If you look up Glengorm Castle in Wikipedia, you will note that it lies on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, not too far from where this fictional story takes place. It was built by James Forsyth who was the sort of bastard that Calum Blackthorne is in this tale. He destroyed the township of Sorne in order to build it. I borrowed some elements of that for this story. I moved it back a century and changed the name, but it's an interesting element.
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They gathered up her herbs and flowers and Frang put them in his bedroll.
"We'll send someone back for the bodies, take them to Dervaig and see what they might be wanted for," Frang said.
Stuart mounted his horse and Frang lifted Ailene and Stuart settled her before him on the horse and they headed back to the Keep. Frang lagged behind, guarding their rear and giving them a little privacy.
"Why did you nae follow our orders and take guards with you?" Stuart asked.
"I wasn't going that far from the Keep and I don't understand why someone has to go with me all of the time."
"You've heard us speak of Calum Blackthorne, have you not?" requested Stuart.
"Aye, Lord of Blackthorne Manor. I've heard him mentioned with great disgust by all of you, but I've nae idea why," she replied. She leaned her head back against Stuart's shoulder.
"He's an evil, vile man. Father believed that he killed the prior owner of the Blackthorne land and stole the property from the heirs; something about a debt, and we know that he wants our land as well. The current property he owns only has access to Loch Frisa, which is landlocked and has no access to the sea. Our land borders Loch A Chumhainn, and is close to the market town of Dervaig, giving us access to the sea and trading that's not available to Blackthorne. He's greedy and wants more, and will stop at nothing to get it. He would do anything to obtain it. If he took you captive, he could hold you for ransom, make us exchange property for you. Or rape you and cast doubt on the paternity of any child that we might have. It's nae just you. We dare send nae one out without a minimum of 2 or 3 men-at-arms. All are at risk, not just the women. Nae even Thorburn rides out alone. If it had been Blackthorne's men who took you, they would have taken you to the manor rather than raping you on the spot. There you could have been tortured, raped; we could have done nae to prevent it." Stuart explained.
"I'm sorry, Stuart," Ailene said. "I dinna know."
"You could have obeyed without knowing. We dinna give orders without reason," he said.
"You know," Stuart continued, "Blackthorne razed the township of Achnadrish to build the manor. Pushed all the crofters off the land. One of the old women had a deed to her little piece of property. Blackthorne tore up the deed, threw it in the fire and told her to get off the land in a week. Unfortunately for him, the local minister had the original deed, the old woman had a copy. When Blackthorne found out, he was livid with rage. He built a fence around her property so she couldn't enter or leave until she finally sold her property for a fraction of it's value. He might be the most hated man on all of Mull."
"How can he do these things? How come no one can stop him? Isn't he breaking the law?" asked Ailene.
"He's a rich and powerful man and has even more rich and powerful friends, extending to the throne itself," Stuart answered. "While I'm sure he could be taken down should any serious crimes be proven with undeniable proof, he's most careful to make sure that proof doesn't exist. The men who might be able to testify are dead or missing."
They reached the Keep and entered the portcullis. They turned the horses over to the groom.
Frang said, "Take good care of them, they've been ridden hard. Give them some extra oats." To Stuart he said, "I'll let Thorburn know that we found her and I'll see you in 20 minutes in the Strapping Room."
"Strapping room, I've never heard of a strapping room in the Keep. What's it for?" Ailene asked.
"There's nae been need for you to see the strapping room before," Stuart replied. "It's time now."
They entered the Keep and Ailene turned to go to her room to change out of her ruined dress and see her maid about repairs, but instead, Stuart grabbed her arm and led her down the central stairway to the cellars. Normally, they would turn right to the main storerooms, but he turned left and before them was a large wooden door. Stuart unlocked the door and they stepped in. It was a fairly large room, one Ailene had never been in before. There was a large piece of furniture in the center of the room, like a table, but not like any table she'd ever seen before. There appeared to be a pillory in one corner, and some ropes coiled in one corner, and a large cabinet against the far wall.
Stuart removed Frang's cloak from around her shoulders and said, "Take off your ruined dress."
"I don't have anything else to wear here," Ailene said.
"You'll nae need anything to wear for awhile, wife. There must be a punishment for your behavior. Take off your dress."
"I thought you forgave me."
"I do forgive you. That does nae mean you can escape your punishment. You must fully understand what you did, and punishment will make sure that you'll nae forget; take the dress off now, or the punishment will be more severe," said Stuart.
Ailene regretted leaving the Keep without her guard and her near rape at the hands of the outlaws. She thought that maybe she did bear responsibility for and deserve some punishment for her actions, so she removed the tattered remnants of her stays, then her dress and shift, standing naked before Stuart. She covered herself, something she hadn't done since her wedding night, not in front of Stuart. He'd taught her not to be ashamed of her body in front of him, but the way he was acting and looking at her now, she felt insignificant, and he acted a stranger to her.
"Lie down on the table, with your head at that end, and with it just over the edge." He indicated the far end of the table. "Put your arms beside your head."
