by Barbara Bard
Sir Renly looked away. “But we know it to be true…”
Sir Jessup shook his head, grabbed his wine once more, and said: “Yes. I believe that you are correct,” before he took a long hard swig. “Tell me,” he then said. “Have you ever loved before?”
Sir Renly shook his head. “You have already asked that question many a time.”
“And still you do not answer it.” Sir Jessup perched forward. “Come, my friend. Tell me—have you ever loved before?”
Sir Renly took a long moment to answer. “A long time ago…A long time ago.”
“What was her name?”
“It is of no consequence.”
“I am still curious.”
Sir Renly drew a breath. “Marion…Marion Locke. She was a midwife. Flaxen hair. A smile that shone up to the heavens. We were together for some time…and then we were not.”
“What happened to Marion?”
Sir Renly waved him off. “It was so long ago, Jonathan. It was before you and I ever met.”
Sir Jessup leaned in further. “Tell me, my friend. What happened to your love?”
Sir Renly’s eyes wandered. “She fell in love with someone else. A lord. He came from prestige and money. There was no way I could match him.”
Sir Jessup sighed and sat back. “She sounds like a fool.”
Sir Renly nodded. “It was long ago. I have long since forgotten it.”
Sir Jessup heard his friend’s words—but he could still see the conflict in his eyes. He took another swig of the wine, handed it to Sir Renly, and said: “To loves that were lost.”
“Yes,” Sir Renly said as he pulled the wine to his lips. “To the loves that were lost.” He drank.
Both of them sat in silence for the next few minutes, wondering how life, for both of them, could have gone so astray.
Chapter 29
“We need tae get ready,” Finlay said to the Bairdsmen inside of the stables. “War is imminent. We maist gather all the able-bodied fighters and set about coordinating a plan.”
Lachlan nodded. “Aye,” he replied. “I can gae through the village and take a head count of who are maist competent warriors are. We hae mair than a few at our disposal.”
“There are women,” Tessa added, “that can fight as well. I ken of several. They are quite skilled with a bow.”
Finlay nodded. “Very good,” he said. “Because I suspect that this attack that we will endure will come in just a few days’ time, perhaps less.”
Isla, standing in the corner, took a few steps forward. “We should address our people,” she said. “They already suspect that something is afoot. We should nae keep them in the dark any longer than we already hae.”
Finlay nodded again. “Agreed. And perhaps that time is noo.”
Minutes later, a mustering call was given, and every man, woman, and child in the clan congregated in the center of the village. Whispers and concerned looks were passed around as everyone waited for their Lord and Lady to tell them the news.
“Everyone,” Finlay said, projecting his voice so that all could hear. “I ask fer yer attentions noo. We hae much tae discuss. So, please, pay close attention, and heed the words that we are aboot tae speak…” he gestured to Isla and took a step back.
Isla, lady and leader of the tribe, folded her hands in front of her and stood on a crate so that she could be elevated slightly above the heads in the crowd.
“First of all,” she said, “I ken that many of ye are feeling distressed at the moment. There has been a lot that has happened in the past few days, and I thank ye fer yer patience as we hae gone aboot sorting it all out.”
Some people nodded. Other people just stared on with concern.
“Noo,” Isla continued, “we hae reason tae believe that an army of Sassenach knights are headed fer our location. I ken that this is troublesome, but we hae all discussed mair than once that the potential fer this day tae arrive was mair than a slight possibility.”
One of the villagers raised his hand. Isla nodded and pointed.
“Aye,” the villager said, “why can we nae flee? Is it wise tae stay here if the Sassenach are truly approaching?”
Isla shook her head. “Our years of running from the Sassenach are far behind us. If we run, they will simply chase us down. We will be running fer the rest of our lives. Naw, it is nae an option tae run. The only solution is tae stand our ground and fight.”
Finlay stepped in. “And we require fighters,” he added. “Those that are willing tae take up arms against our enemy. However, we ken how cumbersome that this request is, and we will nae ask anyone tae fight who is nae willing.”
“We also understand,” Isla said, “that these are troubled times. We all hae families. Children. It is important to acknowledge the fact that some of ye dinnae wish tae fight, and we understand yer reasons. We hae discussed the matter, and Finlay and I hae reached an agreement that anyone who does nae wish tae fight will accompany the children tae a nearby village nae far fae here where they will find safe haven.”
Heads turned and whispered. Everyone in the village was contemplating their options, thinking through what would provide the best outcome for them and their families.
“I ask ye noo,” Finlay said. “Who will volunteer tae take up arms?”
A pause—and then several men stepped forward. Then several women. Then several more. A majority of the villagers in the clan raised their hands and held their heads high, ready to answer the call that Finlay and Isla had put forth. In that moment, Finlay and Isla were prouder of their clan than they had ever been before.
“Gavina,” young Eamon said as she mounted him and his sister on a horse. “Where are we going?”
“For a short ride,” Gavina said. “Ye and yer sister are gonnae take a short break with the other children.”
Gavina glance ahead and behind their horse at the other children of the village, all of them seated on top of steeds with supplies that would last them at least a week strapped down at the sides. All of the children and those who wouldn’t fight—all four of them—were gathered in a caravan about to depart for safe haven.
“Father spoke of a battle,” Eamon said. “Is this true?”
Gavina shook her head, knowing that it was better to lie to the children than reveal to them the harsh realities of Highlander life that were about to befall the village. “Nae,” she said. “It is nae like that. All is well. Ye dinnae need tae worry.” She kissed both children on the forehead and stepped back as Isla and Finlay stepped in.
“Noo,” Isla said, wiping a spot of smudge from Eamon’s cheek. “Watch after yer sister. Dae as she says. We shall fetch ye in just a few days’ time.”
Isla and Finlay then kissed their children goodbye as a caravan of thirty children, led by four adults, departed from the village and set about their journey to safe haven. Isla and Finlay waved at their children, their children waved back, and Isla found herself on the verge of tears.
Finlay wrapped his arm around his wife. “They will be safe. I promise ye.”
Isla nodded. “Aye…Aye, I ken.”
They waited for a few minutes before the caravan fully disappeared from their sights. “Come,” Finlay said. “There is much tae dae.”
A few minutes later, Finlay was standing on the roof of his cottage and looking out at the one-way path that lead into the village, the Bairdsmen standing beside him as Finlay pointed and said: “That is the only way the Sassenach will be able tae enter. We can only speculate how many men they hae on hand.”
“It is well over a hundred,” Christian said. “I cannot give a proper tally, but I promise you it is no less than that.”
Lachlan shook his head. “We hae only fifty fighters,” he said, “including ourselves. That is nae enough, Finlay.”
Finlay huffed. “Thank ye fer reporting the obvious, Lachlan.”
“And what of Ava?” Tessa inquired. “When are we tae fetch her?”
“Soon,” Finlay said. “I imagine,
according tae what ye hae said, that she should be ready tae ride. I will confer with Gavina in a few moments and finalize a plan fer that.”
“What about weapons?” Christian inquired. “Do we have enough on hand?”
Lachlan shook his head. “Naw. We require mair. The blacksmith will be able tae forge at least a few mair swords and shields, but we are certainly in short supply.”
“We will set up a defensive perimeter,” Finlay said, pointing around to several areas around the village. “We shall use wood tae create a fence, spikes on top tae stave off the horses of the Sassenach.”
“I can assist with that,” Tessa said.
Finlay nodded his head in approval. “We shall need tae formulate a strong plan tae stave off this attack. We maist move quickly. Time is of the essence.”
The Bairdsmen set about locating and securing the proper supplies for their defense. During the course of their duties, Christian was walking with a pile of wood in his arms past the stable when a hand grabbed him violently by the collar and jerked him into an alleyway.
Christian, concerned that one of the villagers was finally taking out their frustrations toward the Sassenach out on him, sighed with relief when he realized it was Gavina as she planted a kiss firmly on his mouth.
“Hello,” she said with a smile.
“Hello,” he replied with a smile.
“I hope I am nae interrupting.”
“You absolutely are.”
“So, ye are saying that I am a distraction?”
A nod. “And a most pleasant one at that.”
They kissed, passionately. Their mouths danced as their tongues teased. Gavina wrapped her arms around Christian’s neck and felt a solace in his comfort that she had not felt since…ever.
“Is it wrong,” Christian said, “that I am scared yet excited all at once?”
Gavina shook her head. “Nae,” she replied. “Because I feel the exact same way.”
Another smile from Christian. “Well, we must be in love then.”
Another smile from Gavina. “Well, I believe I agree with ye…”
They kissed again, holding onto the moment for as long as possible. Then they heard someone clearing their throat from off to the left. They broke the kiss and looked over to spot Tessa standing there with a smirk on her face.
“Finlay requires our assistance,” she said before walking off. “Love birds…”
Christian and Gavina laughed. They exchanged another few kisses before finally resuming their duties, unable to help themselves from keeping their hands off of each other.
Sir Jessup entered the blacksmith’s shop at the seaside village where Lord Torstein and Eirlys had been holed-up in just a few days prior. The blacksmith, nervous at the sight of the Sassenach knight and his companion entering his shop, stood at full attention.
“Sirs,” the blacksmith said with a nod.
“My good man,” Sir Jessup said. “I am here to inquire a few things.”
The blacksmith shrugged. “I will help however I can.”
“That is good to hear. Because I am looking for someone, two people, to be more precise.”
Another shrug. “Mair than a few people come in and out of this village, sir.”
“True. But the man I am looking for is an individual by the name of Lord Torstein. Have you heard of this man?”
The blacksmith swallowed his fear and knew right away to whom Sir Jessup was referring to. But he needed to lie—he wouldn’t dare tell the man in front of him that he had sold off most of his inventory to him.
“I, uh,” the blacksmith began, “dinnae think I hae ever heard of that name before.”
Sir Jessup tossed a glance in Renly’s direction. “He lies,” he said.
Sir Renly pointed around to the barren walls in the blacksmith’s shop. “Where are your weapons? Where are your supplies? Why is your shop so barren?”
The blacksmith shrugged and let out a nervous laugh. “A slow season,” he said. “I do not—”
Before he had a chance to finish, Sir Jessup had grabbed the man by the neck, kicked his leg out, dropped him to his knees, and began choking him with a firm grip on his neck.
“I do not have time,” Sir Jessup said, “to be told a series of lies. I know that Lord Torstein was here. I am positive you sold him the supplies that he plans on using to take up a fight against me and my people.”
The blacksmith puttered air through his lips. “Please!” he pleaded. “Please dinnae hurt me!”
“Then tell us what we need to know. Tell us where that man went, otherwise I will kill you, your family, and I will burn this place to the ground.”
Sir Jessup knew he wouldn’t dare do such a thing—but the blacksmith believe him, nonetheless. He quickly informed Sir Jessup as to the direction Lord Torstein and Eirlys had fled in, and then Sir Jessup and Sir Renly pulled out a map and began charting the course that Lord Torstein could have taken.
“Look,” Sir Renly said. “It is possible that this is the area where the Bairds could be staying in. According to the map and the direction that Lord Torstein fled in, it makes the most sense.”
Sir Jessup nodded and sensed that they were more than close to discovering where the Bairds reside. “Tell the men we ride,” he said as he folded the map and stuffed it eagerly inside of his tunic.
Chapter 30
The Bairdsmen were in the process of completing the fencing around the village. The wooden defensive measure, standing just above six feet tall, was jagged and spiked and strong and would not easily break upon any kind of impact. They spent the entire day working on, with very few breaks and every abled hand in the village offering assistance.
Standing on top of his cabin, Finlay looked out with Isla at their creation. “Well done,” Isla said.
“Aye,” Finlay nodded. “It should hold up well. We only hae two more sections tae complete.”
“I am making sure that breaks are being taken. We dinnae want anyone exhausted of their energies before the assault.”
“A good move.”
“Hae ye spoken to Gavina?”
“Nae. Should I?”
Isla waved him off. Smiled. “Nae. I just noticed her smiling mair than usual.”
Finlay smirked. “She is in love.”
“It seems as if her and Christian are nae longer attempting tae hide it.” She looked at her husbands. “Perhaps ye had something tae dae with that?”
Finlay looked at his wife. “Maybe I spoke one or two words of encouragement.”
Isla stepped in and embraced Finlay. “Funny how life comes full circle in these moments. Our story is quite similar to that of theirs.”
“Aye. I hae been thinking the same.”
“I wonder if our own children will experience the same.”
Finlay shook his head. “I pray they dinnae. I want ther lives tae be lived in peace.”
“The means tae maintain peace maist be renewed from time tae time.” Isla gestured around at the wooden fencing. “Ye hae a very example of that playing out right afore ye.”
Finlay drew a breath. “Nae,” he said. “All of this turmoil will end as soon as this battle is finished. I will make sure of it. I dinnae wish our people tae fight any longer.”
“That is nae a guarantee ye can necessarily make, me love.”
He turned his wife around slowly and looked her in the eyes. “I will. As God as my witness, I will make sure that all of this ends…”
Isla saw the intention in her husband’s eyes and held him close. She believed him wholeheartedly—she just prayed that God would see that to be his will as well.
Not long after the fence was completed, the villager sets about boarding up every window in the village with thick pieces of wood. Finlay and Gavina then designated several lookout spots on the highest buildings in the village and found spots on several others where they agreed archers would be posted up at the ready.
After reinforcing their village, the Bairdsmen had gathered in the archery
range with every fifty-six-fighting member of the clan at the ready with weapons in hand.
Gavina, pacing to-and-fro in front of them, said: “I ken some of ye personally. I ken that there are mair than a few of ye who are capable of wield a sword. However, there are those of ye who require mair training if ye are gonnae take up arms against the Sassenach. But worry nae. We will make sure ye are well prepared fer the events tae come.”
They spent the next several hours working with each of the villagers. They learned with each person’s skill sets laid and set about training the ones who require a guiding hand to learn the finer parts about swordplay. Once the villagers were taken care of, Isla conversed with Gavina about tactics as they walked through the village.