Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen

by On Highland Hill

  Kenneth knew better than to argue with her. Seemed Elisa was good at getting her way when it came to caring for animals. “Will you stay here and not move until I return?”

  She nodded. “I shan’t move. Where are you going?”

  “Never mind. The guardsmen can handle the trees. I’ll sit here with you.” Kenneth motioned to the floor outside the stall, just across from the Black. There they’d sit and wait.

  “Have you had him for long?”

  Kenneth sat with his legs stretched out, his back against a storage bin made of wood. He settled Elisa next to him and put his arm around her. “Aye, since he was a colt. I was but five when my father gave both my brother and me horses of our own.”

  “Why so young?” She yawned.

  “Greer was seven and started his training, so he needed a warhorse. My father decided we should both start our training even though I was a mite young. When Greer died, we put his horse down too, and buried them together.” Kenneth wasn’t about to state the obvious, that his father had not wanted him around which is why he’d been sent to train at an early age.

  “That is sad. Why would you do that?” Elisa sounded affronted.

  “A warrior should always be buried with his warhorse.”

  “I don’t believe that, Kenneth. That poor animal died for no reason.”

  “So did Greer.” Kenneth wanted to change the subject. “I wonder if Gell has more of that stew left. I couldn’t help but taste some of it last eve before I gave it to you.”

  “It was delicious and I am hungry, but we shouldn’t leave, either of us. We’ll eat later.”

  “I haven’t had chicken in a long time. Gell doesn’t usually cook them because he doesn’t like to chop their heads off and he says the lads are too weak to do a man’s job.” Kenneth yawned, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as exhaustion was beginning to take over.

  She elbowed his side. “What!? Are you saying there was chicken in the stew?”

  “Aye, there was. Why? Don’t you like chicken?”

  Elisa drew a gasp. “Oh, lord forgive me. I cannot believe I ate that. I shall pray for days.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kenneth couldn’t help being confused, for she sometimes did that to him. “It’s just food.”

  “I don’t eat meat, Kenneth, haven’t since I was a child.”

  He frowned at that. “None? No meat at all? Everyone eats meat.”

  “Not I.” She sounded outraged.

  “‘Tis no wonder you’re so slight. How do you survive?”

  Elisa rubbed her forehead, looking put out. “I never eat anything that has eyes. It’s a living, breathing thing. I survive well enough eating vegetables and bread and such. Promise me never to give me meat again. I deem I’m about to …” She gagged, but then collapsed back against his chest and he put his arm around her again.

  “I won’t ever give you meat, Elisa. I promise.” It was one of the many promises Kenneth would concede on and then it occurred to him that they’d sworn no promises.

  She became quiet and he enjoyed the solitude and peacefulness of being alone with her. Evening was coming on by the darkening of the stable. Kenneth didn’t notice any change in the Black’s condition. He saw Elisa had fallen asleep, her pretty face pressed against his chest. Closing his eyes, he thought he’d rest for a moment.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  More than a moment went by when Kenneth awakened and peered into the stall in front of him. A deep sadness came when he saw his Black lying on the floor; no breath moving his stomach. The Black lay with his eyes closed. If the horse had to die, he wished he’d fallen in battle as a great warrior should, and not with an illness which likely caused him to suffer.

  The Black had been his since he could remember and Kenneth would miss him greatly. The horse had a willful spirit and training him had been a challenge. But Kenneth and he came to an understanding.

  Serenity seemed to overtake the stables. All the horses within were calm and barely made any noise. The sound of a bird somewhere inside the stable flapped its wings, but made no other noise. The quietness of the stables seemed eerily comforting. Mayhap the horses mourned their friend as he was.

  He noticed Elisa slept. Kenneth touched her cheek to awaken her, and she repositioned her face next to his chest. She still kept her eyes closed.

  “Hmmm?”

  “Elisa, time to awaken. It’s morning. We must have fallen asleep yesterday.”

  Elisa moaned, stretched in his arms, and started to rub the small of her back. “I’m too sore to move. Oh, Kenneth, I think your horse died.” She sat up, peering in the stall then back at him.

  He turned to look into the stall again. “I think he has too.” Kenneth rose and knelt next to the horse and set his hand on his side. His beloved friend was gone.

  “I’m sure of it. He’s too still. I’m sorry, Kenneth, that I couldn’t save him.”

  “It was only a horse, Elisa,” he said, without any hint of emotion or sadness. He returned to her side and sat next to her.

  “Are you not saddened by the loss?”

  “Horses die.”

  “So do people,” Elisa said and hugged him. “Shall we get help?”

  Kenneth kept her from moving away and held her around her waist. “Nay, let us just sit here a few more minutes. You never sit still, do you?”

  “I confess it isn’t in my nature to be idle.”

  “I didn’t think it was.”

  Elisa drew a breath. “He wasn’t even my horse and I want to cry at the loss. Do you?”

  He scowled thinking she’d gone mad. “What? Cry?”

  “Aye, do you want to cry?”

  He wanted to laugh at the absurdity of their conversation, but instead he said, “Nay, I don’t want to cry. I don’t cry.”

  “Verily I wish I were as strong as you. I sometimes cry when something is sad. The Black’s infection must have been too severe. I need to check the rest of the horses and make sure none of the others are sickened. If it is contagious, the entire stock will be in jeopardy.” She grabbed her medicinal satchel and rose. “Come, we must act hastily. Don’t sit there like a log, Kenneth. We’ve much to do. How many horses are in here?”

  Kenneth looked at her crossly before standing. “I don’t know, mayhap fifty or so. It’s a large stable.”

  “I will see each one this morn.”

  “You can’t be serious. Can we not we break our fast first? I’m starved.” He wasn’t about to take on such a massive task without at least filling his stomach.

  “How can you think of food at a time like this? Animals are in danger. Nay, we cannot leave. If you wish, go to the kitchens and bring me back something to eat, nothing with meat in it,” she said, giving him a good glare to remind him of their conversation of yesterday. “I’ll eat it later. I shall be busy for hours.”

  Kenneth nodded and called Jonny. “Stay with her, lad. I’ll have men come and take the Black away. Don’t let her leave the stables until I return. Elisa, don’t forget who is in residence. Keep hidden here the stables and wait for me. Do you understand?”

  She waved to him as he walked away. “Now Jonny, I’ll need your assistance …”

  Kenneth bounded out of the stables and hurried toward the keep. First thing he wanted to do was assure himself of Alexander and Donal’s departure. Second, check on the bairns, and then make sure the men had planted the trees in the place Grey had instructed. Then he’d take care of his stomach and take food to Elisa.

  As he approached the keep, he saw Grey and the guardsmen standing in the courtyard. A dead goat was lying on the ground beside a small bonfire. Kenneth was glad he’d left Elisa at the stables, for she’d be raising holy hell if she knew what was going on. They would never hear the end of it – the sacrificing of the goat. But their rituals were important to them and the animals were a crucial part of it.

  Duff handed Grey a large cross made from the planks of a beech tree. He then dipped the four points in
the fire until they became ignited. Grey put out the flames by dipping the points in the goat’s blood. He then handed the cross to Sean.

  “Aye, Laird, I’ll take it to all the Gunns.”

  Colm stepped forward. “I’ll go with him, Laird. By afternoon all will assemble.”

  “Good, be quick, men. I don’t want you gone long,” Grey said. “Don’t worry about the outlying farmsteads. They’re burdened now with the harvest nearly completed. I’ll visit them later and take the news.”

  Kenneth watched them leave to take the message to the rest of the Gunn clan. Every clansman above age sixteen was obligated to rally at the main keep. The ‘fiery cross’ was used to call men to arms for war. None would disregard the call, for if they did they’d incur ‘fire and sword’ and no one wanted to suffer the cuts and burns of refuting their laird’s call.

  “Are we to war?” Kenneth tried to figure out what the hell he’d missed since he’d left yestermorn. The only time the ‘fiery cross’ was sent out was a call of arms. The only reason he could think Grey would do something so extreme was that Domhnall mac Raghnaill was approaching. If that was the case then Elisa was in danger.

  “Nay, we’re to have a celebration for the bairns’ birth. I want to announce it to the entire clan this night. I might as well call as many together at once.”

  Kenneth didn’t think it was wise to have such a celebration yet since they still had to contend with Elisa’s situation. But Grey was laird and he couldn’t object as much as he’d like to. “Have Alexander and Donal left?”

  Grey motioned him inside the keep and he followed. On the table were trays of sweet meats and various kinds of cheese. He began stuffing his mouth as hungry as he was.

  “Aye, they left last eve. I tried to find you. I thought you were hiding with Elisa somewhere for you weren’t at the cottage. Where were you?”

  “I was in the stables. My horse became ill and Elisa was tending it. We fell asleep there and I just woke. So you’ll have a celebration? Does your wife know you planned this without her assistance?”

  Grey swallowed the food he’d shoved in his mouth and nodded. “Ha! For once my wife is being docile and lying in her bed content to let others do all the work.”

  “That’s quite remarkable. I suppose having two bairns would do that to her.”

  “Two, Kenneth, can you believe it?” Grey beamed proudly as if God himself had blown good fortune his way. “Who would have guessed she had two within her?”

  Kenneth smirked. “By the look of her, I would. She was huge, Grey.”

  Grey let out a bellowing laugh. “Aye, she was. Shhh, I swear she can hear through the floorboards.”

  “I deem she can too.”

  “Would you mind if we called the lad Greer? Bree is set on it and I fear I won’t be able to change her mind. If it bothers you, I’ll make her understand.”

  Kenneth suspected she would want to name her son after his brother. She’d told him so at his brother’s funeral. He hadn’t forgotten. But he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. If it made his laird’s wife happy then he wouldn’t object. “If she wishes it then it shall be.”

  “Are you sure?” Grey asked.

  “Aye, what of the lass? What will you name her?”

  “Bree says the father should name the daughter, but I have no idea what to call her. The babes look alike. Both have fair hair and the same nose. Aye, I’m glad they’re different sexes otherwise …”

  Duff and James entered the hall. They joined them at the table.

  “Is this a meeting? Why wasn’t I called?” Duff was disgruntled at the prospect of being absent from a meeting.

  “Nay, we were discussing what to call the lass,” Grey explained. “It’s been decided to call the lad Greer.”

  “Oh, I am fond of Kathleen. I always liked that name,” Duff said.

  “I say you name her Grace. Goes well with Greer,” Kenneth said. All looked at him. “What? Why are you looking at me like I have horns?”

  “It’s getting easier to say his name, is it not?” Grey asked.

  “I suppose it is.”

  James chimed in, “I vote for Grace. She’s probably going to be like her mother.”

  “Are you insulting my wife, James?” Grey rose, pushing his chair back a good foot.

  “Nay, Laird. I meant she’ll probably be a good cook. Best betroth her early so you don’t have men beating down your door. Aye that man will be as content as you, I vow, and likely fat by the time he grows long in the tooth. When does the celebration begin?” James tried to change the conversation.

  “I am neither fat nor long in the tooth.” Grey scowled at James’ jest. “The celebration will begin this afternoon. Bree says she feels well enough to leave her bed. I promised she could join the festivities as long as she stays on the lounge I’m having made for her outside.”

  “Won’t Father Geoffrey have something to say about that?” Duff asked.

  Grey grimaced. “He would if he was here. He’s still at Donal’s keep. I’m sure he would object to her being outside since she supposed to be confined. Aye, but I haven’t ever been able to confine the woman and won’t be able to now.”

  Kenneth reached for the last sweet roll, but wasn’t fast enough. Duff grabbed it and shoved it in his mouth. He gave him an annoyed look.

  “Laird, I’ve a message for you.” Angus, ‘the day watch’ at the gatehouse, came forward. He handed the parchment to Grey and left.

  “It’s from Donal.” Grey read the missive and didn’t look up for a good five minutes. The rest of them were left to wonder what was going on and what it bespoke.

  Kenneth knew that expression. Something tensed Grey’s shoulders. He set the missive in front of him and then gripped the table and stared at nothing, deep in thought. Kenneth reached for the parchment, but Grey grabbed it from him before he could read it.

  “Donal received word from the clan Mackay. mac Raghnaill is traveling through with a contingent of soldiers. He’s headed in our direction.”

  “Damn me,” Kenneth said.

  “He’ll be here in three days’ time,” Duff said, “if he’s already passed Mackay land.”

  “There’s one bright spot. I’ve called all my men together for the celebration. At least we won’t be outnumbered,” Grey said.

  Kenneth still didn’t like the odds. Even with all the Gunns present and even if they outnumbered them, he was sure they would be dealing with the devil. Word had reached them of mac Raghnaill’s prevalence in keeping his lands secure from both the king of Norway and Scotland, and of the clashes he’d achieved victory.

  “You know what you have to do, Kenneth.” Grey regarded the others as if asking for support.

  “You ask too much. I knew you would use this as an excuse.”

  “It is no excuse. Besides you have a wife now. mac Raghnaill won’t know where to find Elisa if you take her home. Your land is far enough north of his and he won’t suspect you’ve taken her there.”

  Kenneth’s anger simmered and his nose flared. “I never claimed that place as home.”

  “It was always your home. You need to make peace with your father and take your rightful place as laird of the McInnish clan. Why not now?”

  Kenneth’s blood began to boil. He rose and started to walk away because as far as he was concerned the discussion was over. He said over his shoulder, “You know nothing about it.”

  Grey tried to stop Duff who went to stand beside him. Kenneth didn’t want to hear this cosh from any of them.

  “We know plenty about it. What, are you afraid to be laird?” Duff baited him.

  To hell with that, Kenneth flexed his fingers and then made a fist, tightening it before he swung and stuck Duff’s jaw. No one insulted him without retribution. Damned oaf only took a step back.

  Duff laughed and called him forward with both hands, and continued to bait him, “Aye, lad, you’re afraid. Admit it. You can’t handle the responsibility. I told ye, Grey, he would never be a
ble to fill his brother’s shoes.”

  “Don’t bring Greer into this. I am not afraid,” Kenneth shouted. He grabbed Duff around the neck to hold him in place so he could get a few punches in. Duff grabbed his arms and threw him over his shoulder. Kenneth landed on his back and quickly rolled to his side and gained his feet. “Come, I’ll show you I am not a coward.”

  James ran to stand between them, “You’re going to kill each other. Back down, both of you.”

  Kenneth threw his fist at James and struck the left side of his eye. Blood started to trickle out. “Stay out of this, James.”

  “Fine you want to kill one another.” James moved back to a safer position.

  Several others came running inside the hall to witness the commotion. Kenneth and Duff went at each other and rolled on the floor. Duff got in a few punches, one was fortunate enough to hit his mouth and Kenneth tasted blood on his lip.

  He got angrier and shoved Duff, causing him to bump into the table in the center of the room, moving it a good two feet. Two benches went flying toward the hearth when Duff reciprocated and punched him in his jaw, which caused his feet to shuffle until he could regain his balance.

  Duff was a dirty fighter and grabbed his hair. He held him and tried to punch his face when Kenneth pinched behind his arm thereby gaining his release. Duff circled him and Kenneth grabbed him, putting him in a choking hold. Duff’s arms circled his waist and threw him backward. They both landed on the floor. Kenneth held him down with his elbow and grabbed for his dagger from his boot. He held it at Duff’s chest, breathing heavily from all the exertion.

  “I fear nothing and no one.” Kenneth spit blood onto the floor and then tossed his dagger across the room, knowing he would never use it even as angry as he was. He rolled off Duff and gained his feet.

  Duff grinned and leaned upon his elbow. “Damned me, Kenneth, I deem you’re the only one who could take me.”

  “Don’t bet on that,” Grey said, “Are you two finished? Kenneth, you’re being irrational.”