The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  After walking through the large field of tall barley, they returned to the hut where the farmer insisted they drink another mug of ale. Gavin knew because of their visit, more ale would probably be consumed in the one day than the man drank in a week, but he would not embarrass him by refusing.

  After another drink, Gavin turned to the farmer's wife and smiled. "Mistress, thank you for your fine ale and hospitality. We must not tarry longer for we have more work to be done today." Nodding at the farmer, he added, "Walk with me."

  As the man followed them to their horses, Gavin spoke. "I find I have a wee problem that I hope you will help me with. The carpenter in the village lost a heavy wager to my brother, Logan, and has not the coin to pay. Logan agreed to take some of the man's wares in place of his coin, but my sister will have none of it in the keep."

  Gavin rolled his eyes, dramatically. "She says 'tis ill-gotten gain and we must not take it. I do not wish to press the carpenter for payment in coin for he has already made good on the wares. Would you consider taking the goods off my hands? I would deem it a favor and be glad to hear the end of it. I want no money from you, only peace in my household."

  Calum started to chuckle over his cousin's mention of Megan's supposed reaction. Catching a look from Gavin, he quickly cleared his throat.

  The farmer stood a little straighter and looked Gavin squarely in the eye. "All that we have, I have earned by me own labor. I dinna take charity. But, seein' how 'tis ye doin' the askin', I will do it. As a favor, mind ye, naught else. Tell Logan that his card playin' must have improved greatly since last I played him. I beat him, ye ken. Twice."

  With a nod, the man turned and walked back into the hut. Before Gavin and Calum rode out of eyesight of the small home, Gavin saw the woman standing in her doorway, holding her apron to her eyes and waving.

  Calum grinned at Gavin as they rode. "Just when I think ye are gettin' foul and short-tempered, ye do somethin' like that."

  "Like what?"

  "Ha. Logan could nay win at a game of cards if ye marked the deck. The moment he gets a good hand, all there can see it in his face. He doesna have a scheming mind. When did ye think up that tale?"

  Grinning in return, Gavin said, "I had to think fast when I saw the inside of that hut. 'Tis the best I could do in such a short time." Then he shrugged. "But it worked."

  "Aye, I guess ye could say so."

  "What do you mean, you guess?"

  "I have played cards with that farmer and he is nay even as good as Logan!"

  After checking on the rest of the crops, and their bread and cheese long gone, Calum shifted in his saddle and said, "'Tis glad I am that's done. My arse grows weary of this ridin' about all day." Then he grinned. "I would much prefer to be sittin' with Meggie and listenin' to her excitin' tales of cleanin' and cookin'."

  Gavin shook his head and pointed further down the road. "I fear you will have to ride a bit longer old friend. I need to go to the village and order some things from the carpenter." With a wink, he added, "I shall let him know there will be extra coin in it for him if he remembers to tell the farmer of how he lost a wager to Logan."

  "Ye're a crafty devil, cousin," Calum chuckled as they turned their horses toward the village.

  Gavin concluded his business with the carpenter quickly and nodded to Calum. "What say you to a pint at the alehouse before we ride home?"

  "Aye, if ye're buyin'."

  #

  The stained wooden bench wobbled slightly as Gavin and Calum took their ease. Calum thumped his fist on it as if to test its strength. "Do ye think 'twill hold us? It looks to have suffered one too many brawls with men full of spirits."

  Before Gavin could reply, a buxom wench sauntered up to them, with an enticing smile. "What can I get ye, lads? There's ale aplenty fer yer coin and other delights to be had fer more o' the same."

  "Ah, lass, the delights are tempting, but we will settle for a mug of ale and your bright smile," Gavin said.

  Grinning good naturedly, the woman spoke over her shoulder as she walked away. "Ah, lads, the chance o' such delights ye may ne'er see again, more's the pity. But if 'tis ale ye want, then ale ye shall have."

  In a few minutes, the woman was back with two pewter mugs brimming with frothy ale and a questioning look in her eyes. "Beggin' yer pardon, m'laird, but the owner asks to speak wi' ye when ye're finished. Ye will find him down the hallway there."

  She pointed to the far end of the alehouse.

  Gavin handed the woman payment for the drinks and a bit extra for her trouble. "Thank you, lass."

  After he and Calum finished their drinks, they proceeded down the hallway in search of the proprietor. Reaching the end of the passageway, Gavin knocked on the door and was told to enter.

  He and Calum walked into a small, dingy room furnished with a narrow table and a tall three legged stool. A stooped shouldered man with squinty eyes was bending over a stack of ledgers. Finding the one he wanted, the man straightened slowly, with the ledger in his arms, and placed it on the table. He motioned them to approach then shut the door behind them.

  Gavin was curious about the reason they had been summoned and came right to the point. "I believe you wished to speak with me."

  "Aye. 'Tis a slight matter of a debt owed, Laird MacPherson. It… uh, belongs to yer brother, Logan. He fair drank himself blind well o'er a fortnight ago, and didna have the coin to pay. He vowed to come the next day to settle his debt, and seein' as how he's yer brother, I agreed. I dinna like to meddle in another mon's affairs, but 'tis still due all the same."

  "Och. Do you mean to tell me my little brother drinks like a man, but does not pay as such? My apologies. Tell me the amount and I will pay it now, in full."

  Although the debt was not tremendous, Calum commented on it after he and Gavin left the alehouse. "Ne'er before have I known Logan to drink so much. Spread o'er time, it wouldna be much. But, to drink all that in one night, well, he surely must have felt the worse for it the next day."

  "Aye. 'Tis not like Logan to drink so, and surely not to leave his debts unpaid. I will speak with him when we return, and he had best have a good reason."

  Gavin rode the rest of the way back to Kirkholm in silence, preoccupied with his thoughts. After handing over their horses at the stable, he said, "I will see you at dinner, Calum. I have a few matters to take care of."

  Calum nodded. "Aye. I need to bathe and change before then."

  Gavin arched an eyebrow. "Is there a reason for such cleanliness in the midst of the day?"

  Calum's face turned red and he kicked at a nearby rock. "I plan to speak my mind to Meggie this eve so dinna be demandin' her attention all night."

  Gavin clapped him on the back. "'Tis about time."

  "Aye, well, some things are nay meant to be rushed." Calum turned and headed toward the portion of the keep where the unmarried men of the castle slept when they could not find a soft shoulder of a willing lass.

  Gavin smiled and walked into the keep. He asked for Logan but it seemed none had seen him of late. Thinking Meggie might know where their brother was spending his time Gavin climbed the stairs to her chamber and knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, he returned downstairs to the great hall.

  A few servants and several hungry clansmen were already there setting up trestle tables and benches for the evening meal. He turned to one of the women as she passed by. "Lass, can you tell me where I might find Megan?"

  "Aye. She an' the new visitor are in the kitchen helpin' Nelli prepare the meal. Would ye like me to fetch them?"

  "No, thank you. I shall go speak with her there."

  The sights and smells in the castle kitchen were almost overwhelming as Gavin entered. The air was hazy with smoke from the cook fires and several different aromas intermingled with one another. The red searing meat being turned over the spits smelled of wood smoke and garlic. Steaming brown haggis lent its rich aroma to the smell of golden fried breads being piled high on wooden platters.

 
; Everywhere he looked there was a flurry of movement. Servants darted about the kitchen, carrying great piles of food and utensils to where they were needed.

  Colors shifted, merged and separated into distinct hues as wood and pewter serving pieces and clay bowls were filled to the brim with food and carried into the hall by both servants and clan members. Everywhere he looked, he saw the MacPherson tartan. 'Twould seem many of the clan had donned their best plaids. Was there some reason he was not aware of for such enthusiasm? He would ask Megan about that as well.

  All the activity resulted in a constant hum of noise, from the clanking of iron pots and pewter utensils to voices and shuffling feet as the people passed back and forth in the kitchen and corridor leading to the great hall. Fires popped and crackled adding to the clamor, yet above it all, Gavin heard Nelli's strident voice calling out directions.

  "Ye there lad, be turnin' that spit more often or the meat will burn and ye'll be explainin' to the laird why he has no meat for his table. Here, lass, take these trenchers to the head table, and see that ye dinna drop them. They're fresh from the oven and still warm. Cook, the colcannon is ready to be poured up. Megan, ye and Ailis carry it into the hall. Mind ye, now, dinna splash it on ye. 'Tis very hot."

  Gavin looked in the direction of Nelli's voice and saw her motioning and calling out orders as competently as any warrior chief before a battle. Following her gaze to the middle of the huge kitchen, he saw Megan and the girl who had become her constant companion hurrying over to one of the huge steaming kettles being pulled off the fire and being poured out into a large clay bowl.

  Worried that some of the hot vegetables would spill on them when the colcannon was poured out, he hurried over to help steady the heavy kettle. Reaching out to grasp the hot handle, he realized he had no cloth to protect his hands from the heat.

  Looking about him quickly, and seeing naught to be had, Gavin reached for the hem of his kilt.

  "Nay!" Nelli's voice shouted over the commotion. "Dinna even think of liftin' yer kilt so. Here!" The older woman threw a thick pad of cowhide, stuffed with bits of wool to him and added, "Sweet saints, lad. Meggie and the lassies dinna need the sight of yer manhood and 'tis nay tonic I could brew strong enough to take away yer pain if ye were to burn yerself there. What are ye doin' here? Ye should be in the hall, waitin' with the other men."

  Gavin caught the protection for his hands with a self-conscious grin. "My thanks, Nelli. I came to speak with Meggie and thought to help with the kettle."

  Megan glanced over at him and smiled. "Thank you Gavin." Then she turned to Ailis and handed her a large spoon. "Here, you help with this and I will help Nelli with the haggis." She walked away before Gavin could say aught.

  He nodded at Ailis noticing that her hands trembled slightly. "Let me hold the kettle, lass, and you can spoon out what you need."

  He held tightly onto the handle of the heavy iron kettle. When the large serving bowl was almost full, he set the kettle down on the stone hearth. As she reached for the big bowl, he shook his head. "No, lass. I will carry it for you."

  Ailis nodded silently and walked behind him as he carried the large dish into the great hall. Nelli joined them carrying a platter of steaming haggis. He glanced over his shoulder and asked, "Where do you wish me to put this, Nelli?"

  Before she could answer him, one of the clansmen standing near them chuckled and called out. "So, Gavin, do the lassies have ye to do their work for them, now? An' where is yer fine apron?"

  The slight embarrassment Gavin felt was naught compared to the sharp sting of Nelli's tongue as she made quick work of the teasing clansman.

  "Ye're a fine one to talk, Gordon MacPherson! Why are ye no helpin' yer own wife with the work, and her heavy with child? Do ye think yerself above us that ye canna give yer aid? 'Tis shamed ye should be to be speakin' so and standin' there doin' naught."

  The man stepped back from Nelli's verbal lashing and bumped into another clansman. "Och, I meant nay harm, Nelli. I… I think I will go see if Elsa needs my help."

  As the clansman hurried away, Nelli turned a reckoning glance at his friend, who seemed to decide it might be wise to accompany him, and quickly followed him across the hall.

  Gavin did not speak as he continued through the room. He found an empty table and set down the bowl of steaming colcannon. Turning to look at the older woman, he smiled. "Nelli, 'tis glad I am that you are on my side."

  She clapped him on the back good-naturedly. "Ye should know whose side I'm on, by now."

  Gavin glanced over at Ailis as she stood silently beside him. A spark of warmth flowed through him as he gazed at her lovely face. "Lass, I hope you will join me at the table this eve. I—"

  Nelli frowned. "Now dinna be pushin' the lass. She will join us when she is comfortable to do so. 'Tis nay been that long since she arrived here. Give her time to settle in." Nelli waved her arm, motioning him away. "Go on with ye now. We still have work to do to prepare the rest of the meal. Come, lass." She gently grasped Ailis' hand and turned back toward the kitchen.

  Gavin watched them for a moment then decided to look for Logan before the meal began. 'Twould be best to deal with any unpleasantness then and be done with it. And the matter of the debt at the alehouse would nay be an agreeable discussion. Of that he was sure.

  Passing through the great hall, he called out to a clansman. "Sean, have you seen Logan?"

  "Aye, he just left the hall. He said aught about changin' his clothes afore dinner." The clansman shook his head as if he saw no sense in such.

  Gavin nodded, went to Logan's chamber and knocked on the door. "Logan, I wish to speak to you."

  "Aye, enter."

  When Gavin walked in and saw clothes in a pile on the floor, he leaned quietly against the open door and waited for his brother's attention.

  Logan smiled in greeting as he finished pulling a clean shirt over his head. "Hello, brother. I see you are nay ready for the evening meal. You had best hurry." Logan tightened his sword belt and grinned good naturedly. "'Twould seem Nelli has decided to make an occasion of dinner tonight for some reason and has had everyone in the kitchen working as hard as a hungry cat in a room full of rats."

  Gavin smiled in return. "I would not let Nelli or Cook hear you compare them to cats and rats, little brother, if I were you. If they did, you might find your dinner less than pleasing."

  "Aye, you have it aright there." Logan started toward the door. "And since I do not wish to miss any of the fine food or a chance to sit beside a pretty lass, if you have aught to speak of, let us do it then."

  Gavin stepped in front of him blocking his way. "Nay, 'tis best we speak of it now. Calum and I rode to look over the crops today. Where were you? I meant for you to accompany us." Gavin's tone turned more serious. "As my brother, you should learn aught that concerns the welfare of our clan. After me, 'tis your responsibility to see the crops harvested and the herds managed well. A good harvest and the sale of our cattle each year are the mainstay of our wealth and wellbeing of our clan. We dare not lose it."

  When Logan did not respond, Gavin frowned. "You have many responsibilities, both as a man and as next in line to become laird. You need to remember that. Today the owner of the alehouse in the village asked me to stand payment for you, for a debt long owed. Why is it that you made such a debt and did not pay it?"

  For a moment Logan merely looked annoyed but then his face paled as if he remembered the reason he had drunk so much and the thought did not sit well with him.

  As Gavin waited for an answer, he wondered yet again what the reason had been for Logan's drinking. To look at his brother's pale face, it must have been a matter of some distress.

  "Well?"

  "I… I just forgot the debt. 'Twas nay much."

  "A good Scotsman ne'er forgets a debt, Logan. No matter how small."

  "Aye, all right. You have made your point. 'Tis nay need to belabor the bloody thought. I am no wee bairn."

  "Aye, you are not, so watch
your tone. After dinner tonight, pack and ride to our herds in the valley. Tell the chief herdsman you will be staying for a fortnight to learn all you can about our cattle. Perhaps after that, you will heed your responsibilities more attentively."

  "But I have plans to meet with friends later."

  "Oh? Would these be the same friends you were with for three days leaving your sister and the castle vulnerable to attack? Aye, I know you left. The groom in the stable said your horse was in need of care when you returned."

  "Megan and the castle were well guarded! I only—"

  Gavin held up his hand halting Logan's reply. "I do not wish to hear your excuse. You did not hold to your duties here. You will ride out to the herds. Tonight."

  Logan pulled off his shirt and threw it to the floor, his eyes blazing with anger. "I am no longer hungry so 'tis no need for me to dine in the hall. I will pack what I need and leave now."

  Gavin's jaw clenched in an effort to control his rising irritation. "'Tis your choice. If you do not wish to dine with us then I will see you when you return." Closing Logan's door behind him, he walked to his chamber to ready himself for the evening meal.

  As he shaved the stubble from his face, Gavin frowned, thinking on his brother's behavior. 'Twas not like Logan to be so short tempered or to drink in excess. He was too headstrong of late. Aye, working the herds would do him good.

  Wiping his face on a towel, Gavin shrugged. 'Twas Logan's loss if he chose not to eat before he left. For if Nelli had made a feast to justify the girl… Ailis, joining their clan then 'twould surely be a meal not to be missed.

  Shaking his head, he quickly donned a clean shirt and left his chamber. Despite his brother's reaction, Gavin meant to enjoy his dinner. He paused when he entered the great hall and chuckled as he took in all the delicious sights and smells. Nelli had outdone herself. Perhaps he should let her win an argument more often.

  His stomach growled as he breathed in the savory aromas prompting him to hurry to the empty dais. From his seat at the laird's table he watched as people began to enter.

  A clanswoman carrying two large pitchers of ale walked past the hall's huge fireplace as it radiated warmth and light into the room. The glow from the blaze reflected on the tall pewter containers. She set them down amid bowls of assorted meats, vegetables and baskets of bread which vied with trenchers and plates for space on one of the crowded tables.