The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  "Well, since ye insist, I thought to tell ye that the lass ye brought back with ye, spoke to Meggie and me last night."

  "What? Why was I not told? What did she say?"

  "'Twas late in the night and could wait till morn. Fie, the puir lass told us a terrible sad tale of who she is and why she was wanderin' the forest alone."

  Nelli trudged over to a large work table. The pegged wooden planks were still moist from its morning scrub. She sat down on the worn oak bench beside it and turned to look at Gavin.

  He stood where he was and waited. From Nelli's grave face, Gavin was sure he would not like what he was about to hear. As Nelli told her tale of the night before, his anger rose. By the time she had finished, he felt the urge to strike something. By God, how the poor lass must have suffered! If he found the murderer, he would flay the flesh from his body.

  Gavin gripped the bundle in his hand as if it were the hilt of his sword. "Did the girl, Ailis, know nothing as to why her family was attacked or by whom? Surely, she must have given some reason."

  "Nay. She said she heard a horse leavin' as she ran into their camp but she didna see the rider."

  Anger churned in the pit of Gavin's stomach like bad wine. He would find who was responsible and the murderer would die for his crime. As laird, he would make sure of it. "We will keep Ailis here until we find others of her kin and then I will see she gets back safely to them. Do not fear, her family will be avenged."

  Nelli straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms over her ample chest. "The girl has nay other kin. Her da had no people and her mother died some time ago. 'Tis another matter I wish to discuss with ye."

  "What is it?"

  "Meggie wishes to have Ailis become part of our clan and the lass doesna seem opposed to it. As laird, 'tis your decision, but I'll tell ye 'twould be good for your sister to have a lass near her own age." She wiped at the tabletop with her apron then continued. "Ailis can work so she willna be a burden and with another woman to help about the castle, I would have more time to aid with the cookin'. As I did today. Without her help, I dinna know how I would find enough time."

  She eyed the bundle of fresh bread and cheese that Gavin held, her eyes glinting like a piece of dark flint, black and immovable.

  He met her look, his gaze as deep and steady as her own. "And if I do not agree, am I to understand the food may be lacking your fine care in the future? I will not be coerced in my decision."

  Nelli's stern expression faded and she responded with a smile. "Now, Gavin, have I ever done poorly by ye or anyone here? 'Tis just… I am gettin' on in years. I could do with another woman's help."

  Having already made up his mind to agree, Gavin decided to have a little fun before he let himself be persuaded. "Ah, Nelli, I did not know you were as frail as that. I will tell Cook to take over the duties of the kitchen entirely and have a few of the village women come in to help. Surely, after a time, Cook will be able to train them and get the kitchen back in order."

  "What! Gavin MacPherson, I will thank ye no to have me half in me grave with yer blether! There is nay a thing that Cook and all the village women together, could do better than I can!" Nelli's eyes blazed and she fisted her hands on her wide hips.

  Gavin grinned. "Well, in that case, I suppose having Ailis' help might be enough."

  "Ooh, lad! Ye were on to me all along. I have half a mind to let ye eat cold gruel for supper tonight."

  Gavin arched an eyebrow and Nelli quickly added, "But seein' as how we already have bread and broth a plenty, I willna be the cause of waste. Now, off with ye so I can be about my work. There are new apples in from the fields. If ye go and leave me be, I should have enough time to make tarts before eventide."

  Smiling, Gavin nodded. "I will look forward to them." Raising the bundle of food in acknowledgment, he walked out of the kitchen toward the stable, his grin turning to a fierce scowl as he walked. He would find whoever had done this villainous deed and the murderer would pay.

  With his life.

  #

  Ailis watched Gavin walk across the courtyard from the window in Megan's chamber as she had often done for over a fortnight. He called out a greeting to some of his clan, waving as he went, a small bundle swinging in his grasp. 'Twould seem the man resumed his duties as laird and owner of Kirkholm with ease, as if he had ne'er been gone carrying out his black deeds.

  In her mind, she could still hear his sister's loving chatter on his worth as a person and their clan leader. What had she said? That he was clever, pleasant natured and strong, quite capable of feats of great strength.

  Aye, the devil was strong. 'Twould have taken a great deal of strength to do what he had done. Damn his black soul.

  From where she stood, she could see him easily. With his brawny, muscular build and thick hair that curled where it touched his broad shoulders, he resembled the chiseled statues of old. His wide chest narrowed to a slim waist and his kilt, ending just above his knees, drew attention to his long muscular legs. Ailis could not help but notice he was a fine figure of a man.

  "Ah, there you are."

  Ailis jumped as Megan walked up to her. She had been so deep in concentration that she had not heard the girl enter the room.

  Megan smiled. "What are you watching?"

  "Nothing of importance. I just sought to enjoy the sun."

  "Aye, 'tis nice to have a day without rain." Megan pointed to her brother. "Look, there goes Gavin. Did you know he can out ride and out work any man in our clan? 'Tis little he cannot do. He has been trained to the broadsword, as all our men are, but he chooses to rely on his head first rather than the strength of his arm."

  She nodded and continued. "Some in our clan claim he has the gentle peacemaking spirit of our great, great grandfather, the parson, for whom he was named. Did you know the parson came here from Ireland?" Megan smiled. "'Tis said he fell in love with a Scottish lass, married and ne'er returned to Ireland. Instead, he began the first kirk here in this part of Scotland. 'Tis for it that Kirkholm is named."

  A shout drew Ailis' attention to the far corner of the courtyard. Calum stood in the stable doorway waving to Gavin as if to gain his attention.

  Megan sighed. "Ah, is he not the most magnificent man you have ever seen?"

  Ailis shrugged. "Gavin is lucky to have a sister that loves him so."

  "Not Gavin, Calum!" Megan's face turned a deep rose. "Not that I do not love my brothers, both of them. But, well… Calum is very special. Oft it seems as if I have known him all my life, but he has not always lived at Kirkholm. He came to live here ten years ago."

  Ailis walked away from the window and sat on the bench by the hearth. Perhaps she could find out something to aid her in learning the truth of her suspicions. She patted the empty space beside her. "Tell me about him."

  Megan joined her on the bench, obviously eager to talk.

  "Calum is a distant cousin. When he was a young lad, a rival clan attacked his village. His father and most of the men had gathered together to defend the road entering it. They were poorly armed and greatly outnumbered. The attacking clan broke through their defenses easily."

  She shook her head sadly. "Calum's mother had seen the fighting was going against them and feared for his life. She was my mother's cousin and knew of Kirkholm even though she lived many days journey from here. She told Calum to go to Kirkholm for help."

  Megan picked at her skirt for a moment. "He told me of it once. He had not wanted to leave and wished to join the fighting instead. His mother had called him to the window of their cottage and bid him look out at the carnage and death coming ever closer. Then she pleaded with him and convinced him that he was needed more by his clan to go for help than to stay and fight. He was only eleven at the time."

  Ailis listened with dread to Megan's tale. 'Twas much like her own. "What happened then?"

  "While Calum gathered the few things he would take with him, his mother told him how to find Kirkholm and wrote a letter to my da. She helped hi
m slip out of their cottage unseen. He reached us many days later, weary and half starved. He insisted that he be taken to see Da immediately, told him of the attack on his village and gave Da the letter. Then he fainted from exhaustion." Megan twisted her hands together for a moment, then laid them in her lap. "Da ordered that Calum be given a bed and cared for, then read the letter. All it had said 'twas the last wish of Calum's parents that he remain with us and be reared as part of our family. Da sent men in aid of Calum's village but they returned saying all there had perished."

  Megan wiped away a tear from her cheek. "Later, when Calum was well, and anxious to return, he was shown the letter and told that he would remain with us. Da and Gavin went with him to bury his family and look for any survivors. Calum and Gavin became fast friends and have been so ever since. At times, I think Logan has been jealous of Calum. But 'tis a foolish notion."

  Ailis nodded half-heartedly, her mind filled with what she had learned. Surely a man who had suffered the loss of his own family as Calum had, could not bring himself to murder another person's family. But he and Gavin were the only people she had seen in the forest in all her days of searching. There had been no others.

  "Fie," Megan said. "I did not mean to sadden you with the tale. If you vow not to tell another soul, I will share a secret with you."

  "Aye."

  Megan leaned over and whispered in Ailis' ear. "I love Calum and I believe he loves me. I… I am hoping he will ask me to wed soon."

  Ailis felt her heart sink in her chest. Megan had grown as dear to her as a sister. How could she think of slaying the man the girl loved? Aye, or her brother? Sweet Mary, she had made a grave mistake in coming to Kirkholm. She should never have let herself become fond of anyone here. But it was too late for regrets. Pushing back the guilt she felt for her deception, Ailis said, "I wish you much happiness, Megan," and hugged her tightly.

  "Ailis, I wish you would call me Meggie, as my family does. Now that you know my deepest secret, you are as close as a sister to me."

  Ailis swallowed against the tight lump forming in her throat. "Aye, Meggie. You are the same for me."

  Grinning, Megan stood and pulled Ailis to her feet. "Well, 'twill do no good just sitting here wishing. Come, let us go for a walk in the garden."

  Chapter Five

  Gavin found Calum in the stable and spoke briskly. "Saddle your horse. I wish you to ride with me to look over the barley crop." After saddling Tairneanach, Gavin waited impatiently as Calum finished what he had been doing, then began to saddle his mount. "By the saints, man, can you not move any faster?"

  Calum glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "Why the hurry? I dinna see a need for haste. The barley willna grow any faster for it."

  "'Twill be harvest time soon. I need to arrange for extra clansmen to help bring in the crop."

  "Och, aye, now I see your need for haste. Why 'tis but a wee month or two more before it must be done."

  Gavin snorted. "With wit like yours, 'tis a wonder the king has not appointed you chief court jester. Come, my friend. I have a need to speak with you privately."

  While they rode, Gavin told Calum of his conversation with Nelli concerning her need of Ailis' help. "You should have seen Nelli's face when I suggested turning over the control of the kitchen to Cook and some of the village women," he chuckled. "Her face turned so red with anger, I thought she would nigh burst into flames."

  His lighthearted attitude changed immediately as he heard himself mentioning flames. Grimly, he told him of the attack and murder of Ailis' father and sister and of her courage in entering the burning wagon.

  Calum's eyes widened in obvious shock. "God's blood! That explains why she was dressed as she was and why she acted so crazed. Do ye think she thought we were the ones who did it? 'Twould explain why she attacked us, though she had naught but rocks and sticks to defend herself."

  Gavin nodded. "In her confused state, she may have thought so. You remember she was fearful of us even after we cared for her burns. It must have been terrible for her."

  "Aye."

  For a long time both men rode together in silence. Eventually, Calum spoke. "Do ye really intend to let the lass stay and become part of our clan?"

  Surprised at the question, Gavin looked over at his cousin. "Why not? Nelli says the lass has no kin left in Scotland and wishes to stay with us."

  "Dinna ye think 'twould be wise to learn aught about her before we do? If she is as she says, then allow her to join us. But 'tis best to know all ye can about strangers who grace your table, especially if death is connected with them." Calum shrugged. "Mind ye, I'm no sayin' she is aught but what she claims. But what if her family and another were in the midst of a blood feud? If ye give her aid, and the other family hears of it, they willna take kindly to your actions. By takin' her into the clan, ye may be givin' reason for another clan to wage attack on us as was done when your Da died."

  Sudden anger surged through Gavin. He yanked on the reins to his horse and stood in the saddle, towering over his companion. "Do you dare accuse me of foolishly endangering my family and clan? The raid on our lands and cattle when Da was killed was a chance thing by a traitorous group of cowards."

  Gavin's face paled at the memory as he spoke. "You know how it ended. We left no man living after the battle. The cowards were careless after their easy victory over my father and a few unarmed herdsmen. They were sodden drunk when we found them. No matter that they rallied out to meet us. The battle was naught but a killing field. The memory of it still sickens me today." He dropped back into his saddle and hung his head in bitterness.

  Calum nodded solemnly. "Aye, Gavin, I remember. I meant no accusation. I only urge caution. Ye know I would give my life to keep Meggie and the others from ever sufferin' the same fate or its hellish memory."

  "Aye, I know it. I also know you came to us much the same, years ago. We did not doubt you or turn you away."

  Calum's anger rose quickly and he shouted back. "The slaughter of my family and village was a true horror, as well ye know. And I was no total stranger to the clan. Were not our mothers sired by two brothers of the same father? Do ye cast ill favor on me and mine, now?"

  "No, cousin. 'Twould take a far greater thing than I can imagine, to destroy our friendship. I am weary of this morbid conversation. Let us not speak of it again today."

  "Aye."

  The men rode on in silence until they reached the small thatched hut of one of the MacPherson farmers. As they approached, Gavin saw the man out in the fields and his young children running and playing in the dust in front of the hut.

  One of the children obviously saw them and ran toward the hut, calling for his mother. "Mam! Come quick! Strangers approach!"

  The lad stood in the doorway of the hut waiting for his mother before he ventured back into the yard. The woman of the house hurried to her son's side and held her hand up shading her eyes as she looked out into the sunshine. Gavin watched her worried expression soften when she recognized them.

  She quickly dusted off her hands on a frayed apron tied about her thin waist and stepped out into the bright sunlight. She waved and smiled in welcome then waited for Gavin and Calum to dismount when they arrived at the hut.

  "Laird Gavin! Ye and Calum surely do surprise a body. Welcome. Come in out o' the heat. 'Tis nay much cooler inside, but ye will be out o' the sun and I can find a nip o' somethin' pleasin' fer ye to drink."

  The woman turned to the older child and said, "Willie, go and fetch yer da. Tell him the laird has come and nay to tarry."

  Gavin and Calum followed the woman into the small home. Both men had to bend their heads as they entered to avoid hitting the low doorsill. The floor of the hut was packed earth and there was no window to allow in light and fresh air other than the small round opening in the roof to allow smoke to escape from the cooking fire.

  The ever present smoke from tallow torches and cooking mingled with not so pleasant odors coming from a penned area tucked along the far wal
l, presumably for the chickens that had scattered at their approach. Bedding for a single bed lay rolled up on one side of the hut and a scrub-worn table with a mended bench stood in the opposite corner. A small fire pit of ringed stones, blackened over years of use, lay in the center of the floor.

  Except for a care-worn chest standing to the left side of the doorway, beneath a small shelf holding a few utensils and food, there was nothing else in the hut. The shelter contained only the barest of necessities.

  Gavin quickly glanced around the sparsely furnished hut. He would have a few things sent out from the village near Kirkholm to make the family's life more pleasant. He knew the woman's husband to be honest and hard working, but stubborn, so he had best think of a tale that would satisfy the man.

  The woman motioned to the single bench. "Please, sit. Here's a bit o' ale to quench yer thirst till my mon gets here."

  He and Calum sipped from chipped clay mugs and sat on the only seat in the house and waited.

  Within minutes, the farmer hurried inside, sweaty and dirty from work. He walked over to his wife, gave her a quick hug and said, "Och, wife, 'tis hot enough to cook yer bread on the rocks in the field. Fetch me a drink while I speak wi' the laird." While he waited for it, he shook hands with Gavin and Calum and asked the purpose of their visit.

  Gavin smiled in friendship. "We thought to examine the crops since our return. It looks as if 'tis near ready to harvest. How many men will you need to bring it in?"

  The farmer smiled at his wife, took the mug she handed him and took a long drink before he set it down on the table near where he stood.

  "Aye. The barley has done well this year. The spring rains near doubled the crop. I daresay 'twill not be ready to harvest for a fortnight yet, but when 'tis time, me boys and me can bring it in wi' the aid o' another half score o' men.

  Gavin nodded, pleased with the information. "'Tis fine news. I wish to see the crop before we leave."

  The man nodded and walked toward the door. "Aye. Ye'll be pleased, I'm thinkin'."