The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  #

  Calum smiled down at Ailis as she sat on the barrel. "Lass, if ye are rested, I will take ye to the keep. Ye will be more comfortable there." He motioned for her to come with him.

  Slowly, she stood then shook her head as he reached out to her. She would walk. Silently motioning for him to go ahead of her, she slowly followed him across the dark courtyard.

  Voices drew her attention and she looked up to see Gavin and a young woman speaking to each other. Although the girl looked younger and was not nearly as tall, Ailis could see a resemblance between the two. She watched as the girl's face broke into a bright smile at their approach. "Welcome home, Calum."

  Ailis watched the smile freeze on the girl's lips when she noticed her. Even through her weariness, Ailis knew she must be a pitiful sight. She had lost weight and her only clothing was the filthy blanket she had worn for a sennight. Her skin was covered in dirt and her hair was matted like seaweed washed up on the shore after a storm. A sense of shame rippled through her at the sight of the girl's horrified expression. Ailis wanted to cry out that she had not always looked so.

  Gavin turned to her and said, "Lass, this is my sister, Megan." Allis heard him whisper as he laid a hand on the girl's shoulder and urged her forward. "She needs a friend, Meggie."

  No, Ailis thought. She did not need or want their friendship.

  Megan looked at her brother and nodded. She took a step closer, a hesitant smile on her face.

  A strong breeze rippled across the courtyard, blowing the blanket's partial covering from Ailis' head. She shivered as the cold night air hit her.

  Megan hurried over to her. "You poor thing, you are trembling." Removing her thick blue shawl, the girl gently placed it around Ailis' shoulders. "Here take this. It will warm you."

  Grateful, Ailis lifted her wrapped hands to her chest to keep the shawl from slipping off.

  Megan's eyes widened at the sight of the bandages. "Sweet saints, what happened to your hands?"

  The obvious concern in her voice touched a place deep in Ailis' heart. How she longed to speak. To share her feelings, her fears. She used to love to share secrets with Jenny. She felt a tear burn its way down her cheek. Turning her head from the girl's gaze, Ailis forced away her longing for sisterly companionship. Those days were gone.

  When she did not respond, Calum answered. "The lass burned her hands trying to take some meat from our cook fire. Gavin pulled her away before she could fall into the flames and treated her with the salve we brought you."

  Gavin shrugged. "We did the best that we could. But she needs the care of other womenfolk."

  Megan nodded and looked at her again. "You must have suffered something terrible to be wandering the hills so." Smiling, she offered her hand to Ailis. "Come with me. I will find you a place to sleep then food and clothes when you are rested."

  Ailis swallowed against the tight lump forming in her throat. The girl reminded her just a wee bit of Jenny. She wanted to hate her as she did her brother and his friend. But somehow she could not. Slowly, she held out a hand.

  Megan carefully grasped her wrist away from her bandaged fingers and smiled.

  The tug on Ailis' heart was stronger than the girl's pull on her wrist as she walked with her into the castle. For the first time since she had seemingly found her family's murderers, her thoughts faltered. She hated the thought of the pain she would cause the young woman if Gavin or Calum proved to be guilty. Pain such as she had known for the last sennight and would carry with her for the rest of her life.

  Ailis bit her lip until she tasted blood. Blood. Aye, it had been everywhere. She would ne'er forget the sight. And she would not gainsay her vow. She could not.

  A clanswoman met them as they walked down a corridor in the keep. The woman gasped and crossed herself. "Holy Mother, protect us! What demon is that ye lead by the hand?"

  Megan quickly shook her head. "No, Hannah. 'Tis but a poor lost woman Gavin found wandering alone in the hills. I am going to take care of her."

  Ailis swallowed back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. The girl sounded just as Jenny had when she was little and had found that injured bird. She remembered how Jenny had cared for it until 'twas well. Her sister's smile when she watched it fly off on its own had touched Ailis' heart. 'Twas a warm memory she would carry with her always.

  The leery clanswoman slowly approached. "What happened to her?"

  "We do not know. My brother said perhaps in time she will tell us." Nodding at one of the torches that lined the stone corridor, Megan added, "Pray light our way up the stairs and then start a fire in the solar. I need to get her warm."

  The woman nodded.

  Ailis reluctantly climbed the stairs beside Megan. 'Twas more than weariness that caused her feet to drag at every step. Why did the girl have to be so likeable?

  After they reached the solar on the second floor and a fire blazed beside the hearth, Megan spoke to the clanswoman again. "Thank you. Please see that extra blankets are brought to my chamber."

  The clanswoman's eyes grew wide. "Do ye think that wise? Are ye sure ye wish to have her sleep in yer room?"

  Ailis stiffened at the woman's words and glanced at Megan. Her task would be far easier if the girl were more like her clanswoman.

  Megan smiled. "Aye, Hannah, do not fash. 'Twill be fine. I will bring her there anon." After the woman left, Megan led Ailis to a seat by the hearth and said, "Here, lass, sit while I get you a wee bite to eat."

  Ailis watched as the girl walked over to a small table in the far corner that held some wine, cheese and fruit. She gathered a bit of the food and poured a small glass of wine then offered them with a tenderhearted smile that wrenched at Ailis' heart.

  'Twas difficult to hold the piece of fruit in her bandaged hands, but Ailis did. After she ate, she reached for the glass of wine but could not grasp it.

  Megan held it to Ailis' lips so she could drink. "'Tis good that Gavin and Calum found you and brought you here. Or as Gavin tells it, you found them. It… it will be nice to have another lass to talk to." Megan glanced at Ailis' meager covering as she set the empty glass down. "I think one of my dresses could be taken in for you. 'Twill be too short, but it will do until we can have one made for you. We have many bolts of beautiful cloth that Gavin and Calum have brought back from their travels. There is even a blue one like your eyes."

  She shook her head with a grin. "Ah, listen to me. Here I am chattering and you look near asleep where you sit. Gavin oft says I remind him of a magpie. Come, I will take you to my chamber so you can rest."

  Ailis forced herself to hold back a smile as Megan led her to her room. The girl was endearing. How she wished she had met her under different circumstances.

  Shortly after they entered the chamber, the clanswoman returned carrying several soft blankets and piled them on the room's only bed. Megan nodded and said, "Thank you, Hannah. Before you leave, would you fetch one of my gowns and see that it is taken in tonight, so that our guest will have something to wear on the morrow?"

  "Aye, Megan. The gray dress ye wear to work about the keep could be made to fit her."

  As the clanswoman turned to go, Megan added, "Oh, and please tell Gavin that I will not come down again this eve. I want to stay with our new friend."

  The clanswoman took a dress from a trunk then cast a doubtful look at Ailis before she left, closing the chamber door quietly behind her.

  Megan spoke cheerfully. "You can share my bed for the night. On the morrow we can talk and perhaps find out what brought you here."

  Ailis stared at Megan's innocent face and soft green eyes. Eyes the same color as her brother's.

  Murderer's eyes.

  Sweet Jesus, what could she tell this sweet young woman? That if she found the proof she sought, she would take her brother's life?

  Chapter Three

  The immense relief Gavin felt when Meggie took his strange traveling companion into the keep was almost overwhelming. 'Twas not that he di
d not care what happened to the woman. In truth, he was starting to care overmuch. 'Twas why she should be in the hands of the womenfolk. Then he would not be plagued with thoughts of her. Aye, women were better at helping and understanding their own.

  Calum's voice broke into his jumbled thoughts. "I hope all will be well with the lass. Even with the womenfolk, she will need time to heal inside from whate'er has caused her to act this way." His look of concern turned to a frown as he added, "And as to Meggie, I will not have my feelings forced on yer sister. If she truly feels about me as I do her, she will speak of it without yer promptin' as I heard ye do in the courtyard earlier."

  "Och, man. If my sister were to smile any brighter when she looks at you, she would set to flame aught near her. Come, I am tired and hungry. Let us see what is left in the hall to eat." Clapping his cousin on the back, Gavin headed toward the keep.

  Hannah greeted them as they entered. "Welcome home lads. Gavin, Megan said to tell ye she willna be down this eve. She wishes to stay with her… guest."

  Gavin nodded and continued down the corridor. No sooner had he and Calum entered the great hall, than the clan surrounded them asking dozens of questions about their journey and the strange woman they had brought back.

  Laughing good naturedly, he called to Calum above the voices. "Was it just a wee time ago, I wished to be home with its peace and quiet? It seems I did not get the whole of my wish."

  His cousin grinned. "Aye. Ye should be careful what ye wish for."

  They walked across the large room, and sat at the only trestle table and bench still remaining. The rest of the benches and tables had already been pushed against the walls to make room for servants and castle folk to sleep. As their food and drink were brought in, Gavin told of their journey and the profits they had made on the sale of their cattle.

  One of the older clansmen standing to the back of the crowd called out, "'Tis good to know we fared well, but what of the puir creature ye brought back wi' ye?"

  "Aye," another mumbled. "Me woman near fainted when she saw her. She thought 'twas a kelpie come for her." He grinned and shrugged. "I told her nay kelpie would have her."

  A man sitting beside him laughed and slapped him on the back. "And 'tis why she kicked yer arse."

  As raucous laughter went round the room, Gavin remembered how at first, he too, had thought the strange lass to be some beast from another world and how easily she had separated Calum and him from their mounts. Och, 'twas no need to tell the whole of it. He had no desire to be the object of the men's jests for weeks to come.

  Waving his arms for his clan's attention, he called out above the noise. "I know you are curious about the lass. In truth, so am I. Unfortunately, 'tis little to tell. We found her wandering alone in the forest beneath Ben Dearg. Since we could not leave her there with nay food or protection, we brought her here."

  He frowned at the memory of her burned hands and the haunted look in her deep blue eyes. "She seems fearful and does not speak. 'Tis my wish that she be treated with kindness. In time, we will find her kin and return her to them."

  He stifled a yawn, then stood and stretched his tired muscles. Glancing at Calum, he nodded toward the cellar stairs. "Paddy promised new ale when we returned. I mean to have a good long drink to quench my thirst and ready me for sleep. Are you with me?"

  Calum nodded. "Aye. And as yer friend and kin, I will see that someone tucks ye in yer bed as I finish my drink, for ye know I will out drink ye."

  Grinning, Gavin clapped him on the shoulder as they headed toward the cellar. "Ha. 'Tis more likely I will have to carry your sotted carcass out of the cellar myself as you will never make it up the steps on your own."

  #

  Clanging noises bounced from the cellar walls and echoed in Gavin's head with a rumble to wake the dead. God's bones, what was causing that horrendous din? Were they under attack? Groggily, he raised his head from the table and slowly opened his eyes. Bloody hell. He shaded his eyes from the glare of the torchlight and sat up slowly. Then he gripped the table's edge as his head reeled.

  Turning about on the wooden bench, he threw a quick glance around the room. 'Twas a mistake. The cellar floor rolling and pitching in a nauseous fashion competed with the clamoring in his brain. 'Twas worse than sailing across Solway Firth in a winter's storm.

  A familiar voice slurred, "Och, my achin' head."

  Bleary eyed, Gavin slowly looked back across the table. Calum sat holding his head between his hands. The pasty color of his cousin's skin did naught to steady Gavin's stomach. An empty ale jug lay on its side between them. 'Twould seem they had enjoyed Paddy's ale a wee bit too much.

  Sounds from across the room drew his attention. Dreading the need to turn his head, Gavin shifted little by little.

  Three clanswomen grinned at him as they gathered supplies for baking. One nodded and spoke. "Ah, good morrow. 'Tis a fine day, is it not? Food will soon be ready in the hall for ye to break yer fast. Would ye like a servin' of blood puddin' to go wi' yer haggis? Or mayhap a nice big bowl of porridge and raw eggs to give ye energy. The livers and tatties are nay too greasy if ye eat 'em quick."

  Gavin's stomach lurched.

  Calum moaned.

  And the women giggled.

  Gavin shook his head gingerly and said, "God save me from a lass' wit."

  "Aye, cousin, ye have it aright there."

  After the women left, carrying their bundles and laughing amongst themselves, the two men slowly climbed the steps to the great hall. Dropping to the nearest bench, they both propped their elbows on their knees and buried their heads in their hands.

  Calum's muffled voice worked its way past his fingers. "I dinna know about ye, but 'tis a fierce bodhran poundin' in my head."

  Gavin nodded heartily. And wished he had not. He took a slow deep breath and forced the words from his pounding skull. "Aye, 'tis louder than the lass' wailing in the forest."

  Screeching sounds and dull thuds flayed his aching head as his clansmen trudged past dragging trestle tables and benches away from the walls. Despite the layer of rushes on the stone floor, the heavy wooden furniture scraped loudly as it was moved to the center of the hall in preparation for the morning meal.

  Members of his clan shouted above the clatter and racket. Small children ran around in the turmoil, eager to play at the start of a new day. A wolfhound with a new litter of pups lay in a corner of the room barking vigorously, adding to the din.

  Gavin grimaced in misery. Did no one care that an entire army was battling inside his head?

  "Fie. A puir lot ye are this morn!" An old woman's harsh voice rang out like a Celtic battle cry above Gavin and Calum's bent heads. Wincing, they looked up into Nelli's plump face and sharp black eyes. "An' were ye both so busy tryin' to out drink the other, that ye couldna send word to me ye were back, safe? Me, a puir weak woman, left to fash o'er ye an' nay word could ye send of yer return?"

  "Och, Nelli, do not shout so," Gavin muttered. "And as to aught that would cause you to worry; I have ne'er seen the like." He tried a weak grin and added, "'Tis good to see you again, even if I do see two of you."

  Calum began to nod his head in agreement then obviously thought better of the painful movement and settled for a feeble smile.

  The woman fisted her hands on her ample hips and scowled. "Hmph. I should let ye both stew as ye are, but ye are nay good for aught this way. I will have Cook make ye a brew to clear yer heads while I go see Meggie an' this new visitor everyone in the castle is talkin' about."

  Gavin groaned as she clapped him smartly on the back and walked away. God save him from all women.

  Within minutes, two kitchen boys approached holding mugs of a repulsive smelling brew. Gavin grimaced. Even knowing that the vile tasting mixture would quickly help settle his stomach and clear his head, he was in no hurry to drink it. The horrible taste was enough to make a man swear off drink for weeks.

  Taking a mug and handing the other to his cousin, Gavin held his up in mock
salute. He took a deep breath then quickly downed the mug's bitter contents forcing his throat to swallow when his initial reaction was to retch.

  Calum did the same then wiped his mouth with his free hand. "God's blood, but that's foul. I vow Nelli delights in making it so."

  "Aye," Gavin agreed and looked out across the large hall filling with people. As more began to file into the room, the noise level grew louder. He rubbed his aching temples. If he were lucky, the brew would take effect before his head cleaved itself in two.

  Without warning, a wild scream echoed through the hall coming from the second floor. Several more ear piercing shrieks quickly followed. Silence filled the hall making the shrill noises seem even louder.

  Gavin glanced at his cousin and frowned. He knew that dreadful sound. Forcing his aching body upward, he stumbled up the stairs with Calum following close behind.

  The door to Megan's room stood open. Gavin rushed in and nearly collided with Nelli as she unceremoniously dumped the screaming lass into a bathing tub, clothing and all. He stared at the lass. She seemed more angered than frightened this morn. Slapping water everywhere, she scowled and continued to wail.

  Och, he wanted none of this. With the front of his kilt growing wet from her splashing and his ears ringing from the lass' screaming, he spun around to leave. His stomach lurched and he grabbed the doorway for a moment to allow his head to catch up with his body. Calum looked no better than he felt and backed out of his way then followed him down the stairs.

  Once again in the great hall, Gavin sank gratefully into his chair before the fireplace, leaned his head back and closed his eyes against the brilliant glare of the blaze burning in the hearth. A nearby scraping sound of wood on stone told him his cousin had done the same. Countless minutes dragged by threatening to deafen him with the noise from above. Covering his ears with his hands, Gavin blocked out the clamor as best he could.