Dunluce by Lori Imdad (readict txt) 📕

be foolhardy to go to war with their enemies without proper preparation and the possibility of regaining Dunluce. For now, she knew her best option was to take her army and all that belonged to her as well as her family and leave Dunluce. They would travel to another of Colla’s castles, Castle Kinbahn to train and gather more men until they were ready to retake Dunluce.

Shane watched her from inside the castle. He was the Constable of the Castle and led the army of the castle. He watched Lady Evelyn’s robes blowing in the wind making a spectacular scene. Though the castle was secure because of its strategic location, Lady Evelyn knew that would not stop other clans from attacking to try and gain the title. Their army had dwindled down to a mere 80 men since the battle that Clan MacQuillen had with the MacDonnells. Colla had been recruiting men from nearby villages.

As soon as the packing was completed and everything loaded onto the carriages, they would begin the 32 kilometer journey to Castle Kinbahn. This was another of their properties, but not many knew of it because of its location and Colla had the Castle built not that long ago. It was situated on a long, narrow limestone headland projecting into the sea, approximately 5 kilometers from Ballycastle on the road to Ballintoy , so she thought they would be safe there for a while. The Constable watched the play of emotions across her face, the from his post just inside doors of the castle from the tower, her sadness and inner struggle all apparent even though he knew she was trying her best to conceal it.

Leaving Castle Dunluce was a difficult decision and he knew she was still battling with herself to not to breakdown from her sorrow at a leaving her home., her memories of her life and her marriage. Her capes blew behind her in the strong gales coming off the sea and he saw her closing her eyes and absorbing all the sensations surrounding her. He stepped back to allow his Lady a few more minutes to herself although he knew they needed to leave now to reach where they would make camp before nightfall. They had decided not to push the animals too hard as they were heavily loaded and would travel 20 kilometers today and complete the remaining leg of the journey tomorrow.

He reached Lady Evelyn’s side a few moments later. She had heard Shane’s approach and had quickly set her expression. She turned to face him. “My Lady, “he began, “Tis time.” She replied quietly with an audible sigh, “Aye”. She watched closely as the final items were packed and loaded onto the carriages and horses. She turned abruptly on her heel and returned one last time to the castle that had been her home since she was born. She briskly checked each room one last time. As she gazed into each room, memories of her family flooded her mind; her Mother sewing, her father in his chair smoking his pipe, going over the accounts and her brothers running about in a game of chase or tag. She wanted nothing left for whomever’s footsteps would echo down these corridors after she was gone. Nothing for them to pilfer or taint that had belonged to her or her family.

As she gazed into each room, memories of her family flooded her mind; her Mother sewing in the her bedroom, her father in his chair smoking his pipe, or going over the accounts in the study, grandfather telling stories about his life, his family and Dunluce, her lessons in the nursery and her brothers running about in a game of chase or tag., the aroma’s and chatter of the staff in the galley, and the friendly banter of her family over meals in the hall. She looked upon the upper yard training field and she could see her brothers and Colla there working with the men-at-arms and pages. Her chest tightened and tears threatened to spill again. SheNext she came upon her bedroom that she had shared with Colla, she took a few deep breaths now then distractingto help distract her mind from her sad memories, then moved on quickly through the rest of the rooms and returned to the carriages mounting her horse quickly in preparation for their departure. With one last look toward the North Tower she bade farewell to Dunluce and her ancestors.

She turned to Shane to signal their roughly eighty men to move forward. She rode neither at the front nor at the back, but in the midst of her men. They were all very protective of her and respected her immensely. She knew each one of them and their families, too. As they began to move she turned to look back at the castle. All of the men knew her sadness at leaving. Many of them had seen her grow from a girl to a woman and some had even aspired to marry her one day. However, when the MacDonnells came and her alliance was fixed with Colla they were all astounded as to how her father could do this to her. They wondered how he could marry her to a man she didn’t know and couldn’t possibly love. They were already upset over the loss of Dunluce after their defeat to the MacDonnells and now Lord MacQuillen was marrying off the village sweetheart to their enemy. It was the talk of the village and castle. There had even been some talk of rebelling against Colla and the marriage. Many eyes watched closely when he began courting her. Slowly their rebellious feeling subsided and they began to respect him for what he was doing. They saw that although this marriage was one of duty and compromise, he wanted to make it right for both of them. On the day that they married the whole village witnessed the love that had grown between them and after the respect he gave their lady. When he died the whole village mourned bitterly, not only for the loss of their Lord, but for the loss of him as a neighbor and friend. She had become an integral part of their training and led them as well as LairdLord Colla had done. So, they protected her as they had protected their Laird.

They left the castle grounds through the gateway, moved across the bridge down into the village and finally made their way towards the forest which would lead them onwards toward Castle Kinbahn. They would make camp along the way just before nightfall, but needed to cover as much ground as possible today. As they journeyed forward she turned looking back at her home, then the village many times until she could see it no more. The journey ahead would be long and they had miles to go before they would make camp. She focused on the road ahead and prayed that they would have a safe passage.

The shade of the trees made the ride comfortable, but many things could hide among them and that worried Lady Evelyn. Shane had instructed all of the men-at-arms to keep alert for any possible enemies hiding in the forest. The further theythe travelled away from the Castle, the more determined Lady Evelyn became to prepare her men for the battle to return to her home. By the time they reached where they would camp for the night she was not only physically exhausted, but mentally drained as well. A tent was erected for her and the Castle cook began preparing the evening meal of soda bread and porridge. Lady Evelyn took rest while the camp made preparations for the night. Before long the cook was calling all the men to the meal and she joined them as was her habit since Colla’s death. The men chatted with each other about their families, tomorrows journey, future plans and joked occasionally making her smile. Once the meal was over, the men, prepared to retire and she returned to her tent. Guards were posted throughout the camp and soon all was silent except for the sounds of the birds and animals of the forest and the periodic sound of the guards moving about.

Lady Evelyn’s closed her eyes and as always, Colla appeared and her thoughts turned to memories with Colla. She spoke to him in her mind, “Aye, we are on our way to Kinbahn. ‘Tis true I know ye wouldna have been wanting this, but ye know there twasn’t no other choice.” She continued her discussion with him for some time and finally exhaustion over took her thoughts. Lady Evelyn was not a heavy sleeper and as the guard passed her tent she would listen to their footsteps. For tonight, it seemed they were safe. 

Chapter 2 - Lady Evelyn

Home. For some people in the ton, a castle could never be more than a dwelling place, but for Lady Evelyn Dunluce Castle was home. 

She was born at Dunluce Castle so it was only natural that the castle feel as part of her blood. Her earliest memories were of her family, her brothers and every minute of her life at the castle. As a child her morning was spent alongside her brothers being taught lessons of reading, writing and sums. Later when they would be taken for other lessons not permitted for her as a girl, she spend time with cook or with her Mother watching her make beautiful embroidered tapestries for the castle, outfits for father or her and her brothers. As she grew she also learned cooking, planning castle parties, embroidery and managing the household alongside her mother. 

Lord MacQuillan loved all his children, but Lady Evelyn was his angel. He loved it when she followed him around the castle and it was hard for him to deny her anything. This why Lady Evelyn had learned the accounting of the castle and it was common to see her in armor practicing sword fighting with the knights of the castle alongside her brothers. Her father could not see tears in her eyes. He loved her with his life and the feeling was mutual. Lady Evelyn adored her father. 

Her brothers, Edward, Roderick and Charles also doted on her and were eager participants of her various schemes. The siblings were very close and it was heartbreaking when the time came for Lady Evelyn's brothers to serve as Knights at other castle's as part of their training. Goodbyes were always difficult for them. 

 

 

Chapter 3 - Lord Colla

Colla was