Chapter 36 – The MacKenzie Rents
The party rode for the full day, dawn to nightfall. They had been following the Abhainn Nis, the river that flowed from Loch Ness to the west and flowed to Inverness on the eastern shore. Inverness was named after the GaelicInbhir Nis, or mouth of the Ness (Nis) river. Castle Leoch was a two day ride from the port city. They had traveled some thirty-five miles from Leoch.
Elizabeth was tired and a little saddle sore. She was not used to riding for hours on end. She took a breath as she realized they were on the shore of a small lake. She sighed and was staring out over the ripples water as her horse drank, not realizing that she had been there for some time before she felt someone touching her leg and shaking her arm.
"Elizabeth!"
She looked down and saw Jamie looking up at her. "Urr ye weel, lass?" He asked concerned. He hand went to her face softly caressing the cool cheek. He rarely used her full name. Only when he was angry or wanted her attention as he did now.
"Yes." she said. "I was miles away."
"Ah ken. Ah said yer name three times 'n' gave ye a shoogle tae come back." He cocked his head. "Whaur wur ye?"
She shook her head. "Thinking how lovely it was in the dying light."
He nodded accepting the answer. He then reached up to her waist and helped her down. She stood a minute between him and horse, finding her balance after a time. He held her patiently, seemingly expecting it.
He took the rein of Brimstone and walked her back, his other hand on his wife as they walked back to the camp. The men had set up camp and were starting a fire to cook over. Jamie tied Brimstone with the others, to the wagon, and then watched as his wife walked to fire and sat down, back to a log, her cloak about her as the chill of the night started to set in.
Jamie joined her watching as she rubbed her legs. He gently moved and set up a tent for them and laid out sleeping furs. He returned to find her half asleep leaning to the side, tucked up against the tree. He tenderly pulled her into his arms and lifted her, setting her before him. Her legs were between his own, his arms about her. His plaid was about them both as she laid back against his chest, eyes closed.
When the stew was ready, he gently woke her and coaxed her to share the bowl with him, some whiskey, and a couple bannocks.
She did so, but ate little. She rose to her feet, using his shoulder for balance. She walked to the tent and laid down and was almost instantly asleep. He watched her and then joined the others for a time, wrapping his plaid about him.
He was not on sentry duty this night so he walked back to the tent and found his wife sprawled. He smiled and moved her a little before joining her, lifting the furs. She murmured a little as the cold touched her, but he quickly spread the furs over them both as he moved close to her body to warm her.
He well knew that cold, though did not touch him as much being a born and bred highlander, made her very cold at times. Her hands and feet would turn a blueish color in the winter months. If she was very cold her lips even would turn blueish. He would spend an hour or more trying to warm her at times, fearing that frostbite would claim the digits. It never did, but he knew she had problems feeling in winter as well. She stabbed herself often with needles and felt nothing and could have issues walking about.
He nuzzled her neck and settled, breathing in the smell of horses, the furs, and her own scent that was a mix of the lavender in the laundry and her own unique smell that he knew was home.
ZzZ
They woke the next morning. Lizzy sipped a hot drink that had made that was like tea, but a little more bitter. She watched the men pack. She had asked to help, but Jamie had shooed her to have her breakfast, something he had already risen and eaten before her, and drink to warm her hands.
Ned Gowen joined her after a few moments, smiling. "Guid day tae ye, lass." He smiled. Though from Edinburgh he had lived among the MacKenzie long enough to pick up much of the Highland way of speech, though his turn of phase was often more refined. He also carried himself about more eloquently.
"Ned!" She smiled at him. "It is good to see you."
"It's bonnie tae hae sic company oan this journey."
She smiled, blushing a little as she looked back seeing Dougal and the others were teasing Willie, the youngest member of the group. Willie was two years her junior, but he had befriended her while at Leoch. She liked him, but he seemed to be having a time now.
"What are they doing?"
Ned chuckled and coughed a little speaking in Gaelic. "Cuir do mhogan nad phiuthar."
She looked at him. "I do not understand."
He coughed again. "He is freish among thaim sae they're tryin` oot his mettle." He looked at her. "They're inviting him tae hae biblical relations wi' his sister." He said.
"That is horrible."
"Weel men wull be men."
She rolled her eyes and noted Jamie was standing back, arms folded on his chest, watching in amusement.
She and Ned walked back to his horse. She looked and saw the large feather quill. "Oh that is beautiful. Is it goose?"
"Tis swan actually." He said. "Tools o' th' trade ye see." He patted a pouch hanging from his saddle horn. "This is fur th' laird's rents."
She nodded and smiled as he coughed more.
"Are you well?"
"It happens ilka year, lassie. Something in th' air sets mah pipes oan fire."
She shook her head and walked back to her own saddle bag. "Do you have a pipe?"
"A pipe? fur a hoast? seems a bawherr contrar."
She smiled. "You will see." She had read in the journals she had found about thorn-apple helping coughs in the chest that would not abate.
He handed her the pipe he held and she filled it with the weed. She then walked to the fire that was now in embers, igniting a stick she handed the pipe to him. "It's thorn-apple." she said.
"Thorn-apple ye say?"
She lit the end as he took a deep breath.
He coughed twice, but then was able to take a deep breath. He took more and looked at her. "Remarkable."
She smiled.
"That is better than ah hae bin able tae breathe fur weeks. Howfur did ye guide?"
She smiled. "I cannot tell all my healer secrets." She smiled at him.
"Richt, sae, lass." He smiled back and patted her arms. "Ah thank ye."
She nodded.
"Come noo, we mist be goin awa." Dougal barked to all the men.
Lizzy noted all the gear had been packed onto the wagons. She walked to Brimstone and her husband was there with his own mount, waiting.
He smiled, moving to steal a kiss, before stepping back to look at her a moment.
He helped her mount. She gasped, a little in pain, finding the sore places as they again contacted the saddle. He looked at her and then lifted her foot from the stirrup and let it hang. He looked up at her. "Gowk o' a groom forgot tae measure ye proper." He said. He pulled the stirrup up a couple notches. She placed her foot back and found it was actually more comfortable.
He did the same for the other side and he nodded. "Better?"
She nodded and leaned down. He kissed her softly, smiling.
ZzZ
It was just before midday when they came to the first town. It was a very nice village. Lizzy stood, watching after she had dismounted as the men swung into action. Everyone in the village who was male, lined up to give what they needed for the rents.
A table was brought for Ned. He had his receipts and logs, held down by rocks.
Dougal stood near him as the men, including Jamie set about putting the items in the wagons. Lizzy watched, but was soon bored by it.
She wondered away.
A man startled her. "Hello, mistress." He said. He bowed to her.
She blinked. He was English, not Scottish. She took a breath and then smiled a little, adopting a French lisp to her speech. "Good day."
"Ah, a French woman."
She smiled, not correcting him.
"Anything I can do?"
"No, merci." She said. "I am just occupying myself for now."
He nodded. "Good." He said. "If you have need of me, I am the blacksmith."
She nodded and he left her.
She took a breath. A Sassenach here. That was interesting. She wondered why, but she was not about to allow him to know she was actually Prussian, not French. Too many questions would arise from that and if the wrong report went to Captain Randall...
She looked up hearing singing. It was fast paced and she blinked, interested. She walked about, trying to track it.
"Something ah kin hulp ye wi' mistress?" Came a female voice.
Lizzy looked up startled. "Oh!"
"Ah didnae mean tae startle ye." The lady was older and carried a pot in her arms.
Lizzy smiled a little. "Forgive me. I was hearing singing." She said. "I'm Elizabeth MacTavish." She said trying to make herself sound more Scottish, but realizing she was coming off more French still.
The other woman smiled. "I am Donalda Gilchrist."
"Tis a waulking song. We ur waulking wool."
Lizzy cocked her head curious. "Waulking wool?"
The woman smiled. "Yer nae fae th' hielands urr ye?"
"No." Lizzy agreed. "I am traveling with the MacKenzie, but I find myself idle."
"Idle you say." The other woman smiled. "We can see to that. Come then Elizabeth."
Lizzy followed her toward the back of a home where several women were seated at a table singing and patting the table rhythmically with their hands.
Lizzy smiled as the song ended and the dark haired matron she had been walking with nodded to the women.
"Lassies, this is Elizabeth MacTavish. She wull be helping us th'day." Donalda said.
The women nodded and lifted a cloth up and passed it around so all the women had a potion before them. The pot was then poured over it, going down the line and Lizzy gasped a little. "Pungent." she said. "Is that...?"
"Hot piss?" Donalda asked. "Aye, Elizabeth. Th' pish sets th' dye fleet."
Lizzy nodded watching with interest.
Donalda sat down and took part of the cloth. "Bheil sibh deiseal?"
"Tha!" The women answered.
Donalda began to sing, moving the cloth rhythmically as she did. The others joined her and Lizzy listened, hands on hips, watching. She smiled and then sat down in the free place and joined in, singing along, though not really knowing the words. She smiled and enjoyed her work.
When they were done all the ladies gathered in a thatched home, apparently belonging to the matron whom Lizzy had first met.
She smiled and poured Lizzy a drink and then passed the pitcher on to the others who smiled. "Gang oan then. Ye hae earned it Elizabeth." she said.
Lizzy nodded and took a drink from the earthen cup and then gasped as it burned her throat. She laughed. "My that has a kick to it."
"Slàinte mhór!" The other women smiled at her reaction and drank as well.
"Oor reward fur workin' sae solid." The lady said. "Bit nae a word tae th' men folk, eh?"
"My lips are sealed." Lizzy chuckled and lifted her glass in a salute.
There was the soft cry of a baby. Lizzy looked over as Donalda walked over.
Lizzy frowned. "Did we wake the little one?" She asked sounding apologetic.
"He is juist hungert is a'. He is teething 'n' wilnae nurse." Donalda said lifting the baby from a crib. "We hud tae gie oor lest goat tae th' laird fur rent sae we hae na milk at th' moment."
Lizzy's frown deepened. "That does not seem fair."
"Whit urr ye daein' 'ere?"
"Traveling with the MacKenzie." Lizzy said. She sighed and looked at them. "I am a healer. I suppose there can be injuries."
The women nodded. "Ye sound French."
"The borderlands, yes." She said.
"Say something in French." One lady piped up with.
Lizzy shrugged. "Quelque chose en français." She said and smiled.
"Whit did ye say?"
"Literally, something in French."
The women laughed. "Yer clever. Ur a' wummin sae?"
"Only those who travel with Highlander men."
The women howled with laughter.
The discussion dissolved into laughter about men and what they did.
Then drinks finished the women stood. "A' richt back tae wirk!" Donalda said smiling.
One lady lifted the bucket and smiled looking at Lizzy. "What?"
"Whit dae ye think th' dram wis fur?" Donalda asked. "We a' contribute!" She grinned. "Yer th' newest member. Ye gang foremaist this time."
Lizzy chuckled and nodded. "All right then." She walked over as the lady set it down. Pulling up her skirts. She squatted down over it and sighed as she was able to urinate without fear of men walking up on her.
She had just finished when the door swung open revealing Angus. The women all looked at each other startled. Lizzy was straightening her skirts and looked up at the wiry man.
"What the hell?" She gasped.
Angus reached and grabbed her. "We hae bin keekin a' ower fur ye!"
"I have been right here the whole time." She said. "Let me go!"
"Ye reek lik' dram 'n' pish. Whit oan earth wur ye daein'?"
"Waulking wool." she stopped and turned to him like a fighter knocking his hand off her arm. He reached for her again as the women watched her go. She dodged him and growled moving to crouch defensively. "Don't touch me!" She barked.
He growled back in Gaelic and snapped his fingers pointing to the group. The men were coming back seeing she was found. Lizzy saw Jamie coming around a house, watching her somewhat amused. She narrowed her eyes at him and then walked with purpose to a goat.
She moved to untether it from the wagon.
Angus noticed and stopped her. "Awright, awright, whit urr ye daein' wifie?"
"A baby needs the milk."
He pulled the cord back and watched her.
Dougal stepped forward. "Whit urr ye aboot, lass?"
"A baby needs the milk."
"That goat wis paid as rent fair 'n' george."
"So you would let a child go hungry?"
Dougal stepped to her. "We ur goin awa. Stoap yer fizzing wifie." He growled pulling her to him so he could growl in her eat as he noticed the townsfolk taking notice.
She frowned and moved away from him.
"Can I be of service Madam?" The blacksmith appeared. His English accent was distinctive and far more refined.
Lizzy whirled to face him and noticed the Scots shift, hands on their weapons watching. Her own husband was near, holding the bell of his broadsword.
Angus looked at the man. "This does nae concern ye."
"I was addressing the woman." The Englishman lifted his chin. "So I ask again. Can I be of service Madam?"
She looked at the man, lifting a hand. "No, I am quite well." She stepped forward, but a hand caught her. She looked and noticed it was Dougal who stepped before her. "Vous devez quitter maintenant!" She begged in French, praying he understood. Jamie looked at her and she caught his expression out of the corner of her eye. It was a mix of respect and disapproval.
He straightened a little, eyes showing he caught the warning, but he was not about to back down yet.
"Dae yi''ll need yer lugs cleaned oot, lad?" Angus asked. "This is MacKenzie business."
"I assure you, my lugs are fine." He looked at her still, looking around her uncle by marriage.
"She is yin o' us." Dougal said.
"You treat all your family this way?"
Angus turned fully to him. "Ye shuid lea." He said waving him off.
Lizzy looked at him, her face begging him to flee. After looking at her, the young man took the hint. He turned and went back to the blacksmith shop.
Lizzy watched him go and Dougal smiled at the crowd. "Th' Sassenach tis drunk forebei." He said looking about as he shoved her toward Jamie who had her mount.
Lizzy looked at Jamie.
Jamie was little help as he moved, helping her mount the horse. He mounted his own tall mount and they then were on their way. He stayed close to her, watching to make sure she would not lash out or cause more of a scene.
ZzZ
They made camp a few miles away. They had another village they were heading to. It was a day's ride from where they camped.
Lizzy was quite content as she sat, watching the men sitting around a fire.
They were speaking to each other in Gaelic. They were often making dirty jokes, but were not speaking Gaelic to exclude her. She sat, back to a tree.
Angus brought her some rabbit stew, letting it warm her hands as she sat, looking up through the branches at the moon above in the darkness.
Jamie broke her reverie as he touched her knee softly. She gasped and then rolled her head forward to look at him. He had his plaid about him as he squatted beside her, holding a bannock. He moved to sit beside her.
"Whit urr ye keekin at, ghràidh?" He asked softly.
She shrugged and then started to eat the soup. She ate her fill and then handed him the bowl as she settled against the tree. He finished it, watching her as she closed her eyes.
"They hate me." she said without looking.
"They don't hate you." He said smiling as she looked at him. "Thay juist dae nae trust ye."
She rolled her eyes. "You think I am a spy as well then?" She asked. She knew that was what Dougal thought of her. He had voiced it twice to her.
"No." He said softly. "Bit thay think yer keeping hings fae thaim, 'n' yer, tae protect thaim, bit thay ken it, kin sense it." He said softly. "'n' yer foreign sae that adds tae it."
She sighed and looked at him. "Where do I belong?" She asked.
He smiled at her gently. "'ere. Wi' me. How come?"
"Is it enough?" She asked.
He clicked his tongue and touched her nose. "Dinnae let Dougal 'n' th' ithers wound ye." He pressed a kiss to her mouth.
She nodded and she felt his fingers go up and caress her cheek softly. "It's been a long day." She said softly.
He nodded as she rose to her feet. "I will join you soon." He said softly.
She nodded and walked to the tent that she would share with Jamie. He walked back to the others, holding the bowl. The men spoke in Gaelic, laughing to each other as Lizzy settled.
She was nearly asleep when Jamie came to her.
She was warm under the blanket with her cloak over it with a smooth rock as a pillow. Jamie crawled under the furs, using his plaid to help, He then wrapped his arms about her.
She gasped, startled that his hands were cold, though the rest of him, as normal, was warm and she turned in his arms, using his arm as a pillow as he held her close. He kissed her hair, eyes glittering down at her.
She shut hers and fell asleep as he made himself comfortable and he too was asleep in the safety of their camp.