Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Ewan was in his study poring over the final clause in the rèiteach he was preparing for Edmund.
He was working on the finer points of the trade agreement he was hoping to promote.
It was important to ensure the exact details of when and where his birlinns would have access to the northern route around the Isle of Skye.
He ground his teeth at the tentative knock on the door and the voice of young Aonghas requesting admission.
“Enter,” he growled.
Hamish and Aonghas filed in, looking a trifle sheepish.
As well they might.
“I trust ye enjoyed the festivities yesterday?” He said, pleasantly enough. “I believe I saw ye both partaking of me best French wine so I assumed it was all well received.”
Hamish shifted uncomfortably.
“Indeed, it was a wonderful celebration, Laird Ewan.” Aonghas said, apparently unaware of his laird’s firm disapproval.
Ewan leaned back in his seat, not inviting his visitors to sit.
“If ye’ll excuse me, I have just arrived at a most delicate clause tae be negotiated in the rèiteach with Laird Edmund.” He turned and bent his head again to the parchment on the desk in front of him, leaving Hamish and Aonghas fidgeting where they stood.
He quickly lost himself in the complexity of the document he was drafting.
He was well aware of the existing agreements between the MacNeils of Barra and the pirates on the Isle of Canna.
It was essential that he be able to negotiate the extensive web of marriage and kinship connections between the MacNeils, the pirates and the MacNeacails, including the MacKinnons of Mull, all of which would enable his birlinns free passage.
All that had to be included within the rèiteach so that later there could be no objection or obstruction to his trading vessels.
He worried over it for some time, ignoring the two men’s discomfort.
Finally, when he was satisfied that he’d covered every point he needed to make, he turned to them, keeping his voice and demeanor cold.
“There’s yer sheet.” He pointed to a chair by the door where he’d placed the folded sheet. “Take it tae the Council and be sure tae convey me greatest displeasure that they are unable tae take the good word of their laird.”
“Very good, Laird Ewan.” Hamish sounded suitably chastened.
The two men shuffled to the door, collected the folded linen sheet from the chair and departed.
As the door closed behind them, Ewan smiled to himself. The Council had been quite right to doubt his word. Nevertheless, they’d insisted on a lie and a lie was what he’d provided them with.
Not many minutes passed before there came another knock at Ewan’s study door. It was his new brother-in-law, Laird Edmund MacNeacail.
He guided Edmund to the table where he’d spread out the sheets of parchment comprising the rèiteach. As Edmund read through the complex document Ewan poured them each a few fingers of whisky from his decanter.
Edmund looked up. “What ye’re asking seems reasonable tae me. I will have nay trouble in agreeing tae every clause.” He sipped the whisky. “Ye’re aware of course that me sister Tyra was betrothed tae Laird MacDonald of Sleat.”
Ewan nodded. For some reason, however, today it seemed to cut him in a way he’d not anticipated. Jealousy? Surely not.
“What ye ask fer the dowry is nae as onerous as what was demanded by Harris MacDonald, so I believe I can speak fer the Council when I say there will be nay concerns tae me signing it.”
Ewan breathed a sigh of relief. His Council, too, would be pleased with the arrangement.
“Once I have spoken wi’ both me advisor Lionel MacLaren and me Council Chief, Tormod, I shall make a time fer the formal signing of the document.”
“Good.” Ewan clapped a hand on Edmund’s shoulder.
“Now, I invite ye tae spend some time wi’ me, traversing the castle. There is a splendid view of the three lochs and the mountains from the tower, if ye care tae accompany me.”
It was a clear day and from the tower it was possible to see the three sea lochs that came together at Eilean Donan. It was an impressive sight and Ewan wished to impress the Laird MacNeacail with the extent of Clan Mackenzie’s lands and the beauty of the lochs.
Edmund looked out over the majestic scene, his head moving from side to side as he took in every detail. From there, there was a perfect view across the woodlands to the village, and from the lochs almost to the sea.
He turned to Ewan, his eyes glowing. “’Tis a bonnie sight, indeed. I am happy and proud that me sister will make her home in such a place, surrounded by the might and protection of yer glan.”
Ewan found himself nodding in agreement. He was proud of his home and his spirit soared when he was able to stand here in his tower, regarding his lands as they extended before him.
The two men descended again to the study where Edmund’s men awaited them.
Once they’d each perused the rèiteach and raised some questions concerning distances and time frames for visiting vessels for which they received satisfactory answers, Edmund was ready to sign.
“Ye dae understand, Laird Ewan, that me jurisdiction over the trade routes is also dependent on me agreements with the MacKinnons and the MacNeils?”
Ewan nodded. “Of course, Laird MacNeacail. I understand the complex web of alliances that exists. But I assure ye all the clans will be glad of an alliance wi’ the Mackenzies.
We’ve long been threatened by the MacDonalds, as ye ken.
And this latest disturbance involving Harris MacDonald, has soured our relationship even further.
I am glad of this opportunity tae make new alliances.
” He smiled as Edmund took up the quill, signed the contract and passed the quill to Ewan for his signature.
Once it was done, Ewan felt as if a giant boulder had been lifted from his shoulders. This would please his Council.
Lionel and Tormod took their leave, while Edmund and Ewan continued their friendly conversation. Ewan was glad of it. He’d found Edmund to be a fine and agreeable man and he looked forward to the allegiance in the years to come.
Edmund gazed into the fire, sipping his whisky thoughtfully.
“Laird Mackenzie, this visit has been a very productive one fer me and me clan. The trade agreement we’ve just achieved will benefit yer people as well as mine, and our alliance will be a safeguard fer us all, strengthening us against our enemies.”
“Aye. I am happy tae send soldiers from our garrison tae boost the number of yer men patrolling and keeping me sister safe from this wicked creature who threatens her.”
“I thank ye, Laird Edmund. I have nay doubt the man poses a grave danger. I trust ye will be safe on yer return voyage tae Skye.”
Edmund nodded again. After a few moments’ pause he turned to Ewan, his expression serious, his brows drawn in a frown.
“Laird Ewan, ye’ve reassured me that the reason fer the great haste in securing the marriage was tae protect me sister.
And now we’ve spoken and ye’ve shown me such hospitality, me mind has been set at rest. Where I had once feared she may have been subjected tae threats or pressure, I ken she has agreed freely tae the marriage.
I see, also that she will be well cared fer in yer keep. All of this pleases me a great deal.”
Ewan poured another splash of whisky into their glasses. It seemed he and Tyra had been able to achieve what they’d set out to. Convincing Edmund and Annora that theirs was a genuine marriage, entered into willingly by both parties.
Edmund cleared his throat. “We’ve spoken at length over many subjects and discussed at length the new alliance between our clans and the trading agreement. However, there is one thing that still bothers me mind, that we’ve nae addressed.”
Somewhat puzzled by Edmund’s comment, Ewan shook his head.
“What ye’ve nae mentioned is yer feelings fer me sister.” He raised a hand as Ewan went to speak. “I ken ye are pledged tae her protection,” he went on, “but d’ye care fer her as she needs tae be cared fer? Daes yer heart warm tae her, as a man’s heart should warm tae his wife?”
Ewan’s breath hitched in his throat. This was the last thing he’d expected from Laird Edmund. “Ye speak plainly, lad.”
“I beg yer pardon if me bluntness offends ye, but I wish tae content meself that me precious sister willnae suffer heartbreak as she has before.”
His mind racing, Ewan stood to tend the fire with the poker and placed another log on the flames.
“But of course.” He turned to face Edmund. “I have come tae care fer her. Deeply.” As he spoke the words it was as if a giant hammer had struck him a blow to the head.
‘Tis true. Tyra is most precious tae me. I care fer her a great deal.
“Dear brother Edmund. When I say I wish tae protect yer sister, I speak not only of her material wellbeing, but I wish tae keep her spirit and her heart protected and safe in me care as well.”