Highland Light (7 page)

Gideon could sense that those standing behind them knew something was happening they could not see. It had become far too quiet.

"What will you give me Ailene?"

She pulled down his head to whisper into his ear.

"Everything! All! Anything you might wish Gideon."

With a chuckle, Gideon backed away from the burn, he lowered her then bent his head.

"We shall seal this bargain with a kiss, than later."

He brushed her lips with his own. Ailene splayed her hand against his chest.

"I will collect what is due me."

Gideon lowered her to her feet. He took her into his arms with Ailene's arms caught between them. Gideon slowly kissed her. His lips were soft and gentle at first then she found she was wishing she could free her arms to hold him as tightly as he was holding her. He did not release her but deepened the kiss. Her mouth opened to him, she sighed as his tongue explored her mouth.

When Gideon released her Ailene fell against him for a moment before she was able to right herself. Back straight, she walked toward the kitchen door with a smile on her face. Ailene pushed past everyone. All eyes followed her then turned to look at Gideon. He stood in the sunlight and watched her enter the house with a slight smile.

It took the bystanders a moment to find other places to be and other things to do. The raw need of the two young people palpated through the sun warmed air. Cadell suddenly missed his wife with every portion of his being. Loneliness flooded him. Cadell had to take a deep breath to clear his head. 'These barins will be the death of me yet.' Cadell though as he went inside then made his way to his room. He was feeling his age and wished to sit and think for a while.

Chapter 6

In the evening Cadell, Ailene and Gideon sat in Cadell's chamber to discuss the improvements, which needed to be made to the keep. More than a new barmkin, a defensive wall, Gideon wanted a hidden means of escape from the house. They all understood that the fortified house could not withstand a concentrated assault by a large force. In that situation escape was preferable to anything else. The barmkin could shield the building of the escape tunnel. If they worked on both at the same time, it would be easier to conceal the entrance and exit of the tunnel. The exit needed to be in a place where the escapees would be concealed from invaders. They would need quick access to the forest and rocks to make good an escape.

They plotted and planned. How high should the barmkin be? How far should the tunnel extend? Should it go under the wall or not? All were matters for discussion. Cadell did not feel there was any great chance the Sassenach would come this far back into the highlands.

Gideon was not so sure. He felt any mop up efforts could indeed threaten MacGrough land if their king was to lose to the Sassench. Gideon was for having supplies hidden somewhere as well. A bit of money, clothing and blankets tucked somewhere safe. Escape was no good without the means of survival readily available.

Cadell understood Gideon was motivated by experience. To date the lad's experience had taught him that an escape plan was a necessity. Gideon pointed out that as difficult as the weather and terrain in Scotland could be, weapons, basic foodstuffs, and warm clothing were essential to survival. Guaranteeing that a person would have time to assemble those items was impossible. Ailene suggested an escape pack could be kept in the storeroom near the tunnel entrance so it would be close at hand. The two men agreed and the matter was settled.

Shortly, the men would be gone. Who would be leaving with Cadell and Gideon was the next matter to be discussed. Neill, Idelle's husband would be leaving with them. Gideon had carefully watched each of the warriors on the practice field.

He and Cadell compared their observations. Neill was steady and dependable. Manius, Dalziel, Kai, Ross and Sim, all were seasoned warriors. They would be going with Cadell and Gideon. It was decided that Adair and Banner, both young men, would be accompanying the MacGrough contingent. This would be their introduction to war.

Four seasoned men would be staying at home to protect the clan. They would be needed to help Ailene. It would do no good to support the king then return home to find their own keep and clan had been reduced to poverty.

The fields and animals would provide the support needed to enable them to in turn support The Bruce. Each member of Clan MacGrough contributed to the war effort. Those not fighting with the king would be helping Ailene with all the chores necessary to maintain the clan during this difficult time.

In the days, which followed Ainsley, took Crayton with him to hunt deer. Boyd and two younger lads went hunting for rabbits or fowl. When Ainsley returned with a deer Ailene dried a portion for the keep. Tavin put some of the game in the smoking shed. A portion was set aside to send along with Gideon and her father as well.

As Gideon was not in the habit of eating meat more than a few times a week, she sent Dallas and his father out to place fish traps in the burn. There were several ponds down stream where she knew fish could be found. She did not send Dallas off alone, as he was too young to defend himself. His father, quite a bit older than his mother, went along with the lad. Parlan and Dallas brought home several fish each day. She had Parlan fillet the fish, which set to dry in the kitchen.

She doubted her father and Gideon wished to carry too much in the way of supplies. She wished to give them something to tide them over should they need it. She knew what The Bruce and his men had suffered the previous year. The stories told by his men at the gathering they had attended had been appalling. The men had told of The Bruce's suffering privation and cold along with his men that winter. Ailene knew her father would not do so well in that circumstance. Gideon being younger he would likely fair better.

Waulked plaids would be sent along with them. Thick and warm the woolen material would help keep them warm wherever they might find themselves. The women had waulked enough finished plaids to send one with each man. The plaids so treated had fibers more closely interlocked and shed moisture well. Ailene and the other women had used their feet and warm water to bind the fibers closely together. Then the plaids had been stretched on tenterhooks and left to dry.

It was important to Ailene that The McGrough men were sent off with what was necessary. They must have the best available. All the clan worked long and hard at provisioning their warriors.

No matter how tired she was at the end of the day, Ailene found a second wind when she and Gideon retired for the night. She knew it was the same for him. They soothed each other with gentle touches and made love.

Lying in the flickering firelight, Ailene knew there was not much time left for her to talk to Gideon regarding her father's ailment. Before either of them drifted off to sleep, Ailene turned her head to whisper in his ear.

"Gideon, I must speak with ye on an important matter."

She watched his eyelids flutter for a moment as he strove to stay awake.

"Yes? I am listening."

"I have waited to speak with ye of this. I no ken how to begin."

She could tell by the slight change in his breathing that she had his attention. In silence he waited.

"Fayther, he has an illness."

Ailene felt the tensions in him increase, still he was silent. Ailene took a deep breath then went on.

"He was injured a few years ago. A head injury, ye ken? There are times he kens naught. He stands as a pillar and naught touches him until the spell passes."

Ailene kept her voice down not wanting her father to know she was confiding his secret to Gideon.

"Is there any way of knowing when this will happen?"

Gideon whispered back.

"Nay. It comes and then it gaes awa. It has no happened in a while. But I no think it has left him."

Ailene had reached for his hand, she was holding it tightly. Gideon reached out with his free hand, gripped her shoulder then turned her to face him.

"Head injuries are strange things Ailene. I have seen them cause men to do very odd things. Sometimes things right themselves and at times they do not."

She could not stop the tears that began to fall.

"I am sorry Gideon, ye will no be able to count on him in battle. I had to tell ye. I was not sure he could do so, ken?"

"Hush! I understand Ailene. He is head of this clan. That would be difficult for any man and more so for him. I will remember."

Gideon kissed her cheek.

"I will watch out for him, I want him to be here to welcome our children into the world."

Ailene's heart filled with love for the man she lay against. God had sent this good man to be hers. He understood. She began to cry. Gideon held her to his chest as the tears fell. Cuddling her close, he comforted her.

As Ailene cried, Gideon thought about what she had told him. He was very fond of The MacGrough. The man had welcomed him as a son. Gideon vowed to care for him as he would his own father.

The problem would be doing so without Cadell realizing he was being catered to. He would not be able to confide in anyone else. This would be his worry alone. Not exactly his worry alone, Ailene would be here worrying about all of them. Gideon continued to gentle her until she fell asleep.

Over twenty days had passed when the news came. Two lads from Maldin MacFarlane, cousin to Lennox, rode into the glen. They were in a hurry to continue around the head of Loch Lomond on their way to The Gregor. In the morning the MacGrough men would leave to join The Bruce. That night Gideon and Ailene did not sleep until very late in the early morning.

On arising Ailene tried hard to keep a cheerful attitude. As she helped Gideon to gather his goods then followed him down the stairs to the hall, she was biting her lip to keep from crying. Gideon carried his things to the yard. Ailene followed him. He glanced at her, stopped then laying his pack down took her by the hand. Gideon led her a pace or two away from everyone else. He lifted her chin when she refused to look at him.

"Ailene? What are you thinking?"

"I tried. I am no able to send you awa with a cheerful face."

She was wringing her hands. His voice was soft as Gideon stared into her eyes.

"Ailene, would you have me believe you do not care?"

"Nay!"

She tried to keep from sobbing and could not do so. Gideon took her in his arms and rocked her slightly.

"I care not if you send me off cheerfully. Your heart is in your eyes Ailene and that is not wrong."

He whispered in her ear not wishing any other to hear.

"I will come back to you Ailene. That I know you want me back will only encourage me to fight harder to do so. Now, give me a kiss then let me go love."

She did as he asked. Head held high, tears streamed down her face as she watched him mount the horse she had given him. She prayed God would see fit to return her husband to her along with her father. She ran over to Cadell to give him as hug before he mounted. Then the MacGroughs were off. They rode south, to join their king.

There was only the slight creak of the leather to mark their passing as they began to climb out of the glen. All metal has been carefully wrapped with leather thongs so there would be no jingling of bridles, no noise to give them away. Gideon and Cadell rode side by side on the wide trail, which led down to the MacFarlane lands on the west side of Loch Lomond.

Gideon did not look back as they crested the first ridge. Ailene knew he would not. She watched as they rode over the ridge then disappeared down the other side. Cadell had not looked back into the glen either. One hand holding the reins, the other on his hip, Cadell did not turn his head as he spoke to the young man riding beside him.

"I ken this is difficult for both of ye."

Gideon's horse tossed its head. He reached down to pat the animal's neck.

"I knew what the bargain with the king would entail when I agreed to it. I did not know I would find Ailene. Leaving her there is the hardest thing I have ever done."

He spoke softly so the words would not reach the ears of the men riding with them. Each of them was leaving their family behind. No one needed a reminder.

They had traversed the small depression and were riding up the side of another ridge. Cadell's horse snorted at something in the brush beside the trail. He pulled up slightly on the reins. In the pale light they climbed upward.

Cadell nodded slightly.

"Aye, lad. I felt the same leaving her mother."

Gideon was silent for a moment.

"We are to gather at Kilwinning?"

"Aye. Tis near the same distance as we traveled after ye and Ailene wed."

Cadell shifted his weight slightly in the saddle.

"Ye ken I fear this wa be a long and difficult road. I dinna ken when we shall see the glen once more."

Gideon's voice was flat and his reply short.

"Aye, sir. I ken."

Cadell would have smiled at the speed with which his lad was becoming Scots if it were not for the situation they found themselves in. He wished it could have been as he had related to MacGregor, the lad and Ailene had just found one another. 'Would to God it was so!'

Resisting the urge to glance back over his shoulder, Cadell settled himself more firmly in the saddle. He knew this would not do. Regrets would not carry him through the fighting that was sure to follow. In his head he heard the skirling of the pipes. Without the support of the Comyn faction this was likely to be a long arduous campaign. It would do no good to voice his suspicions to Gideon. Cadell felt Gideon had enough to think upon as it was.

A pang of misgiving struck him. Cadell buried it. It was not the proper time to tell Gideon of his infirmity. That should have been done prior to leaving. In the beginning his reasons had been to not disturb the bairns. Gideon and Ailene had been so self absorbed, so taken with one another he had been reluctant to intrude.

'Mayhap, mayhap not.' Cadell was forced to admit to himself that as nothing had happened in a goodly while, he hoped it was over. He prayed it was done with. Were it to strike him again at the wrong time... Each man riding with him this day was confident The MacGrough would cover his back. Cadell took a deep breath and pushed it all to the back of his mind. Brooding over it would not help. They needed to get past those who opposed The Bruce and safely get to their destination. This was his duty and he must see to it.