Highlander’s Honorable Oath (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Fiona Faris

  The people gathered in the great hall, chattering in muffled tones. The guards looked bright in their armored uniforms, their heads turning to and fro in search of any erring criminal that might pose a threat.

  At the front of the hall stood Callum, Gretchen, Ava, and Merriam, and apart from them stood the visiting Lairds and their envoys. The atmosphere was gloomy and almost gravely silent. It was a night of remembrance for all the warriors lost in battle. Some of the women of the clan stood quietly at the far end of the keep, their hands clasped on each as the trickle of tears dripped down their faces. They were the ones that had lost their husbands in wars and had been faced with the many challenges of being widowed.

  The atmosphere made Gretchen reflective. She remembered Fraser again, and a trickle of tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered all the moments they had shared together. The moments of laughter and joy, the moments of bickering and arguments. Although their marriage had been arranged, she had come to love him later in their sojourn, but where was he now? Probably even his bones could not be seen again.

  Callum moved closer to Gretchen, whispering into her ear, careful of being overheard. "We discussed extensively the issues bothering the minds of the clan members. I tell ye, it was a long session, but we could find out what bothers most of our people. It's food and resources. And the elders have suggested on things we could dae. I will be glad tae welcome any suggestions from ye, too," he said, drawing closer to Gretchen.

  "My laird, what ye have just uttered greatly reminds me of my youthful days. I was small when my father’s friend, to whom I used tae pay a summer visit, who also was a farmer then had tae face the trying times of bad soil. The crops he had planted had refused tae grow. He was forced to search for fresh soil where he planted other crops fer some years. After a couple of years, he went back tae the bad soil and saw that some crops had grown on it. If ye could advise them tae rotate the planting fields, the badlands should be left alone fer some time, and a larger part of the forest should be cleared fer farming. In years tae come, the land will come back tae be fertile" Gretchen whispered back in a muffled tone. A quieter tone.

  Callum considered her words and immediately saw the wisdom in them. She was such a graceful lady with blessed thoughts. A wondrous smile spread across his lips.

  “What ye have said would be greatly considered. Coming from a family of farmers could be such a blessing," Callum said and flashed her a smile, tightening his hands on hers. Their gazes were locked on each other for such a long time as if a kiss or some romantic act could happen at any moment. The hour grew late, and Gretchen saw that Merriam was looking weary and immediately thought of leading her to her rooms.

  "My laird, the night is fast approaching; I should be leading Mother and Ava tae bed. Dae have a wonderful night, my laird," Gretchen said softly, tightening her hands on Callum's fingers. Callum stared at her as if he could just grab her and take her to somewhere where they would be alone to enjoy each other's moans and screams.

  Considering that it was past time for his mother and Ava to be abed, he was forced to release her with few murmured words of goodbye. He stared at her beautiful body in the red gown as she walked past him with Ava and Merriam until she was out of sight. He moved closer to the other lairds and joined their conversations for some minutes and, suddenly, one of the lairds had said something funny which sent all of them reeling in laughter, including Laird Hamilton.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was yet another cold morning at Clan Glenbogle, the last day of the gathering and the moment everyone that had been gathered would find their way homes. The morning was still dark as the pale moon hung low in the sky, spilling its rays amidst the branches of the trees and the glass windows.

  Somewhere outside the keep, Sir Dunkin was seated in a golden wagon with two older members of his group. Owen and Orwell were wearing Clan Glenbogle's guard's outfits, and their swords rested unsheathed beside them.

  If there was anything to credit Sir Dunkin for, it was merely his skillful plans on infiltration with camouflage. He had been in the keep since the harvest gathering had started, observing from a distance and occasionally sending his two bandits to watch and report back to him. Then and there, he had discovered fully that Laird Callum had been quite fond of Gretchen who was a lady of the keep.

  He had first thought of kidnapping his mother, Merriam, but that might be hazardous and would crumble all his plans. He needed something or someone so little but essential that would make a big difference. He had known the time the Laird sleeps and wakes up, and when everyone close to him wakes too just three days into his infiltration. This morning he would continue with his well-laid out plan which he was sure would bring the Lairdship to him.

  "Ye should be in the keep soon enough, the clan members and invited guests will soon leave. We have nae much time tae waste," Ser Dunkin said in a slow muffled tone as he rubbed his face.

  "All right, my laird! We will be careful enough this time around,” Owen said and signaled to Orwell who had looked ready, too. Quickly, they headed for the keep where there were no guards and marched their way toward the main building.

  As they walked on, Sir Dunkin smiled to himself, trifling with the buttons on his neat, grey coat. After a while, they walked toward the main building, where two hefty guards stood and greeted them.

  "Upon the directives of the Commander of the Guards, we're directed tae be here tae take the morning duties," Orwell said in a convincing tone. It was a tradition among the guards to reshuffle after night and evening duties. The hefty guard glanced at them as if something was odd and after some minutes of glancing at them, allowed them marched away in their guards’ outfits.

  "How could they send misfits tae guard the Laird?" one of the guards whispered to another as they walked away.

  "They might be skillful with the sword or be graced with exceptional qualities; hence they won't be graced tae guard the Laird," the other whispered and walked away.

  After some time, Orwell and Owen glanced around, making sure that no one could be spying on them, Orwell moved slowly toward the door that led to the kitchen. He murmured few words of greetings to the maids who were scampering to and fro packing loads and foods. He crept slowly toward Ava’s room and saw that she was alone and was deeply asleep. He reached out and carried her with utmost gentility.

  Glancing around and noting there was no one coming, he found another way out of the building past the Laird’s office. Grinning wickedly, he pinned a note with a dirk on his door and signaled to Owen who had been standing guard. They smiled and quickly slunk out of the keep toward Sir Dunkin’s wagon.

  'Ye boys! I will see me again after I'd become the Laird. Ye both will work fer me again.,” Sir Dunkin said, taking out a pouch and throwing it to Owen. “Take that token and enjoy yourselves," he said, and with Ava still sleeping in the bed of the wagon, he whipped his horses’ rumps and took off down the road, dust flying in the air.

  Gretchen woke up stretching and yawning on her bed. She had slept beside Merriam as they had both talked long into the previous night. The reminder of the talks sent a blush rushing up to her face. She had told Merriam what had happened between herself and Callum before they walked to the dinner, and much astonished, she found Merriam unsurprised, which led to many more talks.

  Realizing that it was the last day of the gathering when guests and clan members would be evacuating the keep, she quickly sprung from the bed and returned to her room where she had expected to see Ava and wake her up. As she walked into the room, she struggled to hide her astonishment to find no one in the bed.

  "How beautiful that Ava has learned tae wake up from her slumber and clean herself up?" Gretchen said with a smile as she checked her reflection in the mirror. Fingering the tangles in her long, brown hair, she frowned. A bath was in order. Calling for water, she grabbed a towel and headed to the water closet to prepare for her bath.

  The keep was alive with the sounds of movement that morning as the g
uests prepared to depart. There were retainers of all ages and ranks, soldiers and guardsmen, emissaries and envoys, messengers, and assorted others all stumbling over one another, packing loads and assembling wagons. Gretchen stepped out into the damp morning looking all bright and beautiful. She walked with great pride as her eyes darted into the tavern where she had expected to see Ava, eating, or playing with the other maids' children. She swung the iron door open, and her gaze darted toward every corner of the room, seeing no traces of Ava. She could see other children around playing no traces of her daughter. She hurried toward the playing children and knelt in front of the group.

  "Have any of ye seen my daughter? Ava?" she asked with a forced smile on her face.

  "Nae, milady, we have nae seen her today. She might be in the garden. She loves tae play in the garden," one of the children replied. She flashed the boy a smile and patted him on his shoulder and hurried toward the garden. At the garden, she saw no sign of Ava either, and immediately, fear seized her gut. Where could she have gone? Had any of the maids taken her out? Questions filled her mind as she rested her hands on her hips as she walked and looked around with narrowed eyes.

  "I think we should inform the Laird immediately. I have nae seen her this morning, either, " one of the maids who had known Ava to always play with her children said in a surprised tone.

  "Thank ye, Georgina, I will surely gae inform the Laird right away," Gretchen said and hurried out of the building toward the gates where she knew she would find Callum.

  Callum stood watching the Laird Hamilton climb into his wagon, heaving a sigh of relief. The other lairds had already boarded their conveyances and were waving goodbye from within. He was ecstatic about hosting the harvest gathering successfully with no casualties. The people had drunk, and there had been no fights or attacks. He flashed the lairds a smile and watched as their riders and envoys whipped their horses and rode away, the wagon wheels making scraping sounds as they rolled on the dry ground.

  Callum caught Sir Gregory's gaze on Lady Bella as he waved goodbye to her. She blew him a kiss as she stuck her head out of the carriage window.

  "Sir Gregory, forgive my thoughts, but I think ye are sae fond of the lady?" Callum said and smiled.

  "My laird, she's such a graceful lady, I have just natural human feelings fer her," Sir Gregory said and laughed.

  "I will nae believe that Sir Gregory will have a natural human feeling fer someone and bade her goodbye with utmost enthusiasm. I have been in yer shoes too! "Callum said and laughed, patting Sir Gregory's back. "I will tell ye a sto —"

  "My laird! I'm sorry tae have screamed yer name sae loud, but there's a matter of high importance and should be treated with urgency," Gretchen called, glancing at Callum's lean body and Sir Gregory's hefty figure. She walked closer to Callum and whispered some words into his ear.

  "Where could she be? Have Ye checked the tavern, the garden, the stables, and the kitchen?” Callum said, his voice wrapped in severe tones.

  "Yes, my laird! I have seen her nae where," Gretchen replied, sniffing.

  "Calm down, my lady, all we might need is a careful search," Callum said and signaled to Sir Gregory. "Sir Gregory, I have just heard of Ava’s disappearance in the keep. Gather some of the guards tae carefully search every corner of the keep," Callum ordered quietly. He didn’t want to alert the people of the troubles he might be facing. He had had a good time planning the harvest gathering, and it had turned out well. Not today would he bore the people with the news of his lady's daughter, or perhaps his daughter if he had his way. But if the search party couldn't find her, then he would alert everyone and order that the gates, from the keep to the village walls be locked.

  Upon nearing the door, his eyes caught the dirk that pinned a paper on the door. He was faced with the fear of the unknown enemy that might be around him. He glanced around and searched the room, drawing out his sword. Seeing nothing, he crept back to the door, took a glance at the note and snatched it away from the door. The words were inked in red:

  To Laird Callum of Clan Glenbogle.

  I am so displeased with the fact that I will have to kidnap your daughter before I can get back what is rightfully mine. I wished it had not come to this, but I cannot help it. Give up the Lairdship, and I will return your daughter to you in good health, but if you consider this child's play, then you risk the life of your daughter. You have two days to think about it.

  Callum read quickly. He swallowed hard, rereading it. Noting that the note remained the same, a frown furrowed his brow, and he became flustered. He never knew who his enemies were, where they stayed, and what they looked like. This did give him one clue; however: whoever had done this was quite familiar with the keep. As much as he didn’t want to consider it, his enemy was of his clan. Without making progress with his thoughts, he stalked his way toward the stairs and entered the great hall. He would need to address his clan and prepare for a hunt.

  The clan members still were gathered where he had left them, glancing from face to face searching for a face or faces that might look deceiving and cunning. Finding none, he was forced to clear his throat and speak, still clutching the crumpled paper in his hands.

  "Ye all will bear me witness, that we have all had a great time together since the beginning of the harvest gathering till now, but now we are faced with a security threat posed by enemies of the keep. I'm most sad tae admit that we have this enemy, and they would stop at nothing until they see the Lairdship slip away from me. Just this day, we regret tae say that the wee lass of the graceful lady of the keep has gone missing! This note grasped in my hand confirms my statement. The enemy wants me tae give up the Lairdship fer him in exchange for the little child. This being confirmed, I declare that all gates should be locked with immediate effect. All the houses should be searched, and nae one leaves the keep or village without being thoroughly searched. If there is any information ye could tender that will lead us tae finding this little girl, I will be glad tae listen tae them," Callum said with a frown on his face, raising the note in his hands for a better view.

  The environment was quiet and soon enough, became a bit noisy as people's chattering swelled. Gretchen stood beside him, crestfallen as she sniffed and was about break into tears as a man who looked to be in his mid-fifties stepped out from the crowd and approached Callum, his face grim and serious. He was one of the veteran warriors who had fought in many battles for the clan.

  "My laird! I am George. Forgive me tae say, right from the time of yer appointment as the Laird, there has been a man who was sad about not being picked, although he had a blood claim. The Council of Elders had refused him for the consideration because of his cunningness and corruption. He felt he deserved tae be the Laird, and he has been embittered tae have seen the Council of Elders choose ye.

  “Out of his bitterness, he chose tae desert the town and fer more than six months. No one had seen him until yesterday when I saw him from when everyone was dancing, scribbling in his notes. We exchanged pleasantries, and he enquired greatly about ye. I think his re-appearance has a part in this. He is Sir Dunkin! Forgive me, my laird, that I have never mentioned this before now. I would never know that he had evil plans nurtured in his mind," George said in a shaky voice as he clasped his hands together and knelt. A vast silence fell over the gathering as everyone struggled to hide their surprise. Sir Gregory stepped forward and whispered some words into Callum's ears.

  "My laird, two soldiers had been reported tae have come as replacements by dawn. The soldiers they had replaced came tae say they looked a bit small and squirrely. It had just occurred tae their minds. I fought with Sir Dunkin alongside me in battles, and I know of his manipulative skills for camouflage. These are things he could dae. If ye would order me, my laird, I shall bring men to search the entire village and forests,” Sir Gregory said, pressing his hand on his sword.

  "Now I understand where the notes from the envoys came from and how we were almost ambushed at the wilderness, Dunkin!!! I'm
coming fer ye. Deploy all men tae the gates, and I will search the black bushes that have been reported tae be an enclave fer their loathsome acts," Callum said and glanced at Gretchen, who had tears pouring out of her eyes.

  "Dae be watchful. This land will be nae place fer bandits. Ye can gae tae yer posts," Callum resolved in a dismissing tone and approached Gretchen, placing his hands on her shoulders. "My lady! Dae nae worry. I will stop at nothing tae see that Ava is found safely. I shall gae in search fer her. I know he will be in the wilderness," Callum said and turned his back, walking into the keep to have a change of clothes and set out immediately. As he walked, Gretchen's voice called behind him, which made him stop and turn around.

  "My laird, I can nae wait here while ye search fer, my daughter. I will come with ye in tae the wilderness and search every corner with ye. I will stumble upon too many thoughts of yer safety if ye gae too long from me. Please, dae nae discard my pleas," Gretchen said in soft, shaky tones, her cheeks wet with tears. Callum glanced back at her as if he wanted to just lead her in and calm her soul down and maybe do more than just mere consoling.