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BURK MACCLURG HAD HIS eye on Glorie from the beginning. At first, he thought she might prefer Moan MacGreagor, but Moan seemed to be drawn to a woman with blonde hair and Glorie’s hair was a brighter red than Dora’s. Thankfully, Glorie did not seem to mind Moan paying his attentions to Carol and therefore everyone was happy.
Burk got Glorie’s attention because he called her Gloria instead and that pleased her very much. She seemed to hate her name for a reason he did not quite understand. Neil explained that Glorie in English meant the same as exalted in Gaelic and no woman wanted to be called exalted, at least not until after she died.
The language barrier was difficult for everyone, but on the days they walked and Greer taught them Gaelic words, Burk paid attention to the English. Therefore, when he held out his flask and said ‘water’ in English, Glorie returned his smile. Then he wouldn’t let her have it until she said “water” in Gaelic. Before long, they were laughing, teaching each other and sharing what they learned with others.
He didn’t mind her praying so much, although he wondered how she came up with so much to say to God. Once she fell asleep while on her knees praying, and if he had not been watching her and seated close enough to reach out, she might have toppled over. His touch startled her and when she realized what she had done, it embarrassed her. First, she asked God’s forgiveness and then nodded her appreciation. When Burk held out his hand, she took it, let him help her to her bed and cover her once she was in it.
She thought it was a very touching moment. Not since she was a wee one had anyone bothered to see to her comforts. After that, Burk seemed to be looking after her comfort in as many ways as possible. Although she did not completely trust him, she decided to enjoy his attentions for as long as she could.
In the back of her mind, she still thought there had to be a catch somewhere, a hidden something that makes a man so attentive and so caring until...she did not know until what. In fact, Glorie could not even guess. There was just something too good to be true about all this happiness.
*
AS SOON AS BRENDAN went to his cottage to get a couple of hours of sleep, Walrick and Steppen dressed and went to the Keep. Careful not to wake the baby, Steppen crept into Glenna’s room. She needn’t have bothered being quiet, both were awake, the baby was fed and Glenna was dressed for the day.
“I miss Neil so much.”
Steppen hugged the woman she had come to think of as a big sister. “Then you will be pleased to know we have heard from him. He is well and only a few days away.”
Glenna sensed something was wrong and took Steppen in her arms. “We would not have heard from him if everything was as it should be. What is it?”
Steppen sighed. “I should have known you would worry. He is fine, Glenna, truly he is.” She sat her mistress down on the bed and began to explain.
*
IN THE GREAT HALL, Walrick had already sent someone to fetch Gelson. Then he braced himself to act natural and not let the man know anything was amiss. It was much easier said than done, and by the time he finished explaining, Gelson was somewhat suspicious. “Why MacClurgs?”
“Neil took mostly MacGreagor lads with him and he feels they have an unfair advantage. MacGreagors are far more handsome and do not need an advantage.”
Gelson lowered his head and looked at Walrick through the tops of his eyes. “Fortunately, the clan is not in need of a very bad jester.”
It made Walrick smile. “I am relieved. Now, who do you suggest we send?”
Two hours later, the horses were prepared, flasks were filled and another fifteen men and Gelson waited, while Walrick went to wake a very sleep deprived Brendan. As soon as Walrick shoved Brendan’s tired body up on his horse, the happy MacClurg men rode down the valley in the direction of England.
*
IT WAS JUST AN HOUR after they stopped for their noon meal and got back on their way that the MacGreagors heard the thunder of many horses. Neil held up his hand to stop his people. The men quickly helped the women behind them transfer to horses with other women, moved outside and formed a circle of protection.
Neil checked to make sure Kadick had her hood up and then told Donnahail to move her to the middle of the women. He took stock of where everyone was and then turned to watch the horde of warriors coming toward them.
“I would guess at least sixty,” Luag muttered. He knew Neil was counting them too and he also knew they were one shy of thirty warriors. At first glance, the opposing force did not appear to be strong men or even big ones. Nevertheless, they were fully armed. Some carried double bladed, long handle axes and others had clubs. Luag leaned a little closer to Neil. “Push them into a loch and they would drown afore they could get all those heavy weapons off.”
Neil smiled. He kept his eyes on the man he guessed was in charge, who by now had his men slowed and about to halt. His smile was meant to throw his opponent off balance and from the perplexed look on the man’s face, it seemed to be working.
Neither side drew their swords and for a time, they just stared at each other in silence. A flock of birds flew over, the smell of freshly upturned turf filled the air and the horses on both sides calmed and leaned down trying to nibble the grass. Neil relaxed his reins and let his horse graze, which also seemed to strike his opponent as odd.
At last, the man walked his horse toward Neil. When he realized Neil was not going to meet him half way, he paused to contemplate what danger he might not have noticed. He was about to move closer when a woman from within the circle of opposing warriors slipped down off her horse and ran toward him.
“Oh please kind sir, let me pray for those who are about to die,” Glorie cried out. As soon as she was just a few feet from him, she sunk to her knees, put her hands together and prepared to pray.
Neil froze. What the hell was she doing? He thought to ride out, swoop her up and bring her back, but his opponent might see that as a challenge. Instead, Neil tried to look as though he did not care.
“I am Laird MacPhearson,” the man said in English. He glanced at her and then looked at Neil. Slowly and carefully, he dismounted and turned to face Glorie. “Who might you be?”
“I am Glorie MacGreagor.”
“Glorie?”
“Tis an awful name, I grant you, but what can I do?”
He put out his hand to help her up, but she refused. “Nay, I cannot.”
“But you will hurt you knees.”
“Do not fret, I am used to it. I live with...them.” She pointed to Neil and then quickly pulled back her hand as though someone might try to chop it off.
Behind Neil, one of the women snickered. Without looking at anything other than Laird MacPhearson, he spoke softly. Soon the word was passed to be silent or walk home. After that, there was silence.
Laird MacPhearson put his hands behind his back. “And life is that terrifying with...them?”
Glorie pouted. “Aye, if only you had seen what these eyes have seen. Chopped off their heads, they did, right before my eyes. Please sir, might I have the names of your men. First names will do nicely.”
MacPhearson smiled. “You want to pray for my men?”
“Aye. Unfortunately, we did not bring the priest to administer last rites. Wherever we go, the priests are kept very busy.” Glorie was running out of things to say and had to pause a minute to think. Then she remembered reading about a battle long ago. “Did you hear of the battle for our dear Harpenberth?”
