Page 195 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

It was still cold, but a different type. The freshness of the sea air was replaced by a damp coldness that was all pervasive, yet not as raw. Malcolm shivered, the change in the air went deep, even if it was nothing like the savagery he was used to at sea.

Anxiously, he glanced at Ainslee. Her dark hair flying across the wind, she was sweeter than he ever remembered her. But her face was closed and sharp. In her eyes, there was not even a chink of light to let him in.

"What do ye mean aboot the clan?" asked Malcolm, fearfully. His stomach was tight, leaning into his stallion, he strained to hear as they galloped into the neck of the road.

Rounding the small bend, Ainslee eyed him reluctantly. "I mean, the midden it's been, since ye left," she said flatly.

"Midden?" repeated Malcolm, limply. He felt something go through him like lead. He had a feeling that things hadn't been good - from the talk of the locals in The Ship. But this was the first time he had heard anything directly.

"Aye, midden," Ainslee's eyes shot through with pain. Malcolm felt shaken. But all the same, he let her continue. "Since ye left, the clan's fallen to ruin. Bandits, fighting, hunger... it's all gone tae shit..."

Malcolm's cheeks turned a little pale. "Whit...whit do ye mean?"

Ainslee fixed him with a stare. "I mean just that... Bruce is nae a leader! He cannae stop the raids, an' fights.... There is nae protection for the elders...The clan's best men are all gone, or dead - many braw lads slayed in fights, some o' them, yer pals... Women are nae safe, but worse, there's terrible hunger...an' disease... We need help, Malcolm!"

The look she delivered left Malcolm in no doubt of what she meant. And if he had been, she spelled it out. Slowing down and getting ready to dismount, Ainslee pulled in at the side of the road. With the others eying her carefully, she stood, in wait, for Malcolm to slow also.

He did. Dismounting his large stallion, he walked up to her, with upturned eyes. Now he was at her side, waiting.

"I didnae ken," he said, simply, his heart rushing through. Ainslee eyed him with disdain.

"Didnae ken, or didnae care?" she snapped. She jumped down to stand next to him. Malcolm bristled with despair.

"Ainslee, I..."

"Dinnae," said Ainslee, pushing him away. The others were watching, but it was clear that Ainslee did not care. Her brown eyes followed him accusingly, as his head heated with indignation.

"Dinnae," she said again, as Malcolm attempted to come near. "Dinnae e'en think it... Ye ken, we could have used yer help, whilst ye went off, gallivanting at sea! So yer back noo, well, 'laird Malcolm', what are ye doing aboot it?"

Malcolm stared, his patience wearing thin. Behind him, James had come to a complete stop. With a quick glance to Malcolm, he was on his feet. Dismounting, James rushed to Malcolm's side.

Ainslee watched him unsurely, then Malcolm gave a nod.

"Off ye come," said Malcolm, his voice wavering. The anger he felt was real, but he did not want to hurt her. Gently, he lifted her down from her small mare. Before Ainslee could know what was happening, Malcolm had mounted the dappled mare, surprising both the pony and its owner in equal measure.

Slowing to a stop behind them, Marisse opened her mouth. "Crivens...Whit the...?"

Malcolm left the friend standing. Starting to trot, he grabbed the reins of his own horse, stopping Ainslee from getting them. Then he was on his way, the heavy stallion following behind him.

"Get off!" yelled Ainslee, her anger was white hot. But it was no match for Malcolm, and the way he felt then.

With a brief shrug of the shoulders, Malcolm rode on, leaving both Ainslee and Marisse high and dry.

"Come back Malcolm! Give me my horse back!"

CHAPTER 12

"Come back, right now! I demand ye!"

Fury beat at Ainslee McDonald's heart. She was just so furious that Malcolm had done this to her.

But with a satisfied sneer, he turned, and attempted to ride off, galloping further down the narrow pathway.

He had reckoned without the pure rage of Ainslee. She was so fired up, having no horse was a mere inconvenience. Instead, she hitched up her arisaid and charged right at him.

"Ainslee!" Malcolm gasped, surprised at the sight of her leaping towards the horse.

"Halt!" Ainslee cried, and although Malcolm didn't listen, the little mare was more obedient.