had burned down to coals and would soon go out. Gideon knew it was no warmer in the cowshed. But here by the fire under the sparkling stars the air was fresh and clean. This would be better so long as it was not raining. His head on one arm, Gideon went to sleep.

In the morning Gideon accompanied Adair to the encampment. He had questions. When he did go back to their camp at the widow's bothy, he was able to report to Cadell that the King was presently laying siege to Ayr Castle. But the army must be ready to fall away at a moment's notice. The news had amused Cadell to no end. The two men determined that the 'siege' was for show. The army of the King of Scotland was prepared to show its heels to the Sassenach at the least provocation. Which was the only reasonable course given the might of Longshanks.

There was talk that Longshanks was very sick. Both men declined to pray for the Hammer of the Scots to be released from this world by death. They were willing to hope he would shortly leave this vale of tears and find heaven. It would be heaven for Scotland if the man were no longer spewing his hatred northward. After all, vengeance was the province of God not Longshanks.

Cadell was being well cared for by the widow. As Gideon watched Fenella brought Cadell water. She made broth for him to drink. The lady was pampering his father in law. It was readily apparent to Gideon. When Cadell thanked her for her ministrations, the widow blushed. Gideon watched them both with interest. It was possible there was a relationship of some sort developing between them. All could depend on the length of time they were here in this place.

While Gideon watched she changed the dressing on Cadell's wound. She informed him that it was healing nicely. There was no sign of infection. Cadell attributed that to Dalziel's quick application of the whiskey. Although Cadell maintained that cleaning wounds was a waste of good whiskey.

Gideon left Cadell to the widow then went out to see if there might be anything to add to the cooking pot. They had a couple of spears, Gideon took one with him to see if he might bag a rabbit or suchlike. He returned with a small roe deer slung across his shoulders. Having gutted and bled it out at the scene, Gideon handed it to the widow. She immediately began skinning the animal. Fenella then butchered it out. There would be venison stakes cooked over the fire that night.

The MacGrough men stayed at the widow's house as the siege of Ayr continued. The rest and the peace of the small holding Fenella and her grandson, Birk worked was enjoyable. The evening that marked the seventh day of their stay with Fenella brought trouble to the MacGrough clan.

Adair galloped back to the holding where they were camped. Hern was right behind Adair. Gideon jumped to his feet at the noise of their rush into camp. Hern dismounted as the animal came to a halt. The horse was winded and breathed heavily.

"Gideon! Cadell! Ailene, the MacNabs have her!"

Hern had taken Gideon by the shoulder and was shaking him. Cadell had risen to his feet, he stood in the doorway of the bothy.

"How man? How did they?"

Cadell was shouting.

Gideon took Hern by both upper arms.

"MacNabs?" He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Where are they? Now!"

"They are to the east of the glen, ken? They are kin to Comyn. They had already been to the glen. Ailene sent them packing. They wanted to know where ye went. She no wanted to gie them reason to come a raiding. She told them ye were buying and selling in Glasgow."

Cadell had been listening to this exchange.

"Comyn again! Is there no end to the trouble they cause?"

Gideon began to gather his belongings. Cadell's shout stopped him.

"Nay lad. ye canna go alone. We must take a moment to plan."

He took a deep breath then turned to his father in law.

"Quickly, I must be gone shortly. Hern!"

Gideon turned to the warrior who still stood before him. "How long has it been since they took her?"

"I have ridden hard. Three days, Gideon, no longer than that."

Cadell made his way over to the knot of men who stood quietly waiting for instructions.

"Gideon, you need to take Neill, Kai and Ross with ye. First ye need to take this to The Bruce. He will need to know ye dinna desert him."

Gideon turned to say something but Cadell cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Nay, he will understand. His own family is held hostage by Longshanks. Two of his brothers turned over to Longshanks by the MacDougall were murdered. He will release ye and us. I will be behind ye."

Cadell walked over to Gideon, he took Gideon's arm.

"Dinna go the long way. Go straight up Loch Lomond. Ye will need to stop somewhere. Stop with MacFarlane at Loch Sloy. Tell him an he will gie ye fresh mounts."

The MacGrough shook Gideon.

"Listen to me lad, do this my way, ken? I would ride with ye but canna go quickly enough. She is mine as well."

"Aye sir. Your way, but now. Right now! I am leaving. Neill, Kai, Ross, gather your weapons. We leave now."

Ross spoke to Gideon.

."In the dark Gideon?"

Gideon finished gathering his possessions.

"Aye. In the dark, it matters not. We will go slower but now!"

"Do as the lad says. In my absence he is leader."

Cadell took both Gideon's forearms in a tight grip.

"Dinna gie ye self killled. I want ye and Ailene back safely. Do no underestimate MacNab."

Hern broke in.

"Seumas said it was no the MacNab himself. It was a lad that took her. The same lad wha came to the glen tha first time."

"Aye? Then it may be that the MacNab may be made to see reason."

Cadell looked at Gideon.

"Have a care here lad. Walk carefully around the MacNab. He is an honorable man for all he is on the Comyn side in this. Think Gideon! Use the brain God gie ye."

Gideon took a deep breath trying to clear the fury that had invaded his brain. Cadell was right, he needed to keep his head.

"Aye, Sir. I will do my best to stay clear headed."

"Good! That's all I ask of ye."

Cadell let go of Gideon.

"I will be a day or two behind you at most. Go!"

Gideon caught up his mount then attached his pack to the saddle. As Cadell had instructed he rode to the encampment to see the King. It was easier to gain entrance to him than he had imagined. Gideon related the matter to The Bruce who listened sympathetically. As Cadell had predicted the MacGrough clan was released to attend to the matter of a stolen wife immediately.

Gideon was sent off with a prayer that he would find his wife safe and that bloodshed would not be necessary. They were thanked for their service then asked to return when they were able to do so.

In the back of his mind Gideon registered the difference between the man who was King of Scotland and Longshanks. He understood the devotion of The Bruce's inner circle to the man. Gideon would be back. First there was the matter of Ailene.

As Gideon had promised, they did travel slower in the darkness. Late in the hours before dawn a thin sliver of moon came out. Gideon urged his horse to a trot, they crossed the Clyde in the first light of day at the Glasgow ford.

No man complained. They followed Gideon. Ailene was one of theirs. They had watched her grow up in the glen. All of them had one goal, the return of Ailene.

Daylight allowed him to increase the pace. Aware that the horses they rode might well be needed to take them home, he stopped to water the animals upon reaching the foot of Loch Lomond.

Gideon had the landmarks memorized and as Cadell had advised, he made for the village at Loch Sloy. He felt the watchers before he saw them. It did not surprise him that their progress was being watched. He saw the sentries as they rode up the track leading to the village When they drew their tired animals to a halt before the large man who waited for them, Gideon knew without a doubt this was The MacFarlane.

The man was not overly tall, but had the shoulders and upper arms of a man well used to swinging a large broadsword. Gideon swung off his horse then took the few steps necessary to stand before the older man.

"I am Gideon MacGrough sir. Cadell MacGrough bids you good day. He has asked me to stop here and give you what news I have."

The MacFarlane surveyed the condition of the animals then motioned to one of the men standing to one side.

"Ewan, see to these animals. They are fair worn."

He stepped back then motioned toward the door behind him. The cottage was the largest in the group at the head of the small loch.

"Join me lad, let us talk."

The man walked forward then entered the bothy. He motioned Gideon toward the chair across from his as he took a seat at the table.

Gideon sat then looked around the MacFarlane's home. There was a fire in the fireplace where a woman stood. The woman came forward.

"Ha ye asked if the lad has eaten?"

She asked of the MacFarlane.

"Do ye wish ta eat lad? I would offer ye some whiskey as well."

Gideon shook his head.

"Nay sir. I am not hungry. I must hurry. I would be grateful if those travelling with me would be given food."

The man looked up at the woman.

"Cat, if ye would see to it. Bring the whiskey an leave it on tha table."

She did as asked then left the two men alone in the house. Cat had left the door open, through it Gideon could see down the narrow trail whoch led past Loch Sloy. Below lay Loch Lomond.

The MacFarlane poured them each a whiskey. He set Gideon's before him.

"How goes the war?"

"Well enough sir. The Bruce has beaten Pembroke at Loudoun Hill. The Sassenach reinforcements were soundly thrashed and Gloucester is licking wounds in Ayr. I am told that Longshanks is near death as well."

Sipping the whiskey, the man was silent for a moment.

"I will be happy to hear that Edward is no longer on this earth. That will relieve me of a burden "

Gideon sipped his drink.

"My wife, Ailene has been taken by a MacNab. I am on my way to reclaim what is mine."

The MacFarlane tossed back the last of his whiskey then drummed his fingers on the table.

"So ye are the lad that married MacGrough's lass. That puts ye in line as the next chief. As small as MacGrough holdings are I understand there are no others to contest it."

Gideon looked over at the other man.

"I know nothing of succession sir. I do know that she is my wife and I wish her returned to me. I only wish to live in peace in the glen."

The MacFarlane heaved a great sigh.

"There are those of us who desire nothing more than that. There are others who care only for more, more of everything, ye ken? They are not happy until they have and control as much as possible."

He toyed with the cup, tossing it from one hand to another.

"I have nay right ta point at others mind? We ha our own unholy deeds behind us. As to Edward, I gave my pledge ta Longshanks and ha tried to uphold it. I will be glad ta be free of tha pledge."

Gideon looked at the MacFarlane who seemed lost in thought.

"Sir, is it possible to get fresh horses from you?"

The man stood then looked out the open door.

"Och, aye. Surely lad. Come along and we shall have ye on yer way."

Chapter 11

Locked in a small cattle shed, Ailene mentally beat herself for her stupidity. So intent had she been on finding the proper stone to complete her projects she had ignored the potential danger. Now she was trapped in a filthy cow shed on MacNab land. Her captor Alec MacNab, was apparently overseeing clan business while his uncle, the MacNab was away. Away was an interesting word. Ailene gathered MacNab was likely fighting on the side of the Sassenach.

The younger MacNab had attempted to get an admission of guilt from her. He wanted her to affirm his suspicion that Cadell was in the service of Robert The Bruce. It was an affirmation Ailene refused to give him. He had also questioned her regarding the matter of her 'husband'. It was another subject she refused to discuss other than the fact that she was married.

Her marriage was a matter he declared could not be legal as due to The Bruce's excommunication marriages performed were not valid. Ailene maintained since the Bishop of St. Andrews had declared the excommunication invalid, her marriage was legal and valid. Ailene refused to give him any additional information. Her stubborn refusal to cooperate had driven the young MacNab to angrily slap her as he cursed her for being a stupid woman. He had declared she would stay in the cowshed until she became more amenable.