Page 4 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
Alaric led the three down the ramp and onto land, the animals pleased to be off the rocking vehicle. Eli ran over and wrapped her arms around her chestnut mare named Golden Gwyn, a name she’d given the young horse after her dear grandmother had passed on.
Once the three horses were settled, they tied what belongings they could to the animals and made their plans for the rest.
“Eli, can your mare handle the saddlebag and the bags with the seed inside? It is the most valuable. Derric, Maitland, and I can get what’s in some of the crates onto our horses. Dyna, the dried meat and other foodstuffs should go first.”
“Agreed,” said Maitland. “I can get some of the weaponry. We cannot lose any of it.”
Alaric and Derric moved two crates while Maitland paid the ferry captain, then the five of them moved along the path, hiding whatever they couldn’t carry in the bushes when there was no one watching. There were a few around the dock, but they busied themselves with their work. Derric rode with Dyna while Eli and Alaric rode Midnight Moon, leaving Maitland to ride the mare.
It was midafternoon, so the village was quiet when they reached it. There were a few patrons at the tavern, though they stayed inside, watching, but not approaching.
Maitland said, “You and I will visit later, Alaric. When wereturn for the two locked crates, we can have an ale with the locals. Check out the supply store for anything we may need.”
Alaric nodded. He couldn’t help but wonder if they were being watched. The area was probably the most beautiful he’d ever seen, the landscape lush with greenery and berries, even in early summer.
Eli called out, “Puffins! Brigid always tells me how cute they are.” She pointed ahead and giggled at the colorful birds with the unusual beaks. Her cousins lived on Black Isle and loved to tell stories of the different wildlife near them. “Mayhap we’ll see some dolphins.”
Dyna pointed up at an eagle flying overhead. “Someday we shall explore just to see what we can hunt.”
Derric said, “I’ll be fishing for you, Diamond. Fresh fish is the best. I cannot wait to uncover the possibilities here. Sandor will love exploring. You do the hunting, and I’ll fish.”
After a short trek, Maitland led the group up the hill. “I was told otters and rabbits are plentiful, and red deer, especially near Ben More, in the center of the island. There are many otters along the coastline, but I’ve not eaten otter before. Any of you?” They all shook their heads in denial.
Derric said, “I’ve heard their pelts are mighty fine.”
“We’ll find out soon enough, I’m sure,” Maitland replied. “We’ll have much time to explore.”
Dyna, always practical, said, “No exploring outside until we take care of the inside. We need to find out exactly what condition the castle is in. How long empty? How many creatures are living inside? You know how I feel about the sound of feet in the middle of the night. Other than our bairns, Derric.” She shuddered, and Derric laughed.
“I’m sure there will only be a few squirrels, Diamond.”
“I could only hope it will be squirrels. No rats, raccoons, or gigantic spiders.”
Derric nuzzled her neck and said, “I’ll protect you from the big bad creatures. Fear not.”
The path was a bit overgrown but not badly. Alaric still couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched. It wouldn’t surprise him, except he saw no sign of neighbors in the area once they left the town. When they reached the spot where the path to the castle jutted toward the water, he pointed to a row of deserted huts, no signs of active hearths or firepits anywhere.
Shortly after, they reached the front of the castle, and Maitland let out a low whistle. “That is quite a curtain wall. And the tower is huge. There will definitely be enough chambers for all of us.” He led the way to the entrance through a gatehouse with a portcullis. Inside was a sizable courtyard built of stone.
Alaric couldn’t believe his eyes. “Two stables? One of wood and one of stone. What luck we have!”
“Nice,” Dyna mumbled, strolling over to open the door of the wooden stable. “Beautiful. At least ten stalls here.”
Alaric dismounted and found his way to the protective curtain wall. “Maitland, the walls must be five times the thickness of Grant Castle.”
“I have to agree, but being on the point as they are, they have to protect against the sea. I’ve not been witness to a storm at this level, but I’ve heard many tales. We will learn soon enough, but you can see the living quarters do not face the sea. I guess it was built in this manner for protection from the cold and salt water.”
Dyna said, “Hurry up. Set everything on the steps and let’s go inside. I wish to see what the keep and the tower look like. As you know, we’ll be living here for a while, and I do not think the five of us can build any new chambers in short order. I cannot wait to see it.”
Alaric said, “Do you need me to carry anything, Eli? We should take the seed packs inside to keep them dry. I’ll find a metal box to store the bags. There are some in the crates.”
“Nay, I’m fine. I wish to see it too. Hurry up, Maitland.” They’d given him the honor of leading the group since they’d chosen Maitland and Dyna to be co-lairds while Alaric and Eli managed the guards and archers for any battles.
As a group, they climbed the steps leading to the keep, then waited as Maitland used the key they’d been given, opened the door, and peered inside. He glanced back over his shoulder and smiled.
Dyna pushed past him. “With that grin, I’m going in. Move aside, Menzie.”
Alaric set his hand at the small of Eli’s back and ushered her through the door, but he stopped as soon as his gaze settled on the great hall, just as Eli, Dyna, and Maitland had done in front of them.
