Prince Across the Water Read Online Free

smile, just a wee one, as she stirred the pot.

4 FAREWELLS
    The morning was cool for August, with a stiff wind bending the hedges. Layers of clouds scudded across the sky. Good marching weather , I thought as I came out the door.
    I had kissed Ma and the girls good-bye inside the cottage. No need to make a fuss like a child off for the first time. Andrew was sulking on the bed we shared and had not even given me a nod. Da and Granda were already outside.
    Looking over to the crossroads, I saw that all the men of the village were mustered for the march. Uncle Dougal’s deep voice, like the drone of the bagpipes, was grinding away at something.
    Ewan stood apart from them, staring at the ground. I was about to go and ask if he was waiting for me, when his da broke off whatever he was saying and went over to him. Uncle Dougal jawed at Ewan for a moment or two and then Ewan’s head hung even lower than before. He clenched his fists tightly but didn’t answer back. Then his da waved him toward the women, before going back to take his own place with the departing warriors.
    So then I knew. Ewan wasn’t going to march off after all and I was. What a change of fortunes.
    I walked over to speak to him, glad of the soughing wind. It would mean no one could overhear us.
    â€œEwan,” I began, but he turned and strode away toward his cottage. He was going so fast, I didn’t catch up till we were well behind the stone byre where their three cows were kept. There, Ewan whirled about with such red anger printed on his face, I pulled up sharply.
    â€œSo they’re taking ye along, are they?” he said sourly. “Dressed in yer best bonnet and plaid with a brooch pin ye only wear on holy days, and yer plaid stockings halfway up yer knee. Aye, yer a fine sight, Duncan MacDonald.”
    â€œI’m just going to see the prince,” I said. “And a wee bit of the world outside of Glenroy.”
    Ewan turned abruptly and kicked the side of the byre so hard, I thought he might break his foot against the stone wall. From inside the byre, the cows lowed restlessly. “Well, I’m no going, as ye can bloody well see. My da says this venture may well fail. And if he is forced to turn outlaw, I must be free to care for the family and land.”
    Fail? I didn’t know what to say to him. How could anyone suppose we would fail? And then, all in a rush, it came out. “How can anyone suppose we will fail? With all the might of Scotland behind the prince? They’ll march down to London and God help any who stand in their way.” I took a deep breath and in my mind’s eye I could see them. The MacDonalds and the Frasers and the Douglases and the Camerons and … “Everyone knows the Scots are the best fighters in the world.”
    â€œNot all Scots are great fighters,” he said, glaring at me.
    â€œWell, I’m not going to fight. At least not yet.”
    â€œThen why are you going? I suppose they need somebody to muck out the prince’s midden. Or maybe your da is hoping ye’ll die on the march and save him further shame.”
    I felt as if an icy hand had run its finger down my spine. Ewan was supposed to be my friend as well as my cousin and neighbor. Then my anger began to rise, melting the ice of my spine. I cocked my fist and might have swung at him, too, but I saw a tear welling up in his eye.
    â€œOch, Ewan, dinna be such an ass,” I said. “I’m only going for a sight of the prince, nae more than that. Then I’ll be returning with my granda. He needs minding, ye know, and that’s why I’m allowed to go. Da wants him out of his way.”
    â€œI willna have even that much,” said Ewan, his voice dropping. “My father wants me free of any taint of … of treachery.” The last word fell strangely from his lips.
    â€œTreachery?” I repeated. “How could any man call us traitors when we simply follow our duty