I could come back in about forty or fifty years as a distant relative. I could not wait for this time to come, I wanted to tell my mother and brothers the truth, that I was still alive. I couldn't bear the thought of them mourning me when I was still alive.
"You are dead to them. How would you react if you saw your child or clansman fully alive when you saw them die or dead? You would
be cast out as being in alliance with the Devil."
"But I'm not. I would never associate myself with Satan."
"And how would you convince them of that? If you told them and
by some miracle they believed you, you could be putting them
danger from any immortal that may seek you out or encounter. You
must let them be."
"How?"
"You just do. We all do. Its a fact of life for immortals. We all
leave loved ones, whether they or you die first. Maybe one day we
will be able to be open with those we love."
My first thoughts after leaving home was to disguise myself and join
Robert Bruce and avenge my father's death. I was feeling invincible,
cocky, and angry, but Ian talked me out of this. It could be dangerous, I
could be captured and quite possibly beheaded. Instead, I would be forced
to stay away from my family long enough that any suspicion would not arise.
I did not take my first head until I had been immortal for 34 years.
Ian was traveling some part of the world, and I was on my way to
Glenelg to see how my family was faring. I had been raised and
taught for that moment. Ian taught me everything he knew, and I
had even studied with Rebecca Horne for a while. I still wear the
crystal for good luck that she gave me when I left. I married a
farmer, Daire Lochlain, who I first met upon arriving in Edinburgh
when I was on Death's door after being attacked by some brutes
wanting my moneybelt, in which they were successful in obtaining.
It was dark and four of them overtook me. Daire kindly took me in
and was awed by the fact of how quickly I healed. I felt I had no
choice but to tell him the truth. I truly believe he was the love of my
life. He was the one who kissed me and told me "it's alright" when I
had nightmares. I always wondered why I told him that he would
grow old, but I would not. Maybe I should have kept him in the
dark.
I had met, and immediately disliked, the immortal Keegan Baird in
Edinburgh about five years earlier. He wanted something I wasn't
willing to give him. When he was rebuffed several times and I left,
he followed me to make me a proposal. Keegan wanted me to join
him to seduce other immortals so that he could take their heads. I
again declined him. He tried once more, and I then drew my sword
on him and told him that I would not purposely seek out other
immortals to kill them. Before he could draw his sword, a couple of
men came out of the tavern, interrupting our Gathering. Keegan
then made me a promise that if I didn't join him, he would kill me
and those I hold dear.
He couldn't know about my family in Glenelg or Tormod. I never
spoke of them, and I had never met Keegan before that night. My
thoughts jumped immediately to my husband. Since Daire knew of
my immortality, I wanted to protect him as much as I could.
Keegan must have been watching me for a while. I went directly to
warn Daire.
I did not see Keegan again for those five years, until he appeared
one day, giving me one last chance to join him. I refused, and he
again threatened Daire's life. I warned him not to harm Daire, he
had nothing to do with our secret lives.
A month later Daire had been away hunting for the afternoon when
Keegan visited me to remind me of his promise. Before I could get
my sword, he had disappeared. I ran out of the house to look for
Daire. I didn't have to go far. At the edge of the clearing I found
Daire's body, a jewel handled dirk in his heart.
I swore on Daire's grave that Keegan would not live a day past
meeting me again. After Daire's burial I left Edinburgh. Keegan
followed.
I was about a day's ride from Glenfinnan on Loch Shiel when
Keegan decided to make his move. I was just about to drift off to
sleep, sword in hand, when Keegan appeared in the light of the fire.
I quickly sprung to my feet to fight him. He didn't flinch.
"I told you what I'd do, and I always keep my promises."
"What will you gain from taking my head? I haven't been alive that
long, I haven't the knowledge of older immortals."
"You do have a crystal I wouldn't mind having."
"For what?"
"It possesses a power you couldn't imagine."
"Well, you're not going to get it. I swore I would avenge Daire's
death, and I always keep my promises." With that, I initiated the
fight. It seemed to go on for hours. It was a good fight. Keegan's
skill put mine to the test. He had but one weakness, he was a much
bigger build than I. I could maneuver more easily around his sword.
I finally got into a position behind him, swung with my sword at his
middle as he turned. He fell to his knees, stunned. That was my
chance to take his head. With all my hatred towards him for killing
Daire, I swung my sword as hard as a could, and with a soft thud, I
had avenged Daire's death.
My first Quickening is something I'll always remember. The force of
the strength and knowledge of a 400 year old immortal was extraordinary.
Its indescribable.
"I told you I kept my promises, you bastard."
Tristan would be sixty in a few days and Sean would be fifty-three.
They were probably grandfathers. I could not wait to see them,
even if I could not let them see me, especially Mother.
Caitrin was with child when I "died". I have often wondered if she
had a boy of girl. They would very likely have children of their own
by now. Had it really been almost thirty-five years? Sean would be
married also. My mind ran wild with the possibilities and expectations. I
felt as though my heart would burst if I did not see them soon.
A week after my encounter with Keegan, my eyes rested on MacLeod land. Two
day's ride would get me back to Inverne Castle and my family. It seemed to
take weeks.
When I finally arrived at Glenelg, I went straight to Inverne Castle.
It was just beginning to get dark. I watched as the servants went in
for dinner. When everyone was inside, I took cover near the window of the
dining room and peered in at my family. Tristan was seated at the head of
the table with Caitrin on the right and Sean on the left. It was good to
see them again.
Tristan looked older than his years, they had taken their toll on him.
I could tell there was an air of melancholy, no one was saying much.
Next to Caitrin sat the next oldest man. "That must be Tristan's
son," I thought to myself. There was a woman and two young girls
seated after him. Sean was seated next to who I presumed was his
wife, it was Isobel Lyall, a childhood friend of mine. It appeared
they had no children or they were gone. Mother was not at the
table.
The thought of getting caught did not cross my mind, until someone
laid their hand on my shoulder.
"What do ye think yer doin' lass?" a gruff voice asked. I froze. I knew
who it was immediately.
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