At last, they were finished and it was Carley who came to inspect the work. She smiled as she examined each room and often nodded, which greatly pleased the builders. When she was finished, she walked to the door. “My mother always had bowls of fresh flower petals everywhere, but I will see to it.”
The paths too were swept. The elders, the men, the women, and the children went back to the old ways that didn’t seem so bad after all. Anything was better than Neasan.
AT DAWN, SAWNEY SENT two men to tell the clan they were close to home and would arrive by early afternoon. After two more washes on the way home, Paisley’s hair was white again. Everyone was excited and even the horses knew they were close to home. Nevertheless, Sawney called a halt just before they left the path to enter the glen.
He turned in his saddle, smiled at Mackinzie and then looked at Paisley. He put his hand on the sheath of his sword and it took a moment, but when she realized, she smiled and nodded. For three generations, few MacGreagors had ever laid eyes on the golden sword, and most thought it was just a myth. Yet, this was the sword his grandfather’s friend, Walrick, held high in the air when Neil first led the people to this very glen.
Sawney slowly pulled it out of its sheath. Even he had not seen the golden blade it in the sunlight and was captured by its magnificence. It was fitting and right for Sawney to hold it up high as he brought the MacGreagor Clan home.
The people with him gawked and he had to say the command twice before they began to move again. At long last, they turned into the glen. The warriors in the front parted, let Sawney ride on ahead and as they drew closer to the village, the people began to cheer.
Lenox moved his horse up next to Paisley’s. “Is that not the sword you carried?”
“Aye.” She turned to grin at him. “Sawney said Neasan would never find the MacGreagor gold.”
“So he did,” Lenox mutter, “so he did.”
Once he reached the people, Sawney handed the heavy sword to his brother. Then he slid down and went back to claim his bride-to- be. He lightly kissed her lips and then whispered in her ear, “Welcome home.”
She hugged him once more and then she saw it. She ignored all the people there to meet her and walked straight to the whalebone. Just as Sawney instructed, both ends were imbedded in the ground with only the curve showing.
Soon, he was standing right beside her. “If it displeases you, I will...”
“‘Tis the rib of a whale, a giant whale at that.” She smiled at him. “I have seen many whales. The bone brings good fortune.”
“It did not bring good fortune to Neasan.”
“Aye, but you said he gave it to your father. Do you not see, he gave his good fortune away.”
Sawney laughed. “The story of the bone has a new ending.”
“I brought shells so the children can hear the ocean.”
“They will love you for it and so do I. Come, Hew is eager to see you again and we best not keep him waiting.”
Hew was surprised when she hugged him and then he began to introduce Mackinzie to everyone. Sawney talked to the men, but he often glanced at her to make certain it was not too overwhelming. She seemed to be fine and he was amazed at how well she fit in.
DENA DID NOT LIKE HER at all, but then why would she? Everyone could see how smitten Sawney was with Mackinzie. The smug little thing had unsightly freckles across her nose and her hair was not truly red. Yet when she was introduced and Neasan’s widow, Dena smiled and welcomed her just as she should. There was one thing that made Dena very happy—Sawney did not say she was already his wife and that was good news, very good news indeed.
The smell of beef set to slowly cook in the pit some two days before filled the air and the women were beginning to set out the food for the welcome feast.
Everyone seemed so happy and it made Dena sick. Each time she looked that way, Mackinzie was smiling as though she was oh so pleased. And why not, Sawney hardly left her side. A couple of times Mackinzie caught Dena watching her and Dena wanted to slap that smile off her face.
Unfortunately, Sawney would not be pleased. Neasan would have liked seeing it, but not Sawney. On the other hand...that was it. It was forbidden for anyone to strike a woman and the punishment would be harsh, even banishment. All Dena needed to do was provoke her so Mackinzie would lash out.
Mackinzie didn’t look timid at all, which didn’t match the stories she’d heard, and Dena wondered how old she was. Of course, babies born in a bucket never knew how old they were. Just then, Mackinzie started to walk toward her. Dena thought to ignore her and leave, but why should she? She belonged here, not Mackinzie.
“Will you show me where to find the loch?” Mackinzie asked.
Dena wanted to deny her, but Paisley was close enough to hear and she thought better of it. At length, she nodded and led the way. So that was it, Dena thought, the bucket wants to be friends with the previous mistress. Of course she does. Next, she would ask her advice, but that was the last thing Dena was prepared to give.
Half way down the path Mackinzie said, “I am sad for your loss.”
Dena stopped and turned around. There were a thousand things she could have said, but Mackinzie might tell on her. “You are the only one.” Dena turned back around and when they got to the loch, she threw out her hand. “This is where the lasses bathe in the mornings.”
Dena expected Mackinzie to start asking all kinds of questions, but she didn’t. She only nodded and seemed satisfied to look out across the water. She didn’t know if she should leave Mackinzie alone or not, so Dena stayed. It gave her a chance to look her over well. She was taller than Mackinzie, but Mackinzie looked stronger and she might not be easily pushed off a cliff. Perhaps poison would do, if she could get her hands on some. Of course, her first plan was the best.
When she glanced back, Dena was surprised to find Sawney behind her watching them both. Good, she thought, let him see which of us is more pleasing and which would make a better wife. To her chagrin, Sawney motioned for Dena to leave. She did as she was told, but she wasn’t happy about it. Nevertheless, she smiled and walked away.
“Are you unwell?” he asked once Dena was out of sight.
“Nay,” Mackinzie answered.
He put his arms around her from behind and was glad when she leaned her head back against him. “You are tired.”
“I will be happy to see a bed again.”
“So will I. Paisley wants you to stay with her, will that be to your liking?”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“The lasses have left new MacGreagor clothing for you in...”
“I brought clothing of my own.”
“It was the first indication she might not stay and it greatly disturbed him. “As you wish. If you want to bathe, I will send Paisley. I am certain she would like a bath as well. Come to think of it, I am surprised she is not already in the water. There is nothing she likes better than to be clean.”
“I would prefer that.”
“Done then.” He wanted to kiss her and hold her even longer, but she did not turn to face him and he tried to understand. Still, he did not let go right away and instead, kissed the side of her neck. A million reasons for this change in behavior ran through his mind, but perhaps she was just exhausted. He glanced around, felt certain she was in no danger and walked back up the path.
As soon as he was gone, Mackinzie turned around. “Why do you watch us, Dena?”
She was caught but she owed that woman nothing, especially the truth. The sooner Mackinzie was out of their lives the better. Dena stood up, walked out of the bushes, and turned to face her. I wanted to talk to you still.”
“About what?”
Dena had to think fast. “Did Paisley tell you she was abducted?”
“Aye.”
“Would you like to see where it happened?”
All her years of watching people’s expressions, the way they moved and the look in their eyes told Mackinzie Dena despised her. Yet there was
only one way to see what this woman was up to. “Aye.”
Dena was pleased, a little too pleased, and she did not hide it well. First, she had to get Mackinzie away from the loch before Paisley showed up to bathe. “Come with me.”
Mackinzie followed her and as they went deeper and deeper into the forest, she put her hand on her dagger.
Dena took the path that led from the loch to the back of the graveyard. From there, it was just a few steps to the glen. However, Dena wasn’t taking her to the Glen. “Is it true you were born in a bucket?”
Mackinzie drew in a deep breath. “Aye.”
Dena wasn’t expecting such a simple answer and decided to ask another question, one which was sure to raise Mackinzie’s ire. “I have heard you are a sea monster. Is that also true?”
“Aye.”
It wasn’t working and Dena was thoroughly frustrated as she led the way up the hill behind the graveyard and down the other side. Then she stopped and turned her hate-filled eyes on Mackinzie. “You do not belong here. We are MacGreagors, you are not.”
When they stopped, neither of them saw the gray wolf or had any idea they were between the wolf and the burrow in the rocks where she kept her hungry pups. It was a slender, powerful animal with long limbs, small paws and a heavily muscled neck. Dena was closest to the pups, and it was she the wolf concentrated on.
The growl was so soft, Mackinzie barely heard it, but she would know that sound anywhere and began to search the woods with eyes. Quickly, she drew her dagger. When she finally spotted it, the wolf displayed its large teeth, lifted its tail, and took a slow and deliberate step toward Dena. With a high-pitched whine, the wolf lunged.
Dena screamed and put her arms up to protect her face. A split second later, Mackinzie stepped between Dena and the fierce animal. She plunged her long dagger into the wolf’s underbelly, but not before it dug its sharp teeth into her shoulder.
In great pain, the animal twisted, released his jaws, and fell to the ground. Instinctively, Mackinzie knelt down and stabbed it twice more until she was certain it was dead. Then she tossed her dagger away. Blood ran down her arm and her chest into her shirt, yet she did not realize she was injured and looked to see if Dena was hurt.
Dena’s scream made Paisley and the other’s going to the loch swiftly halt. Instantly, each of them turned and ran back to the Keep. Dena’s scream also brought men running and before Mackenzie knew what was happening, Hew had her in his arms. The blood horrified him, he quickly turned and carried her up the hill. “She saved me,” he heard Dena cry out behind him. As soon as he could, he hurried through the graveyard, across the glen and headed into the courtyard.
Keter took one look at Mackinzie in Hew’s arms and raced on ahead to open the door. “Mackinzie is hurt!” Keter shouted. He rushed to the table and with one swipe of his arm, cleared everything off. “It is bad, Sawney.”
Several people moved aside and Sawney started toward the door just as Hew carried her in. At first, he couldn’t see where all the blood was coming from. “Bearcha, go get the sewer. Paisley, bring cloths. Hurry!”
He let Hew gently lay her on the table, then took her hand and searched his brother’s eyes. “What has happened?
“A gray wolf. It is dead.”
From behind Hew, Dena sobbed, “Mackinzie killed it.”
Sawney looked into the eyes of the woman he loved and tried to smile. She was bleeding profusely and he was terrified she would die. Her eyes were open, but the color seemed to be draining from her face. He lifted the hand he held up while Hew spread a plaid over her. It was taking far too long for Bearcha to bring Rona, and Sawney anxiously watched the door, while Paisley held several cloths against her shoulder and tried to stop the bleeding. Sawney did not want to alarm Mackinzie, so he forced himself to keep smiling. “You are very brave.”
Mackinzie closed her eyes. She could almost see Tavan smiling at her and nodding his approval. She had more courage than she knew and he would be proud of her.
Several more people rushed into the room, including Carley and finally Rona, who was better at sewing flesh than anyone. Rona handed her small sack of needles and sinew threads to Bearcha and quickly went to the other side of the table to examine the wounds. She moved Paisley’s hand away and cringed. The wounds were bleeding profusely. Rona pulled her dagger and cut away the measure of plaid Mackinzie wore over her shoulder. She then cut the shirt underneath until Mackinzie’s injured flesh was exposed. The wolf’s teeth not only punctured her skin, it left gashes as it fell away.
If Mackinzie was in pain, she did not show it and Sawney’s next thought was to get her drunk so she wouldn’t. He was grateful when Keter brought a flask of wine, but Mackinzie pushed it away with her other hand.
“Put honey in it to sweeten the taste,” said Paisley. “Here, I will do it.”
Rona finished examining the wounds and then said, “Lads, best hold her down. ‘Twill hurt when I do the stitching and she must not move.” Just as Rona instructed, Keter got ready to hold her head still while Hew got a firm grip on her injured arm.
Paisley hurried back with the sweetened wine and while Sawney lifted Mackinzie’s head, she helped her drink. Mackinzie still did not like the taste, but she drank a good portion anyway.
More blood oozed from the wounds and soon, the room was full of people. Blare stood ready to take hold of her legs if need be while Rona threaded her needle. It was after she moved more of Mackinzie’s shirt out of the way that they saw it. Four ugly scars ran from the side of her neck all the way across that side of Mackinzie’s chest. “‘Tis not her first time,” said Rona.
At last, Sawney understood why Mackinzie didn’t want to wear his colors. MacGreagor shirts had a round neckline that would expose her scars. “Tavan said she feared nothing but a wildcat and now we see why.” He made a mental note to bring that to the attention of the weaver, but for now, it was the last of his concerns. Her grip on his hand was still strong and he found that encouraging, but she kept her eyes closed.
Standing near the wall, Dena watched as Rona told Paisley to wipe away the blood between each stitch and got ready to sew the holes in Mackinzie’s shoulder closed. She could see Mackinzie stiffen when Rona pinched the skin together and took the first stitch. It made Dena gasp for air.
With each new stitch, Mackinzie squeezed Sawney’s hand tighter and bit her lip to keep from crying out. Tears began to run down the sides of her face into her hair, so Sawney took the cloth out of his belt and gently blotted them away. Then he put his mouth to her ear. “I love you, do not leave me.” She opened her eyes for a moment and he knew she heard him.
Covered in Mackinzie’s blood, Hew leaned closer to his brother. “Where there is one wolf, there are others.”
Sawney looked around until he found Bearcha. “Send the lads to hunt them down and see that the children are kept inside.”
With too many tears in her eyes, Paisley gave the chore of wiping away the blood to Grant and moved away. She was grateful to be in the arms of first Gavina, then Jennet and then Carley, each of whom struggled to keep from weeping.
Dena could not bear to watch another moment. She could smell the blood from there, Mackinzie was going to die, and it was her fault. She left her place near the wall, went out the door, and made her way past all the people waiting for word in the courtyard. Several looked to her for news, good or bad, but she ignored them and started down the path in the middle of the glen.
It all happened so fast. She remembered seeing the fire in the wolf’s eyes, thought she would surly die and the next thing she knew, Mackinzie was hurt and she wasn’t. Why did Mackinzie do that? She should be dead, not Mackinzie. Yet, wasn’t that what she wanted? Her own words began to echo in Dena’s head—born in a bucket—sea monster...
Shame finally overpowered her and when she could stand it no longer, Dena sunk to her knees and wept. “I am sorry...I am so very sorry!”
ONCE THE STITCHING was done and a wide cloth was wrapped aroun
d her shoulder, Sawney carried Mackinzie upstairs to the bedchamber he once shared with Hew. It was next to Paisley’s old room, she would want to sleep there this night, and he would be comforted to have his sister close. He left the room so the women could remove her bloody clothing, wash her and help Mackinzie put on a clean shirt. Even now, she did not cry out or moan.
He was pleased to see the people were all gone when he went back downstairs. He added extra honey to the flask of wine, grabbed a goblet and waited. Outside, he heard Hew tell the people the sewing was done and all they could do was pray. It was true, so much could still go wrong, the worst of which was a fever. The MacGreagors had overcome many troubles in the past few months, but no one knew how to keep a wound from killing the woman he loved.
An hour ago, the great hall was full of happy people welcoming him home and now it was an empty room hauntingly quiet. He tried to think how he could go on without Mackinzie and then pushed those thoughts aside. She would not die; he would not let her.
When at last he was allowed back in her bedchamber, he helped her sit up a little and then held the goblet to her mouth. She nodded slightly at the sweeter taste and took several more sips, letting the liquid ease down her throat and warm her body. Sawney set the goblet down on the floor and gently lowered her back down. She tried to say something, but he would not let her. “Rest, my love, just rest.”
For the remainder of the night, Sawney left the bedchamber only when the women came to tend to Mackinzie’s comfort. The rest of the time, he helped her drink each time she woke and needed it. Several times in the night, Paisley came to see about her best friend and her brother, who looked as tired as she felt. There was nothing to be done, so Paisley went to her bed and lay down, clothes and all. Even as tired as she was, she heard it each time Mackinzie woke.
At last, Sawney fell asleep in the chair and Mackinzie had consumed enough wine to sleep just as soundly.
A Time of Madness Page 19