by Kara Griffin
When they neared the end of the lane, the woman turned and held a thick stick. She was about to ask what she was about when the woman struck her.
“Why …?” Her speech slurred and she saw two of the woman. Dallis pitched forward and the woman caught her. “What …?” She slumped into the woman’s arms and everything went dark.
Chapter Sixteen
Brodin walked into chaos. The mead hall was crowded with more partakers than the tables could hold and Rohan’s servers ran around trying to serve them all. With so many men standing about, he managed to push his way through and make his way to the back of the hall. As he neared the adjacent room, he found Jimmy peering at him. The lad appeared weary and shouted orders at two of the younger lads. Jimmy sent them running and turned to call forth another lad. He stacked a tray with cups and bid him to serve the drink.
“Jimmy, what’s happening here? Where’s Rohan?”
Jimmy swiped his face and brushed the hair from his forehead. “Haven’t seen ‘em in days. We looked for him, but he’s not in the village. I took over running the place, but ‘tis unlike Rohan to leave without giving word.”
“Nay, it’s not like him at all. When was the last time you saw him?”
“Two days past. He said he was meeting a woman and that he’d return shortly. He never returned.” Jimmy pulled a tray closer and dunked a cup into the ale barrel. “We’ve been swarmed with customers. Most are getting ready to join the king’s army.”
Brodin raised a brow suspiciously. When had Rohan ever met a woman? In all the years he’d known him, the man never professed to have a sweetheart. “He didn’t say where he was off to or where he was meeting her?”
“Nay, he didn’t. But you ken him. He’s not one to explain anything. I’d rather be looking for him than here serving these arses.”
“I’ll search the village again. James said you approached him for aid. Worry not, he’s on the way here as well. We’ll find Rohan.”
Jimmy nodded. “I hope ye do for I’m not cut out for this job. Though I didn’t think Rohan would want me to close the place … all the lost coin. I hope he won’t be ireful.”
“I’m sure he’ll be grateful for your help. You did the right thing. I’ll come back and let you know if I find anything.” Brodin left by the back exit. He stood outside and focused on the buildings and people nearby. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Where to begin his search? He walked toward the miller’s to let Dallis know he would be longer than he thought. When he reached the cottage, he peered inside but didn’t see her.
Had she finished her business so quickly? Brodin stepped inside and waited while the miller finished his business with a patron. “Did a woman come in with long dark hair? Bonny woman, about this tall …” He held his hand up to just below his nose.
“Nay, haven’t seen her.”
Brodin reached the outside and walked in quick strides to the hostel. There, he found his horse, but not Dallis. Before he’d panic, he’d check the abbey. But he pondered why she’d not gone into the miller’s to pick up the fabric. He grabbed hold of his horse’s reins and started off toward the lane.
Before he reached the cross in the road, James approached with a few of his men trailing. Brodin signaled to him and James jumped from his horse. “Friar Hemm bids me to tell you to stop by on your way home.”
“Ah, so Dallis did go to the abbey then.”
“What say you? Nay, she didn’t go to the abbey. I saw her not on the lane on my way here. Didn’t she come to the village with you?” James walked beside him and gazed ahead.
“Damnation. Where can the lass be?” Brodin’s heart picked up and he felt the thumping within his chest. Dread washed over him. Something happened to Dallis. “I told her to go to the miller’s and I would meet her there, but she never went there. I asked the miller myself. I thought she decided to go to the abbey.”
“Nay, she didn’t pass me on the lane. She’s here somewhere in the village. Let us look for her.” James commanded his men to fan out and find her.
“If something happened …” Brodin couldn’t voice the words. He ambled forward with James and they searched along the lane. The only women he spotted were those walking with their husbands or children. A few maids carried baskets of bread and foodstuff.
They reached the mead hall and Jimmy whistled to them. Brodin rounded the side of the hall and met him at the back. “What goes? Have you found Rohan?”
“Nay, but this lad … he said he saw Rohan with a woman a few days ago. Tell him what ye told me, lad. Leave nothing out.” Jimmy shoved the lad forward.
Brodin regarded the red-haired lad. He was only a young one, not yet a half-a-score. “Don’t fear us, lad, we mean you no harm. You saw Master Rohan? What did you see? It could be helpful.”
The lad’s wide eyes lowered. “I saw Master Rohan in the woods two days ago. He yelled at me for being there alone. Said ‘e would wallop me bottom for not listening to ma. Momma told me never to go into the woods alone. Ye won’t tell her will you?”
“Nay, we won’t. Where did he go? Did you see where Master Rohan went?”
He nodded and his gaze once again lowered to his feet. “He and the pretty lady gone into the old cottage near where the old well was. He went inside and didn’t come out.”
“My thanks, lad.” He handed him a groat. “Go home and give that to your momma.”
The lad ran off and Brodin turned to James. “Let us go to this cottage. It’s the last place Rohan was seen. Mayhap he’s still there.”
Jimmy snickered. “If he’s there then he probably doesn’t want us to disturb him.”
Brodin clouted his head. “Rohan wouldn’t let his hall be unattended for days regardless of a woman’s enticement. Something detained him and I aim to find out what.”
James scoffed. “I agree with you. Jimmy, ken you where this cottage is?”
“Aye, but it hasn’t been used for a long time. Not since I was a bairn. I used to pass it when my ma sent me to the village. Come, I’ll show you where it is.” Jimmy set off in the direction to the east of the village.
As much as he worried for Dallis, Brodin followed and as he strolled along, he got a strange sense. Something was amiss. He’d known Rohan for years. His comrade wouldn’t go to a vacant cottage in the middle of the woods with a woman. He’d take her to his chambers above the hall and entertain her there. It was a strange happenstance. And as he and his comrade followed the lad into the darkened woods, Brodin listened intently to sounds nearby. He thought he heard a break of a twig and pivoted on his foot to gaze behind him, but no one was there.
On approach to the old cottage, voices of women speaking came from within. He signaled to James to wait and they listened …
“I care not who you are. You’re a means to an end. I want Brodin Grant to come and come he shall. You’re his woman are you not?”
“Nay. I am not his woman. I’m not wedded to him. You must let me go.”
He heard Dallis’ voice and froze. As he listened, he tried to discern who the other woman was, but he didn’t recognize her voice.
“It matters not if you are wedded to him. If Brodin wants you, he shall have you, marriage or nay. I saw the way he watched ye and how you were together. But I have a score to settle with him and you shall be the bait. I will see him dead if it’s the last thing I do.”
“You’re Alexia, Alexia Sweeten?”
The woman laughed derisively. “So you’ve heard of me, have you? He has spoken of me? Of course he has. I knew he’d never forget. Aye, I am she or at least once was. For years I waited for my vengeance and now it is close at hand.”
Brodin wanted to burst in, but James held him back and motioned for him to remain quiet.
“He cared for you. Why would you do him harm? I don’t understand why you would do me harm. I haven’t caused you any pain.”
“Be quiet ye flap-wagging coxcomb. I must think.” A bang sounded.
Brodin pulled free of James’
clutch and kicked the door. He entered the cottage and stood before his old ladylove. “Alexia, it is you. Let Dallis go. The lass has nothing to do with our association.”
“Ah, Brodin, as I live and breathe. I knew you would come for her. She’s quite beautiful. Not as comely as I once was … when you loved me.”
“I will free her and send her away.” He stepped forward, but Alexia held out her hand.
A large dagger clutched in Alexa’s fingers. “Nay, stay where you are. I would hate to mar such a bonny face. None of us shall leave this cottage. I’ve already dispatched the old goat there because he wouldn’t send for you. Now because of his action, your woman will also suffer.”
Brodin took a quick glance and saw Rohan lying on the ground lifeless. Rage built within him and he wanted to grab the woman by her throat and strangle the breath from her, but he remained still.
“Why? Why would you do this? I didn’t mean you any harm all those years ago. I was on my way to ask you to be my wife and planned to ask for your hand that very day. But then you sent that man to kill me at the loch.”
Alexia scowled and waved her arms with anger. “You speak falsely. Nay, you will not sway me to believe your lies. I had to rid myself of you. My father …”
“I tell you the truth. I would’ve asked you, but I was attacked at the loch. Then when I got to your father’s home to confront you, you were with someone else. I was enraged.”
She bawled in laughter. “I couldn’t have you. We both knew that. My father would never have allowed us to marry. He was intent on sending me to the cloister.”
“You should’ve told me that. I would’ve helped you. But instead, you decided to do away with me?” Brodin took a step forward. He hoped to get close enough to strip her of the blade.
“If I couldn’t have you none shall. Aye, that’s what I decided. And now, here we are years later. You’re still quite handsome. There was no other man that affected me the way you did. My heart has always been yours and I will take you with me to my grave.”
“You’re maddened. Aye, I do not belong to you, never have. I might have cared for you once, but no longer.” He instigated her anger and hoped she would retaliate against him. Where the hell was James? He should’ve come in by now.
Alexia screeched and ran at him, the blade of her dagger held high. Brodin tried to avert her, but she clipped his upper arm. Warm blood flowed over his bicep. He swung Alexia around and held her body in front of him. Before he could move, two arrows pierced her chest. Lucky for him the arrows didn’t go through her. Brodin tossed her body aside and ran toward Dallis.
“Are you hurt, lass?”
She shook her head. He undid the ties at her hands and feet and picked her up. He shielded her view of Alexia and Rohan and left the cottage. The arrows struck Alexia true and her blood pooled on the floor. Outside, he stood by the closest tree and set Dallis on her feet.
“Tell me she didn’t hurt you.”
Dallis hugged him close. “Nay, she hit my head though and by my faith, it hurts terribly. I’ll probably have a headache for a sennight.”
He rubbed his hand gently over the silkiness of her hair, soothing her as he spoke, “I’m sorry, my love, that she hurt you. If anything happened to you …”
“You called me love. Do you mean it? I longed to hear you say so.” Dallis kept her embrace tight and wouldn’t let him pull away.
“Aye, I do love you, Dallis Buchanan.”
“But not like you loved her.”
He squeezed her against him and pressed his face by her neck. “Nay, never like her. More than anyone, lass, with all my heart. You scared the hell out of me when you disappeared from the village.”
“I’m sorry. She asked for help and I didn’t think …”
They stood for long minutes holding each other. Brodin’s heart finally ceased its frantic beat and his breath not so harsh. When he looked toward his comrades, he noticed his brother Grifin standing next to James. He hadn’t even known his brother was there until that moment.
“I must go and speak with James. Will you sit here and await me?”
She nodded and he helped her to sit. Dallis shivered and appeared stunned by what happened. Brodin removed the tartan he wore over his tunic and wrapped it around her. He didn’t want to leave her in such a state, but he needed to discuss with James what happened.
“I will come back in a few minutes. Keep the covering around you.” He set across the clearing and approached James. “My thanks, James, for coming to my aid. I thought she’d kill me or Dallis.”
“Thank your brother. He shoved me aside and had his arrow notched before I knew what he was about.” James muttered a curse. “Aye, I thought he was going to attack you, but then when I saw his arrow pierce that shanty, I ken he was aiding you.”
“Grif, what are you doing here?” Brodin clapped his shoulder and nodded in thanks.
“I saw her in the village and followed her here yestereve. I lost track of her for she must’ve snuck out of the cottage when I wasn’t watching. After searching the village I figured she probably came back here and I heard the commotion.”
Brodin glanced back to the door. “Rohan …”
James shook his head. “She killed him. He’s been dead for some time.”
He rubbed his eyes and couldn’t believe his comrade was murdered by Alexia. It was all too much to bear. “I’m grateful you came, Grif, when you did. Why didn’t you come in, James?” He turned to his friend and frowned. It wasn’t like James not to intrude on any matter.
“I was about to. The woman was deranged. Is Mistress Dallis well? Unharmed?”
“She’s shaken, but well otherwise. I will take her to the abbey and return here to help with Rohan.” He left his comrades and helped Dallis to stand. “We’ll need to return to the village to get my horse and then I’ll take you to Friar Hemm. He’ll look after you whilst I see to Rohan.”
Dallis set her arm around his waist. “I cannot believe she killed Rohan. He was a good man. I shall pray for his soul.”
He nodded but didn’t retort. Along the path to the village, Brodin couldn’t let his guard down. He tensed each time he heard a noise and swore to protect Dallis. Their jaunt to the village was uneventful and he helped her onto his horse. His thoughts kept retreating to his proclaiming his love for her.
He didn’t just love her. She was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. If only he might have a life with her. Yet he knew his days were numbered and he swore he wouldn’t put her through such heartache. It was bad enough Alexia had threatened her. He had to send Dallis home, but the thought of being without her appalled him. She’d lightened him, made him want more for his life, and encouraged him to let his defenses down.
Aye, he did love Dallis. What the hell was he going to do now?
Chapter Seventeen
The longer days of May grew hot and muggy. That suited Dallis because she cherished the drawn-out daylight, but the heat was unbearable. In the warmth of the afternoons, the cave offered a cooler climate. How she wished she could forgo the heavy cloth of her frock and wear braies like the children.
Brodin made her promise not to dwell on the king’s call and so she decided not to think about it. She pretended such a call would not come. Of course, she realized she was living a fool’s life. The men seemed in fine spirits this morn and suggested the women spend a day in the stream. Their husbands took the children to the clearing near Liam and Makenna’s cave and played games. Flora’s bairn napped near the bank where Makenna sat.
Dallis’ heart went out to the woman, for Makenna lost her bairn nearly a week before. The dear lady was distraught but continued to put a brave face when in their company. She couldn’t begin to understand how distressed Makenna was and heard Liam express his concern for her. At least Flora’s bairn brought Makenna a little joy.
“I was thinking about naming the bairn,” she said to Makenna, as a way to lighten her spirits. “I say we call him Bennet, aye for he is a
blessed one to have so many care for him, especially you.”
“Oh, I adore that name. Benny. We shall call him Benny,” Makenna said and smiled winsomely at the babe. “I shall tend to him. Go on and join the women in the water. It’s terribly warm this day and you could use a cooling off.”
“I am warm. Thank you for looking after Benny.” Dallis disrobed and joined the women in the refreshing waters.
She floated and reveled at the sun shining on her face. The day was perfect. If only all days might be as enjoyable. Her friend’s laughter lightened her heart.
Lillia dunked her head and sputtered water when she resurfaced. “Dallis, you must tell us what happened at the village. The men are tightlipped. I want to hear your version.”
The women bobbed in the water and each about a foot from her. Dallis stood and set her feet on the murky bottom of the stream. Water reached her chest and cooled her. “There isn’t much to tell.”
“Come now, we know something remarkable happened. You were hurt. Annag fussed over you for nearly an entire day and said you had a lump the size of a good rock,” Kerrigan said.
Dallis didn’t want her gran to worry for her and she made Brodin promise not to speak of the matter when near her. Her gran read lips. She was quite good at it and all it took was recognition of a word or two and gran would question her for hours. It was best she not know what happened in the village.
Gran sat with Annag beneath a tree sewing garments for the children with the fabric she finally acquired from the miller. It was nice to see both women taking it easy. They’d become good friends and Annag was kind to her gran. Dallis gazed at the women near her and realized she had good friends as well.
“Very well. I shall tell you what befell me.” Dallis swam to the bank and sat in the shallow waters. Her friends joined her. “I suppose I should start at the beginning.”
“Do. And don’t leave anything out,” Lillia said.