Highland Trails of Love

by Barbara Bard

  “Stephen, I want you to go and get ready for bed,” she said. Stephen pouted, but he knew well enough to not argue with his mother. Alastar helped Mabel for a little longer in silence, before he retired to bed himself.

  Alastar reflected on the evening and his heart sank. The enormity of the task before him was great. People still bore the scars from the old war, and they had been opened by the recent actions of the Flynns. He was an enemy in these lands, and it was going to be hard for him to find allies. He had been fortunate to meet Mabel, but he imagined word would spread that a Highlander was staying here. As much as he liked this place, he knew that he would need to move on soon.

  A long time ago his father had told him that he wouldn't be able to put down roots with the life he wanted to live. At the time, Alastar hadn't thought that was a big price to pay, but now that so much time had passed, he realized that it wasn't only the dead who made huge sacrifices. He only hoped that he would prove himself worthy of the Blue Thistle's name.

  Chapter 8

  Rebecca was praying for some intrusion to distract Ellen, but nothing did. Rebecca walked slowly, heart thumping, trying not to appear too suspicious. This must be it, she thought. Catherine and Declan had been captured and they had revealed her involvement in the plan. All at once she was filled with a sense of betrayal. How could Catherine have done that to her when Rebecca had helped her so?

  “Come on girl,” Ellen said sharply. The mistress turned briskly on her heels. Ellen followed, as did the gazes of everyone else who was standing in the kitchen.

  Ellen waited until they were out of earshot before she turned and addressed Rebecca directly. Rebeca was already wilting, expecting to see a rank of guards waiting to take her to the dungeons.

  “Are you alright girl?” Ellen asked as she regarded Rebecca She saw how pale Rebecca was, and how shaken.

  “I am just distressed by the situation,” Rebecca replied, trying to choose her words carefully. Her mouth was dry, and she felt as though she was about to collapse.

  “Indeed, although I am sure it will be rectified soon, and Catherine will be back with us. Now, I have a question to ask you,” Ellen said. Rebecca's heart flashed with hope. Catherine hadn't returned, which meant that she couldn't have betrayed Rebecca.

  Rebecca stayed silent while she waited to see what Ellen had to say.

  “I know that you have been tending to the dungeon. I don't suppose you know anything about this matter. I am trying to find out exactly how this has happened. As you can imagine, Lord Flynn is rather upset.”

  “Indeed. He must be very worried about his daughter. I regret to say that I didn't. I did meet Lady Catherine, but we only spoke briefly. I have not been down to the dungeon since then.”

  “Hmm, strange, since you have always made it your mission to take care of the prisoner,” Ellen said.

  “I was merely shocked by the news this morning. I have not been myself all day. My mind has been rattled. I cannot believe that such a thing could happen. It is as though this estate has been cursed recently.”

  “Hmm, indeed. Well, I should like you to go to the dungeon and ask the prisoner there if he saw anything. I doubt he will be helpful, but you never know. Say that if he helps us he may be looked upon favorably. It might loosen his lips if he thinks he can help his own situation,” Ellen said.

  “What benefits may he receive?” Rebecca asked innocently.

  “None child,” Ellen said, looking confused, “I only said promise him. I didn't say we would follow through with such a promise. I am surprised that man has not died yet. He shows a unique stubbornness, but still, that means his torture is all the more effective. Well, what are you waiting for?” she snapped, and ushered Rebecca away.

  Rebecca wasn't sure what she should do. She knew very well that Alastar wasn't being held in the dungeon any longer, but she couldn't let onto that fact yet. She returned to the kitchen and found that the conversation had died down since Ellen's interruption. Rebecca made some oats and poured some water into a mug, then set it all on a tray.

  “You really should forget about that prisoner. You might as well let him die. It would be more merciful to him. I know that I wouldn't like to live out my days in a dungeon,” one of the servants said. Rebecca ignored them and walked outside, taking each step carefully as she balanced the tray.

  People were still rushing about the estate. Rebecca wondered how George was coping. He had been through a lot, had been forged by his experiences, and would be far more able than Rebecca to stand up to scrutiny. She hadn't even been questioned before she had been suffering from palpitations.

  She half-expected someone to come down into the dungeon with her, to check on her, and then accuse her of treason. With every step down into that dark abode she was more and more frightened, even though she knew that there was nothing waiting for her.

  A single drip of water dropped down repeatedly, echoing in the empty cavern. Rebecca stood at the front of the chamber, looking into the depressing gloom that was the jail. She had never envied the man who had been staying here, but for all the time she had spent bringing him meals he had never once spoken to her, and never had she heard his story. The only time he had said anything was when she had helped him to escape.

  In all this time she had been thinking about Catherine and Declan a great deal but had not spared much thought for the other prisoner. She hoped that he was well too, for after spending so much time imprisoned it would be very difficult for him to reintegrate himself into the world.

  She wondered if he had a family somewhere, or a wife to return to. He would most likely not give her a second thought, and she doubted if she would ever see or hear of him again. She was alone in her sorrow and her suffering, and now she had to decide what to do.

  She could, of course, return to Ellen and tell her that the prisoner said nothing, and hope that nobody would ever venture down into the dungeon to investigate. That seemed like wishful thinking though. Somebody would surely come down here and see that it was empty. If she did not tell the truth, then suspicion would fall upon her.

  Swallowing hard, she walked back up the stairs, taking the tray with her, and left the dungeon. There, she stayed for a few moments as she worked up the courage to declare her discovery and to make the lie even deeper.

  “Help!” she cried. “Help! The prisoner has escaped!”

  There were enough people around that eventually someone heard her call and they came to her. She explained her situation, and they told her to go straight to Ellen, while they notified the guards. Rebecca rushed back to the kitchen with flushed cheeks, embarrassed that it was so easy to fool people. Nobody expected her to lie. She was just a simple servant after all. Nobody would expect her of being a part of a grand conspiracy.

  Elayne saw her enter and rushed up to her.

  “What's going on Rebecca? I heard that someone else has escaped,” Elayne asked.

  “I can't talk about it now. I have to get to Ellen,” Rebecca said. She forced her way through the kitchen, leaving many confused and perplexed people behind, and breathed a sigh of relief. The fewer people she had to talk to, the better, as far as she was concerned.

  Ellen was in her office in the house, with a huge parchment in front of her, upon which Ellen was noting various figures. Rebecca stood in the doorway, then knocked lightly as her presence failed to get Ellen's attention.

  “Is everything well?” Ellen asked, barely raising her gaze from her work. Her tone was abrupt, and she seemed annoyed that she had been interrupted.

  “I'm afraid that the prisoner has escaped,” Rebecca said meekly.

  “What?” Ellen said. This time her eyes lifted, and she placed her quill on the table.

  “I went down like you said, to ask him some questions, but he wasn’t there. I checked, I really did, but the chamber is empty.”

  “They must have freed him as well. I wonder if they know...,” Ellen said, frowning. Rebecca wondered if she should stay or if she should return
to her duties. She hoped that now this matter had been revealed she would be able to forget about being discovered. Her part in this was done. After Ellen had failed to speak for a few minutes Rebecca decided to speak.

  “If that's all ma'am, I'll be returning to my duties,” she said, and began to withdraw.

  “Oh no my dear, you must come with me to see Lord Athelred. He will want to hear what you have to say,” she said.

  Rebecca paled once again. This was incomprehensible. She didn't know what she had done to deserve such a fate but speaking with Lord Flynn was dire. He would surely see through her lies, and she would be punished. Stammering, she tried to think of a way to free herself of the situation, but she could not think of any. Ellen was soon standing beside her, ordering her to follow. Rebecca had no choice but to do as she was told, wondering when she was going to be free of this wretched situation.

  Chapter 9

  The moon hung high in the sky, like a silver lantern, accompanied by twinkling pinpricks of stars. For so long Alastar had only been able to stare at cold, harsh rock. He was amazed at the beauty and majesty of all that lay before him.

  Unable to sleep, he had ventured outside and was sitting on a log. The night was still, and the inn beside him was dark. The road was framed by a forest, but there were no sounds of anyone about. His sword rested on his knees. Animals slept soundly at the front of the house. Then, he heard a rustling. His instincts told him that it was an enemy, perhaps Charlie, returning to finish what he had started.

  Alastar's fingers crept down his leg to the hilt of the sword. Just as he was about to swing it he heard a cough and knew it to be too high to be the cough of a man. He looked around and saw Stephen standing there, this time without his dog. He wore a loose tunic. His hair was unkempt. He should have been sleeping, but Alastar could forgive him for not being able to get any rest. Alastar smiled at him, then sidled up the log, making room. He gestured for Stephen to join him.

  “Cannae sleep?” Alastar asked. Stephen shook his head. “Ye were brave taenight. How was Penny?”

  “She was fine. I think she was scared. Men always look at her like that. They are never nice to her,” Stephen replied.

  “But you are.”

  “Not that she cares that much. She thinks I'm just a boy.”

  “Aye, but one day she will see ye as a man.”

  Stephen merely pouted, indicating that that day could not come soon enough. Alastar smiled a little, remembering a time when he had been like Stephen. Stephen swung his legs back and forth, his gaze kept darting towards the sword.

  “Would ye like tae handle it?” he asked. Stephen licked his lips. The moonlight caught an excited gleam in his eye, but he was hesitant. “I will nae tell ye ma,” he added. This was all the guarantee Stephen needed. He reached out his hands. Alastar picked up the sword and slid it across Stephen's legs, making sure that the blade was flat.

  Stephen expressed his surprise and delight as he curled his hands around the sword. He tried to lift it himself, but the weight was too much. He looked at Alastar with wide eyes, almost wondering how strong he must be to carry a weapon like this.

  “Heavy, isnae it?”

  Stephen nodded.

  “The heaviest thing about this weapon is what it can dae tae a man. When ye hold this, ye hold the power over life and death, and ye hae tae be careful with how ye use it.”

  Stephen nodded along, although Alastar wasn't sure if he understood yet. Alastar himself hadn't understood when he was that age, and his father had been trying to teach him.

  “Are you going to stay?” Stephen asked, his voice filled with hope. Alastar leaned forward and exhaled deeply.

  “I wish I could Stephen, but I’m needed elsewhere.”

  “Ma needs you here. She's been so sad since Pa left. I wouldn't mind you know, if you wanted to stay. I know you wouldn't be my Pa or anything, but it would be nice.”

  “Aye, that it would,” Alastar said, ruffling the kid's hair, “but I hae things tae dae.”

  “What kind of things?”

  Alastar pressed his lips together, unsure of how much he should tell the boy.

  “A long time ago there was a man who did nae like me or my Da. We suffered at his hands, and I hae tae make things right. He also hae something of mine.”

  “What?”

  “My father's sword,” Alastar replied. “I hae tae get it back. It is the only thing I have of him.”

  “I don't have much of father either,” Stephen said. “Do you miss yours? I miss mine. Sometimes I expect to see him coming over the hill, saying that it's all been a mistake, but Ma says that I'm being silly.”

  “It's always good tae dream, but dinnae let it interfere with ye life. Ye Da sounds like a good man. I'm sure ye will make him proud one day.”

  “I hope so. I want to take care of Ma, but I feel so weak and small. Pa told me before I left that I had to look after the inn, but how can I when nobody takes me seriously?”

  “Oh, they will. I will teach ye a few things,” Alastar said, “but dinnae tell ye Ma,” he added with a wink.

  In the moonlight Alastar taught Stephen a few simple moves to help him in a fight. His mind went back to a time when he had been young, when he had been up in the moonlight and his own father had taught him how to defend himself. Stephen was a much better student than he had ever been though.

  “Dae ye believe in heroes Stephen?” he asked.

  Stephen nodded.

  “Well then, ye will be alright, because if ye believe in heroes then they will come tae ye aid when ye need them.”

  “What if I want to become a hero?” Stephen asked.

  Alastar's eyes sparkled with pride. He placed a hand on Stephan's shoulder.

  “From what I saw taeday, ye already are. It takes a brave person tae stand up tae a man like Charlie,” he said. Stephan beamed, a wide smile appearing on his face.

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Oh aye, there is nae doubt in my mind. Now gae along and get ye tae bed. Ye ma already has plenty tae worry about without ye being up all night. Tell her I said goodbye, and ye make sure ye take care of her, just as she's taken care of ye.”

  “I will Alastar,” Stephen said. He chewed his bottom lip for a moment, as though considering something, and then ran forward, wrapping his arms around Alastar's waist. Alastar grunted a little, surprised at the force of the young boy's embrace, but it was the embrace of pain. Stephen had lost a father, but his grief made him strong. He would be a good man, one who protected the innocents, and Mabel could be proud of that.

  Alastar patted the boy's head and carefully extricated himself. There were tears in Stephen's eyes. They glistened in the moonlight. In truth, Alastar was filled with sorrow as well. This was a cozy, homely place. It was somewhere a man could put down roots and live a life of peace, away from the rest of the world. There were fields to plow, animals to tend to, and a sturdy building to be a home. But that was the life waiting for another man. Alastar had no doubt that a traveler would come here one day, fall in love with Mabel and become a father to Stephen, but that day was not today.

  He had other business.

  Wrapping his cloak about his body, Alastar turned his back on Stephen and walked away. Stephen called out to him, but Alastar did not respond. He had a little coin left in his cloak, and he hoped that would be enough to get him to where he needed to go.

  Chapter 10

  Rebecca followed Ellen's path towards the house heart beating frantically.

  “Are you sure this is necessary? I am not sure I will be able to tell Lord Athelred anything of use,” Rebecca stammered.

  “Don't be silly girl. He wants to know everything he can. You may not realize it, but even the smallest bit of information could prove useful,” Ellen replied, without turning her head.

  Rebecca looked frantically at the walls as they passed by, wishing there was some secret path she could take out. It was one thing to lie to the serving staff, but quite another to
face the intimidating Lord Flynn. Her anxiety flooded through her body and she dearly wished that she was somebody else.

  There was little time to be worried though, as the two of them walked briskly to Lord Athelred, who was sitting in the great hall upon his throne. Candles and lanterns hung in the hall, creating a stifling warmth. Rebecca could already feel the sweat trickling down her spine.

  Keeping her head bowed, she followed Ellen up to the dais. Glancing up quickly, she looked at Athelred, and her breath caught in her throat.

  The man was sitting upon his throne wearing a golden cloak, which resembled a man. A thin crown sat upon his head. From what Rebecca understood, these weren't necessities for people of Lord Flynn's stature, but they were allowed to wear them, as long as they were not ostentatious enough to compete with the opulence of the King's crown.