Chapter 15

15

I n the meeting it had been decided that Tarbuck, Rab, and Michael would pose as merchants. Michael was an unassuming man, and it was hoped his presence would not draw any attention. Tarbuck and Rab would be able to defend the wagon in case they were attacked. Rory was told to stay behind because he was needed to make weapons. Declan needed to resume his duties at the keep, as his absence would have been noticed, and the same went for Torrin at the tavern. While Elvira waited for them to gather, she bid farewell to her family.

She hugged Tereza and Ollie. "Will ye be gone long?" Tereza asked.

Elvira shook her head. "I'll be back before ye know it. Now, ye and Ollie need tae help Torrin and Isla around her. Remember what I told ye about behaving. When I come back they're all gaeing tae tell me how ye behaved, and I dinnae want tae be disappointed," Elvira said. Tereza and Ollie stood at attention with rigid backs, their heads held high. Elvira hugged them again and they went scurrying off.

"I hate lying tae them," she sighed to Mirella.

"Ye are nae lying tae them. Ye are just offering them hope. And I believe ye will return soon. Yer story is nae one tae end with those wretched people."

"Dae any of us get tae choose when our story ends?" Elvira cast a hopeless look towards Mirella. "If I dinnae come back-" Elvira began, but Mirella held up a hand.

"Dinnae speak like that. We will see each other again, if nae in this life, then the next." She took Elvira into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Ye are a brave girl for daeing this. As ye grow older, ye remind me more and more of yer parents," Mirella said. Elvira knew she meant it as a compliment, but it was difficult to take it as such when she was reminded about how both her parents had died before their time. She wiped tears from her eyes and nodded towards Mirella, silently acknowledging the love she had for her family, yet not expressing it verbally in the hope that she would have many more opportunities when she returned.

Michael arrived with an old cart that was filled to the brim with goods. It was pulled by a single horse. Tarbuck and Rab had been waiting for him and looked upon this with scorn.

"Ye were supposed tae bring a wagon!" Tarbuck cried out.

"This was the best I could dae," Michael said defensively.

"It'll dae, it'll dae," Rab said, calming Tarbuck's sour mood. Elvira looked in the wagon, noticing a range of goods, from pots and pans to clothes. It was a scattered variety of things, and it was clear that Michael had aimed for quantity over quality. She wasn't sure it would stand up to scrutiny, but hopefully, they would not be examined.

"Ye might as well fetch the horses," Tarbuck sighed. Elvira stood close to them and wrapped the cloak around her shoulders. When she reached McKovac land, or if they spied a patrol in the distance, she would pull the hood over her head to obscure her features. Her heart thudded with nerves because she feared that her presence, while helpful, might actually be putting these men in danger. However, she had explained her situation to them, and they had all stated that they wouldn't let anyone take her. Just as Tarbuck and Rab were returning from the stables with horses, there was a surprising visit from Rory, who Elvira assumed had come to see her off. However, as he approached, she noticed that a sword hung from his waist.

"Hae ye come tae give us a parting gift?" Michael asked.

"Actually, I hae decided tae come with ye," Rory declared. Elvira could not stop a smile from appearing on her face. It would be good to have another strong man as part of the group, but on a person level, she was glad that she would get to spend more time with him. She hadn't been able to bring herself to say goodbye to him, as she hadn't known what to say. She wasn't even sure how to describe their relationship. Their friendship had emerged from enmity, but somehow it seemed deep. She felt a profound connection with him, and yet she was uncertain how much of this was shared by Rory. The last thing she wanted was to go to him and babble about vague feelings, driven by the fear that she might never get to see him again.

"But ye hae tae stay here and make weapons," Rab said.

"I worked through the night tae get a start on things, but if this plan works, then we might nae need as many weapons as we thought. Besides, I think we are gaeing tae need another convincing merchant. I am used tae selling wares, and I can bluster my way through if we get caught. I also brought some things tae add tae the collection," he rolled a sack off his back and emptied it into the cart. Now the stock looked far more impressive. "It's nae as much of a stretch for me tae pretend tae be a blacksmith than it is for ye. I'm nae gaeing tae sit by while ye ride intae danger."

The tone of his voice up until the last few words had been light and playful. Then, solemnity descended upon him, and it was clear to the others that he was not going to be dissuaded from this notion.

Tarbuck sighed. "Well, there's nae use arguing with ye when we could be getting on with things," he said. They fetched another horse from the stable for Rory, and then set off away from the village. They rode at a slow pace, with the cart trundling behind them. Instead of taking the main route out of the village, which was a wide, smooth path leading to a network of roads stretching to various points of interest in the area, they headed towards a secret path in the forest. This was a path that had been used by Ian to receive supplies, and other illicit purposes. It was not always easy going, and occasionally the cart seemed as though it was going to be upturned after the wheels hit a divot, but it was still safer than the alternative. Here, they were obscured by the forest as well. If they sensed anyone approaching, they could veer off into the forest and hide among the foliage with ample warning. This trail would take them away from the farms, which they hoped was where McKovac's soldiers were located. They couldn't see any reason for there to be any patrols out here, as there was nothing but a forest. There was nothing for McKovac to conquer here.

Rab and Tarbuck rode on ahead of Michael, while Elvira and Rory picked up the rear. The rolling wheels of the cart made a clattering sound, but Elvira and Rory could hear themselves speak. It actually afforded them some privacy as the noise masked the sound of their voices from the others. They rode close together as well, their horses practically nuzzling, and there were moments when Elvira's leg brushed against Rory's.

"Are ye sure ye are making the right choice about coming with us rather than making weapons?" Elvira asked.

Rory gave a somber nod. "I thought about it long and hard. The thing is that weapons are nae gaeing tae make the difference. I could make enough swords for all the villagers tae hae two each, but in an unskilled hand they will nae help. We need more trained soldiers, more people who know how tae fight. I think I am best needed here. Besides," he said, cocking his head towards her, "I cannae let ye take all the risks."

Elvira smiled. "It seems as though ye are nae reluctant tae accept trouble intae ye life anymore."

Rory rolled his shoulders. "I would much rather stay in the forge, but the world is a troubled place. If people dae naething then men like McKovac get tae dae whatever they want. It was something I never realized until the end of my time with Ian. At first, I just thought he was daeing it tae make extra coin. I dinnae see that he was fighting for a principle, fighting against unjust authority. We all like tae think that the world is made of fair rules, but it takes good people tae fight for justice. If we turn away from them, then we're as bad as the people who allow it tae happen. I convinced myself that Glennrock and the Laird would eventually see sense and help people, but they still stay behind their impenetrable walls. They cannae see that the closer McKovac gets, the more difficult it will be tae oppose him. Ach… I dinnae know why I am telling ye all this. Ye know it will enough already."

Elvira offered him a sweet smile. "Still, it is good tae hear it from yer own lips," she replied, her heart warmed by his presence. In the back of her mind, whispers from long ago swirled around, a foretelling from her mother about the kind of man she would fall in love with. It had been a vague shadow, but now the illusory form was taking shape in her mind, growing in detail and substance. There were strong legs, a thick, glistening chest, bulging biceps.

Elvira quelled the feelings before she became too overwhelmed, and focused on the rhythm of the cantering horse beneath her, while the world rolled by in a scene of earthy colors.

The journey was fairly long, taking up the majority of the day. They followed the winding path, stopping occasionally for a rest, or when they heard a suspicious noise in the distance. Thankfully, they did not come across a McKovac patrol until they grew nearer his lands. Elvira grew tense as she returned to the land she knew so well. The memories and sensations that flooded her mind were more painful than she realized they would be. As they passed fields they saw scorched ground. The ash that settled there caused a bitter taste to itch at the back of her throat. Tears filled her eyes when they came across dead bodies. The olive skin and tattered clothes showed them to be Romani. Rory offered her a sympathetic glance, and a mumbled word of sorrow. It didn't really make any difference, however. It was a sign of the brutality of Laird McKovac, a man with power and influence. Instead of using these things to improve life for his people, he instead pressed down on them with his heel, choking the life out of them. Her skin crawled with fear and revulsion. She lowered her head, both to hide her face, and her tears.

They rode on, getting closer and closer to the tavern in which she had spent so many nights, and helped so many people. She wondered how many of them were still her allies. They were quick with their words of support, but offering their action was another thing entirely. Instead, they would keep their heads low and protect themselves. Elvira swallowed a lump in her throat. She hoped that Hamish would agree to an alliance. Otherwise, she had dragged Rory and the others here for nothing.

"Trouble ahead," Rab called, tossing his head over his shoulder. Elvira peered forward and saw a group of broody men riding dark horses, heading straight for them.

"Get out of sight," Rory hissed in a whisper. While Elvira was not ashamed of her heritage, she was pragmatic. She veered away and guided her horse through a thicket, hiding among the leaves and remaining still, keeping her breathing slow. She overheard McKovac's men approaching, telling the others to slow down.

"Ho, who gaes there," a voice cried out.

"Just a merchant, hoping tae sell our wares," Michael said in a trembling voice. Elvira began to realize why it had been a good idea for Rory to come with them, as he was more confident in his speech.

"Are ye hiding something?" the soldier said.

"Oh no, we hae naething tae hide. My friend is just a wee bit troubled," Rory said. "We heard an old legend that this place is cursed."

"Ah, well, ye heard right. Cursed with Romani vermin," the guard spat after he spoke. Elvira winced, but bit her tongue. "Ye seem well-armed for merchants."

"Ye can never be tae careful, especially with all these outsiders roaming around. We hae trouble with them elsewhere. They came out of nowhere and tried tae steal everything we hae. Thought that investing in a couple of warriors was better than losing everything we're hoping tae sell," Rory replied, belying nothing.

"Aye, they're tricky ones alright. Things will get better soon. Laird McKovac is working tae cleanse this land of them. It'll be better soon, and everything can gae back tae the way things are supposed tae be. But until then, ye just be careful."

"Oh aye, we will. And if we see any Romani we'll dae yer Laird a favor and string them up on a tree," Rory said.

McKovac's man laughed. "Oh, he'll appreciate that, I'm sure. If ye want his favor, then take a trinket from them and bring it tae the keep. He might reward ye."

"I appreciate the advice," Rory replied.

"Well, we hae tae stick taegether. We need tae take the Highlands back for ourselves," the guard said, before riding away. Elvira waited in silence as she heard the horses flee, and then there was a beckoning whisper from Rory, telling her that it was safe to come out.

"I'm sorry ye hae tae hear that," he said. Elvira gulped and shook her head. "It's naething more than I'm used tae. It's just… I suppose I hae gotten used tae moving freely about the village. Dae ye understand now why I hae tae leave?"

"I dae, although I'm struggling tae see why ye stayed here for such a long time in the first place."

"It's my home. At least it was. This is where Ma and Da fell in love, where I made friends, where I helped people. Nae everyone is like them. McKovac poisons minds and picks them tae spread his hatred around the Highlands. The sooner we break the stranglehold he hae on this place, the better," Elvira said. They all geed their horses and continued moving forward.

Thankfully, they did not encounter another patrol before they reached the tavern, where they stabled their horses. Michael and Rab stayed with the cart, while Rory and Tarbuck entered the tavern with Elvira, who hunched her shoulders and tried to be as unassuming as possible. Night was a cloak that had been draped over the land, and thankfully there were no guards in the tavern. Rory nodded to Tarbuck, telling him to go stand in a corner. This way, if there was trouble, at least Tarbuck could attack from a different angle and perhaps surprise any assailant.

Elvira walked through the tavern, growing in confidence as she did so. She noticed a few people looking towards her, although they did not dare say a thing. She moved to her regular table in the corner, the one she had occupied many times before, offering her wisdom and insight. Rory joined her. It didn't take long for someone to come over.

"I'm sorry, I could nae help but notice ye…are ye Romani? Dae ye offer palm readings? It's just we hae someone who used tae-"

Elvira lifted her gaze and drew back her hood. The person who had approached her was a man called Liam. When he saw Elvira, the color drained from his face, as though he had just seen a ghost.

"It's me, Liam. I hae returned."

"Oh, lass… when we heard about yer farm we all thought… oh, is ye gran well? And the wee ones?"

Elvira smiled and nodded. It felt good to be in a familiar place again, with familiar people. "Aye, they're fine, at least for now. Can ye fetch the others? Ones ye know we can trust? I hae some news," Elvira said. Liam moved around the tavern, speaking to certain people. While he did this, Elvira and Rory returned outside to stand with Rab and Michael. In a short time, Liam led a group of people out of the tavern and found her. Elvira and Rory quickly described everything that was happening in the village, and how McKovac needed to be stopped.

"Aye, things are only getting worse. As every day passes he loses more and more of himself. I dread tae think where it's gaeing tae lead before the end," Liam said.

"We need help," Rory replied. "Unfortunately, our leader is reluctant tae take up arms against yer Laird. We hae villagers willing tae fight, but they are untrained. If we band taegether, however, we might be able to attack McKovac from two directions. He cannae defend in every direction at once."

"And ye should get a message tae Hamish as well. We need tae speak tae him. If he truly disapproves of his Da's actions, then he needs tae start showing it. We want tae meet with him and create a plan that will end all of this hostility once and for all. It is time for us tae be free from McKovac's cruelty, tae be free from living in fear."

Liam and the others nodded. They agreed to harbor the small group and protect their secret, while sending a message to Samuel. Elvira was relieved to hear this. Samuel had saved her once before, and he was sympathetic to the Romani people. It finally seemed as though the tide was turning for the better. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before the Highlands were safer for her people.