Carn Mo'r Read online

  He howled with delight, ‘it will be a cold day in hell before you spill any of my blood, Alasdair Sinclair.’

  He swung his horse round and headed off; I was forced to follow. I felt a bloody fool; here I was, dressed up in the fashion of my Highland ancestors, Claymore strapped along my back, Targe slung from my shoulder and a bloody great bunch of flowers in my hand. I growled at John’s back all the way but it only seemed to increase his merriment.

  Chapter 8

  I loved this Inn with its small sweet smelling garden of flowers, but this night it did little to quell the fear that racked my body. We tied the horses to the rings in the wall as countless had done before. It struck me that with these changing times we might be the last to ever do so. I stopped on the threshold unable to go forward, gripped as I was.

  John hesitated. ‘What’s the matter man? Has your courage finally deserted you?’

  ‘Would you believe me if I said yes, what’s the matter with me John?’

  ‘It would seem as though life has finally caught up with you Alasdair.’

  I frowned, ‘what riddles are these John Buchan?’

  ‘Come in and see.’

  With that he entered the Inn, and growling, I was forced to follow. We caught them at their evening meal; the landlady announced our presence rather dramatically. That woman was frightened by her own shadow and had always been terrified of me. On this night she outdid herself. The platter she carried went skywards as we advanced upon her and she ran for her life. It amused us greatly.

  They sat at the back waiting patiently for the contents of the scattered platter. The only other customer that night was Black Thomas; he stood quickly at our arrival. I nodded politely. ‘Relax Thomas; this is only a social visit.’

  He grinned wickedly, ‘and if she says no Sir, will you cut her down?’

  I flushed and John bellowed with laughter. ‘Watch your tongue Black Thomas.’ I threatened but Thomas only joined John’s laughter; we had all served together and shared a good relationship.

  Her eyes captured me as I crossed the room, and for a moment I could feel nothing of myself bar being aware of moving ever onwards. The Doctor stood and I was forced to avert my eyes.

  ‘Dr. Colwin, I come this night to apologise to you and your daughter for the grievances I have placed upon you this day. I have no idea why I acted the way I did. I wish to assure you that it was completely out of character, and it will not happen again.’ I turned to the young woman and held out the bouquet of flowers. ‘Would you please accept these as a token of my sincerity?’

  She stood to accept them and the simple dress she wore hid nothing of her figure. I felt the blood fairly thunder through my veins at the sight, and I’m sure my features darkened. Her eyes twinkled and I wanted to grab her.

  ‘I will accept them Sir, and your apology, after all I was the one trespassing and you did save my life. I in turn apologise for being on your land without permission and I assure you it will not happen again.’

  I felt a momentary sense of loss but rallied fast. ‘From this day onwards lass you have my fullest permission to do as you please within the boundaries of CarnMo’r, although I suggest a guide until you are familiar with all of its dangers.’

  The Doctor cleared his throat and snapped me back to the present. I rushed onward before he could talk, ‘Dr., would you and your charming daughter do me the honour of joining me at my humble home for the duration of your stay here?’

  ‘Well I’m not sure, what do you think darling?’

  Her eyes dropped momentarily. ‘I don’t know father, we still haven’t been properly introduced. It wouldn’t be proper.’

  ‘Of course dear, this is umm, actually I’m not sure of you proper titles, gentlemen.’

  John stepped in to the breach. ‘Then let me Sir, this is Sir Alasdair Sinclair, Chieftain of the Highland Sinclair’s, Laird of CarnMo’r, holder among other things the Victoria cross, our country’s highest award for valour.’

  I scowled down at him and he just smirked, but I wasn’t going to let him away with it, ‘and this is Master John Buchan, Chieftain of the Highland Buchan’s and also holder of the Victoria Cross, our country’s highest award for valour.’

  Neither of us liked to blow our own trumpets as it were, and people always treated you differently after they found that out so we tried to keep quiet about it. He scowled up at me but it was my turn to smirk.

  The Doctor seemed flabbergasted. ‘You both hold the Victoria Cross?’

  ‘Yes Sir,’ I confessed, felling myself blush.

  ‘Then we are indeed in exulted company. Gentlemen you know me but may I introduce my daughter Robyn.’

  Robyn, Robyn; I played with her name in my mind. She stood offering her hand; I swept off my bonnet and took it gently in mine. It fitted neatly in to my palm; I turned it over and kissed the back of it. Colour rushed into her cheeks. John mimicked my actions.

  ‘Gentlemen you are very gallant,’ she ventured, ‘but may I ask a question?’

  ‘Please do,’ John answered.

  ‘What are the swords for?’

  A wicked gleam sparked in John’s eyes and he swept his Claymore clear of its scabbard and slapped it on the table. She jumped in surprise. ‘It’s just in case your father refused our apology and demanded satisfaction of a different type.’

  She looked horrified, but we couldn’t keep our faces straight for long. We three burst out laughing at the expression on her face. It didn’t amuse her at all. ‘You’re all terrible,’ she accused, sulking a little and I had this greatest desire to fold her into my arms and comfort her.

  ‘In that case I’d better accept your invitation gentlemen,’ the Doctor interrupted my idle thoughts.

  ‘Then I shall come down and collect you tomorrow myself.’

  They escorted us back to the door to say goodnight. I swung up on to my pony and caught a crimson flush cross her face, she looked away guiltily and I knew she had peeked under my kilt. I couldn’t help the smile that creased my face, now it was her turn to feel awkward. ‘Until tomorrow then Doctor, Robyn.’

  We took off at the gallop and within half a mile we were in hysterics at one another’s antics. I couldn’t remember the last time I had laughed so much.

  Chapter 9

  Robyn awoke the following morning feeling very strange. Her whole body seemed to be tingling; especially where the bare skin of her legs touched the cool linen sheets. She was tempted to throw off her nightdress and roll naked in them, but thought better of it.

  Her mind wandered back to the night before. She had never seen men dressed in the true Highland way before and had always considered the kilt a tartan skirt, thinking the wearing of it would make a man effeminate.

  Never had she been so wrong about such a thing before. The men who marched in that door were truly warriors and she would defy anyone to call them differently. It was evident in their bearing and in their eyes.

  It was then that she saw them for what they truly were; soldiers of merit, men who had laid their lives on the line like many of her own countrymen to free the world from oppression. Heroes both and each medal they bore on their broad chests was paid for in blood.

  She had to admit to being a little awe-struck and when he kissed her hand she fell in love. Then he invited them to stay, and she made her father introduce them properly. They had already got off on the wrong foot and she wasn’t about to have the mistakes repeated.

  She had almost died of fright when John slammed his big sword down on the table, but then they burst out laughing and had felt a shiver travel down her spine at the sound of his laughter.

  She pretended to be upset but the look in his eyes softened and quickened her heartbeat. It was already becoming hard to remember this was the same man who, a few hours earlier, seemed to be about to shoot her because of her accent.

  When they left she felt that terrible loneliness creep back into her soul.

  A shaking hostess had eventually served their food.
It seemed the presence of the Laird had caused her to drop their earlier meal in fright.

  When she cleared their plates away and her father was at the bar getting himself a wee dram with Black Tam; she lowered her head close to Robyn’s and whispered, ‘be careful around that Alasdair Sinclair, lass, he’s a big man. Very big,’ she nodded in a knowing fashion.

  That was the second time a woman had said the same thing about him and it still left her confused. She pondered the question for some time. Were the men here so short of stature, that he was considered a giant? Her father was almost as tall yet no one seemed to notice him, or was it because he was older?

  She was rushed off to bed with a few aspirin and no sooner had her head hit the pillow than the day’s exertions took their toll.

  Nature called and she was brought back from the land of dreams. When her feet touched the floor she winched as weight was put on the ankle so hobbled to the toilet.

  Washed and dressed she went down for breakfast. Her father arrived shortly after and she smiled.

  ‘Good morning father.’

  ‘Morning Robyn, how do you feel today?’

  ‘Really good.’

  ‘Your ankle?’

  ‘Oh that, a little stiff and sore, but it isn’t too bad.’

  ‘I take it you had a good night’s sleep then?’

  ‘I slept like a log.’

  He smiled. ‘That’s good. The Laird has already phoned; he will be down within the hour to collect us.’

  She felt her heart skip a beat but tried to hide it. ‘Really, they must rise early up there. We’ll hardly have time to repack.’

  He cocked an eye at her. ‘Do you still hold a grievance against him Robyn? I can still say no.’

  A moment’s panic gripped her. ‘No, no I’m sure I’ll manage.’

  She could see her father relax and the excitement return to his eyes. It made her smile.

  She had no sooner finished packing than the Laird arrived to pick them up. She noticed as the bags were placed in the back that it was the same car as the evening before.

  The atmosphere was still quite awkward on the trip up and he tried to fill the silence by describing the scenery and naming the hills.

  Robyn was soon enthralled as he warmed to the subject and began to tell of some of the legends behind the names.

  She leaned forward a little. ‘There is a lot of history here.’

  Alasdair nodded, ‘almost every bush and tree. Every stream and every bridge across it has a story.’

  She decided to test the theory and looked around her for the most innocent looking thing and thought she found it.

  She pointed out the window, ‘that flat piece of land down there. Does that have a story?’

  Alasdair grinned. ‘It certainly does. It may look innocent enough to the untrained eye but can you see how the grass on it is much greener than those of the fields surrounding it?’

  She screwed up her face a little. ‘Yes, I can see it, why is that?’

  ‘The name of that field in Gallic is “the Bowl”, and at one time it was a marsh. Even though it has been drained for over a hundred years now it still manages to retain more water than all of the fields surrounding it. That’s why its greener.’

  She sniffed. ‘That’s not very interesting.’

  He laughed. ‘No I suppose not, but if you go down there on a really dry year and start digging there’s a good chance you will come across a dozen Royal Cannon and the skeletons of their horses.’

  Now that interested her father, and she almost sighed with frustration as he barged in on their conversation.

  ‘Really, how did they get there?’

  ‘Have you heard of the 1745 rebellion Sir?’

  ‘Yes, Bonny Prince Charlie and Culloden Moor.’

  Alasdair nodded. ‘That’s the one. It was a civil war as you probably know. My direct ancestor refused to have any part in it.’

  ‘Oh, why?’

  ‘There were many reasons, but on the whole you could say he had a bad feeling about the whole thing. As a result, when the final battle was fought the Clan was whole and untouched by the war.

  In the aftermath the English army pursued many of the rebels all around Scotland and it wasn’t long before they came knocking on the door of CarnMo’r castle.

  Their task was two-fold. First there was the destruction of the rebels and the Clan structure. Then there was the matter of personal gain. Many innocent people had all of their crops and livestock confiscated to pad the English pocket. Great herds of Highland cattle were driven south over the border for sale, but that’s another story. When they arrived here they had raped, pillaged and ransacked their way across the Highlands, but the Clan was ready and waiting for them.

  To cut a long story short they tried to force their way into our hills and an army of five hundred men and a dozen cannon were sent to blast us to pieces.

  Our men occupied the ground over there to the right and left, which forced the English to take up positions on this side of the river. Now that field just looked like the smartest place to sight their cannon, and that’s what they tried to do.

  They said you could hear the laughter of the Clan three Glens away as they tried to extract themselves and their horses from the mire.

  Then came the masterstroke. Our Chieftain only had two hundred men arrayed on the hillside but as soon as the English began to advance he called for his piper. As he struck up a tune another eight hundred who had been hiding hove into sight and stopped the English dead in their tracks. Before they could decide what to do next our ranks parted and a dozen of our own cannon were brought forward. Now the man in charge of them had actually served in the British army and had trained his men well.

  All the cannon fired with one mighty roar that shook the English in their boots. However the cannon weren’t loaded with shot; it was only a warning. The real point of firing them was to show the English how fast they could reload.

  Then Sinclair and the Buchan rode forward halfway. The English commander, who by now was very nervous, rode forward with his delegation to meet them, whereupon my ancestor berated him for invading his lands and demanded an explanation, making sure the man knew that not one man from the whole Glen had taken up arms against the English king.

  He also made sure that the English commander knew that they had not stayed their hand from cowardice and that they were prepared to do battle to protect all that was theirs.

  In the end the English, realising they had bitten off more than they could chew, backed down and left, never to return, except of course on official business or by invitation.’

  Both were impressed by the story, the Doctor more so. ‘I’m amazed to think that he had a thousand warriors.’

  ‘Oh he didn’t. Many of them were women dressed up as warriors. The rest children and old men, anyone who they could dress up and pass off at a distance, but they never allowed the English close enough to see.’

  The Doctor laughed. ‘It was a bluff.’

  ‘Guile Sir, good old fashioned Highland guile.’

  But it was something else that had caught Robyn’s attention. ‘You said the Sinclair and the Buchan didn’t you? Were there Buchan’s and Sinclair’s here then too?’

  ‘There has always been a Sinclair and a Buchan.’

  By now they were swinging round the bottom of CarnMo’r and the castle came into sight. It was quite breathtaking in the sunlight.

  The Doctor commented on it and pointed out the structural differences as they got nearer. Alasdair explained that it had been originally built as a place of defense and the central structure dated back hundreds of years. However, as the threat of war and destruction decreased it was added to many times.

  Robyn just sat back and soaked it all in. She had seen pictures of many castles and thought them menacing places but this one, she felt, seemed to be welcoming her. It now looked more like a rambling country mansion.

  They stopped at the front door and climbed out. Some men ar
rived and took their bags away. Alasdair showed them inside. It was the first time the Doctor had seen the Great Hall as it was known, and he wasn’t disappointed.

  It was lined with hundreds of weapons; claymores, targe’s and metal shields with many different coats of arms emblazoned on them. Pikes and spears, jousting lances, spiked balls on chains and various battle-axes.

  He immediately began to wander about and look at this host of treasures. Robyn had been in here before but had taken little notice. Alasdair hid a smile as he saw her nose wrinkle in disgust. Their reactions were typical of probably every male and female who had ever stood in this great hall.

  The Doctor pointed out one particularly dented shield. ‘How come there are so many different coats of arms here?’

  ‘Each of these were taken in battle and carried all the way home. The coats of arms representing the families of the Glen line the great ballroom.’

  The Doctor scratched his chin thoughtfully. ‘I see, tell me, do you still have those twelve cannon?’

  Alasdair laughed. ‘We certainly do, I’ll show them to you later if you wish. In the meantime let me show you to your rooms.’

  They followed him as he led the way up the great stairway.

  Chapter 10

  I showed them to their rooms in the east wing. They didn’t look very comfortable with their surroundings. The Doctor cleared his throat, ‘interesting … decorations.’

  ‘A corridor in each wing is dedicated to the campaigns my family have fought in.’

  ‘They seem to have fought in a lot.’

  ‘I have in my possession a Roman Gladius, javelin and shield. Legend says they date back to the fight on Mons Graupius’.

  ‘Weren’t the Picts defeated?’

  ‘According to the Romans yes, but let history bear witness Doctor. You don’t build walls to keep out a defeated enemy.’

  ‘You have a good point there young man, I would love to see those things.’

  ‘Anytime Sir.’

  ‘I think its barbaric keeping all these trophies.’ Robyn tossed her hair.