James MacRae rode into Inverlochy with the Earl's captain and dismounted at the front of the main building. They were immediately ushered in by the guards to see the Earl. James walked in and saw his sons and nephews sitting and standing around the Earl's desk, enjoying a drink with him. "Boys, it's good tae see ye's free again. My thanks tae ye Douglas. I...
"Uncle Stuart, are you saying the Irish were involved in the fighting as well?" Tom asked him. "Aye Tom, the Irish in question were the relatives of Laird Hamish MacDonnell, as well as descendants of the MacDonald's. They had a few castles on the north-east coast, one called Kinbane Castle, which means 'White Headlands', because of the white limestone of th...
"If ye'll remember, Garreth has asked Therese and Grayson has just asked Heather. Grayson and Heather, along wi' Sorley and Randal, are sailing back tae Tioram." Stuart reminded everyone, and got nods and "Ayes," in return. Tom and Deb both looked anxious to hear what Stuart was going to tell them. Stuart looked at them and smiled, then gave them a wink, be...
Colin MacDonnell rode with haste through the countryside towards the attacking MacRae's. It was his duty to watch them and ride back when they started to march for Donan. Having lived, travelled and hunted in the area all his life, he knew the best route to take and where he could safely watch them without being spotted. It was his deepest hopes as he prayed...
The arrows left their bow strings, the whistling only lasting a second or two, before more screams echoed off the hills around them. Two more men stood without their manhood, while the third was pierced in his abdomen. The two men stood back and watched, as Glendon's last archer, Callum McInnis took aim once more. All the men watched in suspense, Callum's sh...
Douglas Wallace sat behind his desk smiling, waiting for James MacRae to enter and bring him news the attack was ready to begin. The guard opened the door and James walked in, relieving Douglas of his smile when he saw the look on his face. "Don't bring me news you have failed again, James." Douglas asked him, seeing the look of worry in his eyes. "We must...
James MacRae and his two captains rode ahead of the procession on the newly made roadway, making slow progress towards Sheil Bridge where they would split apart. One gun and crew would go to the point on the west side of Loch Duich with Captain Lockstone, seven hundred yards across the water from Donan, while the other would continue to a flat area nine hund...
Therese stood on the foredeck with Captain Jean-Louis La Pierre, trying to remember which inlet was the right one to Tioram. Passing the Isle of Coll, she remembered the way when she came with Sorley. Sailing between the mainland and Muck, the captain used all of his navigational skills to travel in the unknown waters. Therese smiled happily and bounced on h...
The first birlinns were loaded with men and supplies, plus several horses, then finally, Lady Anne and Lady Heather MacDonnell boarded the last one. Grayson helped the women aboard by genuflecting on one knee and allowing them to use his leg as a step, while Glenn helped his aunt and cousin up and into the boat. Once aboard, Grayson gave the order to sail an...
The constant roar of the cannons had the men pulling as hard as they could to battle speed. The guns of the Justice were battering down the walls of Knock, as shot after shot of solid iron kept crumbling the blocks apart, while other shot burst into flames when it hit. The birlinns kept racing towards it, the men readying arrows and lighting a fire in a stee...