Highland Bloodline

by Florence Love Karsner

  "He's so scared he won't stop running until he finds whatever hovel he hides in. Just another little street beggar."

  He turned his attention back to his captives.

  "Inside with you, now. MacKinnon, you first, then your brother."

  Alex and Jack moved forward slowly, with Caitlin holding onto Alex's shirttail. The major stopped Robbie as he walked near.

  "Robbie, you disappoint me greatly, young man. Do you think your mother would approve of your companions? Of course, apparently she had very close relations with one of them some years ago. I find that most disturbing. I had thought she was a perfect lady. Indeed, I had hoped she might even find time for me eventually. But she's gone now, so I must look elsewhere."

  He then walked closer to Jack.

  "Speaking of ladies, the two that grace your lodge are truly lovely, but I believe my favorite is the one with that flowing mane of dark hair. I believe she's your wife, big man? She'll be the perfect escort for me when I take up my post in London."

  That comment had Jack jerking the major's collar, lifting him off the floor and squeezing him by the throat.

  "If ye touch Millie I'll tear ye limbs from yer body! You pile of sheep shite!"

  He had the major firmly by the throat, and before Alex could stop him, he slammed his very large fist into the major's stomach causing him to double over in agony.

  Young Lt. Harrington was at a loss as to what he should do, but he managed to point his pistol at Jack.

  "Get back, you two! Get back! Sit down on that pew, now!"

  Alex spoke under his breath to his brother.

  "Hold on, Jack. We'll find the right time. Keep your temper under wraps. He'll make another mistake. Right now that pistol's pointed at yer head and that young soldier might just be green enough to pull the trigger."

  As they took a seat on the front pew, Caitlin murmured quietly to Alex.

  "Alex, where's Willie? Did we lose him in the tunnel?"

  "I rather doubt Willie could be lost anywhere. If I know him, he's following your scent and will eventually find you. Don't worry yerself about him, lass. Just keep quiet and we'll make a move soon. Watch for a signal from Jack or me. Ye'll know when it comes."

  Outside, behind the kirk, Paul lay on the ground and began to slowly inch his body along through the damp grass. He'd never think of leaving Robbie and the others without at least trying to save them. But what was he to do? He racked his brain, but nothing was coming to mind. He was almost to the edge of the tall grass when he heard a deep growling sound coming from the open sewer.

  "Willie! Is that you? Over here! Robbie says to trust you, but I have to say you scare the knickers off me. Come here, now. Maybe the two of us can come up with some way to help them."

  Willie jumped out of the opening, rubbed his nose against Paul's hand, then darted off toward the kirk. He knew exactly where Caitlin was and he'd get to her or die trying.

  "Wait! Don't rush in! They'll shoot you for sure!"

  But Willie's ears were closed to anything but the sounds inside the kirk, and he was moving at a pace Paul couldn't begin to keep up with.

  After a few very uncomfortable minutes, Ashford had managed to stand upright and was sensible enough to take a few deep breaths before trying to walk. Then he slowly made his way to the front of the nave and stood facing Alex.

  "MacKinnon, I often told you that you didn't have good command of those in your employment. Looks like your brother needs a few lessons in following orders, too. If he'd listened to you there would be no need for this little exercise we must perform now."

  He took another step, which brought him in front of Jack. "You really do need to bridle that temper of yours. It doesn't serve you well, as you will see shortly."

  He walked away, then paced the floor for a moment, mumbling to himself, apparently lost in thought.

  As if speaking to some unseen person, he nodded his head. "Yes, this is a good plan. It will make a lasting impression on these two men. They are certainly both brave and would have made good fighters for my regiment. Yes."

  He walked back to the pew and ambled over to stand in front of Caitlin.

  "This attire, these trousers you're wearing, make for quite an alluring look I must say, Mrs. MacKinnon. You do wear the outfit well." He ran his hand slowly down her arm as if to make his point. "Now stand and look at me."

  When Caitlin remained seated and looked the other direction, totally ignoring his order, he jerked at her tam and her curls came tumbling down her back. Then he yanked her up by her tunic, causing her to gasp. Slowly he lifted his hand to his lips, removed the ever-present cheroot with its glowing end and pressed it to her neck, just long enough to leave a burn mark to show he meant business.

  "Aieeeee!"

  Caitlin reacted as anyone would—she screamed out in pain.

  Alex came flying off the pew, placing himself between Ashford and Caitlin.

  "You British bastard! Stop it! Take yer rage out on me, not her—a woman! Yer nothing but a bloody British coward, Boder!"

  Now it was Jack's turn to hold Alex back.

  Ashford pointed his pistol at Alex, then reached for Caitlin's chin and pulled her forward. With one hand he ripped her tunic, exposing her thin camisole. This time he held the glowing cheroot close to her face.

  "I'll do whatever I—"

  Ashford's words were lost when a blinding flash of lightning streaked from Caitlin's fingertips, lit up the entire kirk and found its primary target—Ashford. Ashford's terror-filled face revealed that he knew there was no hope of escape. Immediately the stench of burned flesh lay heavily in the kirk.

  Lt. Harrington had been repulsed by the major's actions. He never liked his commander, but surely he thought him to be an officer and a gentleman.

  As the major ripped the lady's tunic he looked away, which meant he took his eyes off the captives for a moment. Just one. It was long enough for Jack to knock Harrington’s pistol out of his hand and have him on the floor, struggling to no avail. Jack clocked him on the chin and he was out like an oil lamp without any oil.

  Alex was at Caitlin's side, grabbing at Ashford's pistol. But there was no need. Everything that needed to be done had already been done.

  Ashford grabbed at his legs, which were literally on fire and burning beyond belief. He felt the bottoms of his feet searing as if he were walking through campfire coals.

  "My feet! Help me! Please!"

  He fell to his knees, then was assaulted again. But this time the assault wasn't from lightning, and it was so quick he never saw it coming. All he saw was a blur of dark fur and huge, gnarling, gnashing canines reaching for his throat.

  Willie had perfected this move—one giant leap from the floor, then his large canines embedded themselves in the throat and his large body brought the victim down to the floor where he would finish his kill.

  "No! I can't breathe! Get the beast off me! Please help me!" His pleas went unanswered as he struggled with his feet of fire and his rapidly depleting supply of oxygen.

  Robbie felt planted to the pew. He'd observed Caitlin's power twice in one day now and it was something to behold.

  "Come on, Robbie. Let's get out of here before his men get back. Hurry!"

  Robbie stood and followed as Alex, Jack and Caitlin made a beeline for the open door. He took one last look at Major Ashford and Lieutenant Harrington, and stopped abruptly.

  "The lieutenant, he's not dead! He's not dead!"

  "Never mind him, Robbie. Let's get out of here, now!"

  But Robbie saw Lieutenant Harrington reaching for his pistol, which lay just a short distance from his hand.

  "No, I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

  Then, seemingly without thought, he reached down inside his boot and drew out his dirk, the smaller one Da had given him. He held the dirk in his left hand, and in one smoothly executed move let it fly through the air. He watched as the dirk sailed quickly, without wavering, and heard the sickening thud as it went throu
gh the lieutenant's hand, pinning it soundly to the floor.

  Alex stood at the rear of the kirk, his mouth open in amazement.

  "Robbie! I'd say ye hit yer target, lad. Come on now!"

  He grabbed the boy by the shoulders and practically dragged him out of the kirk, trying to put some space between them and anyone who might be after them.

  ~ ~ ~

  Paul led the group as they made their way back to Robbie's home. He was so excited he could hardly keep still. This Robbie was not the same friend he had known for years.

  "Robbie, where'd you learn to throw a dirk like that?"

  "Uh, my da and grandda have been working with me. But I've got a ways to go yet. Takes some practice to be as good as Da and his brothers."

  Alex grinned at his son.

  "Looks to me like ye've got it down pretty well, lad. And I saw ye threw it left-handed. Now when did ye start that?"

  "Grandda made that suggestion. Guess it might have been a good one."

  Alex nodded.

  "Yeah, well, Da's a fair hand at most anything he tries. But I imagine ye've found that out already."

  The back door opened before they even knocked.

  "Robbie? Are you hurt boy? Let me look at you. Come in here."

  "I'm alright, Mattie. We're all fine. Right now we need to feed my da and Jack. They're starved after being in the Old Tolbooth for a week."

  He made short work of introducing everyone to Mattie as she brought out a Shepard's pie and some freshly baked bread. Tea was served in mugs and everyone hurriedly scoffed down enough food to help them endure the long night ahead of them. She even laid out some bits of beef tips for Willie.

  "Mattie, Major Ashford's men may come here looking for us. You say you haven't seen me since I left a few months ago. The major's unable to tell them anything now, so they'll believe whatever you tell them. I don't think you need to worry about him bothering you. He's moved on to his next duty station."

  "Oh? Then good for him. Never was very fond of him myself. He was just too nosy. Your mother tolerated him as best she could, but he was never her cup of tea I tell you."

  "We've got to have horses, Robbie. Any idea where we can find some?" Alex looked at his son, this young lad who had just helped save their lives.

  Paul was standing next to Mattie, who had insisted he stay and eat too.

  "I can probably come up with a couple if you give me a few minutes."

  "Oh no you won't, young thief!"

  Mattie gave him a quick slap on the back of his head.

  "No need, Mr. MacKinnon. I took the liberty of visiting the major's corral while the soldiers were celebrating. Most of them are full as a goat and won't realize until tomorrow they may be walking instead of riding."

  "Mattie? You stole horses? Mother would never believe you'd steal!"

  "And she'd never believe you’d run through tunnels full of rats either, my boy. I've filled a tub as you asked, Robbie, but I think it might be better for you all to get out of here. But, you're right, these two do smell to high heaven!"

  They all laughed and she led them out behind the house where she had tied two horses next to where Robbie and Caitlin had left Soldier and Goliath.

  "Guess I'll let you have Goliath, Jack. He's quite a horse, and he kept me from falling off more times than one."

  "Yeah, he's quite a fellow, he is." Jack stroked Goliath's face and for a moment thought only of getting back to Millie and little Midge.

  Alex took the larger of the two horses Mattie had stolen. "I'll take this sorrel. Looks like he's fit enough for a trip to the Highlands. Robbie, that leaves the chestnut with the white blaze for you."

  "I think I'll manage to stay on this one. He doesn't look too frisky."

  "Oh, I think you can manage to stay on any horse now, Robbie," Caitlin chimed in.

  "Your days of saying you can't ride or throw a dirk are over, my lad."

  Alex took Mattie's hand briefly. "Mattie, yer a lifesaver. We're in yer debt. Mayhap we'll have a chance to repay it one day."

  "You just take care of my boy. He's a fine one, sir. Don't keep him away too long, though. I need to see him once in a while."

  "Aye. That can be arranged."

  Robbie hugged his old nursemaid, and only now did he realize he had never even considered staying in Edinburgh. He was headed back to the Highlands again, and this time he wasn't traveling alone hoping to find his kin. This time he was with his kin and he was as much a part of this family as any of them.

  As they quietly rode off—a small, aromatic group with a wolf leading them—they could hear Mattie, her voice carrying on the soft breeze that had come up.

  "Now, you'll just rest here tonight, young laddie. There's a tub of hot water in Robbie's old room. A good scrubbing wouldn't hurt you none either. And then ..."

  CHAPTER 26

  D

  awn was creeping across the top of the moor as the four weary travelers arrived at the edge of MacKinnon land. The sky appeared endless, draped in a pale pink glow. The air itself glistened with a dewy morning mist that felt good on Alex's cheeks, like a soft caress. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scents that surrounded him. He reined his horse in, dismounted, pulled up a sprig of heather and rolled it between his fingers, taking a quick whiff of it.

  "What's wrong? Did you hear something?" Jack asked, reining Goliath to a halt.

  "Nae, didn't hear anything. But have a need to stand on my own land again. Just for a moment."

  He inhaled deeply again.

  "The scent of the Highlands, the scent of home."

  He was acutely aware these scents he had known all his life, those of pine, birch, rowan, and the delicate scent of the heather, were more than just scents.

  "These scents, these Highland smells, they speak of freedom, a place in time, and a way of life. No matter how hard the Brits may try to take this land and our way of life from us, it's embedded in this place, and in our Highland blood. In all Scots. There is no taking it away."

  ~ ~ ~

  A short while later, not quite yet sunrise, they arrived at the lodge, which was aglow with lighted candles at every window. The sight was so warming to them that they forgot their aching backs and legs. They were home now. Nothing else mattered.

  Before they could climb down from their very tired horses, Millie came tearing out the back door, Midge on her hip.

  "Oh, you're home! Jack! Jack!"

  She threw herself into his huge arms and he had to refrain from hugging her as hard as he wished. Little Midge held up her hands to him as always and he gathered her close, too.

  Finally, Millie looked to Caitlin and smiled, then answered the question on Caitlin's face.

  "She's sleeping in her crib now, but then she's been awake most of the night so I suppose that's to be expected."

  Caitlin nodded, unable to speak, as she knew tears were just waiting to spill over. She was almost afraid to go in and see her bairn. Leaving her had been the most difficult thing she'd ever had to do.

  Millie stood back from Jack, taking in his bruised face and black, swollen eye. She began a litany of questions that seemed very important to her at the moment.

  "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Any broken bones?"

  "Nae, Millie. I'm not hurt, lass. It takes more than a few foppish British soldiers to do me in."

  He appeared to be well, but Millie felt him tremble as he held her once again.

  They all looked up as another figure made an appearance on the back stoop. Alex stood very still and quiet as Da slowly made his way down the steps and started toward them, carrying his latest grandchild close to his chest. He had always been at ease with the bairns, and this one was no different.

  Alex looked down at Caitlin, who was smiling at the sight of her newborn being cradled by Da.

  "Is he fully recovered, lass?"

  "Yes. He's getting older now, Alex. He's a tough old Highlander, but even those must learn to take life a bit slower at some point. He's alrigh
t, though. He'll not leave us for a long while yet."

  Not willing to wait for Da to get closer, Alex took several long strides and was at his side. He relieved him of his bundle and held her in the crook of his arm. After one long MacKinnon embrace, he looked Da in the eyes.

  "So, ye survived the fever then. Caitlin says ye'll be back to yer old self shortly."

  "Well, I wasn't sure I wanted to survive it for a while there, ye ken? When Andrew took his leave, I thought for a bit that perhaps I'd just go with him. We were mates for a lifetime. But I know yer mam would tell me that we all have a reason for being here, and when we're no longer needed then we'll go to our next home. Still, though, it's not the same without him."

  "Aye. He'll be sorely missed and that's as it should be. The real problem is that now we don't have anyone to keep records of our family. None of us are what ye'd call good with keeping detailed accounts of anything."

  "Oh, I believe we might have someone who can step in for Andrew. He's quite a hand at writing stories, and from what I see today, he's becoming one of us. That, too, is as it should be."

  Alex took a quick glance over at Robbie, who was surrounded by the three orphans.

  Dugald was pulling him toward the stable.

  "Robbie! Ye gotta come see the kittens. Their mam died so we've been feeding them with a dropper, but one of them looks poorly," Dugald reported.

  Bridgette found Alex's leg and wound herself around it. She was rewarded with a hug and off she went again.

  Willie stood close to Caitlin, still in his protective mode apparently. It always took him a couple of days to move any distance from her following an episode that had her in danger.

  Caitlin had given Alex time with his daughter and his da, but now she stepped forward, reaching out to take her child.

  "Looks like you've been in good hands, my precious. These are my two favorite men. But for the next few minutes, you belong to me!"

  She pulled her close and inhaled that special scent of her infant, a scent that is forever etched in a mother's memory.

  "Millie, where's Charlie?"

  Caitlin was so in hopes that he would eventually try to speak again. But, only time could heal some wounds.