The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  Edan tried hard to keep the smile from his face. It was very difficult to be feeling grief from the loss of his kin and at the same time, such amazing joy in the gift of Daracha.

  As she had the day before, his wife walked beside him with a hand on his leg. He wished the sun would hurry in its fall across the sky. Edan wanted to lie beside his love and forget the sorrow that daylight had reawakened.

  Edan kept watch as they traveled south to the lowlands. There was a great deal of traffic on the road toward Glasgow. Edan had hidden his sword in the stable. Some instinct warned him, to carry it could place him in danger of arrest and hanging. The plaids they all used were not well known. As the day wore on and more traffic flowed down the road he took notice how many people did not wear the plaid.

  Toward mid-day he called a halt for a bite for the children and a rest for all. Edan gathered everyone on the other side of the carts away from the road and spoke to them quietly. "Did ye note there's little of tha plaid being worn on those going by? I've ah feeling we need tae pack up what we're wearing an use only tha plain garb."

  "I'll nae give up Hamish's colors." Rhona hissed at him.

  Nessa took her by the arm. Rhona attempted to pull away without success. "An ye would put innocent weans in danger for yur own hot head? We're tha prey an 'tis time tae change our plumage. I ha been watching as well. I ken we had best become naught but women fleeing from per'aps those who ha already turned us out."

  Evina shook her daughter gently by her shoulders. "Put it away, love. Per'aps later when things ha died down, ye may again wear MacGrough colors."

  Rhona turned to look at the women clustered around her. "Then ye agree with this notion of Edan's?"

  He heard the amazement in her tone. Rhona had not yet grasped the enormity of the situation they found themselves in. Edan wondered if she might be suffering so badly from grief, she was blind to their circumstances. They were a conquered people. He could not even begin to imagine what edicts the 1Sassenach would now lay on their backs.

  Wondering, if she would even listen to him, Edan knew he needed to try. "They butchered tha wounded on tha field. They chased all tha men they could find an murdered them with nary ah hint of mercy. Tis ah greater loss than ye can ever begin tae imagine. 'Tis as if Noah's great flood has come upon us. Do ye ken, we're at tha mercy of tha King? An I dinnae believe he kens tha meaning of tha word."

  It was as if something stirred behind her eyes. Edan saw grief, but also a kindling of a great anger. Praying she would hold that tongue of hers which dripped vinegar, Edan waited. With a nod, she began to remove her 1arisaid. Edan took a breath and let it out slowly.

  "We're tae be punished for tha rising." Rhona observed, as she folded the long length of cloth with the plaid design Daracha and her mother had woven, into a neat bundle.

  The rest of the women had already removed their arisaids and were busily looking through the chests and baskets for other cloth, without the distinctive markings.

  Edan nodded. "I fear it will be so. They have it in their minds tae make sure we never again take up weapons tae protect what is ours."

  Without a word, Rhona turned away to find something else to drape over her body to keep out the chill. When they again turned the carts back onto the road, they blended in easily. Now, all Edan had to worry about were thieves and robbers.

  Evening was approaching as they neared Luss. Edan did not want to camp near the village. There was a small place, a flat spot off the road he knew of. If no one else had taken it over the carts and the horses might, just barely fit into the small meadow behind a rocky outcrop and large stand of gorse.

  The camp would be dry. There was no water source close which led Edan to believe it might suffice, as no one else wished to be so far from water. Before they reached the spot, Edan stopped at a small burn. The horses were watered there and all drank their fill.

  Several jugs of ale were still full, but an empty one was filled with water for the children. It was all he could do. There might be some discomfort through the night, if they could indeed camp there. It was Colquhoun territory and Edan did not wish to come to the attention of anyone.

  The Colquhoun's were busy with their own problems and all Edan feared from them was loss of the gold and perhaps the horses. It struck Edan as quite amusing that the loss of their horses and gold was secondary in the climate in which he now found himself.

  With a slight shake of his head, Edan saw to getting his charges ready to resume the journey. Instead of riding behind, as he had been, Edan trotted ahead to see if the area he was hoping to camp in was unoccupied.

  Finding the outcropping, Edan reined in the horse as he scanned the area for the faint trail. The thorny gorse thicket partially hid the track which led to the small area between two rocks.

  Wishing he had something to easily move the brush to one side, Edan leaned over the neck of the animal to inspect the trail. It appeared little had disturbed the ground since the last rain. Not wanting to alert anyone to his plans he reined the animal around and went back to the carts.

  The group of women and children no longer stuck out among the people making their way toward the city. That comforted him somewhat. A notion took him that they could put the plaids to work holding back the thorny gorse, so the carts might slide behind them into the small clearing.

  Now that he had a real plan, Edan had the women pull the carts to the side of the track, as if they might be having difficulty. It would be prudent to let the traffic ebb somewhat. The area he picked to halt in gave him a good vantage point from which to view the road in either direction.

  Edan continually scanned behind and before him. When he was sure there was no one looking and most travelers had halted for a rest, he moved his group forward. Using the plaids they had put away, he cushioned the flank of the horse and his left leg. Backing the animal into the bush allowed it to be bent sufficiently sideway to let the carts into the meadow.

  The last rain had encouraged some grass to spring up. At least the animals would be fed. A bit of smoked meat would suffice for the people. As the clearing was so small, they would need to bed down beneath the carts. Glad to be off the horse, Edan stumbled slightly on dismounting.

  Pain did not shoot through his leg. It was not as bad, as it had been. Now simply a dull ache, Edan felt another day would help him regain some strength in the leg. He needed to be able to stand on it in order to work.

  An idea had taken hold in his mind. They needed a place to set up both looms and a work shop for him to use to make chests and other furniture. All his tools were in the chest in the bed of the largest cart.

  Edan had considered leaving the chest, as it was so heavy. It was Daracha who loaded it with the help of both lads after telling him she trusted no one else to set up her loom. Now, as he went about hobbling the horses for the night, Edan thought on the matter further and building furniture might be the best thing to do.

  It was something he could do at his pace. If he needed to sit, there would be no one tapping a toe at him. Certain jobs could be as easily accomplished sitting, as standing. His workshop had been arranged so, as to give him the choice of doing either one.

  They would need a place large enough for all. Having so many women in the same place would take patience and planning. His charges were used to having their own hearths and cottages. Everyone would need to make adjustments.

  Tonight, there would be no activity between himself and Daracha. Edan knew he would not feel comfortable making love to her with everyone so close. Even a small enclosed bed would help to give them a bit of privacy. It would be a difficult adjustment for them all.

  Watching the traffic on the Lomond side road, Edan was convinced they were not alone in their situation. Not all would be able to lose themselves in the big city. Some would stand out no matter what they did. They, more than most would raise speculation.

  A lone man with so many women in tow, was likely to incite speculation. How he was to account for the females w
as a question Edan needed an answer to, before they reached Glasgow. Perhaps, come morning he would put the matter to the group and see if they could give him any ideas, as to how to handle it all.

  The other matter was their religion, or truth be told, lack of it. Clan MacGrough had never felt the need of a permanent spiritual leader. The odd minister of God did wander through the glen occasionally. When they needed the services of one, it was easily handled by a trip to perhaps MacGregor or MacFarlane lands.

  None of them was well versed in the ways of the kirk. A thing which might prove difficult. None were papists, having turned away from Catholicism a generation or two past without a qualm. But they were not used to the form, the participation, which could lead some to brand them as Catholic.

  It was a great muddle of twists and possible trails which caused Edan to toss and turn on the bedding, as he sought a way through the maze in his head. Eventually, Daracha rolled over and lay atop him.

  "Ye must rest. If ye havnae puzzled yur way through whatever it is by now, ye're nae goin tae." she whispered into his ear.

  "Before we reach tha town, I must have ah tale tae tell. Others are gonna wonder at tha ..."

  Daracha ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him soundly.

  When she let him up for air, Edan wrapped his arms around her. "I had thought it tae close ah quarters for...."

  Kissing him again, she fingered one of his ears. "All are sleepin. And ye need tae as well. So, my luv."

  Rolling onto her side, Daracha ran her hands up under his shirt. Her fingers explored his body and Edan knew he was lost. All good intentions perished at his wife's touch. In the end, Daracha rode Edan to a climax that did ease his mind and left him sleeping soundly until morning.

  Chapter Nine

  Leaning against the cart, Edan had his right foot balanced on the log beneath the wheel to keep his weight from his leg. All had a bite of meat and a swallow of ale. It was time to decide what tale they would be telling those who inquired. There were sure to be questions.

  "Och! We must tell them something, lest we fall afoul of tha King's men and tha clergy. Tha Presbyterians willnae be feeling cordial toward Episcopalians. They have won tha day an we're on tha losing side. That we've never been much, as Episcopalians, is nae gonnae matter. At least we ken tha Book. We may slide by there, but we need ah good tale tae tell." Edan waited as the women looked at each other and chatted among themselves.

  "Ye've ah wife, an she ha relations, does she nae?" Evina nodded to Daracha and her grandmother, Cadha. "An are ye nae somewhat third, or fourth cousin tae meself an Rhona?"

  Edan nodded. "'Tis so."

  Nessa grinned. "Can ye nae say, ye're related tae all tha rest by marriage or blood?"

  With a glance at the women gathered around, she continued. "There ye ha it! By blood an by marriage, ye're kin tae each here. That makes ye tha man of tha family. Hamish were tha official heir. But we all ken, ye were heir tae Birk, as well."

  Cadha smiled up at Edan. "Ye're tha laird, Tha MacGrough. But there's nae need tae make tha matter known. 'Tis enough we ken."

  Rhona mumbled something under her breath. Edan looked at her. He could guess the things she preferred not to say aloud. "What would ye have me do here, Rhona? Should I renounce my father and Hamish? Would ye be happy if I was tae let MacGrough die entirely? Would that suit ye?"

  Refusing to answer immediately, she simply shook her dark head. Evina tried to pat her shoulder, but Rhona shrugged her mother's hand off.

  Then, her dark eyes challenged him. "So, where are tha others? We were nae so small, as tae be totally forgotten."

  "'Tis ah puzzle. I ken tha difficulty. We cannae say they fought at Culloden. We can say they left tae go after some reivers an didnae return. They didnae find Hamish's body at Culloden. We can say he died of natural causes shortly before tha beginning of spring. Ah infection, per'aps, from ah cut received while hunting. So we lost another tha ague an tha rest tha reivers."

  "Och! Yur meaning tae tell them tha rest were pressed into fightin?" Rhona asked with a note of disbelief.

  Edan shook his head vigorously. "Nae! I ken not what happened tae them. They're gone without ah trace. Let someone else speculate. Being lame, I wasnae able tae go searching."

  "But ye can ride." she countered.

  "True. But nae for long. Short distances only. ....An I certainly cannae walk far." The lie stuck in his throat.

  Daracha noticed his hesitation. "Nae, only as far as ye must." she added firmly.

  The comment bolstered his confidence. He could and would do whatever it took to keep the balance of his family safe.

  "Tha other matter we need tae consider is where we should settle. If we're out of tha town ah bit it may be harder tae get clients for tha furniture I will be making. I'm nae sure where tae look. I've ah mind tae find ah place where we can grow ah few things. Greens an tha like, per'aps, keep ah cow. But we must take care tae nae let on, regarding our finances, tae anyone. "

  Cadha glanced at the loom on the cart. "We'll need ah place large enough tae hold tha looms. An, we need light. Good light is important, or we'll nae be able tae see tha make good quality cloth."

  "I ken. I've need of good light myself, for tha making of chests an suchlike. 'Tis near impossible tae see ah scribed line correctly in ah north light. An light from tha south warms, as well as makes seeing easier."

  Pushing the tip of his walking stick into the ground, Edan looked at the women seated before him. Glynis' two girls were nestled in her lap. Adie, who had fashioned his walking stick and Blane, sat next to their mother, Jean. Her little girl, with a thumb in her mouth, sat on Jean's lap. Kyla was nursing her son, Sim. All the women were waiting to see if they were finished discussing matters. They were waiting on him.

  The thought caused him a momentary flash of discomfort. He was not used to being looked to for guidance. Pushing it to the very bottom of his soul, Edan smiled at the women under his protection.

  "It may take ah while for us tae find tha proper place. I'm nae broadcasting our finances about. I've ah bit of coin tae use while we look about, tae see where we wish tae bide. But I've nae trust in tha banks. I've nae wish tae find some bugger has gone tae America with our funds."

  Agreeing with those statements, there were a chorus of "ayes" from all, but Rhona. Edan had not expected anything from her and she did not disappoint.

  "Och, then 'tis time we got back on tha road. We've ah good distance tae travel tae reach Dumbarton. We'll take tha ferry across the Leven. I'll nae risk all we have tae tha ford. It will cost, mind? But I've ah mind tha talk with tha ferryman, as well. He may be able tae put us ontae ah good trail."

  The journey to Dumbarton was made easier by the partially finished road, the Sassenach general, General Wade's road. But the traffic was heavier, as they neared their destination.

  Many chose the ford over the ferry, as they were unable to afford the charge. Without the women and children, Edan would have forded the Leven. It was not a river to be taken lightly. Its current was strong and Edan was glad to have the coin to pay the ferryman.

  A deal was quickly made and Edan went across with the first cart, the one holding all their goods. Leaving his mount in Daracha's care, he went back on foot to see to the other cart containing the looms.

  On the way, he asked the ferry man for his advice, as to where they might find a place. Several areas were mentioned. The question of why Edan was burdened with so many women was voiced by the man.

  The explanation was given and it seemed to satisfy the ferryman. Edan was happy to note the ready acceptance of their tale. Edan took care to use the walking stick more than he might have, if alone.

  In the end, the name Grahamston was one which stuck in Edan's mind. The place was close to Glasgow Cross, far closer than his first choice, Partick. He had considered Partick, as the bridge across the Kelvin River would make it easy to get his goods to town.

  "Aye. Partick may do ye for tha moment. But, I've ah
cousin with ah place close by, on Gruggie's Burn. He may be willin tae give ye ah place till more suitable accommodation can be found." The stout man maneuvered the ferry back across the water as they spoke.

  "That's ah distinct pair o' trews ye wear, laddie. Seems tae me, I recall seein ye ah time or tae." He eyed Edan's trousers, before making the ferry fast, so they might load the second cart.

  "Och! I've been through here ah few times." Edan replied. "With my da an kin."

  When the second cart was loaded, the ferryman untied it for the trip to the other side of the Leven. "An yur kin? Why are they nae with ye?"

  Here was the test Edan knew was coming. "Reivers were after what was left of tha cattle. The few men left went after them, an nae came back."

  As the two of them secured the ferry to the dock at the other side of the river, the ferry man grinned at Edan. "'Tis good enough. As yur injury is nae ah new one, it should pass muster wi those we ha tae contend with now."

  The man hacked a wad of spit into the river. "Union indeed! Tha only union tae be had here is Scots on tha bottom with tha upper one buggerin our backsides."

  Edan found he couldn't agree more, but gave only a brief nod. "Leaving our land tae be picked over nae sat well. But with only the women left, we could hardly stay. Come next spring all that would be left was bones."

  "Far tae true!" Standing next to the cart they had just unloaded, the ferryman knelt to draw a map in the dirt. "Now, tell tha big man wi tha ginger beard that Smith tha ferryman sent ye. An be sure tae mention, Leven water was high today. Dinnae forget that part, an he will do right by ye."

  "An what might his name be?"

  An evil grin lifted the man's lips. "Och! Smith, o' course. 'Tis ah whole large family o' Smith's these days, nae matter how ye choose tae write it. And who might ye be laddie?"