Blood of the Clans Ch. 14

As the morning sun rose, Loch Etive became a glow of brilliant gold. The calm waters reflected the beams and made them dance along the surface. Sloan Fraser stood looking at the scene and imagined himself a chief, having a castle and lands held by the Fraser's, something they never had in their clan history.

He mounted his horse and looked at his clan, some busy preparing meals and others honing weapons or making arrows. He noticed many looking towards him and knew they were putting their lives and hopes in what he could accomplish today with James MacRae. He rode slowly towards his uncle and bent down to him.

"Uncle, watch o'er the clan and make sure everyone is ready fer battle. We'll need tae prove our worth tae them, tae gain a seat. I want our clan tae come out of this wi' a castle, lands and birlinns. The more of us and the less of the MacLean's, will gi' us Tioram, I'm sure of it." Sloan told him, assuring that he would do what he needed to do, to attain their goal.

"I'll ha'e them ready fer blood. We're no that long out a battle the now, so they'll remember quick, what they need tae do." Blain replied, confirming his part in preparation.

Sloan put his hand out to his uncle, who clasped wrists with him and shared a silent moment of bond. Sloan let go and waved to the others, before riding off towards Dunollie Castle with Brennan Fraser following behind him, driving the empty cart with his horse tied behind it. The lands were fertile and rich with life, as Sloan trotted along the valley. A stag bounded up the hills as he approached, but stopped and turned towards him, guarding his doe that stood farther up the hill.

Sloan couldn't help but feel he and the stag were as one in their thoughts, as he looked at the proud animal watching him carefully as he passed. As they approached the end of the valley, they turned north towards the castle, through another valley and saw the tower of Dunollie a half mile away. The guard recognized him and Sloan rode up to the entrance to the keep, before dismounting. A young boy took his horse to the stable, as he walked into the hall, while Brennan followed the boy with the cart and horse.

James MacRae was looking out at the loch as he came in, while Andrew MacDougall was sitting at the table, picking absently at the wood with the point of his dirk, while the Earl's captain sat farther away. Sloan approached James as he entered the hall, walking with confidence in his stride. He stood beside him and looked out the window with him, before James spoke.

"I want a castle Sloan, I know ye want one as well. We all do. The question is, how badly d'ye want one? Are ye willing tae march under me and obey my command?" James asked, still not looking at him.

"Aye, we'll march wi' ye. I ha'e my clan behind me and we'll fight fer our land. The Fraser's ha'e been wi'out a seat since the clans began and we want one tae call our own." Sloan said to the window in front of him.

James turned to him, hearing him say what he hoped to hear. "Then ye'll ha'e yer seat young Fraser. How d'ye feel about Castle Stalker, as yer seat and dividing their lands wi' the MacDougall's?" James divulged to him.

Sloan remained stoic in his expression, as he heard what was being offered. In his body, his heart beat rapidly with excitement. Stalker was a good castle and the lands the Stewart's held were arable and produced good crops. He would be revered by his clan as a leader who gave them their own lands and a Seat of Power they could be proud of. What had him wondering, was how Stalker had come into play.

"We can fight on land or sea, but we hav'ne any birlinn. We ha'e horses, Claymores, battle axes, arras and knives. We're ready tae prove our worth and fight fer our castle and lands, MacRae." Sloan told him strongly,

"I can help wi' the birlinn, Sloan. I've offered one of my birlinn fer a raiding party down the coast. MacDougall, Douglas and MacLean are sending men tae round up as many birlinn as they can. MacLean gi'e us the idea, so he's claimed the first two. I lost a birlinn tae the MacDonald's, so I need another one, no tae mention, I'm supplying the birlinn, so I get the next one. MacLean knows of six or seven, so there's one fer each of ye at least. The plan is that we take as many birlinn from the battle and use them, keeping the losses down and gi'en us birlinn tae use, when we're in our castles. Ye keep every one ye take, Sloan." James outlined the plan for acquiring birlinns for everyone.

"So MacLean'll ha'e tae send ten fer his, plus a man fer yours. Douglas and MacDougall ha'e tae send five fer theirs plus two men fer yours and I'll ha'e tae send five of mine, plus two." Sloan counted out loud.

"Don't ferget about the first birlinn yer all sailing, Sloan. Ye'll ha'e tae man that one as well. that one has tae come back. As I told the others, don't lose my birlinns, I'll no be a happy man tae deal wi', if ye do." James told him straightforward and direct, making his point clear what the results would be, if they failed.

"It won't be my men who cause it, if there's a failure. The Fraser's ha'e always been ones tae call upon tae do what needs done. I'll ha'e my men ready fer the night when we go, James. Ye ha'e my word, ye'll ha'e yer birlinn and I'll ha'e mine." Sloan promised him, his tone suggesting stealing was something the Fraser's were well adept at.

James turned and looked down at Sloan squarely. His height and size almost dwarfing the younger man. "If ye make me a promise and swear oath tae it, ye better make sure yer man enough tae carry it out. Are ye man enough, Sloan?" James told him, imposing himself on him, calling him on his pledge.

"Aye, I am, James." Sloan's eyes looked into James', letting him see the depth of his soul and his commitment to his word.

James looked a bit longer into Sloan's eyes, then smiled and put his right hand on Sloan's shoulder. "I see ye got something tae ye, Sloan. It's too bad yer father did'ne ha'e it, or he'd be standing here the now. I'm no going tae lie tae ye Fraser, he could'ne take a wee poke of fun at him and he lost his head. Ye can still see the stain on the floor where he was. Ye know where MacLean was sitting, there," James pointed both areas out as he spoke, "He drew his sword from o'er there and came at MacLean, who just drew his dirk and tossed it at him, as he turned around. I'd ha'e done the same. So would any one of us." he replayed the event told in fact, with no remorse involved.

Sloan looked into MacRae's eyes as he spoke and could see, he wasn't lying. Why his father did it, only he knew that, but it didn't lessen his loss. He tried to find some solace believing he died defending his clan's honour and not his own pride. Sloan finally looked away, not wanting to dwell on his passing, but looking towards a better future for his clan. "He was pierced in his chest, no his back, so it was in defence, Fraser." James ended with, in hopes it solidified any doubts how he was attacked.

Andrew put his dirk away and rose to join them, putting his arm over Sloan's shoulder. "Welcome tae the clan, Sloan. If all goes well, we'll all be Lairds of our castles soon." MacDougall told him confidently, negating the dangers of what they were doing.

"Aye Andrew, that we'll be. But first, we ha'e tae get them from the others, and they'll no just gi'e them tae us, will they?" Sloan replied, letting them know he knew the dangers of what they were doing.

"No they won't, Sloan. Good tae see yer no thinking this will be easy. I know we'll ha'e losses, but if we plan it out right, they'll lose more than us." James added to the equation. "Are ye ready tae hear the plan?"

"Aye, James. I want tae know what ye ha'e in mind aboot this." Sloan said, more relaxed now that he and his clan were accepted.

James led him and Andrew back over to the table where the captain was and sat. James told Sloan of the Earl's backing and the force they would be putting forth. They discussed how they would be attacking Eilean Donan, Camus, Tioram, and then, eventually taking Castle Stalker from a weakened Stewart clan. His castle, his lands, far down the list and possibly eliminating his clan's chances from too many losses. Sloan didn't show it to them, but he knew they were using him for their plan, his chances of winning anything seemed a far-off chance at best. Still keeping his show of agreement, he shook with each man, before he left and rode back with Brennan to his clan, camped along the coast of Loch Etive.

"What of it, then Sloan?" Blain asked, as Sloan jumped from his horse.

Men came from about the camp to hear what Sloan had to say about the meeting. Once most were there, Sloan looked at them, trying to show no emotion on his face, but staying firm set in his jaw and his gaze.

"Men, we'll go tae battle, but no wi' MacRae. We're nae but fodder tae use fer them. They want tae attack Donan, Knock, Tioram and then Stalker. We're tae get Stalker and divide the lands wi' MacDougall. I know we'll ne'er get Stalker. After being in Dunollie, I can'ne see MacDougall wanting tae stay in it and gi' us Stalker. At best, we'd be left wi' Dunollie and less land than there is now." Sloan relayed what was said and gave his opinions on it.

The men looked among themselves and vented their outrage at what they thought of it. Blain turned to his nephew and spoke quietly enough, so only Sloan could hear.

"Ye ha'e something in mind, don't ye Sloan? I can see it in yer eyes."

Sloan showed the merest of smiles and a hint of what he was thinking in his eyes. "Men, men," Sloan shouted out to them, finally calming them, "We'll ha'e our castle and our lands, mark my words." Sloan knew he had their attention now, "Listen tae what I ha'e tae say."

Every man hushed and looked at Sloan, his uncle standing beside him in suspense of what he knew would be a surprise turn of events. Taking in a deep breath, Sloan told them of his plan.

"We'll let them ha'e their war. We'll wait until they've killed off each other and ha'e nothing left tae fight wi'. Where will we be? Showing up at the castle of our choice and finishing what they started. We'll be able tae take the castle wi' fresh men and defend it against anyone, once we're inside."

The men looked at him with the expected confusion he knew they would have. He let out a short derisive laugh and continued. "Men, what castle would ye like tae live in?" Manus Fraser was the first to shout out, "Tioram, it's a bonnie castle, so it is."

Soon, calls for all the castles came out and the men started laughing and enjoying the fun of the moment. Blain looked at his nephew and smiled. He shook his head in disbelief and patted his shoulder.

"Bloody brilliant, Sloan. Yer right. There's no sense in wasting all oor men in battles that get us nothing. After they've done each other in, we can take any one wi' little of a battle. Which one did ye ha'e in mind?"

"Stalker." was all Sloan said, giving his uncle much to wonder why. "Stalker? Why that one? Why not Tioram or Donan?" Blain asked in disagreement of the choice.

"Here's my thinking on this, Uncle. Look at the shite down the coast there." Sloan pointed towards Dunollie, "MacDougall is going tae lose a great many men. The Stewart's ha'e Stalker up there," pointing the other way, "and taken a great deal of MacDougall's lands already, but they've no that many men they can put intae battle. The castle will be left wi' just a few men tae guard it. The Stewart's will lose it and their lands tae us. The MacDougall's will lose just the same. We can hold both wi' our men wi' no problem. Now we ha'e two castles, more land and soon, more men."

"Two castles? Are ye no being a wee bit greedy, Sloan?" Blain said with a stunned look on his face, after hearing Sloan's thoughts.

"Aye. Do ye want someone else living there and no liking us? It'll make for a hard go of things don't ye think?" Sloan queried him.

Blain thought on that and came to the same conclusion to Sloan's thoughts. As he pondered it a bit longer, he came to a point he had to question.

"Now that we ha'e two castles, how do we protect them on the seas?"

"I ha'e tae thank James MacRae fer that. He's supplying us wi' a birlinn tae go raiding fer more. We're tae go wi' MacLean, Douglas and MacDougall and get one fer MacRae, two fer MacLean and MacDougall and the Douglas' and us get one each, or as many as we can get, as I see it." Sloan told him enough to get his interest going and looking for more.

"Once we ha'e one, who says we can'ne go out again and get another two or three, shite, as many as we can sail. We can attack Stalker wi' them. Attack MacDougall when he returns. We'll ha'e a Seat of Power tae rule from and ha'e clans join wi' us." Sloan explained his thoughts again and had his uncle shaking his head at the audacity of his plan.

"I can see where ye've thought this out, Sloan, but ha'e ye thought about all the other clans that'll be against us? We're no going tae be able tae deal wi' them all."

"Uncle, the clans that are under Stewart, used tae be under MacDougall. They'll be under our rule and be just as happy. The only thing they're looking fer, is a place tae live and food in their guts, just like we are. They'll no oppose us, once we show we're in power." Sloan rebutted his uncle's worries and showed him there was little to worry about.

"That's true. I'm beginning tae think we can do this. Wi' a weaker force fer both of them, we'll be able tae o'erpower the castles, as ye've said. Wi' a mass building of arras, we can attack and defend the castles fer ages." Blain said with smiling confidence in the plan. "Now the question tae know, when?"

"They're still assembling their men and we need tae go get they birlinns yet, so, I don't see an attack starting fer another month or so. The Earl's half-brother in Carlisle is sending a gunship and men, as well as men on horses and foot, so they'll take a bit of time tae arrive as well." Sloan informed him, the time frame making Blain ease in his mind.

"I'll start the men making bows and arras the now. I'll train everyone, e'en the women, tae shoot. We'll ha'e another thirty archers that way and use the men tae scale walls intae the castle. We'll train wi'out swords as well. We'll be able tae send in men unarmed and pick up what's lying about from the fallen and use them." Blain said excitedly, his mind wrapping around the plan and delving into its finer points.

"Once we've taken o'er the castle and the men, we'll strip them of armour and weapons and increase our chances of fending off the clans, once they return. The stronger our defences, the better we'll be at keeping and defending what we take. If we're no tae savage wi' them, they might no want tae battle, but that's just a thought." Sloan outlined more of his thoughts on the plan and could see his uncle accepting and understanding them.

"Sloan, yer going tae make a great leader, so ye are. The Frasers'll ha'e a Seat and lands fer the first time, I can see it. I'm proud of ye Laddie, so I am. Yer father would be tae. I know all the men are willing tae follow yer plan and will stand by ye." Blain said with pride and a glistening in his eyes.

"There's something we still need tae do, Uncle Blain. We need tae figure out how tae do away wi' MacLean. Now that we're no fighting t'gether, we need tae plan a way tae kill him and no get caught doing it. I ha'e no idea on it at all. The only time we'll be close enough, is when we take the birlinns." Sloan voiced his concerns on exacting revenge for his father's death.

"Aye, that bastard MacLean. That'll take some doing then. He'll ha'e men around him always. We'll need tae find a way tae get him alone, or wi' a few men only." Blain opined out loud.

"We'll ha'e tae think this one out well, Uncle. This has tae look like it was no us that did it. James MacRae'll ha'e us wiped out fer sure if he finds out." Sloan confirmed Blain's trepidations, with confirmation of the results of failure in the plan.

The two relatives pondered the problem of killing Jacob MacLean, as they walked back to the camp. Blain gave orders for the men to start making arrows and not stop. The women were put to work making the flights and binding them. Soon, the clans people were busy preparing for battle, whet stones ringing the steel, as the blades were honed to a razor sharpness. Blain had the younger boys and the girls making shields from willow branches, binding two together for thickness and then using bark strips for straps to hold them with. A couple of layers of thick hide were stretched over the face and sewn to the willow, with strips of leather. They would last through a battle and no more, but that was all they needed them to do.

By the end of three days, they had forty shields, three hundred arrows, and every metal weapon was honed to perfection. They had ten crude ladders made of sapling trees with branches as rungs, bound together with bark strips and pine sap. By weeks end, the arrow count was treble that amount.

Sloan, Blain and two other Fraser's, Brennan and Keith, rode out of Oban and south along the coast, in the early morning of the following week. The sun was glancing its rays off the rippling waters of the sea, dazzling the morning with a brilliant spectacle of nature's beauty. As wondrous as it was to look at, the men were focusing their interests on masts. This was their scouting trip. A three day journey out and back, to find as many birlinns as they could. The first five or six they passed, would have been spotted by the others, so they rejected them for their plan. They wanted to attain four more birlinns to fight with and protect the two castles. By mid-morning, they came to Loch Feochan and wended their way along it, coming across two birlinns, moored together. They took note of them and the surrounding lands, to plan their raid. The far end of the loch garnered them one more, but only six oars were in it. That allowed them the knowledge of their numbers and strength.

Making their way along the coast again, they came to the Isle of Seil and crossed at the smooth stone arch of the Clachan Bridge. If any place would have a good number of birlinns, an island would. They made camp in the shadows of Beinn Mhor, along a burn flowing along the forestland, staying away from the coast and avoiding being spotted. So far, their trek had given them three possible birlinns to attain. Blain and Keith Fraser went out hunting for their meal, coming across rabbits and grouse. After several failed attempts, they ended up with two rabbits and a grouse for each man. It would make for a good meal after their long trek. A patch of wild carrots, onion shoots and rhubarb rounded out the diet for their meal, loading their sporrans with plenty of each.

The meal was as appetizing as the conditions existed, but was seasoned more with talk of how to get the birlinns and what to do with them once they had them. Suddenly showing up with four or five birlinns would be hard to explain away and cause them scrutiny, when they wanted discretion. It would have to be somewhere that prying eyes wouldn't find, nor the owners that they took them from. A safe haven for them had to be found somewhere, until they were ready for them.

The next morning had them going further south until they reached the end of land. Looking across almost seven hundred feet of frigid water, the men and horses were feeling skittish about the thought. Sloan being the leader, took it upon himself to be the first to ride into the water and head across. His horse sank in the water quickly and soon, both were swimming for the other side. The others followed after him and howls were heard, as the water reached the backs of the horses and washed the chilly water over their prides, shrinking them rapidly. They swam, man and beast, for all they were worth, as the current took them along the coast further. One by one, they made it onto the opposite shore and caught their breath. A call went up for a rest and a fire to dry off and warm themselves. They had made it to Luing.