by Diana Knight
Marren lifted himself up, Lena saw him gather around the men. It was just her and Don Crab alone on the ground now. His voice growing raspier with each breath. In a sudden motion, he lifted himself up slightly and turned to face her eyes. His daring dark eyes she had never seen so close before. He was trying to whisper something, Lena could only assume it was meant for just her.
“Don’t worry love, you worry about yourself.” He was still trying to calm her fears while he was being held there with an arrow to the chest.
“Please. Just hold on. We will fix this. The Walsh’s have a great deal of medicine.” Lena said trying to point to the clan home.
“They’ll always be workin’ for the English.” His eyes went wide and his mouth fell open.
His last words. Lena did not know how to take them, the only thing she did know was that Don Crab was not the first to die in her hometown. Where she was once comforted by the fact that her mother, father, and sister were finally safe from the battle and wars, now they were dying in their own.
English on the island. It has to be lies. Though he could not even convince himself of that. His throat burned for another sip of ale, something to dull down the numbing pain throbbing inside of his head. He scanned the room. Lena was standing there in a corner with Mulla, her dress still stained with the blood of the crabber. She was staring at him in a way he did not take kindly, he wanted to talk to her. He wanted to get away.
“We should fight them.” Rollen slammed his goblet down onto the wooden table so hard it echoed throughout the room.
Little Jorge began screaming, Mulla scoffed and carried him from the room with a glare. Lena followed. As she left the room Marren could finally breathe, he did not know what to say in front of her. Her family was in Colreed, if they were still alive it would be a miracle. Marren could not think straight when it came to making a decision.
“Yes, but what if that is exactly what they want us to do. They want us to take our strongest men from the city while they sneak yet again on our island. Our island!” Marren shouted back. Th Scots were fierce when it came to shouting matches.
Rollen did not quiver, he stood there firm with his eyes squinted in Marren’s direction. He would not give up so easily.
“There is a wall around Silver Port. We will arm the women and children at the tops, while we ride out to Colreed and take care of them. They would not attack our city with just one ship. They’ll be waiting in Colreed for more. I promise ya that.” Rollen said sipping down another drink of ale.
“I don’t. I think we should wait, we should wait here like Marren said. Colreed ain’t nothing. Colreed is huts and cows. Silver Port is what they be wanting. We can’t give it to em.” Lester said his piece.
Marren knew both men had a point. After the trouble Lester caused with Lena, Marren wanted desperately for his cousin to earn his forgiveness. So even if Lester were to disagree, he would not say so. Marren looked at his fellow clan members. The Walsh clan was met with some of the finest men in Scotland. They had a good 300 men to protect the island. More than they needed at Silver Port at least.
“Well then, we will do both.” Marren said biting his lip. Now that he had said the words out loud, his idea had to turn into a plausible plan.
Everyone looked at him strangely, even his cousins. Though the more Marren thought about it, the more it started to come to life. The dust on the map showed how little they had been using it. There was no need on an island such as this, where there were cliffs and rocks at every corner but one. A tickle and pull thumped in his stomach, he would have to deal with that issue later. How they arrived on the island would be found out in due time, but there was high suspicion on his mind. The men gathered around the table as Marren started using the small wooden blocks as their armies. If they were to spit into two, it would still give the city adequate defense against a surprise attack. Don Crab was most likely a slip up in their plan, and if they did not want him to escape then Rollen may be right about them wanting to stay hidden while the await another ship. Unless Don Crab was meant to live, and he had arrived only in time to warn them without giving them anymore details. Either way, splitting up was the only sensible thing to do. Marren sent out a group of five scouts right away. To see if there were more escapees on the road, or to keep an eye out for an English army. Marren could see the men beginning to relax as he explained the idea, for a moment things were coming along fine.
“So it is a plan then. We will take the first group out to Colreed when the scouts return.” Marren said as he placed the wooden block onto the map.
“I am coming with you.” It sent a stab into his chest, he should have known it was coming.
Her voice was so determined. My Lena. Marren tried not to turn around. He did not want her to see that he already had an answer. He would go through great lengths to make sure she did not go, but for now she can think it. She needs to have that hope. He felt his fists clench together as a stillness filled the air. The men around him looked at him warily, they were waiting for him to speak.
“Leave us.” Marren tilted his head to his men, he had never seen then move so quickly.
Marren wondered what his father would do. Where his father would be now. They were fighting on the main island, yet now the fighting has come to them. They needed to get the message out, a letter of sorts to tell Lena’s brothers and his father and uncles that their home will not be the same when they return. If there was still a home to come too. He heard the wooden swinging doors finally stand still, knowing full well the men would be pressing their ears to hear the dispute. Marren released a long sigh as he gathered what to say, but Lena beat him to it.
“I am coming with you.” She said again, this time sounding more confident than before.
“Lena-” Marren turned around, his voice catching.
“No. Do not give me pity. We both know my father might be- my mother- my sister- I- I have to go. I need to go. Please, I will be an extra pair of eyes on the road, I will bring my own supplies and keep out of the way.” She was building up her argument.
Marren tightened his jaw, his men would tease him about the courage his wife had later. Though as much as they teased him, it would not take what he felt for her away. Her courage was boundless, her selflessness was pure. She had pinned each case well, and he could see she was bringing in another breath to keep speaking. Marren walked closer to her before another word could be uttered from her lips. He needed to stop those lips so he could do his own thinking. He kissed her. She stiffened in surprise but did not pull away, Marren could feel her breathing on his cheek. He kissed her with a peck, then another. He wanted to do anything but speak, because with words he would lose.
“Marren…” Lena said through the kisses.
“Please-” She pushed him slightly away.
“You can’t go.” Marren finally spoke, the wounded look she bore on her face was something he’d prepared for.
“And why not? You can’t leave me here with the women when my family is being killed. I won’t stay here. I won’t Marren.” Lena’s voice started escalating.
“You want me to look weak in front of my men? You are a woman. I cannot bring you with us. You barge into our meeting like this thinking you can get away with talking down on me? I am the leader while my father is away. It is me who decides who goes. I told you no. You cannot go.” Marren’s words were falling out of him like a flooding stream.
“You won’t let me go because I am a woman?!” Lena’s voice was no longer the soft tone it was once, her face was red and her lips were tightly pursed.
“Because you are my woman!” Marren shouted. He saw the look in her eyes grow confused. “Because you… are my wife. Because if you were to die, so would I. Please, I will beg you. Please stay here, I cannot lose you.”
Even Marren was surprised to hear the words slip out, he had been holding them back for so long. He could not have these feelings for Lena right now, not when there were battles just days away from them. He had to look strong for h
is men, but in reality all he wanted to was to stay close to Lena and keep her safe. He could let the English run down the city, but as long as Lena lived he would call it a success. It was an awful way to think as a leader, he needed to remember there were families and people counting on him. Yet so was Lena, and as much as he knew he was letting her down. She could not put herself in danger like that, she could not do that to him. Lena seemed to soften her expression after he’d spoken. Her voice changing from a harsh forceful tone to something more understanding. He let his head stare at the ground, he waited to hear her argues again. Lena was not the type to give in so easily. While he stared at the ground he saw her hands reach for his, and pulled them around her waist. She wrapped her arms then around his neck and pulled his eyes to hers.
“If you stay. I will stay.” She whispers to him, her lips close enough to kiss.
I want to. He had never wanted anything more.
“But I know you can’t. You have to go. You have to go to Colreed and save my family. You must.” Lena told him and kissed his lips hard.
There was no movement for a moment. Marren just held the kiss as long as he could, wishing this moment would never end. If he were a candle made of wax he would have melted into the fire she brought inside him by now. He lifted her onto the table where the map was held down by blocks and iron. Lena kissed him harder and pulled him close to her in-between his legs. Marren kissed her cheek and felt the wetness of tears on his lips. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. He grabbed her head in his palms and kissed both of her eyelids carefully.
“Do not be scared. We will bring them back.” Marren said kissing her on the forehead.
Lena only nodded and pushed her head into his chest. Marren felt her copper hair swing down around his arms. The small fly away hairs tickled his chin, but he would not shoo them away. Not ever. This was the best goodbye Marren could have hoped for, a moment where he had doubt and fear but also comfort in knowing Lena would be safe. That would be his only strength while he was gone, knowing Lena would be there for him when he returned.
12
Chapter Twelve
The scouts had given them the news, no riders or English scouts could be seen for adays ride out. There was yet to be a single Englishmen sighted for that matter, but they knew they were there. The air smelled different coming from Colreed, like English and death. Lena did not know the smell the same way Marren described it, but she could smell it just the same. The coppery ting of blood in the soil, mixed with the iron smell of armor. The men were standing there in their leather armor and kilts. The Scottish blood rushing deep in their veins. She could feel their fear mix in the air, but not a man truly showed it. Women around her were sobbing into their sleeves, children were screaming for just one more embrace in their father’s arms. These goodbyes were tragic, incredibly difficult to watch, but at least they got to say them. Lena could only wish she had a long while to say goodbye to her mother and father, though hope in her heart was fading fast. Marren was standing at the front of the line, his horse was saddled with weapons and extra gear for whatever they might find on the road. No one has traveled through since Don Crab, who was now buried by the sand where he would have liked. If he had not been there to warn them, the silent road from Colreed would have at least raised an alarm. The streets felt cold and naked, like somewhere in the distance a black fog was going to approach and such them in. The cries of Silver Port were loud still, and since the news of the attack they’d been ringing the streets with loss and mourning. No one knew what might be waiting for them in Colreed, but Lena watched the small army prepare for whatever they could. She walked through the tall rows of horses, sliding her hands across their necks they would neigh in anticipation for the ride. The men on their backs were hastily adjusting their feet and settling in for a galloping ride North. She saw Marren staring at her then, he was at the end of the line and she walked slowly towards him. They had already said what needed to be said, he needed her to stay and know she was staying. This was what he needed to see. Lena tried to bring him a smile, but her heart felt it selfish. Her family was trapped by the English while she was smiling at her husband.
“Do not be afraid to be happy.” Marren said walking towards her.
“Do not be afraid to be happy, no matter what will come.” Marren kissed her lips and pulled her tightly to him. His lips till intoxicating her with a rush of blood to her cheeks.
“I’m not afraid to be happy, I am afraid I will never be happy again. What if I stay here staring from the tower every day, and after a fortnight there is still no word. A month later, a year. What if you and my family never return, and I an old withered woman alone in the tower and no one will remember my family, or you.” Lena felt her throat catch as the tears wanted to flow. She swallowed hard to stop them.
Marren made the inappropriate gesture to laugh, Lena was aghast to see a wide mouth grin appear on his face with a rolling head chuckle to match.
“If I am to die and be forgotten. The fact that I lived and was remembered by you will be enough for a lifetime.” Marren said and kissed her.
“Then, I will see you.” Lena said, the words now a choking mess as she spoke.
Her breathe started wildly gasping, and she had to suck in her lips to keep them from quivering.
“Then I will see you.” Marren kissed her on the forehead and mounted his horse.
Without turning back, he charged forward down the path, the men rallying in loud shouts behind him. The men who stayed were few but enough. Lester was one of them, while James, Mulla’s husband was the other. Lester spit at the ground in frustration.
“Alright, well if they are going to go fight in a war we better prepare for one. Eh?” Lester told the men, a chill ran through Lena’s spine as she listened the way he almost sounded pleased.
James stood by Lester with pursed lips that were deep in concentration, his eyes looking weary for the safety of his family. Lena looked for Mulla, but could not see her out. She would surely be crying alongside her mother back in the Walsh home by now. Lena knew she should go see her. She should comfort her and help her care for the baby while Mulla’s last living brother is now going off to fight. Lena cleared her throat to keep her thoughts from manipulating her. She could not go see Mulla, that would only make things worse. Lena could control her own heart when she was alone, but if she saw any doubt in Mulla’s eyes it would break her down to nothing. She looked across at the path now, nothing but floating dust marked where her husband once was. In two days, they would be marching into Colreed, as long as they were not stopped before. Which Lena could only hope they would not be, for she planned to be there in one.
Her brothers old boots were leathered tightly under her dress, the kilt was baggy but firm around her hips, while the shawl draped over a ripped tunic she’d sewed that night. As soon as she excused herself from the crying section of weeping soon-to-be widows, she flipped the dress over her shoulders and let it fall to the ground and unburied the bag she had been hiding since the day before. A small string tied around her hair held it back in place, but if anyone were to see her face she would be stopped. She splattered dust and dirt on it, making a beard or dirty look. She could hear the whispering around the corner, the talking of a battle to come. There had been no news of William Wallace and the Macleod’s but Lena had no time to hear common gossip. She raced to the stables looking down to the ground, where there were still spare horses left. No saddles to were found or left behind, so she took only what she could carry on her back. As she reached the back gates of the city, there was only one thing left she had to do. A guard stood at the gates. He was older than her own father and he looked weaker than her younger sister. The men that were left to defend the city were far from the brave soldiers that followed Marren. These were townsmen and those who could hold a sword. Lena knew this so-called guard that stood there. He was the potter in the market who had never even been off the island.
“Where you be goin’?” His shaky voice
echoed out.
“To Colreed with the rest of the men.” Lena let her deep voice go as best she could, but even she knew it was not at all convincing. A door opened from behind the old man as he opened the gates. Lena could see her exit slowly getting larger.
The old man pulled the chain up, it was rising slower than she’d liked. She could see another man join the old guard on the tower, Lena bit at her lip as she focused on the rising gate.
“Where were you when they left? And where is your horses saddle?” The voice said. Lena tried to hide the wincing when she realized who it was.
“L-Lord James, I-”
The gate finally lifted high enough to get out and she mounted the horse and kicked her legs into its waist. The sound of shouting was echoing behind her. She glanced back to see a man running towards the tower, holding a dress that she was once just wearing. Her horses tail reached the end of the gate and she put her eyes ahead on the path.
“Lady Walsh! Stop!” She heard James shouting behind her.
It was too late. Her horse was already galloping and gaining ground on the men who’d just left before. Each step was one step closer to her family, one step closer to finding out what happened, and one step closer to Marren.
I will see you. Soon. She thought. Lena gripped the hair on the horse tightly as she tried to keep her pace steady on the horse. She knew there would be a something to pay for this later, but she could not wait. Marren must have known that, even when they spoke about her leaving. She never lied, she never said she would stay.
If you stay. I will stay. If you go. I will follow.
Her horse was kicking up dust behind her. Soon it would be growing late in the afternoon and she would catch up to riders ahead. That was when she would take the side paths, that were once used by robbers. It was not longer, nor shorter, but it was out of sight all the same.
