"Nay. I have not found any nuts. I already checked the food bin." Graemme volunteered.
"Ye didna know there is a storage area under the floor?"
Ranald pulled the bins out of the way. Beneath them was a trap door with a hole in the top to open it. When he pulled it up, he reached inside and took out several jars of preserved apples and pears, crocks of mixed nuts, a salted ham and more flour.
Seeing Elyne's surprised look, he spoke up.
"Domnall must have thought ye knew everything about the lodge, else he would have shown ye where the storage area was in case hunting proved scarce."
Before long, he had made oat cakes and put them in the fireplace oven. He sliced ham which soon sizzled in a pan as he explored another treasure trove with enough bowls to feed eight people.
After Ranald made sure the two had eaten enough to help bring back their strength, he felt over Graemme's body. He had cooled from his fever but would bear watching when night began to fall. He expected it would go up again. Hopefully, for the last time.
They had to leave in the morning. Though he had joked about his father bringing the wedding guests here in the woods, he didn't doubt the Chief and Father Michael, along with members of their family, would appear by another day or two to see the union tied tight and proper.
"Graemme has fallen into a much needed sleep, Elyne. I suggest ye do the same."
He was glad his sister didn't argue but gave him a grateful smile and went to curl up on the bed as far away as possible from Graemme.
Ranald grinned. She was defiant even when the man slept. Poor Graemme would have a time taming his strong-willed sister!
Scooping up Squat, he eased out the door and proceeded to find a proper burial place for the two louts. They didn't deserve to rest for eternity in the lovely surroundings. Deep in the woods would be more appropriate. He no sooner had cleared the area when Colyne and Brian came trudging through the bushes.
"When we approached the door, we heard Graemme's snoring so loud I wondered how yer sister could sleep through the noise," Brian announced.
"Aye. 'Tis best they sleep it off. They look like they've had a pitched battle here this past sennight." Colyne grinned. "Saw two buckets out there. Did she poison him again?"
"Quiet, Squat." Ranald pointed to the ground, and the barking dog immediately quieted and spread out on his stomach, his head resting on his paws. "Nay. They had a difference of opinion. I'll tell ye of it while ye help me get the bodies beneath the ground."
"Magnus and Graemme do the same. They leave no bodies above ground by nightfall."
The three men dug a hole large enough to hold both bodies and had them covered in record time. Ranald stood at the head of the grave and said prayers for the dead with as much dignity as he had as Brother Ranald at Kelso Abbey.
When they finished, they stripped off their clothes and jumped into the water. Brian and Colyne were their usual playful selves but respected Ranald's restrained personality. They were still enjoying the chilly water when Elyne came around the path, rubbing yer eyes and yawning. When she saw the men, she blushed and turned her back.
"I see yer husband-to-be has already cured ye of spying on men, little one," Ranald said with a laugh.
"He hasna cured me of anything. Nor will he." She boldly turned around and glared at him. "I have seen ye nekid afore, brother."
Ranald chuckled under his breath, for he saw she avoided looking at the other two men. Mayhap Graemme had indeed begun to tame his bride!
o0o
Soon after dawn the next morn, Ranald redressed Graemme's wound and pronounced him ready to travel. After Graemme finally answered his two friends prying questions, Elyne threw up her hands and stalked out of the building. She had to. Had she heard one more request to see her bruised nether check, she'd have taken Graemme's sword and chased his teasing friends all the way back to Raptor Castle.
Ranald insisted everyone have a meal to break their fast, for they would arrive at Raptor after the sun passed westward. With all the people at the castle to witness the wedding, there might be next to nothing left from their noon meal.
When Graemme helped her to mount, she steeled herself not to wince. Never would she have believed a simple wallop on the arse could cause discomfort for more than a day. But then, it hadn't been a simple wallop at all. Furious, Graemme had used all his strength. Since all eyes but Ranald's watched her to see her reaction, she acted unconcerned and near bounced down on the saddle. She almost gulped and regretted her pretended unconcern. Rather than have them think Graemme had been able to punish her to where she minded it the least bit, she'd rather parade around with mud on her face.
"Why are ye not ready to ride? Ye stand around staring like ye expect to see a court jester ready to make ye laugh."
She urged her horse up beside Ranald and didn't wait for Graemme to mount and follow. Brian and Colyne were still arguing over who should carry Squat when she entered the forest road.
Her hair flew out behind her and the dew wet air on her face felt refreshing. She rode to the left of Ranald, for she knew he never allowed anyone on the right. 'Twould hinder drawing his Claymore from the sling on his back.
Watching him, she could easily see why everyone from the northern Highlands to the south of Northumbria called him the Black Raptor. He ignored a helmet this day. His midnight black hair flew freely around his face, his black cloak lifted from his body and flapped on either side like huge wings. He preferred black breeches and shirts or black tunics, unlike his twin who had worn only bright, colorful fabrics.
Ranald felt her gaze, for he glanced at her and flashed a smile. She would miss him deeply, but he had promised he and his family would come to visit her at Clibrick Castle. If ever she needed him, she knew he would be there.
Graemme couldn't believe a mere woman could ride astride and keep up with the man beside her. He was glad it had rained the day afore. If not, he would be riding in the dust behind them. The hunting lodge was closer to Raptor Castle than he had realized. Once they cleared the forest path behind the castle, Ranald slowed his pace so Graemme could ride to the left of Elyne over the open countryside.
When guards on the wall walks spotted them, the castle piper shrilled a welcoming tune. By the time they reached the drawbridge and slowed to canter across it, the front bailey filled with people waving and calling out their names. Graemme was surprised at the welcome, for they called his name as well as Elyne's and Ranald's.
They rode up to the foot of the keep's steps. Chief Broccin and Aunt Joneta stood on the second step with Magnus and Muriele beside her aunt on the right, and Ranald's wife Catalin beside her father-by-law. Eager to see her family, Elyne stood in the stirrups and slung her leg over the hind end of her horse. Bracing herself with her hands on the saddle, she slipped her left foot out of the stirrups and sprang to the ground afore Graemme could help her. The women quickly surrounded her. She hugged Muriele and leaned back so she could run her fingers through Muriele's gold and amber colored hair.
"It has grown back even lovelier than it was afore," Elyne said.
Catalin laughed and kissed Elyne's cheek. "Aye. We did a good job, did we not?"
"Well, lass, are ye ready to obey yer father and marry young Graemme here?" Chief Broccin interrupted.
"Do ye give me a choice?" She looked guiltily at Muriel.
After greeting Elyne, Muriel had moved into Magnus' embrace and leaned into his side. 'Twas readily apparent she loved him, though Elyne couldn't understand how she could after all he'd put her through.
"Child, ye have added gray hairs to my head," Aunt Joneta said as she squeezed her tight. "I had a messenger from Raik. He and Letia couldna come for the children suffered from bad colds in their chest."
"I will miss them, but they canna take a chance with the children. The weather turns cold one day and warm the next."
"Aye. Grunda says I am not to worry. She says they will be bedeviling their father in less than a sennight."
Glancing around, Elyne saw many people from surrounding castles. 'Twas a surprise, for Chief Broccin had never been a friendly sort. But after Ranald had returned from Kelso, when someone required help to fend off marauders, he had always responded. He had helped most of them at one time or the other, either with his healing skills or fighting prowess.
Elyne felt eyes boring into her and turned to look upward. Beside the doorway to the keep, Ysabel and Grunda stood, watching everything below. Ysabel gave Elyne a hesitant smile then her gaze searched through the throng of people until she found Colyne. Why, her eyes lit up and her cheeks flushed like a young maiden!
Grunda stirred, bringing Elyne's gaze back to her. The old crone looked from Elyne to Graemme, who had been so close to Elyne's back since they'd arrived he might as well shackle her to his ankle! She glanced at him and was alarmed seeing his face was so pale. She frowned at Ranald, who had finally finished talking to Catalin. He glanced at Graemme and immediately came over.
"Father, we are tired and hungry. Let us retire to the Great Hall and have ale and something to appease our hunger."
"Retire to the Great Hall?" Chief Broccin snorted. "Ye all may retire to yer rooms to freshen up. Father Matthew has been waiting at the church since Grunda said ye were on the way."
"What! I am not ready to wed today!" Elyne had a hard time keeping her jaw from flapping open.
"Ye will be. Yer mother and I wed hours after we met each other. Ye have had a sennight and more to get to know Sir Graemme." His jaw squared and he glared at her, defying her to offer any more resistance.
When he turned and started up the stairway, his voice floated back to her. Though she was but two steps below him, he spoke as loud as if she was some distance away.
"Anyone can see yer groom is tired. From the way ye were going at it by the well, ye've already wore his arse out. He needs to get the wedding over so he can get some rest."
Chapter 25
Surely 'twas the strangest wedding in the Lowlands of Scotland!
Everything was ready and waiting for them, from the festive decorations of the Great Hall to her wedding attire spread out on the bed. When she learned she had Grunda to thank for it, she wanted to swat the old lady on her nether parts. The old seer had told Chief Broccin three days earlier exactly when the couple would reappear.
Everything became a blur from the time they entered the great doors of the keep until she arrived at the door to the church. Aunt Joneta, Catalin and Muriel giggled and lifted her spirits, while Ada and Ysabel helped her in her bath.
"I had time on my hands since Aunt Joneta and your Father played with the children and kept them from under my feet," Catalin said, holding up a light blueberry-colored kirtle with long flowing sleeves.
On the square neckline and the edges of the flowing sleeves, she had embroidered butterflies sitting on branches with vividly colored threads. They rivaled the beauty of Catalin's striking hair which was either gold or red, depending on the brightness of the sun.
"'Tis beautiful! But I thought ye hated needle-work."
Catalin grinned. "I like peace and quiet more than I hate needle-work! 'Twas a good exchange, I believe."
Elyne tried to prolong her bath, but after her father sent Domnall to rap on her door and tell her the Chief was beginning to be ill tempered, Elyne surged out of the tub. The women refrained from commenting on the bruised outline of a man's hand on her nether cheek. Once she was dry, they slid her smock on then the lovely kirtle. Aunt Joneta selected a belt made of silver rings and tied it low on Elyne's hips. A matching silver band held her unruly hair back from her eyes.
Still, she practically drug her feet until Chief Broccin himself banged on the door so hard she feared he would crack the wood.
"Get yerself out here if ye dinna want to be escorted to the church nekid, daughter!"
"Hault yer scolding, Brither!"
Aunt Joneta frowned at the door as if her brother could see her. He didn't need to. She had trained herself to speak as their neighbors did to the south. When Joneta's Scottish brogue became thick, all of Raptor knew not to prick her temper. She took Elyne by the shoulders and peered into her eyes.
"Now, child, delay will nay change the day. By nightfall, ye will be married. But ye'd best not make yer groom wait. Ye didna slip him a draught which will make him unable to, er, perform, did ye?"
Muriele gasped so loud it caused Elyne to glance over her shoulder at her. Her friend looked horrified.
"Graemme is a gentle man, Elyne," Muriele said. "He threatened Magnus with bodily harm did he learn Magnus had mistreated me. He made his brother explain the cuts and bruises covering my body were not his doing, but my own for falling out of a tree!"
Elyne snorted. "Huh! Ye all got very quiet of a sudden when ye saw my nekid nether cheek. He wasna so gentle then!"
Aunt Joneta's hands dropped from Elyne's shoulders and her lips tightened disapprovingly. After all, she knew Elyne better than anyone else did.
"Did ye break yer vow not to poison Sir Graemme again?"
Elyne groaned. "Nay, I didna. I'm sure Grunda can give ye an accounting without my saying a word." She stamped her foot and marched toward the door. "Well, come on, then. We'd best get the vows done. The men will drink themselves into a stupor if they dinna get food in their guts."
When she reached the door, she gave a mighty tug and it flew open to bang against the wall. She almost got her forehead rapped, for Colyne stood outside with his knuckles raised.
"Well, I am pleased I dinna have to break down the door," he said with a silly grin.
"Why would ye dare to do such?" She raised a brow and waited for his answer.
"Graemme said I was to take an axe to it if ye had barricaded yerself inside." Colyne looked only too happy to relay his information. "He seems impatient to consummate the wedding. I think he longs to sleep," he said with a light snicker.
He hiccupped then slapped his hand over his mouth. 'Twas obvious he'd had a few swigs of the strong Scottish drink distilled from rye. They called it usquebaugh the 'water of life,' but why, she didn't know. It seemed to make fools of even wise men.
"Keep yer tongue behind yer teeth, fool," Brian said as he came up behind him. "She is dressed and ready for the wedding, not the bedding."
"But they already had a bedding. In the woods. Remember?" Colyne looked confused. "Oh! Squat wanted to be in the wedding, too, but yer brother willna let him."
"Squat knows nothing of weddings." Elyne said with disgust.
"Does too. He scrambled, uh," he took his hand and swirled it in the air, "ye know, what was in big pewter pitchers is now on the steps? Ate some, too."
"Flowers?" Aunt Joneta supplied.
Brian nodded. "Made him spew all over the floor. Servants are cleaning up now."
"Aye. 'Tis why the Black Raptor wouldna let him attend the wedding. Had to give him a tonic to quiet his stomach."
Brian rolled his eyes then near fell over when it made him dizzy. "I know ye are eager and wish to run to yer groom, but 'twould be better if ye walk… slooow."
Colyne grinned now they'd relayed what was going on below. Two very large hands separated the two men. Ranald quietly turned them around and pointed to the stairwell.
"Go and tell Sir Graemme his bride is on her way."
They bobbed their heads and tussled with each other as to who was going down the spiral stairs first. If they weren't careful, they'd both end at the bottom with broken limbs.
"I am sorry, little one. The Chief grew tired of waiting and brought out the barrels too early. Now half the men are tripping over their feet. Including him."
He held out his arm and Elyne tried to still her trembling when she placed her hand on it. He covered it with his own and gave her a gentle squeeze of encouragement. Aunt Joneta arranged the ladies in pairs and they followed the brother and sister down the stairwell, through the Great Hall and out into the bailey.
"Dinna worry. The servants will set the room to rights afor
e we get back," he said as they walked through the Great Hall. Servants were frantically straightening the white table cloths, replacing the pewter goblets with clean ones and picking up the tipped over benches.
When they went through the great doors, everyone had gathered on the sides of the stairs leading down and along the path to the small church in the corner of the bailey. The women all cheered but the men were busy belching and weaving.
Elyne saw wives pinching husbands' arms, forcing them to be quiet and stand straight. Elyne couldn't hold back a giggle.
"'Tis a wonder they dinna tweak their ears. The warriors dinna look to have touched a drop," she whispered to her brother.
"They know better than to drink afore I have released them from duties," Ranald said with a smile down at her. "We need 'sober' witnesses, after all."
Elyne clutched his arm as they walked between the people lining the path. She spied her father waiting at the foot of the stairs to the church. By his blurry eyes, he must have been the first to toast the coming wedding. When they drew near, Ranald relinquished her arm and placed her hand on Chief Broccin's arm. Ranald stayed behind her as they walked up to the steps to meet Graemme.
Graemme and Magnus stood together, both sober and dressed in beautiful wedding attire. They wore forest green bonnets, green, black and blue woolen kilts held at the shoulders of their creamy white shirts with the Morgan Clan Pin. Her nether cheeks had good reason to believe the motto etched in Latin on it. Their white stockings had black tassels above the tops of their shiny black boots.
Though Magnus looked relaxed, Graemme's face was still pale and drawn. She was grateful when he gave her an encouraging smile and looked at her with eyes that said she was beautiful beyond what he had expected.
From there on until the end, the ceremony passed in a blur. Father Matthew must have had orders to keep it brief for he nearly flew through the vows and had a short mass afterward. She did not remember repeating the vows after Father Matthew until it was over. When he said "promise to never give him concoctions to disable him in any way," she heard herself repeating the words though she had determined beforehand she would not.
Surrender Page 25