Highland Bloodline

by Florence Love Karsner

  Millie spoke up quickly. "Another cook? Oh, Aileen you have no idea how much I would like that. I enjoy cooking, but with my duties in the school these days it's quite a chore to keep food on the table and prepare lessons as well."

  Aileen nodded, and without any further invitation began stirring a pot of potatoes on the stove with all three bairns still holding on to her skirts.

  "So, where's Ian?" Hector asked.

  Caitlin sighed and shook her head.

  "He left here headed to Skye to resume his training. But that was some time ago now and I haven't been able to communicate with Uncle Wabi, so I really don't know what's going on with those two."

  "Communicate? With Wabi?"

  "Oh, it's just something Wabi taught me to do when I'm in a dire situation. But no matter how hard I try, he's not listening, or chooses not to. I just don't know."

  Hector knew about Wabi's unusual powers, but he didn't quite understand how he and Caitlin could communicate.

  "So Ian is gone, but if Alex and Jack have been captured I should get down to Edinburgh and try to find out where they are."

  A voice from the doorway got their attention.

  "Nae, lad. Ye go back to the Sanctuary and take care of those women there. They're just as needy as Alex and Jack and that's yer place right now."

  Da saw the thin woman standing at the stove with the three orphans clinging to her skirts. He nodded in her direction. She smiled briefly then turned back to stirring the potatoes. Da came closer and bowed slightly.

  "I'm Daniel MacKinnon, mam. I understand yer the mother of my grandchildren. I'm pleased to make yer acquaintance."

  Dugald and Bridgette ran over to their grandda and hugged him about the knees, as they'd not seen him since the fever had taken over the lodge.

  Aileen couldn't stop the tears as they started down her face and her soul filled with joy knowing her family was secure.

  ~ ~ ~

  Following the burial, Robbie had retired to his attic lair and found himself writing furiously in his journal. This outlet allowed him a way to express his thoughts and fears. He'd been so relieved to see Grandda pull through the fever, and now he was back to wondering about Alex and Jack. What had happened to them? Were they even still alive?

  He closed his journal and decided to see what the ruckus was downstairs. His attic room kept him isolated from some noises, but there was definitely something going on down there.

  As he came into the kitchen he saw Caitlin and Millie, and to his surprise, Grandda. There was another small woman and a large man standing next to her. For a half second he thought it was Alex, but then quickly realized it wasn't.

  Grandda called out to him.

  "Here, lad. Come meet yer Uncle Hector. He's the last one I promise ye."

  Grandda smiled as he introduced the lad—and his pride in this new grandson showed. Robbie had become very special to him. "Hector, this is Robbie. Robbie Alexander MacKinnon, Alex's son, ye ken?"

  Alex's son? Alex doesn't have a son.

  That was obviously not true, as the lad standing there could only belong to Alex. Hector stared at the young man as if he couldn't take his eyes away. Even the arrogant lift of his dimpled chin rang of Alex. Finally, he stuck out his hand to the lad.

  "Uh, glad to meet ye, Robbie."

  Hector looked to Da, then Caitlin and back to the lad.

  "I see there have been some changes since I was last here. Perhaps I'd better come more often."

  Da nodded. "Yep. It might not be a bad idea. As ye can tell, there's never a dull moment at this lodge. Robbie, this is Aileen. She's the mother to these three children that have ye about the knees."

  Robbie nodded to Aileen and pried Charlie from his legs. Charlie didn't talk but found it easy to be with Robbie and both of them liked that.

  Everyone was gathered around the dining table for the evening meal when there was a light knock at the back door and Camille entered.

  "Camille, come in, come in," Da called out. They were all glad to see her, as she had closeted herself in her cottage since Andrew's burial. She preferred to grieve alone, and they accepted her wish to do so.

  "We've had a wonderful surprise today. Please come in and meet Aileen, the mother of our three bairns." Millie ushered her through the door and she held out her hand to Aileen.

  "My, what a wonderful development. It's my pleasure to meet you, Aileen. Your children have brought much happiness to me and all of us, and with you back with them, I'm sure they will bring the same to you."

  The dinner conversation tiptoed around the one subject on everyone's mind—what about Alex and Jack?

  Finally, Da stood and announced he was going back up to rest. Robbie immediately came to his side and offered his help. Hector took this all in but made no comment.

  Just before Da went up, Hector walked over and spoke quietly to him.

  "Da, I'll need to get back to the Sanctuary quickly as Reggie has her hands full. We've got a house full of women and children and it takes both of us to keep everything running smoothly. But I'll be back shortly."

  Da nodded and allowed Robbie to give him a hand.

  Returning to the kitchen, Hector dug into the inside pocket of his coat.

  "Millie, I almost forgot. I've a letter from Dorothea. She said she explained everything in the letter, but I know what she wants to tell ye is that we truly need her at the Sanctuary. She's as important as Reggie, and right now I just don't know what I'd do without her. She's so good with the wee ones. They listen to her and she seems to have found her calling. I know she doesn't want to disappoint you, but at the moment she finds herself being needed."

  "Then that's where she should stay. Tell her I understand and I'll come down soon."

  Next morning, quite early as always, Hector was busy rigging up Bess for his trip back to the Sanctuary. He was surprised to see Camille strolling across the path from her cottage to the lodge. She was dressed in a very fine, dark blue coat with a matching hat—traveling clothes. Even Hector recognized that.

  "Good morning, Camille. What brings you out so early?"

  "I know the stage goes to Edinburgh every Friday morning. I was wondering if I might get a lift to the station if it's not out of your way. Andrew brought happiness to me and I'll always remember those days. But, I must go on with my life now, and it's right that I go back to Edinburgh. I have a small home there and many friends to comfort me."

  "I see. Have you discussed the matter with the family?"

  "Yes, Caitlin and Millie and I talked at length last evening and decided it would be better for me to just go on and not create another emotional scene for the bairns. They've had enough of those lately. We're in agreement this is the proper thing for me to do." Hector nodded his agreement. "Then, let's be on our way."

  CHAPTER 12

  I

  an sat watching the waves as they stretched to reach the edge of the shore, their fingers pulling at the ropes that held the old wooden boat Wabi kept tied at his dock. The lapping of the water produced a rhythmic sound Ian found soothing. He'd been sitting on the dock for some time now and Owl was long gone.

  Well then. What am I going to do now? I gotta find Wabi. I need his help.

  He stood, walked to the edge of the water and stared at his reflection. The last year had brought even more growth and he was almost as tall as Alex and Jack now. Still on the thin side, but even he could see the MacKinnon features were becoming more apparent. In a short time he would be broad shouldered and well over six feet. Smiling to himself, he recalled how he never thought he would be as big as his brothers. It looked like he had been wrong about that.

  The ripples in the water caused his reflection to be distorted and he continued to stare, again pondering what he should do now.

  Alex would know what to do. He always knows what to do. But he's not here. So what am I to do?

  He watched in amazement as a flock of seagulls soared overhead, with one leading the pack. Within seconds they were g
one from sight and Ian wondered at such grace and skill. It had seemed so effortless. In his own life, nothing seemed effortless. Well, except for the skills Wabi had taught him—namely, lighting a fire with a nod of his head and being able to travel through time weaving.

  Maybe I should have stayed at home with Da and my family. But Da had thought this was the right thing for me, and even Alex was in agreement. But now, maybe I'll just go home. But I need to find Wabi. He'll have some ideas. Perhaps I should ..."

  His thoughts were running around in circles and he was still no closer to knowing what to do. He sat down, as if standing was just too difficult. Even his body language revealed his feeling of defeat. Just then, a large wave rushed in farther than the others and had him scurrying to get up and away before he was wet on his seat.

  Alright then. What would Alex do? Ye know what Alex would do. He'd tell ye to gather yer facts, plan yer strategy and then get off yer arse and move. Alright then, I will. So what do I know? Owl said Wabi's power is beginning to wane, he needs to go deep within, and that he's in a safe place. No, no, he said a resting place, a place of the ancients. That's what he said, a place of the ancients. Aye! Some of Mam's old books in our library talk about a place of the ancients. But where was that place?

  He thought for a few moments, then was off running toward the stable, his prosthesis never slowing him down. Rummaging around in his saddlebag, he finally came upon what he was looking for, the old map of Scotland and the Isles Caitlin had given him. She knew he loved history and this map had been in some of her Grandmother's belongings. It just looked like something Ian would want to have, and she had no use for it.

  Ian carefully unfurled the rolled map and lay it on a bale of hay. The map was made of vellum, the soft skin of a very young calf. Though it was stained in many areas, it had held up well. Its edges were fragile, however, and he hesitated to touch them. Caitlin had told him she thought it was a map of some of the islands where her early ancestors, the Picts and Vikings, had lived before they made their journey to North America.

  Ian scoured the map inch by inch. There were notations on every spit of land. Most of them were in a language he didn't understand, but some were in Gaelic and he could read that. He recalled conversations with Mam, who knew Scottish history better than anyone. She'd talked about a tribe, people called the Druids, some kind of holy men. Mam had said they were often called the ancients. But where had they lived?

  The map covered mainland Scotland and the northern isles, the Orkneys. Studiously combing the document from bottom to top, Ian noticed some of the islands to the north had small blue triangles drawn next to them. On closer inspection, he observed the triangles varied in size. Some were small, others a bit larger. He had no idea what these might indicate, but knew they could be important.

  Some of the names on the map were ones he had heard before, such as Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Stones of Stenness. But were these Druids, these ancients, the same ancients Owl had make reference to?

  With no better place to start, he did what Alex would have done. He gathered his facts, planned his strategy, and now would take action. And the first part of his plan would have him time weaving, already his favorite way to travel.

  CHAPTER 13

  W

  abi reached the crest of the hill and pulled his cloak closer as a chilly wind blew in from the sea. If he listened carefully, he could hear distant chanting.

  He leaned on his crooked staff and stopped for a moment, absorbing the sights, scents and sounds of his surroundings. The chanting came from the small order of Druids that made their home here, here being a small island on the edge of the Orkneys. Wabi had been here numerous times and no doubt would come again. This was his chosen place, the place where he would be allowed to "go within" and be free from all outside interferences. It was a place of reverence and peace.

  Wabi's timing of his hibernation period was done with great deliberation. The Beltane fires marking the Summer Solstice would occur tomorrow.

  The Summer Solstice, also known as Midsummer's Day, brings to an end the period of time where the hours of daylight are lengthening and the nights are growing shorter. It is a time of casting off the darkness and celebrating the light. This period is dedicated to the life-giving and regenerative powers of the solar orb, the sun. It's a time of renewal and rebirth and the Druids on the island would perform their own rituals during this time. There would be many festivals across the land and many fires would be lighted.

  As he approached the great stone structure, the henge, he knelt and recited his prayer. This was the beginning of the ritual he would perform in order to cleanse himself before entering his time of hibernation.

  The grass mound on which he stood was actually a cairn built in early times. It hid a large chambered cavern with a complex of passages throughout, and had been built of carefully crafted slabs of sandstone. Many of the walls had been etched with drawings of cattle, sheep, and oaks, trees that are sacred to the Druids. In several of the passages there were bones from previous inhabitants, some human and some animal.

  Wabi walked slowly, enjoying the immediate feeling of peace he felt upon entering the cairn. The tight passage led to a large council meeting room and he stopped at the doorway. As he did so, a multitude of young Druids knelt and bowed their heads. They did not know Master Wabi but had heard tales of him, and even these new initiates felt the power that emanated from him. Just his presence in the room had the air sizzling with palpable vibrations.

  "Ah, Master Wabi. I felt you coming. We are ready for you," a voice called out. Those words came from Danaan, chieftain of this order of Druids and a longtime friend of Wabi. He understood Master Wabi was of an ilk even higher than the Druids, and rendered him his due respect. He had provided sanctuary for Wabi many eons ago and was humbled to do so again.

  "Come. Your chamber has been prepared for you."

  "If the Creator desires, may our paths cross again and perhaps I will be of assistance to you, my friend," Wabi replied as he bowed slightly to Danaan.

  Danaan returned the bow and led the way through a zigzag path of even more chambers. He, too, lighted candles along the way with a nod of his head. Even Druids could perform a little magick, apparently. When they reached the appointed place, Wabi turned to Danaan.

  "You may encounter a young man, a lad called Ian, if he is successful in discovering my whereabouts. He is my apprentice and I have tasked him with finding me. It's a good test of his skills and provides me time for renewal. Please allow him to observe your order and perhaps learn of your ways. He is quite gifted, and I believe him to be worthy of instruction."

  "Yes, Master Wabi. We will care for him as well."

  "Oh, Danaan? Be aware he may be a trifle, um, challenging. Highland blood flows in his veins. Need I say more?"

  Danaan smiled. "We will come for you when the Beltane fires have died. May you rest in peace and be renewed from within." He turned and made his way back to the surface, leaving Wabi alone—as he desired.

  CHAPTER 14

  W

  hen Hector arrived back at Cameron Castle it was very late and he was surprised to see a candle flickering in the window of the library.

  Ethel must have forgotten to put it out.

  The old cook, Ethel, ran the kitchen like a military leader might and he didn't think the place would keep going without her. But leaving a candle burning was a dangerous thing to do.

  He unhooked Bess from the cart and put her in a stall. This had been a very long day for both of them, and the old nag immediately began to nibble on the hay Clint had placed in her trough. He was old, too, but taking care of the animals was a duty he never minded.

  Entering through the kitchen, Hector stopped long enough to see what Ethel had in her pastry basket. An apple tart quickly found its way into his hands.

  He also found a half-bottle of claret on the counter and took it and headed to the library. He'd extinguish the candle, have a quick glass of claret and take himsel
f to his rooms, which were located on the first floor. The women and children all lived upstairs.

  The candle gave off a soft, warm glow and he entered the library quietly, ready to let this day end. He stopped abruptly when he realized he was not alone.

  "Oh," Reggie sighed. "You're back. Thank heavens. I was worried the British soldiers may have found you and I'd never see you again." She sat rigidly in the chair, relief evident on her face.

  Hector took her hands and pulled her up, bringing her closer to him. "Reggie, what are ye doing still up, lass? It's late. Ye need yer rest."

  "I couldn't sleep not knowing if you were safe. Now that you are, I'll go back to my bed."

  "Since yer already up, sit with me a few minutes and I'll tell ye about my visit. It was a bit more exciting than I had expected it to be."

  Hector explained the saga of Aileen and the orphans, and Reggie beamed when Hector told her the outcome of the story.

  "Oh, Hector. Can you believe it? She never even mentioned any children when I talked with her."

  "Maybe it was just too painful. I believe it was the two glasses of wine that allowed her to tell me her story."

  Then, leaving out a few details, such as Alex and Jack being captured, he began to explain to Reggie that he needed to be away again for a few days. He knew she'd just worry if he told her his true plans.

  "Da asked me to go to Edinburgh and check on some legal issues with Murdock, our solicitor. Da's managed to acquire quite a bit of property in the last few years, and he wants to make sure the British government can't get their hands on it. I told him I'd see to it."

  "I see. Dorothea and I will manage for a short while, but only a short while. Then you get yourself back here, with me, where you belong."

  She stood and started to walk away. Hector pulled her back and lifted her, holding her close.