Ann Carr

by Loyal Warrior

  Before Duncan managed to reach the far side of the stables, a small, shadowed figure quickly tried to dart past him. It wasn’t until the last second that Duncan realized this small figure was his son. Reaching out a large hand he caught hold of Ewan by the upper arm and swung him around so that they now faced each other across the dim, smelly stables.

  His reaction was so fast that Iain, the youngest of the stable boys, came to a hurried halt just before bumping straight into his back. Not expecting Duncan’s return, he let out a strangled gasp when he recognized the man he’d almost collided with.

  Until that moment Duncan hadn’t been aware of the stable boys presence, too engrossed with his son and his own thoughts to be fully aware of what was going on around him. Upon hearing the gasp, Duncan spun, piercing poor Iain with a ferocious stare. Scared beyond belief, Iain took a quick hop backwards, away from Duncan, wanting only to escape the anger radiating from his master.

  Angered even more by the man’s cowardly reaction to his presence Duncan turned his attention back to his son, “Why’d ye take Cloud?” he was trying very hard to keep his mounting anger in check, not wanting to frighten his son.

  “I dinnae take him father! Whoever told ye that’s a liar!” he cried, frantically proclaiming his innocence. Duncan paused as he gazed into his sons beseeching eyes, wanting to believe him. Wishing that he could! If it had been someone other than William who’d told him the news then maybe he would have been able to. But he couldn’t doubt the truth of William’s words.

  “The truth Ewan!” he snapped, reaching the end of his patience.

  As he stood looking down with disappointment at his son, waiting, he realised that this was the first time he’d ever pulled Ewan up about his behavior. It was obviously long overdue if his son’s reaction was anything to go by. He obviously believed he could get away with murder! Duncan supposed that he only had himself to blame, because his lack of opposition had obviously been taken as consent. Well! He thought, everything was about to change!

  It seemed to take an eternity before Ewan finally managed to find his tongue again and cautiously replied, “I wanted to ride Cloud father, and when I asked Connor yesterday he wouldnae let me. But he cannae tell me what to do, can he father? So I took Cloud when they werenae looking!” Ewan didn’t understand why his father was so angry; he’d never reacted this way before. He had only taken the horse to impress his father and show him how good a rider he was, so when his father went away again he’d be able to go too. He just didn’t like being left behind! He was eight years old!

  “Aye Ewan, he can tell ye what to do! When I’m away, everyone here is responsible for looking after ye. So yes, he can tell ye what to do, as can everyone else here. From now on, while I’m away ye’re going to behave yerself and listen to what they tell ye.

  “I’ve been away for three months Ewan! I dinnae expect to come home and be confronted with complaints about yer behaviour! From now on, if ye dinnae behave I’ll limit ye movements to the castle and not allow ye to go to the village unless ye’ve a chaperone”.

  “Ye cannae do that father!” Ewan wailed, he never would have thought that his father would be so unjust! “What will I do if I’m stuck in the castle all the time?” He couldn’t think of anything worse!

  “If ye dinnae like the sound of that then I suggest that ye behave! Every time I go down to that damn village I am faced with people suggesting I should remarry to give ye a mother! Is that what ye want? Because if I dinnae see an improvement soon, I’ll be forced to find someone to look after you while I’m not here! Got that?”

  “I dinnae want a mother!” Ewan spat out with venom, “I dinnae want any stupid girl living here! Castle Campbell’s a man’s castle, just ye and me! I dinnae want some silly woman telling me what to do!”

  Before Duncan could reply to this, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger. Relief swept through him at the sight of the rider on horseback, he didn’t like the direction their conversation was leading!

  Hurriedly, Duncan left the stables to find out the news as if the devil himself were on his heels. Hopefully when he confronted his son later Ewan would have forgotten that he’d mentioned the dreaded ‘M’ word! He shuddered just thinking about it, a cold sweat had already broken out over his body.

  “Lord Duncan, I bring news from England...” Duncan didn’t hear the rest of the sentence, merely walked towards the castle expecting the messenger to follow. Lord! But he needed a drink!

  Ewan quickly scrambled after his father and the messenger, not wanting to miss out, eager to find out what news the man was delivering. He watched as they walked into the library and picked up his pace to try and reach the room before the door closed. Oh no! He thought as John and Colin stepped into his path to block him. They didn’t say anything, didn’t need to! Accepting defeat Ewan turned away knowing that there was no way he could pass them! He’d just have to try and find out the news later.

  “Where’re ye going father?” Ewan shouted from his perch on the third step leading to the sleeping quarters as he watched his father reappear in the entry hall a long time later. Ewan didn’t think he had much time because his father’s hand was resting on the hilt of his sword and he was quickly advancing upon the main door of the castle.

  Without breaking his stride, or turning his head, Duncan replied simply, “To the borders!”

  That answer gained more of Ewan’s attention and he chased after his father, shouting gleefully, “can I come?”

  This time Duncan did turn his head, enough to look at his son and state a very firm ‘no’. Ewan’s step faltered at that refusal, and for a second he actually stopped before shaking his head and once again chasing his father. Just before they reached the door he shouted, “why are ye going there father?”

  Duncan stopped and knelt down beside his son and taking his small shoulders in his own large hands he tried to explain, “It appears the village will be getting its wish. I’m travelling down to marry an English lassie!” He tried to keep the distaste out of his voice.

  “No!” fear swept through the boy. ”Dinnae go father! I promise I’ll be good from now on! Ye dinnae have to marry anyone! I dinnae need a mother and ye dinnae need a wife! Please dinnae go!”

  “It’s not that simple Ewan”. Duncan explained gently, wishing that it was.

  Clearly upset, Ewan pulled away trying desperately to keep the tears at bay. ”but you dinnae have to go!“ he sniffed, ”We’re OK, just ye and me, we dinnae need anyone else!”

  Gathering Ewan into his arms Duncan leaned his rough cheek against his son’s head, at first Ewan stood rigid in Duncan’s grip, but after only a slight hesitation he collapsed into his father’s embrace. Soothingly, he gently continued, “No son, we dinnae need anyone else, no matter what anyone says. Yer my son Ewan and I love ye. I dinnae want to make ye unhappy but I have to do this”.

  Duncan looked down and found himself looking straight into Ewan’s big blue eyes; tears were trickling out of their corners, leaving white tracks on his dirty cheeks and Duncan’s heart felt as though it would break inside of his chest!

  “But why?” Ewan squeaked so quietly that if Duncan hadn’t been looking at him he would have missed it.

  Sitting back on his feet Duncan gathered Ewan’s hands in his own, “It’s complicated“ he tried to explain, hoping that Ewan would understand, ”Years ago, before ye were born, yer grandfather gave his word that I would marry this English girl. He’s no longer here, but I must keep his word, for a man’s word is the most important thing that he has and a good, honest man never goes back on his word.”

  Ewan nodded, “Ye’ve got to keep grandfathers word.” He paused, resigned, “but I dinnae like the English one bit!”

  Laughing Duncan hugged his son tightly, “neither do I son, neither do I; and I imagine she won’t like us either but we’ll all just have to live with it!”

  “But why not?” Ewan was scandalized, his spine straightening and the tears
slowly drying on his face, “How could she not like us Scots?”

  Giving Ewan another quick squeeze Duncan rose gracefully to his feet, “I have to go now but I’ll be back in a couple of days. While I’m away ye must promise me that yer going to behave yerself“. He waited until he received a grudging nod and then turning on his heel Duncan left, as he had done so many times before.

  Chapter Four

  Elizabeth’s footsteps faulted as she rounded the last bend of the staircase before entering the great hall. Perhaps Richard had been right earlier, she thought, because she could already feel an odd tension in the air. Still, she forced herself to walk on trying to ignore her fanciful musing. No matter what her father had to say, it couldn’t be all that bad. Could it?

  “Hey! Elizabeth! Why’re you hiding on the stairs?” Jumping in fright Elizabeth spun around to see her brother grinning down at her from where he was standing two steps above her.

  “Oh! I’m doing nothing of the sort!” she stated, annoyed that he’d discovered her hiding! “I was merely taking a rest before entering the hall!”

  Richard quickly stepped passed her with the grin widening on his face, “whatever you say Elizabeth!” Stopping at the bottom of the stairs he turned to look up at her, cocking his eyebrow as he asked, “Are you coming or are you going to stay up there all night?”

  Smiling, grudgingly, at her brother, Elizabeth slowly began to move, “I was rather hoping that I could stay up here all night! Do you think I’d be missed?”

  “Come on Elizabeth”, laughing, Richard took her hand and gently dragged her towards their family who’d already gathered at the table for their evening meal, “you know you want to hear what father has to say just as much as I do”, he whispered to her so that his words couldn’t be overheard.

  Wishing that she could disagree with him Elizabeth knew her sense of curiosity wouldn’t allow her to remain hided away on the stairs. She did want to find out what all of the intrigue was about even though she had an awful feeling she wasn’t going to like it.

  “What do you think he wants to tell us?” she whispered as they neared the table, hoping to distract herself from her growing unease.

  “Perhaps that he’s going to invade Scotland again!” he suggested, feeling the tension in his sister, “or maybe, he wants to introduce us to one of his bastards that he thinks we’ve been too blind to notice?” This produced a weak smile from Elizabeth, because it was true that their father had a number of children born on the wrong side of the blanket which he didn’t acknowledge.

  Lowering his voice, he leaned into Elizabeth, “Or maybe he wants to let us know that he’s found someone blind enough to actually offer marriage to one of the she devils!” he shuddered at the thought, bringing a full blown laugh to Elizabeth’s lips. Not just because of the nickname he used to describe their sisters, but also at his naivety in believing that any of their sisters would allow a potential wealthy husband to see the cold ruthlessness that lay beneath their beauty. In the past, many a fine knight had already been blinded by the beauty of them, making complete fools of themselves in the process.

  “And what are you laughing at Elizabeth?” Isabelle broke into her amusement with the thoroughness of an icy bucket of water dousing her head. Her mother always seemed to have that effect!

  “Nothing Mamma”, she mumbled taking her place beside Richard at the table, Isabelle already in conversation with her other daughters.

  Surrounded by her family and engulfed in the chattering conversation taking place around her, Elizabeth took the opportunity to study everyone seated around the table. She was slightly surprised as she noticed that the majority of her family appeared to be in high spirits, which was not a common occurrence at this table! Indeed, her three sisters Mary, Rebecca and Rachel all had their heads together giggling, with their mother joining in their laughter. That alone made her brow knit, as she could hardly recall a single occasion when she had heard her mother laugh, or look in the slightest bit happy.

  Further up the table Henry, her oldest brother, was sitting with an expression that she could only describe as being a smug sneer on his face. His wife was seated next to him looking as miserably as ever, which was no surprise to Elizabeth, since she’d worn that expression ever since the day she’d arrived here after their wedding. What did surprise her though was seeing Edward and James engaged in animated conversation, excitement in their eyes, there was definitely big news in the air!

  This general light-heartedness that her family were experiencing should have gone a long way to calming her own nerves and if it wasn’t for her own feeling of doom perhaps it would. But before she had any more time to analyze her feelings her father’s big voice boomed down the table.

  “Elizabeth! I want to talk to you now!” and with that announcement he pushed himself up from the table and stalked towards the hearth not looking behind to see if she was following.

  She watched him walk as if in slow motion, as though seeing him for the first time; he was a tall man, maybe six foot, with a head of golden hair carrying only the faintest dusting of silver at the temples. He was approaching his fiftieth birthday but still had the powerful build of a warrior and the blood thirst of a man half his age.

  He turned and his eyes met Elizabeth’s for a fleeting instant, Elizabeth would have sworn that in that moment a look of regret seemed to pass through her father’s eyes. But then he turned away and it was gone, only an image in her mind which she quickly rejected.

  Slowly she approached her father; he had his back to her, facing the roaring fire in the enormous hearth. He turned again when he sensed her presence behind him and indicating a stool to his side he bid her to sit in the gentlest voice she had ever heard leave his lips in all her nineteen years. Feeling as though she was in a dream she quickly sat down before her now wildly trembling legs gave way beneath her. She couldn’t think, couldn’t feel, she was in a state of shock before she had even heard what her father had to say, but it was his gentle voice which had sent her senses scrambling.

  Taking the large oak chair opposite his daughter, Gabriel leaned forward slightly, so that his elbows were resting on his knees. He raised his head so that his gaze met hers before beginning his story.

  “What I’m about to tell you is not something that I’m particularly proud of, or something that I’ve ever had the need to tell another living soul!” He paused as though searching for the right words to begin. “When I was nine years old my father sent me away to live under the protection of Lord Arthur, where I was trained and taught the art of becoming a knight. By the time I turned sixteen I was the biggest and strongest apprentice there, graduating to knighthood two years earlier than expected.

  “Just after I turned seventeen I went to Scotland, alongside Lord Arthur to fight with my countrymen as we held Castle McKinnock under siege. It was my first opportunity to fight against the Scots and at that time I was eager to put the skills that I’d trained so hard to acquire into use. I was confident in my skills and had no doubt that we would walk away the victors” he paused.

  Perched on the edge of her stool, and eager to hear more of the story, Elizabeth prompted, “What happened father? Did you win?”

  Smiling, Gabriel reclined back in his chair, resting his hands on his slowly expanding stomach, he still recalled that day as if it was only yesterday; he remembered the sights, the smells, and the exhilaration of being part of a successful English siege.

  Coming back to the present, he sat up straight, “Well of course we won child, and I got to kill more Scots than even I had dreamed of. It took months, but we eventually captured the castle and claimed it as belonging to the English”, his smile was one of self-satisfaction, “And it still does!”

  “Inevitably this made me believe that I was invincible and instead of going home with Lord Arthur a group of young knights and I decided that we’d ride into a Scottish castle and capture it from behind its gates. We basked in the thought that we’d be the thing of legends!” />
  “But that didn’t happen! It couldn’t have happened! For I’ve never heard it mentioned before!” Elizabeth interrupted. Puzzled. Eager to hear more.

  “Our first mistake was choosing the castle belonging to old Campbell. You see; he had the reputation of being one of the most fierce Scots to ever live. He’d never lost a battle against the English; he was a living legend, of sorts! So, the first part of our plan went well, as we found it remarkably easy to enter the inner walls of the castle. But while we were preening at our genius the house knights surrounded us, and attacked!

  “What we didn’t know was that old mad Campbell somehow managed to discover our plan. We managed to make it inside the castle walls but only because old Campbell was planning his own ambush!”

  Elizabeth jumped back as Gabriel leapt to his feet and started to pace in agitation, she watched as he roughly pulled his fingers through his hair, lost deep in his own memories, “We were outnumbered and outmaneuvered” he eventually continued, “but still, with the inexperience of youth, we refused to surrender. It was only after half the men were strewn across the dirt dead that we realised that we had no chance of getting out of the castle alive. We were left with no alternative but to surrender.

  “They dragged us into the heart of the castle and down into its dungeons. By that point there were only five of us left. Still to this day I have no idea how long we were down there. But then one day the guards came down to get us and one by one the men were taken away. To be questioned, tortured, executed? I didn’t know. I tried not to think about it knowing that I’d soon share their fate.”

  “But you didn’t father! What happened? How did you escape?”, again Elizabeth couldn’t help herself, too lost in the story to worry about why he was telling it to her.

  “You have to understand that old Campbell was one mean bastard, the English hated him because he was a Scott, but the Scots just hated him! Especially his son!