Forging the Blade: Part II -- Kithe and Kin Chapter 5 MacGeorge For acknowledgements and disclaimers, see Part 0. ~~~~~~~ Duncan had been quiet and subdued on their hard ride, not even perking up as they reached the outskirts of the city. Connor should have been glad, he supposed, that Duncan had learned the hard lesson of misplaced confidence and arrogance without managing to lose his head. But it had taken a long time for Duncan to emerge from his shell, and his encounter with Martin Hyde was definitely a setback. “Have you ever been to sea?” Connor asked as they made their way on the cobblestones down towards the dock, after selling both their horses to a stable and arranging for the rest of their to be gear stored in trunks and delivered to the ship. “Aye,” Duncan answered, without elaborating. “When was that?” Connor probed, hoping Duncan would open up a little. After all, they were finally leaving to see the wider world, just as Duncan had wanted. “A fisherman and his family took me in for a season after…after I left Glenfinnan,” he answered. “He took his boat into the outer Hebrides and we spent days out there. They were very good to me, but I had to leave.” “Why?” “We were caught in a storm, and landed on an island with a monastery. I…I wandered into the chapel and…” Duncan stopped talking, but continued to walk, his chin tucked tight into his neck. “And what?” Connor stopped Duncan with a hand on his arm, sensing this was something important that the lad had not previously discussed. “I had a vision,” Duncan answered so softly Connor barely heard him. “A vision?” Connor repeated, then inwardly cursed himself for sound disbelieving. “It was nothing important,” Duncan snapped and resumed walking. But Connor grabbed Duncan’s elbow and brought him to a halt. “Tell me, Duncan. I want to know.” Duncan crossed his arms, looking away, a strange, distant look on his face. “I saw…an old man, pointing me towards the east. The voice said… Oh, this is ridiculous,” Duncan sighed. “It wasn’t real. I was just tired and hungry.” “Dammit, tell me what you saw!” Connor insisted. “I don’t think you’re mad, Duncan, if that’s what worries you. I, too, have had strange dreams.” Duncan signed tiredly, shaking his head. “This was no dream, Connor. I just know I ended up at Strathconnon forest as though I were driven there, where…something happened. It helped me decide to join the MacGregors, and that’s where you found me.” Duncan’s face was now closed, his lips shut tightly together. Whatever had happened in Strathconnon Forest, Duncan had kept it to himself for years now, and it seemed unlikely he would reveal that secret here on the streets of Aberdeen. “All right, lad,” Connor sighed, squeezing Duncan’s shoulder, and turned them towards the river. They eventually reached the ‘auld Brig o’Balgounie’, with its single Gothic arch stretching over the black waters of the Don, and crossed over towards the harbor. ~~~~~~~ “Oh, she’s beautiful,” Duncan said in awe as they approached the side of the Brigitte. “And she’s so big!” Connor smiled, since he wasn’t sure whether Duncan was referring to the ship, or the ship’s buxom figurehead. “The figurehead is a rather idealized image of Seamus O’Brien’s late wife, and the ship is named for his daughter,” Connor informed him as they bumped gently against the side, and he helped Duncan reach for a line to haul himself aboard. Connor supposed he should have mentioned the problem of Brigitte to Duncan earlier, but he had been trying not to think about the tortuous prospect of being isolated on a ship with her for days or even weeks at a time. He pulled himself over the side, steeling himself to be tackled by a flurry of skirts once again, but he reached the deck without incident, and turned at the unexpected silence. Brigitte was standing with her mouth slightly open, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes glazed over, staring at Duncan. Duncan was staring at Brigitte, no doubt surprised to find the image of the ship’s figurehead appearing in very real and vibrant life. Connor smiled. “Brigitte, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin, Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.” Brigitte took one tentative step forward. “Your cousin?” her voice squeaked. “I mean, I’m so pleased to meet you, Duncan.” She drew out her pronunciation of the name, as though the very sound of it had slightly immobilized her tongue, and then… she curtseyed. Connor’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t recall ever having seen the girl curtsey before. He and Seamus exchanged amazed glances, then turned as Duncan smiled and spoke. “Delighted to meet you, Miss O’Brien,” he said softly, taking her hand and kissing it like a seasoned courtier. Seamus sidled over to Connor. “Well, old friend,” he whispered. “I think we’ve solved your problem, but who is going to solve your cousin’s problem?” Connor chuckled. “There are some problems my cousin will have to solve entirely on his own.” Louder, he announced. “Why don’t we go below decks, Duncan? Captain O’Brien has some remarkable grog you must try.” End of Chapter 5 to be continued ~~~~~ Author's Notes: 1) Huntly Castle: Some of its history is: In 1506, the name was changed from Strathbogie to Huntly. The castle was slighted in 1562 after the death (from apoplexy) of the 4th Earl. The castle was restored, but was attacked by James VI and damaged in 1594 then restored again in 1602. The 2nd Marquis of Huntly was hanged for his support of Charles I and in 1640 the castle was occupied by the Covenanters, who destroyed much of the interior, including defacing much of the stonework of religious images. In 1644, it was taken by the forces of Montrose. It was garrisoned by Hanoverian soldiers until 1745, but by then was abandoned as a residence. It was then used as a quarry and dump until cleared in 1923. A courtyard adjoining the tower had ranges of buildings on two sides. >From the entrance, a straight stair leads down to the vaulted basement, which contains three cellars and a prison in the large round tower. The hall is on the first floor and contains many fine fireplaces. The five story tower has an interesting oriel windows, and the facade above and below the windows has an inscription bearing the name of the first Earl of Huntly and his wife. Above information taken from the following site, where you can also find photos of the ruins of Huntly Castle: http://www.frii.com/~phouka/travel/castles/huntly/huntly.html 2) The use of the term “blackmail” (used by the Earl of Huntly) refers to a ‘voluntary’ tax or insurance levied by a Highland freebooter, who undertook to ‘protect’ the cattle and property of the payers from all depredation of marauders. It was strictly against the law, but on the “highland line” was tacitly recognized and practiced. “Black” is supposed to be derived from and old Teutonic word, “blacken,” to plunder. [from “Scotland, Historic and Romantic, Vol, II", by Maria Hornor Lansdale, Published by John C. Winston Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1901 3) For a discussion of Letters of Marque, and some specific examples, more information can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/5213/marque.htm 4) The history of the kingdom of Prussia, which eventually became modern Germany, is quite complex as various duchys and cities gradually came together under a single Proctor. At the time of this story, the Prussian Elector was George William (1619-1640). However, in 1640, only a decade after this story takes place, George William's son, Frederick William (1640-1688), came to power, and came to be known as the Great Elector. He freed the electorate from a long period of invasions and occupations by the Swedes, acquired eastern Pomerania, Halberstadt, Minden and Kammin, and the archbishopric of Magdeburg, becoming the leading Protestant prince in Germany, second only to Austria among the principalities of the empire. By 1740, Frederick II was King of Prussia, and known in history as Frederick the Great, one of the more influential figures in the history of Europe. Finding a concise summary of Prussian history on the web was difficult, but the best I saw (and the source for the majority of the above information) was at: http://www.hfac.uh.edu/gbrown/philosophers/leibniz/BritannicaPages/Brandenburg/Brandenburg.html A list of the rulers of Prussia can be found at: http://www.spsg.de/e_htdoc/BPH.html