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lex removed his shirt and kilt and placed them on the chair under the window. He eased his body into bed, snuggled up to Caitlin's back and reached over and stroked her large abdomen. He was still in awe of how a woman's body could change so much. She was so small, yet now her middle was enormous.
I hope she's not having twins like ye did, Mam. I don't think I could take that, losing a bairn. May the Creator be with us.
Caitlin was dead to the world, as she always was by nightfall these days. But Alex's mind was on fire and running in a thousand directions. He couldn't seem to stay on track with one thought before another one rushed in. How was he to deal with this new information?
Information, my arse! It's a young lad, my son. I've gotta get my thoughts together now and figure out how I'm to deal with him. And whatever must Caitlin be thinking about me? That I just left a young lass with no thought for her condition? But then, I didn't know about her condition. And if I had? Would I have stayed in Edinburgh with her? Nae, that wouldn't have been my first choice. But, maybe I ... ah, Jesus!
Alex covered his head with the blanket in an effort to shut out any more thoughts that might come rushing in. His body and mind had had enough for one day. Tomorrow would be soon enough to tackle this latest problem.
He was awakened a few hours later by Caitlin moaning in her sleep. He sat up quickly, looking down at her.
"Mo chridhe, are ye in pain? What is it, lass?"
She mumbled something he couldn't understand, but the next moment she sat up and called out loudly.
"Holy Rusephus! It can't be coming this quickly. First bairns are always late. Help me up, now!"
Alex jumped out of bed, quickly donned his kilt and helped Caitlin to stand. She grabbed her stomach and groaned as a searing pain crept from her back around to her abdomen.
"What? What do I need to do?" Alex had birthed lambs and calves in his time, but this was his first experience with a bairn, and this one his own.
"Just help me to Mam's sewing room. That's where I want to birth this bairn. It's a special place, Alex. Take me there."
"Aye, lass, aye."
"And send Jack for the midwife. Maria, I think her name is. I thought I could handle this by myself, but this bairn is coming early and quickly. I may need some help. Then come back up here and help me get down the stairs."
"Maria? I don't think I know her, lass."
"No. I met her in the village a few weeks ago. She's Lourdes' aunt who just arrived here from Spain. Lourdes says she's a very competent midwife. I believe she lives in the cottage next door to the kirk—a place McGuire arranged for her. But she's old enough to know her business. Hurry now."
Alex fled the room before Caitlin even finished her sentence. In a few seconds he was at the other end of the hall calling out loudly.
"Jack! Get down here brother, I need yer help!" His booming voice probably awakened the entire household, but Alex was not concerned with that.
It was a known fact Jack was not at his best when awakened abruptly, but Millie roused him and helped him get moving. As soon as Jack came running, Alex was giving orders.
"Go to the village and get Maria, the midwife. Caitlin's having the bairn early and it looks like she needs the midwife to help her. Don't think she had planned on needing any help, but the midwife might be useful. Go now. She lives in the cottage next to the kirk."
"I'm going, I'm going. But who's this Maria person? I thought the midwife was old Harriet. That's who Mam used."
"Caitlin says Harriet passed away and this woman, this Maria, knows her business. Just get yerself there and back, quickly now."
Jack had never seen Alex in such a state. He usually took everything in stride and stayed calm when others might be agitated. No sooner had Jack gone than Millie came running to Caitlin's room, pulling her dressing gown together, her long, dark hair streaming behind her as she hurried along.
"Caitlin, are you alright? Is the bairn coming?" Millie's voice was soothing and well modulated, always the lady's voice. She found Caitlin pacing from one end of the room to the other.
"It looks like this first bairn is determined to make an early appearance. My calculations said it should be several more weeks now, but this one's got a mind of its own, just like the rest of the MacKinnons I suppose."
She grabbed at her abdomen, trying to tell herself to slow down her breathing and stop fighting the pain. She knew the more she fought it, the more severe it would become. How many times had she said those words to women in labor? And she remembered the looks they often gave her, ones that said they'd like to slap her face if they could.
Well, healer, looks like you didn't have any idea what they were truly enduring, now did you?
Alex took the stairs two at a time and was back quickly. Caitlin was standing next to the bed holding on to the bedpost.
"Here, help me get down the stairs. Just hold me under the arms and I'll manage.”
Alex nodded, then as though he had not even heard her instructions, picked her up and carried her down the stairs as if she weighed nothing at all, with Millie following closely behind them. Millie well remembered this stage of the birthing process and it wasn't a fond memory. Of course, she'd had Caitlin at her side and all went well for her and her bairn, Midge.
Alex set Caitlin down carefully. "Here, lass, come lie down now. Let's get ye off yer feet."
"No, I have to stand up, walk around. Get some hot water, clean cloths and bring my medicine bag from the pantry. It's up high on the top shelf where the bairns can't reach it."
Even in this time of distress, Caitlin managed to keep her thoughts in order and was determined to keep her wits about her. Actually, though, she didn't feel much in control and wondered what was keeping Jack and the midwife. It may be that she'd deliver this bairn by herself, but she'd rather have help standing by.
Millie left them and busied herself in the kitchen preparing tea, as she was sure the whole family would be there shortly. Having Caitlin at her side during the birth of Midge was something she would never forget. She often thought she would not have survived her ordeal in the forest on that cold, snowy night without Caitlin's help. That was the beginning of their friendship. Now here she was only able to make a cup of tea for Caitlin. She didn't have a clue about what she could do to help a laboring woman, but was glad Jack was bringing Maria.
In the last few weeks Millie's days had been even more hectic than usual. Caitlin literally waddled about, so Millie did most of the running back and forth between the lodge and classroom.
Just yesterday, as she loaded up her arms with books and school supplies and headed across the yard, the new hand, Boder, appeared as he had several times the last few days.
"Here, I'll take those for you. A lovely lady such as you should have servants to do her bidding. What are you doing at this Highland lodge anyway? It's obvious to me you belong in a fine house, perhaps even a castle somewhere."
He put a hand at her back, ostensibly to help her walk, and just his touch made Millie cringe.
"Thank you, but I can manage."
Millie felt his fingers as they pushed back a lock of her hair that had blown across her face. Then his eyes moved up and down her body and he smiled as he bowed and walked away.
She vowed to herself to keep out of Boder's way and not mention the exchange to Jack. She knew he would not take kindly to Boder's comments about her belonging in a castle. She wondered if perhaps Boder was someone from her past. Did he know about Lord Sinclair's death? Did he know her father? She no longer thought of either of them.
She had just poured herself a cup of tea when she heard voices coming from the stairwell.
"Daniel, we've been through this more times than most. The lass will be alright I tell ye. She's delivered many bairns for others and knows what to expect. The best thing we can do is keep Alex's mind occupied."
Uncle Andrew's voice was soothing and he was aware Da cared greatly for his daughter-in-law, as did he. No matter how many times they'd sat through the long birthing process when the lads had been born, they both always dreaded that the child may die, as Alex's twin sister had so long ago.
Jack rushed in the back door practically pulling the midwife behind him. She was an older woman, a bit on the rotund side, and wore a long, full-skirted dress and a colorful scarf tied around her thick, salt and pepper hair. She spoke with a certain amount of authority and had a strong foreign accent. Jack wasn't sure where she came from, but had no trouble understanding her. In fact, she probably had more trouble understanding his Scottish brogue, which only got thicker when he was anxious.
Alex refused to leave Caitlin even as she insisted she didn't need his help, but he was relieved when Jack entered with Maria. He knew when he was out of his element, and this was one of those times. But still, he wanted to stay with Caitlin, not let her go through this ordeal alone.
"Come on, brother. Let's go down and have some tea. Millie's got it all ready for us." Jack wanted to get out of there himself.
"Nae, I'll stay here with her. I can't leave her, ye ken? She's mine and I'll not let her go through this without me. I'll be staying."
Jack nodded and looked over at Caitlin, who gave a quick nod to him indicating she agreed with the decision—Alex could stay. But the midwife wasn't as happy about that decision as they were. In her heavily accented voice she addressed Alex.
"I can take care of her, Señor MacKinnon. Birthing a niño is not something menfolk usually want any part of. You should go now. I'll call you when it's over."
She approached Caitlin's bedside and began to lay out the items she would need to assist in the birth. But she apparently knew nothing of the MacKinnon men. Changing their mind on something they'd decided was not an easy undertaking.
"As I said, I'll be staying," Alex replied as he pulled up a small stool next to Caitlin's bed and sat down. He took her hand and she gave him a small smile as another searing pain had her in its grip. She pulled Alex's hand and placed it on her abdomen, letting him feel every movement of the bairn as it struggled to make its appearance.
The midwife put her hands on Caitlin's abdomen also.
"It's not quite time, señora. Slow your breathing down now. Slow your breathing down. But it'll not be long now. I'll tell you when to push."
She did sound like Lourdes thought Alex, the same accent. Lourdes was quite a bit younger than her husband, McGuire, very attractive, and even smaller than Caitlin. Her talent was working with flowers and plants and she and Caitlin had become friends. Alex hadn't quite figured out how McGuire was able to convince her to come to the Highlands with him, but then, Da had convinced Mam to do the same so it did happen.
But the accent was the only thing the midwife had in common with Lourdes. There was something about the woman that disturbed Alex, but he couldn't put his finger on it. She was not especially to his liking, but he knew he needed her so he'd put his dislike aside for the moment.
Jack left the room and found his way to the kitchen, where Uncle Andrew and Da were sipping their tea. They looked up as he entered.
"Everything alright with Caitlin?" Da asked. He tried to keep his worries to himself, but Andrew could read his face very well after all these years.
"Yeah, but Alex refuses to leave her. The midwife's not too happy about that, but ye know how Alex is when he makes up his mind."
"Aye. Kinda like the rest of us, huh?" Da said.
They all laughed and began to once again discuss the latest rumors about requirements the Crown was going to impose on the Scots.
The Battle of Culloden had been disastrous for many Scots, particularly those who were members of the Jacobite Uprising, in which the MacKinnons had played a part. Lately there had been a few travelers from London and Edinburgh relaying information that the Crown was working harder than ever to find and punish Scots who had participated in the uprising.
The rumors were that their lands would be forfeited and the men either imprisoned, executed or exiled. Further, the Scots would be forbidden to speak Gaelic and the tartan could not be worn. Word was many had already been rounded up and sent to the Caribbean as slaves.
"What do ye think, Da? Will the Brits really come looking for us? And take our lands?" Jack asked. He wasn't one to believe everything he heard, but this subject had his attention.
"These rumors are just the latest of many, lad. The ones in charge always try to control those not in their power. It's not anything I'd give a lot of thought to. Besides, we're so far up in these Highlands the Brits would get lost just trying to find us.
Nae, time will pass and this Battle of Culloden will fade in their memories. I remember the uprising of '15. It was the same as now. Just a lot of bluster, but not much action. As for taking our lands, that might prove to be a bit more difficult than they think. The clans that live up here will stick together as always. A few generations ago we MacKinnons actually lived mostly down around the Isle of Skye, but following some disputes some of us came up here, which is where we've been for some time now. I don't think we'll be going anywhere."
That eased Jack's mind. If Da wasn't too concerned, then he wouldn't be either.
~ ~ ~
The brightness of the full moon surrounded Wabi's cottage and he stood looking out his kitchen window at the water lapping the rocks down on the edge of the beach. He was not surprised to see a large winged bird swoop down and alight on a perch that had been built just for him. Owl. He walked outside and called out.
"Ah, my dear friend. I was hoping you'd get here soon. I'm sure you, too, know where we're headed this beautiful evening. It seems I just got here and now I have to turn around and make another trip."
Yes, Master. The time has come, and even though I detest time weaving I know we must get to the Highlands quickly.
"Right you are, Owl. Caitlin's in labor and knowing that girl, she'll hurry through it like she does everything else. It's important I be there when the child is born. But I promise to keep the time weaving to the shortest route and not make any detours to extend our trip."
He laughed and gathered his old crooked staff, his long dark cloak and a small leather pouch that he flung over his shoulder.
"Then let's be off."
With a nod of his head and one quick wave of his staff, the two of them disappeared in a spinning whirlwind that took Owl's breath. No matter how many times he traveled in this fashion with Wabi, he still found time weaving unnerving. But he had to admit, it was an expedient way to get somewhere when time was of the essence. He even agreed that the sights he often saw—when he was brave enough to open his eyes—were extraordinary. The universes melded together in a rainbow of colors he had never before seen and a myriad of sounds assaulted his ears with such glorious music he could almost enjoy this trip. Almost.
The Highlands were only short minutes away. Sometimes, however, Wabi’s and Owl's landings were not as eloquent as their departures. Gentle landings were not something Wabi had ever stopped long enough to perfect. He was usually in such a hurry to get to a specific place that he just got up and went, and often landed in a most jarring manner.
Tonight he was certainly in a rush. Only a few hours earlier he had sensed vibrations he knew were coming from his niece, Caitlin. He was a bit surprised as he thought the bairn wasn't due for another few weeks. However, he also knew bairns changed their mind often and didn't ask permission from anyone as to their arrival time.
He and Owl arrived at the steps of the lodge. Owl took roost in the rowan tree by the porch, and just as Wabi raised his staff to knock, the door opened and Ian greeted them.
"Uncle Wabi, I thought ye might show up. There's a lot of activity going on inside. Most of it's coming from Jack, Da and Uncle Andrew discussing the Crown's plans for us Scots. The rest of the noise is coming from Caitlin. She's calling out loud enough for ye to hear her in Skye. And every time she screams, Willie howls even louder."
Wabi grinned, then noticed another young lad standing behind Ian. Before he had a chance to ask about him Ian made the introduction.
"Uncle Wabi, this is Robbie, Robbie MacKinnon. Alex's son, ye ken?"
Wabi didn't miss the sullen look on the lad's face, nor the strong resemblance to Alex, but knew this was not the time to ask questions.
"Hello, Robbie. Good to meet you, lad." Then he turned back to Ian. "You say Caitlin's making herself heard? Then I got here just in time. She hasn't delivered yet, apparently."
"Nae, but ye can hear her screaming at Alex to sit down and stop pacing. She's actually yelling at him, Uncle Wabi. Ye should hear her."
"That means everything is as it should be. Just one of the phases of birthing a bairn, my lad."
"Maria, the midwife, is with her. But I heard Caitlin yelling at her, too. Glad I'm not in there."
Wabi smiled and walked to the kitchen to speak to Da and Andrew. The three oldsters had become friends and Wabi was glad Caitlin was a part of this family. It suited her for sure.
"Wabi, come, come in. Didn't know ye were due a visit, but we're always glad to see ye. Here, sit and have a cup of Millie's tea. It's even better than mine. We'll drink tea now, and save ourselves for a wee dram when the time comes." Da laughed.
The fact Wabi just showed up unannounced no longer phased the MacKinnons. He had earned his place in the family and his eccentricities were accepted by all of them.
A voice coming from Mam's room had them all turning their heads.
"I have to push, now! Stop telling me to not push! Get out of here!" Caitlin's voice was clearly heard above the other two. "I said get out of here, now!"
The next sound was that of a door being slammed, then total quietness for a moment. Shortly, Maria walked into the kitchen muttering to herself in her native language.
"¡Madre de Dios, ella es imposible!"
None of them spoke Spanish, but they all understood what she meant. Caitlin had a temper they had all witnessed, and a determination even greater. That she had sent the midwife out was not surprising to them at all. She usually managed to be in charge of most situations in which she was a participant. No one said a word, but offered Maria a cup of tea instead. Before the midwife finished her tea, they heard the next cry.
"Alex!"
Caitlin called out, then let out a scream that had everyone on the edge of their chairs, afraid of what exactly they did not know. Willie's long, mournful howl further set their nerves on fire. Finally, the wail of an infant filled the air, and this cry was almost as loud as Caitlin's and Willie's.
After waiting for a few minutes, Wabi excused himself and went to Caitlin's room and entered without stopping to knock. He was greeted by Willie, who licked his hand then ran back to the bed and put his front paws up on the edge of it, as if he’d had a hand in the proceedings. Wabi found Alex kneeling next to Caitlin's bed, trying to wrap a blanket around a wriggling, very pink bairn. The look on his face was so amusing Wabi wanted to laugh.
"Ah, Alex, so you survived then I see." Wabi smiled at him, then went over and placed a kiss on Caitlin's forehead.
"Uncle Wabi, you came. I'm so glad."
"Of course I came. I have work to do just as you did. Now, if I may, I'd like to hold your daughter."
"How did you know I had a daughter?"
Removing his cloak and standing his staff in the corner, he turned to his niece.
"That's a long story, Caitlin. But at first glance, I'd say she's healthy and certainly her lungs are working well. I was at the birth of your grandmother, Ci-Cero, you mother, Flinn, and of course yours. At each birth I performed a ritual I would like to perform with your daughter as well."
"What kind of ritual? I don't know anything about any ritual. Why would you do that?"
"It's part of the Creator's plan for me, as well as for you and all the others in your line of healers. It is simply a way of marking you that identifies you as belonging to this particular line. It's harmless, not painful, but important."
"What kind of mark? I don't have any mark."
"But of course you do, my girl. You may not have ever seen it, but it's there. I placed it on you myself."
"Where? Why haven't I seen it?"
"It's behind your left ear, just at your hairline. I suspect Alex has seen it."
"But, what does it look like?" She ran her fingertips behind her ear, but could feel nothing. Alex spoke up.
"Oh, you mean that small circle? I have seen it, assumed it was a birthmark. I've never actually examined it closely."
"Yes, you're right. It is a circle. To be precise, it's an ouroboros, which is a serpent with its tail in its mouth, a symbol of healing for millennia. Many ancient cultures regarded the serpent as sacred and used it in healing rituals. It's symbolic of immortality, the eternal unity of all things, the cycle of birth and death. Simply put, it's a sign of wholeness and infinity."
Alex stared at his newborn daughter, who already looked so like his Caitlin. Her hair was abundant and as flaming as her mother's, and she was so tiny he feared he would break her. Carefully handing her to Caitlin, he nodded his agreement with the ritual.
Wabi reached inside his old leather pouch and brought out a small rowan twig and held it above his head, high in the air, as if presenting it to some unseen entity. He reached out his arms and Caitlin placed the crying, squirming, bairn in them.
Wabi held her gently to his chest, then closed his eyes, all the while softly chanting in a language known only to a few. He carefully touched the twig to the area behind the bairn’s left ear. As the twig touched her skin, a small droplet of a deep blue fluid dripped from the rowan twig and a small circle appeared.
Caitlin held her breath, thinking perhaps the liquid would burn the child's skin. But the bairn quieted and stayed perfectly still, as though she intuitively knew this ritual was the bestowing of a gift. Wabi continued to chant as he sprinkled the droplet with silver dust that sparkled for a moment then was gone, leaving behind a perfect ouroboros behind her left ear.
"And now she, too, has been marked. She belongs to your line. The Creator will have his own plans for her destiny, for her life."
He placed a kiss on the child's forehead, just as he had on Caitlin's, then handed her back to her mother. The wailing had ceased and the child slept quietly. The line of healers continued.
Caitlin looked at the ouroboros. "Uncle Wabi, that looks like some kind of blue ink. What is it?"
"It's fluid from the woad plant. It's been used for centuries by many peoples, and most certainly originated with your people."
"Woad plant? But, Wabi, that's poisonous isn't it?"
Wabi smiled and waited, as he could see Caitlin rummaging through her very fine mind searching for some lost information. Then she spoke.
"Oh, yes, the plant my ancestors, the Picts, used on their bodies. I've just started reading my grandmother's journal, The Wolf, The Wizard and the Woad in which Grandmother Ci-Cero tells the story of her people, my people I suppose.
They were a very fierce people who often went into battle with their bodies tattooed with blue fluid from the woad plant. The Romans began calling them Woads after losing to them in battle. It's said that Hadrian's Wall was erected in order to keep the Woads to the north of it because they were such fierce warriors. Most probably folklore, but the name stuck. I had no idea I came from such early folk."
Wabi nodded. "Ci-Cero's mother, Katalani, your great-grandmother, was indeed a Woad, and perhaps the earliest of this line of healers. I met Katalani only briefly, at the birth of your grandmother, who later was given the name Ci-Cero by the native tribe she lived with in North America."
"Yes, she tells how she received the name in her journal. It's an engrossing story. I'm afraid I haven't read much of it yet. But then, you lived through it yourself, so I don't need to tell you about it."
Wabi nodded to his niece.
"You must make time to read the entire story. Your people, the Picts and Vikings, are proud people. You have blood from both and you are so like your grandmother, Ci-Cero, even more so than like your mother, Flinn.
"Memories of that time are forever etched in my brain and heart, my girl. And they live on through you and now this bairn you hold. She has a destiny that will find its own path as all the others have. The Creator has honored me by allowing me to be a part of his plan for this line of healers. It is my destiny."
Wabi excused himself then and left the two new parents, who were busy counting fingers and toes and grinning from ear to ear.
"What are we going to call her, lass? We've talked about several names, but I haven't heard ye mention any lately." Alex looked at the two, his Caitlin and now his daughter, amazed to see the likeness—as alike as he and Robbie.
"I would like to honor both our mothers by naming our daughter after them. How does Alicia Flinn MacKinnon sound to you?"
"Aye. Aye. Mam would be pleased to know her name is carried on."
"I never knew my mother, but perhaps if we keep her name alive her spirit may find a place with us. I was thinking we would call our child Flinn. Is that alright with you?"
"Flinn, aye. Flinn it is."
~ ~ ~
Millie breathed a sigh of relief when the new bairn announced her arrival. It wasn't that long ago she had been through this same ordeal and she'd not forgotten what a difficult time it was. She would forever be grateful Caitlin had been there when she needed her help. Now, perhaps she'd return that favor by offering to tend the new child for a while so Caitlin and Alex could get some much needed rest.
Knocking lightly, she entered Caitlin's room. She almost laughed as she watched Alex struggling, trying to wrap the bairn in a blanket. This man, who was so very capable of doing most anything, had a look on his face that told her he was out of his comfort zone. One quick look at Caitlin and the two shared a smile they both understood.
"Well, now. What have we here? A playmate for Midge, I believe?"
She took the child from Alex, who looked relieved to let someone else hold his bundle. He stood and spoke a few words to Caitlin, kissed her, then went down to the kitchen to share his excitement with Da and the others.
Millie gathered the child to her breast and inhaled the warm, sweet aroma that every mother recognizes.
"Ah, Caitlin. She's such a beauty. Look at those sparkling eyes. And that hair. Don't think I've ever seen a lovelier child. Well, maybe Midge, of course."
That brought a smile to Caitlin's face and, for some reason, tears to her eyes. She wiped away her tears and looked again at her friend holding her child. Strange events had brought them together, and something told her they would share even more events in the future.
"Well, now. First things first. Why don't you give this child her first meal? This is the one time she'll know exactly what to do without any help. Then I'll take her so you can rest awhile."
"Thanks, Millie. But I think I'll just keep her here close to me. Somehow I'm not ready to let her go just yet. I don't understand it, but she seems more a part of me now than she did when I carried her."
Millie smiled but kept her thoughts to herself.
Yes, and that feeling will never leave you. There will be days when the responsibility of having a child is overwhelming, but even then you'll hold her close and feel what all mothers feel—never-ending love.
~ ~ ~
Alex's grin grew even bigger when all the men folk, and even Maria, stood as he entered the kitchen. Each of them had a cup of cider and raised it to him.
"And a toast to the latest MacKinnon, I say. And to her da and mam." Da tossed his cider back and the others followed.
Alex found himself speechless, a most unusual state for him. "Aye, and to the wee lass. A beauty like her mam." He had in mind to say more, but his throat was near to closing up on him so he stopped with those words.
Maria gathered her belongings and medicine bag. "As Señora MacKinnon's not in need of my services, I'll be off then." She was accustomed to being in charge of births, but this MacKinnon woman definitely had a mind of her own. However, Maria had to admit the woman had handled her own situation very well.
"Aye. Ian and Robbie will get the cart and take ye home then, Maria. I don't know what to tell ye except that Caitlin can be determined when she sets her mind to it." Alex looked about the room and observed nods all 'round.
"What matters is that she and the little one are well. That's all I need to know. Now, come young señor, I'm ready to get to mi casa."
Ian was more than glad to have been assigned a task. All the screaming coming from Caitlin and the howling of Willie, plus the anxiety reeling off Alex, was taxing his emotions. He had often spoken to Mam of feeling others' pain, a trait he shared with Caitlin. Mam had told him it was something he would learn to control, but as of yet he hadn't developed that ability either.
This evening was as painful for him as it had been for Caitlin and Alex, and he had been glad when Alex asked Robbie to go with him. He was sensing the uneasiness of this lad, too, and knew he would welcome a chance to get out of the lodge for a brief time.
"Good night, Maria," Ian called as he and Robbie left the midwife a little while later.
"Buenos noches, señors," Maria called out as she closed the door to her cottage.
The two lads climbed back on the cart. They were not in a hurry to get back to the lodge, so the cart creaked along the path and the two talked as easily as if they had known each other for a lifetime.
"So then, I suppose ye being Alex's son would make ye my nephew." Ian smiled broadly at Robbie, who returned it in kind.
"Yeah, I guess that's right. I believe you're maybe a bit older than I am. Seems strange somehow. As of this evening, I have a father, a stepmother, a grandfather, three uncles, two aunts, a cousin, and a half-sister."
"Did yer mam never tell ye about Alex or his family?"
Robbie avoided looking Ian in the eye. He'd already decided he wasn't going to like anyone at the lodge, but was now finding that difficult. Ian was just so interesting.
"No. She was a great storyteller and I suppose she just made up a story she thought I would like. She told me my father was a soldier who died in battle. According to her, he saved many lives by his heroic acts and died on the battlefield. And that was what I believed until just a couple of months before she died. It was then she told me the real story and who my father really was, or is. The story of Alex and his Highland family."
"So ye never knew anything about Alex before then?"
"No. But when she told me about him, she spoke of him with such feeling I wondered why she didn't come to the Highlands with him. When I asked her, she simply said she knew she needed to be in the world of art, literature and academics. Most of her friends were from those backgrounds, and she was always happy with them. She never lacked for friends, but I can't recall any special man now that I think about it. It appeared her work, her teaching, and her friends were enough for her. Of course, most of them were English, although she had a couple of friends from India, too."
"Aye, then I'm glad ye know the truth. Uncle Wabi believes truth will always be that which frees us from our troubles."
"Uncle Wabi. The old gentleman I just met, right?"
"Aye. He's like a member of the family now, and as ye'll find out he's a wizard of sorts, if ye ken what I'm saying."
Ian wasn't sure Robbie would have any understanding of the true nature of Wabi, or him as far as that went. So he thought it better to keep some information to himself and let Robbie figure out a few things on his own.
"Well, the truth is I'm not just British, but am half Scots. And my mother lied to me my entire life about who my father was."
Ian's antennae picked up on the lad's extreme agitation and anger. But even at his young age, Ian knew this would be something Robbie would have to work out for himself.
"Alex is a man ye can be proud to have as yer da. Even if he is a Scot."
Robbie made no comment to that remark, but just stared ahead.
As they returned to the lodge, the menfolk were still in the kitchen discussing the situation regarding the Brits. The MacKinnons had barely escaped the Battle of Culloden with their lives. The Battle was over, but the repercussions of it were beginning to be felt throughout the land, even into the upper Highlands where they lived.
Ian and Robbie exchanged a look, and with no words being said, decided not to participate in the conversation but to go on up to the attic space and watch the wildlife they might get a peek of when it was quiet and the moon was bright. The uncle and the nephew appeared to be more like brothers than new acquaintances and both were aware of it.
~ ~ ~
Wabi had left the lodge shortly following the birth of Caitlin's bairn. He had an inkling, actually more of an uncomfortable feeling, his presence was needed in Skye, so he took leave in his usual fashion—time weaving.
That evening, Ian and Robbie stayed up late watching out the window, looking out over the moor. Finally, to their delight, the old stag once again showed himself.
"Has he really been here a long time? I mean, how do you know it's the same stag?"
"That's easy. Next time he shows himself, look at his rack. The left side is missing part of its upper portion. Da says he ran some poachers off years ago. He believes they shot at the stag and nicked his rack."
"Ok. I'll look next time I see him."
Ian turned over in bed, hoping sleep would come, but so far his mind was restless and was as unstoppable as the water rushing down the crags when the snow begins to melt in the springtime.
I wonder if the old stag knows I'm leaving for a while. Will he still be here when I return? When will that be? This is my home, but Wabi tells me there's so much I must learn that I may be gone for some time. Mam, can ye hear me?
He lay in his bed remembering his conversation with Alex earlier, and understood his brother was eager for him to go to Wabi's.
"Go, lad. If the Brits do find us up here, then ye'll be safe with Wabi. He'll not let anything happen to ye, ye ken?"
Several hours later, when it became obvious to him that he was never going to get to sleep, Ian got up and gathered his small satchel of clothes along with a few important items. The first item was a gift that had come from Caitlin. It was a very old map of Scotland and the Isles, including Skye where she came from. The second was a compass Da had given him some time ago, and he'd told him to never travel without it. He'd liked carrying it in his pocket as a small lad, but this trip would be the first Ian had ever made on his own, so maybe it would be helpful now.
The last item was the sparkling amber stone he had found at the old kirk. He now knew it was instrumentally a part of his power, and he had a vague memory of seeing Mam holding it, but the memory was so faint as to almost be a dream. He carefully packed the items in his bag and headed out the door.
Robbie heard Ian moving about so he, too, got up and with a nod from Ian, followed him down the stairs and outside to the stables. They were ever so quiet, creeping slowly down the stairs in an effort to not wake the household.
"Are you going to leave without saying goodbye to your family?"
"Aye. They'll understand. They all know how I hate goodbyes. This way is better."
"When will you come back? Will I see you again?"
"Of course. This is my home. I'll always return to the Highlands. My family is here, but my place now is with Uncle Wabi. Once I've learned what I can from him, I'll find my way back here. Until then, take care of our room and don't let Alex and Jack work ye to death. Hector will show up soon, and ye'll like him too. He's quiet, but will listen to ye. But if ye ever need anything, Alex will find a way to make it happen. He's a very fine brother and yer lucky to have him for yer da. He's fair and very intelligent.
Jack's got a quick temper and can be loud, but he'll keep ye safe and he'll come to yer side if ye need him. And Da? Well, Da is the backbone, the one who keeps the family together. He's always the one to go to when ye can't figure out yer problems. He'll tell ye he's just an uneducated old Highlander, but don't ye believe him. He's more knowledgeable than most anyone I know. Mam had a real hand in that, I'm sure. He's our rock."
"I wish you were going to be here. Then I'd have someone close to my own age to talk to."
"Trust me, Robbie. There will be more folks to talk to than ye can believe. There will be times ye'll hide out in our room just to hear yerself think."
He laughed then grabbed Henson, his feline friend—with his black-tipped ears and tail— and put him in the saddlebag. Merlin snorted and pranced as if his hoofs were walking on hot coals. Robbie pulled the horse's head down, whispered in his ear quickly, then threw a leg over him and was ready to begin his journey.
"Oh, and Robbie? Caitlin's a very special woman. If there's any real trouble, find her. She'll know what to do."
Robbie stood in the doorway of the stable and watched in silence as Ian nudged Merlin's side and left moving at a brisk pace. Part of Robbie wished he were off on an exciting adventure such as Ian. But another part of him was fearful. Should he run back to Edinburgh? Or did he want to find a place in this family, his family? It was a dilemma he would struggle with for a long while.