Three days after the Sassenach were defeated at the battle of Loudoun Hill the forces under the Earl of Gloucester were discovered near Loudoun Hill. Those forces had been sent as reinforcements for Aymer DeValence, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The Bruce soundly defeated them with an attack at night. Gloucester's forces put up a better defense than had Pembroke's. It did them no good.
Again the MacGrough men fought as infantry. On this occasion Adair stayed with the horses. Banner fought along side Gideon and Gideon positioned himself next to Cadell. Just as the enemy was faltering and the sky began to lighten, a spearman caught Cadell a glancing blow on his left side. Cadell stumbled against Gideon. Banner took a step to the side in front of Gideon. Thrusting forward with his sword, Banner stabbed the man who had injured Cadell.
Gideon thrust Cadell behind him. The other MacGrough men fought their way toward their chief where they surrounded him. Dalziel sheathed his sword then bent to inspect Cadell's wound.
"He'll no die o this. He needs care ye ken!"
Dalziel announced.
The enemy was retreating. Dalziel helped Cadell to his feet. In a lull, Gideon took a quick glance behind him.
"Back then."
Gideon began to slowly back away from the battlefield. Neill turned to place his back against Manius as Kai and Ross did the same. As a group, with their backs covered, Banner and Gideon guarding them from frontal assault, they left the field. Gideon lifted the end of the plaid he wore then vigorously waved it over head. Adair seeing the signal raced up with the horses.
Dalziel took a small flask opened it then poured some of the whiskey into the open wound. Cadell sucked in a deep breath. Reaching into the pack on the saddle of his horse, Dalziel took out a soft leather pad and cloth. He placed the leather pad over the wound then nodded to Gideon to hold the pad in place. The older warrior swiftly wrapped the cloth over the pad then tied it tightly.
Cadell who had been silent grunted.
"God's blood! Gie me tha flask!"
Silently Dalziel handed the flask over to Cadell who took a quick gulp. The MacGrough took a deep breath. Pain seared through him.
"Shite!"
Gideon looked over at Dalziel.
"We need to find shelter."
Dalziel nodded.
"Aye."
Cadell looked at the men gathered protectively around him.
"First, ye need to report to The Bruce's man. That first, mind."
Gideon acknowledged Cadell's command with a nod. He took his horse from Adair then rode off in the direction of the king's standard where the commanders were grouping. Reports of casualties were being brought to the commander. He in turn directed men to various areas.
Aymer de Valence, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke had retired to Bothwell after the Battle of Loudoun Hill. Gloucester had fled to Ayr. The Sassenach forces were divided. It appeared there was no reason for The Bruce and his men to do anything but settle in for a well deserved rest.
Happy to hear it Gideon rode back to the band of warriors waiting for him. Gideon sent everyone but himself Cadell and Dalziel out to scout the territory. They were to see if a quiet place could be found where the small group could rest.
Dalziel stayed with Cadell and Gideon in order to look after Cadell. Since there were few of them they did not need a large camp. It was Kai who found what they were looking for. He found a small bothy where the only residents were a widow and her grandson. The woman was willing to let them stay there in her cow shed.
Once they had established a camp Gideon would make sure they stayed informed of the king's movements. Except for Cadell's injury, they would have stayed with the main body of the troops. Since they were not with the main body, it would be their responsibility to make themselves accessible and available for what ever The Bruce might require.
The widow and her grandson occupied a small bothy somewhat off the beaten path. This suited their purposes. The widow, Fenella, upon seeing Cadell and his injuries insisted he be brought into her little cottage. She had him put into her own bed declaring she would sleep with her grandson on the floor near the fire. Cadell offered to pay her for allowing them to stay in her home and barn. His offer was refused. Fenella had lost her husband to the Sassenach, she was happy to help The Bruce and his supporters.
Banner was sent to the main encampment. If nothing happened they needed to know of then Banner would return in the evening. On the next day one of the other men would be sent to the camp. Gideon was content with that arrangement. The fewer people he was around the happier he was. Dalziel stayed inside with Cadell while everyone else went out to the cowshed to nap.
When they woke, Sim started a small fire outside so they could take their ease. Feeling lazy they sat around and talked. Weapons were sharpened and gear mended.
Gideon found himself again being tutored in Gaelic. Gideon was teased about his 'wee wifie'. Neill was teased about the increase in his girth. Teasing and joking with one another was the main occupation.
Kai took Adair to one side. The older warrior put Adairthrough a series of movements designed to strengthen his arms and improve his sword handling technique. All the while the lad was teased about his performance.
It was a different existence then the one which Gideon was used to. He realized their good natured teasing and relaxed manner might fool anyone not realizing that only between themselves was this behavior acceptable. A stranger could not enter into this band easily. Gideon was not used to being the butt of jokes but managed to keep his tongue and temper.
During the weeks he had been in the glen and trained with these men, he had caught a glimpse of the bond they shared. They had known each other from birth and grown up fighting together. They were willing to allow him entry due to his relationship with Cadell and Ailene. His ability to fight also gave him access to this exclusive society.
Feeling hungry, they broke out the dried meat, which had been parceled out, to each warrior. Tomorrow they would see if the land could provide anything in the way of sustenance. At the moment they were gathering strength for what might lay ahead. There was no way to gage when they might again be fighting for their lives.
Gideon finished honing the edge on his blade then leaned back on one elbow. The fire was comforting. The heat made him indolent. It did not lessen his awareness of the place in which they now relaxed. Each of them was always on the alert. Gideon knew that later he would set a sentry schedule for them. No one would think him too cautious. Cadell needed to rest here for a while and they were away from the main body of the army. That being the case, it was only reasonable to do so.
Manius stood, took his plaid then turned to Gideon.
"I will take the first watch, ye ken."
"Aye."
Gideon looked around at the other men sitting by the fire. Each man thought about it for a moment. Then in a few minutes the sentry schedule was established.
Having decided on the second watch, Sim, finished dealing with his arms, took his plaid then went to join Manius in the cattle shed.
Dalziel left the widow's bothy crossed the yard then joined the other men at the fire. He looked at Gideon.
"He would see you."
Dalziel was the only man other than Cadell able to speak English as well as Gaelic. Gideon noted Dalziel was now speaking to him in Gaelic. It appeared that the exception he had been granted was now over. Gideon rose from his place at the fire then went to see his father in law. They spoke for a short time. Gideon outlined all the measures, which had been taken to keep them at the ready. Cadell approved all. Gideon went back outside after they bid each other good eve.
The widow's grandson was just a child, no more than six or seven. When the boy would have gone by himself to bring in the cattle, Adair rose then went with the boy to bring in the small herd.
As evening began to set in, Banner returned from the main body of the encampment with no news. Once the cattle were in their pen, Adair was designated as the man who would station himself at the encampm
ent in the morning. Gideon was not sleepy but sat by the fire thinking.
The last two victories had men pouring into The Bruce's camp. Many of them were ill equipped to fight. They were willing but had no weapons. There was nothing that could be done about it, as the treasury would not stretch that far. If there were funds for weapons it was likely there would be more mercenaries in the king's army.
Gideon was glad he had the equipment he did. His sword was a good one, well forged. He had a fine dagger. Gideon corrected himself, it was a gearra sgian. Had he needed additional items, Cadell would have provided what was necessary. He was glad he had been able to bring something to the clan without having to depend on Cadell's largess.
He wished he were able to be less cautious, less inclined to silence. Even Dalziel, a very taciturn man, was more forthcoming than he was. Gideon knew his faults. From the first time his grandfather's servant had placed his hand in that of Sir David's he had been too awe struck to say anything. He had been warned by the servant to not make a pest of himself. Gideon had heeded the warning. Keeping to the shadows had become his way of making sure he was not in the way, not a burden to Sir David.
He had not expressly been told to lie about his age to Sir David. The remark made by the servant who brought him to Sir David had caused the fear, which in turn caused the lie. He now believed the servant meant no harm. But to a child who was alone and friendless the mention of children being sent away because they were too young to be useful was devastating. So Gideon had added two years to his age. He had lied.
But there had been those in the Order who had not been happy with his presence. He had experienced a few heavy handed cuffs about the head. He had learned to be quick, silent and made himself a shadow within shadows.
He still had not told Sir David the truth of it. There seemed to be no point in worrying about having lied to his benefactor. But it did poke at his conscience now and again. The lie had become a part of him in that setting. At least he had been truthful with Cadell and Ailene.
Gideon cleaned his fingernails with the tip of the dagger. Thinking about Ailene warmed his heart. Smiling as he recalled her tears at his leaving, Gideon thought that Ailene pulled him out of the shadows. A child of light, Ailene had no idea how much he enjoyed the lightness of her, the joyousness of her. Everything she did, Ailene did with a passion. There was no room for darkness in her world. Even her anger was a burst of light, an explosion of something, which did not allow for silent disapproval.
As the stars came out Gideon looked up at them. The sky was blazing with light. He did not feel like sleeping in the cowshed. Instead Gideon used his waulked plaid to curl up in next to the fire. It had burned down to coals and would soon go out. Gideon knew it was no warmer in the cowshed. But here by the fire under the sparkling stars the air was fresh and clean. This would be better so long as it was not raining. His head on one arm, Gideon went to sleep.
In the morning Gideon accompanied Adair to the encampment. He had questions. When he did go back to their camp at the widow's bothy, he was able to report to Cadell that the King was presently laying siege to Ayr Castle. But the army must be ready to fall away at a moment's notice. The news had amused Cadell to no end. The two men determined that the 'siege' was for show. The army of the King of Scotland was prepared to show its heels to the Sassenach at the least provocation. Which was the only reasonable course given the might of Longshanks.
There was talk that Longshanks was very sick. Both men declined to pray for the Hammer of the Scots to be released from this world by death. They were willing to hope he would shortly leave this vale of tears and find heaven. It would be heaven for Scotland if the man were no longer spewing his hatred northward. After all, vengeance was the province of God not Longshanks.
Cadell was being well cared for by the widow. As Gideon watched Fenella brought Cadell water. She made broth for him to drink. The lady was pampering his father in law. It was readily apparent to Gideon. When Cadell thanked her for her ministrations, the widow blushed. Gideon watched them both with interest. It was possible there was a relationship of some sort developing between them. All could depend on the length of time they were here in this place.
While Gideon watched she changed the dressing on Cadell's wound. She informed him that it was healing nicely. There was no sign of infection. Cadell attributed that to Dalziel's quick application of the whiskey. Although Cadell maintained that cleaning wounds was a waste of good whiskey.
Gideon left Cadell to the widow then went out to see if there might be anything to add to the cooking pot. They had a couple of spears, Gideon took one with him to see if he might bag a rabbit or suchlike. He returned with a small roe deer slung across his shoulders. Having gutted and bled it out at the scene, Gideon handed it to the widow. She immediately began skinning the animal. Fenella then butchered it out. There would be venison stakes cooked over the fire that night.
The MacGrough men stayed at the widow's house as the siege of Ayr continued. The rest and the peace of the small holding Fenella and her grandson, Birk worked was enjoyable. The evening that marked the seventh day of their stay with Fenella brought trouble to the MacGrough clan.
Adair galloped back to the holding where they were camped. Hern was right behind Adair. Gideon jumped to his feet at the noise of their rush into camp. Hern dismounted as the animal came to a halt. The horse was winded and breathed heavily.
"Gideon! Cadell! Ailene, the MacNabs have her!"
Hern had taken Gideon by the shoulder and was shaking him. Cadell had risen to his feet, he stood in the doorway of the bothy.
"How man? How did they?"
Cadell was shouting.
Gideon took Hern by both upper arms.
"MacNabs?" He spoke through gritted teeth.
"Where are they? Now!"
"They are to the east of the glen, ken? They are kin to Comyn. They had already been to the glen. Ailene sent them packing. They wanted to know where ye went. She no wanted to gie them reason to come a raiding. She told them ye were buying and selling in Glasgow."
Cadell had been listening to this exchange.
"Comyn again! Is there no end to the trouble they cause?"
Gideon began to gather his belongings. Cadell's shout stopped him.
"Nay lad. ye canna go alone. We must take a moment to plan."
He took a deep breath then turned to his father in law.
"Quickly, I must be gone shortly. Hern!"
Gideon turned to the warrior who still stood before him. "How long has it been since they took her?"
"I have ridden hard. Three days, Gideon, no longer than that."
Cadell made his way over to the knot of men who stood quietly waiting for instructions.
"Gideon, you need to take Neill, Kai and Ross with ye. First ye need to take this to The Bruce. He will need to know ye dinna desert him."
Gideon turned to say something but Cadell cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Nay, he will understand. His own family is held hostage by Longshanks. Two of his brothers turned over to Longshanks by the MacDougall were murdered. He will release ye and us. I will be behind ye."
Cadell walked over to Gideon, he took Gideon's arm.
"Dinna go the long way. Go straight up Loch Lomond. Ye will need to stop somewhere. Stop with MacFarlane at Loch Sloy. Tell him an he will gie ye fresh mounts."
The MacGrough shook Gideon.
"Listen to me lad, do this my way, ken? I would ride with ye but canna go quickly enough. She is mine as well."
"Aye sir. Your way, but now. Right now! I am leaving. Neill, Kai, Ross, gather your weapons. We leave now."
Ross spoke to Gideon.
."In the dark Gideon?"
Gideon finished gathering his possessions.
"Aye. In the dark, it matters not. We will go slower but now!"
"Do as the lad says. In my absence he is leader."
Cadell took both Gideon's forearms in a tight grip.
"Dinna gi
e ye self killled. I want ye and Ailene back safely. Do no underestimate MacNab."
Hern broke in.
"Seumas said it was no the MacNab himself. It was a lad that took her. The same lad wha came to the glen tha first time."
"Aye? Then it may be that the MacNab may be made to see reason."
Cadell looked at Gideon.
"Have a care here lad. Walk carefully around the MacNab. He is an honorable man for all he is on the Comyn side in this. Think Gideon! Use the brain God gie ye."
Gideon took a deep breath trying to clear the fury that had invaded his brain. Cadell was right, he needed to keep his head.
"Aye, Sir. I will do my best to stay clear headed."
"Good! That's all I ask of ye."
Cadell let go of Gideon.
"I will be a day or two behind you at most. Go!"
Gideon caught up his mount then attached his pack to the saddle. As Cadell had instructed he rode to the encampment to see the King. It was easier to gain entrance to him than he had imagined. Gideon related the matter to The Bruce who listened sympathetically. As Cadell had predicted the MacGrough clan was released to attend to the matter of a stolen wife immediately.
Gideon was sent off with a prayer that he would find his wife safe and that bloodshed would not be necessary. They were thanked for their service then asked to return when they were able to do so.
In the back of his mind Gideon registered the difference between the man who was King of Scotland and Longshanks. He understood the devotion of The Bruce's inner circle to the man. Gideon would be back. First there was the matter of Ailene.
As Gideon had promised, they did travel slower in the darkness. Late in the hours before dawn a thin sliver of moon came out. Gideon urged his horse to a trot, they crossed the Clyde in the first light of day at the Glasgow ford.
No man complained. They followed Gideon. Ailene was one of theirs. They had watched her grow up in the glen. All of them had one goal, the return of Ailene.
Daylight allowed him to increase the pace. Aware that the horses they rode might well be needed to take them home, he stopped to water the animals upon reaching the foot of Loch Lomond.
Cherime MacFarlane - The MacGrough Clan 01 Page 9
