Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
A s Annabelle and Jamie stood together in the courtyard, Cam called out, “Clan meeting in the dining hall.” Cam looked up to the tower. “Shaw, is everyone from the village here?”
“Aye, Chief, all are accounted for,” Shaw replied.
“Keep the men on the wall, everyone else in the hall in fifteen minutes,” Cam demanded as he joined Annabelle and Jamie.
“You think this is wise?” Jamie murmured to him.
“Aye, we’re all Donalds and all our lives will be forfeit if the Laird decides we are responsible for his cousins deaths,” Cam replied as he strode toward the castle. “I’m going to speak with my wife. I’ll see you within.”
“Aye,” Jamie agreed, looking worried.
“What does he mean all our lives will be forfeit? Does he think the Laird will murder all of us in retaliation?” Annabelle was taken aback.
“Unfortunately, lass, that is exactly what he means.” Jamie gripped her hand as they walked into the building and down the hall toward the dining hall where nearly everyone was migrating. “I have to sit next to Cam, Jen, and Eamon. We are the head of the family and must stand together. Will you be all right here?” He’d led her to one of the tables closest to the head table on the raised dais.
“I’ll be fine. But what’s about to happen?” Annabelle asked, curious.
“Cam will announce what’s occurred and then open the floor up for discussion.”
“Okay, that doesn’t sound too bad,” Annabelle said, but she was nervous for some reason she couldn’t put her finger on. Her thoughts drifted to what she knew about feuds between various families that she’d read about and knew how this could quickly turn ugly if they didn’t find out what happened to that envoy.
“Tis not bad to have a discussion, lass, but it could lead to trouble, so please, help keep things calm if you can.”
“Of course, Jamie. I can do that.” Annabelle pushed up on her toes and kissed his cheek.
He left her side and stepped up on the dais with Cam who was now seated at the center of the table facing the room. Jen sat on his left and Jamie on his right. To the right of Jen was Eamon and then Niall. To the right of Jamie sat Shaw and Artair.
Cam stood and raised his hand for quiet and the room that normally was so full of noise, and laughter, and joy, grew painfully quiet. There were so many people in the room that Annabelle was amazed they all fit. Turning to look, she could see the staff gathered at the back, standing close to the hall doors.
“First, thank you all for being here, and thank you to those who remain vigilant at the wall to keep us all safe,” Cam said, his voice strong and full of authority. “I have somber news to share that affects everyone within these walls. The envoy Laird Colin had sent was ambushed on it’s way to us here at Fort Donald. Everyone in the party was killed, except Lady Maeve, who is now missing. Presumed captured by the bandits who struck the envoy.”
A murmur went through the gathering and Annabelle could hear the panic rising in several of the voices. She glanced toward the closest ones and began to keep a closer eye upon them. She didn’t know who they were, but she was ready to step in and calm them down if need be.
“As we are all Donalds and we all know that the Campbells hold great animosity toward us, it is to be expected that they will blame these deaths upon us. Which is why I would like some suggestions on how we handle this situation. I am opening the floor for any who wish to speak. Please step forward and say your peace.”
“We need to be cautious,” a voice in the crowd called out, “we don’t know that the Campbells will blame us. They were on the high road, anyone could have ambushed them!”
Annabelle couldn’t see who it was that spoke, but there were several murmurs of agreement with the speaker.
“I say we fight like our ancestors!” another voice called out.
Annabelle thought it looked like the man who made the weapons for the fort, so it made sense in her head that he would be for fighting.
“We need to stand firm against the Campbells, bring the fight to them instead of waiting for them to come to us!” he continued.
Mira glanced at him and said, “Hush your mouth, Andrew. We cannae be rushin’ headlong into danger. We’ve bairns to consider, not to mention the ladies.”
“We should fight and take our lands back from the Campbells,” another voice shouted.
“Aye!” a chorus shouted out from the back of the room.
“Look, it seems to me that we need to find out who’s behind these killings first. The Laird isn’t going to find out anything for a while yet, so we have time,” Mae said, moving forward and turning to look at everyone.
Jennifer took her lead. “An investigation needs to be conducted. There is a missing woman. If we can recover her, she can assure the Campbells that the Donald Clan aren’t to blame, and we can avoid conflict with the Campbell clan.”
It was clear to Annabelle that these Highland men and women were very proud of their heritage and would do anything to protect their home and way of life. She admired that, but also thought fighting wasn’t always the answer. Especially in this case.
Cam stood again and raised his hands. “Quiet, quiet,” he called out. As the room died down, he added, “I’ve heard all of you and I think the cooler heads of reason are the direction in which we need ta go. That doesnae mean that we donnae prepare for battle should it come to that. As Donalds we are all prepared to fight for what we believe. There is nae doubt each of us are willing to sacrifice for this clan, but we donnae need to needlessly die.”
Jamie stood up next to Cam, drawing everyone’s eyes, including Annabelle’s. “I will put together a group to search for Maeve. Any who wish to join, speak now,” he said his chin raised defiantly.
“Aye, Jamie, that is a good plan,” Cam agreed.
Annabelle stood up again and said, “I wish to be included. As you know, I’ve got experience in investigation work. I will be an asset.”
“Lass,” Cam said, a warning in his tone.
“I am aware that this is normally not work women do, but—” Annabelle began to argue as Jen put a hand on Cam’s arm.
“Tis not that, lass,” Cam started to assure her.
“Tis that you are nae trained, Annabelle. You’ve no way to defend yourself should we run into the same trouble as the Campbell envoy,” Jamie finished for him.
Annabelle frowned. “Are you telling me no?” She narrowed her eyes at him, ready to go to war to get her way.
“Nae, lass. Jest that you need ta have a way to defend yourself. I do think you could be of help to us in this,” Jamie assured her.
“I can teach her to use a dirk before you all head out. It’s not difficult and she’s trained with more deadly weapons from our time,” Jen said, looking at Cam.
Cam and Jen seemed to hold a conversation with just their eyes for a couple of minutes and then he turned back toward those gathered and said, “Very well. Annabelle, you may join the patrol going out to investigate. My wife will make sure you have what you need.”
“Thank you, sir,” Annabelle replied.
Cam gave her a nod. “Any others volunteer to join the group going out?”
Several of the men stepped forward including Artair and Eamon who were on the dais. Shaw wanted to go, but Cam indicated he needed him here, taking charge of the fort’s defenses with Niall.
“With that settled, Mira, please serve the evening meal. Jamie what time do you wish to head out?” Cam asked, looking at him.
“First light,” Jamie replied. “That will give Jen time to practice with Annabelle after dinner.”
Annabelle was glad of his forethought. She would need a little bit of training since she’d never used a dirk or any kind of knife or sword before.
“I’d like everyone to stay at the fort this eve and until we resolve this. Rooms will be available to everyone,” Cam announced.
“I’ve livestock to see to, Chief,” one of the villagers called out and there was murmur of agreement from others.
“I’ll send some guards down to bring the livestock up the hill and into the courtyard where they will be protected as well,” Cam assured them.
Mira and her staff had rushed from the room right after Cam asked her to serve the dinner and were now returning carrying platters of steaming foods. Annabelle’s mouth watered at the scent of the food that was placed on her table. She took her place again and was about to fix her plate when Jamie joined her.
“Are you sure you are up to this, lass? There will be a lot of riding involved,” he said.
“I know, but this is what I do and I’m good at it, Jamie.”
“I just want you to be safe, lass.” He smiled. “Let us eat and then Jen has said she will meet with you to show you how best to defend yourself.”
Annabelle felt a thrill of excitement wash over her. This was the first time since she’d been here where she felt she could truly fit in. She could make a difference and help save the clan from their enemies. All she had to do was find whoever murdered those men and rescue Maeve. How hard could it be?
* * *
An hour later she was standing in Jen’s receiving room, a dirk in her hand stabbing a wooden dummy with it over and over again. She was sweating and getting tangled in her skirts. “This skirt sucks,” she muttered. “I’d give anything to have a pair of jeans, or pants to do this in.”
Jen laughed. “I thought you might say that.” She headed for a door. “Give me a second. Keep practicing.”
Annabelle wondered what she was doing, but continued attacking the dummy as Jen had shown her. It wasn’t hard. She’d always been coordinated and had done some hand-to-hand combat in the police academy, learned some boxing and wrestling moves as well. This was a sort of extension on that. Jen had said it all came down to muscle memory and the more she practiced the better at it she’d get.
“I think you’ve got it. At least well enough for this. I don’t think you’re going to have to do much fighting, but it’s best to be prepared. Just remember these bandits are like serial killers. They have no remorse, and are extremely ruthless. You aren’t going to be able to talk them down. This most likely will be kill or be killed,” Jen said as she returned, her hands full of cloth.
“What’s that?” Annabelle asked as she wiped her brow.
“These are a couple pairs of pantaloons that I had Bridie make me for when I’m teaching martial arts. They’re wide legged, comfortable and modest. The tops are quilted and have extra chest padding, long enough to cover your ass and they’re fitted at the waist. Try them on, I think they will work.”
Annabelle took the offering and rushed into Jen’s room to change out of the dress into the new attire. She rejoined Jen a few minutes later with a grin. “These are awesome. It’s almost like a karate uniform, right?”
“Sort of, I mean it does resemble one in a way, but the material is thicker and stronger than the cotton we had for karate. The quilted part has some chainmail woven into it between the layers so that you are protected. That’s why it’s a bit heavy.”
“It’s lighter than Kevlar, will it stop a sword?”
“It will only stop a slash or cut, but not a stab. The force of a stab will get through it, so try to avoid becoming a pin cushion, okay?” Jen replied.
“Got it. No becoming a pin cushion. Where do I put the dirk?” Annabelle asked.
“I’ve got a sheath for it that can be attached to the belt of the top so you can wear it on your hip and pull it easily.” Jen handed her the sheath and helped her put it on. “See?”
Annabelle slid the dirk into the sheath and then pulled it and maneuvered it in her hand as Jen had shown her. She nodded. “If it had bullets it would be better, but I think I could get used to this.” She smiled.
“Yeah, the best we can do is try to get you a flint lock pistol out of France, but they are hard to come by from what Cam has told me. They’ve only been around for a few decades now and aren’t real prevalent here.”
“Maybe eventually, I can look into that, but for now, this should do.” Annabelle smiled. “Somehow I don’t think the guns of this time would even come close to matching what I left behind.” She laughed.
“Definitely not, which is why we rely more on swords, bows and hand-to-hand combat.” Jen grinned. “You should probably go get some sleep. Dawn is going to come way too early.”
“You aren’t kidding. I’m going to pack my bag before I go to sleep, so I am ready to go first thing.”
“I’ll meet you at your room and head down with you in the morning.”
“See you then,” Annabelle said as she headed out the door with her bundle of clothes and the new weapon sheathed on her hip.