by Clare Wilson
As he watched her leave, the Provost was already thinking of any way he could find to remove the Sheriff from the picture. He knew his rightful place was at Naithara’s side. The last thing he needed was to have this idiot involving himself in something he was incapable of achieving. When Eiric rose to power, he wanted to be the man at Naithara’s side. Nothing was going to get in his way.
Chapter Twelve
The Great Unknown
Tom woke early the next morning to find most of the group were already awake and packing their things. Aneirin was sitting up next to him looking out over the valley expectantly. From his expression, Tom already knew the answer to his question. ‘Has the bird arrived back yet?’
‘No, but granda has said he hopes he'll be here soon.’ Aneirin was obviously also impatient for news of what had happened and was scanning the sky for any sign of the small creature. It was a cold morning and Aneirin could see his breath in front of his face as he gazed towards the sunrise.
Tom decided to walk around the clearing at a brisk pace in order to heat himself up. It was so hard sitting waiting for news. He'd never felt so impatient.
Suddenly, the little bird appeared over the horizon and the group immediately rushed to gather round. Torean and Tom nodded to one another and advanced holding their staffs. They didn’t waste time separating themselves from the group. Together they raised their staves, ‘Suaimhneach,’ they said in unison. As before, Tom felt himself being suddenly drawn into the consciousness of the little creature. In a flooding rush of images he saw the same group as before gathered around flaming torches. While he could not understand what they were saying, he could feel a great sense of urgency. He was extremely frustrated. He felt angry at himself for not being able to hear the words being said. He couldn’t even be sure whether the sense of urgency came from the group of men, or whether it came from the little bird. The group did not talk long, and soon scattered in different directions. As this image faded, Torean and Tom retreated from the bird’s consciousness and turned to face the group.
‘Well?’ Lizzy said, looking extremely worried.
The little bird was hopping on the ground behind them, chirping repeatedly. The little creature was desperate to know whether his mission had been a success.
‘Well done, my little friend,’ Torean said, smiling at the bird. ‘You've served us well.’
At this the bird hopped excitedly on the spot, obviously pleased he had conveyed his message successfully.
Tom couldn’t look round at the bird. He was forlorn. ‘I hope you got more from that than I did,’ he said woefully, leaning his head on his staff in frustration. He was despondent because of how difficult it was to glean a clear understanding of what had transpired from such a small creature.
Torean looked at him, understanding his frustration. ‘Well boy,’ he said, clapping him on the back. ‘I understood enough. They didn't look happy. And the fact that they all scattered in different directions tells us they didn't move to find us again last night. I would guess they are setting out again this morning. Hopefully we'll be safe here for a while longer.’
Tom felt relieved Torean had understood more of what the bird had tried to convey. However, he felt extremely frustrated by his lack of focus and skill when communicating with animals. ‘All this means is that I still have a lot to learn,’ he said looking at the ground.
‘Don’t worry, lad,’ Torean smiled. ‘It's a very hard skill to master, to be able to understand such base images. All I did was logically ascertain what information I could from what the bird witnessed. Besides, we all have a great deal to learn. When you have learned everything there is to know, you’re dead.’
Tom tried to smile, but he was frustrated. He wondered whether he would be able to communicate with the little Nuggie if he appeared to him again.
‘Do you think it’s wise to stay in one place, Torean?’ Wilson asked worriedly. The faces of the whole group seemed to turn, and by their expressions, suggested that Wilson had simply said what they were all thinking.
‘Well,’ said Torean, for the first time addressing the whole group. ‘I wouldn't be too hasty to wander around while I don't know where our enemy is heading. Plus, I would doubt they would think of coming here directly after Longford’s Pass. While you may know me well enough to guess my tactics, I don't believe they do.’
‘How can you be sure?’ Lizzy asked, exasperated.
‘Well, dear,’ said Torean, ‘I can't be sure of anything. All they know is that I won't have fled this fight. They'll try to smoke me out, and I must ensure we prevail. One thing I am sure of is that the three of you should all head back into the town as quickly as possible.’
‘We can't leave you!’ Lizzy burst out in anguish, trying to protest. She couldn’t believe her ears. They had come too far to abandon the family now.
‘No, my girl, this isn't safe for us as it is,’ Torean said, trying to placate her. ‘Plus, while our little friend here did well to gather the information he did, we really need someone to be unseen among our enemy in order to aid us fully in this fight. We need you to gather further information and try to keep us informed. I’m sure our little friend here will be invaluable in passing information.’ The little bird hopped around again, obviously pleased he was to have a further role in the adventure.
‘I’m afraid, Lizzy, that I agree,’ the Laird said, putting his arm around her. ‘While my niece is used to me disappearing for days among my books, I am sure she will become highly suspicious when you are not there busy around the house. If we return now it's plausible for me to say I sent you to the next town on an errand yesterday. Plus, as Torean rightly states, we can hopefully get some information which can help keep him and his family safe. Well, safe that is, until their final confrontation. I fear, old friend,’ he said turning to Torean, ‘that when it comes down to it, we will unfortunately be ill-equipped to help you when that time comes.’
‘My dear friend,’ said Torean emotionally. ‘You have already provided a well needed form of aid, that of comradeship. In times such as these it’s comforting to know who your friends are.’
Lizzy was not happy about the decision. She had risked so much to try and get this far. Despite this, she fought back her anger, because ultimately she could see that the men were right. They would not be able to help Torean at all if Lady Naithara and her men discovered that they too were aware of their plans. She knew, however, that she would find the next week very difficult, worrying about whether Torean and his family were safe, especially Aneirin. They had always been close since childhood and the thought of losing him was unbearable to her. Despite the fact that Lizzy was already employed at the Laird’s house, there was barely two years between the pair. Somehow she had always felt destined for Aneirin.
Wilson, who was a father of daughters, could see she was troubled. He also was not so old as to not recognise when someone was in love. He stroked her chestnut hair and said, ‘Come, my dear. We had best get going soon. If Torean’s enemies are on the move this morning, we don't want our departure to lead them to this hiding place.’
Lizzy looked around the group, she was trying her best not to cry. She stopped and focused on Aneirin as a tear tumbled down her cheek. ‘Take care of each other,’ she said, focusing on his blue eyes. ‘I can’t bear the idea there's nothing more we can do to help you.’
‘Dearest Lizzy,’ Adaira smiled, ‘Torean's right. You've already helped us all. The thought that even now in this dark time we have friends has raised our spirits enormously.’
‘Forsooth, my mother's right,’ Aneirin added. He also only had eyes for Lizzy. ‘I know that you've helped me to see that while all seems lost there is still hope. And with our little friend here, I’m sure we can keep in contact. I have a feeling you will be seeing him regularly. When you do, think of me. You can’t get rid of me that easily, Lizzy McCann.’
Lizzy smiled shyly. He always knew how to make her smile. ‘Well, I look to the day when we can all sit down
together, when this is finally all over.’
Torean smiled at her with fondness. ‘Remember that, Lizzy. This will be over soon, and with God looking over us, we shall prevail. Also, remember that you can be of help to us. We'll need someone to be our eyes and ears. I can't say how we will contact you, but I believe we shall need your help if we are to defeat this evil.’
Lizzy felt slightly comforted that their return to the village might help the family in the long run. She hugged Torean tightly and he kissed her head.
‘Lizzy, thank you,’ he said.
She blushed. The MacKay family had been like her own since she was so young. She just hoped she'd done enough.
With that the three went around the group and embraced the family members. Lizzy stopped at Tom and said, ‘I may not know you, but I can see that you're a MacKay. I will think of you as I do all the rest. Take care of yourself, young Tom.’
She then took Tom into an embrace. It made him feel that he too had someone who cared for his plight. He felt a rush of emotion for the girl who he now knew had helped them more than once. He simply said, ‘Thank you, Lizzy.’
After their goodbyes, the group set off sadly from the family and headed back down the mountainside, taking the same route they had come by the previous day. They hoped that by doing this they would be less likely to encounter the pack that searched for Torean and his family. Hopefully, as they had discussed, Naithara and her men would make their approach from Longford’s Pass.
As Tom watched them leave, he hoped they would make their journey back safely without being discovered. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about the fact that at that very moment their enemies stalked the hills seeking them out. He knew the family was all aware that Devil’s Ford would not be safe for long. They had nowhere to hide.
Torean looked round at the remaining members of the group. It seemed so small now that the others had gone. ‘Come,’ he said. ‘We can't sit here idle. We must discuss where we should move to next. I would wager that while we are safe for now, this place will not be safe for much longer. Our enemies may not know me as well as our departed friends there, but there are limited places in these hills where one may find shelter. We still have just under a week until they strike, and we can't risk failure now.’
The group sat down in a circle and began to discuss the matter.
‘Where shall we go?’ Adaira asked wearily. She was already exhausted, and the thought of having to move on again drained away the hope their friends had brought them.
‘Well,’ said Torean. ‘Tom was the one who brought us to Devil’s Ford; any further ideas boy?’
Tom was shocked that they were all looking to him to advise them. ‘Eh, well,’ he stammered, trying to think of places they could go. ‘I’m not sure. I suppose I would say that wherever we go, we should probably head in the same direction as your friends. If we know that Lady Naithara and her band are headed from Longford’s Pass it would be stupid to try to head back the way we came in order to find shelter.’
‘Good start, boy,’ Torean said nodding. ‘So the question that leaves us with is where we can go if we head in that direction. We obviously can't take their route down the mountainside as it leads too close to the town and we daren't be seen. I'm sure news of what has happened to us will have spread, and most people will probably believe the official version that Aneirin is a criminal on the run.’
‘There are caves further up in the hills,’ Aneirin said thoughtfully. ‘Although from what I know of them, they can't provide great shelter, and the temperatures at that height would not be easy to survive at night, even in the summer.’
‘Well, they may be our only option,’ said Torean sternly, rubbing his now extremely whiskery chin. ‘Also remember that through our lore we have ways of providing heat if need be. Good thinking boy. I believe the caves you speak of are up by Hermit’s Way. It is best that we all know where we are headed. If we are attacked before we can move on, we need to know where to meet. If not, we could end up scattered.’
Adaira suddenly looked as if she was going to cry again. ‘Torean, please do not talk that way. If I am going to be able to survive this I need to believe we can be together and be safe.’
‘Unfortunately, dear, that's something I can't promise you.’ He touched her hand. ‘Nevertheless, I'll do everything in my power to ensure we stay together. I believe that we can be safe here for one more night. If we move on tomorrow morning, that leaves us with roughly five days until they plan to strike. If we can survive in the hills for a further four days we will then need to head towards town to be in place. Hopefully Angus and our friends will be able to help us with safe passage to where the group hopes to meet. For the moment we will make it through today here, and head for Hermit’s Way tomorrow morning.’
‘So which way should we go?’ Aneirin asked.
‘Well,’ the old man said, picking up a stray stick from the ground. ‘If we head this way,’ he continued, drawing a crude map on the earth. ‘The area has two points of entry. So if we were attacked we could separate in order to lose them. Tom do you know these paths?’
‘I have some knowledge of them, but it's not as good as your own. I've never been in these hills unaccompanied and my granda was always the navigator.’
‘I know them well enough,’ Aneirin said. ‘I suggest we pair up. If we have to separate, I'll go with Tom and granda, you should take mum. That way we know at least one person in each pair is confident of where they're headed. It also means there's one staff bearer in each pairing should we need to defend ourselves.’
‘That sounds like a plan,’ Torean said, patting him on the back. ‘Don’t worry, lassie,’ he said, noticing Adaira’s expression. ‘Hopefully there shan't be need to separate. We've been safe here so far, it's just best to be prepared.’
The group all nodded to one another, the decision had been made and they all knew what was expected of them. It gave them a sense of purpose for the rest of the day, even though they knew it would still be extremely long. Tom, Aneirin and Torean went to an open space in the camp to practice with the staves and Adaira busied herself going through their remaining supplies to gauge whether they had enough food and water to keep them going for a further four days. It felt like they were waiting for danger.
Tom was grateful when Adaira sent him and Aneirin in search of some fresh mushrooms. But this was short lived when Aneirin pointed out this must mean supplies were low. The two of them trudged through the countryside and Tom didn’t like the idea of spending the next week eating mushroom stew.
* * *
At dawn Naithara and her followers gathered in the clearing by the aviary and set out for Longford’s Pass. As they walked towards the hills, the Lord Provost made sure he walked by Naithara's side. He was a very proud man, and he positioned himself there as he believed he was her right hand. Also, following his discussion with Naithara the previous evening, he was determined to ensure the Sheriff was in no position to jeopardise the Lady’s safety and the success of their mission. He looked like an ever faithful dog at his mistress’ side.
‘I should have come with you yesterday when you went to search,’ Naithara said while walking. ‘I believe with my advanced powers I will be able to sense where Torean is. You men must have been like children fumbling in the dark yesterday.’
‘Not quite children, my Lady,’ said the Provost in his usual slimy manner. ‘Nevertheless, your presence was missed. I am sure with you beside us, we cannot fail.’
She smiled at him. ‘My master has given me skills that will help me to feel Torean when he is using his staff. This should act like a compass to help guide our way.’
‘You are a marvel, my Lady,’ the Provost said, grovelling. ‘I am ashamed that we have let you down thus far. I feel in my heart that this time we shall be successful.’
‘I hope you're right, Hamish. A great deal depends upon it,’ she said sullenly. The strain of the past days was evident on her face. ‘There are no words to d
escribe the wrath my master shall bring upon us all if we fail.’ She seemed to be staring into the distance with a look which could almost have made one feel pity. ‘Yet, fear not, he is also generous,’ she said, now smiling, as though she had snapped out of her maudlin. ‘When we are successful and he has gained the power he needs to take physical form, we shall all be handsomely rewarded.’
‘Indeed, Lady, indeed.’ replied the Provost distantly. He was looking out over the valley ambitiously. Unlike the Sheriff he had had no doubts whatsoever about his actions. He felt this was the opportunity his life had been building towards. At last he would receive the power which was rightfully his. He would also gain what he viewed to be his rightful position, from which he would be able to inflict all manner of punishments upon the deserving. He walked on imagining how he could rule over the dirt-grubbing poor with an iron fist. He envisioned his position within Naithara’s court, of being her Chancellor. How he hated those poor snivelling idiots who believed the world owed them a living. He would weed them all out when he was in power.
They reached Longford’s Pass by mid morning and the Provost took Lady Naithara through everything they had surmised the day before upon their visit there. ‘After examining the area yesterday, we believed the group may have separated. Torean having headed further into the hills, while Adaira and her son would have fled the valley. While he is foolhardy and would not abandon this fight, we believe he would not put his family in any further danger.’