Tavish did his best to accept the reality of the events that had transpired in centuries past and agreed Garreth and Arabella had produced a child together. Tom looked at Argus and then to his uncle, before speaking.
"Uncle Stuart, does this mean that you and Argus are related then?"
"So it would seem, Tom. I'll ha'e tae go through the lineage wi' him and see where he fits in, but it does look like we are a blood relation from the same heritage." Stuart told him, smiling at Argus.
"So, is it okay to get back to the story and see how everything turned out. I mean, I know how everything turned out, just all the interesting things that you all know about." Deb asked, hoping the telling wouldn't end because of the news.
"No tae worry, Deb, although I do think a wee toast in celebration is in order, tae welcome Argus tae the clan. Gordon, please pour everyone a glass and by all means, include yerself." he assured her and smiled to everyone.
Gordon quickly poured and served seven, small, dram glasses and waited with his for Stuart to speak.
"On this day, I wish tae welcome Argus Brandon Stewart tae the fold of the MacLeod's. From here on in, he shall be granted all privileges of a MacLeod and wear the tartans of the clan with pride. His name will be added to the lineage and bear his heritage. It is my honour and privilege tae now recognize and welcome, Argus Stewart - MacLeod. Tae Argus, Slainte." he toasted to him.
Everyone cheered him and drank back the golden nectar, shouting "Dram bu Idich", then Deb still shivered violently at it going down, making everyone laugh at her mild discomfort.
"Shall we get back tae the task at hand now and let these two know their history, or do ye ha'e more surprises tae spring on us, Argus?" Stuart said laughing, but his face showed a hint of worry he didn't feel completely at ease yet.
Argus shook his head and waved Stuart off to tell the story, but in his mind, he knew he and Stuart had unfinished business, that would leave his new relative feeling more unsettled.
"Tavish, ye know more about what happened at Tioram once they all returned and the events that followed, so why don't ye take it from there." Stuart asked him and could see his spirit hadn't returned yet.
Tavish cleared his throat after downing another quick drink and thought for a moment, before he leaned back in his club chair and got comfortable.
"It was quite chaotic at Tioram. Ye've seen how big the island is and the surrounding area, so ye know how packed it must ha'e been wi' hundreds of men and animals. Kyla's brothers and all the Fraser's horses had been brought there, but the Fraser men stayed tae protect Stalker from attack. Sloan and the other leaders, Grayson, Garreth, Braedon and Glenn, went out on horseback and rode along the River Shiel, looking fer areas tae use Sloan's idea of pits wi' spikes and any other means of defence they could think of."
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The five riders rode slowly along the river's edge, surveying the land where attacking forces would have to cross open areas of land. The mouth of the river, where the shallowest crossing was, afforded horses a place to cross and then make their way to the castle. Looking to the surrounding trees, they discussed where to position men and where to dig, so the riders would have little, or no choice but ride into them, or be taken out by arrows. They marked the area with piles of rocks where pits should be dug and mounted again. The group rode on and saw that a great vantage point of ambush lay at the small bridge crossing the river.
There was no chance of getting men and horses, let alone artillery across, in an
efficient manner. They would have to split their forces and have the men cross at the bridge, while the cavalry crossed at the rapids. This gave them a decisive weakness to use against them. The trees provided ample coverage for hiding men in and the bush was thick and dense, that men could hide under it close by for a surprise attack. The dense growth in the forest could hide a hundred men lying in wait on both sides of the river, blocking off a retreat and ensnaring them in a gauntlet.
Any that made it across and tried to make it towards the castle, would find another series of pits to avoid and even more men waiting. The riders headed on to Salen Bay, where any arrival of troops by sea would come in. Grayson looked down the coast to the sea and made plans to have clan in the area keep watch for any boats or men arriving. They rode back to Tioram, the thoughts of its defence well established that they were secure.
High on the ridge of mountainous hills above them, a small band of men watched them carefully, studying everything they did. Captain George Montrose of Edinburgh led the band of MacRae men back to their camp, high up near Ben Laga by Loch Nr, taking time to write in his journal everything he saw the MacDonald's doing. Anything they planned, he would have a counter to it without them knowing. He smiled to himself, feeling he would be the turning point in the battle and make an statement worth advancement in his career.
At Dunollie Castle, two well-armoured soldiers stood in front of the combined armies of MacDougall and Douglas clansmen, looking at them carefully and judging them for their worth. MacRae stood with them and wore a self-assured smile his new captains would be pleased to lead his men. Douglas Wallace had come through on his word and provided him with three well-trained leaders. All three had been in several battles each and had led men into victories. His hopes were they would do the same this time, too. He hand-picked his scout force himself from his own clan, as well as the others. Captain Montrose had served on land and sea, granting him the task of leading the advance team.
They would provide him with the intelligence gathered from their mission and make the four mile march to Tioram quick, avoiding traps that might be set. The time spent training the men had paid off and both clans had put forth an army of soldiers the new captains were surveying with interest. For all their lack of proper soldiering, the men followed commands quickly and accurately, They were practising fight moves with their swords and lances, while another group was practising attacks on birlinns. The men were divided by their abilities to sail, ride and shoot arrows. Every man was trained in armed combat, as well as tactics in their chosen field. Stockpiles of arrows were made by the women and elderly, while the children gathered branches and feathers for the arrows and wood to build fires, hot enough to melt metal for the tips.
Long shafts, eight feet long, were whittled at the tip into sharp points. Lances to charge with and disrupt the front lines, before drawing swords and axes to work through the ranks. They would also use them on the rider's horses and gore the chests of the first ones, stopping the charge and causing the ones behind to crash into them and end the chance to penetrate the lines.
James stood proudly on the castle grounds, assuring himself that he was prepared to do battle and win. Andrew came and stood beside him, looking at his clansmen and knew MacRae's decision to replace him with Captain Graham Adamson was the right one. The captain had Andrew's men drilling and training like the King's soldiers and he knew in his heart, he could never have done what a trained soldier like the captain had done.
James cast his eyes towards the Douglas encampment and wondered to himself how
Kirklan was holding up. He wasn't sure why he spared the young man's life, but to do it
twice, made him spend a moment to ponder the thought. The x he made on his chest, would either be a reminder to know his place, or instill a vengeance in him that wouldn't end, until he himself made it end. He hoped he wouldn't have to, he liked the boy's spirit and tenacity, but he wouldn't hesitate to bury his skean in his heart should he try to come at him again.
"Malcolm, yer men are looking good. They'll do well in the fight. They listen tae Adamson and do as he says and that'll make the difference in winning or losing." he said, patting the younger man on the shoulder.
"I agree, James. They've ne'er looked so battle ready before, e'en wi' my brothers leading them." he replied smiling."I can't wait tae see MacDonald's face when he sees this army coming up the Shiel tae Tioram. If they have any sense, they'll surrender and leave wi'oot a fight, or else die where they stand." he gloated, feeling a sense of power from the sight.
"Ye don't understand, Malcolm. I don't want them tae leave. I want them all dead. I don't want a MacDonald left tae raise a sword against me, or my clans. If they stand wi' MacDonald, they die wi' MacDonald. When this is o'er, there'll be a new power in the highlands, me. When I'm done, I'll control the entire coast and islands of the highlands. Any clan that opposes me, will be erased from the land. I'll fight fer King and country, but it'll be my country he rules. Now do ye understand, Malcolm?" he spoke, with an authority the younger man submitted to.
The bravado left Malcolm and replaced it with a new sense of place. One that served the man beside him. He began to understand how he would be a puppet chieftain to him, doing his bidding. He no longer felt the sense of control he just had and bowed his head in submission, then nodded he understood.
"That's a lad." he said and patted his back, before walking towards Adamson to go over the plans.
Malcolm stood with little of the pride he once had, then turned to go into the castle and begin his life of servitude. Dunollie might be held by the MacDougall's, but it was ruled by James MacRae.
Stalker was on high alert for attack night and day, as Braedon's birlinn made shore. Climbing down, he greeted his two sons and Foster and his son Loman. His first concern was answered before he asked.
"Stalker is secure and men are stationed tae the north and south of us. We ha'e e'ery man armed and ready tae fight. The Fraser's ha'e been most gracious tae ride as far north and south as they can, tae see what MacRae and his men are doing. They should be back the morrow wi' news. They're good fighters, Braedon. They know a great many tactics, some a bit brutal from what I heard." Foster told him.
