by Alisa Adams
“The farmers up here are lucky. They dinnae hae tae worry about the English,” he spat as he mentioned the old enemy.
“What dae the English hae tae dae with farming?”
“Oh aye, ye’d think naething wouldn’t ye! But they like tae stick their noses and their grubby little hands in wherever they can. They dinnae work themselves ye see, they just want tae take all our hard work, and there’s naething I can dae!”
“Cannae ye fight back?”
“Oh aye,” Hamish scoffed, “what dae ye expect me tae dae, take a pitchfork against their armies? I’m a farmer, nae a fighter, but I see ye may have some experience.” Hamish’s eyes twinkled as he spied the golden hilt of Bryan’s sword. Bryan coughed and shifted his body, hiding the sword from view.
“I’ve never fought an Englishman before.”
“I imagine they bleed the same as any other, but I would nae expect ye tae fight. Look, they come tae me and they ask me tae give them money for protection, they call it, but really it’s so they won’t attack me and take my farm. I cannae afford nae tae. The farm is all I hae, but if a strong lad like ye would stand beside me they might think twice about trying tae squeeze more coin out of me than I can handle, and I’m sure a big strong lad like ye can help out on the farm as well, and if ye cannae, well, it’s the easiest thing in the world tae learn. Ye have me at a vulnerable spot and I know I cannae pay ye what ye could fetch at any other farm, but I think maybe ye are nae needed as much at others’ arms as ye are with me. I can offer ye a place tae stay and ye never know, if ye prove yeself ye may end up with some land yeself. If ye can put up with the English there is opportunity waiting for ye.”
Bryan’s ears pricked up at this. He didn’t like the idea of being a glorified guard nor of fighting the English because he didn’t want to go to war with an entire army, but it was an opportunity, and if he could learn the ways of the land it would stand him in good stead for the future.
“Ye hae a deal,” Bryan said, holding out his hand. Hamish took it and the two men shook heartily. To celebrate the deal, Hamish said, they would need to have another drink, this time on him.
Hamish seemed like a man who wanted to enjoy every bit of joy life offered him. He was an exuberant man and he spoke loudly. He had an expressive face and Bryan imagined that he did quite well at markets, for he had the kind of disarming personality that all good farmers had.
“Sae, where dae ye come from Bryan?”
“Oh…nowhere really. I dinnae suppose ye hae heard of the Pressley clan?”
Hamish searched his mind, but shook his head.
“Well, that’s my family name, but I’ve been alone for a while now, just traveling the land, trying tae find a place tae settle down.”
“Aye, well I cannae promise ye a grand palace, but ye’ll hae everything my family can offer ye. My wife Martha cooks the best food ye will ever hae tasted, and my daughter Janie is a sweet wee thing. She’s almost at the age tae be married,” Hamish said, with a knowing look in his eyes. Bryan smiled politely and wondered just what he had gotten himself in for. He thanked Hamish for the company and mostly listened while Hamish spoke about farm life. He was happy to talk about anything he wanted, and Bryan was happy to listen in silence, so they made a good pair.
Hamish led Bryan out to his cart and horse. It had been a good trip to the market. Hamish patted the pouch of coins and winked at Bryan, while also walking him through the trades he had made to get goods that he couldn’t otherwise buy. The two men climbed onto the cart and Hamish took the reins and whipped them. The horse ambled along down the road out of town, and they made their way south to the Lowlands.
“Sae why dae the English want tae take money from ye?” Bryan asked. “Are they nae rich enough already?”
Hamish chuckled dryly. “There’s nae rich man who dinnae want tae be richer. The English hae never paid us respect and they think that we’re easy pickings. They dinnae attack us directly, and I hae nae strong laird that can defend me. I suppose I could appeal tae one and try tae raise enough of a fuss for them tae raise an army, but I dinnae want armies running amok around my land, turning up all the fields, because when all the dust settles I’ll be left with ruined land. Mark my words boy, the only people who truly suffer from a war are people like you and me, the commoners. It’s better tae pay them, but once ye start paying them they get used tae it, and they start asking for more, and then ye get tae where I am today. I tell ye, it is a grim thing tae work this hard and hae naething tae show for it.”
Bryan felt great pity for the man and wished that the world was different. He’d seen much injustice, and he couldn’t understand why more wasn’t being done about it.
“If I were ever in power I’d make sure that nobody suffered,” Bryan said.
“Aye, grand dreams lad, but the chances of ye or me ever having such power, well, we might as well dream of flying,” Hamish laughed again.
Bryan was filled with frustration. He knew that he was meant for more than this, and he knew that he could have done so much more with his power than some of the other lairds in the land. They seemed content to settle and didn’t give proper consideration to the real problems plaguing the land. Bryan knew that if any of his subjects were being extorted by the English he would put a stop to it right away. It wasn’t even their land, and they were taking great liberties with their rights.
The journey lasted a few hours and was uneventful. Hamish spoke about how he used to be wary of bandits whenever he traveled, but there was no need to be afraid anymore.
“Martha is the happiest out of all of us. She was always scared for me whenever I left and worked herself up into quite a state. Ah, she’s a sweet lass really. I dinnae know what I’d dae without her,” Hamish said, and Bryan could tell that he genuinely meant it. Bryan smiled at the stories Hamish told and he was curious about how the two of them had met and how their lives had unfolded.
“Really I wanted a son tae carry on the farm, but I could nae hae asked for a better daughter than Janie. I just wish I could hae given her a better life. I never wanted a daughter tae work as hard as she daes, and I dae worry if she would be able tae handle the farm on her own. She needs a strong husband who can stand up tae the English,” Hamish said. He wasn’t exactly subtle, Bryan thought, and it was something of a miracle that Hamish hadn’t already made a proposal for marriage on behalf of his daughter.
On the journey Bryan thought about what it would be like to own his own land and be master of the crops and fields. It wasn’t exactly like being a mighty warrior as his ancestors had been, but there was something charming in the pure, basic nobility of it all. It was hard, honest work, and after the life he had lived there was certainly no lack of desire on his part for something like that. He could call the place his home, and over the years the humble beginnings might grow, as would his family. It could be the start of something amazing, something that meant he would be able to return to his father and declare with pride that he had restored some dignity to the Pressley name.
They rode past thickets of trees and along a babbling stream. Birds soared and cawed overheard, and frequently Bryan peered towards the forest and saw small animals scurrying about hither and thither, going about their business, avoiding the loud thunder of the horses’ hooves.
Hamish and Bryan took turns at driving the cart, and when it was Bryan’s turn to drive Hamish leaned back and snoozed, sleeping off the beer he’d drunk. Bryan smirked at the manner in which Hamish was easily able to fall asleep even on a trundling cart, and at the trust he showed in Bryan not to take advantage of his slumber.
Bryan thought on the matter of the English and considered it terrible that anyone should use their power and might for personal gain and greed. As far as he was concerned power was to be used for the benefit of protecting those who were weaker than him, not to further dominate them. It was unfair, but then so was much of life. There was much about the world he would change if he had the opportunity.
The ro
ad widened and wound around a hill. In the distance Bryan saw a plume of smoke rising from a squat cottage. There were small walls around the home, and in the background he saw animals grazing. Cows and sheep were in the fields, and attached to the right side of the house was a pigsty. He heard chickens clucking as he approached and it seemed as though Hamish had quite a range of animals on his farm. The horses’ hooves clopped against the path that led to the house, and the door was flung open. A woman wearing a yellow homespun frock came rushing out with a look of relief on her face. Hamish leaped down and they embraced passionately. Bryan turned his eyes away out of modesty, but the couple didn’t seem to have any qualms about displaying their affection.
“Now Martha, I had a wee problem with Fitzroy, but I met Bryan here and he’s agreed tae help us around the farm. He’s a big, strapping lad, and I think he’ll come in mighty handy.” Hamish beamed. Bryan climbed down from the cart and nodded respectfully towards Martha.
“Thank ye for giving me the opportunity. I hope I can make ye both happy,” Bryan said.
“Now come inside and let’s meet Janie,” Hamish said, indicating with a wave of his hand that the things in the cart could be brought in later.
They walked into the cottage and the ceiling was low, so Bryan had to bow his head. Sitting near the window in a rocking chair was a plain-looking girl who wore a simple dress. She was sewing a garment, and when she saw her father she smiled widely. She was demure and quiet. Bryan imagined that it was hard for either Martha or Janie to get a word in edgewise when Hamish was around.
“My sweet lass, meet Bryan, he’s the new help,” Hamish said. Janie rose from her chair and curtsied awkwardly, as though she wasn’t used to doing something so elegant or graceful.
“It’s a pleasure tae meet me. Hamish hae told me sae many good things about ye, I’m glad tae be here.” He smiled at Janie, and although he wasn’t swept away by her beauty, he thought that she was just the kind of sincere, genuine girl that could make a man very happy. And, indeed, this place was a good home. It was sturdy and quaint, and could be the beginnings of a new legacy. Bryan looked around at his new home and was pleased at where he had ended up. It wasn’t a castle, but it was something true and honest, and he was eager to get to work.
Hamish soon had him working hard. Bryan and he carried in all the goods from the market, and then Hamish ran him through a list of the daily chores. There was barely any time for a break and Bryan suddenly realized that his life was going to have a stark change. He had been used to living by his own schedule, waking up whenever he was ready to wake up and going to sleep whenever he was tired. He had never been beholden to anyone but his own instincts and moods. If he wanted to walk he would walk, if he wanted to laze by a stream and enjoy a relaxing time in the sun then he would, but now he was subject to Hamish’s schedule and the days were filled with hard work.
It was a shock to his system and a part of him wondered if he would ever be able to adjust, but he told himself that he couldn’t have sustained his previous way of life forever. Life was meant to be filled with work and duty and purpose. Before he was drifting, growing lazy, whereas now he was becoming a creature of discipline; he had responsibilities, and he was going to prove to Hamish and himself that he could succeed.
During his first few days at the farm he noticed that Hamish was taking any opportunity to put him and Janie together. He was always trying to get Janie to show him something, or to get him to help Janie with some task that apparently only he had the means to help her with. It was quite clear that Hamish hadn’t just been searching for a man to help him with the English, but for a man to become his son-in-law and to inherit the farm. Bryan could understand why Hamish would want to take such action. Janie was coming to the age where she should be married, and given the barren landscape surrounding them, Bryan imagined that eligible husbands were few and far between. Hamish had told him that the farm was everything he had, so he’d want to make sure it was left in good hands, without somebody he could trust.
And, apparently, that someone was Bryan.
However, during these days Bryan knew that Janie wasn’t going to be the woman he had pictured in his mind. She was a nice girl, there was no doubt about it, but rather plain. She didn’t show much passion for anything or any ambition to see the world outside the farm. She had been taken care of all her life by her doting parents, and he got the impression that she wanted the same from a husband. He doubted she would ever be able to fend for herself, and this troubled him, for he wanted his wife to be his equal.
He wasn’t about to offend Hamish though, so whenever they spoke about Janie Bryan was always pleasant and paid her compliments. He thought that perhaps he was being too particular and if this was the hand the gods had dealt him then he should be happy with his lot, for he had been craving a home for a while now, and he told himself that perhaps Janie would grow on him the more time he spent with her, even though he didn’t appreciate the way Hamish was trying to force the issue.
But, other than those niggling issues, life on the farm was as pleasant as it could be. Bryan quickly got used to the routine, and he went to bed every night with an aching back, a full belly, and a sense of accomplishment. Hamish was full of praise for him as well, and was always boasting to his wife about how his judge of character was unmatched. Bryan always enjoyed a subtle smirk at this, not forgetting that it was he who had approached Hamish rather than the other way around.
One day, Bryan had been working in the field with the cows when Janie came up to him with a glass of water. She was carrying something else wrapped around her arms as well. Bryan was grateful for the water.
“I apologize for my Da,” she began, her eyes flickering with embarrassment.
“What dae ye hae tae apologize for?” Bryan asked.
Janie offered a sympathetic smile. She dipped her head and cast her gaze away. “I know that Da hae been forcing us tae spend time taegether. I hope ye dinnae hold it against him. Once he gets an idea in his head it’s impossible tae stop him.” She laughed softly. Bryan was glad that she was able to have a sense of humor about the whole thing, and that she recognized he might not share the same enthusiasm as Hamish.
“I cannae blame him for being excited.”
“I just want ye tae know that I would make ye a good wife. I know I’m nae the prettiest lass, but I can cook and sew and clean, and I would be a good mother tae ye wee ones as well. I just want tae make my husband happy, whoever he may be.” As she said this she reached out and placed a small, dainty hand on his arm. She smiled briefly, and in his eyes he showed kindness.
“Ye are a sweet lass, and I know that whichever man marries ye, he’ll be very happy,” he said, patting her hand gently. Janie’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled widely. She rocked back on her heels and Bryan hoped that she hadn’t taken his words as a hint at a proposal.
“I’ve been making ye something. It’s nae finished yet, but I thought ye might like tae see it now. It’s tae keep ye warm through the winter. The nights can get mighty cold,” she said, opening her arms to reveal the blanket she had been making. It was well-made, and would certainly keep Bryan warm. He appreciated the effort and thanked her dearly, and she seemed delighted that he liked what she was making. She skipped away happily and returned home, leaving Bryan to think about the future. There were moments when he stood in the field and looked around at all the natural beauty surrounding him and he thought that there could be no better place in the world.
But, not every day was peaceful and idyllic, for soon the day came when the English arrived.
On the morning of the day when the English were due to arrive, Hamish and the rest of his family were skittish. He darted around and made sure that everything was in order, and he had Martha count out the payment multiple times to ensure that everything was correct. He instructed Bryan to stand beside him and offer a glowering, intimidating presence that would hopefully deter the English from making more demands.
To Bryan’s
surprise, the English didn’t arrive with a huge army. There was simply a gaunt man with scraggly grey, shoulder-length hair, flanked by two guards. They marched forward from a cart and looked in command of the situation. They rapped on the door and Hamish opened it quickly.
“It’s a pleasure tae see ye again.” Hamish bowed. “Would ye like anything tae drink?”
“I believe we’ll be fine. I don’t plan on staying too long,” the man said, looking around Hamish’s home with derision, as though he couldn’t imagine anyone being happy to live in a place like this. The Englishman had a haughty, arrogant air about him, and Bryan took an instant dislike to him.
“I see you have a new helper,” the man said, nodding towards Bryan.
“Aye, and he’s proven tae be a good help, especially at driving away wild animals. His main talent is with the sword,” Hamish said, trying to sound casual. Bryan noticed that the grey-haired man’s mouth curled into a sly smile. It was foolish of Hamish to think he could outwit a man like this.
“And where’s your lovely daughter? One of the few blessings I enjoy on these visits is to see Janie.”
“She’s nae feeling very well unfortunately.”
“How sad. Well then, let’s get down to business.”
“It’s all here, every penny,” Hamish said, lifting the pouch of coins and placing them on a table. He opened the pouch and poured the coins out, a glittering arrangement of copper and silver, with a few gold pieces strewn among them as well.
“You,” the grey-haired man said, pointing to one of his guards. “Count this and make sure there isn’t a penny missing. If there’s anything missing we’ll make up the difference by taking his animals.”
Hamish gulped and glanced towards Martha. Now Bryan realized why Hamish had wanted her to be so meticulous when it came to counting the money, and he hoped for their sake that she hadn’t made a mistake.