Page 2 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“And you refused?”She was surprised.Had it been her family at risk, she would have done everything necessary to secure their release.What should she think of a man who chose country above family?
“Nay,”
He surprised her again.Perhaps there was more to Rhuad MacFearann than previous experience suggested.
“I accepted and received my first instructions,” he continued.“With those in hand, I went to the Guardians and proposed that I pretend to agree to the demands then use the connection to pass false information to the English.”
“That is very clever and very dangerous.If your deception is discovered, you may cause the deaths of your own family,” Raeb said.
“Indeed.Which is why the rescue is essential.Now that I know where they are being held, I can attempt to save them.”
“But you cannot do it on your own.”Seona added.
“Nay, they are being held by the holy order of Cistercium at the Abbey of St.Margaret.The Abbess, Reverend Mother Eadbrugh Huelgas of Selby, is an English woman who is related to Eleanor of Castille, Edward of England’s deceased wife.Evidently Mother Superior Eadbrugh manages Edward’s web of spies in Scotland.”
“I see now why you need assistance.I saw the abbey many years ago when I last visited Castle MacFearann,” Raeb said.“As I recall, the convent is located on an island just off the northern coast of your lands.”
“Yes,” Rhuad said.“The isle is more like a pillar of rock, as great cliffs form the sides.The only access is by a causeway that is usable only during low tide.At the island end is a small, fortified keep that houses a well-armed troop of guards.We believe they are English.”
“Is it possible to gain access to the island and the abbey without confronting the guards?”Seona asked.
“Not to my knowledge?”Rhuad said.
How much knowledge did he actually have of this island and its inhabitants?
“Hmm.I wonder how the holy women get foodstuffs and other supplies?”
“I believe them to be self-sufficient,” their guest announced.“The island is not of great size but is large enough for a considerable garden and has enough forage for a small herd of kine.I suspect they also raise their own swine and chickens.”
“Do the women never leave or receive visitors?”queried her brother.
“If they do, it is not well known.”
“Whoever built the abbey in that place was very wise,” remarked Raeb.
“There must be some way to get to the convent,” Seona said.“Else how could your mother and sister be there now.”
The convent as MacFearann described it existed in total isolation.Logic alone made nonsense of such an idea.Nothing existed in complete solitude.Why, she wondered did Laird MacFearann not recognize this?Perhaps his understanding of logic was faulty.Pity, she might have found him interesting otherwise.
“One thing I know for certain.”said Rhuad.“The abbey often suffers damage from wind and storms.Maintaining the structures is a constant battle.”
“Then they must have a means of obtaining the materials necessary to repair and rebuild.”Seona thumped a fist on her thigh.
“I wish I knew what that was,” MacFearann stated.
“How did you come by what little information you have?”asked her brother.
“Long before my grandfather’s actions caused all Scots to revile the name MacFearann, one of his ancestors deeded the land to the abbey.The abbess, at that time and ever since, was a Scot.The English woman is a recent replacement ordered by the Vatican, or so she claims.”
“And you have a plan for rescuing Ladies Alisoun and Labhra from this place.It would seem to me that any such attempt would involve great risk with little chance of success,” Seona remarked.
“The risk is great, but the reward—the lives of my mother and sister—is beyond price.Currently my plans are fluid, since I do not yet know if I’ll have men, horses, and arms enough to do the job.”
Seona nodded.She understood.Hadn’t she thought earlier that she would do everything necessary to rescue any of her family held captive.
“How can we help?”Asked Raeb.
“We need men with armor, weapons, and horses,” stated Sir Dougal who had been silent to this point.
