Prologue


Hello, I'm trying to translate the chapters of my story "Enemy Hearts" written in French (under publishing contract) with the help of translation software. My level of English isn't very good and there are bound to be a lot of mistakes, so don't hesitate to point them out to me in comments.



Isle of Mull, July 1421

The day being particularly warm for the beginning of July, all the members of the clan took advantage of the good weather. While the Elders were sunbathing around the fortress, the younger ones were running on the moor and some even went to Loch Don to swim. The water there was warmer than in the Sound of Mull which washed the coast of the rocky peak on which Duart Castle stood.The sun began to fade in the sky and most of the clan members were returning to their homes when a roar shook the walls of the fortress.
"Mary Jamesina Lindsay MacLean! Come here now !"
Chief MacLean's thunderous voice echoed through the courtyard and reverberated beyond the ramparts, carried by the sea wind. When she heard her father's cry, Jamesina shivered. When he used her full surname, it never boded well. In general, the use of Mary, her English first name, was a harbinger of problems and reprimands. 

What was her father going to blame her for this time? Unless it's her mother who has reason to complain about her? It's true that she had been a little sloppy with her household chores these days, but it was for a good cause; she had escaped for a few hours to try out new bows with Gavin and Angus. It was definitely more fun to practice shooting than to wear out your eyes and fingers on a loom! Not to mention it was much more useful. We couldn't repel attackers with a spinning wheel, shuttles or distaffs! Whereas a bow wielded with dexterity could do wonders! Yes, that was surely the cause of his father's ire. Her mother must have informed him that she had skipped the last two weaving sessions. Generally, Jamesina coaxed her sire quite easily, except when her mother harassed him. In these cases, to the great dismay of the young girl, the chief agreed with his wife, with whom he was still very much in love after more than twenty years of marriage. It was therefore by dragging her feet that Jamesina reached the courtyard of the castle, convinced that the combined wrath of her father and her mother would fall on her.

When he saw his daughter pass through the heavy iron gate into the inner courtyard, Chief MacLean suppressed a small smile. The girl's cheeks were rosy from being out in the fresh air all day and her hair was tangled by the sea breeze. Her face and hands covered with dirt and grass, she was completely ragged. Fortunately she had fine features and wore feminine clothes, otherwise she could have passed for a boy; she had the silhouette of one. Jamesina was tall and slender, but still devoid of feminine shapes and especially her relatively short auburn hair could be confusing. This hair had also been the subject of a major crisis the previous year. Chief MacLean's wife flew into a rage when her daughter cut her own shoulder-length hair. Jamesina justified herself by arguing that the long locks bothered her when she practiced with the bow or the claymore. Iseabail MacLean had tried to make up for the mess by trimming the ends, but to her dismay, her daughter had ended up with hair barely longer than her older brother Gavin's. If Jamesina did not pay attention to her appearance, she did take great care of her weapons, and her father noticed that once again, she was carrying her bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. Without a doubt, she had gone to train with her brother again!

"Iseabail is right. Our daughter is a little wildcat, a true Highland girl. Perhaps I gave her a little too much rein on her neck, it is time that she learns to behave like a future wife of a clan leader and no longer like a warrior in the making. " he thought, while showing an indulgent smile.

Meeting his wife's reproachful gaze, Chief MacLean immediately wiped all traces of amusement from his face and took on a stern expression to stare at his daughter before ordering her to follow them. Jamesina did not protest and unflinchingly accompanied her parents inside the castle. Once in the small room which served as his office, the chief spoke in a stern voice:
"Jamesina, your mother informed me that once again you have not fulfilled your domestic obligations. However, you know that it is your duty to assist her and learn how to run the home of a clan leader."
"Aye, Father."
"Yet you don't take your learning seriously. This has gone on for too long, mo nighean! You will soon be old enough to get married."
"I still have time, Father! "the young girl said offended.
"You are already fifteen years old, it is time for you to behave as befits your rank. I don't want you to shame us when the talks begin to find you a husband."
"But I don't want to get married! "objected the cheeky one.
"You have to! You know full well that we need to consolidate our alliances."
"But Father..."
"I said ! From now on, I want you to complete your domestic training to be worthy of becoming the wife of a clan chief."
"These tasks are boring and uninteresting", Jamesina protested. "You don't have to be good at making stupid embroidery to help a chief. With weapons in hand, I can show many warriors, I will be able to help them more effectively protect the clan."
"Maybe I was wrong to let you grow up as free as a boy. Make no mistake, mo nighean, I am proud of your riding skills and your skill with the bow as well as with the claymore, but your mother is right, these are not qualities sought in a future wife."

Iseabail MacLean adds to her husband's words:
"Your role is not to defend the clan, but to bring help and comfort to its members in everyday life. You must know how to run a big house, Jamesina, and relieve your husband in daily management."
Lachlan MacLean nodded vigorously before inhaling sharply to announce the decision he had just reluctantly made a few hours before:
"You are going to live for a while with your uncle David Lindsay in Glenesk. Your aunt Elizabeth Stewart will train you to become a real lady. You will join them at Edzell Castle to complete your training."

Jamesina frowned before asking:

"At Edzell Castle? Where is it ?"
"The fortress is located in the southeast, on the foothills of the Grampian Mountains in the Lowlands."
"But... but it's very far!"
"The distance is not important. The main thing is that you continue your domestic training. You will also support your aunt in the education of her grandchildren Fillan and Aileas. Your cousin and her husband drowned when their birlinn sank last year and their children now live at Edzell Castle. When you have completed your training, you will stay for a few weeks at the regent's court and we can then begin negotiations to enter into an alliance with a friendly clan. When you return to our beautiful island of Mull, I expect you to be as refined as the English ladies and ladies of the court so that you can hold your place as chieftain's wife with honor."
"But... but Father, it's impossible! I can't leave Duart! Especially to go so far from you!"
"Are you questioning your chief's decision?" roared Lachlan MacLean.
"N... nay, but..."
"Mary Jamesina! I don't want to hear your whining anymore. Show yourself worthy of your rank! You'll hit the road with Gavin in three days. Your brother will accompany you to the East and he will stay there with you for a while."

Seeing the leader's resolute look, Jamesina understood that he was serious and she burst into tears.
"Father, please... I will do whatever you want, I will apply myself to weaving and embroidery, but I beg you, do not take me away from Duart."

She turned her pleading eyes to her mother.
"Mother, please..."

Iseabail, her heart aching at her daughter's pain, tried to make her listen to reason.
"I'm sorry, Jamesina, we think it's necessary. We have not made this decision lightly, but you need to get away from the clan to concentrate on your domestic training and you need to familiarize yourself with the manners of the court. This separation will be as cruel to us as it is to you, but believe us, it is essential. We will come to visit you at Edzell Castle and see you at court."
"Your mother is right, Jamesina. Besides, I'd rather keep you away from Mull for a while. The situation becomes more tense with certain clans."
Alarmed, the young girl wanted to know more:
"Is the clan in danger?"
"Nothing serious at the moment. Just a few issues with the MacKinnons. But I wouldn't want their warriors to have the idea of kidnapping you to put pressure on me. This is why, from now on, you will only use your English first name and your mother's name. It's best to keep your ties to the MacLean clan quiet. From now on, you are only Mary Lindsay, understand?"
"Aye, Father."
"Your brother must also move away. He is too close to Cailean, the son of Chief MacDonald of Clanranald. His clan is allied with the MacKinnons and it is best for Gavin to distance himself from him."

And so, on a rainy July morning, Mary Jamesina Lindsay MacLean left the Isle of Mull with her older brother.

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