Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
A s Annabelle entered the dining hall, the rich aroma of the evening's feast wafted through the air. It was a tempting invitation to sit down and eat her fill of the roasted meats, which were tender and succulent, the bowls of steaming potatoes, fresh vegetables, and savory pies. The women who worked in the kitchen were very skilled in their jobs and could rival any professional chef of her time.
Music filled the air, the lively strains of fiddles and flutes setting a joyful backdrop to the festivities. Feet tapped and hands clapped in time with the melodies, as couples danced, lost in the enchantment of the evening. Stories and laughter filled the room all around her and kept Annabelle well entertained.
She listened intently as the guards talked about their day, but also shared stories from the past.. Annabelle found great pleasure in hearing about everything going on both in the past and present, her inquisitive nature soaking up the everyday conversations like a sponge.
A great many of her internal questions about this time and place were answered by listening to everyone around her. She was relieved that she wouldn’t have to bother Jennifer or Jamie with some of the questions that had floated through her head. She’d had questions about how things worked, where things were stored, what they would do if they were invaded and a million other things, but as she listened, she got answers to pretty much all of it.
It was as she sat listening to the guards at her table discussing the Campbells that she discovered they were expecting one to come visit soon. But she wasn’t sure why, so she leaned in to hear better as Shaw and another guard discussed it.
“Another Arsworm, I’d lay bet,” Shaw replied. “We pay our taxes fine, trust a Campbell to send another spy to see what we’re up to.”
“Aye, probably lookin’ for somethin’ to report to the king and have a reason to slaughter us in our beds.”
Annabelle sat back in her seat and gasped. “Wait, they won’t really do that will they?”
Several of the guards shared a knowing look.
“Aye, lass, tis what the Campbells do. They take our women, and try to murder us, but you’ve nothin’ to fear. We Donalds are a hearty lot, and we’ll protect you,” Shaw replied.
“When is this spy you’re talking about coming here?” Annabelle asked, feeling a bit queasy about it.
“His envoy should arrive in the next few weeks from what Eamon reported. Currently they’re in Glenegedale, and they donnae travel quickly,” another guard she learned was named Artair said.
“How long will they be here?” Annabelle was worried, but she tried to keep it from showing.
Shaw shrugged. “Sir Kellen was here more ‘an six months, before that the Laird’s brother was here for nigh on a year. Jest depends.”
“You’ll need ta be careful, lass. Whoever the Laird sends, will nae be a good man, of that we can be sure,” Artair said. “Donnae share anythin’ about the Fae nor how you arrived here,” he added.
“I’ll be sure to hold my tongue then,” Annabelle replied. “If you’ll excuse me?” Annabelle stood. She intended to locate Jamie, who sat alongside his brother, Cam. She wanted to get his insight into this spy the Campbells were sending. Not that he’d probably have any different information, but she trusted him to tell her exactly what she would need to know.
As she approached, Jamie’s eyes lit up at seeing her. “Lass, well met, are you enjoying the eve?”
Annabelle nodded. "Can I have a word with you?" she asked, her tone earnest and full of curiosity.
Jamie, ever the obliging and cheerful soul, responded with another warm smile. “A course, lass," he replied, effortlessly picking up two empty glasses and a pitcher of ale. With the glasses in hand, he gestured for Annabelle to follow him, leading her to a quieter corner of the expansive hall. There, they settled on a worn wooden bench, and Jamie poured a generous serving of ale into Annabelle's cup.
“Now, what tis it that brought you to my table, lass? Nae that I am nae thankful to have your company.” He grinned.
Annabelle gave him a shy smile. “I overheard a conversation between Shaw, Artair and some other guards. They were talking about some envoy that was coming here with a spy?”
“Oh. Aye. I’ve told you about the Campbells and how they came to be the landowners here in Islay.”
Annabelle nodded. “Yes, I know you mentioned that they have the ear of the king and are on his side politically. But why are they sending a spy?”
Jamie smirked. “There is nae trust between us and the current monarchy, nor between us and the Campbells. Tis better than it twas in years past, but we donnae rub along together well. We donnae trust who the Laird sends. They’ve nae been the best men. Sir Kellen was nae so bad, however he tended to focus too much attention upon our women. Especially Mae and Catherine, who are our newest arrivals. Before him, the Laird’s brother, who was an addle-potted nitwit, had his focus on Jen. Nearly came to blows between him and Cam.”
Annabelle frowned. “Okay, but if they are more focused on us women, then maybe they aren’t really spies?”
“Donnae doubt that they are reporting straight to Colin what it tis we are doing here. Probably frustrating the Laird to no end that we’ve had new women arriving and marrying into the clan. Campbells would rather we Donalds died off and not thrived. Hence them sending these spies to find out what we are up to.”
“Hmmm.” Annabelle thought about it and then asked, “So who is the man they are sending? Do you know?”
“Oh, aye, tis Brandon Campbell, a cousin to the Laird. Brandon's loyalty to Campbell Clan is well-known and he is in fervent agreement with the Laird about us Donalds and the direction Islay should be governed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Colin has the ear of the king, he governs over a good portion of Islay, and makes sure all the taxes are collected. But that isnae all he wants. Colin wants to rule over all of Islay and probably Scotland. He’s ambitious and greedy. All the Campbells are.”
“So are they raiding other clans and taking them over?”
“It tis what they do. If they cannae do so with the king’s blessing, then they will find other ways of gaining a foothold into a clan. They often did it to us by marrying our women. And then we started to do the same to them, which led to tensions increasing between us.” He went on to describe the Campbells' stranglehold on the isle, where they asserted control over virtually every aspect of life. "They expect the remaining Donalds to bow and swear fealty to them, relinquishing our clan identity, but we refuse," Jamie elaborated. "And as we resist we are burdened with heavy taxes and tributes. The laird openly loathes us and searches for any excuse to force us from this land."
As Jamie's tale unfolded, Annabelle couldn't help but be drawn into the intricate web of politics, power, and pride that defined this world. She listened with rapt attention. It dawned on her that her presence here was no longer a simple twist of fate; it was an opportunity to understand, perhaps even influence the course of history. She wondered if that was why Dub Sith brought her here. Because there was something she could do to help get the Donalds out from under the thumb of the Campbells or perhaps end the feud between the two clans. Only time would tell.
The strains of lively fiddle music filled the air and Jamie smiled, his eyes dancing with delight. “Let’s leave this talk of the Campbells for later and enjoy the eve, lass. Come and dance with me.” He stood and held out a hand to her. “Donnae worry about the steps, I’ll show you.”
Annabelle didn’t even hesitate. She put her hand and his and they joined the other couples in the reel the fiddlers were playing. She laughed as she attempted to do the steps and got turned around. Jamie joined in her laughter and helped her to get them down. It was one of the best experiences she’d ever had in her life, and she knew there would be many more to come in the future.
As the evening waned, and the torches and fires cast long shadows across the stone walls, Jamie offered to walk Annabelle to her chamber. She agreed, her heart fluttering with a mixture of excitement and anticipation for the time they'd spend together in the dimly lit corridors.
As they approached the door to her chamber, Jamie held her hands as he said, “Good night lass, I bid you sleep well an’ have pleasant dreams.”
Annabelle felt her heart flutter at the look in his eyes. She half thought he might kiss her, but he took a respectful step back and let go of her hands. “Good night, Jamie. Thank you for dancing with me. I had fun.”
“My pleasure, lass,” he murmured.
With a final, lingering look, Jamie retreated into the shadows, leaving Annabelle standing at her chamber door, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. Jamie was slowly taking hold of her heart, and she wasn’t sure what to do about that. She’d thought she needed time to work on herself after being with Edward, but at the moment, all she wanted was to spend more time with Jamie.
The chamber was warm and comfortable as Annabelle stepped inside. The staff had already been in and stoked the fire and lit the candle in the bedside lantern for her. It’s flickering light danced on the stone walls, casting a soft and soothing glow that played tricks with the shadows. She went through the familiar rituals of getting ready for bed, her fingers deftly unfastening her dress, the fabric whispering as it slid to the floor. Her mind, still buzzing from the evening's festivities, was a kaleidoscope of sensations and emotions.
As she got ready for bed, she couldn't help but recall the twinkle in Jamie's eyes as they danced, the way his laughter had mingled with hers in the crowded hall. The memory was something she’d treasure always, she thought as she hung up her dress in the wardrobe.
The mattress beneath her welcomed her weight, and Annabelle settled in, the softness of the sheets a gentle embrace. Her thoughts, like a river winding through the landscape of her mind, meandered to Jamie. She thought of his charm, his sunny disposition, and the way he had made her feel so alive in this strange and wondrous place.
As the night deepened, sleep began to claim her, drawing her toward its elusive embrace. But in the midst of slumber, a ghostly specter from her past intruded—a nightmare that seemed to echo with the commanding voice of Edward. Her body jolted awake, drenched in a cold sweat, her breath ragged as she fought to shake off the haunting remnants of the dream.
The chamber remained still but glowed with the embers of the dying fire. Annabelle lay there, her heart gradually slowing its frantic rhythm, as she stared at the dark shadows on the walls. She knew that the specter of Edward still haunted her, even in this distant and magical place, but she was determined to put him behind her and out of her thoughts. Eventually sleep claimed her once again.