A Time of Madness

by Marti Talbott

  Emotionally numb, few said anything as they unloaded their things and let the horses wander away to graze. Sawney watched to see which way the stallion went and fully expected never to see it again. Justin’s horse followed the Stallion and since it did not yet come to any of them when called, he feared they would lose his Father’s horse too. None of them dared leave the clan and there was little he could about it now.

  Darkness was almost upon them when they ate a meal, although most of them were not hungry. Using their long cowhide cloaks, they made beds, settled the younger children, and gathered to decide what to do.

  Jennet could not help but stare at Paisley’s hair. “How have you done that?”

  “Does it please you?” Paisley held her breath hoping for a positive reply.

  “It is so very different; I hardly know what to say. Perhaps when we have become more accustom to it.” The eldest of the women, although not by much, Jennet could always be counted on for an honest opinion. For as long as Jennet could remember, Blare had been the man for her and together they had four children.

  Blare and Jennet’s sons, Daw and Cormay, were in their teens, capable of handling the packhorses and could fight if need be. The couple lost two daughters in the fever, one older than the boys and one younger. It wasn’t hard to see that grief had taken its toll on Jennet, and now they had no home. Deciding if she liked Paisley’s hair helped keep her mind occupied.

  “I find it very pleasing,” said Hew. “As I recall, it was that color when we were growing up.”

  Paisley was a little disappointed in Jennet’s reply, but perhaps she was right, it would take a little getting used to. She took a moment to look at all their faces. Was this truly all that was left of Justin’s beloved MacGreagors? Not truly, five cousins were left behind, married to men who did not bring them and what was a woman to do in that case? Paisley was sincerely grateful not to have a husband to decide her future. Perhaps remaining unmarried would be a good thing.

  “I choose Sawney to be our laird. Do you agree?” Keter asked, breaking the silence. He waited for the others to say yea or nay, but there were no nays. Tears finally streamed down the cheeks of the women and it was good for them to release their emotions. Keter and Blare comforted their wives and older daughters while Hew put his arm around Paisley.

  “We should have fought him,” said Daniel. He was proud of his warrior skills and still having trouble holding back his anger.

  Before Sawney could speak, Keter put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “We might have died and you must not leave your children without a mother and a father. We are charged with protecting Justin’s sons and it is a great honor.”

  Daniel knew Keter was right and lowered his eyes.

  At just fifteen, Keter’s daughter Elspeth looked more worried than sad. “I thought half the clan would come with us.”

  Keter lovingly touched the side of her face. “They are frightened. The lads feared their families will not live.”

  “Will we live, Father?” Elspeth asked.

  Keter was quick to let go of his wife and hug his eldest daughter. “I will not allow any of us to die. We are MacGreagors and we have survived worse.”

  Elspeth nodded and then turned her attention to Sawney. “Do you think Grandfather Justin watches over us?”

  Sawney smiled. “I pray he does, I am in need of his wise counsel.”

  Still a little angry, Daniel slightly raised his voice. “Their families might not survive Neasan. Justin should have done away with him years ago.”

  “He thought to, but Mother stopped him,” said Keter.

  “She erred,” Daniel shot back.

  Blare put a finger to his lips and cautioned Daniel to speak softer. “Just now Mother is our greatest advantage. The clan will listen to her and perhaps turn on Neasan. Then we can go home.”

  Still awake, eleven-year-old Dolina sat up in her bed. “But why must we be quiet always?”

  Keter exchanged glances with his brother and then decided to tell his youngest daughter the truth. “We believe Neasan will try to kill us so we cannot go back and fight him.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

  Blare smiled to comfort his niece. “We will not let him kill us, wee one. Someday we will go back and Neasan will not have a peaceful night until we do. He will worry we are in the trees, just across the river or perhaps even in his bedchamber late at night. He will go daft and I say we stay away until he does. Do you agree?”

  Dolina considered it, nodded and then settled back in her bed next to little Flora. She was sister to Elspeth with five younger siblings to help her mother care for normally, but the fever took them. It was too much sadness and just now, she thought an adventure was a fine idea. They could not go home, so she might as well enjoy herself even if it meant sleeping on the hard ground.

  Sawney listened but he hadn’t said much. He noticed Hew watching him occasionally, but he was relieved that Keter and Blare easily answered all the questions. After it seemed the others had little more to say, he assigned the order in which the men would guard them through the night, named Keter his second in command and Blare his third just as he planned to do before the clan chose Neasan.

  Hew lowered his eyes and Sawney knew he was hurt. “Brother, there are not many of us just now, but I need a good lad who will see to the training of the warriors. Are you willing?”

  It was a perfect position for him, one Hew had not thought of, and he was pleased. “Aye.”

  Little about their future had been decided, but by the time the adults spread their bedding in a circle around the children and Lenox took the first watch, the exhausted MacGreagors quickly fell asleep.

  FOR NEASAN, THE EVENING had just begun. He remained pleasant, joked with the men, flirted with Dena and drank his share of Justin’s wine. As soon as he could manage it, he slipped out the door and went to find Paisley. He had to know where she was and guessed she was with her aunt Carley.

  Yet when he walked up the path to Carley’s door, he hesitated to knock. It occurred to him he was not as sober as he should be when he approached Paisley. He could command her, and would if he had to, but just now, he didn’t want her to know his intentions. On the other hand, she would be mournful and might find it endearing to think he cared enough to seek her out. Indeed, it was a very good idea.

  Emboldened, he knocked on Carley’s door. When she answered, she held a candle in her hand so she could see who it was better. Carley looked older than she had only a few hours before and her eyes were red from crying. “I have come to see about you.”

  Carley nodded and then stepped back so he could enter. As far as she knew, Neasan had not asked anyone about his mother, but perhaps he meant to now.

  “Where is Paisley?”

  His question took her aback. “Paisley?”

  “Aye, she did not go with her brothers, so I expected to find her here with you. Does she sleep elsewhere?”

  “I must wonder why you wish to know? Has she caused harm to someone?”

  Neasan had endured his fill of being pleasant and narrowed his eyes. “Tell me where she is!” He saw the fear in Carley’s eyes and instantly regretted his harsh tone. This was not at all what he planned. In a calmer voice he said, “I merely wish to satisfy myself that she is well taken care of. I am aware of her husband’s death and...”

  Carley set the candle down on the table and grabbed the back of a chair with both hands. She felt fine, but pretended to be unsteady hoping to buy time so she could decide what to tell him. The MacGreagors were barely away and she was certain there was more on Neasan’s mind than he was willing to admit.

  He reached out to steady Carley, pulled a second chair away from the table, and helped her sit. His concern was genuine. It occurred to him she might die and he needed her to keep the others calm. “I did not mean to upset you.” He watched her put her hand over her heart as she took two deep breaths. “Perhaps I should come back in the morning.”

  Carley kept her pit
iful expression and nodded. “‘Twould be best.” With her back to the door, she listened as he opened it and then closed it behind him. Relieved, she folded her arms on the table, laid her head down, and closed her eyes.

  Neasan did not go far before he paused to think. Carley had not been faint at heart that afternoon. If anything, she spoke more boldly than any of the others. She was hiding something, she had to be, and he suspected it was Paisley.

  He should not have been so forthcoming with his desire to see Paisley. It was, after all, his first night as laird and Carley might have suspected he intended to make Paisley celebrate with him, or worse, thought to force her. If anyone knew about his long time desire for Paisley, Carley did. That was probably it. All he needed to do was wait and find her tomorrow.

  Neasan took a few more steps and stopped again. Was it possible the brothers took Paisley with them? He did not think so. He saw no evidence of it and why hide the fact? Sawney could not know Neasan wanted her, unless...Carley warned him.

  It was beginning to make sense. Paisley must have hidden in the forest as soon as she got word the MacGreagors were banished. Paisley and Sawney had always been close and Sawney would never leave without his precious sister. She might have refused to go and could be in any one of a dozen cottages, but Neasan doubted it. He was right; he knew he was. Paisley was gone and his blood was only just beginning to boil.

  BEARCHA RODE BACK INTO the glen, dismounted just before he reached the courtyard and handed the reins of his horse to a boy. He had just started into the courtyard when he noticed Grant coming toward him. He and Grant had always been good friends, they trusted each other, and he was eager to hear what Grant had to say.

  “Neasan made us give our pledge under threat of banishment...without our families.”

  At length, Bearcha nodded and watched Grant quickly walk away.

  Neasan entered the courtyard a moment later and was glad Bearcha was back. He listened to his report and then went back inside the Keep. Six men, good with a bow and arrow, would be enough to kill the MacGreagors and bring Paisley back. He did not care what happened to the other women and children; they meant nothing to a man of his newly acquired importance.

  Once back in the great hall, Neasan downed a goblet of wine and held up his hand to silence them. “I will have six lads to do my bidding this night, who is willing?” Two eager men instantly stepped forward but the others seemed hesitant. “Did you not just give me your pledges?” His words and his glare made each of them nod. It was not the kind of loyalty he hoped for, but that would come with time.

  First, he whispered something in Dena’s ear and watched her go outside to wait for him. Next, he chose six, appointed a leader, and sent the others away. It was then and only then, that he let his fury show. “They have taken Paisley with them and I want her back.”

  “Why,” William, his new second in command, asked before he realized his mistake.

  Neasan put his hand on his sword, gritted his teeth and glared into the William’s eyes. “Dare you question me?”

  William quickly took a step back. “Nay, forgive me.”

  Neasan relaxed a little, lowered his hand, and paused to take a forgotten breath. “They have gone north. Do what you must, but bring her back. Do as I command and your reward will be great.”

  William was worried. The message was clear; he was to kill Sawney if need be. Success would be rewarded, but what if they could not find the MacGreagors?

  OUTSIDE, BEARCHA LEANED against the wall of the Keep, put the bottom of one foot against it, and folded his arms. He could not decide if he should remind Neasan he had not yet given his pledge, or wait to see if Neasan noticed. Bearcha could always claim he was gone and did not know about the pledges so he decided to wait.

  He watched Dena and several men come out of the Keep and in a few minutes more, six more warriors left and headed for their horses. He waited and waited, as did Dena, but it appeared Neasan had forgotten them both.

  AS SOON AS THE MEN left, Neasan began to pace from one end of the long great hall to the other. With Paisley gone, his plans were not working out as well as he thought. At least he still had the wealth...or did he? Vaguely, he remembered telling Sawney to get his belongings out of the Keep. Did Sawney take Justin’s wealth with him?

  Too dark to search Justin’s bedchamber once more and not partial to going back up there again in the dark, he continued to pace. He should have told William to search their belongings. Why did he always think of these things too late?

  Neasan yanked open the door, ran across the courtyard and into the glen just in time to see his men disappear into the darkness. When he looked around, Bearcha was still in the courtyard so he hurried back.

  “Bearcha, catch up to them. Tell the lads to search their belongings.”

  “Who’s belongings?”

  Was he to face stupid questions every time he uttered a command? Neasan was tempted to mount his horse and do the chore himself, but why should he have to? He was laird and laird’s do not do things themselves. “Do as I say or I will have your head! The men went north and if you hurry, you will soon catch up to them. Tell William to look for Jewels in Sawney’s belongings.”

  Bearcha nodded and headed for his horse. He thought it ironic that Neasan told him to go north, when it was Bearcha who followed them and told Neasan which way Sawney went. Furthermore, was he expected to stay with the men or come back and report? Neasan didn’t say and Bearcha didn’t ask.

  Still sitting on the short wall in the courtyard, Dena heard every word. She watched Bearcha run to get his horse and then watched as Neasan walk right past her, went into the Keep and close the door.

  THE NEXT MORNING, THE small MacGreagor clan quietly ate, gathered their things, rounded up their horses, and got ready for a full day of riding. The black stallion did not come back, but fortunately, Justin’s horse did so Paisley still had a mount of her own.

  Which way to go was the question, and if they did not know already, soon the Davidsons would discover they had not crossed the river. Sawney looked at each of his men and raised his voice just enough so they could hear. “Perhaps we should go to the Swinton.”

  “Aye,” said Keter, “‘Tis a large enough clan to hide in.”

  “Listen,” whispered Blare. At the sound of voices, he dismounted, handed the reins of his horse to his son, and quickly crept through the trees until he could see where the voices were coming from.

  He knelt down behind the bushes and was surprised to see four Kennedy hunters so close to where the MacGreagors camped for the night. They seemed not to have a care in the world, talked loudly, and were enjoying a morning meal of oat cakes cooked over an open fire. Blare stood up, stepped out of the bushes, and showed himself.

  Alarmed, all four men quickly got up and started to draw their swords. Their leader recognized Blare just in time and put out a hand to stop them. “MacGreagor, you are on our land,” said he.

  Blare raised an eyebrow. “I have always assumed this to be MacDuff land. Have you gone to war with them without my knowing?”

  Caught in his lie, the man grinned. “Perhaps it is MacDuff land at that, but they never come this far. What are you doing here?”

  “Have you not heard? Justin died and Neasan is laird now. He has banished the MacGreagors.”

  “Justin died?” The man wearing a red shirt and kilt lowered his eyes. For as long as he could remember, he liked Justin and his skill at preventing clan wars was highly held by all in that part of Scotland, even though most suspected Justin used trickery to do it.

  “Aye, three days past,” Blare answered.

  “I am grieved to hear it. Did you say you have been banished?”

  “All MacGreagors have been.”

  “Who is this Neasan? I have never heard of him.”

  “He is a traitor Justin sent away years ago. He returned, somehow turned the clan against us, and now calls them Davidsons.”

  It took a moment for the men to take it all i
n. “These Davidsons, will they attack us?” asked the second man.

  “Neasan claims there is no glory without war. Aye, he will try to take your land. Trust him not.”

  Aghast, the first man slowly ran his fingers through his hair. “Are there none left we can trust?”

  “Perhaps, but we were given no time to find out which they are. Neasan has many faithful followers, and until you are certain, I would trust none of them.”

  “Your warning is well taken. Where will you go, how will you get on?”

  Blare took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “We know not where to go, we will become wanderers, I suppose, until we are strong enough to come back and fight.”

  The third man finally spoke up, “Do they hunt you?”

  Blare lowered his eyes. “Neasan dared not kill us in front of the clan, but he dare not let us live either. Aye, he hunts us or soon will. ’Tis what I would do.”

  The man nodded. “How can we help?” He looked Blare up and down and thoughtfully stroked his beard. “Wanderers will cause people to gossip and you know how quickly that spreads. If his lads do not find you, this Neasan will hope for word of wanders wearing green.” He glanced down at his own kilt. “I am partial to red myself.”

  Blare began to smile. “Aye, but in green you can more easily spy on the Davidsons.”

  “A fine idea, very fine indeed. How many of you are there?”

  “We are nine lads, but we will trade whatever you are willing.” Blare waited for their nods, slipped back into the trees, and in a short while returned with Sawney, Keter, and Hew.

  Before long, the four Kennedys had on green kilts and the four MacGreagors were dressed in red. The Kennedy’s also gave them the red plaids they used for bedding, although they were faded and not very clean. Nevertheless, they would do for some of the women to wear once they were washed.