The bow of Sorley's birlinn crashed through the waves, sending large sprays of water up. Therese sat far back in the birlinn, avoiding getting wet by it, while Sorley sat beside her, as his son, Randal worked the rudder and sail, making the best speed he could attain.
"So ye were wi' Arabella at the convent, ye said." Sorley asked her, making polite conversation, to ease Therese's look of worry.
"Yes, we were. We shared a room together and became close friends. We are more like sisters, we share such a deep affection for each other. I have missed her so, since she left to marry Logan MacLean. I hope she is happy with him and has many children now." Therese told him, remembering the last events to take place between them.
"MacLean ye say, from Duart castle?" Sorley asked her, hoping it wasn't.
"Yes, that is the one she spoke of." Therese looked happier at the thought Sorley knew more of her friend's life.
"It grieves me tae tell ye this Lady Therese, but Logan was killed, as well as Arabella's father, in a battle wi' the Campbell's. They lost Duart tae them. Her mother died of consumption no long before that. She's had a rough go of things, she has. She's the Chieftess noo of Tioram and she's been a grand one at that. Grayson is at Castle Camus on Skye, but they share the duties t'gether and ha'e made the MacDonald's of ClanRanald a powerful clan and rule a great deal of land." Sorley explained all that had happened, but saddened as he told her, seeing how it hurt Therese to hear it.
Therese felt everything sink in and quickly went to retrieve her handkerchief, to dab at the tears that flowed. She started to cry harder and harder, thinking of the pain and loss her dearest friend had faced, since they parted. Sorley was hesitant at holding her, but found the compassion in him to comfort her. Therese accepted the offer and buried her face into Sorley's sheepskin and let her grief pour from her.
As they sailed past the Island of Coll, across from the Sound of Mull, the Ardnamurchan Point grew in the distance and signalled they were coming close to Tioram. Sorley felt great pain in his heart, at being the one to relay such heart-breaking news to Therese. Remembering all she had said she had been through so far, he felt was terrible enough and he knew this was devastating news to hear. He had no words of comfort for her and allowed her to hold him for support. Once they rounded the point, the entrance to Loch Moidart came into view and Sorley had to leave her and take a position at the prow.
As he looked back at Therese, it tossed his mind into thoughts of actions done, to consequences paid. The lieutenants he had dispatched below were only servants of a higher force of evil. In his mind and all the events he had heard so far, told him that great strife and hardship were befalling the clans. The need to help put things right weighed on him, knowing his aid and that of any others that would join with him, could turn what seemed like a disastrous outcome, into a victory.
As the mountainous coast slipped away to a small point, they rounded it, sailing past Kentra Bay and Tioram came into sight. The loch and the castle were brightly lit in orange hues, by the late day sun, but Sorley felt his heart sink at knowing what his coming with Therese was going to bring to darken it.
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"Noo, I want tae stop there and let Stuart take ye's back tae Donan and what's going on there at the same time, if ye'll remember the rather morbid telling by Argus earlier." Tavish looked at Argus with a mocking scorn, then smiled.
Stuart rose, as Tavish sat and started off again. "Grayson, Iain, Stephen and Athol, were walking back tae Donan. They'd roonded the point from Loch Long and were noo on Loch Duich's shore. Grayson stopped suddenly and was gi'en an idea, an epiphany, if ye will. I'll start it off from there." Stuart told them, then looked into his memory of what Argus had told him and started in.
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Grayson looked at the broad, flat land along the coast in front of him and then turned and looked back at the coastline behind him. The others followed his gaze, but had no idea of what was in his head. He turned back and had a faint glimmer of a smile on his face, from the realization of what he was thinking.
He started walking again, his stride getting more purposeful with each step he took. The outline of Eilean Donan stood out against the backdrop of mountains and water as they approached, The mid-day sun glared across the waters towards them, reflecting the golden-orange rays over everything. Grayson looked to both sides, at the men beside him and then spoke to them.
"I want ye's tae say nothing aboot this tae anyone. I need tae let her Ladyship and Lady Heather know what we've found and explain my idea fer a fitting tribute tae the fallen. I also ha'e an idea fer a tribute tae Jacob and also a way tae improve the future of the MacDonnell's, for centuries tae come." Grayson looked to each one for confirmation. "Not a word, is that understood?"
The agreement of nods and an, "Aye," came from them, giving Grayson a bit more hope, that he could turn a heart-breaking moment, into one of heart-felt pride. They made it to the bridge and Grayson stopped, the others following suit, as he looked up to where the Ladies would most likely be. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled, steadying himself for what he had to present to them.
He entered the keep and turned, going up the staircase to the top floor. Every step he took, seemed to be heavier than the last, his heart filled with trepidation at facing them now. He stood at the door and looked at it blankly, knowing just beyond it, were his kin and his heart. He raised his hand with the effort of moving a mountain and forced himself to lightly knock on the door. The sound of Lady Anne bidding him come in, made his knees grow weaker, as he opened it and entered. Seeing Anne and Heather in chairs by the window, Grayson weakly smiled at them as he approached.
"Grayson, good to see ye. Is everything going well?" Lady Anne asked him, her face finally showing some peace in it.
Grayson saw it on her face and the affectionate smile Heather was giving to him as well. His spirits and strength took a blow, but he found the power in his voice to speak.
"The castle is secure, Anne, we're well prepared fer an attack." He hesitated, looking at them with growing sorrow, as they looked at him, the joy in their hearts, once more to be slain and lowered his eyes from theirs. "I ha'e news that weighs heavy on me, but I must say it. Anne, Heather, we found Kyle's body in the woods. We've left him at Jacob's cottage on the far coast."
The faces of Anne and Heather went into immediate grief at his words and in tears, Heather rushed to her mother and they held each other. Grayson's own grief welled up in him at seeing what he knew would happen and he wept with their sadness freely. Anne was first to notice and then Heather, how broken Grayson looked and knew it tore at him to tell them the news of Kyle. Heather rose first and came to him and Anne followed close behind.
They held him and comforted him, allowing him the chance to show his pain, without diminishing him as a strong man. He put his arms around them, as they did to him and the three shared the initial shock and loss together. Once past, Anne finally asked him what concerned her.
"Why is he at Jacob's, Grayson?"
Grayson had tried to think of a way to tell them and there was nothing but the truth that
would suffice. He looked at them both, his face straining to keep a semblance of composure, then he breathed in deeply.
"He's no fit tae be seen, Anne. I don't know hoo long he's been dead, maybe since the very beginning, I just know, it's been tae long. Just remember him as he was and keep him in yer hearts like that. I washed him and Iain cleaned his clothes. He's covered wi' robes inside the cottage, but he's no fit tae lay yer eyes on him again. I'll go and re-dress him later for the tribute. Anne, Heather, I was thinking of something befitting of a young laird, tae gi'e him the respect he deserves. It would be my greatest honour that I could do fer him and all the family that's been lost tae ye."
Anne and Heather each took one of Grayson's hands and held it tightly, looking up at the face of someone who wanted to bring closure and respect to their family. Once more they hugged him in bonded affection, for his show of love to them. Anne asked him for his idea, her eyes speaking with a trust and hope in them, he would bring back a sense of pride and honour for her family and clan.
"What do ye want tae do, Grayson?"
Grayson silently bade the women to sit and listen to his idea. He explained how the dead were somewhere in the loch, resting in peace there and that Kyle was the only member to show a proper ceremony for. To pay homage to him and everyone else, he suggested a massive pyre be built on the tiny island in front of Jacob Dornie's cottage. He explained that being out in the water, it would serve to honour those above and those below. He told them he would send for his piper Gregor to play the dirge and ha'e the pyre draped in as much of the clan tartan they could find.
By the time Grayson finished telling them his idea, they were both in tears of gratitude to him. Both knew that a finer tribute to the Laird, his son and all the clan that perished, couldn't be made. Grayson was given their approval and after a sincere expression of his condolences, he left the chambers and went back to the courtyard. He saw the three men standing silently by themselves, keeping to their word of silence and his heart felt great pride in them. He knew what he was about to ask, would once again put a strain on the sanity of the men.
"Men, ye've made me proud tae call ye's kith and kin. I won't do anymore than ask ye's tae help me this one last time, tae finish what we started wi' Kyle. I'll understand if ye's say no and I'll still honour ye's and say no more aboot it."
Grayson's eyes bore into each man with a strong hope, that they could find their strength to subject themselves to the sight and smell of death once again. Iain took a step towards him and stood as strong and proud as he could, before crossing his arm to Grayson.
"My Laird, whate'er it is ye ask of me, I'll do it willing and wi'oot question. I pledge my oath tae ye it is so." Iain finished and then genuflected before him and bowed his head in complete respect.
Stephen and Athol heard and saw the deliverance and knelt to him as well. Others stopped, at seeing the display and came towards them. Grayson turned and saw the attention he was garnering and once again finding his strength of command, turned to face the mass of men.
"Assemble in the courtyard here, I want every man and woman present."
Grayson watched as men ran to inform the others and women did the same. He walked to the battlement wall and strode up the stairs without effort, his power and strength returning to his limbs again. He stood looking at the gathering assemblage, then cast his eyes skyward and silently thanked God for the strength and conviction to carry out this deed. His voice was strong and sure, as he spoke to them.
