Likely, the man would confess what he knew in a day or two, if he lived. Colin would send the healer into the dungeon to remove the arrow and medicate his wound. "Did you or one of your clansmen shoot Chief Cameron?"
The man narrowed his eyes but kept his mouth shut. Of course they had been the culprits. Although Colin wanted to smash his fist against the man's face, he kept his impulses under control.
"Cut the arrow shaft shorter," Colin told Warton. "Have the men bind his hands and feet, then load him onto a horse. We must reach Rhodie before dark." Otherwise, they would be too vulnerable out here in the darkness. The outlaws could return.
***
When Colin and the rest of the Camerons rode into the torchlit bailey at Rhodie Castle a few minutes after dark, his brother Bryce, younger by two years, was there to greet him.
"Bryce, how is Da?" Colin swung down from his horse.
"Not good." His brown eyes grim, Bryce gave Colin a warrior handshake. "I'm glad you came quickly."
Colin nodded. "I must go see Da. Then we'll talk. In the meantime, can you oversee the men escorting the prisoner to the dungeon and ask Deidra to see to his arrow wound?"
Bryce nodded and glanced at the men unloading the injured man. "How did you end up with a prisoner?"
"Bastard was shooting at us. He may very well be the one who shot Da."
"What?" Bryce growled.
"Aye. Rusty and Warton will fill you in on what happened."
"Damnation." Bryce stormed off in their direction while Colin climbed the steps toward the great hall, his stomach knotting. After nodding a greeting to the solemn-faced clansmen seated at the tables, he ascended another flight to the laird's chamber. He pushed the old carved oak door open and found only his mother and father inside the bleak, candlelit room.
"Oh, Colin." His mother shot up from the chair and embraced him, tears streaming from her reddened eyes. "I'm so glad you've come."
"How is he, Ma?" He held her tightly while she wept. Though his heart was breaking, he forced himself to be strong. Looking over her shoulder, he saw that his da lay unmoving on the bed. His face was very pale above his gray beard. Saints! To see him in this condition was like a strike to his own vitals.
"I'm so afraid," his mother whispered, pulling back and turning to look at his da. "I've never seen him so ill before. He has a fever, and Deidra says his wound festers terribly."
"Is there naught she can do to help?" Surely, there had to be something that could save his father's life.
"She removed the arrowhead, stitched the wound and applied a poultice. You ken she is the best healer in these parts, but 'tis a deep wound."
"Mayhap the poultice will help in a day or two." Colin wished more than anything that he could relieve his mother's worries, but the same hopeless fear latched sickeningly onto his stomach.
"He does not respond. 'Tis as if he is in a deep, dreamless sleep."
Fearing this was indeed the end of the road for his father, Colin kissed the top of his mother's head, her tawny hair shot through with a few strands of gray. "We will pray."
"Aye. 'Tis all we can do."
He sat down on a chair by his father's bedside and leaned forward. "Da, can you hear me?"
No response. Da's face appeared far too ashen, but his breathing was deep and even.
"We're going to figure out who did this," Colin vowed.
***
A half hour later, Colin met his brother entering the great hall.
"The whoreson won't speak a word," Bryce growled.
"I figured as much."
"Based on what Warton and Rusty said, sounds like the same band of miscreants who shot Da from the wood nearby."
"I agree."
"Which clan could they be from? We've had no intense conflicts for a few years."
"I thought hard on it the whole way here. I cannot think of anyone who hated Da enough to assassinate him. What would they have to gain by it?"
Bryce shook his head. "Several of us had a meeting on it earlier. We came up with naught."
Colin turned, spying the healer on the other side of the great hall. "Did Deidra pay a visit to the prisoner yet?"
"Nay, she was busy." Bryce walked with him toward her.
"Deidra, what can you tell me about Da's injury?"
The middle-aged woman with gray hair shook her head, looking dejected. "'Tis a bad one, Colin. The arrow went through the lower side of his gut. I may be a good healer, but I'm nay that good. I did the best I could on him, but I'm thinking even an Edinburgh physician couldn't heal him. It'll take a miracle."
Dread weighed heavily upon Colin's heart. He couldn't imagine life without his da. "Is he suffering?"
"He does nay seem to be in any pain, but who can know, in truth? I wish I could do more. I'd best go check on him again."
"When you finish with him, can you come to the dungeon? We brought in a prisoner who has an arrow in his leg. He may very well be the man who shot Da."
"And you wish me to heal such an evil man?" she snapped, her gaze sharp as a spear.
The woman's vehemence rendered Colin speechless for a moment. "Aye, we must question him and find out which clan he's from. Several men in his party fled. We need to stop them before they attack again."
"I'll think on it." She stormed away and up the stairs.
Colin could well understand Deidra's anger, and he was tempted to feel the same way himself, but he wasn't barbaric enough to withhold the help of a healer from anyone, even from a man who'd tried to kill his father. He believed in upholding the law. If the archer recovered, he could be turned over to the authorities. But first, Colin had to find out what the man knew.
He and Bryce strode outside to the bailey, then descended the steps into the dungeon.
Lying on the floor, the man writhed and groaned in pain.
Colin stopped before the cell door. "We've asked the healer to come down and help you."
"I want naught to do with a healer!" the man shouted.
"Which clan are you from?"
"Go to hell!"
Ignoring him, Colin asked, "Why did you shoot at us? What grudge do you hold against the Camerons?"
Eyes closed, the man lay still, not uttering another word.
"Damnation. I think he passed out," Colin muttered.
"Hope he doesn't die before we get a name from him," Bryce said.
***
Tears burning her eyes, Kristina lay in bed awake long after everyone else was asleep. The castle was quiet. What a mess she'd made of her life. She could not get Colin out of her head or her heart. She missed him sorely and prayed his father would recover from the wound.
What a daft ninny she'd been to reject Colin's marriage proposal, but she'd had no other choice. Because she loved him beyond anyone and anything, she could not saddle him with a useless wife. How she wished she was capable of scaling mountains and doing things beyond what the average woman could do. Why had her sight been taken away? What had she done to deserve this punishment? She could not comprehend why some people had easy lives, while others were kicked down at every turn.
Feeling sorry for herself, she cried herself to sleep and dreamed.
"What do you truly want, my child?" The whisper sounded like her mother's voice.
"Ma?" she asked, opening her eyes within the dream.
Her mother stood beside the bed and a bright golden light emanated from her, as well as from behind her, as if the sun were shining in the bedchamber window. Kristina loved how she was always able to see within her dreams.
"Are you truly here, Ma?"
"Aye. Whatever you want, Kristina, just ask God and your angels for it and believe. You do not need to suffer any longer."
"Angels?" Kristina frowned, confused. "I did not know I had angels."
"Of course, sweeting. Everyone has guardian angels for help and protection."
"But… what I want is impossible. I want to spend my life with Colin and be a good wife to him. I cannot do that
without my sight."
"Nothing is impossible. Ask God's angels to lift your prayer for healing your eyes to heaven. And then believe you have already received this."
"But that would be…"
"A miracle?"
"Aye."
"Miracles happen every day, but you must believe with such a strong knowing that it is no surprise to you when your prayer is answered." Her mother smiled. "You have a strong and beautiful spirit, Kristina, and Colin is your soulmate."
Gasping, Kristina woke up instantly to the blackness. She sat up, disappointed that the eyesight she'd had in the dream was gone. Her mother's image had been blindingly bright and warm in the dream. So real.
"Ma?"
Silence filled the chilly room. Was her ma's spirit still with her? Were her guardian angels by her side as her mother had said? She could not feel them.
And what her mother had said about Colin being her soulmate… good heavens! Could it be true? How could she be a soulmate and wife to such an exceptional man? She did not believe she had it in her. How could she possibly rise to such a lofty position?
She felt lonelier than ever before. Cold and alone.
Her mother's spirit had visited her in the dream. She had no doubt of it. 'Twas too real to be only a dream.
She lay back down, turned to her side and thought about what her mother had said about angels and asking them for help.
"Angels, are you there?" she whispered.
After a few moments, her loneliness drifted away and she felt cocooned in a warm, loving embrace. Could there be real angels holding her now, or was she only imagining it? Either way, she felt better… calmer, not so afraid. No longer alone. Her mind drifted into daydreams where she imagined herself with Colin, and for the first time she could see him in this fantasy. He was gorgeous, with tawny hair and eyes the color of silvery gray clouds.
Colin, I love you. And more than anything, I want to be a good wife to you.
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. The fantasy was so vivid, she even felt his breath upon her skin.
"This is what I want, God… angels… anyone who is listening," she whispered. "To spend my life with Colin and see his face. Thank you for hearing my prayer."
As she floated toward sleep, she visualized herself walking with Colin, hand in hand, up a beautiful, heather-covered hill. Everything around her was so bright and vivid—the purple heather, the green grass, the blue sky reflecting off the loch. But she could hardly take her eyes off Colin's wonderful smile to view the stunning scenery. 'Twould be truly magnificent to have her sight back, for then she would have a fulfilling life with Colin. She could be his helper and mate. Her dreams would come true. She knew they would.
Upon waking the next morn, Kristina immediately remembered her dreams and her fantasies as if she had lived them during the night. It had been so grand having her sight back in the dreams. But now reality struck. Her vision was not miraculously restored. All was darkness around her. A moment of disappointment sank into her.
Do not lose faith, my child.
The words had been inside her head, like a thought. But not her thought. Again, it was like hearing her mother's voice. Saints! Strange things were happening. She needed to speak to Maili. She had the gift of second sight. Mayhap she could explain what Kristina's unusual dreams and the voice in her head had meant. Was this normal or was she losing her sanity?
***
After dressing and breaking her fast in her room, Kristina sent the maid to find Maili and ask if she could speak with her. A short time later, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Kristina called, looking forward to talking to her new friend.
The door opened and closed.
"A good morn to you," Maili said in a bright and cheerful tone. "The maid said you wanted to talk."
"Aye. Good morn. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
"Of course. Anytime. I value your friendship. How are you feeling?" The chair by the hearth squeaked as Maili sat down.
Kristina knew what she meant—how did she feel since Colin had left? Miserable. But she was sidestepping that topic for the time being. "I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?" Maili's voice held much concern.
"You have second sight, do you not?"
"Um, aye," Maili said tentatively.
"I had a dream last night, and I'm hoping you can help me figure out what it means."
"Of course." She sounded far more relaxed now. "I will try. I often have dreams in which I see something that is happening at a distance or in the future."
"My mother passed many years ago when I was a child, but I saw her clearly in my dream, as if she were really here. She was surrounded by a golden light, and she relayed a message about angels." Kristina explained what her mother had said about asking angels for help.
"It sounds like a visitation dream," Maili said. "Angels and spirits are real, even though we normally cannot see or touch them."
"Do you think angels could heal my eyes so that I might regain my sight?"
"'Tis possible. Angels are extensions of God, and they do God's work. This includes healing and many miracles."
"Although I've dreamed of my mother before, and heard her speak to me, this dream was so real and detailed, 'twas unsettling."
"I'm certain it was. Maybe your mother's spirit delivered the message from above so you wouldn't be afraid. And now you can communicate directly with your guardian angels."
Kristina nodded, though she was still unsure if angels were truly beside her. "I also dreamed what Colin looks like. I have never seen him with my eyes, so I don't know if the image was right. But if it was, does that mean I'm developing second sight?"
"I don't know. Mayhap. I only know of my own experiences. Either way, do not be afraid."
A bright streak of light, like lightning, flashed across Kristina's black field of vision.
Chapter Fifteen
Kristina gasped and covered her eyes with both hands as tears welled. Had that burst of light been real or in her imagination only?
"What is it?" Maili asked urgently.
Kristina lowered her hands, blinking away the burning tears, but the light was gone. Only darkness surrounded her again. "A brief flash of light."
"In truth? Maybe 'tis a sign." Maili moved to the bed beside her. "Let me see if I pick up anything for you." After holding both her hands for a few seconds, Maili said, with a smile in her voice, "Oh, you and Colin share a magnificent and special love."
Kristina's whole body flushed as conflicting emotions swirled within her—joy for the love but sadness because she could not grasp hold of it.
"You ken this, do you not?" Maili released her hands.
Kristina nodded, blinking back tears.
"Why do you cry?"
"I want my eyesight back more than anything, for then I could…" She snapped her mouth closed. Even though Maili was a new friend, mayhap Kristina was saying too much. Did she really want everyone to know the situation with her and Colin?
"Aye, go on," Maili urged.
"Anna knows this, but no one else. Do you promise to keep it a secret?"
"Of course. I consider you a sister also, just as I do Anna."
"I appreciate that." Kristina blotted at the renewed tears that threatened because of Maili's kindness. "Well, the truth is… Colin asked me to marry him—"
Maili gasped, then giggled. "Oh, that's wonderful."
Kristina held up her hand. "I have not finished. 'Twould be my fondest wish to marry him, but I refuse to do so without my sight."
***
On horseback, Colin, Bryce and ten of their clansmen followed the tracking dog, a small terrier. The dog took a meandering path through the leaves and pine needles, his nose to the ground. Colin had cut off a piece of the prisoner's doublet sleeve for the dog to sniff occasionally. But there was a good chance it wouldn't work, for the other men in the gang might not smell like the archer. He hoped their scents were somewhat alike sinc
e they were accomplices. Aside from that, it had rained the previous night, which had likely destroyed any scent left on the leaves or ground.
Although Colin had spent several hours by his father's bedside the night before, he could not sit still during the day. All the waiting and wondering drove him mad. Besides, he had to find the bastards responsible.
Much as he would love to capture the group of outlaws, especially their leader, even this victory would not help his father recover. Only God could help him now.
This morn, Da had shown no improvement, nor did he appear to be any worse. Deidra continued to apply the poultices and do all she could for him.
Once Colin had fully explained to the healer that if the injured archer died, they might never find the man behind his father's ambush, she had agreed to help him. She'd removed the arrow from his thigh, stitched him up and applied a poultice. Her helper had given him a cup of tea to ease the pain and help him sleep. But the man had been out of his mind with fever this morn. His recovery was uncertain. Even during his moments of awareness, he had not revealed any names or information that would help Colin find the rest of the outlaws.
Now, Colin observed the gray terrier as it trotted through the wood. Something shining brightly on the ground in a small patch of sunlight caught Colin's attention.
"What is that?" After riding closer, he leapt down from his horse and picked up the gleaming object—a golden earring, the sort that dangled, coin shaped with an embossed flower and a small red stone in the center. Kristina's earring!
"Saints!" he hissed.
"What is it?" Bryce dismounted and moved closer to see what lay in his palm.
"I think this is Lady Kristina's earring. Damnation! That means…" Colin's chest felt crushed of a sudden. "Red Holme." He'd stolen Kristina's earrings from the pouch.
Cursing, Colin shoved his hand through his mussed hair and stared toward the heavens, feeling as if a spear had gutted him. "Red Holme shot Da."
Highlander Entangled Page 18