Gareth Ogilvie The Great Sea King

by J W Murison

  ‘Follow those three, but don’t pursue them. When you arrive at the Frasers Village tell the chieftain I want an explanation for his kinsmen’s actions. Don’t try and lay down the law to him Hughie, and don’t try and get revenge. They looked like boys, that would start a clan war. Just tell him I will expect to hear from him soon. Take two men with you in case they are stupid enough to turn back and fight.’

  But they didn’t turn back. In fact their leader had another idea in mind. He ran to the village well and began to ring the bell. Men spilled from their homes and ran in from the fields. When Hughie and his two companions arrived he found a wall of shields and swords blocking his path. Hughie stepped forward alone. The clan chieftain of the Frasers also stepped forward.

  ‘I see you Hughie Ogilvie, what sad state of affairs is this that three grown men pursue three Fraser children with a view to commit murder.’

  ‘I see you Dan Fraser, chieftain of Clan Fraser, but you are mistaken, there was no pursuit of your boys. In fact if pursuit was what it was, they would be lying dead in the heather miles back. No I bring a message from John Ogilvie; your three boys ambushed his two grandsons and Graun Grants boy. Right now he carries his Grandson Teal home with an arrow through his side, I was sent after your lads to seek explanation, not start a war or demand revenge for the deed.’

  Dan felt the blood drain from his face. If this was true then he would have to choose his next words extremely carefully. His eyes flicked to Hughie’s companions and they each nodded to him in turn. He knew both men and realised by the look in their eyes that this was no lie. His mind raced, his clan was now sitting upon the brink of a precipice. Dan Fraser was no politician; in fact he was a brute of a man. Hard and uncompromising he would normally fight a duel rather than back down. There were a number of things staying his hand at this moment. To begin with it was his daughter Teal was seeking attention from and he hungered for the power and prestige that union would bring his family and his clan. The second was that he was one of the men who had given his word to John Ogilvie that no harm would come to the three boys.

  ‘How is the lad Hughie.’

  ‘I’m not sure Dan, he was shot on the wing and fell from a great height and at great speed. All I know is for now he is alive.’

  ‘Would you permit me to come and speak to John myself?’

  ‘I think John would welcome that Dan.’

  ‘I would take two men.’

  ‘That’s agreeable.’

  Dan knew just the two men to take with him. They reached the Ogilvie village after night had fallen. Mist had begun to lift from the river that flowed around the village. It spread through the village like a blanket, softening its sharp edges and muffling any noise. Hughie took Dan straight to John’s house. It was warm inside. The two boys sat quietly at a table playing with their food. They recognised Dan and stood in respect to the chieftain. Hughie called for John and he appeared. He wasn’t fond of Dan but welcomed the visit. He asked to talk to the boys and John stood by his side as he questioned them at length. Then he looked in on Teal who was pale and bruised.

  John then sent them to their beds and the two men sat and talked. ‘You know the three boys who did this?’ John asked.

  ‘Aye only too well. Your three lads beat the shit out of them a few times. I never took much head of it to tell you the truth. In fact I admired your lads for the way they handled themselves, those boys are older than them and bigger. I never realised they held such resentment towards them. Boys will be boys after all.’

  ‘When boys pick up sword and shield to ambush and murder three younger than themselves then they take on the responsibility of men. You know that Dan.’

  Dan knew it well enough, but he was still Dan. ‘I want to deal with this in-house John. Their leader is a waster, but the other two have the makings of good men. I think if I am allowed to deal with this on my own I can make sure it won’t happen again, I will make an example of them, have no fear on that.’

  ‘I respect you Dan and your word, but that may not be enough.’

  Dan’s face darkened, ‘how so?’

  ‘There was a Grant here when we returned. One of Graun Grants relatives and he has already returned home with the word of what happened here today.’

  Dan’s eyes flickered closed for a moment, then he stood. ‘I would thank you for your hospitality John. When we meet next it may be on the field of battle. I would attempt to parley with the Grants and would appreciate any assistance you could give me on that day.’

  ‘I will certainly try Dan.’

  The two men shook hands and Dan left.

  It was two days before the Grants turned up. They appeared from the middle of the stream. Malcolm stood over the feverish Teal while Stan stood at the foot of the bed.

  ‘It’s but a mild fever Malcolm.’ John tried to reassure. He has a lot of bruises but no broken bones.

  Malcolm nodded, then his eyes flicked to the pretty young girl who sat straight backed with fear in her eyes and trying not to show it. ‘Who’s the girl?’

  ‘Chelayne, Dan Fraser’s daughter. She arrived with the clan’s healer yesterday morning.’

  Malcolm nodded, ‘pretty name for a pretty girl. That was generous of Dan; maybe she would be safer here anyway.’

  ‘Don’t hurt my Da, or my family, please Mr Grant.’

  ‘I'm not setting out to hurt anyone apart from those guilty of this crime lass. But we’ll see, it will depend on how reasonable your father is.’

  Her attempt at a smile slipped from her face and she paled. She knew exactly how reasonable her father was. The men began their march early the next morning. By early afternoon the two clans met on the field a few miles from the Fraser village. Their numbers were about even. Dan stepped forward alone and was met by John.

  ‘Are they willing to listen John?’

  ‘Aye, but only just. That was very astute of you Dan, sending your daughter to look after Teal. I think that act of concern on your part was what assured them you and your people meant no harm to the boys.’

  Dan nodded, ‘I like those boys and especially Teal. How is he?’

  ‘He has a mild fever and a lot of bruising coming out, but that’s all.’

  Dan nodded and sighed, ‘if anything happens today and I fall, will you make sure she gets home alright John?’

  ‘Have no fears there Dan.’

  ‘Thank you; now let’s see what the Grants have to say for themselves.’

  John motioned for Malcolm and Stan to come forward. John was dreading the moment. Neither Dan nor Malcolm were known for their diplomacy and John was sure it would end up in a blood bath. The two big men sized each other up for a few moments. Malcolm spoke first.

  ‘We have met before on a battlefield haven’t we?’

  ‘We have, but that time we were on the same side.’

  ‘At the battle of the pass wasn’t it. We went through the horse rider’s camp. You were one of the men who offered assistance when Graun fell.’

  It was one of Dan’s favourite stories, ‘aye that was me. I am honoured you actually remember.’

  ‘I forget nothing,’ Malcolm stated flatly and honestly. ‘I never thanked you for that day, I will correct that and do so now.’

  ‘There is no thanks required, it was an honour to serve the great Graun Grant.’

  Malcolm noted the honour and respect in the man’s tone. ‘Then let us tarry no longer and get straight to the point. I want those men for punishment.’

  ‘They are not yet men, but foolish boys and I will not give them up. They have already been punished and by their fathers.’

  ‘When they took up weapons, they acted like men and should be punished like men.’

  ‘I discussed this with their fathers and they begged me not to treat them as such. After talking to both the fathers and the boys, I agreed.’

  ‘You should have talked to me first.’

  Dan felt his face redden, ‘I can deal with my own people Malcolm Grant, I u
nderstand your nephew was one of the boys involved, but he wasn’t hurt.’

  ‘No but mines was,’ Stan butted in rudely.

  ‘Aye he was,’ Dan admitted. ‘But your father agreed to let me deal with it in house.’

  ‘I would like to see the three boys involved,’ Malcolm ventured.

  Dan nodded and raised an open hand. Six men broke through the ranks dragging deerskins in pairs. They stopped by Dan and tossed down the corners. Three bloody heaps were revealed. Even Malcolm was appalled.

  ‘Who did this?’

  ‘Their fathers did it,’ Dan growled. ‘They broke a trust and three oaths including mine. They won’t do it again.’

  Malcolm hesitated, ‘I can see no justification in punishing these three farther.’ He turned to Stan who had paled. ‘Are you satisfied?’

  ‘Aye.’

  Malcolm nodded, ‘then we will leave it be. Go in peace Dan Fraser.’

  ‘Go in peace Malcolm Grant.’

  Dan waited until they were out of sight, ‘ok you three useless bastards can get up now.’

  The three boys got painfully to their feet. Their fathers had beaten them black and blue, but Dan hadn’t been satisfied. He killed a pig and mixed the blood with mud then made them roll around in it, then instructed them how to behave.

  ‘If any of the three of you show face outside the house for the next three weeks I will kill you myself. Now get cleaned up and get out of my sight.’ The boys shuffled away.

  ‘Did you see those bloody axes they were carrying,’ one of the skin draggers said to a friend.

  Dan turned on them, ‘that was Malcolm Grant and Stan Ogilvie. On the plains before the big pass I saw them fight back to back, you would have thought they were one body. They killed more men that night than all that have gathered here this day. I swear it was a thing of beauty to watch. It almost cost me my head I was so mesmerised. I am frightened of no man and will stand against anyone including those two even though I know I would die. But the thought of those two tearing through our ranks slaughtering my family and friends fills me with a terror I have never known. We were very lucky today, far luckier than you could ever believe.’

  He left his men gawking after him, and for the first time in his life he truly felt the burden of responsibility his father had talked about so much when he was a young man. ‘Turns out you were right after all you old bastard.’ He muttered to the wind as it picked up and cooled the sweat on his face.

  A week later Teal was well on the road to recovery and as an added bonus Chelayne showed him her secret delights and Teal was forever smitten.

  CHAPTER 46

  Gareth's nightmares were full of voices booming inside his head. Sweat lathered his body and the men took to feeding him through a tube the doctor had conjured up. A few times Graun thought they were going to choke him to death. The fever lasted almost a fortnight and for a while they considered severing his left hand which had swollen to three times its normal size and had turned a strange black colour. The day the swelling began to subside the fever broke. Gareth slept for a full two days before he managed to open his eyes.

  Grauns grim face looked down at him. ‘Man I was hoping to see something a damn sight better looking than you when I woke up Graun.’ He managed to croak.

  Graun forced a grin, ‘man I thought we had lost you there.’

  ‘No such luck. Fuck my throat hurts like hell.’

  ‘The good doctor has been feeding you through a tube. That’s why your throat probably hurts.’

  ‘He had to feed me through a tube, how long have I been out.’

  ‘About a fortnight.’

  ‘Shit, that long.’

  ‘Aye.’

  ‘Where are we?’

  ‘Moored in a river.’

  Gareth forced himself to sit up, ‘why?’

  ‘A search for medicinal plants to help you.’ Graun handed him a glass of water and Gareth almost choked before he was able to finish it, but he felt the benefits immediately.

  ‘That’s better, how’s the expedition going?’

  ‘Everyone’s sort of lost interest since you became ill. A few days ago we made a decision to stop until you either woke up or died. Your wife and their medicine man insisted on going on the hunt for some special plant that would help break your fever.’

  ‘Is she back?’

  ‘No, not yet, don’t worry I sent an escort with them. They should be back shortly.’

  ‘Highlanders?’

  ‘No, it’s to bloody hot out there for us, we can hardly breath. They call it a jungle. I sent your royal guard with them, they seem not to notice the heat.’

  ‘Really as hot as the desert?’

  ‘No just different, you'll see soon enough.’

  ‘Seems cool enough here.’

  Graun smiled, ‘golden eagle magic.’

  ‘Could I have another glass of water Graun?’ Graun poured a glass and handed it over. Gareth drank it and sighed, ‘thank you.’

  He scratched his ring finger idly. Graun stared, ‘well would you look at that.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Your ring finger.’

  The hand was still swollen, but Gareth could easily make out the discoloration on his ring finger. The band of gold now had a band of silver wound through it. ‘That’s different.’

  Graun nodded, ‘I’d lay a bet that is what your illness was all about. Bloody eagle magic. One fighting against the other.’

  ‘You’ve never noticed this before?’

  ‘Your hand was too swollen, looked like an inflated bladder and the eagle doctors kept it covered most of the time. I bet the bastards knew what it was and weren’t letting on.’ Graun could feel his ire rise.

  Gareth dropped his hand, ‘whatever it was, it’s over now Graun. Any news?’

  ‘Loads, but you need to recover your strength, eat first.’

  Gareth closed his eyes and called for Amber. Her voice flooded his mind and he found himself smiling. He told her to return to the ships and that he was feeling much better. After that he opened his mind and searched for Melina. Her voice came through as strongly as Ambers had. Her relief warmed his heart. She wanted to talk longer but he felt weak and she felt it. He promised to talk to her later after he had something to eat.

  Graun helped him to his table and the chef beaming with delight soon had a fine broth full of goodness sat in front of him. Graun caught him up on the news, including what had happened at home with Teal and the Frasers. They agreed it was a close thing and his father had done well to avoid a clan war, they even praised Dan Fraser for his part, even though Gareth had little time for the man either.

  After the meal Graun helped him on deck where he was received with a great cheer. He felt his strength begin to return and his spirits rise. The noise covered the shouts of a running man. It wasn’t until he was on the gang plank that anyone noticed him. He ran towards Graun then spotted Gareth. He threw himself at Gareth's feet.

  ‘Sire Sire, please.’

  Gareth recognised the man, it was one of his personal guard, blood streaked down his left arm. Gareth signalled foe silence.

  ‘What is it Bolo, what's wrong?’

  General Aswari sent me Sire, we were ambushed by Indians and golden eagles, Sire they have snatched your wife and Aswari is sorely pressed.’

  Gareth felt his head spin for a moment, he turned to Graun but Graun was already moving, shouting for his highlanders. ‘Can you guide them back Bolo.’

  ‘Yes Sire.’

  ‘Good man, take a moment to bandage your arm before you bleed to death.’

  ‘Yes Sire.’

  Gareth could do nothing but stand helpless leaning on the rail as his men vanished into the mass of greenery. All he could do was try and call Amber, but could hear nothing in his mind but a strange cold void.

  THE END