Fate Ever So Twisted- 1329

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Previous continued from Twists of Fate

Chloe had been living in a dream world, with Iain at Dun Darroch, nothing bad touched them, no whispers reached her ears, perhaps Iain intended it that way, or perhaps those who whispered knew well it would displease him to have such rumor bandied about, either way… it was like a fairytale come true, and he her Prince Charming.

Iain could have been a pauper… and she would have still loved him, it was not his riches or his standing she loved so well… But the heart... Of the little boy who had grown into a man… into the man who she now shared her life, heart and soul with. He had made it plain to all including herself that she was his intended bride... Anyone at Dun Darroch that might have disagreed did so to themselves none wanting to cross the Leader of the Robertson Clan.. At Least not yet.

Days turned into weeks… and the new pair of lovers spent hours upon hours in the sanctity of their rooms, be it hers, or his. The stuff that made dreams come true filled their time. Not all was intimacy, nor the frolic of sexual expression… but time spent idly holding hands on a stroll thru the gardens, sitting next to one another while music was played for them, or reading from one of his favorite books, The Travels of Marco Polo .

She was more beautiful that he had ever expected her to be. The past was but a history… and the present was being enjoyed… their future would play out as they desired… or would it?

Searc ( Shark) McGregor, the Tanist, had taking a good bit of flack from the rest of the McGregor’s, for unknown to Chloe in the days before the fire that took her home and family in a blazing inferno… Ackam had betrothed Chloe to Searc, taking a bride price in both land and coin...

With the demise of the Ackam MacGregor, and no heir apparent, and Chloestrain missing and presumed dead... The land had shifted back to clan control, as well as the Considerable and holdings Ackam had amassed during his living years, but now that Chloestrain had been found, it was legally hers… and once she wed the Tanist. Well all his, increasing his holdings some more than two fold, giving him more wealth atop the considerable power of the seat of Tanist.

Chloe was the golden goose. In his eyes… be she whore or not… she was his and something he intended to take back. His wealth, his power and his pride... All lay bundled within the slender young girl that now resided at Dun Darroch with the Robertson.

It was bad enough when news had come that she had been a Courtesan, that had bestowed on him both lots of good natured ribbing from his friends and some churlish rumors and spiteful daggers tossed his way in form of jest and jibes at his manhood, and the lack of purity in his supposed betrothed.

Granted in the months she had been presumed dead he had no lack of bed warmers thru the winter months, and had even arranged a betrothal to another MacGregor cousin, but when it was related that Chloestrain lived. Not only had his hopes of power and wealth burgeoned once more, but so did his anger and rage, at her betrayal.. He would have her. He would break her… he would OWN her.

Dun Darroch was finally his… The Bastard of Struan now was Lord of the Castle and Chief of a united clan. The fields were being plowed for the spring planting, the land was beginning to turn a shade of green after the many months of hard winter. Lord Alexander’s health was failing with each and every day… and by those surrounding him whispering his impending death. Chloe was with him… and happy. All seemed well.

SO it was the children of the golden fields and cool forest had grown into adulthood, grown into what fate and destiny had planned all along. It was in this light that they found the best in each other, in themselves and turned their thoughts past the crimes of yesteryear and to the future, both their own and the country they so loved.

A vision in soft greens and golds, that shimmered with the soft light of the afternoon sun, she walked the gardens that now showed promise of new growth, slivers of green bursting forth in brave attempt to banish winters grasp and usher in the spring tidings. It was here that Iain would find her, bending to brush away the dead leaves from shoots of new growth, her hands dirtied with fine Robertson soil, as she knelt tending the land he loved and guarded.

Hearing him approached booted feet upon the shell paths she looked up settling back upon her heels… “Milord… good day to you… “ she spoke in the semblance of propriety, yet the tone was that of familiar lovers… the dark head bent in a respectful, yet submissive pose, before mossy green eyes peeked upward thru dark lashes with a Cheshire grin.

Yes she had her own room for appearances sake, but never a night had she spent apart from him, content to spend the rest of her life in his arms, as mistress or wife, she cared not for the appearance of propriety for her sake, but his as the Clan Leader. But when he had made it abundantly clear she would be his wife… And soon... She could not help but feel as if her life itself had taken a turn for the better and that now she and he would live in perfect happiness from here on out.

Rising from her kneel she took his hand and leaned up placing a kiss on his cheek. That lingered a tad bit longer than proper… “What brings you to me today Milord?”

Upon the path strode the handsome, well-dressed Lord of the Manor… his hair remaining cropped by her request… Iain liked to dress up… This day he would walk around the manor in his coat of black with the multi-colored flowers. The dark-gray trousers rode just over the toe of his black boots. His sauntering walk carried him closer to his beloved Chloe… “G’day M’Lady… How does yer garden grow?” he smiled.

Some would find it odd for a Scottish Lord to speak perfect King’s English or dress like the English… but that was Iain… and those that know him, knew that he was vibrantly loyal to the Aberdeens. It was the Aberdeens who had looked upon him as a man with an undying loyalty to Scotland… regardless of his background… and he repaid that faith by his loyalty to the Aberdeens.

But that cloudy day, warming up from the morning break, that man stood in the gardens looking at the woman he loved so dear. With each touch, his heart would pound in his chest like a war drum. When she took his hand to rise, he offered her a smile most freely and returned the kiss upon his cheek with a kiss to hers. “My desire to be with you… that is what brings me to you…”

Meanwhile, at the front gate of the estates, a messenger requests to see the Lady MacGregor… Unbeknownst to all, he carried a script from Lord Searc, the tanist in Skye under Sir Malcolm MacGregor of Lanrick, the Clan Chief. [ Lanrick is near Stirling on the Scot main land.]

The script would read:
To Lady Chloestrain MacGregor,
I, Searc MacGregor, as Tanist in Skye, and your promised husband, remand you to Dunvegan immediately. I am so glad to know you are in fact alive and well. Your home is here with me and I anxiously await your arrival. Give Lord Robertson my sincerest appreciation for housing you until you healed.

Your Loving Husband,
Searc

As this was occurring, Searc was at the residence of Lord Alexander Robertson in Turas Lan. He had gained an audience with the ailing Lord Alexander. His plan was to inform the former Chief of the MacGregor woman who now resided with his son at Dun Darroch. He had written a script declaring that Lord Iain Robertson was betrothed to a woman of the Robertson clan and soon to be married…. That the entire Chiefship he now held rested upon the fact that he marry a member of the Robertson Clan, or lose the Chiefship.

Searc bent upon one knee by Lord Alexander’s bed… pen in hand… “MiLord… signing this document shall prevent the feud from arising in the future… Secure our future…” Lord Alexander rolled to his side with grunts… the pen placed in his hand to scribble his mark… then a servant took the document, folding and sealing it with hot wax…. Then assisted Lord Alexander with the pressing of the ring from his hand in the hot wax. “Thank you MiLord… Peace we shall have…”

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Right place... right time... That was Searc MacGregor's fortune... Land, money, power... the Tanist of MacGregor Clan in Skye... answering only to Sir Malcolm MacGregor of Lanrick, the Clan Chief of Scotland. His betrothed, Chloestrain MacGregor presumed dead, he gained all she had rights to... With her return, it causes complications... Now he intends to keep all he has... and more...

Kelaina of Clan Reed, a Sept of Clan Donnachaidh, came to prominence primarily through family connections. Through marriage or motherhood, her father sought to establish a dowry for her. Since he had no male heir, she rose above the culturally-restricted role of women. She was an educated woman, far exceeding those of her male peers and beautiful. A woman of means and beauty.

A strict code of conduct that women were to follow? Not Kelaina. She was her Father’s only child… and until his death, she was spoiled and pampered.

Upon his dying bed, he kissed his daughter’s cheek and handed her all the land and wealth he had acquired over the years… with one stipulation – that she marry within the Clan. Marrying outside the clan would be cause of forfeiture of everything.

“She's a greedy, entitled wench. She tries to hide it with cute emotions, but she is plain greedy.” Said in whispers by some of the most befitting suitors.

Hence was the plan of Searc… to mix and mingle the lives of those concerned. To further his own means by all methods available. And to him, the single lass, Kelaina could marry a Robertson... Not only would she retain all her lands and wealth, but gain the Robertsons of Struan along with it...

[Lord Iain Robertson]

MacRuari castle was a small keep, cozy in its construction with narrow hallways, but with enough rooms to host plenty of guests, and large enough kitchens to churn out a constant feast of fish, from the fresh cantles, oysters, pike, and herring to the salted varieties in cream or vinegar; plenty of stewed cabbage and leeks; and fresh-baked pretzels. Ale and wine were ready for consumption as servants walked among the great clans and citizens of Skye alike, refilling mugs as they went, taking away the old to replace with the new. The affair was informal, and even well before the party was official set to begin, already Clans MacKenzie and Sutherland were in the middle of the Great Hall, stomping along to a fast-paced jig on a fiddle, ale sloshing from tankards, faces red with exertion. It looked to be a great party, and even His Holiness, sitting on the dais that would be shared with Robert the Bruce and the Aberdeens, seemed close to leaping up and joining the fun down below. In the warm candlelight, guests were greeted with laughter and hugs, smiles lit with the sort of manic light of those beyond joy at the prospect of peace, and the hope of so many ready to embrace the future. News that the Bruce and the Duke of Skye had reached an accord had spread quickly through the castle, and relief was palpable.

He had escorted the beautiful Chloe MacGregor from Dun Durroch Castle in Struan to the festivities in Turas Lan... He had not wanted to miss the big debut of the newest couple, they arrived late... but in the few moments they were there, they were having a good time dancing and socializing.....

In that precise moment, the entire castle gave a great heave and shudder, followed by a resounding BOOM!

The basso profundo resonance rang throughout the castle with such a pure force of sound that it was quite reasonable to believe the world had come to an end. The keep gave a wounded groan, a long and unearthly wail of stone sliding against stone, and then yielded to the shocked aftermath of the explosion. Only silence reigned among those gathered, as even the musicians came to a halt, the dancing stopped, and everyone waited with inhaled breath for some justification. Outside the windows, it was possible to see a great, roaring fire erupt from the stone walls. Impossible! Stone did not burn! Yet the night sky had turned a somber red reflection of the conflagration at MacRuari Keep.

Before ears had yet to stop ringing, a servant dashed into the room, his face white with horror. "The English!" he shouted. "The English are attacking! The English!" Perhaps those gathered had been too focused on the boy's words to notice their hearing had returned. For everyone heard the screams of terror that erupted when all the torches in the Great Hall suddenly flickered and died, with only the faint red-orange glow of the fire through the windows distinguishing shadow from black nothing.

Iain and Chloe had been dancing when the torches were extinguished… the pair held onto one another as if two frightened children huddled together. “Tis nay the English my dear… fear not… No one is as so stupid to attack the macRauri Keep… sshh. I would bet that the explosions were just a diversion. Something else is amiss.” He said in a low voice in her ear. “Just wait til I can see…” Once his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, taking her hand in his, he led her to a corner of the room, then down a corridor. Women’s screams enhanced the bewilderment, but men began to do what they were bound to do… to return the room to its normalcy for the evening.

Together they hugged one another, his slate-gray eyes watching for any movement in the darkness. With a slight turn of his head, their lips brushed against one another… That was all it took for the two to become entangled in a passionate kiss, snuggled in each other’s arms in the darkened keep. “Stay here… I must help the men… Yu will be safe here… I will be right back…”

"Raise the torches! Raise the torches!" the voices cried. "Light! We need light!" Candles from the dais were quickly lit, and touched to the torches to bring light back to the hall. When vision was restored, the hall was drastically changed. Anyone of worth to the clans, the Duke and Duchess of Skye, had vanished.

It was in the midst of the first lit candles that she felt an hand upon her arm, the stale breath of a man deep in his ale cups against her cheek... as she was drawn out of the main hall, she fought, until something was said to silence her perhaps a threat against her beloved Iain... for that was the only thing that would still her struggles and make her comply...

A stiff walk and she was out of the castle and into the night.. was she taken to where the other Clans people were held..? No, not quite.. This was nothing to do with the current clan war... but another war of sorts that was fast upon the horizon...

But when the torches were relit… normalcy was not to be regained, as confusion now began to set in… Leaders, from all clans had disappeared. Husbands… sons… fathers… anyone who was anyone in the clans had disappeared. Except Iain… And when he returned to where Chloe was supposed to be… she was not there… he began to look around for her…[/font][/color]

Searc shoved the signed parchment into her face... and roared... at her as she argued refusing her seat upon the horse at first.. and screaming him down like a harridan, until his hand found her cheek in a resounding slap.. that spun her head, and brought a clouding blackness to her sight.. she reeled backward, blood pouring from her lip.. as she was hauled bodily up before him... and off into the night... toward McGregor Holdings... The Bastard of Struan’s Whore had been captured... check mate...

The night gave way to a gray, misty dawn. It was well into mid-morning when the first salvos were launched, the clans beyond the walls gleefully attacking the weak points in the keep's weakened defenses, and suddenly, Skye had little time to contemplate her missing men, for now all were called to assemble beneath the Gryphon's banner.

He should have stood by Chloe, reassuring her everything would be alright… he should have kissed his beloved… Why did he ever leave her? Now she was gone… just as the clan leaders were…

A call to arms !! he had no time to contemplate upon his decision…. Or indecision… as with others, he disappeared into the crowd to help fight fires, or look for the wounded... or the perpetrators...

Clan Wars... he had been thru this before... and even done his share of the dividing... now he was on the other end of the spectrum, trying to keep the clans together for Lord Aberdeen... Days since the first attack on Skye people in the north... Lord Adam had depended on Iain... no one had taken that chance on him before... even in the face of a divided clan, Adam supported him... Now he would return the favor...

General Maahes was gathering troops... Lord Aberdeen was in the courtyard readying men... but Iain... he was in the middle... did he go after his love... or fight for the love of his country??? With a heavy sigh... he takes a sword off a dead man along the wall... “Hail Robertsons... Gather round lads... beckon to arms !!!!! "his clansmen who once enjoyed the Celidh now were bearing arms by his side... At General Maahes' command, he would lead the Robertsons against other clans... same scenario... different reasons... He smiled at Lamont and saluted with his sword as they began the explusion of the attackers.

"Damn yae lass, yae nae shall marry no Robertson... Ah gots all the rights tae yae.." she was insistently shoved into the saddle behind Searc by waiting companions... her resistance never a match for his brute strength... "Yae live with yer husband... me... and nary a thing yae kin dae..." soon the pair would be away from sight and interference from others. "If'en yae refuse... then that Iain'll die for sure..."

The sword clashed as General Maahes ordered them forward... Iain was embattled with clansmen... the fight, all a misconstruance of information and misguided leaders... One leg, one side... one arm... man after man, Iain cut or hacked to keep them from entering the walls... Now was not the time to consider who the enemy was... let others do that later... right now was the time to keep the enemy out.

She cringed as he laid out what her life with the MacGregors would be… fighting the nausea that came with the blow to her face... she held onto Searc's middle out of necessity, not want... she would rather touch a pole cat in full fury and live with the stench... but a tumble from a fast moving horse was not a decent option... at this point, neither was Iain's life ended... "I'll not marry you... I'll not stand before a priest and vow my love and faith for you... I am not yours... I love Iain... and no other... and this will never change that... " she hissed and spat out her answer like foul food upon her tongue as they rode into the night… away from Iain… away from Dun Durroch… away from everything she held dear. He would come for her. This was some mistake. He would make it right... the parchment was a lie.... there was no way that Iain's father would split them apart betrothing them to separate parties...

It was in her mind then and there... that she would never willingly go to the alter with Searc... no matter the threat, she would never betray Iain's trust... she had pledged her heart and soul forever to him and that she would keep... no matter if she were locked in a nunnery. She would do so gladly... and await him... forever and a day.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Kelaina Reed and Iain Robertson

Peace was restored to Skye… for now… but Maubrey was still a viable threat. In Iain’s own world, it was turmoil… Chloe was missing… and he had received word that Lord Alexander wanted to see him. “This could be of no good…” he thought. He saddled the horse, then strapped on his sword. Turning to his best friend Mark… “I do not like this, Mark… Alexander has no control now…” shaking his head as he mounted the steed. “I should be back in three days… if not, come to his home in Turas Lan and find me… for I trust him not…” Mark nodded… “be careful Milord…” Iain spurred the brown stallion and rode off down the road toward the capital city.

Kelaina Reed, met with her Tanist, Laird Malcolm Reed… “Milord… I dunnae wish tae married Laird Iain… ‘e’s a shrewd maan…” The large man looked at her and snarled, shaking a scroll at her. “Yae fergaet wot yaer dear old departed Father laid law tae… Yae are tae mar’y a member o’ Clan Donnachaidh… and Lord Alexander has agreed tae his son, Liard Iain.”

The large man placed his arm around her and pulled her close… in a whisper, he nears her ear… “Lass… list’n tae me… Iain’s gaet plenty o’money an’ land. And should sumthin ‘appen tae him… then yae inherit awl o’ it…” Then he released her to let her think about… “Besides lass, He’s nae bad lookin’ faer a Robertson…”

It must have been a similar thing to going out the in-door… Iain had quick-dismounted the brown stallion after riding the distance from Struan to Turas Lan… he had left Dun Durroch in a rampage and the miles did not dampen his anger. Storming into his Father’s estate in Turas Lan, he nearly knocked over the servant…

“ALEXANDER !!!” his baritone voice boomed in the room and echoed in the corridors… as he scaled the steps two at a time… AND… just as he was to barge into his Father’s bedchambers, he ran right into Kelaina as she exited Alexander’s room, nearly knocking her down… “Excuse me M’Lady…” as he bounced out of her way. Not recognizing Kelaina as his newly-intended bride-to-be.

Kailiana curtsied allowing Iain entry to his Father’s quarters. “G*d Dammit Alexander… what is this I am to marry a woman I do not know… You know I choose whom I wish… You are the chief no more…”

Alexander began a laugh-induced coughing fit, his laughter intermixing with the cough… “Yae lad… know the lass…” his old hands cup his mouth as he coughs, laughing all the while…

“What??” Iain now slowed his cursing at the old man. “What do yu say old man? Who is this Kelaina Reed? What are ya talking about old man? I do not know her?”

Alexander is having a grand laugh at Iain’s expense. “Yae a’most knocked ‘er daewn…” Finally finding room to breathe, the old chief explains to Iain who his new bride will be… “Yae are ta be married on the Spring Equinox lad… soon yae kin no more lay women as a single man…” he adds more laughter.

“Choke to death old man…” Iain muttered quietly... then Alexander’s words hit home… “Married when? … I am nay getting married to some old…” his sentence ceased as he remembered the beautiful lass he almost knocked down. “WHAT WAS SHE DOING HERE?” he barked at his Father…

Alexander fell into a fit of laughter and coughing again. He was so entertained at Iain’s rage that he could not breathe. “She… was ‘ere getting’…. Mae blessin’; lad...” laugh…cough…choke… “er Tanist Laid Malcolm Reed ‘as agreed tae the terms…”

“What terms old man??” again voiced in an enraged overtone.

“That she would gain title tae Dun Durroch and all lands in Struan hence with… and 2,000 Gold Gryphons as a finalization” choke…cough…choke… “Sae laddie, if’en ya want tae keep Dun Durroch, and bae chief, yae’ll marry the wench…”

Iain bit back the words… Apparently this was a deal that the two old men of the clan made… deals made to strengthen their holdings… but this weakened Iain’s hold on the Robertsons. He had just finished pulling the clans back together and would be offering fealty to the Mo’r Triath… How could he go and explain what had happened? How could he go back to a divided clan? “Yer a devious old man… Alexander Robertson…and may yu burn in hell for it…” as he stormed out of the room… he could hear the old man laughing and choking… Could God be merciful and take the old sonofabytch now before all this deviousness got under way?

Before she left Lord Alexander’s home, Kelaina took the time to question servants as to who Lord Iain was and how he looked… and when one told her that the man who stormed into Lord Alexander’s home was Laird Iain, she got an evil smirk.

Now on the street heading toward Blue castle and the Cathedral, she took the missive from Lord Alexander, holding it close to her heart. “Aye Laird Iain o’ the Robertson, Ah woot luv tae marry yae…” she boasted to the wind… “Aye luv tae live in luxury…” she laughed. Then she got an evil glint in her eye thinking… “Besides, I think it would stir long-forgotten juices tae lay beside yae in bed as yer wife…”

The next day, a representative arrived at Dun Durroch Castle to see Lord Iain. The man represented the tanist of the sept of Reed… bowing in respect, the man then rose at Iain’s permission. “Lord Iain, I have brought Lady Kelaina to you… she is to remain at Dun Durroch, by yer side. In with agreement of the accord, Yu are to be married four days hence… just after the Fealty and Friendship ceremony…” Iain gritted his teeth… marriage or a divided clan… Maybe he had to marry her, but he could never love her… for he still love Chloe…

Iain stood by the door as the man departed… but soon returned with the Lady Kelaina upon his arm. Despite his usual harshness, he bowed slightly, assuming none of this was her fault… “Welcome Kai…” he had shortened her name with no consideration of her or her parents.

Kelaina walked from the carriage upon the arm of the Tanist’s representative and as she approached the door, she curtsied low, her gaze to the floor. “Greetings MiLord…”

Iain smiled and extended his hand to her, guiding her to her feet. Pulling her inside the door, a silent gesture of acceptance of the bride-to-be. “A room shall be prepared for immediately…” as he glanced over his shoulder a man and a woman servants turned and disappeared immediately after. “Thank you MiLord…” was quickly replied…

Not long after her entrance, Iain nodded to the man… “By yer leave MiLord..” the man smirked and turned to leave… Iain frowned and closed the door behind him. Iain turned to Kel and smiled… “Come…” then he took her by the elbow and guided her to the sitting room…

For the next hour or so, Iain and Kelaina discussed her background and heritage. She was an interesting woman, educated, strong-willed, and beautiful… but she was no Chloe, he thought… Soon a servant arrived and curtsied… “De Lady’s room bae prepar’d MiLord…” Rising, he offered his hand to her.

Conversation between them was genteel and pleasant but Iain had no idea of Kelaina’s plan in all this… Meanwhile, Iain was thinking the situation over and making plans of his own…

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Searc and Chloe MacGregor

Meanwhile… Searc had brought home his new bride to be… the trek south was a few days traveling time to reach the Castle at Dunsgathaich… loosely translated to the Fort of Gloom… befitting at least in Chloe’s eyes. For the end of the trek no doubt would spell her doom.

Throughout the days of travel she had pled, begged and cried, to be returned to Iain and Dun Darroch… Promising anything... Her lands, whatever, just to be free to return to Iain.. Her answer was always the same... A stern look from Searc MacGregor... A shake of the head in the negative, and the same tired phrase... “You best be forgettin that boy, I’m your husband now legal and true.. So tis writ in the county ledger... By your Pa’s agreeance. You will settle... You’re a MacGregor…”

She had railed and cried until her throat was hoarse and raw... And yet he seemed calm; even though she berated him, and caused him embarrassment with her words… he kept the horse headed south. Little did she know or understand, she was playing into his hands with her histrionics… the look of pity his men gave him would play well in his favor later on...

The days travel to the southern peninsula, would have been a marvel for any seeing it for the first time, except Chloe... Her eyes saw nothing but the back of the man before her on the horse that moved ever closer to her awaiting prison. But the men that traveled with Searc... even Searc himself, saw the beauteous signs of spring.

In the portion of Skye known as Sleat, warmed by a trade wind that was constant, Sleat’s climate allowed for a more garden and even tropical foliage to flourish... In Ord, Palm trees grew and at the Gardens of Armadale Castle... Exotic trees transplanted from exotic worlds, were tended by the hand of the Lady of the Castle who seemed to have a heavenly inspired green thumb.

The peninsula being a lowland, there are no towering mountains to block the view and in their travels they could see miles and miles of lush moorland, ringed with ancient forests of yew and Scottish pine. A gentle landscape of rolling green fields and woodlands, spring brought about an almost quilt-like brilliance as heather, and flax bloomed early in the warming sun. On the Western coast... between Tarkavaig, and Tokavaig… sat Dunsgathaich Castle... surrounded by lush farmland dotted with herds of sheep and long shaggy cows... The area was rich and cultivated well kept... And one had to wonder... If indeed Searc were a just and good man… for he was certainly respected… as the small cadre of travelers that brought the MacGregor’s wife home, passed thru the small villages and hamlets they were invariably met with waves of welcome, children running alongside.

As Searc cast out a few coppers, greetings and well wishes for the newlyweds… met her ears… But she merely glared at them. From the swell of green, Dunsgathaich Castle rose… and she felt a shiver of foreboding… something deep within her... crying out that once she passed the walls of the Fort of Doom she would never leave... whole again.

The whole trip to Dunsgathaich, Searc had kept a proper distance from her. At night, they lodged in inns, where she was locked in her room, he holding the key... and by day, she rode pillion behind him, few words were spoken. But she got the distinct impression he was disgusted and ill-pleased with her. In this she took devilish pride and worked to be obstinate and ornery even more so when she saw it irked his pride and his temper. But to no avail he was intent on bringing his bride home to Dunsgat…

“Your Home Milady…” he spoke as he reached up to grasp her waist and lift her from the tall warhorse he rode. The moment her feet hit the cobblestone he loosed her as if she were fire... “Come wi Me…” he ordered, his long lanky body proceeding her into the Castle up the stairs and into the great hall…

Tartans and Crest hung from the beamed ceilings... A fire banked in the fireplace large enough to hold ten men standing abreast… Chloe stood in the middle of the room looking about as servants rushed to greet their Lord, his mother and sisters filling the halls, all happy he was home safe and sound…

“So this must be Chloestrain…“ the tall handsome Lady MacGregor expounded;, grey hair neatly braided into a bun as she moved to greet her daughter in law. “We grieved when we though you dead this long year… Welcome to Dunsgateich…“ She hugged the smaller dark-haired Chloe… welcoming her. “Come Come I will show you to your room... You have a delightful view of the coast line... The most spectacular sunsets…“ She took the girl's elbow and made move to usher her toward the stairs…

“Noooo ! I don’t want to be shown to my room I want to go home to Dun Darroch and Iain… I’m not here of my own doing ! He kidnapped me… !” her finger pointed accusingly at Searc.. Who now turned to face his attacker. His look, one of thunderclouds and anger as he advanced on the girl who seemed intent on bringing down the whole castle with her shrill screams of discourse..

“Chloe… you will restrain yourself and do as your told.” he growled as he took her arm and yanked her toward the stairs... When his mother moved to stop him he spoke to her calmly… “The trip has frazzled her… and her unfortunate circumstances have left her a bit… off kilter…” his words left the impression that Chloe suffered some malady of the mind… what better way to explain her violent and hated reaction to becoming his wife. It was not out of the realm of possibility that the girl was damaged by her father’s previous bad deeds. [/color]

[Lord Iain Robertson]

The Fealty Ceremony

The Great Hall's doors were opened so that for the first time the breadth and width of the room could be filled by people who had come from near and far to see the restoring of old traditions. To give tartan and insignia to the rulers was a sign of friendship and fealty, and to drink from a quaish was no new custom either. Still, it had only been just over a year ago during the time of the Civil War that the tradition was revived with the inception of the Aberdeen's as Duke and Duchess. People who came in noticed that the gates of the castle for the first time in the seasons were opened wide. The courtyard was an ocean to swim through of kith and clansmen, countrymen, women and children of many stations. All came however in their best array. The banners of the Griffin had been unfurled, and for the first time the MacRauri Lord's emblem of a proud eagle was hoisted beside that of the Golden Griffin. The people noticed how parts of the old animal fit in with the new, and were pleased that the new generation favored the good of the past. Still none could deny the promise of the future in the Mo'r Triath and Mo'r Oukselo The High Lord and Lady. New standards and signs were waiting to join the proud display in the great hall! Torches beckoned everyone forward, as everyone came to see!

Iain and his new companion enter the Great Hall... he is dressed in his finest black and silver, the ornate sword upon his left hip... and Kelaina on his left arm... He is overjoyed at the chance to offer his fealty for a united clan... this in itself was a great achievement... one even Lord Alexander could not do...

Iain walked to the Mo'r Triath and Lady... Kelaina upon his arm... As they knelt together before Adam and Bess, he removed his sword, laying it upon his hand, the cloth of the Tartan wrapped upon the sword... "Mo'r Triath... I, Iain of Clan Robertson offer fealty for the Clan forever more... May the God and the Gryphon protect us all... in honor of our forefathers... I offer you the sword and tartan o' Clan Robertson..." then he held them high and bowed his head... Kelaina did the same... Oh, she was the perfect bride-to-be... but Iain simply snarled at her silently.

Chloestrain and Searc MacGregor had been away from Turas Lan a scant month now... rumors had abound in that time of their marriage... and consequently that of Iain and Kailiana Reed’s engagement… How could it be that such things happened in such a small space of time. But there they were, Chloestrain upon Searc's arm, gowned in a somber forest green... the MacGregor Tartan, across her breast, clasp at her waist… with the brooch of the MacGregor's.

Similarly, Searc was clad in the dark forest green tunic, the tartan over his shoulder as well… a similar Brooch upon his hip, the sword lay over the traditional kilt… the MacGregors were nothing if not traditional. Lanky and lean... he was of wiry strength a giant among men at over 6 foot 5, he seemed awkward and out of place in such a formal setting...

But it was the Lady MacGregor at his side that was the elegant rose to his thorny façade... diminutive and porcelain like... she moved with the grace of Nobility born... in her hands folded fastidiously... a length of MacGregor tartan.

They took their place in the receiving line, her chin tilted upward as if a puppeteer pulled her strings. Which wasn’t far from the truth... until her eyes meet with grey ones... across the room... and she paled... swaying as if she might faint... For once, she was glad for the arm of her husband... who held her now tightly to his side...

"Look ahead... you are my wife now.." he chastised her harshly beneath his breath. "So help me Chloe... make a scene... and you know... what fate befalls..." his eyes made a drift down her person... then back up to her eyes... "Don't try me Wife…" he threatened under his breath, as he watched the pup Robertson declare fealty unto the Griffin… "He's replaced you already... and wit something a bit more pleasant it seems." he chuckled darkly as his eyes roamed the blond on Robertson’s arm.

Iain walked back from the presentation and upon his way, he passed the MacGregors... his eyes fall upon Chloe... and those slate grey eyes speaks thousands of words of love to her...when he feels a pinch upon his arm as Kelaina attempted to gain his attention... that he would deal with later. Passed them he strode... his heart wanted to burst, his inner anger wanted to choke the MacGregor man she stood with.

"I wasn't going to make a scene… I just didn’t think he would be here." her eyes drifted to the blond at Iain's side. Who was she... and why was she with Iain? Why hadn’t' he come for her...? She had waited so long… too long... her brows drew together as she broke the stare between Robertson and MacGregor.

Moving to stand before the Royal Couple, Searc spoke for them as she curtsied low… her head bowed offering the tartan up to the Aberdeens. "The MacGregors of Dunsgatalich, in the south of Sleat... offer you Fealty and Friendship, Loyalty and Honor..." his words boomed... confident and proud... "I also introduce my Wife... Chloestrain MacGregor... to the Court and your Majesties…" he bowed deeply... then raised his hand on her elbow lifting her like a trophy... making sure Iain Robertson heard the declaration... "I am sure my Family will become well known to you... and your Court..." Both MacGregors drank from the cup… then Searc took his wife by the arm, leading her, steering her away from Robertson, and his hound dog look, his tongue was fairly hanging out... Searc wondered briefly what kind of entertainment a duel would be if Robertson ended up skewered on the end of his sword… his fingers tightened on her arm "Smile.. your a bloody happy newlywed.. dammit "

Iain stood in shock... MacGregor wife? Had she been kidnapped or just run away? Had she fought or given in? How could she be married so quickly... He glanced at Kelaina and she was blossoming a smile... then she curled around his arm even more... and as they walked back to the audience, Iain passed close to Chloe to get her attention... he did not want to ruin the ceremony… this would best be handled later... but he HAD to see Chloe... she had to tell him she did not love HIM... he would not believe it so.

The trek of the MacGregor's would bring them in a circuitous route eventually by chance or fate, or design... in proximity to the Robertson couple... Seeing them approach Chloe’s eyes, the mossy green eyes of the girl, who had Iain with him in the golden fields... who knew the adventures of Marco Polo... and marzipan were his favorite vices... it was there in her eyes, the deep hurt, but the love she bore him even now... here with this woman upon his arm, those eyes dropped unable to find purchase on his face... How could he abandon her... betray her?...

A jerk on her arm... brought her face upward... "You will not bow to him... hold your head up and smile..." she would have bruises upon the tender flesh of her upper arm, already she felt the welts... as the smile was pasted on... as they passed like ships in the night... strangers... lovers, now parted.

It was in that moment that Searc choose to make his claim physically known, his shoulder bumping harshly against Iain's enough to unbalance one not ready... the hand not firmly attached to Chloe's arm settled on the hilt of his broadsword... and it was not decorative... or merely for show... the meaning plain as day… Stay away from what's mine...

Iain snarled at the bump... he was confused about Chloe. Looking at Kelaina, he began to walk deeper into the crowd, toward the exit... His hand at the lass's back, guiding her away... No they would nay remain for the reception... his heart, nor his rage, would not be stayed....

[Lord Iain Robertson]

A New Outlook

The carriage ride back to Dun Durroch was less than cordial… Kelaina sat beside her fiancé, attempting to snuggle against him… but he would not react… it was as if he was in a different world. Her plan included patience… patience to win over him no matter how long it took… or at least until they were married and she would own Dun Durroch in some shape or form.

The servant opened the door and Iain stepped out and started to walk away… “Iain Robertson, cannae yae help a lass daewn?” she snapped… “Yae ignaore mae all de way hoom… and naew yer chivalry has gaen asunder…? Wot kinda man yae bae if’n yae nay kin help a lass daewn… Ah bae yaer bride-tae-bae… at least gimme soom respect aye?”

Iain froze in his tracks… a slow and calculated turn, the head first turning, slate grey eyes turn and look over his shoulder… then narrowing to mere slits… teeth gritted… She was a whore of Alexander’s… and he was forced from his Chloe… and this one was her replacement? His mind wandered to the ceremony.

Chloe was already married… a mere week or so since her ‘abduction’. She clung to Searc’s arm as if it were a crutch… she was pronounced his wife at court. His narrowed eyes sought out the replacement. Then he turned completely around and walked to the carriage… As Kelaina held out her hand, Iain grabbed it and yanked her from the step… If not for her lithe and athletic form, she would have hit the ground, but she managed staying on her feet as she was pulled behind the man.

“You want to be my wife? You want me to portray a good husband to you and a good Laird to all else…? Then I shall show yu how I treat a woman…” was spoken in a harsh voice… one that would drive away servants to what they did best, sulk away when he was in a mood. Across the dirt drive to the castle steps… up them the girl hopped and jumped to keep up… her arm used as a tow rope, her wrist solidly in his grasp…

Thru the corridors, up the stairs to the next level she was pulled… stumbling on occasion but still remaining on her feet… As he passed her room, he pulled her to his… kicking the door open, he tugged hard, spinning her backwards into the room… Kelaina was enraged by now, by being treated so disrespectfully… in front of the peasants… and when she hit the stone floor on her arse, her beautiful face flushed bright red…

He slammed the door hard and when it bounced open again, he kicked it closed. Turning to her, his eyes were dark, the smirk, evil… She rose quickly, soft pale hands rubbing the dress at the posterior, backing away from him. But his advances were quicker than her retreats.

Grabbing her arm, he spun her around the bedpost of the large framed four post bed… knocking her upon her back on the bed… Her pleas against his advances were totally ignored as he ripped his shirt open… and began to unfasten his trousers. With each attempt to remove herself from the situation, he forcibly ensured her availability for him. Fine clothing soon became shreds of material, rent from seams… He was determined not to be refused.

For over an hour, Iain had reverted to his former ways… hell-bent on hurting people in one form or another… with women, it would be to degrade them in bed, to use them as he would be pleasured to do… and then discard them. The hour or so he spent with Kelaina would be no different… and when he finished with her, he rose from the bed and dressed in his riding clothes… With a sharp glance at her and opening the door, he turned and exited the room… no words spoken…

Kelaina had tried to resist… but that was to no avail… she was handled roughly, abused sexually, cursed at… and… her wrists burned from his hands… But in the end, he had his pleasure… and she had been willing, even finding herself enjoying his advances…

Now she lay upon the bed, the blanket pulled about her chest, a smile upon her face… she felt the oddest tingle between her thighs and her breasts were tender. Pushing the blankets from her form, she saw the blood upon the sheets and blanket… then she rose and poured the water from the urn into the basin… Patience was her plan, though some things had altered her plan a bit.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Incident at Children’s Day Festival

The MacGregors, had stayed in Turas Lan a few days after the Friendship Ceremony, Searc taking the time to show off his new bride, reconnect with old friends and allies as well as assert his new power and respect as the Tanist of the MacGregor Clan, and one of the most wealthy, due to Chloe's lands and holdings... Tanist in the Southern Region of Skye.. His aim was to both charm the Court of the High Lord and Lady, as well as move himself into a powerful circle of politics..

Two dead wives and no heir, had left many a wondering if Searc would be able to bear a son.. but now.. a young wife, in the spring.. and the man seemed to bounce with a youthful vigor as he escorted his bloom.. thru the flower bedecked streets.. perhaps trying a bit of a different tact.. as he bought her a posy of flowers.. and for all intents and purposes looked the part of a happy newly married man.

It was his bride that did not seem happy, no outburst, nor actions betrayed her.. more an overall pall of icy sadness... she seemed to rigid, as if frozen.. the smile even seemed frozen upon her face as if threatened there.. none could deny her beauty or grace.. but upon looking at her.. there was almost an overwhelming sense of sadness.. that one had to look away from.

They had no children, nor would they... Iain came to honor the princess Davina... not to show off his new fiancé, Kelaina... and how she had acted with him for the last few days...

After what he had done to her, he figured she would go back crying to her Father... but just the opposite, she clung to him like a leech...desiring to be with him every waking hour... and laying beside him every sleeping minute. Now he wore the green jacket and matching trousers... and she, the same color... If he had known, he would have changed at the last minute... but as it goes... they appear a happy couple... except for Iain's facial expressions... those seemed to be dissatisfied.

The streets of Turas Lan were filled with Revelers, children, common folk, entertainers, soldiers, courtly and noble alike mingled in the streets.. all partaking in the warm spring day and the bounty of good feelings that the sun and flowers brought with them.. Hailing the birth of Davina, many men were in their cups as they tumbled and rumbled out of ale houses into the streets.. children running pell mell.. causing a conflagration of bodies that seemed to move like a human tide.. in the wake of the procession..

Searc had seen some of his old Friends.. and settled Chloe on a bench near a parkway of green.. "I'll be a moment wait for me.. enjoy the day.." he stopped.. and gave her a look that was almost disappointed then moved back to her, his voice slightly more amiable... "Chloe.. you cannot keep doing this to yourself.. you must settle into your life... as my wife.. it will not be as bad as you think.. many a good thing comes with being a MacGregor wife.. cheer up lass... you cannot grieve Robertson the rest of your born days... he's moved on..like he always does.. it's well you are away from him.. before he left you high and dry.. and used up.. " his hand attempted to caress her face.. and he frowned when she pulled away sharply...

"I will be here when you come back... where else would I go.." she said flatly.. the news of Iain's engagement had hit her like a stone.. but her own revelation.. had sealed her fate... she was now Searc wife.. for better or worse...and nothing but death could change that.

Iain walked in the procession with his fiancé... and as the crowd began to gather at the end, near the church, Iain glanced around, hoping to see someone special...

Thru the crowd... on the far side, he saw Searc towering above the crowd... and Chloe sitting on the bench.. Looking at Kelaina... "Yu go ahead... I have something I must do..." Kelaina looked at him, then looking around...she could see nothing that would gather his attention and she looked at him... "Iain, Ah dunnae wish tae be away from yae... nae here, nae naew..." Iain smirked... "Yu will be fine... wait til I return..." then he disappeared into the crowd.

He would watch Searc and his men leave, and saw Chloe sitting alone... he looked around, seeing his chance... quickly, he walked toward her, veering around people... coming up behind her, he takes her hand and pulls her from the seat... and quickly enters an area with many bushes, out of the sight of all. "I do not have much time... Tell me true... do yu love Searc... or me? Quick lass, before anyone sees us... I MUST know..."

Pulled was more like yanked into the bushes, cream and blue skirts, shifting and dirtied by newly born leaves and twigs... "Tell you?" her eyes looked incredible at him... as she pushed at his chest... "Tell you true... Iain Robertson, you know not the meaning of True!" her voice had raised, the heat of her anger searing into him... "I see you with that... that " her finger pointed in the direction where Kelaina was off in the distance. "Girl... fianced? since when.. since I was taken from you.. how long Iain.. one day.. two?" her face flamed.. with indignant disillusionment.. tiny fist balled at her side...

"Have you bedded her?" her voice dropped almost dangerously as mossy green eyes locked with slate grey... a match of wills and tempers.. was made in these two... it seemed.. "Did you call her by my name.. or have you forgotton me already ?" she had not answered his question, for he should see it in her eyes, her emotions betrayed upon the canvas of her lovely face.. would a woman not in love.. scorned so... be so upset... of course she loved him with her every breath... even apparently... when he deserved no such love... and acted as a mongrel dog...

Tiny hands lifted and pounded at his chest. "Where were you.. why didn't you come for me...?" the accusation was heart-wrenching in her voice... the implication..... if you loved me why didn't you come for me.

Iain balked at Chloe, his slate grey eyes narrowed... "I know true when I see it... yu...you just disappeared...I saw yu leaving with that man... and them at the Fealty... all luvvy dovy..." he spat to the ground...

"That? That is my bride to be ...because, I HAVE to ya silly wench..." he paused gritting his teeth... "If' yu'd shut UP long enuff...I'd tell ya.." then came the question about bedding her... by now her reaction to all that’s happened had both of them angry...

"Bedded her? Have yu bedded him? He is such a bigggg man, maybe yu enjoyed it so much to be a good wife... YES I bedded the bytch...I raped her... to make her run home... ohhhh but noooo, now she's clingy..." he had begun to poke her shoulder... "Yu need to realize that I love YOU, silly ass wench..."

His anger was a match to hers, his hurt perfectly set in balance to hers, mossy green eyes shimmered with tears to prideful to fall.. as he hissed and spat his words.. at her like venom... then the blood washed from her blush, her face paling as if he struck her... when he admitted his infidelity... she backed away.. shaking the dark sable locks.. "Nay I was taken... against my will from the MacRauri Castle.. I did not leave you... would never leave you..." her jaw clenched and unclenched as she tried to make sense of it all... "I didn't marry him... I swore to blaspheme the saints, the virgin and the Christ child himself if he tried to force me before an alter.. he did so in proxy.. which is just the same.. legally.. but not in my heart and soul.. " her chin tilted upward... as she glared at him... she wanted to hurt him, for bedding the girl.. but she could not bring herself to lie... "I've kept him from my bed.. I refuse his every touch because no man.. ever will take your place.. no matter.. what..." she turned, disappointment keen on her face... in him.. in them in the world and heaven above... "How could you not come for me?"

Iain stood shocked... as if a bolt of lightning from the heavens above had struck him. "Yu didn't leave... Taken? what do yu mean taken?" He listened to her... his heart sank... "Betrayal..." he spoke out loud... Taking her arm, he turned her around to face him... "We have been betrayed... by our own families... the clans know nothing of this..." his eyes searching hers... he could see the hurt... the pain... "Chloe, know I would do nothing to harm yu... forgive me...please."

“Do you not know... I would never have willingly left you ?" she turned to him her face reflecting everything she had been thru.. "Why do you have to marry her... I don’t understand.?" she herself had been married by proxy, locked in the tower of Dunsgatlich she had been wed without even being there.. and when her husband would approach her she would rebuff him every time..which gave more credence to his claims that she suffered from a malady of the mind, or a feeble condition... and moved people to pity for his lot in life being saddled with a fractious and spiteful harridan of a wife.

Iain looked at Chloe... the slate grey eyes paled... the vision blurred by tears forcing their way out... “If I do not marry her... Alexander wins... the clans will be divided, and passed to Reed... I lose everything..."

For a long moment she stared at him... then her eyes broke from his, her breath sucked in and held.. as the import of what he said lodged cold and dreaded in her heart... a few blinks of dark lashes.. and she looked down at the grass beneath her feet... how could she ask him.. to give up his heritage.. his birthright, when he had suffered so long... named bastard beaten and treated cruelly by a father who never saw him as worthy.. she loved him more.. than anything.. and it was that love.. that formed her reaction... he would not be allowed to give up his life, or the clan security for her.. she would not take away what he had strove to gain... his entire life.. a name.. respect... a place in the world... a cold icy mantle seemed to cloak her as she spoke...

"I lied to you.... I've been with him... he loves me... and I will bear his sons... I want nothing of you... anymore... I never want to see you again Iain..." her voice did not waver, there were no tears... "I should get back.. my husband will be looking for me "

Another bolt of lightning... The tears could not refrain from exposing themselves... his eyes narrowed and he looked at her...his hands grabbing her arms just above the elbows... "Yu don't mean that..."

She trembled in his arms.. as he held her, from fear.. not that he would hurt her.. she would bear any hurt he offered her gladly just to breath the same air he breathed, but fear that she would not be able to walk away... "Yes... I do..." her voice cracked...the trembling , trembling in it's violence. "Let me go... I'm not yours anymore."

"Chloe... we are meant to be together... yu have turned my life around... Can yu absolutely tell me the past weeks together meant nothing? Marriage means nothing to me, its you I want..."

She faltered.. as he held her tighter to him, shaking her, willing her to admit she felt the same... "Your life... means everything... I cannot... take that from you... " her face crumpled.. as she pushed away from him... "I will not see you called bastard again, or loose what you’ve fought for... you have to let me go... you have to.. " she pulled away roughly her hands circling her wrist where he had held her... "You can never see me again... never " she turned to run from him.. from her dreams from the future she so desired... but the same future that would ruin him.. Alexander had won... he had split them into, like frozen ice in a stone...

He tried to pull her close... She was admitting his life was everything... and she... she was willing to give up everything, for him, to save it... As she turned to run from him, he pulled her closer, then crushed his mouth upon hers...

"No no no Iain.. no " she struggled at first.. as his mouth descended upon hers in a crushing kiss... "Noooo" turned into a soft sigh, as her struggles to get away turned into arms twining about his neck... lips parting under his questing kiss, her body enfolded in his embrace.. "Iain.... " she murmured softly, into the kiss... her knees almost buckling under the emotion and feeling of bliss a simple kiss compelled within her... stunned silence followed when finally the need to breath parted them.

“Even if we must marry another, I shant let yu go... yu complete me... I am nothing without yu in my life... I shall see yu when I can..." he whispered...

And then it occurred... a hand grabbed his shirt and spun him around... and all he saw coming was a fist... and the ringing in his ears... and a shooting pain...

Searc was enraged to find his bride gone.. and further as he listened to Robertson's encouragement of her infidelity after he had kissed her.. the fist flew to the Pups face, directly aimed at his nose, hoping to crush it completely.. as Chloe was pushed out of the way, the taller lankier man stood over Iain with a growl... "You love her so much you'd make her your whore.. Marry another cause of money and power.. and then want my wife to be your whore.. and what of a bairn to come from it.. would they be your bastards.. just like you were Alexander’s..?" he spit at Iain.. "You know nothing of being a man.. or honor.. you know nothing of being a husband.. Chloe is mine.. come near her again and I will split you stem to stern.." he turned grabbing Chloe by the arm and forcibly walked away from the Robertson...his bride would feel his wrath in private.

Iain got up slow... trying to clear the cobwebs. He had gotten struck clear to the jaw, having turned a bit too slow to duck. He watched them leave... Had she heard his words? He would make his way back to the festivities...

She had heard his words, and Searc’s as well.. she knew there would be hell to pay back at the inn.. it was better not to make it worse by creating a scene and running back to Iain... but her heart stayed behind... her head turning to watch as he gained his feet... her heart willing him to come for her... instead she felt the vicious yank of her husband’s hand upon her arm...

"Come Chloe.. don't look back.. he wants you only as his whore.. your not good enough for him to marry... he doesn’t love you, he's just a spoiled brat who wants everything.. and must learn that you are not to be had... your mine. "

The vow given, a promise made... his heart was not his own, but Chloe's... He had come to grips with the fact that her Father's dealings made their life difficult by involving Ari... and he had come to grips with her as a courtesan... but he would not lose her again... especially to outlaws as the MacGregors...

"He loves me.." she uttered under her breath knowing it would cause her punishment... "I love him... I am your wife by law.. nothing more.. and I will never be..." they stood on the threshold of the inn and she glared at him with cold eyes.. "No matter what I am forced to do... I will love him always... that you can never touch.. never take from me..."

Would she rue those words…? Would something happen to change the import of Iain in her life...? She could not see that day… ever... but yet... it was... just around the corner… something so extraordinary that it would change her forever.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Apart But Not Separated

One of the most distinguishing impacts of the war was that the reality of totality set in. “We have driven away the hereditary tyranny of the English, at the expense of much blood and treasure, in hopes of enjoying hereditary liberty, after having shaken off the yoke of kingship; and there is not a man among us who imagines that any person would be so bold as to dare to attempt the ravishing from us that freedom which cost us so much blood and so much labor.” Iain spoke to his men of the clan. He spoke to them regularly of the renaissance Lord Aberdeen often referred to. He too felt that the Gaelic Nations was a path to a future none of them could have imagined.

But all the while, personal in nature, was his hidden thoughts and feelings about Chloe. He longed for the day to be with her again. But did she truly love him as he did her? Missives from Mark were far and few in between.

The war had come and gone, and many men of the clan had died at the hands of the English invaders… and as in wars past, Iain came out unscathed, only his clothing stained dark red from the blood of others. Yet his wounds were much deeper. Wounds of the heart tended to make him a man intolerable. Whenever Mark would send a missive of Searc’s journey to Turas Lan, Iain would pray for Chloe to remain in Dunsgatalich. But Searc trusted his wife no further than sight… and with his vision of himself upon the Mo’r Triath’s court; he was not ready to let his wife remain at home.

The day the missive arrived from Lord Alexander was a dark one indeed for Iain. It contained the date and guidelines Iain was to follow for the impending marriage. And now that date was upon him… In a brief ceremony, for clan members alone… a bishop married Kelaina and Iain in the Church of Struan.

No one knows the length that Iain went to prevent bedding his new wife… But days later, the effects of alcohol and a deceitful bride, Iain was overcome by circumstances. Unbeknownst to Iain, Lord Alexander even stationed “witnesses” in the consummation of marriage. His way to ensure that annulment was impossible.

In Sleat, however, things were much different than in Struan, while Iain had succumbed to both his penchant for the drink, and that of beautiful, if deceitful, women... His new bride in particular, seemed to have weaved a treacherous spell on a wounded heart... but his was not the only heart wounded in this twist of fate… and more would fall beneath the sword of destiny and fate as time saw fit to keep its march onward ever onward. Seasons and time always repeating much like the folly of family, were the fathers’ sins visited on the sons and daughters. Did the fruit not fall far enough from the tree? History would repeat itself over and over again… and so the dance of eternity would continue as it always had and always would.

Chloe had weathered the ending battles and the occupation and deliverance of Sleat in the safety of Turas Lan, in a rented house with Searc's mother, Ida, and his two younger sisters, Mary and Anne, both of whom were married women in their own right with a gaggle of children between them; their husbands both accompanying the MacGregor men into Battle to fight for the deliverance of the occupied peninsula of Sleat, held by the English, finally fought and won; the English sent back to their ships and their country by the forces of the Peninsula Warriors as well as the forces of General Maahes.

It was during those long weeks of worry and common fear among the women that waited inside the refuge that the walls of Turas Lan, provided that Chloe came to know the MacGregor women better, and by knowing Ida, Mary, and Anne better, she also got a glimpse, perhaps a better understanding, of the man who was now her husband, but mostly Chloe kept to herself. When the call went out for all those who had hands to help to help in the infirmary, she accompanied Ida, like a good daughter-in-law, losing herself in the tides of the helpless and injured, to use up sleepless hours… of no news... It was horrible, but she prayed for Searc to be among the mortally wounded, or the list, hanging on the post outside, of the dead. Each day she read the papers... secretly wishing to find his name… secretly praying not to see Iain’s... God forgive her... and have mercy on her soul... but each night it was her prayer...

"Chloe... may I come in?" it was Ida's voice from the other side of her bedroom door. The small rented house they shared, only Ida and Chloe, had rooms to themselves, Mary and Anne sharing their rooms with their 7 children combined between the two... the Twin younger Siblings of Searc seeming to raise their children together as one big happy family so that Chloe was still not sure which child belonged to which sister.

At Ida's beckon, Chloe tossed down the book she had been trying to read and called out a welcome. It was then Searc's stately mother entered the room with her kindly blue eyes, and iron-grey hair. Chloe often marveled that the warm caring woman was in fact Searc’s mother. She had come to think highly of the handsome stalwart and elegant Lady MacGregor. "Lady MacGregor…" Chloe made move to rise from the bed, but Ida waved her hand to still the girl and settled on the bedside beside Chloe.

"I've come to say some things I should have said weeks ago... the more I'm around you, the more I'm sure that you are a good hearted woman; a good woman, pressed into circumstances beyond your control; but now that will be your lot in life. I was much like you, Chloe, married to a man at a young age, without any say so. But unlike you, I did not know love first... did not feel the heartbreak of it... being set aside for duty..." her kindly wrinkled and worn hand reached out and smoothed back the dark locks of hair that framed either side of her daughter-in-laws' face... "I'm sorry for your heartache... but your duty and life are here with us now... I will try to make it more bearable for you... I will love you as my own daughter... if you will let me... and your children... will be loved deeply..." Her hand slid down the younger woman’s arms to hold her hands.

"Searc is a good man... sometimes hard... but a good man at heart. He's lost two wives... one to plague... and one to childbirth... never a babe born to bear his name. He's had a tremendous burden all these years. He cannot claim his inheritance lands on his father’s side, until he bears an heir. It will be the birth of a son that seals the MacGregor’s as one of the most powerful clans in all of Skye. The other clansmen look to him... for everything. He is the caregiver, the tanist of the MacGregors... It's a heavy responsibility... and now, with him getting older and no son, well… there are the younger lions chomping at the bit to replace him. Think what a fine young wife, and children could mean for him... for this family... You represent the future, Chloe... you and the child... you carry." her hand slid now lower over her daughter-in-law’s belly...to press lighlty and knowingly. "If Searc can abide this child bearing his name... so will I... he told me before he left... to battle... to care for you... knowing you were expecting... and to avow the babe as his should he fall... he wanted to know you and the babe were taken care of... and that no one would cast a stone toward you for adultery or at the babe for it being a bastard…" it was a kindly warm smile that lit her lips... as she settled back waiting for the import of her words to sink into the girls brain.

Mark had come to Dunsgatalich to work as a horse handler, the papers of acknowledgement and recommendation had been forged by Iain in the name of the Lord Eamonn of Eohmark. Coming from a well-known horse lord as Lord Eamonn, none would suspect his true reason there. Mark knew Chloe, but her knowledge of him was by name only. Whenever she required a horse, he was the one to provide her a mount that would prove desirable by Lord Searc.

Mark worked alongside men whom had been with Lord Searc for years and soon became a valued member of the workforce. One day, he had prepared a horse for Lady Chloe, as he did everyday… except on this day, she did not arrive as usual. Entering the house, he made his way to her chambers. Upon arriving at her door, he found it open. He could hear her voice and one other… the other being the Lady MacGregor, Searc’s mother. Curious, he looked around, seeing no one around, he leaned an ear at the door.

Footsteps down the hall made him duck into a side corridor, his back upon the wall. Moments later, two guards and a chambermaid made their way past him and into another corridor. Unnoticed, he peered around finding the coast was clear, he went back to the door listening.

<"He cannot claim his inheritance lands on his father’s side, until he bears an heir. It will be the birth of a son that seals the MacGregor’s as one of the most powerful clans in all of Skye. The other clansmen look to him... for everything. He is the caregiver, the tanist of the MacGregors... It's a heavy responsibility... and now, with him getting older and no son, well… there are the younger lions chomping at the bit to replace him. Think what a fine young wife, and children could mean for him... for this family... You represent the future, Chloe... you and the child... you carry."> The conversation took him by surprise… and he listened harder, despite the approaching footfalls. Was it Searc’s? …he wondered…. Surely, it could not be… she had not been here long enough… then it dawned upon him that Iain and Chloe had been together long enough to conceive… <"If Searc can abide this child bearing his name... so will I... he told me before he left... to battle... to care for you... knowing you were expecting... and to avow the babe as his should he fall... he wanted to know you and the babe were taken care of... and that no one would cast a stone toward you for adultery or at the babe for it being a bastard…"> A smirk upon his face, he hears the footfalls getting louder… Once again, he dashes quietly into his former hiding place. Staying hidden and quiet, he pondered the plan that Lady MacGregor brewed with Chloe. But what of Iain? Past him in the corridor came the guards and the chambermaid… Pressing his back upon the wall, he heard the passersby pause and greet Lady MacGregor as she departed… then all of them walking down the corridor, the footfalls waning until no noise was heard.

Now Mark had a dilemma… Did he report what he heard to Iain immediately? Or find a time to discuss the situation with Lady Chloe? T’was a dilemma for Mark as he was his Lord’s best friend and confident… and he knew how Iain felt about the woman.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

The next day:
Searc had returned home... Most everyone at Dunsgatlich was happy at the return of not only the Tanist of the MacGregors but his brother in laws as well... Ida happy to see her brood returning, ordered up a feast, the whole village the whole county would arrive in grand fashion, as hogs were roasted in the ground, stags upon burning spits, the castle ovens worked thru the night turning out bread and sweets the smell of food wafting upon the air.

Mark, too, would enjoy the celebrations, proclaiming the Tanist’s victorious return. Still in secret, he would use the falcon to deliver missives of news to Iain. Should anyone but Iain see the missives, it would be as if another language existed in Skye, for the missives were coded with script that only he and Mark knew.

With the return of the men of Dungatelich also came the boon of news… carefully Chloe questioned the returning men gleening information about Struan and it’s Robertson…leader… Iain… at first relieved to hear of his victory and his good health… then crushed and anguished when the news of his marriage fluttered thru the crowds that pressed into Dungatlich to celebrate the return of the MacGregor and his men, and the liberation of Skye.

For three days, the celebrations ran late into the night, bond fires where people danced and sang… all this time Chloe played the part of the perfect wife, escorting her husband thru the merry makers. The Lady MacGregor, perfectly beautiful and noble to behold, becoming more beloved by the MacGregor people as the days progressed… Only three souls knew the truth of the matter besides her own Ida who watched with fervent prayer that Chloe would come to settle now that the truth of Iain’s marriage to Kalianna was fact. Something that could not and would not be changed… Searc, who, while he escorted his wife and showed her off, allowed a simple kiss to her cheek for the show of it, was refused her bed time and time again, met with a locked door and a cold shoulder. “I’m already with child there is no reason for you to visit my bed…” the nightly answer thru the bolted door.

The last night of the celebration was when Searc choose his grand announcement… “Good people of Dunsgatelich… I bring you happy news…” he announced as fires burned high and ale ran freely as did good notions and feelings… “As you all know, My first two wives found their graves without leaving me an heir… Now my new wife.. Chloestrain, will be doing just that… By New year’s we will have a New MacGregor…” he raised his ale glass and everyone shouted, hailing the MacGregor and his new Bride’s news of a baby... and Heir for the clan.

Standing in the crowd, Mark would hear the proclamations of childbearing and raise his tankard to cheer the new mother and father. His words and his thoughts were far apart from each other as he tried to estimate what Iain’s reaction would be.

Everyone seemed so happy… everyone but Chloe… it was in the crush of well wishes and now the louder sounds of revelry that she managed to slip away, feeling the weight of the announcement pressing down upon her like a yoke. Slamming closed the prison door on her life… thru the gardens past the stables... and into the edge of the forest… away from the sounds of happiness… and gaiety. These were things she did not want to hear. She was tired of pasting on a smile for the others. Tired of the eyes upon her always watching that she behaved like a proper MacGregor wife. She slumped to the ground, leaning against and aged evergreen... like a child, her knees drawn up to her chest, she hugged them sobbing miserably… finally alone where no one could see. “What have I agreed to… ?” she asked herself aloud amid the sounds of her crying… sure she was alone.

Seeing her slip away from the crowd, he backed away from the reveling people and made his way from the hall, to where Chloe had made her escape. Past the stables he now knew so well, into the gardens and into the forest. Pausing, he listened for footfalls, but all he heard was a woman sobbing faintly.

Her thoughts far away of Iain and the sweet months of bliss they had shared, love, tenderness... It was all gone now replaced by the reality that he was married to the Reed Heir... And she to the MacGregor Tanist... When had fate become so twisted... When had the innocent love they shared fell to the guillotine of political and clan interest... Why couldn’t they have stayed together... happy and safe with one another... Now separated by miles and marriage she sobbed louder… would she ever see him again… touch him again… feel his love again... Her hand drifted down to the sacred bond between them, not even a bump in her belly yet… at least she would have this part of him always… a child... to love and cherish as she did him… nothing would harm this child. This child would never know an unhappy day as long as she breathed… wasn’t that why she had agreed to Searc’s claiming the child…? Her child would never be called a bastard and set aside for others, he or she would never grow up as Chloe and Iain had always being second best… Nothing, would be too good for their child... Even if it took a secret to make it so.

Slowly, step by step, he made his way thru the forest, carefully placing his feet to prevent detection; every step taking his closer to the sobbing female. There, leaning against an aged evergreen, slumped down, her arms around her drawn legs, he whispered as he stepped from a nearby tree… “Lady Chloe…”

It was then his voice would be heard speaking to her... This stranger, the groomsman who always readied her mare when she rode out... There was something familiar about him, but she had pushed it away to the back of her mind, her thoughts occupied by things other than the groomsman. Hands wiped at her tears childishly as she moved to stand from her unladylike position on the ground beneath the bower of the tree… suddenly realizing she was in a precarious predicament... Perhaps he was drunk, and meant to cause her harm?

His hands were raised to display now weapon… “Lady Chloe… tis I, Mark Collier, a close friend of Iain…” as he approached her with caution. He could see the apprehension in her teary eyes… “I have been watching yu since yer arrival in Dungatelich… at the behest of Lord Iain. He wishes to know all that becomes of yu M’Lady… and I am to relay his remembrance of vows yu and he made…” He could see her starting to become riled, but his hands went up as he looked around making sure they were alone. “He knows yu have heard that he and Kailiana have married, but Lord Robertson had forced this upon him… He wanted me to ensure yu understand his truest feelings are for yu… and…” Mark paused, looked around again, his raised hands offering reassurance, then continued… “I know yu are with child… and tis not Searc’s… but Iain’s… and I know for yer safety, and the child’s… neither man need know now… for they would surely quarrel to the death… I pray yu and I share this secret a bit longer…”

“Collier? Mark..?” her eyes widened and a look of relief and then confusion played over her countenance… tearstains hastily wiped away as she tried to compose herself as the Lady MacGregor should behave and not a tearful child… “I don’t understand why you... why are you here... instead of with Iain…” her head shook back and forth as she tried to make sense of the oddity of him being in Sleat and in MacGregor Lands...

Seeing her not causing a commotion, he moved closer to her, his green eyes constantly scanning the area for intruders. “Iain wishes to come see yu, but I asked him to wait until I could see yu and discuss a plan.” Then he squatted before her, his hand lightly touched her arm. She was truly beautiful and he knew now that Iain did love her so… “I pray, tell me what to do M’Lady…”

When he announced that he knew of the child she paled... then as he announce that he knew it was Iain’s... her hand fluttered to her lips as if to still the secret upon then and never lose it to the world. “Mark… you cannot tell him, promise me…” she gained her feet quickly moving to him with plaintive eyes and hands that opened and lay beseechingly on his chest.. “Please, Please promise me;” her hands curled about the opening of his jerkin emphasizing the depth of her plight to keep the news from Iain; There was a panic born of her love for Iain and a wish that nothing or no one... not even herself bring harm to him.

A bit startled, he looks to her hand upon his chest, then blue eyes look at hers. “M’Lady, Yu command me to promise something that I shall find difficult to hold true…” he looks down, a deep concern lingers in his eyes and vocal tone.

Meanwhile, back in Struan, Iain had returned to Dun Darroch, his wife patiently waiting for him. Still his heart was with Chloe, but Kailiana desired Iain… Had this wench fallen in love with him? Despite prolonged attempts to seduce him, he shunned her and kept his doors locked, keeping her out. In the quiet of his room, he continued to read the missives from Mark, and make plans to rid himself of the situation he was in.

“In three days time we travel to Turas Lan for the tournaments…” she pulled away blushing at the intimate way she had clung to him... stepping back composing herself, lest someone spy upon them and think it a lovers tryst.. “Iain can see me then… if I can manage to get away from Searc for a bit.” her face showed already the wrangling that was going on beneath the beauty, her mind working over scenarios that she could work to steal time alone with Iain...

“M’Lady, I shall avoid informing MiLord as long as possible… and since yu shall see him at the tourney, he would manage to see yu… and I shall assist…” As her hands whisked away from him, his attempt to keep her at bay was lost as she turned… He knew that Lord Iain loved this woman… and he was seeing now, her affections for him.

And then her face fell still, a sadness creeping over it before she turned back eyes of soft mossy green, to him. “I should not meet him again… I should be brave and let him go, go on with his life and his marriage.” the last word was said with distaste as she began to pace, her hands clasp before her lost in nervous wringing. “What good does it do to prolong this … and if I see him I risk him learning I am with child...” she was speaking to herself more than Mark... as she leaned her forehead against and ancient oak as if drawing strength from the age old giant of the forest, silvery moonbeams seemed to dance thru the spring leaves to find her casting her in almost a ethereal glow... like some woodland nymph or perhaps a fae, a mythical creature whom was elusive and fleeting…

He walked to her as she placed her head against the tree, his hands finding her arms. “M’Lady, speak not in this manner… for should Lord Iain discover the secret, it would nay bode well… You and he have long since found one another again…” he squeezes her in his grasp. “MiLord has confided in me many times… and I… I have seen how he longs for yu…” he pauses a few moments, then continues… “People are subjected to his irritation upon occasions…” then he garnered a soft smile… “Though he would deny both allegations…” and offered her a soft chuckle.

“Oh Mark… have you ever felt the need to hold someone , so deeply it was as if your heart would not beat... your breath would still... and the world did not matter until you touched them…?” her voice broke then relating the misery of her circumstance... in the false note that crackled with emotion.

His forehead laid softly against her back at her question. “Yu have no idea M’Lady… But I have concluded that MAYBE someday, I too shall have a love as strong as yers and Milord’s.”

“I cannot bear to think of a chance that I could have to be with him... if only a moment… I wish I were selfish and could grasp it... hold onto it… but Mark…” she turned, eyes brimming with sparkling tears that caught the moonlight, transforming them into diamond like rivulets.

Mark raised his head and released her arms as she managed to turn and look at him. “Be selfish M’Lady… take the chance of a lifetime…” his words were broken off to silence as she began to speak again.

“I know him… if he thought for a moment that this child was his… he would cast aside everything he’s dreamed of, everything he is and has worked so hard for.” she shuddered closing her eyes softly her lips pulling into a thin line to hold back the sob…

Mark nodded his head in agreement. “Aye tis true M’Lady… He would place yu and the babe upon a pedestal… as if to only worship yu both… Wedlock or nay, t’would be nothing he would do to be with yu…”

“I cannot and will not be the reason he falls…” her hands moved to her mouth as if she had uttered a curse against God... then she steadied herself as she brushed past him heading back to the Castle... and her lonely bed “Tell Iain I do not wish to see him... and I wish him well in his Marriage, and I hope he is as happy in his as I am mine”

“M’Lady…” his hand reaches out toward her, only to grasp at air… “…I beseech thee do not tread this path…” then he grit his teeth, his hand coming to his mouth, as he bit his curled finger to silence his concerns…

She challenged Mark with her eyes… “If you love him, as a friend and Brother, you will do this… he must never know...”

Mark sighed as she walked quickly away. Looking toward the heavens, he prays softly… “Great and gracious Lord, help me in my plight… These two know not what they do… Guide these two toward one another…” Had anyone seen Mark pray, they would not have believed it; for he was known in Struan as a drinker, ruffian, and a lady’s man… some would call him a womanizer. But one thing was sure, he cared for his best friend of many years.

Meanwhile, back in Struan, Kelaina continued to work on Iain’s feelings toward her, nearly throwing herself at his feet. Still Iain refused her, except to use her for his own aggressive sexual frustration. Had he been nice to her, she would have possibly not been so persistent.

But this one day, she took the carriage to Turas Lan, and met with Lord Alexander… As she was leaving, but by coincident, Iain also, in Turas Lan to attempt beseechment with his Father, saw Kelaina leaving his quarters. Standing in a doorway, he evaded her sight and watched her leave by the road to Struan. Slate-grey eyes narrowed and darkened…

Instead of the front door, Iain made his way to the rear of the quarters and into his Father’s home unseen.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Days passed after Chloe and Mark had talked in the woods, she avoided him at every turn. Determined to keep her secret from Iain, he would never know the child that grew within her was his; she would not allow him to ruin his life, his dreams everything he had worked so hard for, not for her or their child. At this point with his marriage to Kelaina, not only legal but consummated, the child she carried would be little more than a bastard to the clan, much as Iain had been; How could she, as a mother, relegate her to the life that her beloved had lived, had to fight against so long and hard, to finally arrive at the place he coveted most… the very stature that he had worked toward all his life? No she could not let that fate befall her child... their child… the only part of Iain she was likely to have now that fate had twisted them apart for good.

It was in these days that she and Searc came to a truce of sorts, finally spending time talking over the direction their life would take… mapping out the future of the MacGregor clan.

“Chloe… I know that this isn’t’ the life you wanted, but your duty as a MacGregor must come first... the problems that your father and sister caused can be put to rest, if you join with me in elevating our clan as they should have been long ago... had not your family ruined their name.” He sat tiredly in a wing back chair before a chess table... looking across at her... really looking at her; not just her beauty, that was artifice and could be erased with years and hardship, but at the woman who could beat him in chess, outmaneuver him, outthink him, she could be a wonderful asset to his ambitions if only she would put away her foolish notions of fairy tales and happily ever after. “We in the noble realm... those of us who hold power… have a duty to the people we call our clan... not just to rule over them, but to elevate and make their lives better. We serve them... we have a higher purpose… almost like a priest leading his flock to God… we must lead our people into prosperity. Think beyond ourselves and our selfish wants and needs... for the good of the many... Do you understand Chloe…? You and I have a chance to make a better life for many… together…” He moved a black rook to oppose one of her knights... watching her face and eyes for any sign of her next move.

Her fingers hovered over the white bone chess pieces, flickering light causing shadows across the inlaid board… “I am not an imbecile, I know well what role the clan leaders and nobles play in the grand scheme of things, what political clout they hold as well as the…” she arched a brow upward at him as she surveyed his move perceiving a well laid trap… then reclined taking another glance at the board, a small twitch of her lips as she spotted his gambit and moved her bishop to a secure location. Forcing her Queen into perilous territory, highly ambitions and dangerous yet a move that would allow most of her pieces to go unchallenged and the King a high place of security. “You will of course note that my actions of late have been lacking in my own sentimentality or my own wants;” she settled the Bishop… with a clink of ivory on the board. A look of concern on her face as she watched carefully his next move. “I have agreed to let you claim the child that grows in my belly, to have him or her be the MacGregor Heir, and all that goes with it. I will be good wife to you publicly, and do my duty to the clan. It goes without saying that my life before you is over… a closed chapter, and I do not need a refresher course on what my Childs life would be like as a bastard.” she settled back in her chair watching warily. “What more is there to discuss, I thought we had settled this weeks ago Searc?”

His eyes narrowed as he watched the stratagem, sacrificing the Queen for the bishop and the Kings safety, he wondered at her motives and could not help but draw the conclusion that this woman would sacrifice herself for her unborn, and the man she loved, no matter how betrayed she felt by Iain’s marriage. There was something almost noble in her actions... for a moment he wished to have that kind of loyalty and love... but in a brash and strong move he captured the Queen, knocking her over onto her side, and scooping her up in the palm of his hand to be swept from the board and horded away at his side. “I have great respect for you intellect Chloe. You are more than the average woman a man takes to wife. You see things without the usual womanly sentiment; but while we have come to this agreement, there are more things that make a marriage than just agreements, and public life. Do you not want these things?” The Queen was taken into his hand and fondled as he leaned back, his pipe between his teeth a slight tinge of blue fragrant smoke lilting into the air of the room; one long fingered hand cupping the bowl of the carved pipe the other working over the figure of the Queen with intent.

She leaned up and without hesitation, moved her pieces to capture his King, virtually ending the game leaving him without position nor merit in continuing; a flare of her nostrils and narrowing of her eyes, as he spoke of wanting things. She stood snappish movements clearing the field of play, and resetting the board for another game. “Had you asked me what I wanted when you stole me from my life and brought me here, I might believe your concern for my wants and needs… as it is... this is what we are left with... these arrangements; these nightly chess games in my room are evidence to all who would wonder, that you spend hours each night in my chambers, I see no reason that should not suffice to “prove” our wedded bliss, nor have I given any indication in public as of late of my abhorrence of being your wife. I have settled… as you say, into my role and it is a role I play… do not think… that I will grow into a matrimonial fugue and accept our marriage as anything more… than what it is.. an arrangement.” With the last piece reassembled to the board she sat back down once more and gave him a sweet smile... “Another game my Lord?” Sarcasm was something she could... and would… use in private...

Her words scoured his sense of pride, there was no love of her, a respect and an admiration for the loyalty and love she harbored for Iain yes, and a growing fondness but never would there be love from either side, love was something he would never truly know with a woman. Dark eyes pinned her to her seat for a moment... “I think I shall retire early tonight my dear.” the aggravation in his voice plain as the nose on his face. “I hope you are packed and ready for our trip into Turas Lan…” he stopped at the door and turned to face her… “The Tournaments and Courtly activities will offer a superb chance for all to see the Lady McGregor and how well she’s taken to her new role in life…” the word roll was dripped off his tongue with the same amount of sarcasm she had used upon him earlier and then he was off for the night.

It would be later than night feeling cloyed and cloistered in her room no fresh spring breeze cooled even though the windows boards were long since taken down and the lace coverings placed over to keep the mayflies out. It was stifling, or perhaps it was her elegant prison that felt as if the walls closed in even more. From the keep she crept down to the stables… her one true comfort was riding each day and for the space of the last few days she had forgone it... avoiding Mark as if he were an adder… but she felt the need for freedom... at least as long as she could take the saddle before her pregnancy became so prominent it would forbid it. It was her stallion, Clover, a beautiful blue Arabian, the grey so dark upon his hide that it appeared a smokey-blue when cast in the moonlight… his name already his when he was gifted to her by her husband. Clover was truly the one thing she could have to thank Searc for... for she had bonded deeply and loved the stallion as both companion and audience to her true self, something no one else in Sleat was aware of. Saddling the stallion quickly, she was off into the night… riding as if she were the devil’s own across the moors, jumping streams without a care in the world... as if indeed... nothing mattered but the wind in her hair, the feeling of flying, the smell of night... the rush of blood in her ears that drown out the misery of her existence...

Somewhere in her nocturnal flight, she had been noticed... followed... and watched… but all of this she was unaware of… yet Mark did his duty…

She had avoided him as if he was the plague… Had he damaged his opportunity to guide her thoughts with his persistence and his witness to her feelings? His talents with horses ensured his position with the MacGregors… and he watched over Chloe as a hawk scanned a battlefield. Nights were long and this one in particular was no different. His room in the back of the stable, preferring it over the manor, was sufficient for him to perform his duties. His clandestine reconnaissance hidden by the cover of night as he watched Chloe from the windows and afar during the day.

This particular night, he was rousted from a light sleep by the noise in the stable. Who would be riding at night? He rose and slipped on his trousers. Out the back door, and around to the side, he peered into the stables. “Damn…” he mumbled to himself and rushed back into the room to dress. He heard the quiet thuds of horse’s hooves in the hard dirt as Chloe walked Clover out of the stables and down the road a bit.

As she mounted the Arabian and rode off, Mark was quickly saddling his own horse. With a leg swung precariously over the saddle, he rode after Chloe.

Unknowing her destination, he continued to ride down the rode. Stopping near the forest, he listened… Faintly he heard the thunder of hooves as a beast leapt over logs, and splashes upon the sides of streams… “heyahhh…” he spurred his horse onward into the forest… “Damn this female…” he cursed knowing she could fall, the horse could stumble… all sorts of maladies could occur… and she pregnant with Iain’s child… Still he rode after her…

In the forest he could hear her and her stallion, but only if he stood still. Upon a knoll, he could survey the forest interior a bit better, but the growing foliage of spring hid what he sought.

Meanwhile back in Turas Lan, Iain had entered his Father’s room and approached his bed whilst he slept. Upon the table was the small glass of nightly wine that Alexander drank. From a vest pocket, Iain produced a small piece of paper… inside was a toxic derivative of a plant. As he stood over his Father, he unfolded the paper and held it over the glass… With one look upon his Father’s face, he sneered and poured some into the glass. He could have very easily hired someone to do this dastardly deed, but this was personal… and also, he needed no one to be able to bear witness… so he poured the entire contents into the glass with a wicked smirk… “This is for Chloe and me, yu bastard…” he murmured everso softly.

The next day found Iain grooming his horse, a task usually set aside for Mark. Kelaina entered the stables, a bright smile upon her face. She was dressed in a soft blue dress with white lace. The newest of fashion from Turas Lan. “G’d morn Milord… Ah missed yae at Breakfast…” the words eased off her tongue.

Kelaina was a beautiful lass, especially this morning. The golden hair highlighted by her green eyes stood out more now with the light blue dress. She approached him and kissed his cheek. “I am sorry my dear… but Dresden needed grooming… Mark seems to be gone along time…” he said in a baritone voice. “Kin Ah help Milord?” she inquired… “No, I do not wish yu to muss yer dress… Is it new?”

Kelaina smiled and stepped back, holding the material and spinning around. “Aye Milord… yest’day Ah purchased it at the Square… an’ it fit perfectly…” stopping and looking at Iain. Iain nodded… “Yu look beautiful in it…”

Kelaina smiled even more brightly... then with a saucy look around, then back to him… “Mabbe milord wo’d like tae coom upstairs an’ assist mae in taking it off…?” she remarked. This girl never hesitated in attempting to vanquish Chloestrain from Iain’s mind… but that was a task daunted before it started… as she saw Iain toss the grooming brush aside, she turned and ran into the manor… with him following close behind.

Inside the manor, behind closed doors, Iain and Kelaina went thru the mating ritual of removing garment after garment… Nude, she stood before him and seduced him with her charm… and he backed her against a wall, his hand upon her throat… his slate grey eyes darkened… “Yu are a sorceress, Ke… Yu wind me up only to hang me…” he was referring to her plan with Alexander to divide him and his true love…

“Aye Milord… Ah try tae… just take mae anyway yae wish…” she choked thru his grasp… “jest as laeng as tis mae and nae her…” which caused him to grip her throat more.

The pounding upon the wall and its vibration of paintings hung would send away those wanting access to clean the room… and announce his taking of his wife. Their conjugal encounters were wild, often violent; far extremist compared to many relationships. Iain’s plan to overcome his wife had backfired, and she desired him more and more.

Through a choking grasp upon her throat, she spoke again… “Dae yae wish tae kill mae and yer child?” then she coughed as Iain released his grasp and backed from her.

“WHAT??? What did yu say?” as he looked at her slumped down to a crouching position.

Coughing, she looked to him… “Laird Alexander said yae wo’d bae pleased tae ‘ave a child… and if’en Ah twas wit child, he said yae would bae titled fully o’the Clan and lands…” she paused and stood wearily… “Ah bae with child Iain…”

Iain grit his teeth and looked to her… “Alexander?? Who is he to proclaim what I do, or who is to be tanist? And what do yu want…?What involvement do yu and he have? Do yu favor him or me?” his anger was evident…

“Yae milord… always yae…” naked, she slumped down to a crouched position… “Tis always yae milord…” Such a lying imp... and she was good.

Cursing, Iain just turned and got dressed, leaving her naked crouched next to the wall, crying… and he slammed the door as he exited.