The Chieftain Needs an Heir - a Highland ménage novella (Clan MacKrannan's Secret Traditions) by Jonnet Carmichael Read Free Book Online Page A

looked up, it was very much in her Grandam Wisewoman persona.
    "Sorcha… "  It sighed out like a call from the cosmos, and she let the informal address sink into milady's mind before continuing.  "Seven and twenty moons have passed since ye wed the chieftain Niall.  The next moon is upon us and the Heir's Cradle must be filled.  The Wisewomen have prepared ye for a Fertility Tradition.  All our Traditions are witnessed."
    Oona walked to the wall and pulled a lever concealed in the carving of mistletoe.  A man-sized section swung open to reveal a short passageway cut through solid rock.  At the end of the passage, Oona lifted a wooden staff from its hanger and banged on the connecting door to the Vault.  And then she went to check on the fire, for it must stay burning without attendance for some time to come.  Aye, the huge log of applewood trunk would burn all night, and she bade thanks for its service in the chamber's art and for its duty in what was to come.

    Sorcha wanted to run to Niall when he appeared from the passage after the Bard, but the Wisewomen stilled her.  She could only watch as he was placed on a star near directly opposite her, and his brother Ruaridh placed next to him, then Mirren… what were they doing here?  And Hector!  She hadn't known he was home.  Niall and Ruaridh had their heads bent over to come through the passageway, but poor Hector was bent almost double.  She'd forgotten how tall he was.
    Oona closed the passageway entrance , and came to stand in on the last vacant star between Mirren and Cecily.
    "The circle is clos ed," she announced.  "None may leave their place, nor speak, unless directed by the Bard."
    Happy though Sorcha was to see Niall again, she could not hide her disappointment.  Just a circle meant something like incantations only.  She would have to wait even longer to be with him and he looked so fine in a new shirt, so appealing in the way he gazed upon her, so vibrant and clean and ready…   
    "ALL HERE, I ADDRESS YE, " said the Bard.  "We assemble to enact and to witness a Fertility Tradition between Niall, chieftain o' MacKrannan and his wife Sorcha.  Upon the seven and twentieth moon with no heir, the Green Book of MacKrannan Fertility Traditions was opened for the first time since Niall's great-great-great-grandmother had need of help.  And at that time it was found that the more ancient remedy known as the 'Remedie For Wyfes Too Talle – The Pushyng In Of Spend' was the most effective in her case, other remedies having already been tried.  We have seen that Sorcha is tall for a lass, and the Green Book says that in such cases a husband's Spend needs some helping up if it is to reach her womb for seed to take..."
    Dear, dear, thought the Bard.  He really should have ensured that Sorcha was told at least the title of the remedy before she arrived.  The way she had crossed her legs there and bent over… maybe she was sensitive about her height.  And Ruaridh and Hector were looking quite stunned.  And Mirren was about to speak unless quick forestalled.  He held up a stern finger and she thought the better of it.
    The Bard was obliged to tell the history of each Tradition before its enactment.  The trouble with any of the Fertility Traditions was that none had heard the stories beforehand, it being considered unwise to rub the noses of the bloodline in their failings to provide heirs, and such Traditions being so infrequent.  He was still no' convinced that hearing the full story behind this one would bring any relief to those who must enact it.  The best he had managed was to keep the true details until all were safely in the Chamber of the Green Man and binded to obedience without objection.
    " This Tradition first began many, many centuries ago in the time of the Viking longships coming to our coastlines, when one of their descendants wed Coinneach the Chief and produced no bairns.  And Coinneach was fond of his Tall Wife, and did no'