Highland Light (11 page)

She fell into bed and knew nothing until the morning. With morning came the question of the foundation and the tunnel. Ailene went to sit on the old floor in the storeroom. Staring at the exposed foundation and the hole, she though of the dolmen far back in the corrie.

The thick rock sides supported the top of the old structure. No one knew the age of the dolmen, but it was sturdy. The top was a single slab however. She would need to remove more dirt in order to determine if the house sat on a single slab or if it had been laid in pieces as she was laying the wall.

Another concern was the thickness of the rock the house sat on. A single slab would need to be very thick in order to continue to support the weight of the house. At least there was no fireplace on this end of the house which needed to be supported.

If they needed rock supports for the foundation, those supports would have to be split with at least two straight sides.

'I ken how to use the feathers and wedges.' Ailene thought to herself. There had to be some place where slabs could be quarried. The slabs could not be too big as it would be impossible to get them into the hole. Perhaps if two or three slabs could be set atop each other they could be used to support the foundation.

She needed to show this to Parlan. He had been able to tell her how to use the feathers and wedges, he might have some idea as to how to support the foundation. She rose from the floor of the storeroom. Ailene walked down the glen to Parlan's cottage.

Parlan sat next to Ailene looking at the hole and the foundation. He complimented her and the lads on having done a good job removing the unwanted stone. Parlan had Ailene get into the hole and carefully uncover the side of the foundation without removing any dirt from under it. When she had dug away the loose soil then brushed it away with her hand, he had her take a wet rag and clean the rock.

The old man motioned her out of the hole and lowered himself down into it.

"I think it is a solid piece lass. I no see any joint here. I think ye grandsire leveled the top with an additional rock here."

Parlan pointed to one point close to the wall of the storeroom.

"And here. There is a line down from both rocks but neither line extends down into the lower portion here, ye ken?"

Ailene's eyes followed his finger as he pointed out the two places where he felt the sections of rock had been added to level the area.

"Aye,"

She replied

"I see."

"If ye widen the cut here."

The old man made a line in the wall with a stick.

"Ye can put in two or three blocks and another support under the foundation. Ye will need support on both sides, Care must be taken when ye dig out the sides and put in the stone. I would use a wooden post and beam for more support until ye have the stones fully set. Ye will need a wee mite more muscle than the lads. Ye ken?"

Parlan carefully climbed out of the opening then dusted himself off.

"Ye will need to measure carefully, mind. I think that as long as ye check several times, ye can do this."

Ailene walked outside with Parlan.

"Thank ye Parlan. I dinna ken what I would do without your knowledge."

He smiled at her.

"Ye would take a wee bit longer but ye would have figured it out. Ye're a canny lass."

His praise took her by surprise. As much as he teased her, Ailene had always wondered if he disapproved of her and the way her father had allowed her do things that lads did. Ailene found she could think of nothing to say in response. She just nodded and bid him good morn.

Ailene now had a plan. She took leave of Idelle, leaving the cook to her business. Ailene went looking for a good place to quarry stone. She needed blocks of stone for the support of the doorway of the tunnel.

Thoroughly taken with the problem of the stone she must have and how to find what was needed, Ailene began to wander up past the rock ridge, which supported the keep. She was following the ridge. Ailene was not paying any attention to how far she had walked. When she realized the day was well spent she wandered far up into the head of the glen. Ailene turned back. She crossed the path that led up and over the ridge then caught sight of a promising rock formation.

Her eye caught by the rock, Ailene changed course. She walked up and over the ridge. Hearing someone call her name she looked up where Seumas stood on the summit above the scree slide. The warrior waved his arm wildly as shouted at her again. Ailene did not understand what he was saying. Turning, she stared at him.

Suddenly she was swept off her feet. Ailene found herself before the young MacNab on his horse. She was unable to do anything more than utter one sharp yelp before she was pushed face down in front of the man.

"Now ye will answer me woman."

The man's voice was harsh. Ailene realized she had been very foolish indeed.

Chapter 10

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 encampment 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.