Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (3 page)

Grey was astonished at what was being told to him. For one thing, how would he know where this precious parchment was? And secondly, there was no way to get close enough to Domhnall to find it.

“When Domhnall killed Mauri’s family, he had taken her sister, Elisa. I need to find that lass in hopes she can tell me where that parchment is or if it still exists. Haakon insists on proof and it is the only way we can rid Scotland of its rubbish. Once I have the proof, Haakon will abdicate his claim on those lands. It is very likely he’ll kill Domhnall and we shall be free to take the land.”

Grey kept silent. This was a task he definitely did not want to get involved in. Given that the mac Raghnaill clan was one of the fiercest in the west. And Alexander’s plan sounded too simple. There had to be more to what he was telling.

“I need you to go to Domhnall’s lands and search for her, bring her back here so I can question her.” Then a sudden melancholy overcame Alexander, for his expression slackened and his eyes dulled. “I heard tell that Mauri and Domhnall conspired behind my back. The rumors cannot be false. I am hard-pressed to believe it so. I had hoped to wed her and was courting her. Breaks my heart, it does to think she cuckolded me. Yet I do not believe Mauri would be dishonorable. I know not what to think, Gunn. Elisa and she were twins, and only she would be able to speak of these matters. At the very least give me answers.”

Why Grey shook his head, he wasn’t sure. But he knew with certainty that this was not a task he wanted to undertake regardless of Alexander’s wishes. “I cannot leave my lands right now, my lord. Bree is expecting our first bairn and she would never forgive me were I to leave.”

Alexander blew out a sound of aggravation, before he let a smile forth. “Ah the wee Bree is having a babe. I am happy to hear that, Grey. But it shouldn’t take long to retrieve the lass. A couple of weeks at best it should take. Now that I have your agreement …”

“Agreement? I haven’t agreed to anything,” Grey practically shouted.

“Her name is Elisa. When she was young, she had fair hair and bonny green eyes. She was a slight lass, that I remember, slighter than her sister. If you go to Domhnall’s lands in pretense of wanting to discuss clan matters, you might be able to find out where she is.”

“Aye, I could do that. But why not send Donal? He has a greater reputation with the clan chiefs than I do.” Grey took a drink, but the taste sat foul in his mouth. The entire matter left him bitter. He’d hoped Donal Ross, one of the Highland council elders, would make a better envoy.

Alexander grunted. “Donal refuses and I have other tasks for him. He suggested I send you. You’re the only man Domhnall would trust since ye have the ear of many Highland chiefs. Domhnall wanted a treaty with several of the clans in this territory recently. Use it as a ruse to gain access to his lands.”

“Mayhap I could find her. What if I am unable to?”

Alexander pitched forward. “You must or all is lost. I must have proof of Domhnall’s misdeeds. I will not have you disregard this request. Aye, I’m asking, Grey, and not demanding. Don’t make me plead, because I will …”

Grey sighed at the contention knowing he would have to do his king’s will. “I’ll leave immediately, my lord.”

“I will be visiting Donal’s keep and will await word of your return. I wouldn’t expect your lovely Bree to hospitable since I wasn’t so kind to her in the past.” With that Alexander rose and without a farewell, left the hall.

Grey sat in silence considering the mission before him. Hopefully he’d be able to find the lass and return without delay. Poor Donal would be subjected to Alexander’s company until he returned. Donal Ross was a great ally and friend of a nearby clan. Their ties went back for years and Grey held great respect for Laird Ross. Not only was he a friend, but he’d been chosen as his Godfather and protector when he’d been but a lad. He’d looked up to Donal since the day he could walk.

Donal held boundless affection for Scotland and the king and would go to any length to aid either even if it went against Grey’s interests. Grey never expected Alexander to be so forthright with his confessions, especially those about the young lass. Mauri it seems had given the king a broken heart and worse, political problems.

Noise drew his attention to the door and he noticed his guard returning. It had been some time since they went on a journey and he suspected his men were wanting a bit of adventure. Considering the smiles on their faces, that assessment was more accurate than he knew.

“Duff, I’ll need you to stay here and take charge. I’m leaving in the morning on a mission for Alexander. See to the clan and continue the training sessions.” Grey had wanted to use their downtime to train the younger Gunn warriors.

Duff’s mouth flew open and then he grinned. Aye, Duff was as shocked as he at his acceptance of any task Alexander would give him. No one could deny the king for fear that he be taken to Edinburgh and his life no more. What could he do? The errand wasn’t that difficult. All he had to do was retrieve the lass, give her over to Alexander, and return home. Simple, he thought.

“Where are we going, Laird?” Colm asked.

“To retrieve a lass for Alexander. We’re to the west, to mac Raghnaill’s lands.” Grey wouldn’t say more because who knew what political riff was involved in this mess.

The mention of the MacQuarrie lass also gave him an idea and his plan took hold in his mind. It was the least he could do to assist Kenneth.

“A lass? Whoa, did you hear that, Kenneth?” Sean jested, elbowing his upper arm.

Kenneth gave him a cross look and with a hard shove, pushed him away.

Each of his men bounded toward the table when they saw one of the kitchen servants bringing in trays of food. In a rush to be the first to eat, they pushed each other to be the first one to taste the delights Bree had made. His wife was the best cook in the highlands. Grey tensed then for she shouldn’t in the kitchens in her condition. He’d tell her so after his meeting.

His guard liked to bait each other and often teased, and lately Kenneth was their primary target. Grey surmised they were just as worried for Kenneth and their baiting was a show of concern.

Kenneth mumbled something which Grey didn’t catch. Sean and James wore grins as wide as the stable doors at hearing their talents were needed. Aye, the journey would have been enough to make his guardsmen happy, but the mention of a lass instilled an even greater joy. They made it their mission in life to assist any and all ladies in distress.

“I’ll stay and help Duff, Laird,” Kenneth said, “If I have your permission? There’s no need for us all to go and Duff’s been on duty for a few days …”

Grey considered it for all of two seconds. “Duff can handle things while we’re away. You will either go to McInnish land and become laird as your father willed or go with us on this journey.”

Kenneth glared, for Grey knew the last thing his friend wanted to do was to go home. Kenneth’s brother, Greer, was supposed to become laird, and not he. His guilt-ridden heart wouldn’t allow him to take his rightful place as laird of his clan. Grey hoped time would heal Kenneth and eventually he would go and call McInnish land his home and claim his birthright. Yet that hadn’t happened. Until then Grey had sent several of his clansmen to watch over Kenneth’s legacy. Something was bound to knock his hard-headed friend on his arse and bring about some sense.

“Nay, I won’t be going there. I’d rather be flayed alive and thrown in a bog,” Kenneth said, “I’ll travel with you as you wish.”

The man needed adventure and hopefully the journey would rid Kenneth of his sullen demeanor and heal his heart. Grey wasn’t sure how long it would take for Kenneth to get over his guilt, but no matter how long it took, he and his guardsmen would stand by him.

He knew exactly what he needed to do and the MacQuarrie lass, if he could find her, would be advantageous.

“Duff would be offended if I asked one of you stay to help him. Nay, Kenneth, be ready at dawn. Now I need break the news to Bree. Does anyone know where she is? I suppose in the kitchens, by God.” He almost laughed at that question, because no one could keep track of his bonny wife even with her recent widened girth. And to be honest, he wasn’t in a rush to find her neither since he’d be causing her grief.

CHAPTER THREE

This was the kind of day one thought of love. The kind of love where one’s heart beat in an erratic rhythm, one’s palms grew moist thinking of holding another’s hand, and one’s skin flushed with warmth. How she wished she was in love. Elisa sighed dejectedly, knowing her lord would never allow such a thing. She was doomed to a lonely existence. Being a grown woman beyond marriageable age, she’d never gotten to experience any of the joys of being in love.

Still the beautiful day made one think of stolen kisses, running hand and hand across a field of wildflowers or whispered words in her ear which would surely tickle.

The sun shone its brilliance and the sky was a marvelous shade of blue. White puffy clouds marked the impressive sky-scape. There was a light breeze that caressed her cheek when she lifted her face. Elisa couldn’t help feeling such woe as there would be no man to declare such feelings for her.

She sat cross-legged in the tall grass watching the villagers restlessly running about from the hill above. Something stirred up the sleepy village because they weren’t usually so vibrant. But she couldn’t find out what happened because she promised Timmy, a young lad in the village, that she’d await him by the tallest birch tree. He’d said his pup cut his foot and was hurting. Nothing was more important to Elisa than tending a hurt animal.

She awaited a good amount of time for the lad, and now she knew why. The pup was almost larger than he. Timmy approached, holding the rather large, black pup in his small arms. The sight brought forth her concern, for the lad had been crying. His puffy eyes were reddened now and he sniffled just as he reached her. To save his embarrassment, she refrained from asking him if he’d been crying. No lad his age would own up to weeping.

“Don’t despair, Timmy, let me see what the pup has done to himself.” Elisa reached for the dog and smiled to ensure all would be well.

As she looked at the cut, the pup cried out when she gently touched the swollen limb. The sorrowful sound made her heart ache. “There, there.”

The gash wasn’t as large or dastardly as the pup let on. “It will take a bit of salve and we’ll bandage it to keep it clean. It shouldn’t take more than a day or two to begin healing. Keep him inside.” She set about her task, taking a pinch of Yarrow and mixing it with a bit of wax, using her fingers to mix the two ingredients. Gently, she applied the salve, and then wrapped the pup’s paw. Timmy took the pup from her lap, his sniffles gone and now his face smiling, although quite dirty.

“What’s his name?” She rose and brushed off her skirts.

“I call him Tarog. He be a fine pup, Mistress Elisa. I know he will be.”

“I am sure he’ll be your champion, Timmy. Take care of him. Don’t forget to keep him inside until he heals. I’ll come by later and leave some salve with your mama. I’m off to the manor.” She waved to Timmy and hurried along, now wanting to know why the villagers were so lively this fine sunny afternoon.

As she passed by the water well, where many of the village women stood, immersed in discussion, she stopped and smiled at them. They were kind, and especially friendly toward her. All the villagers seemed fond of her mainly because she’d helped each one of them at some time or another. Elisa passed her time helping others. There wasn’t much to do in the village and so she decided by helping others, she would at least make a difference and have something with which to occupy herself. It was also the only way to get the women her age to befriend her because she didn’t have a husband or children to discuss, or even wifely topics she’d heard them speaking of.

“What is happening? Are we to have visitors?” Elisa asked Lora, her closest friend.

“Oh there you are. I wondered where you were. Do you not see them, there by the gate?” Lora’s wide brown eyes alit with wonder. She’d pulled back her brown locks into a roll at the nape of her neck and she’d tied a blue ribbon around it. She looked lovely this day and Elisa smiled at her friend.

Elisa turned to spy the entrance of the village walls to see what all the commotion was about. There stood a group of tall, brawny men. “Who are they? Has Domhnall returned then?”

Elise didn’t want to admit her trepidation at the news the lord returned. For all the years she’d stayed in the village, she’d seen him a handful of times and those events were somewhat fearsome. Though he’d left her alone and only spoke to her briefly, he never mentioned his true purpose for taking her and why she had to stay there.

He alluded that her father had given her as a bride but Domhnall never wed her. Given that she was beyond the age when a lass wedded, she concluded there had to be other reasons. Yet he never had been forthcoming and she decided mayhap it was best she not know.

Elisa was thankful he had not wanted to wed her for she’d rather jump from the nearest tower than be wedded to Domhnall. Never had she thought to marry someone as foreboding as he, because his main pursuit in life was warring. She didn’t dare try to leave the village for fear he would hunt her down and mayhap hurt her.

Lora took her hand and led her to the wall nearby so they could get a closer look. “I heard my lord say they were from the Gunn clan. He told the men to be vigilant, that they were not to be trusted. I can see why. They look dominant and truly capable of causing trouble.”

“Domhnall doesn’t trust anyone. Are they here to hurt us? Shall we go and hide? If there’s to be a raid …” Elisa couldn’t agree more, because they did appear to be much stronger and more dangerous than any of the warriors that visited in the past.

Lora tilted her head but kept her gaze on the men. “I don’t deem so, Elisa, for they haven’t taken to their swords. And it appears Domhnall is speaking with them in a welcoming manner.”

Elisa waited apprehensively for something to happen, because their village didn’t get many visitors. Domhnall seemed on friendly terms with them and he didn’t like anyone. At least she didn’t think so, considering the countless fracases he’d gotten into. Many times he’d sent his injured soldiers to her for tending when they’d been close by after a fray.