A Time of Madness

by Marti Talbott

  SAWNEY AND HEW LEFT Paisley in the care of her aunt and then busied themselves gathering the red and gold leaves for Paisley’s hair dye. Carley, Justin’s only living sister, already had a pot of water boiling over the fire in the hearth when they returned to the small cottage. She wore the same white shirt and green pleated plaid the rest of the clan’s women wore, only Carley’s thin frame did not show her figure off as well as it once did. Her hair had turned gray, she has bags under her eyes and crow’s feet marked the corners.

  Her cottage was much like all the others with sod walls and a thatched room. It was small with only two rooms, one for eating and one for sleeping, yet it held a bed in each room for the times someone wished to stay the night. A small table and four chairs were placed in the middle of the first room and a shelf along one wall held the water bucket, wooden bowls, goblets, and spoons. Her beloved second husband’s weapons hung proudly on one wall and an old, tattered, yet colorful tapestry handed down through four generations hung on the opposite. It was of a red deer and all who saw it marveled at the meticulous craftsmanship.

  Carley quickly added the red and yellow leaves, plus a few green ones, to the pot of hot water and stirred the mixture. Adding green leaves made the dye more brown than red and in no time at all, the water began to darken.

  Once the brothers wandered off to let the women tend the chore, Paisley changed out of the dark blue of her husband’s clan into the green colors of her father’s. She was home, glad of it and as soon as the mixture cooled, she stepped outside and let Carley carefully poor it on her white hair. It appeared to be working. The last step was to let it dry in the sunshine so she and Carley carried chairs outside. Already, Paisley was beginning to feel like an altogether different woman.

  HEW WALKED WITH HIS brother to the corral and wanted desperately to ask if he would become Sawney’s second in command. On the other hand, he would know soon enough and putting pressure on his brother at a time like this seemed unfair. Instead, he watched a sleek horse trot around the inside of the corral fence. It had a beautiful golden coat, a white mane, and a long tail that touched the ground.

  “What will you do with Father’s horse?” Hew finally asked.

  “He is old, does not come when anyone calls but Father and he deserves to be put to pasture.”

  “I agree, he has been a faithful friend. Do you suppose he senses Father has passed?”

  “Who is to say what a horse does and does not sense? Perhaps Paisley will want him. Training him to come when she calls would take her mind off her troubles.”

  “That is a grand idea,” said Hew. “You don’t suppose he will try to eat her hair now that she smells like leaves, do you?”

  For the first time in days, Sawney chuckled. “I had not thought of that.” He turned around to lean against the fence and his smile quickly faded. The people were gathering in the courtyard and it could only be for one reason—to choose their next laird. He had not expected it so soon, but getting it all said and done would suit him just fine.

  NEASAN STAYED IN THE back of the crowd in the courtyard so as not to be obvious. Yet the one person he wanted to see was not there and he thought it odd. Perhaps Paisley was still with her aunt or better yet, inside the Keep. No matter, the Keep would be his home soon enough and then he could go in and find her. Her husband’s suicide was his good fortune. He intended to kill Laird Chisholm Graham soon anyway, and the man just saved him the trouble.

  Neasan’s plan was coming together very nicely, he thought. For years, he suspected the MacGreagor laird held vast wealth, and the proof was in the golden chalice offered for Paisley’s safe return when she was abducted. No one had ever seen it before, but Justin made certain all of them saw it the day after Paisley was taken. Where there was one thing made of gold, there were bound to be others.

  The only question was—where did Justin keep his wealth? It had to be in his third-floor bedchamber, the one Justin allowed only a few people to see. One way or another, Neasan would have that bedchamber and all the wealth to himself - even if he had to fight Sawney to get it. Moreover, if all went as planned, he would have Justin’s title, his wealth, and his precious daughter. The thought made Neasan smile.

  Only one thing stood in his way - Sawney MacGreagor. The people liked Sawney well enough, but he offered no adventure, no excitement, and not nearly enough merriment. Neasan was willing to let them have all that and more. Hopefully, it would be enough.

  Standing in front of him, Dena turned to smile at Neasan, a smile he gladly returned. He anticipated great pleasure once he got her in his bed, but she was not the one he would marry. A willing woman could never be the mistress of his clan. Of course, she thought she was to be the next mistress and to encourage her; he put his hand on her shoulder. Her large family would keep her future in mind as they cast their shouts in his favor, and touching her as if it were pleasing to him, added further encouragement.

  CHAPTER IV

  SEATED ON A CHAIR OUTSIDE Carley’s cottage, Paisley finished brushing her brown hair dry. While Carley went to the courtyard to watch the choosing, Paisley was content to just sit in the sun and await the predictable outcome. She had yet to shed a tear for her husband. Perhaps the tears would come later, but for now she was a MacGreagor again, savored her newly found freedom and anticipated a better future. One very good thing had come from Chisholm’s death - she was now a widow instead of being marked as an adulteress.

  Paisley avoided looking at them when people walked past, and none seemed to unduly notice her. She too was surprised the clan wanted to choose a new laird so soon, but if that’s what they wanted, so be it. It would be an exciting day for Sawney and there would be a very large celebration after. Perhaps it would be fun to attend the festivities and see how long it took the clan to recognize her.

  THE CROWD WAS AS LARGE as it was ever going to get when Sawney and Hew walked from the corral to the courtyard. The people were a sea of green all anxious to cast their votes and several of the men came to stand with Sawney, all of them very large and all them the surviving sons or married to the daughters of Justin’s four sisters.

  As was the MacGreagor custom, the eldest of the elders climbed up to stand on the short wall and then held up his hand to quiet the crowd. Markus, Dena’s father, wore his age of 56 years well despite his graying hair. “We all mourn the loss of Laird Justin, but ‘tis time to get on with it. We choose this day the new laird.” He paused for just a moment before he asked, “Whom do you choose?”

  The first shout was for Sawney, but it was not long before shouts for Neasan drown Sawney’s supporters out. “Neasan, Neasan, Neasan,” they chanted until Markus held up his hand again. The old man could not hide his joy and grinned at Dena. “The people have chosen Neasan!”

  Before the crowd could cheer, Daniel spoke out, “Neasan is a traitor, and you all know it!”

  “He has changed!” a Neasan supporter yelled.

  Sawney took a step closer to the elder. “My Father said the people are to choose, but can you truly follow a traitor? How long before he betrays all of you as well?”

  Neasan pushed his way through the crowd and then turned to face Sawney. “Prove I am a traitor.” He watched Sawney look at his brother and then lower his eyes. “I thought not. Heretofore, I shall be your laird and you shall be my followers. Get your belongings out of my keep!”

  Blare was furious and stepped forward to stand next to Sawney. “Dare you command Justin’s son? I will not follow you and I fear for those who do!”

  “Then you shall be banished, you and all those who hold with the old ways,” said Neasan.

  “What old ways? Those that protect our lasses and children and keep us out of war? Do these offend you?” asked Keter.

  Neasan smirked. “I see no glory in staying out of war. How does a lad prove himself if he never fights? As to the other,” Neasan continued, “our lasses are willful. They put upon the lads unthinkable demands knowing there is no punishment. Let them feel the
wrath of their husbands and mind their place.”

  “I choose banishment!” Keter shouted. “Cursed be the lad who lays a hand on my wife and daughters!”

  “Banishment it is then,” Neasan yelled back. “Go now, take your family, and be gone with all of you!”

  A long silence fell on the crowd as Neasan and Sawney glared at one another. Men on both sides kept their hands at the ready to take up swords, but it was up to Sawney to give the word and he had not yet said the word.

  Both her sons now faced banishment and Carley looked the most horrified. For generations, the men in Justin’s family held command of the clan with pride, but it appeared all was suddenly lost. She had lived too long, she thought, yet if ever she was to speak up, now was the time. “And our belongings? Are we to leave without...”

  She was the one woman Neasan respected and for her sake, he turned away from Sawney and lowered his voice. It was Carley who spoke up for him that night so long ago and he knew it. “Let it not be said the MacGreagors cast you out with nothing.”

  The people parted to let her through. Carley ignored everyone and walked forward until she stood directly in front of the new laird. “Let it not be said that you are MacGreagors and we are not. ‘Tis my ancestors who gave over the name.”

  Neasan lowered his gaze and thought about that. “Perhaps you are right. The MacGreagor name will be vile to us now and we should choose a new one.” His eyes suddenly brightened over the idea of passing his first edict. “Heretofore, I the son of David, decree our new name to be Davidson. Be gone with you, all you MacGreagors and do it before the sun sets this day. I care not to look upon your faces ever again!”

  PAISLEY HEARD THE SHOUTS of the crowd and knew Sawney had lost. Yet it was not until Carley came rushing back that she began to truly believe it.

  Nearly out of breath, Carley took her hand, pulled Paisley inside, and closed the door. She recited what happened while she went to the back wall of the cottage and began to wiggle the first of two stones free. Two generations before, it was a new cottage with a hollow hiding place built into the wall and it was there Justin hid his wealth.

  “Sawney, Hew, Daniel, and my sons have been banished. You will go with them. Make haste, Paisley, untie your belt. You must wear the golden sword under your plaid.”

  It took a moment for Paisley to make sense of her aunt’s words. She would go with her brothers, of that she had no doubt, but was it wise to take the sword with them? Most of Scotland believed the rumors about a golden sword were just part of an old legend, but there truly was a sword with a blade made of gold, and Carley wanted her to take on the enormous responsibility of keeping it safe. “Nay Aunt, ‘tis fine for standing, but the sword will show when I mount a horse. Is there no other way?”

  Carley reached into the hiding place and withdrew a long sheath with the sword inside. “Then wear it without. No one knows we have it and Neasan will think it normal for you to be well armed.”

  Paisley took the sheath Carley handed her and started to wrap the strings around her waist. The heavy sword was obviously meant for a man, but she was tall enough to keep it from looking too out of place. “What of the rest of it?”

  Carley put the stones back. “Let it stay with me.” Next, she grabbed an empty cloth sack and looked around for supplies to send with them.

  “You are not coming with us?” She was about to cry and had to deeply breathe a couple of times to control her emotions.

  “I am old, dear one. I would slow you or worse, die on the way.”

  “But where will we go?”

  SAWNEY WANTED TO FIGHT—TO lash out at anyone who opposed him, but he remembered his father’s admonishment to first keep himself alive. Besides, he knew not which he could trust and without many a good man on his side, he feared fighting would be a fatal error. It was difficult to turn away, but he forced himself to do just that and headed for the large three-story keep.

  As the faithful in the crowd gathered around him, Neasan languishing in his new found fame and did not seem to notice both Sawney and Hew go inside the only home they had ever known. He had not considered banishing the brothers, but just now, it seemed a brilliant stroke of fortune to have done so. This way, he did not have to worry they would find a way of preventing him from claiming Justin’s wealth or making Paisley his bride.

  He looked down at the woman he had his arm around and smiled. Dena would be a delight this night and he deserved a private celebration, unless he drank too much. If he did, her virtues would surely keep until the next night.

  SAWNEY AND HEW MIGHT have relished a moment to savor being inside their home for the last time, but instead they hurried up the first flight of stairs to their bedchambers, stuffed belongings in sacks and grabbed weapons. As soon as they were finished, they quickly went back down the stairs and escape through the back door.

  As he walked out, Sawney heard Neasan and his men enter the great hall and begin to shout in celebration. It made him sick and he vowed not to forget that feeling all the days of his life. The clan, his father’s beloved clan, was in for murderous times and there was nothing he could do about it.

  NOT ALL WERE HAPPY to see Justin’s family go and some were tempted to go with them, but for one reason or another, they decided against it. Nevertheless, they risked Neasan’s retribution by preparing mounts and loading pack horses with enough food and water to see the MacGreagors through for a couple of days. It was the least they could do for Justin’s sons.

  There wasn’t much time. The afternoon sun seemed to be moving across the sky more quickly than usual and Sawney wasn’t even certain who was going and who was staying. The best thing to do, he decided, was for him and Hew to mount their horses and wait in the middle of the glen for the others... if there were others.

  WITH HER FAMILY STANDING inside her cottage, Carley held up her hand to silence her pleading sons. “I will stay, and that is an end to it. Neasan listens to me and perhaps I can help those who remain behind.”

  “Then we will stay as well,” said Keter, her eldest son. He wrapped his arms around his mother and kissed the top of her head.

  “You cannot, you have been banished and Neasan will kill you. You can best serve me if you take my grandchildren to a place of safety and hold dear the old ways.”

  Carley hugged Keter’s wife, Gavina, and their daughters, Dolina and Elspeth. The girls were not yet ready for marriage, but they were not little anymore either. She picked a mirror with a carved wooden handle up off her shelf and gave it Gavina. “This belonged to our great-great grandmother, see that it stays in the family.” Carley waited for Gavina’s nod and turned to her second son

  Blare took his turn and held her for a long moment. “We will come back for you, Mother.”

  She pulled away and smiled. “If you can. First, you must see that everyone survives and Justin’s son is protected. By the time you come back, many will have tasted Neasan’s treachery long enough.” She kissed Blare’s wife, Jennet, and each of their two nearly grown sons, Daw and Cormac on the cheek and then went back to her shelf.

  Carley took the lid off her jar, reached inside and retrieved a small cloth sack. She pulled the strings apart, opened it and let Keter see the jewels. “Justin gave them to me some weeks hence and you can use them as barter.” She added the small sack to a larger one containing the few oats she had on hand, and watched him tie it around his waist.

  Then she turned to her younger son again. “Remember the old stories and tell the children often so they know from where they came.”

  “We will, Mother,” said Blare.

  Daniel’s wife passed in childbirth, but he still had three children, Senga, a daughter old enough to marry, Logan, a son age five and three-year-old Flora. He was having trouble controlling his anger, as he always did, but when Carley came to him, he let it pass.

  “You are my sister Brenna’s son whom I love very much. You are the eldest and you must give your advice to Sawney with great care. You should have you
r grandfather Neil’s sword, but I suppose Neasan has it now. Perhaps someday...”

  Daniel returned her embrace and smiled to comfort her. “I assure you, we will be back to reclaim it.”

  She paused to take a deep breath and hoped she was not forgetting anything. Her heart was breaking, but she didn’t let them see. Instead, she hugged Paisley and then turned her attention back to Keter. “Begin a rumor...say,” she paused to think of something, “Say you saw a gray wolf with eyes the color of the sky. Then I will know you are safe.”

  THE SUN WAS MIDWAY to setting when Paisley went out the door of Carley’s cottage with her cousins and their families. With pride, she walked to her brothers in the glen and was surprised to find her Father’s horse waiting for her. As soon as Keter helped her up and handed her the reins, she adjusted the golden sword to make certain it did not look out of place. Everything was happening so fast, too fast for any of them to comprehend what it truly meant.

  Both Sawney and Hew had to take a second look at the woman with light brown hair just to be certain she was their sister. At length, both smiled their approval, which pleased her very much.

  The packhorses had straps over their backs with full baskets and cloth sacks tied on each side. Paisley took that to mean there were several who cared about their survival and it warmed her otherwise cold heart. Then Daniel put little Flora, in Paisley’s lap and that helped even more. She had someone to care for now and it gave her renewed strength.

  Sawney remained on his horse next to Hew and waited for the others to collect and mount their horses. They were the ones he expected would go with him, but then he saw something he did not expect. Carrying their belongings, Lenox, Moffet, and Diocail made their way through the watching crowd and started toward them.