everyone. All eyes followed her then turned to look at Gideon. He stood in the sunlight and watched her enter the house with a slight smile.
It took the bystanders a moment to find other places to be and other things to do. The raw need of the two young people palpated through the sun warmed air. Cadell suddenly missed his wife with every portion of his being. Loneliness flooded him. Cadell had to take a deep breath to clear his head. 'These barins will be the death of me yet.' Cadell though as he went inside then made his way to his room. He was feeling his age and wished to sit and think for a while.
Chapter 6
In the evening Cadell, Ailene and Gideon sat in Cadell's chamber to discuss the improvements, which needed to be made to the keep. More than a new barmkin, a defensive wall, Gideon wanted a hidden means of escape from the house. They all understood that the fortified house could not withstand a concentrated assault by a large force. In that situation escape was preferable to anything else. The barmkin could shield the building of the escape tunnel. If they worked on both at the same time, it would be easier to conceal the entrance and exit of the tunnel. The exit needed to be in a place where the escapees would be concealed from invaders. They would need quick access to the forest and rocks to make good an escape.
They plotted and planned. How high should the barmkin be? How far should the tunnel extend? Should it go under the wall or not? All were matters for discussion. Cadell did not feel there was any great chance the Sassenach would come this far back into the highlands.
Gideon was not so sure. He felt any mop up efforts could indeed threaten MacGrough land if their king was to lose to the Sassench. Gideon was for having supplies hidden somewhere as well. A bit of money, clothing and blankets tucked somewhere safe. Escape was no good without the means of survival readily available.
Cadell understood Gideon was motivated by experience. To date the lad's experience had taught him that an escape plan was a necessity. Gideon pointed out that as difficult as the weather and terrain in Scotland could be, weapons, basic foodstuffs, and warm clothing were essential to survival. Guaranteeing that a person would have time to assemble those items was impossible. Ailene suggested an escape pack could be kept in the storeroom near the tunnel entrance so it would be close at hand. The two men agreed and the matter was settled.
Shortly, the men would be gone. Who would be leaving with Cadell and Gideon was the next matter to be discussed. Neill, Idelle's husband would be leaving with them. Gideon had carefully watched each of the warriors on the practice field.
He and Cadell compared their observations. Neill was steady and dependable. Manius, Dalziel, Kai, Ross and Sim, all were seasoned warriors. They would be going with Cadell and Gideon. It was decided that Adair and Banner, both young men, would be accompanying the MacGrough contingent. This would be their introduction to war.
Four seasoned men would be staying at home to protect the clan. They would be needed to help Ailene. It would do no good to support the king then return home to find their own keep and clan had been reduced to poverty.
The fields and animals would provide the support needed to enable them to in turn support The Bruce. Each member of Clan MacGrough contributed to the war effort. Those not fighting with the king would be helping Ailene with all the chores necessary to maintain the clan during this difficult time.
In the days, which followed Ainsley, took Crayton with him to hunt deer. Boyd and two younger lads went hunting for rabbits or fowl. When Ainsley returned with a deer Ailene dried a portion for the keep. Tavin put some of the game in the smoking shed. A portion was set aside to send along with Gideon and her father as well.
As Gideon was not in the habit of eating meat more than a few times a week, she sent Dallas and his
It took the bystanders a moment to find other places to be and other things to do. The raw need of the two young people palpated through the sun warmed air. Cadell suddenly missed his wife with every portion of his being. Loneliness flooded him. Cadell had to take a deep breath to clear his head. 'These barins will be the death of me yet.' Cadell though as he went inside then made his way to his room. He was feeling his age and wished to sit and think for a while.
Chapter 6
In the evening Cadell, Ailene and Gideon sat in Cadell's chamber to discuss the improvements, which needed to be made to the keep. More than a new barmkin, a defensive wall, Gideon wanted a hidden means of escape from the house. They all understood that the fortified house could not withstand a concentrated assault by a large force. In that situation escape was preferable to anything else. The barmkin could shield the building of the escape tunnel. If they worked on both at the same time, it would be easier to conceal the entrance and exit of the tunnel. The exit needed to be in a place where the escapees would be concealed from invaders. They would need quick access to the forest and rocks to make good an escape.
They plotted and planned. How high should the barmkin be? How far should the tunnel extend? Should it go under the wall or not? All were matters for discussion. Cadell did not feel there was any great chance the Sassenach would come this far back into the highlands.
Gideon was not so sure. He felt any mop up efforts could indeed threaten MacGrough land if their king was to lose to the Sassench. Gideon was for having supplies hidden somewhere as well. A bit of money, clothing and blankets tucked somewhere safe. Escape was no good without the means of survival readily available.
Cadell understood Gideon was motivated by experience. To date the lad's experience had taught him that an escape plan was a necessity. Gideon pointed out that as difficult as the weather and terrain in Scotland could be, weapons, basic foodstuffs, and warm clothing were essential to survival. Guaranteeing that a person would have time to assemble those items was impossible. Ailene suggested an escape pack could be kept in the storeroom near the tunnel entrance so it would be close at hand. The two men agreed and the matter was settled.
Shortly, the men would be gone. Who would be leaving with Cadell and Gideon was the next matter to be discussed. Neill, Idelle's husband would be leaving with them. Gideon had carefully watched each of the warriors on the practice field.
He and Cadell compared their observations. Neill was steady and dependable. Manius, Dalziel, Kai, Ross and Sim, all were seasoned warriors. They would be going with Cadell and Gideon. It was decided that Adair and Banner, both young men, would be accompanying the MacGrough contingent. This would be their introduction to war.
Four seasoned men would be staying at home to protect the clan. They would be needed to help Ailene. It would do no good to support the king then return home to find their own keep and clan had been reduced to poverty.
The fields and animals would provide the support needed to enable them to in turn support The Bruce. Each member of Clan MacGrough contributed to the war effort. Those not fighting with the king would be helping Ailene with all the chores necessary to maintain the clan during this difficult time.
In the days, which followed Ainsley, took Crayton with him to hunt deer. Boyd and two younger lads went hunting for rabbits or fowl. When Ainsley returned with a deer Ailene dried a portion for the keep. Tavin put some of the game in the smoking shed. A portion was set aside to send along with Gideon and her father as well.
As Gideon was not in the habit of eating meat more than a few times a week, she sent Dallas and his
Similar Books
