The Border Vixen (45 page)

“Is it not enough that the English are raiding us with impunity? Now I must start a feud between the Hays and the Kerrs,” Fingal Stewart said angrily. Then he said to Jock, “Do ye have a stallion for me, man?”

“I do,” the gypsy replied. “But not here. The horse I have for ye, my lord, is too fine for the marketplace. Our encampment is in a field about three miles from the city, north on the Perth road. Come tomorrow morning, and ye’ll see.”

“I’ll be there early,” Fin said.

Jock nodded.

Lord Stewart and Archie returned to Torra House.

“Is there anything to pack?” Fin asked his man.

Archie chuckled. “I’ve already burned what ye were wearing when ye got here,” he said. “Yer wearing what ye own, but for a second shirt. I’ll fold it, and put it in my saddlebag. I take it we’ll purchase yer stallion, and immediately make our way home.”

Lord Stewart nodded grimly. “God’s foot! I’ll need a saddle, and bridle for my horse. We’ll have to go back to the market square, and see if we can find one.”

“We passed a leather maker’s stall near where Jock had his horse,” Archie said.

The two men walked back to the market and found the leather maker.

“I need a saddle and bridle,” Fin told the craftsman.

“I can make ye one, my lord, but ’twill take several weeks,” the man replied.

“I need something immediately,” Fin responded.

“Then ye don’t mind something secondhand?” The leather maker was surprised. This was obviously a gentleman.

“It’s either that or I ride into the Borders bareback and clutching my horse’s mane,” Fin said with a small attempt at humor.

The leather maker chuckled. “Actually, my lord, I have a saddle I made for a gentleman of the old king’s court last year. But he never came back for it, and he paid me but a small deposit.”

“I’ll take it,” Fin said without hesitation.

“Look first, my lord, ’tis a plain thing with no embellishments at all.”

“I’m no courtier. I need nothing more than a plain saddle and bridle,” Fin told the man. “Let me see it.”

The leather maker turned and went into the back of his stall. When he returned, he carried with him a beautifully made leather saddle with matching bridle. “Here it is, my lord,” he said, wiping it off with his apron. “ ’Tis a bit dusty, but fine otherwise.”

Fin ran his hand over the leather. It was very finely tanned, and as smooth as silk.

He looked to Archie. “What do ye think?”

Archie nodded.

“How much?”

The leather maker named his price, but then said, “I’m deducting the deposit, for it was paid, my lord. I imagine the man who ordered it was killed in the wars last year, which is why he didn’t come back.”

Fin nodded. “Aye, that is possible.” He turned to Archie. “Pay him,” he said.

The transaction completed, the two men took the saddle and its equipment to return to Torra House. They made one stop before they departed the market square to purchase a thick square of woven wool that would serve as a saddle blanket. When they reached the house, they found Boyle, the estate agent, waiting for them.

“Ah, my lord, yer looking much better than ye looked several weeks ago when I first saw ye returned,” he said. Seeing the saddle on Archie’s arm he asked, “Will ye be leaving Edinburgh soon?”

“On the morrow,” Fin answered him. “Ye can rent it again, minding ye keep to the same terms, Boyle.”

“My lord!” Boyle attempted to look distressed. “Have I not been faithful to our agreement these past years?”

Fin laughed. “Aye, ye have,” he admitted.

“I have a group of Protestant lords coming in from the north in a few days,” he told Fin. “They’ve rested in this house before, and they sent to me this day. I’m relieved I can accommodate them once again.” He bowed politely. “Godspeed, my lord. Safe home.”

Then turning, he hurried off down the street.

They were gone from Torra House as the first fingers of light began to clutch at the skies above. Archie had insisted that Fin ride his horse until they reached the gypsy encampment. He walked sedately alongside his master, carrying the new saddle and bridle. Leaving the city proper, they turned north and stepped onto the Perth road. Several miles later with the horizon beginning to display a rainbow of color, they reached their destination.

The small wagons were carefully placed in a defensive circle. A communal fire blazed high in the center of the camp, which was already alive with men and women preparing for their day. Children raced about. Dogs barked. Fin was certain he heard a rooster crow as several chickens scattered in front of him. Jock came from the largest of the wagons to greet them.

“Good morrow,” he said. “Yer right on time to get a good distance today. Come, and I show ye the animal I have in mind for ye. But remember, my lord, the beast must like ye or I cannot sell him to ye.” He led them to the edge of the encampment where just beyond in a field a herd of horses grazed. The gypsy whistled a sharp note.

Fin watched as a black stallion raised his head from the sweet grass, and then obediently trotted over to where they stood. The horse was absolutely beautiful. He was as black as the darkest night but for a light marking on his left shoulder. The marking was small, but as it was pure white against the animal’s silky midnight black hide, quite distinct.

“It looks like a comet,” Fin said, noting the small round head attached to a curving tail. Reaching out, he rubbed the horse’s soft muzzle.

“Ye have guessed his name, my lord. ’Tis Comet,” Jock said.

Fin looked the animal directly in his liquid brown eyes. The creature had an intelligent air about him. Leaning forward, Fin blew gently into Comet’s nostrils.

The horse nudged Fin back gently with his muzzle. “May I ride ye, Comet?” Fin asked.

The horse appeared to nod his head up and down. Grasping a handful of mane, Lord Stewart swung himself up onto the beast’s back, and they galloped off across the field, sending the other horses scattering.

Jock nodded. “I knew it was his horse,” he said to Archie. “I’ve raised him since he was born, and I couldn’t let him go to just anyone. I’ve had offers, but the men were never right. Yer master is.”

“Is he saddle broke?” Archie asked in practical tones. A horse was a horse.

“Aye, and I see ye’ve brought one along. Good!” Jock replied.

The horse was incredible, Fin thought as they galloped around the meadow. He had a smooth gait, and he wasn’t winded at all when they returned to where Archie and Jock stood awaiting them. The animal had strong long legs and a broad chest. He was perfect. They came to a stop, and Fin slid off.

“If ye feel that Comet has accepted me, I would gladly have him for my own,” Fin politely said to the gypsy. “He’s a grand beast. I’ve never ridden finer.”

“I can see he’s yers, my lord,” Jock said. “Now, there is just the small matter of his purchase. I will want a gold piece for him.”

“Too much! Too much!” Archie said, glowering at Jock.

“He’s worth it,” Fin responded, “but I have no gold. I can give ye five pieces of silver, all true weight, none clipped.”

“Comet is worth more,” Jock said quietly.

“When ye come to Brae Aisir in the autumn,” Fin promised, “ye will be welcomed again, and always. There will be water for ye, wood for yer fires, and hay for yer animals. In addition, I will give ye five additional silver pieces.”

Jock thought for a long minute. Finally he nodded in the affirmative. He spit in his hand and held it out to Lord Stewart, who returned the gesture. The two men shook hands. “We have an agreement, my lord,” the gypsy said. “Now take yer horse, and ride for Brae Aisir before another starts plowing with yer mare.”

“She’ll kill him first,” Fin chuckled as he handed the five silver pieces to Jock.

“Aye, I believe she would, but still if ye hurry, ye can save her the trouble, and kill him yerself,” Jock replied. “My wife read the cards for ye last night. Yer way is difficult, but ye’ll have yer way in the end, my lord.”

While the two men had concluded their business and talked, Archie had laid the new blanket across the horse’s back, saddled, and bridled him. Comet danced, now ready to go. Fin mounted his new animal, and with a wave at Jock, the two men road off south for the Borders.

It was a good day for traveling, and they rode the day long. As it was midsummer, the sun did not set, nor the light fade till late. They stopped to rest the horses twice, once taking time to eat the simple rations they carried—oatcakes and cheese. Their flasks were filled with wine, and when the wine ran out, they would drink water. At first the sun was warm on their backs, but as it moved west as the hours passed, it came about to shine in their faces as they rode, and finally moved around to their right.

At twilight they found themselves shelter by a low stone wall that edged a portion of the road. They staked the horses in the field beyond to graze after watering them in a nearby stream. They ate sparingly from their food, and then slept as the summer darkness fell. When they awoke, the moon was shining down so brightly upon the road that Fin decided they might ride on. Watering the animals again, they saddled up and went on their way, heading south and slightly west.

The sun rose in a blaze of spendor. It was a fine summer’s day. Hearing hoofbeats, they slipped into the shadows of a small wood to watch as a large party of men galloped by. The men bore no plaids or badges. Who knew who or what they were or where they were headed. They rode by meadows of sheep and fields of cattle. Now and again they saw a cottage or tower house in the distance. Passing men and women in the fields haying, they noticed there was always someone watching that those working be kept safe. In midmorning they stopped once again to rest their beasts and eat.

They rode on until finally it was necessary to leave the main road. They moved onto a smaller, barely visible track. They rested again, ate, rode onward. By the time the sun set on the second day, they were beginning to recognize the countryside around them. They stopped to shelter in a deserted, tumbledown cottage with no roof. Once again the horses were staked nearby.

“If my memory is functioning properly,” Fin said, “we are about half a day’s ride from Brae Aisir. If the weather remains clear, we can ride by moonlight again, and reach it by midmorning. We’ll shelter in the village first so I may learn what is happening.”

“Let me ride in before ye do, my lord,” Archie said.

Fin considered and realized it was a very good idea. They ate what remained of their small rations and then slept. The moon was high when they arose, saddled their horses, and rode on. They were surprised to find they were closer than they had thought to Brae Aisir village. They arrived just as dawn was breaking. Fin waited in a small grove of trees while Archie, leaving his horse behind, walked quietly to the cottage he knew belonged to Clennon Kerr’s family. He knocked softly. The door opened, and Archie stepped into the dwelling to find himself face-to-face with Brae Aisir’s captain.

“Archie! Yer back!” the captain said to Lord Stewart’s servant.

“Aye,” came the answer. “Edinburgh is still there,” Lord Stewart’s servant said drolly, “and I’ve had incredible luck, Clennon Kerr.”

“What luck?” Clennon Kerr asked.

Archie grinned. “My lord is in the wood just outside of the village. ’Tis a long tale, and his to tell, but I’ve brought him home safe.”

“Praise Jesu and his Blessed Mother!” Clennon Kerr said. “He is just in time to prevent that cur Ewan Hay from forcing the lady to the altar.”

“I thought the marriage was to be celebrated at Lammastide,” Archie said.

“The Hay has grown frightened she might escape him, and several of the neighboring lairds have come to insist she wed him. They will not listen to either our laird or the lady. Father David said he would wed no woman who was unwilling. The Hay sent for another priest, a man without scruples, from Haydoun, to perform the ceremony. He tried to coerce Mad Maggie by threatening her lads. But she got them from the keep two nights ago, and Iver took them to Netherdale for safety. The wee lassie is safe here in the village. Ewan Hay couldn’t tell her apart from any other bairn.

“He has control of the keep while our lads lurk in the shadows waiting to retake it, but without someone to lead them, how can they? I have not the skills for such an endeavor, nor does Iver. The wedding is scheduled for this morning,” Clennon Kerr told Archie. “But the master will have to regain the keep to stop it, and the drawbridge is kept up at all times. There is, however, a secret passage that goes beneath the moat into the cellars. With Lord Stewart at our head we can regain the keep.”

“Where is Iver?” Archie asked.

“Come,” Clennon Kerr said. “I’ll take ye to him. He’s just back.”

The two men left the cottage. The village was beginning to stir with women coming from their cottages to go to the fountain and fill their pails and jugs with water.

Clennon Kerr stopped to whisper into the ears of several of the women. By the smiles suddenly appearing upon their faces, Archie knew the captain was telling them Lord Stewart had survived and was back. Everything was going to be all right.

In another small cottage they found Iver. Fin’s captain almost wept with the news that Archie brought. “Let us go and fetch him now!” Iver said.

The three men walked through the village onto the narrow track, and out into the grove of trees where Fingal Stewart now waited. The two captains fell to their knees, catching at Fin’s big hands to kiss them. Lord Stewart urged them up onto their feet.

Then he listened as they told him what was about to transpire.

“Jock’s wife was right,” Fin said slowly.

“We must hurry!” Clennon Kerr said. “The tunnel may not be clear. It has not been used in many years.”

“He won’t attempt to bed her until tonight,” Fin said quietly. “Any marriage vows spoken will be null and void, for I am her husband, and I live. I sent a message to Brae Aisir a few weeks back telling Maggie I was alive. Ewan Hay condemns himself when he thinks to wed my wife. But why would she wed him, knowing I was coming home?”