On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

  “It will be dark soon. There are logs at the back of the cottage. Bring some in and we’ll make a nice fire. It’s beginning to grow chilly.”

  Elisa pulled the wood chips and kindling her mother kept in a basket next to the hearth. She retrieved her satchel and took out the flint. Some of it was wet, but she found a couple of dry pieces. By the time Kelsi returned with the wood, she had a tiny flame ignited. Kelsi added the wood to the hearth and soon a nice fire blazed.

  Elisa tried to clean up as much as she could, but she’d made more of a mess of the cottage during her rummaging for the parchment. Rain began falling again though heavier than last eve. Drips came earnestly through the hole where the thatch had fallen through so she set an old cauldron beneath it to catch the water.

  “Let us lie by the hearth so we’ll stay dry and warm.”

  Kelsi set as many coverings as she could find down upon the flooring. Elisa repositioned their garments so they would hopefully dry. The cotte she wore wasn’t comfortable and she now knew why she hadn’t worn it that often. They were getting ready to settle down for the night when Kelsi tripped on a floor board beside the pallet she and Mauri shared.

  Elisa gasped in remembrance. Her sister used to hide things there when they were young. Well she’d hide things she didn’t want Elisa touching. Her sister could be quite selfish sometimes. Elisa knelt and removed the floorboard. There was a wrapped cloth with something inside. She pulled the cloth from its hiding place and set it upon the floor in front of her.

  Carefully she opened the treasure within. There was another wrapped fabric rolled inside. Elisa unrolled the odd shaped fabric and realized what it was. Mauri had been working on a miniature pinsel for Alexander. The pinsel wasn’t very large for she’d seen many banners that flew denoting its emissary. This one was mayhap knee-high.

  As she unraveled it, the beautifully sewn image of the rampart lion done in a finely reddened stitch gleamed in the firelight. Mauri sewed much better than she. There were other smaller images on it too, a crown stitched in golden threads, a scepter and sword, and she’d stitched the words ‘In Defens.’

  “’Tis beautiful,” Kelsi said.

  “This is the banner Mauri, my sister, had made as a bride gift for Alexander. She never got to give it to him though.” Elisa saddened at that because her sister had worked long hours on it and seeing it reminded her that her sister was truly gone. She couldn’t hold any ill-tidings against her sister, because Elisa thought Mauri tried to do the right thing by giving the parchment to Alexander. That is, if in fact that’s what she had tried to do. The only sorrowful thing was her family had died for her sister’s honorable gesture.

  There was no parchment within the wrappings. Elisa set it upon the table, dejected at not finding what she’d hoped to. The day exhausted her and she readied for bed.

  She and Kelsi settled down for the night. Elisa felt odd being in her home without her family. She imagined her father would soon walk through the door, returning from a meeting. Her mother would be shushing them to get to sleep. Her brother Robbie would throw things at her and Mauri while they lay on their pallet. So many memories and yet they did little to comfort her.

  Elisa closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep, listening to the crackle of the wood in the hearth. She was beyond tired, exhausted from the journey and more so from the emotional homecoming. As she drifted off to sleep, Kelsi shook her.

  “Do you hear that?”

  “What? I hear nothing.”

  Kelsi shook her again when she closed her eyes. “Someone is out there.”

  “Nay it is your imagination. No one is there, Kelsi. The entire clan disbanded.”

  “I tell you, I heard voices. Someone is there.” Kelsi rose on her knees and was about to pull her upward.

  The door burst open and she and Kelsi screamed their fright to the rafters.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Kenneth had spent the day making preparations and seeing to the training of the McInnish warriors. They’d grown lax in their abilities and he couldn’t fault anyone but himself. If he’d come home sooner he would have ensured the men continued their practice and were prepared for any clashes they encountered.

  Their skills waned from lack of training. By the end of the first day he’d only gotten around to assessing half of the men. Aiden, Duncan and Simon were helpful in providing details about each of the soldiers. Grey’s men assisted too, and sparred with those that needed an adversary to test their skills. He’d been so caught up in discussions of their battle plans that he’d stayed in the garrison and hadn’t had time to go inside the keep.

  He continued at a hasty pace ensuring every man had gotten feedback on what tactics they needed to focus on. He became tense and frustrated. His clan tested his patience. Fortunately he had Grey there to guide him in his direction of the men. He’d seen Grey command a large army, and now his respect for such leadership grew immensely.

  Kenneth reached the top of the stairs, expecting to see the guard posted. Sean and Colm were not standing outside the door. Elisa wasn’t within their chamber. He decided to wash and change while he waited for her return. Kenneth donned clean garments and after using the basin, he felt much calmer.

  Elisa must be busy at her tasks for she was taking a long time. His eyes grew heavy and he thought to lie upon the bedding for a few minutes. Kenneth closed his eyes for a moment and the next thing he knew it was morning.

  Light filtered through the fabric covering the window casement. He looked to where Elisa should be only she wasn’t there. Kenneth hurriedly left the chamber. There was no sign of Sean or Colm anywhere within the keep. As he stood in the hall, he tried to think of where she could be. Surely they wouldn’t have allowed her out beyond the walls.

  Helena came into the hall with a young lass following her, carrying a basket of bread and a pitcher of ale.

  “Good morn, Kenneth.”

  “And you. Have you seen Elisa this morn?”

  “I haven’t. Come to think of it, I didn’t see her much yesterday either.” She set her basket and pitcher on the table and began eating when the young maid stepped forward and filled her trencher.

  “When was the last time you saw her?”

  “Yestermorn, I deem.” She took a sip of her ale. “I may be mistaken. Mayhap it was the day before. I am not certain, Kenneth, for my old mind doesn’t keep track of such things.”

  Kenneth nodded and excused himself. It was useless asking the old woman for any information. Outside, he found Grey giving instruction to two of the younger soldiers.

  “It’s good Duff is not here. He’d be biting at their arses, because you know how frustrated he gets during training sessions.”

  Kenneth nodded, but he wasn’t really paying attention and looked around trying to see if Elisa was about. If Sean or Colm were there, he’d easily spot them for they were taller than all of the McInnish men.

  “What has you so enthralled?” Grey asked.

  “No one has seen Elisa.”

  “Not to worry, Sean and Colm are good at what they do.”

  “Have you seen either of them lately?”

  Grey’s mouth formed a smirk. “Come to think of it, nay, I haven’t. I wouldn’t worry, Kenneth. She’s probably about somewhere within the walls.”

  Hell, he hoped so. Kenneth started off. “Help me look around. They have to be somewhere.” Panic was beginning to take over.

  Grey agreed and Kenneth left him and set off to question everyone he came across. After an hour he made no progress. As he approached the back gate, he saw Grey speaking with the watch.

  “Have you news?” He sidled up to Grey.

  Grey shook his head and continued listing to Albert.

  “… they didn’t say where they were going. I didn’t consider it my place to ask them. They headed off in that direction.” Albert pointed toward the woods.

  “When was this?” Grey asked.

  “The day afore yesterday. No one else has been t
hrough this gate, except the wagon that took the wood to the walls and a lad who was assisting.”

  Kenneth caught the conversation and a sick sense started growing within his chest. “And you allowed them to leave? Was my wife with them?” His stomach tensed. She’d been missing for two days and he hadn’t noticed. Concerns of the pending war kept him busy, but that didn’t excuse the fact that he hadn’t searched his wife out. What a wretched husband he turned out to be. And he’d just gotten her to forgive his boorish behavior.

  “Nay, Laird, just the lad on the cart and two Gunn men.”

  His mind began putting it together. “They wouldn’t have left unless she was outside the walls.”

  “She must have left the keep,” Grey said.

  “I thought the same thing, but why would she do that?”

  “You didn’t tell her she wasn’t allowed to leave, did you?”

  Kenneth scowled at Grey’s summation. He now berated himself for not telling her of the threat. Certain she’d heard at least part of their conversation when they discussed the impending war, he couldn’t reason why she would put herself in such danger. “We must go and search for her.”

  Then shouts came and a bell tolled. “What now?”

  “We have no time to search for Elisa. Mayhap Domhnall has arrived.” Grey started off toward the front gate. Kenneth followed.

  God almighty, it was one thing after another. Kenneth walked hastily to the battlement and took the ladder. Far off he saw Domhnall and his men sitting upon their steeds. They didn’t appear to want to approach, but he wouldn’t either with the amount of arrows pointed in their direction.

  “I suppose we’ll have to greet him.” Grey unsheathed his sword, nodding and motioning to the ladder.

  Kenneth had his horse brought to him and once he seated it, he took his sword and held it on his lap. To the guardsmen, he said, “One false move and take them out.” The archers on the battlement were set for any confrontation that might arise.

  Kenneth, Grey, and Duncan rode out to speak with the nefarious king of the isles. At close enough, but safe distance from Domhnall, Kenneth stopped his horse. He waited for Domhnall to acknowledge them. After a few minutes of listening to the grass grow, Kenneth became impatient.

  “What do you want?”

  “I’ve come for her. Bring her out at once or your keep will be besieged.”

  To Grey, Kenneth said, “He comes with a large army.”

  “Aye, he must have had his men in my woods when he came to my fortification. There are at least one hundred men by my estimation. A good many more than he had at my keep.” Grey cupped his mouth and shouted, “The lass isn’t here. We’ve searched the entire keep.”

  “What are you saying?” Kenneth said, frowning at him.

  “That you’re about to have guests.”

  “The hell I am. He is not entering my walls.” Kenneth kicked his horses’ flanks and rode a bit closer to Domhnall. “mac Raghnaill, I’m Kenneth McInnish, laird here. Welcome.” He wanted to bite his tongue for the last person he’d welcome to his land was this swine-arsed devil.

  Domhnall turned to one of his men, but then turned back. “Welcome? If I were so welcomed the gates would be open and your battlements would not be so occupied.”

  “Aye they might be. Och we’ve had bands of rogues roaming the territory of late. And besides, you have a lot of followers there.” Kenneth tilted his head indicating his army. “I assume there’s a reason you travel with many men.”

  “I protect my arse,” Domhnall said.

  “It that is true, then I bid you welcome.”

  “Verily? I do not wish to be welcomed. I have only come for the lass. Your stable lad told us, Gunn, that she was taken here to McInnish land. Is she within? Bring her to me.”

  “Nay, she is not inside. My lad lied to you for she was never at my keep.” Grey held his sword by his side, at the ready and Kenneth did the same.

  Domhnall’s face reddened from what Kenneth could see of his cheeks above his beard. He clenched the reins of his horse and turned, speaking to his men behind him. Kenneth had to get his attention returned or the fray would start out here, not a good situation to be in, he considered.

  “Laird Gunn has come to aide me in matters pertaining to my clan. He spoke of this lass you are looking for.”

  “And you have no knowledge of her?”

  “Nay, I do not,” Kenneth lied. “Why is she so important to you?”

  “She is my betrothed.”

  Kenneth’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. He so badly wanted to use it. His fingers tensed and his jaw clamped shut. The man was a liar for Elisa was never betrothed to him. He felt it his duty to retaliate for the deaths of his wife’s family, and Kenneth was about to ride forward when Grey circled him.

  “I know what you’re thinking. But this is not the time or place for retribution. Consider your clan’s safety. There will be a better opportune time to seek vengeance.”

  Kenneth nodded, but he wasn’t happy about having to back down.

  “I do not trust you, McInnish. The lad said you and she were in the stables. He wouldn’t have lied for we … Well I know he didn’t speak falsely.”

  “I spend a lot of time in the stables with women. Mayhap I was with her, who knows …” Kenneth shrugged his shoulder and had enough of the chatter. He raised his sword. “Be gone, mac Raghnaill unless you want to be cut down before you enter my keep.” He raised the sword higher, thereby giving the signal to his men. At once the battlement archers stood and readied to release their arrows. One row held flaming arrows and pointed them to the sky.

  mac Raghnaill moved his horse back a little. “Do you swear she is not within?”

  Kenneth signaled again by slashing his sword to the right. At least one hundred men marched out of the gate and stood with their swords in position. He then returned his gaze to mac Raghnaill. “She is not here. Och, if you wish to see for yourself?” Baiting him, Kenneth discerned he wouldn’t enter. There were too many men standing outside the gate. And he suspected Domhnall would estimate a greater number within.

  “If you hear of her whereabouts …?”

  “I will tell you nothing. Your concerns mean naught to me. Now be gone before I lose my patience with you.”

  mac Raghnaill must have known he was outnumbered and would take great losses were he to try to besiege them or draw them out for a fray. He retreated and Kenneth waited until he couldn’t see him before he’d return to the gate. The man and his army disappeared over the hillside. Kenneth signaled to the men on the ground to retreat back inside.

  Once through the gate, cheers arose. Kenneth wasn’t about to celebrate as he did not consider this minor fracas with Domhnall a victory. Until he spilled Domhnall’s blood, he wouldn’t claim triumph.

  “Simon, keep the men posted on the battlement in case he returns. Where is Aiden?”

  Simon turned his gaze. “I don’t know, Laird. Do you want me to find him?”

  “Nay, just stay with the watch and report anything unusual, especially Domhnall’s return.” Kenneth searched for his missing guardsmen on his way back to the keep.

  “Laird, I’ll go and search for Aiden, and will return shortly,” Duncan said and left them.

  “Where do you think Elisa is?” Grey asked, joining him at the bottom of the steps.

  “I hope not within the woods. mac Raghnaill might find her sooner than he hopes.” Kenneth couldn’t believe Elisa would leave the safety of the walls. His anger grew by the minute, and some of it directed at himself because he should have told her of the dangers.

  “Do you reason she left to help you avert the confrontation?”

  “She may have, Grey. I deem she overheard us the other day discussing the matter. I could tell by her expression she heard some of it. Where has she gone?” Kenneth’s heart clenched at the thought of her being alone. He couldn’t stomach the thought that she’d risked her life to save theirs.

  “Where would
she feel safe? Mayhap my home?”

  “Nay, she wouldn’t want to put Bree or the Gunns in the midst of it either.” Kenneth walked toward the keep trying to reason where his wife had run off to. He was consoled to know she at least wasn’t with mac Raghnaill.

  As he and Grey entered the hall, Helena applauded him.

  “You lads are clever, aye, thwarted the mac Raghnaill have you?”

  “For now,” Kenneth said.

  “Come, have food for you need your strength for the coming battle.”

  “Why would you say that, Helena?” Grey scowled, not liking her words either.

  “Our clan’s seer warned me. Aye she’s proclaimed all the armies will come together and a great clash will occur. There is only one who can prevent it.”

  “Elisa.” Grey shot a stunned glance at him.

  “How is she going to stop this impending war?” Kenneth didn’t like it one bit. His wife would not be put in the middle of it if he had anything to say about it.

  “She has the means. Aye, och she’ll need to be brave and courageous.”

  Kenneth didn’t like what he heard. He wouldn’t allow his wife to be the martyr for the king’s plight nor to stop a war. As if reading his thoughts, Helena tapped her walking stick on the floor drawing his attention.

  “You have no say in the matter, my Kenneth. For it has been her destiny since the day mac Raghnaill took her … aye, that unfortunate day when the MacQuarrie family perished.”

  “Do you know where she has gone?” Kenneth’s stomach flinched. Elisa was in danger and it didn’t appear there was anything he could do about it. Unless he could get to her before the clash occurred.

  “Of course I know where she went. My seer is very knowledgeable. I visited her this morn when you asked me about Elisa. She told me all.”

  Kenneth wanted to approach the old bird and shake her. Grey pulled him back when he was about to lose his composure. The woman was as confounding as trying to sail without wind.

  “Do you mind telling us?” Grey set his hands on his hips becoming as frustrated with Helena as he.