Sàmhach, the Silent One
Copyright© 2026 by CaptainPig
Chapter 7
Glossary
Sgrùdaire (SGRUE-dar-eh, a recce or scout)
Leas-chorporal (LESS-khaw-paw-ruhl with a guttural ch sound, lance corporal)
Màidsear (MAY-jer) Rank in the Land Forces of the United Provinces ranking above a Leftenant and below a Bannerman. Typically commands a Squadron of two Companies, Batteries or Troops.
Athair (AH-ther, father)
Mac-bràthar (mak-BRAH-ther, brother’s son, nephew)
Cùirt an Urraim (KHurt an UH-rrim, roll the double r) Court of Honour, a United Provinces institution charged with registering challenges and making duels legal under UP law. Dueling culture in Greater Scotland and subsequently the United Provinces was greatly influenced by the Italian Code Duello and the Gaelic emphasis on a gentleman’s readiness to defend his personal honor from the slightest stain to the death if necessary.
Teachdaire-air-armachd (chah-DAH-ree air ar-mukh) Messenger on Arms, an officer of the Court of Honour, charged with delivering written challenges. He also supervises the negotiation of the form of the duel between the parties. He ensures duels are conducted properly and that all of the rules of dueling are obeyed. If a challenge has been properly listed with the Court of Honour and the rules of the duel are obeyed, no legal jeopardy attaches to the duelists. If the rules are violated in a duel to the death, the Teachdaire-air-armachd has the legal authority and duty to kill the offender on the spot.
It took three motor carriages to transport all of them to the hotel. When they entered the lobby, they found Horace and Conall at the desk checking in.
Dorrie immediately took charge and quickly had the manager scurrying. He soon had them set up with the two suites adjoining theirs. What seemed like a veritable army of maids were soon dusting, airing, arranging vases of flowers and ensuring the beds all had fresh linens.
Horace, two drivers and six armsmen were quickly installed in one suite.
“I hope you won’t mind sharing with the armsmen,” Dorrie said to Horace.
With a smile and a slight bow, Horace replied, “I’ve always gotten on well with the armsmen, ever since I did my ten years. It will not be any problem. I will let them keep me out of the bars and brothels.”
Dorrie sniffed, but then smiled at Horace and nodded. “See that they do,” she said.
Dorrie moved into the second suite with all of the girls and Sàmhach and Conall into the original suite with Angus.
A short while later, Angus, Dorrie, Horace, Conall, Sàmhach and the girls were all seated in a private dining room where breakfast was being served. For a few moments, there was no talking as everyone applied themselves to eating.
After finishing his porridge, eggs, toast and bacon, Angus spoke.
“Horace, you and Conall need to contact the Magistrate’s clerk and the court auditor. First, make sure that Sàmhach and the girls are placed in my custody. Then get with the Court Auditor and get all of Sàmhach’s property released. See if there are any bank accounts and arrange to have them put into Sàmhach’s name. If there is anything else that needs doing, I’m sure you know better than I what it is. We’ll all meet back up at dinner time and bring each other up to date.”
“I’ll be taking the girls shopping to get them whatever they need,” Dorrie said. “I’ll want a large motor carriage, a driver and a couple of armsmen to do the carrying. Give me two golds to pay for everything.”
Gwen spoke for him as Sàmhach signed, “Chief Constable Stewart has my weapons. We’ll need to arrange to get them.”
Dorrie looked surprised but Angus only nodded.
“Horace, have Conall contact the Chief Constable about that.”
“I’m right here, Athair,” Conall said. “You were just speaking to me. Why did you have Horace tell me what to do?”
“Chain of command, Conall,” Angus replied. “You work for him, not for me. And another thing. Sàmhach communicates with sign language. Do we have anyone besides Gwen who can interpret for him?”
Horace spoke, “Bannerman, he’ll need a batman who understands sign language. A couple of personal armsmen as well.”
Conall said, “I’ll poll the armsmen we have with us and see if anyone knows sign language or if they know of any of our other armsmen who do. I know it’s not a common skill but some of the Sgrùdaire use it when silence is important.”
Angus replied, “Good thinking. I hadn’t gotten that far in my thoughts yet. If we don’t have some, we’ll have to hire or train a few. One or more of the house servants will need to know it as well.”
Conall put down his napkin and stood up. He left the room, heading up to the suite where the drivers and armsmen were staying. He returned about twenty minutes later with a short slender grizzled armsman, the man barely taller than a jockey. He had obviously barely made minimum height for the Forces.
“Father, this is Leas-chorporal Ainslie, he says he knows sign language. Leas-chorporal, this is Bannerman Angus McKerr.”
The man braced to attention. “Leas-chorporal Raibert Ainslie reporting, Sir!”
“Stand easy, Leas-chorporal,” Angus said. “Tell us about yourself.”
“Sir,” Ainslie said. “I am originally from Appalachia. Joined up to get out of the coal mines. I did my twenty five years in the 11th Cavalry. Seventeen years as a Sgrùdaire. I mustered out of the Regiment last week. Màidsear Willie McKerr hired me to be one of your armsmen. When you and the Madam were getting ready to leave the other night, I had just mustered in and gotten my kit issued. I was still unassigned and present so the Màidsear picked me as one of the armsmen to come with you. I rode in the second motor carriage, Sir.”
“I’m looking for someone to be a batman for my garbhach, Sàmhach MacSorcha. He’s not deaf but he is mute so he uses sign language to communicate. One of your duties would be to serve as his voice.”
Ainslie looked very excited. Being a personal attendant to someone in the line direct of a high status House like the Bannerman’s was a very prestigious position for an ex-trooper from the mountains.
“I’d be pleased to serve the young gentleman, Sir,” he said.
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