Chapter 14

Chapter 14
"Lass, are ye ready?"
"Ye-yeah."
Jane lied, having no choice but to hide her unease, not knowing her constant fumbling had already made Alexander raise a brow.
"Lass, I made ye a promise, one I intend to keep. Ye wanted an official meeting with the Chieftain, and ye shall get one." Alexander affirmed, gesturing at the men awaiting their arrival not far away.
Jane was certain a scout or two might have sent word, alerting the soldiers of their arrival. Though she couldn't see anyone within the trees, there should be several scout's hidden out of sight watching any who enter or exit Mackay heart. Such were the ways for people in this era.
What's more, Alexander had already sent word through a messenger after they left one of the castles during their journey. These men should've been expecting them by now, perhaps by the approval of their Chieftain in the castle.
During the journey, Jane has often wondered what title he had, seeing as many respected him wherever they went. However, Alexander had a way of controlling things, making it difficult for her to know what rank he held in Mackay lands.
Goodness! The man still hadn't told him his name yet.
Try as she might, nothing could've prepared Jane for what was to come.
"So... How many men does your chieftain have here?"
"There are seven, perhaps eight hundred men residing in Mackay."
"Men?" Jane exclaimed, doubting her ears. "You mean men and women?"
"Nay, lass. Soldiers. The women and children make up a different number."
Jane almost fell off the horse, amazed by how powerful the Mackay clan was.
"Are you sure you're not just making things up?"
"Are ye saying I cannot count, lass?"
"No. No. No. Who said that?" Jane answered awkwardly. "I merely suggested you might've made a slight error in your counting."
After all, medieval counting was far different from modern-day ones. Perhaps he blew the number out of proportion without knowing it.
In this era where most castles had three to six hundred men stationed in their forts, the Mackay's had seven to eight hundred soldiers here instead. Imagine how many soldiers exist in the other Mackay castles scattered around.
If that were the case, no words alone would be able to describe how massive the entire clan was as a whole.
Jane sighed, secretly worrying about her fate, if she was taken as an enemy. Escaping would be a near-impossible feat.
Jane thought she masked her emotions, forgetting she wasn't one to have a convincing poker face.
"Be calm, lass. Your shaking has got my beast annoyed." Alexander teased, rubbing his stallion's sides.
Reaching the men awaiting them, Alexander silently nodded, and the group proceeded through Mackay heart, making their way to the castle.
"How odd... Why is it so quiet?" Jane asked, wanting to prick his arrogance as revenge for his devious attacks on her neck. "You say there are hundreds and hundreds of soldiers here, but if it's so, where are they? Why is the place too quiet? Or could it be that the hundreds and hundreds of soldiers are all inside the castle all at once with their families too?"
She admitted there might be a few scouts watching guard over the territory's perimeters. But what about the others? Or could it be that all seven to eight hundred had decided to play house in the castle?
Alexander laughed, amused by the woman's efforts to anger him. "Tis because of the festival happening at one of the forts."
"Private Festivals?"
Alexander was pleased by Jane's raw eager beds and curiosity. "The Mackay clan holds several private festivals, moving their locations every year. Though there are seven to eight hundred soldiers stationed here, a quarter of them left to protect those leaving for the festival."
Though in his opinion, they werewolves didn't need so much protection against mere humans. Their raw strength alone could take a human's head off its neck with their bare hands.
It was more accurate to say the soldiers only went to keep up with appearances and ensure no one accidentally revealed themselves to any foreign passer-bys, merchants, visitors, or enemies passing through their territory.
Jane was more intrigued by the 'private' festivals held by the Mackays.
In the history books, details on the festivals were always vague as though done to blur the public from what went on.
During the 'private' festivals, no outsider could attend, only clansmen.
Many speculated that the festival was a meeting amongst clansmen to decide on plans. Jane thought so too but still felt intrigued, wanting to witness one with her own eyes.
Bah!
What was she thinking? Her situation was still uncertain. So why think of a festival she might never see?
Jane observed the stunning scenery, feeling her heart almost leap out of her chest whenever a grand wolf would pass by.
It was amazing how these wolves aided their human owners to carry heavier items strapped on their backs. Though scary, Jane still wished she could tame or own a grand wolf of her own.
It was also amazing how the Mackay horses were never scared of these mighty wolves. Jane couldn't help wondering if this meant the wolves weren't as menacing as they appeared.
In silence, the group of escorting soldiers led them through the vast lands and over the drawbridge.
The lumbering work of art was far bigger and sturdier than she envisioned.
It was times like these that Jane wished she had a camera.
Riding across the many soaring castle structures, Jane felt her body defying her orders again.
Perhaps due to the tour from that evil guide earlier, she was familiar with some of the structures like the little church enclosed within the walls. Yes. It might explain her current feelings of familiarity, but Jane felt there was something more.
She couldn't stop her tremors, as she had a strange sense of Deja-vous, as though she had lived here before.
Very quickly, her breathing grew rapid and her body drenched itself in juices of its own.
What was going on with her?
Jane felt someone was splitting her brain in half with a hammer, as strange visions caught her unaware.
As her shoulders swayed from side to side, Alexander and the others also noticed her strangeness.
"Lass?"
Alexander leaned forward to kiss her neck but was greeted by a thick dampness he was familiar with --Sweat.
"LASS! What's wrong with ye?" Alexander questioned, tugging his reins and coming to a halt.
"The lass has fainted!" Brodie exclaimed, observing the passed-out Jane who was glistening like an oily doughnut.
"Let's go!" Alexander ordered, tightening his grip on the delicate woman.
"Dugo, get yer wife!"
His wife is one of the best healers they have that lived with Dugo and their children in a two-story stone cottage within the castle walls.
The woman was a stark contrast to her fiery, hot-tempered husband. She was as still as a river, and as gentle as the fluffy clouds themselves.
Alexander fiercely rode towards the main building with all his might.
"Lass... Hold on."