by Barbara Bard
“The time for speaking is over!” Deirdre said, her eyes blazing with fury.
Blair and Deirdre's turbulent relationship had been the subject of much gossip, especially from Deirdre herself. Declan hated comparing himself to his cousins, knowing that he would fall short. Deirdre had not said anything explicitly, but Declan was certain that in many ways he would never measure up to either Drew or Blair. Declan had hoped that by now he would have been able to drive the memory of Blair from Deirdre's mind, but she still clung onto the bitter spite.
Part of him wasn't even sure what was really going on with Deirdre. She had been the only woman to ever take an interest in him and yet she seemed elusive on occasion. Declan wasn't entirely sure where they stood, or how he felt.
“I'm just a boy, and naebody cares. Dae ye ever feel like ye hae greatness within ye, but naebody can see it?” Declan asked. For however confusing their relationship was, Declan felt comfortable confiding in her.
“Aye,” Deirdre said, and kissed him on the cheek. Declan barely noticed the gesture. His thoughts turned to the future and a life wasted, fearing that if he did not take matters into his own hands soon he would fade into obscurity and be unable to take part in the battles like his father.
Declan stood up and pulled Deirdre up and along with him, then began to march back into the camp.
“Where are ye going?” she asked.
“Tae make sure something happens,” he said.
With determination in his eyes, Declan moved forward and went to Old Will's hut. The old man had been alive for far longer than anyone else Declan knew. He was a font of wisdom and carried much respect from the clan. He had taught Aife, and in turn taught Blair, Drew, and Declan. In recent years he had become more of a hermit, focusing on his herbs and parchments.
Declan burst through the door and found Old Will leafing through some old parchments. The old man turned to them, his beady eyes looking at Declan with great interest. He had a stooped back and shuffled rather than walked as he greeted his guests.
“I did nae expect tae see the two of ye here,” Old Will said.
“I am tired of all this talk. We must gae and talk tae Drew and Blair now,” Declan said firmly. Old Will sighed and groaned, every movement he made seemed to take much out of him.
“There is nae point anymore. Without Drew's backing we hae nae hope. We simply must accept fate as it is. Drew and Blair hae made their decisions, and we can dae nothing about it.”
“I will nae accept that!” Declan said, with such vehemence that Deirdre and Old Will were startled. “We dinnae need Drew! We hae me. I can convince them.”
Declan saw the glance that passed between the old man and Deirdre, and it stabbed at his soul.
“I hae done everything ye hae asked, and yet ye still dinnae believe that I hae it in me? What dae ye think of me? I can be just as good as anyone in battle, and I can make Blair and Drew realize that they should never have brought Sassenach lasses here.”
Old Will hung his head, his wispy white hair trembling a little as he moved.
“Ye are like yer father, always hot-blooded,” Old Will said, “Always ready tae charge. Ye know that is how he was wounded?”
“My father was a great warrior,” Declan said tersely.
“Oh aye, that he was, but he was also tae eager. If he had just been more patient...well, that is a matter for the gods, I suppose. Declan, ye are a wee lad, what dae ye hope to accomplish? It was going tae be hard enough tae tell Blair he is wrong, let alone the both of them.”
“There are people who know the truth of what we speak. There are those out there who will rally around you for the pride of the Highlands,” Deirdre said.
“Aye, and there are plenty of men who will fight for the men who proved themselves in battle. Blair and Drew inspire much loyalty, more than ye hae. I think it is time tae let this matter rest,” the old man said wisely, giving Deirdre a strange look. “It pains me tae see things gae this way, but it is the way of the world tae change. Perhaps I am just tae old. This world is nae mine any longer.”
“Dinnae speak like that. Dinnae accept defeat sae easily! We can make them see the error of their ways. We just need tae be smart. We can make them see that what they're daeing is nae right,” Deirdre said, getting more and more agitated.
Declan looked at her and wondered if he had been so desperate. He looked at Old Will imploringly but saw the resignation in Old Will's eyes.
“Are ye sure? Ye can offer nae aid?”
“Lad, ye should nae see only one course of action before ye. There is much tae be done in this life. Gae back tae yer father. Spend some time together. Get him tae tell ye about his battles.”
“I'm daeing this for my father! I'm daeing this for all of us!”
“Then I fear ye must dae it by yerself,” Old Will said sadly, turning his back to Declan. “At my age I hae gained much wisdom, and part of that is never tae enter a fight I cannae win. I am sorry ye cannae see that, but maybe ye will learn a harsh lesson.”
Declan stormed out with Deirdre by his side, fury building within him.
“I cannae believe him!” Declan said. Deirdre remained silent, a pensive look on her face.
“Well, then it is just the two of us,” Deirdre said. “That old man is a fool. We should nae have involved him in the first place. This is a matter for the young. Ye should be proud, Declan, proud tae be the one tae lead the clan soon. Blair and Drew dinnae know what is best for the clan anymore. Ye are the only one who can make a difference. Go tae the others, tell them what we need tae dae, then march intae that castle and take this clan.”
Deirdre's words were impassioned, but they failed to sway Declan. He had been among the other Highlanders and knew there was no way they were going to listen to him. If he was going to convince Blair and Drew of the danger these Sassenach girls posed, he was going to have to do it alone.
“Old Will spoke some sense,” Declan said. “Perhaps this isn't the way forward.”
“I cannae believe ye of all people are saying this. Old Will I can understand. He is an old man and disnae need the trouble, but ye? After all ye hae said about Blair? Ye would really stop?” Deirdre spat.
Declan shrugged. “Ye ask tae much of me, Deirdre. Ye are tae angry. This is nae a matter of fighting. We need tae talk, and the more people we hae tae talk the better.”
“Ye should be angry, Declan. I wish there was another way. This could hae worked before the Sassenach attacked, but when they did all our hope was lost. I dinnae believe the Highlanders will be sae quick tae take up arms again. If ye dae nothing now ye will hae tae get used tae Sassenach lasses living with us, but I am nae gaeing tae talk with them. The time for words is done!”
“We'll see about that. If I hae tae dae it by myself then sae be it!” he said, storming away from Deirdre unable to believe that she would really forsake him in his moment of need. All he wanted was to make Blair and Drew see sense. Deirdre seemed to want to take it further. It was a shame that she took this so personally rather than wanting what was best for the clan. His words would have carried more weight if he had been flanked by Deirdre and Old Will, but their absence was not going to stop him.
Whenever he needed anyone they always let him down. Sometimes he thought it might be preferable to live as a hermit where he didn't have to worry about anyone else. But that wasn't his destiny. He was to live a life of adventure and glory, to live a life that both he and his father would be proud of. There was no time like the present to begin. With a fearsome stirring in his heart, Declan strode through the camp and approached all the remaining clans for their aid.
It did not go as he had planned.
When he approached them he had to remind them who he was, for none of them seemed to recognize him, which only incurred his anger. Again and again he was laughed away by seasoned warriors who saw nothing but a boy. Why did they not see what he was?
In the end, he returned empty-handed. Nobody wanted to join him in facing Drew and
Blair for various reasons. Some did not care to be told what to do by a boy, and others did not have a problem with what Blair and Drew were doing.
Declan was alone, and for the first time in his life he knew what that fully meant. His father would never have sanctioned his actions, and nobody else was paying him any attention. He had nobody to rely on, no friends to even talk to. Even Deirdre had forsaken him. She was probably working on some other scheme to get her revenge on Blair. The woman had never been in it for the proper reasons anyway, not to restore the pride of the clan. She had only been in it for her own ends, and would rather destroy the clan than be its salvation.
Declan would have to keep an eye on her.
Not like Old Will. There was a true patriot, and it was a sad thing to see him give up so meekly. But old age had to come to them all. Will could perhaps have helped Declan talk some sense into the McCall brothers, their words given the weight of his wisdom.
One day it would come to Declan too, if he was fortunate to live that long, and when it did he did not want to look back on his life with regret. Every fiber of his being told him that this was the only way to get glory, and that he had to do so sooner rather than later. He did not want to end up like Old Will or his father, two men who hadn't had the required fortitude to do what had to be done, and instead were left languishing until death claimed them.
So, even though Declan had nobody beside him, he strode into the castle, determined to face Blair and Drew. This had to be done. He could no longer stand by and watch the entire clan fall into ruin. If he was the only one willing to stand up for justice then so be it, but he would do what was right, because he was a Highlander, and he was proud of his heritage.
He made his way to the great hall. Blair, Drew, Rosemary, and Sarah were all there. Before he went in he overheard them talking about a girl, most likely the prisoner he was supposed to be guarding.
“Ah there ye are. Why are ye nae at yer post?” Drew asked. Declan marched up to the thrones, disgusted at the sight of the Sassenach women sitting upon them.
“I hae business with ye,” Declan said.
Drew and Blair cast a glance at each other. “Then say yer piece,” Blair said.
“I am here tae challenge yer actions. I dinnae believe that ye are acting in the best interests of the clan by having those lasses sitting by yer side. I cannae stand by and watch ye destroy all that our fathers built.”
Drew cocked an eyebrow at him, but it was not one of Declan's cousins who answered him directly. Rather, it was Rosemary.
“Excuse me, what is your name?” she asked.
“Declan,” he said in a surly manner, barely deigning to look at her.
“And why, exactly, do you have a problem with our presence here?” She opened her palm, gesturing towards Sarah, who looked a little embarrassed. Declan felt his cheeks redden. He was not sure what he had expected from this endeavor, but this was certainly not it.
“It is nae a problem with ye personally ye see, but with the general principle. We hae long been enemies with the Sassenach, sae tae hae two lasses sitting on our thrones is difficult tae see. This is nae how we live, and it is wrong. Blair and Drew hae gone against everything we believe in.”
“I find it curious that you refer to 'we' when you are standing alone. Are there others who feel this way?”
Declan shifted uncomfortably, moving the weight between his feet. He bowed his head slightly and cleared his throat, then tilted his head up to meet her sparkling blue eyes.
“It disnae matter whether anyone stands with me or nae. I had hoped they would, but they are tired of fighting for the moment. I will stand up for what I believe in though, and I will nae let this matter rest until it has been resolved.”
“And how dae ye see it being resolved, Declan?” Drew said slowly, looking at him evenly.
Declan searched his mind, but he quickly realized how immature he was being. He had stormed into this castle without any thought of the future. There was much for Declan to learn. There were so many things he wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat, and it was as though he had a mouth filled with glass.
At Declan's silence, Blair threw back his head and laughed uproariously. He laughed so hard that tears began to flow from his eyes, and he almost shook his body from his chair. Declan's face darkened, annoyed that once again he was not being given the proper respect.
Before he could say anything to that effect however, Rosemary placed her hand on Blair's arm.
“Calm down, my love. Can't you see that he is serious? This may amuse you, but there is nothing funny about it to him, and we must treat him with respect. He is your cousin, after all.”
Declan was surprised that Rosemary was perhaps the only person who actually gave voice to his feelings, although he hated that she seemed quite reasonable. It would have been far easier to hate the both of them if the Sassenach women were cruel hags.
“Declan, can ye nae see the madness of this? Ye are standing alone, telling us how tae live our lives. Gae back tae yer father, spend some time with him. I know I wish I had spent more time with mine when he was alive. Find some peace. Ye are tae young tae be filled with such anger. Ye are gaeing tae be a great warrior one day, dinnae rush it,” Blair said.
“And if ye dae wish tae stay, ye know where duty lies,” Drew added.
The two of them then turned to each other and spoke in low tones, as if that was the matter settled. Declan stared at them furiously, and felt impotent anger rise within him. They acted as though he wasn't there, as though that was the end of it, and he knew deep in his heart that it was. Still, he stood there for a few moments more until they noticed that he hadn't left. After one long glance Declan turned on his heels and walked away.
At first, he thought about doing as they said and leaving for his home, but that felt as though he was taking a step back. Life was supposed to move forward, and anything important was going to happen here. He wanted to be alone too, and didn't want to be faced with the ridicule of the people he'd tried to convince to join him when he confronted his cousins. So, he ascended the stairs and went to guard the prisoner again. At least it was out of the way and he wouldn't have to be humiliated any further.
The only thing that had surprised him was how reasonable Rosemary had been. He'd been avoiding them for the most part, not wanting to give them any unwarranted attention, but she had seemed the most level-headed out of all of them. She had the manner of a queen, but she wasn't a Highlander, and didn't deserve to rule in these parts.
Chapter 5
Catherine had been sitting alone for a little while after Sarah had left, wondering what she was going to do with her days. She thought on Sarah's words and wondered if it wasn't worth adjusting her attitude a little, just for the sake of actually getting out of this room and being allowed some freedom of movement.
She wished now that she had spent more time in the dungeons of the estate and observed the prisoners that Harold kept there to glean some idea of how they coped with captivity. Harold did have a cruel streak, and while he usually favored executing prisoners there were some he chose to keep alive as trophies. Some men had been down there for years, and had quite likely gone mad. Catherine wondered if she would lose her mind if she was held long enough.
It certainly wouldn't do her any good to stay here. Playing on Sarah's good nature was a viable strategy. Catherine could pretend that all was forgiven and that she was willing to open her mind to a life here, before finding an opportunity to escape. Yet it still seemed wrong to manipulate Sarah like that, even though Sarah herself had lied to Catherine over and over again.
Still, Sarah had done that out of self-preservation. Now that Catherine had had some time to think on the matter she realized that it had been Sarah's only recourse. If she had revealed the truth Harold would have been incensed and likely kept her as one of his trophies. She seemed the same sweet, sincere girl as well, but Catherine didn't know if she could ever forgive her for what she had done.
>
Her thoughts were interrupted by a noise at the door. It sounded as though someone had slumped against it.
“Sarah?” she called out, although the weight of the body seemed far too much for Sarah. It was more likely to be the insolent guard who had dragged her to this room in the first place.
“Who is there? I demand to know!” She cried, annoyed that whoever was behind the door was not speaking to her. Fear rippled through her mind. For all of Sarah's guarantees, Catherine did not feel safe in this place.
“Be quiet, I'm trying tae think,” A voice said, muffled through the door, but clear. Catherine made her way to the door and sank down, resting her back against it.
“Oh, it's you again. I was hoping it would be someone who had good conversation.”
“I can talk about anything ye like. We are nae dumb brutes up here.”
“Really? Then let us talk about math or literature,” Catherine said.