McKeaths.

Fiona… Fiona… Fiona, darling, wake up.

I rolled over in bed, groggily glancing out the window.

“It’s still dark, I don’t want to get up.”

“Fiona love, look, we need your help, lass. A message needs ta be delivered to the prisoners in the English stronghold. You’re the only one who can be spared to do it.”

I was a bit more awake now. “How far is it?”

“A day’s journey. Now come on, Fiona, up, you need to get goin’.”
I sat up, reaching for my skirt and plaid. “What’s the message?”

“I’ve put it in your plaid. It’s best ye don’t ken what it is.”

Mither went to the table as I got dressed, putting some food in a knapsack for me. She kissed the top of my forehead and gave me a quick hug, whispering a blessing into my ear.

“Goodbye, mither.”
“God protect you, Fiona.”

And with that I left. I wondered how long it would take me to walk on foot to the stronghold, and how I’d get in once I got there. I mean, it’s not every day I get sent by Mither or daddy with a message somewhere. This was only the third time it had happened.

What a day to wear my plaid, I thought. Poking my head around the pillar, I could see he was still here, guarding the entrance to the keep. ‘He’ was a British soldier, dressed in uniform. He was tall and stood with his legs apart and hands clasped behind his back. I watched him carefully as I darted to another pillar, closer to the keep.

I have to get this message inside. I’ve got to warn them about whatever it is.

I looked back at the soldier, then toward the keep. I’d managed to get into the stronghold fairly easily, but getting to the prisoners was turning out to be a lot harder.

Now or never.

I took a step out into the open.

Run before they get a chance to see you!

And I did run, but as I passed the soldier from behind, a second soldier spotted me.

“Hey you, stop!” He shouted.

I wanted to look back so badly, but held myself from doing so, it would only slow me down.

The first soldier whirled around. I ran faster, but he was faster than me and before long he chased me into a corner. The other soldier was with him now.

There’s two of them but there’s only one of me. They know I’m not supposed to be here, that I’m a covenanter.

Neither of the soldiers moved, both watching me closely. The one motioned to the other, but still nothing happened. One took a step toward me, and I darted out the other way, but the first soldier roughly grabbed my arm.

Terrified, I jerked free, starting to run again. I didn’t go far before he caught me again, this time with a stronger grip latching on to both arms. The other soldier came around in front so he could look at me.

“So, lass, what’ve you been doing here?”

I said nothing, looking off to the side, praying that nothing would give me away.

The soldier pushed me toward the other, who gripped my shoulders firmly. The first knelt down in front of me, getting to eye level.

“Answer his question, lassie.”

Still I remained silent, staring off into space. I jumped as he grabbed my chin and turned my face toward his.

“Look here, we know what you’re doing here. We were told about someone coming to deliver a message. We didna expect a girl like you. Tell us the message, promise to stay away, and we’ll be lettin’ ye go.”

I was surprised when he spoke – he had a hint of a Scottish accent… from near the same place I was from.

“The message is only fer those to whom it’s directed ta, an’ no one else.” I replied, trying to sound as fierce as I could.

“Well, I’d be careful, lass. Ye may want ta tell us sometime soon. Here, I’ll take her down. Ye can go back to yer post.”

I was handed off to the other soldier again, who basically dragged me down to a prison cell. He shoved me inside and quickly shut the door, locking it. I glared at him, but then he spoke, lowering his voice to a whisper.

“I’m Abraham McKeathe. Listen close, lass. Ye ken I work fer England, but I’m realy on yer side. I’m a Jacobite at heart, and belong in the highlands, but me mither made me sign up to join the army. I been tryin’ ta get away ever since, but haven’t been able to yet.”

“Yer a McKeathe?” I said, too loudly.

“Shh!!!” Abraham McKeathe put his hand over my mouth. “I can deliever yer message ta the other prisoners, and maybe help ye get away.”

“I trust ye, Abraham McKeathe – I’m a McKeathe too, and somethin’ tells me yer a man o’ God, on my side or not. McKeathes always keep their word.”

“Aye.”

I took off my plaid, handing it to Abraham. “It’s in there somewhere – I donnae ken, me mither just told me it’s there somewhere.”

Abraham put the keys back in his belt.

“I should be goin’ now. They’ll be wonderin’ where I’ve gotten to.”