Ailene also watched her father carefully his health having been a major concern in the past. There was no recurrence of the strange malady that had previously taken such a toll on him. She was pleased to see that her father was regaining his health. Gideon had told her it was possible that he might recover from the head injury given time. It appeared that he had had been correct. Cadell would be able to relieve Gideon when the time came. Not wanting to push her father, Ailene kept her thoughts to herself. She had said sufficient.
The bairn was due in the spring. Ailene hoped that Gideon would be there for the wee one's entry into the world. She had resigned herself to the possibility that Gideon might not come home in time.
As she grew larger, Ailene found she wished he could be there to feel the bairn move within her. It saddened her that he could not be with her. Each day seemed to get longer, each night more lonely. Winter was long and dreary. It seemed to Ailene that it was the longest winter she had ever experienced.
Fenella was a great help to her. Ailene was glad Cadell had remarried. Fenella was quiet and did not speak often. But she was always there with a helping hand. It pleased Ailene to have the older woman there. With her light brown hair and pale eyes, Fenella blended into the background until she did speak.
The soft voice never registered a complaint. Instead she had words of encouragement or simply 'let me'. When Ailene was nearing the time of the little one's birth, and she found herself crying for no reason, it was Fenella's shoulder that held her head. It was Fenella's hand patting her back. Her stepmother's soft voice in her ear reassured her all would be well.
It was the end of March when Cadell called the men together for a council. It was time he announced, for them to relieve Gideon. Ailene had not asked Cadell about when he planned to leave. She had kept silent so no one could claim she had influenced his decision. Ailene listened from the shadow of the stairs. Closing her eyes, she prayed that her father would hurry.
Her feet became swollen when she stood for too long. Everything Edeen saw pointed to only a few more weeks before the bairn would make an appearance. Edeen had placed the birthing chair in Ailene's room in order to be ready when the time came. All the women who had been through childbirth told her that walking would help the babe drop. Instead Ailene tried to walk as little as possible. She thought it was likely the other women understood her need for Gideon.
Cadell and the clansmen left three days following the council he had called. He was not happy about leaving the clan with only the old men and two young men as protection. Rumor had it that the king was still in the Aberdeen area. Cadell felt that finding the army would not pose too difficult a proposition once he was closer. Again, they were taking what supplies could be spared from what was left in the glen.
Ailene had not said anything to him about the bairn. Fenella had. It was Fenella who had advised him that the birth was immanent. That it was time for him to relieve his son in law.
Cadell had been busy trying to keep up with the constant needs of the clan. He realized with chagrin that he had lost track of time. One day had seamless blended into the next.
Cadell pushed them to reach Gideon quickly. The trip that had taken them six days on their trip home took only three days, this time. The change of the seasons had lifted the clansmen morale. Feeling more than a little guilty, Cadell was anxious to find Gideon and send him home.
Chapter 17
Gideon felt more alone that he had thought possible. Not sure what to do with himself, Gideon sat around the fire with those who awaited the King's orders. He hoped the clansmen would come seeking him at the King's door. On his second day of waiting, a lady obviously known to the King and his closest supporters arrived. Choas ensued. She was a lady and experienced at giving orders then having them obeyed.
Gideon found himself pressed into service as an escort to the servants of the lady. No one was forthcoming as to who the lady might be. Gideon did not press for answers. His duty was to see to it that the two servants were found reasonable quarters. Then he was to make himself available for their needs.
He was able to ferret out reasonable sleeping quarters for the two women. After making sure that they had a fire going and sufficient wood for the evening, he left them to settle in. During the day Gideon was again pressed into service. He located food and made sure the women were protected when they went to find their mistress. Hauling wood or water did not matter to him. Gideon had been raised by Sir David to believe that service did not exclude menial duties. Duty sometimes required sacrifice.
In the evening Gideon was again pressed into service, providing water and wood to the two female servants. He was also asked to find them some whiskey so the two women might relax. That caused him a bit of trouble but he was able to provide a small flask of whiskey to them.
He was seated before the fire when one of the women, quite drunk stumbled into the circle of firelight. Thinking she might be seaking her mistress, Gideon rose to help if needed. Instead the woman grabbed onto his arm.
Her breath was full of the fumes of the whiskey. Gideon tried to pull away slightly but found his arm firmly pulled against her body. She was not an unsightly woman but the scent of her breath and her drunken behavior repulsed him. As she was a guest of The Bruce, Gideon felt honor bound to escort her safely back to her room.
What he did not expect was to be set upon by the woman as soon as they were inside the room and the door shut. Grabbing him by the upper arms, she planted a wet kiss on his lips. With difficulty Gideon refrained from wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He carefully removed her hands from his arms then reached behind him for the door handle.
"Now laddie, surely ye ha been here with no woman's companionship far too long."
She stepped closer to Gideon.
"That matters not. I have a wife at home. I've no wish to bed another."
Gideon hoped being honest with the woman would allow him to escape.
"Well laddie, there be a song ye ken. 'Wa do ye last night, wa do ye noo, who did ye last night, canna do ye noo'."
He was utterly repulsed by her. Gideon shook his head refusing to answer. He pulled the door open then slipped around behind it. As soon as he left the room he wiped his mouth then spit out anything that might have remained from her horrid kiss. Tomorrow someone else would need to care for the two women, he planned to be difficult to find.
It was a late the next day when his clansmen found him. Gideon was happy to see friendly faces. He was greeted with huge hugs and much backslapping by the men. They found a place a bit away from the others, built a small fire then clustered around it. Gideon was eager for news of home.
He was assured of everyone's health. Gideon's inquiries regarding Ailene left him puzzled. Each man assured him she was well, but it seemed to him that they did not wish to speak of her. On the next day Gideon cornered Ainsley hoping to get a bit more from the lad. Ainsley told him Ailene was very well indeed. She was looking forward to having him home. Other than that the lad had little to say and changed the subject quickly.
Gideon's puzzlement was left to simmer as they were called to service the next day. They were to scout out the position of the enemy and keep track of the Comyn forces. For several weeks they lived rough making cold camps were they must. Where a fire could be made with small chance of discovery they enjoyed cooked food. The occasional rabbit or fowl supplemented their diet of dried meat when possible.
Their sphere of operation tended to be to the north of the army's position. Gideon had split his force. They met at a prearranged place to combine their information. Afterward one man was sent to report to the King. Gideon changed the location of the meeting place each time not wanting to be taken by surprise. The north country surrounding the army remained quiet. Gideon was glad it was quiet. He was hoping the King would recover his health before spring. The Bruce's illness weighed heavily on Gideon and his men.
It was likely that the lull they were in would evaporate in spring. He did not re
lax his guard nor did he allow his men to relax. After a few weeks they were relieved. Gideon was called back to the present position of The Bruce's main encampment, outside Inveurie. The men were grateful for a hot fire and sound sleep.
Gideon was wrapped in his plaid by the remains of the fire when there was a great commotion. From the shouting horseman he gathered that Brechin had attacked some of the King's men who were lodging in Inveurie.
With no time to spare, Gideon scrambled into his hauberk then slung his sword on to his back. He thrust his dagger into its sheath. He had learned from the Turks He favored lighter armament and the mobility it afforded him. So long as his torso was covered he felt no need of additional armor in this hit and run campaign they had been waging.
As he mounted his prancing animal, Gideon heard the King's voice raised as he cursed Brechin. Gideon was heartened to hear The Bruce shouting to his men to help him onto his mount. As ill as the man had been it was good to know that The Bruce was in control. It appeared to Gideon that two of the King's men were not only helping him to mount but also holding him on the horse. Smiling to himself, Gideon felt pride in his King swell. The man was surely a warrior clear to the bone.
Gideon gathered his clansmen around him. They started forward. Two of Gideon's men felt more comfortable fighting on foot. Manius stationed himself at Gideon's left planning to run along side. Ainsley avoided Gideon long enough so that Gideon was not able to order him to stay out of the battle. When Gideon caught sight of him, he ordered the lad to come alongside. Ainsley had chosen to leave his horse behind. Gideon placed the lad in Manius' charge.
At The Bruce's command the army formed. They began their forward advance toward Oldmeldrum. Comyn and Mowray waited below Barra Hill. As the army neared the position of the Comyn forces, a ripple of surprise caused a slight backward movement of the opposing army. They had seen The Bruce mounted in the midst of his forces. The enemy was taken aback. That small backward movement of the foot soldiers caused a similar movement in the cavalry line. The footsoldiers wavered. Then the entire line broke. The Bruce's opponents retreated in disarray.
The Bruce noted the wobble of the infantry. He urged his men forward in a charge. The Comyn line broke under the force of the charge. Gideon found himself chasing men who had no interest in engaging him. One stood and fought. Gideon leaned against the neck of his galloping horse, with a sharp cut down into the enemy's shoulder Gideon dispatched the foot soldier.
Another man threw a spear at Gideon which he only partially dodged. It scored a track across his left forearm. Gideon chased the man down. When he turned to fight Gideon took his arm off below the shoulder. The horn sounded.
Gideon took a glance behind him. The King was calling his men back. Gideon reined his horse back to regroup at the King's standard. It was a major victory against the Comyn forces. Winning the battle of Barra Hill had heartened the King's small army.
The bodies that littered the field were Comyn supporters. The casulties sustained by the King's forces were few and light. There was a sense of wonder mixed with the exhilaration of victory in The Bruce's army. A force of perhaps seven hundred men had routed over a thousand well armed Comyn warriors. They had prevailed with little damage. The King while still being held in the saddle by his closest companions did not appear any worse for the experience.
The Bruce sent Edward, Earl of Carrick, to pursue Buchan. Buchan was chased to Fyvie several miles to the northeast. The King was determined to break the back of Comyn resistence. His troops were dispatched to ravage Buchan by fire and sword. The Bruce sent his brother Edward, Earl of Carrick, to kill all the Buchan men that could be found. Further, they were to destroy Buchan crops, animals and homes.
Gideon and the clansmen were dispatched under the command of Edward. Gideon understood the theory behind the harrying of Buchan but the reality of it left him disheartened. The first day out they burned a home and destroyed all the foodstuffs they found that could not be carried away. Cattle had their throats cut and were left in the fields to rot. Sheep were run down then left to die. The women and children ran for their lives. The men who stood to fight were cut down quickly.
That night around a fire where mutton was roasting on sticks thrust into the coals, Gideon was not able to eat. The smell of roasting meat made his stomach threaten to heave. He took a piece of bread then walked away from the fire. His men although ready to eat were quiet. All Gideon could think about was their own glen and how he would feel if this were happening there. Finally Gideon made his way back to the fire.
Preparing to lie and rest, he was approached by Ainsley. By the light of the fire, Gideon saw the shine of tears in the lad's eyes. Gideon rose, he motioned Ainsley to follow him into the darkness away from the fire. He stopped and turned to Ainsley when they were far enough from the fire to be alone. Gideon took Ainsley into his arms. He allowed the boy to cry on his shoulder. Without a word spoken between them, Ainsley took comfort from Gideon. After a short time Ainsley took a deep breath then stepped back.
Gideon squeezed his upper arm as he whispered in his ear.
"Go and try to rest now lad. Be sure to say your prayers this night."
"Aye."
Ainsley breathed as he turned away from Gideon to make his way back toward the dying fire. Gideon went down on his knees there in the darkness. He asked forgivness for the day's butchery. He then went to his own pallet.
In the morning they found another small settlement to ravage. Gideon was chasing a cow out of the field past a rocky outcrop when he saw the young woman trying to hide under a ledge. She had two small children and a lamb with her.
He caught a flash of her red hair. They locked eyes. Gideon saw the fear in her eyes, he shook his head slightly. He had not been commanded to kill women and children only men. Something inside him shattered. He determined no matter what command was given, never would he kill innocents. He spurred the horse up the small rise after the cow. Upon reaching the animal, Gideon killed the cow as he had been ordered to do. It did not help the anger boiling inside his heart at the job he had been given.
That evening Cadell found him. He had been searching for Gideon for two days. Gideon pulled him to one side. He confessed his disgust at the harrying of Buchan to Cadell. Cadell was not pleased with the command to break Buchan.
Gideon took heart from the fact that Cadell was not happy about the situation in which they found themselves. Being a small clan and struggling to survive each winter, they were all too aware of the hardship the people of Buchan would face come winter. Cadell understood the King's reasoning. That did not make it easy to carry out the King's bidding.
Gideon was more than happy to be relieved by Cadell. He and the men who had been with him left as soon as it was light in the morning. They were all ready to be on the trail to their own home.
Gideon set a hard pace. He wanted to see his wife. He wanted to be home in the peaceful glen. The further he got from Buchan the better he liked it. By riding hard and long they reached the head of the glen in three days. Gideon uncaring of what anyone else thought, dismounted and dropped to one knee. He gave thanks for his home, his safe return and asked for forgivness for his sins. When he turned to mount, all the clansmen were rising to their feet behind him.
Gideon was the first man to enter the hall. He had given his horse into the care of Boyd who had dashed forward to help. Edeen was waiting in the hall. Before he could ask she pointed up the stairs.
"Ailene is up there waiting for ye."
With a nod of his head Gideon took the stairs two at a time. Bursting into the room he found her seated in a chair. Her belly was so swollen he could not believe his eyes.
Gideon's hands took hold of the doorway as he stared at her.
"Ailene?"
"Aye, love. I ha been waitin for ye. Our bairn is due any day."
She reached out both arms for him.
Gideon slowly walked forward and took her hands.
"Now I understand why they would not
talk about you."
"Dinna blame anyone but me. Gideon, I did not wish ye to be distracted. I commanded them to all hold their tongues."
He put out a hand toward her swollen body. Ailene took his hand. She placed his hand on her belly as she reached out to stoke Gideon's cheek with her other hand.
"The bairn dropped two days ago. Edeen told me if I walked it might hasten the birth."
She smiled at his pale face.
"I ha taken to bed. I was determined that ye be here to see the birth."
"Ailene, please do not hurt yourself."
There was a wave across her stomach and his hand lifted and fell with the motion.
Ailene watched the look of wonder cross Gideon's face as the bairn moved beneath his hand. She laughed.
"Na worry love, childbirth takes place when God chooses. He only waited because He saw fit."
Gideon sat on his heels as he placed both hands on her stomach. Ailene pushed the hair back from his face.
"Well Gideon, how goes the campaign?"
His eyes had something in them Ailene had not seen before. She was not sure what she saw. Gideon shook his head slightly and looked back at her body.
"I would talk about the babe. How does it feel to be this full?
Tell me about everything that has taken place."
Ailene understood he did not wish to discuss what he had experienced. She began to tell him about heaving, how difficult it was to keep her balance. No detail was too small for him. Gideon prodded her for every piece of information.
The thought of the life that she would shortly bring into the world, a part of the both of them, cheered him. He thought about the little things he had missed. When sadness would have intruded into his thoughts, Gideon refused it. This was what life was all about. He felt a sudden bond with his father. His father had been there to see his mother grow swollen with him. Gideon had never before considered that aspect of his parent's life together.
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