by J W Murison
William also noticed the difference in the moulds Stan was using and those at home, the casts themselves were perfect, really good quality. William realised that the techniques Stan was using were far better than those his grandfather had taught him at home and quizzed Stan endlessly. Stan loved the attention; it was rare he had someone to talk to who actually understood or appreciated what he had accomplished.
CHAPTER 38
Gareth and Graun stood at the rail watching the land slide past. Amber stood where she could watch Gareth's back. They had reached landfall a few weeks before. Instead of landing they had sailed back out to sea to a small island they had passed on the way in. It had a little fresh water and was unoccupied. They had used it to send men home and get fresh supplies. There was no sign of any natives but Gareth never let them put their guard down.
The Grey Eagles had rejoiced at seeing land again and had immediately travelled home. Grey Eagle had joined them himself to collect his daughter. She regaled him with stories of their adventures and of the things they had seen and in private told of her failure to seduce the great king. He readily agreed to let her stay after a short break at home.
Graun returned to the Eagle city for a break while Gareth stayed. When he returned Gareth went to the city. When he arrived he found Grey Eagle and Amber had arrived a few days before him. He also found both his wives waiting for him with his daughters. His heart melted at the sight of his little girls but found his anger returned at the sight of his wives.
The girls ran to their father and he swept them up. He took a deep breath and inhaled their scent. His father in law burst in on them with panic in his eyes. Gareth's eyes bored into him.
‘I'm sorry Gareth, with so many men returning home for shore leave news slipped out.’
Gareth nodded realising the truth of his words, ‘it’s ok father.’ Tension was high in the room with the two women standing side by side. Then Amber and Grey Eagle walked in. They had all met before Gareth had arrived and had been with the King when news of Gareth's arrival had reached him, they had followed unsuspecting they would walk into a drama.
Grey Eagle cleared his throat, ‘ah a family matter, we will leave.’
Amber stepped forward, ‘what beautiful children, maybe they would like to go for a walk or get something to eat.’
The two women were transfixed by her appearance. The Eagle King gathered his wits first, ‘ah, that might be a good idea Amber, we can do introductions later.’
Melisa the wiser and older of the two took Catlin’s hand, ‘let’s go with the pretty lady and get something to eat.’
Catlin tried to pull away, ‘I wanna see Daddy.’
Amber picked her up, ‘I think your mummy needs to talk to your daddy first.’
Catlin reached up to touch her hair, ‘are you an Eagle to?’
‘Yes I am.’
‘Are you a princess like me?’
‘Yes I am in a land far far away.’ She left the room and Grey Eagle followed and a few steps behind, the Eagle King almost ran from the room.
‘You can leave them with their grandmother if you wish,’ he told Amber.
She smiled, ‘actually I’d like to get to know them, I'm sure we can amuse ourselves for a while.’
The Eagle King let out a long sigh, ‘um, well out of hearing may be wise.
Back in the room Gareth fought the anger that coursed through him. Melisa took Catherine’s hand and stepped forward, they fell to their knees in front of him. He could see the emotion and fear in their eyes but he blocked her thoughts, she gave up, ‘forgive us husband, please.’
Catherine bit her lip, ‘please Gareth, we love you and miss you so much.’
Gareth's eyes were cold, ‘you shamed me, you lied and connived behind my back. The whole damn world knows, do you know that. Half my life I have been known as a man with no honour, that hurt to begin with but I got used to it and if any man challenged me I killed him. It was simple, I gave up my honour for the love of a brother, some understood, many didn't, but if a man called me out I could do something about it. What do I do about this?’
He looked from one to the other, ‘what do I do about this, no man has called me out about it, how could they, what would they actually say, but they all talk about me behind my back. Men believe I'm weak because one of my wives drugged me and took control my body.’ He laughed, ‘it’s fantastic, God she took control of my body and seduced another princess in order to force me to marry her. I didn't take your virginity Catherine, Melina did. It’s almost too much to believe and I suppose many don’t, but wow what a great story to pass round the campfire at night, far too good to pass up. Some even think I'm a lucky bloody man.
Want to know what I think, all I can hear is the pair of you dropping hints about my disgrace to get your own ways. How many times have you shamed me into getting something you wanted Melina, or you Catherine.’ He shook his head and stalked out of the chamber before his temper got the better of him.
Catherine looked at Melina, ‘that could have gone better.’
‘Now we know what’s on his mind.’
Catherine sighed loudly, ‘at least he hasn’t divorced us yet.’
‘True but our sons are still stuck up in the Highlands.’
‘Was that the bitch that's been sharing his cabin all these months?’
Melina nodded, ‘yes but she’s still a virgin.’
Catherine shook her head, ‘how do you know that?’
Melina shrugged, ‘Eagle magic thing.’
‘Do you think if he fucks her it will let us off the hook some?’
Melina shook her head, ‘those people have never mated with humans and it is Gareth you’re talking about.’
‘True, got any magic on you that can help.’
‘Please tell me you are joking?’
‘Relax I'm only joking, god I need a fuck. I hope I haven’t gone to all this bother waxing for nothing.’
Melina smiled, ‘he’s been stuck on board ship for a year without sex and six months of that with a beautiful woman, he’ll be back.’
‘Then we show him the real benefits of having two wives.’
Melina took a deep breath, ‘are we really going to do that?’
‘I can’t see how we have much of a choice. Individually he can resist us but when he sees the two most beautiful women in all the lands spread before him naked willing and eager, how is he going to fight that?’
Melina shook her head, ‘not spread but bent over.’
Catherine smiled, ‘that's a better idea, I wonder which one of us he will take first.’
Melina scowled at the grinning Catherine, ‘I think we really need to plan this a bit better, have a battle plan as it were.’
‘How?’
Melina shrugged, ‘we have a big library, there’s got to have something in there.’
‘Do we have time?’
Melina’s eyes glassed over, ‘plenty, Gareth's gone.’
‘Where?’
It took her almost a minute to get an answer, ‘he’s gone to see the boys but is coming back tomorrow.’
Catherine grabbed her hand, ‘let’s go to the library while the children are away and we have the time.’
CHAPTER 39
Gareth struggled through the deep snow to his father’s house. He had to hunt for the shovel and dig the door out before he could enter. He opened the door and kicked the snow off his boots.
‘Wondered who was banging away out there,’ his father’s voice was warm.
Gareth grinned, ‘god I forgot how cold it can get.’
‘The boys are sleeping, want me to wake them?’
‘No let them sleep.’
‘You going to take them home in the morning.’
‘Thinking about it, just came to see how they are.’
‘They are doing really well, but rough to start with, but they got there in the end, can’t do much with them in this bloody weather though and they are driving me nuts. Take them home for a c
ouple of months get some decent schooling into them then get them back here in the spring for the spring planting. Give me some peace.’
Gareth settled by the stove, ‘that's what I’ll do then.’
‘How’s your little adventure going?’
‘Not bad at all, but everywhere I go I find someone’s been there before me.’
‘Course they have you silly bugger. The world is full of people and they all know where they are. All you’re doing is filling blank spots on a piece of paper lad.’
Gareth wondered if his father was taking the piss but when he reflected on it for a moment he saw the sense in his father’s words. ‘I suppose your right, that's all I'm really doing.’
‘Are you enjoying doing it?’
‘Aye it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction.’
‘That's what matters then isn’t it.’
‘Aye.’
‘What have you done about those wives of yours?’
Gareth went ridged, ‘even here men know.’
‘I’d assume the whole bloody world knows by now, the great and wonderful Gareth Ogilvie taken down by a couple of women, who would ever have believed it. How the mighty have fallen and everyone wants to know how you are going to deal with it.’
Gareth fought a great battle with his temper, ‘that's private father.’
‘Hardly, mind you considering you’re a man with no honour, you seem to be taking it pretty hard.’
Gareth snarled, ‘they manipulated me?’
‘Ah I see, like you tried to manipulate me sending the merry widow along with the boys. Don’t bother trying to deny it either, I know what was in your mind boy. I didn't get upset about it though, I thought it a nice thought from a loving son. She’s shacked up with your cousin Tommy by the way.’
Gareth had been caught flatfooted and didn't know how to respond. He hadn’t thought about it like that at all. John had him and he knew it. He leaned forward, ‘you gave up your honour for the love of a brother readily enough. What would you be giving up here by forgiving them Gareth? I learned that I was the one who really lost out on all those years. I was the one who remained bitter for the longest and lost the most.
Who could have thought all those years before that one of my sons would become more famous that the great Teal,’ he shook his head, ‘you realise of course you can damn near do anything you want and everyone will forgive you. It’s all a part of your legend Gareth and it still grows. Your life is an open book and it is still being written. Whatever you chose to do in this matter people will nod their heads wisely and say of course, that was the proper thing to do. The only people who will really judge you will be your own family.’
‘So how do you judge me father?’
‘I think you’re a jammy fucker Gareth.’ The two men laughed.
Gareth shook his head, ‘I suppose I am a jammy bugger but I have to say its never felt like that. You know all I ever wanted was a wee forge somewhere and enough work to bring up a family.’
John shook his head, ‘no lad, that was my dream, and if you’re hanging on to that then you are a fool. Live your life, you have so much more than any of us that have gone before you. You have turned a good clan into a great clan. I know your life has not been easy, the journey through life for great men rarely is, but it’s that journey that makes the man great. Those that live in your shadow will judge themselves by your standards.’
‘You jest father.’
‘No Gareth I don’t, just last year word reached us of a young lad in the Magilvary Clan. His cousin challenged him for the right to his betrothed. The young man refused to draw his sword, he asked the girl who she would rather have and she said his cousin so he gave her to him. His father was furious and followed the young man home I heard with the intentions of killing his own son. He had the sense to ask him first, why have you given up your honour, and do you know what the wee lad said. He said he didn't give up his honour; he took the honourable way like Gareth Ogilvie did. He told his father he had no intentions of killing his cousin over a woman he wasn’t in love with anyway. He would leave the village and go adventuring, maybe one day he would win his own kingdom and have two wives or as many as he wished.’
‘Did his father kill him?’
‘No he helped the wee man pack and sent him on his way and stated he was very proud of his son and the stance he took.’
Gareth shook his head, ‘you're making this up.’
‘No Gareth I'm not, Colin Magilvary I believe the lads name was, ask around.’
‘So your saying it doesn’t matter a damn what I do.’
‘No I think I'm saying quite the opposite. It’s a new world Gareth and like it or not you’re the one who has brought it about. Many people aren’t sure exactly how to cope with it yet and many are looking to you for example. I think everything you do matters,’ he leaned forward, ‘so I would be very careful of doing anything petty or stupid just because your pride is hurting.’
Gareth smiled, ‘you're taking a very long way round to kick my arse Dad.’
John laughed, ‘aye well it wouldn’t be seen fit for your father to take you over his knee at your age. No I know you will do the right thing Gareth. You should have married that lass on your own without having to be tricked into it. Now don’t get mad at me I know what a fucking puritan you are and I know you live your life by the standards I set you, but let me tell you this, I wasn’t adverse to a little bit on the side when I was off on campaign. I was very discrete though and your mother never found out.’
The revelation rocked Gareth, ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘No one bloody did lad, that's the whole point of being discreet, I loved your mother and never wanted to hurt her. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t a bloody animal laying everything that came my way and I only did it a few times, but when you’re young and the need is great.’
‘You never married again.’
‘Didn't want to start a new family, I had enough on my hands with you lot, I knew there just wasn’t the work for all of you as it was. If I’d known what I know now I would have, still might. Saying that I have my hands full with your lot and they are a handful, an absolute joy but a handful.’
‘I was happy with Melina, I didn't need another wife.’
‘Are you complaining?’
‘No I don’t suppose I am.’
‘You’re a King for fuck sake, I've heard some have a dozen wives, more even. Aye and they are not just for fucking either. You have a kingdom to protect now lad and Kings make alliances through marriage, but I'm sure you know more about that than I do.’
‘There are Kings and lords throwing their daughters at me Dad.’
‘All you have to do man is marry those that will bring your kingdom the most benefit.’
‘I don’t know Dad, it just isn’t me.’
‘Aye well, every man out there will want something from you; just make sure you get something back. Well if you don’t mind Gareth I'm bloody tired now, getting old.’
Gareth smiled, ‘I’ll sleep by the fire in my plaid.’
‘There's the spare mattress.’
‘I know where it is.’
Sleep came easily to Gareth. He was woken in the morning by three young boys staring down at him in a somewhat fearful manner. His smile seemed to relax them a little. He noted the difference in their builds since he last saw them and their height.
‘You boys ready to go home for a little holiday?’
They jumped around in excitement. The housekeeper arrived and made their breakfast. John got up and she fed him too. She was a little shy around Gareth but he paid her little mind and she got on with her work. The boys were so full of excitement it put smiles on all their faces. Gareth felt something touch his mind and found it was Teal trying to communicate with him.
‘What is it Teal,’ Gareth asked aloud.
‘When are we coming back sir.’
‘Your grandfather wants you back for spring planting.’
T
eal smiled, ‘we helped at the harvest, it was hard work.’
‘Always is son. Part of the life up here, have you enjoyed it?’
He nodded vigorously, ‘I love it here father.’ They all did and said so.
‘We all got sick,’ Brandi told him. ‘We won’t get sick again will we?’
‘No I wouldn’t think so, not if you not gone for too long.’
‘Is my Dad at home?’
‘No he’s looking after our small fleet but I'm sure I can send him home for a few days to see you.’
He beamed, ‘I’d like that, but I'm really shit at metal work.’
‘We were all shit once,’ Gareth grinned. ‘We’re going to spend a day at the eagle city before we go home, you can go to the market there if you want. Now go gather your things.’
They dashed off to gather their stuff and soon Gareth was smashing through the ice in the burn. As soon as he had an eagle appeared and seconds later they were back in the heat of the eagle city. There was great squeal’s of excitement when the boys met their mothers and sisters. Teal broke free from their embrace and approached his father.
‘Sir can I ask you to cut away the gold ring. I wish to fly.’ Gareth frowned but Teal went on. ‘I won’t do anything stupid sir or bad, I promise.’
‘Grown up a bit have we?’
‘You were right to do what you did sir, I deserved it.’
‘One wrong thing and you will wear it until adulthood, do you understand.’
‘I understand sir.’
He nodded to Melina and she dissolved the ring from his leg. Gareth picked it up and put it in a fold in his plaid and left them to their reunion. He found some of his own ministers waiting for him. It seemed there was things they needed that couldn’t wait so Gareth returned home straight away leaving instructions the rest should follow the following day.
He spent the whole morning with states of affairs and in the afternoon found he had to dispense justice on a number of issues that was felt required his attention. He found he had a couple of visitors to the court. Grey Eagle and Amber had followed him and requested to sit in. When the day was over they joined him for a meal.