*
The winter had been brutal for Elayne and Cailean. For Elayne, separation from Cailean was unfathomably painful. Five long months had passed When Laird Cameron visited Elayne in the forge. Her work had made him richer, as her swords and dirks were prized and appreciated.
Laird Cameron sold her weapons at high prices, since warriors coveted her high-quality workmanship. The Cameron laird couldn’t afford to let Elayne leave and would keep her for the full six months. Later, the weather would be better for traveling anyway.
“I appreciate yer dedication to yer craft and keeping yer word to me. Ye have one more month of work, and then I will release ye. If ye attempt to leave before then, our agreement will be void, and I will keep ye as long as needed.”
“Honor bound, I gave ye my word, and I have kept my word to ye, working from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. I have nae intention of breaking my word to ye as I value my honor and my word.” As Edward, she beat the hot iron on the anvil.One more month. Please give me the strength to get through the remaining month so I can leave.
Elayne did nae completely trust the laird to keep his promise. Especially since she saw the visiting lairds who wore her swords and dirks in their belts—Laird Cameron’s profit was too high to let her go.
Elayne beat the iron, her skill bending it to her will. The forge represented her future, at least until she was free to leave the Cameron clan. She must strategize what to do if the laird broke his word to her. Did she dare refuse to work? The laird could throw her into the dungeon, but it was in his best interest to keep her making money for him. Elayne ken he would try to lengthen the remaining time.
After work, she visited her beautiful River, brushed her coat, and fed her apples and carrots. She whispered her dreams to River, although she belonged to Cailean. The horse was her connection to him, and she longed to see him again. The closer the end of her contract approached, the stronger her longing for Cailean became.
In her dreams at night, Elayne reunited with Cailean. So vivid, she awakened, thinking he had been kissing her. It brought her a small measure of comfort and reignited her hope of reuniting with him.
Although Cailean finally received replies to his queries, nae one kent where Elayne was. They promised to alert him if they discovered new information. He tried to distract himself by laboring with the farmers to till the fields to plant barley. To attain any peace, Cailean trained ceaselessly. When not doing either, he built wooden barrels to hold grain or whiskey.
Recently, the Highland cows and livestock had arrived from other clans. New looms were installed in the castle to weave the wool from the sheep.
Cailean was losing his patience as he waited for news of Elayne. Someone had to ken where she was. He suspected her father kent more than he’d shared, so he returned to ask William again whether he knew where Elayne was.
“I wish I did, Cailean. I wish I did for all our sakes and especially for Elayne’s. I miss my daughter and worry about her welfare and safety. She has never been away from home. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her. I can’t go through it again.”
“Again? What do ye mean?”
“Elayne does not ken. But I lost my wife and daughter to illness years before she came to me. She was an angel sent from heaven, bringing me joy when I thought I’d never experience it again.”
“I’m sorry to hear of yer losses.” Cailean looked William directly in his eyes. “Elayne is precious to me too.” William nodded and Cailean left, deciding he would ask Thomas again later when they were alone and not overheard.
*
In Tor Castle, with six months done, Elayne had fulfilled her contract. Would the laird honor their agreement? Nothing happened on the final day. Patiently, she bided her time until the following day, when she should be free to leave. Awakening, she packed her meager things in a sack she’d left under the bed. Elayne ate in the great hall and waited until the laird appeared. She secreted away bread, meat, cheese, and apples into heroilskins to be ready for her journey, and stuffed more bread and meat into her pockets.
The laird spoke with his advisors and didna summon her. Had he forgotten the contract had ended? Elayne waited until he left and followed him to his study to seek an audience.
“Yesterday, laird, my contract finished. I have completed my six months as we agreed. I am ready to leave today. I request ye pen a brief letter I may take to my master. Please state I worked for ye for six months for the release of seven men from the MacPherson Clan.”
“Already, six months have passed. It doesn’t seem long a time, does it? It went by too quickly.” Elayne tried not to cringe or show any emotion with these words. It had been horrendously long. Elayne longed for Cailean and her freedom. “I regret nae wagering longer for each man. I want ye to make one more sword before ye leave.”
“Respectfully, I decline. I fulfilled my contract, and my master is expecting me back. I canna stay longer.”
Intently, the laird studied the stoic lad who gave nothing away, standing still and calm and displaying no trepidation whatsoever. He’d seen grown men cower and quake before him. This lad was respectful. Edward’s work enriched him, which his clan needed. The lad was honorable and had worked hard, better than many in his clan.
What were the consequences if he demanded the lad stay? Would anyone rescue him? He thought it likely since Edward was already a master craftsman.
Indeed, the laird had not seen his workmanship surpassed by any. Reluctantly, he pulled out a parchment and a quill and drafted the letter as the lad requested.
“In case ye dinna ken, I can read and write,” Elayne announced, in case he would write anything other than what she’d asked of him.
Not glancing up from his writing, he continued drafting his letter. “Ye do many things well, lad. So it comes as no surprise to me that ye can read and write. Ye are an intelligent lad. If yer master doesna want ye, ye can return to work for me.”
“Thank ye.” Elayne took the letter from him and read it out loud in its entirety, demonstrating the veracity of her claim. She bowed and left the room. On her way back to her room, Elayne stuffed the laird’s letter inside a secret compartment of her jacket. She snatched her bag from under the bed, strode to the stables, and saddled her horse, tying her sack to the saddle securely.
Elayne gazed for the last time over the Cameron clan courtyard. She glanced around her, wary lest anyone try to detain her, but no one approached. Riding out the gate and into the wide-open spaces, she gave her horse its head. The mare was eager to ride.
Elayne wished to put distance between herself and Tor Castle. Filled with a sense of unease, she felt the laird had acquiesced to her demands too easily.
