Movement on the far side of the clearing caught Gair’s attention and he stilled, watching the edge of the woods. The foliage was dense already, even this early in the year. He couldn’t be sure if it was men or animals approaching at first, but soon the footfalls sounded more human and brief glimpses of bright colour through the brush.Three men stepped out and waved at him as they headed his way. He was still wearing his own clan plaid rather than a Sinclair plaid. He didn’t know if the men here would recognize it, nor how it would be welcomed. Checking the men’s colours he noticed that all three of the men were wearing a different plaid which relaxed him a bit.“Scots?” Asked the oldest as he approached. “English?” His accent was so thick Gair knew the man likely spoke little English himself.“As you prefer,” Gair answered in Scots with a shrug. The man’s toothless face smiled up at him and he continued in Scots.“I’ve lost me daughter. Have you seen a wee lass about these parts? Abo
“Aye,” Gair answered, dread seeping in. The small head lifted off his shoulder and some wee fingers pealed the furs down a bit so solemn brown eyes peaked out over the top. “Nay, m’Lady. I kin nay swim at all.”“That’s okay, Siofra, Laird Alasdair and I will get you safely to the other side.”Once again Gair felt the guilt stab at him. It mattered not that Alasdair was his name as much as his brother’s, the fact was that was not the name he preferred and was most definitely not the name he wanted his wife calling him.They continued to stand there, silent and still as stone, for a few more moments before Isobel stepped cautiously out from the treeline. Gair followed. It was not far to the water, but enough that they could be seen if anyone was looking their way. The ground sloped down slightly and Gair felt himself slip. He looked down, noting how well-worn the path was here. Many used this spot, both human and animal. There was a little young grass, but mostly just dirt. At least Iz
Izzy held Siofra to her side and watched her husband talking to a figure downstream. She could not see clearly through the water and certainly could not hear what was being said. She stepped back, pressing herself as tightly as possible against the damp rocks. Fortunately, she had hidden behind these falls often enough to be certain that nobody on the other side could see them back here. The space was small, with only just enough room to walk without getting soaked. The spray would wet her, but not drench her. At least not quickly. The water flow was usually full enough to disguise all but the brightest colours. She kept Siofra in front of her so the grey fur would hide her red tunic and hopefully her bright hair.“Is it me father coming fer me?” Isobel barely heard the little voice. “Is he gonna sell me to the French men on the boat as he told me mither? I’m scared. I don’t want to go away.” Isobel closed her eyes and pulled the girl in tight.“You will have to go away, Siofra. Bu
With Siofra on her lap and the fur covering them both, Izzy was warm and comfortable despite the hard rock beneath her. That, combined with the constant rushing sound of the water falling in front of them had her fighting to keep herself awake. Peaking out from behind the blanket she could tell that they still had hours of daylight left. She couldn’t let herself fall asleep, one wrong move back here and they would both be pulled down into the rushing water. A gentle tug on her hair and Izzy’s head bobbed. She didn’t even notice. The second tug, a little firmer, roused her fully.She pulled the child tightly against her and spun towards the hand that had touched her, her dirk ready to attack. The hand was open and beckoning to her. Izzy looked up and her body relaxed instantly when her eyes met the soft brown depths of her husband’s eyes. She gulped, realizing Siofra had been right. When she didn’t give herself time to think, she trusted this man, this stranger, more than she could reme
“I’m not sure. Usually, I only take them as far as the border or sometimes only to the ocean, it depends on where they’re going and how they’re going to get there. I have developed a network of friendly people and places for them. If they have family in another clan that can take them in until they can get settled, we try for that since it will be easier for them to start over with some support. If the family won't take them, or if all their family is here, where they go is of little consequence so long as it is to a quiet life in a place they won't be recognized. Sometimes that can be in Scotia, sometimes I find them work in England. The same is true if they know their husband or father will hunt for them until they are found. Sometimes they want to leave the mainland to be sure they are never found, so for those women, I find a fisherman willing to take them to one of the islands for a fee. A few of the younger lasses I've sent to an abbey, but most don't want that. I’ve not sent any
Izzy walked as quickly as she could with a child on her hip. Siofra clung on tight and was still, but the added weight slowed her down some. If they could get to the coast they could probably lose whoever, or whatever was following them. The caverns by the sea would be above water for several hours yet, and to be honest, she expected she would rather drown than be torn apart by a pack of wolves. Or men. When she started down the slope to the water she looked over her shoulder and stopped in surprise, turning around and scanning the horizon. Where was her husband? When had he left them?“He has gone to see for himself,” Siofra whispered. “He can no believe what he can nay see. Just like me Da he is.” Izzy felt a tightness in her chest as her heart sped up as her arms tightened around the child.“Do you mean he will he be hurt like yer da was?” When the lass didn’t answer right away Izzy turned to look at her. Her head was tipped to one side and her wide brown eyes stared off into the
Griogair gripped his dirk, wishing he had opted to ready his bow and arrow instead, but knowing it was too late to try. He’d have to hope for the best against the massive dog with nothing but his hands and a wee dirk. Just as the animal was about to crash through the bush directly in front of him a hare leaped from underneath it in a mad dash for its life. When the dog’s eyes and angle of attack shifted to follow the prey, Gair let loose with his dirk and it embedded in the hare’s neck, pinning the animal to the ground. The dog snarled but picked up the twitching hare. It looked towards the men, then at Gair and back again before finally deciding to take its catch to its master, as the beast had been trained to do. Gair headed out after it, breaking into a slight jog when he left the dense trees.He heard the men drawing their swords as he approached so he raised his hands to show he wasn’t armed to attack.“I just want me dirk back,” he spoke in Scotts as he slowed to a walk and app
Izzy held the torch up and pushed her hair behind her ears, irritated that the dampness was making it frizzy already. Mame would know she’d been down here. The stone beneath her bare feet was slippery and she lost her footing, toppling sideways a bit, bumping her arm against the wall.The air smelled different. She held the torch high, looking around she tried to make out more of her surroundings. Why did the passageway smell different than it had only a few days ago? The stone walls didn’t look any different. The ceiling and floor still looked sound, but her bare feet felt cold and a bit wet already. Being careful not to slip on the smooth, sloping stones she moved further into the tunnel and took another deep breath. It always smelled damp and mouldy down here, but...what was that smell? Fish? Were there fish in the moat? She hadn’t noticed any on her last swim out of the keep and she couldn’t recall ever seeing anybody fishing in it. Considering that is where the guardroab emptied