by Sky Winters
She would have to wait for 10 or 15 minutes to pass until she could be sure that he was out of sight.
The waiting seemed an age and she dare not move until the clock struck a quarter to the hour. Venturing out of her hiding place she quickly slipped to the door, opened it quickly and was soon outside.
The air was damp and she was glad of the additional blankets she had packed into her bag.
Lord Edmond had disappeared into the early morning and she quickly stepped around to the side of the castle and into the cobbled courtyard and across to the stables.
As she approached, Bess pulled her long nose over the stable door and snorted her hot breath into the cold air. Lady Davina stroked the gentle face before opening the stable door, stepping over the straw to the saddles hung on the wall.
She managed to manoeuvre the saddle onto the horse and buckled the leather harness under the old girls belly before attaching the reigns and checking that all was in order. She had seen Joseph, the stable lad back home, do this job a thousand times before and she had learned well. All seemed safe, and placing her foot into the stirrup she leaned against the warm flank to heave herself atop the horse. Bess gave a slight whisk of her tail and a flick of her mane, but remained still and silent until Davina clicked her heels against the warm body and tugged gently on the reins.
They were away.
Lord Edmond had set off from the front of the castle so her obvious course was to set off in the opposite direction. There were a couple of open fields before they entered a deep wood of pine and aspen, the sweet smell of the trees hitting her as soon as they entered the leafy glade.
As horse and rider moved into the depth of the wood the light changed from the grey of early morning to the dark bottle green of the forest.
She urged the old horse on, desperate to put as many miles between her and the castle before anyone noticed her absence. The terrain was soft underfoot, but low hung branches and the spreading gnarled roots of ancient trees all acted as obstacles to slow her down. Once they had reached a small stream she dismounted, letting Bess drink the cool water and rest for a while. Now the excitement and apprehension of her escape had lessened, she too felt hungry and sat against a tree to eat some of the cheese and bread. The ground was chilly and she wrapped herself in the extra blankets for warmth. All was still except the babbling ribbon of the stream and soon she fell into a light doze.
As she slept her fiery dream returned. She was still trapped in the tower, the beast somewhere near was approaching. Her skin was now covered in scales and she gulped in fear. She heard a whisper soft and low, a woman’s voice that was comforting her. She recognized her mother’s voice. “Now is your time to take flight.”
The snap of branches and the rustle of leaves awoke her. She could feel the tremor of the ground beneath her, men on horses were approaching. Lady Davina could not tell how long she had slept, it could have been minutes or it could have been an hour, how foolish to relax before she had found a safe haven. With no time to lose she gathered her blankets and quickly packed her things before mounting Bess, driving her further into the wood. Hearing voices close behind, she panicked, urging the horse on even faster. Bess could sense the urgency of her mistress and galloped as fast as her old legs would allow, deeper and deeper into the forest. She did not see the low branch ahead, poor Bess tried to jump, her old heart beating fast, but the old thing did not make it, catching her hooves and sending horse and rider into the air, tumbling into the undergrowth.
Lady Davina lay still, she had twisted her ankle badly and cut her arm but she could not feel the pain; only fear remained as the sound of hooves grew closer until Lord Edmond rode into view.
He sat looking down at her astride a magnificent black and sweating stallion, his face twisted into a mixture of delight and evil; he had been enjoying the chase.
“Well, well my dear, fancy seeing you here. Your early morning ride seems to have taken you a long way from home. Anyone would think that you were trying to run away from me, eh?”
She looked up at him in defiance, but her heart was trembling. He would make her life hell from now on.
Dismounting from his steed, he strode over to where she lay and prodded her with his riding crop.
“Did you think I was so gullible? I guessed your plan straight away, as soon as you mentioned the horses. I pretended to go out on my daily walk this morning; the dogs could sense you in the hall, even if I could not see you. I have trained my dogs well. I like my women like my dogs, obedient. I can see now that I have been too lenient with you and need to give you instruction. But first I will need to punish you. As with all animals I need to show you who is master here. You will ride with me back to the Castle. I’m afraid that poor old Bess will need to be shot. She is no use to me now”.
Lady Davina let out a small cry for the poor animal. She thought of the loving and trusting eyes; it had been her fault and not the horses and she couldn’t bear to think of the gentle life ending in such a way.
“Please don’t shoot Bess, you can do anything to me, but spare the horse, have mercy.”
A cruel smile spread across Lord Edmonds face as he strode over to the horse and raised his gun.
A shot rang out and she covered her ears, tears springing into her eyes; poor Bess.
The sound of raised voices caused her to look up. A band of men dressed in simple country clothing had appeared from out of the forest and had surrounded Edmond and his two men. Standing on foot he was at a distinct disadvantage against the 6 men on horseback, and stepped back towards his horse.
“Lord Edmond. We don’t usually see you so deep in the forest, what brings you here?” A handsome young man with golden wavy hair and fiery green eyes spoke, his tone sarcastic.
“Well if it isn’t James McCraig, I haven’t heard a word about you for over a year. I was hoping you were dead.” Edmond smiled sardonically up at the younger man.
“Sorry to disappoint Edmond, you cannot have my lands just yet, but who do we have here?”
James McCraig looked over at the young and beautiful girl lying on the ground and his heart raced. Her eyes transfixed him and he felt the connection straight away. He had been searching all of these years, could she be the one?
“This is my bride to be, Lady Davina. I’m afraid we were out riding and she has taken a fall. The poor old horse will need to be shot I am afraid. We are just about to ride back home, if you will excuse us.”
He could see the fear in the young girl’s familiar green eyes; smell the misery in her soul. He was older and wiser than he looked and his animal instincts were heightened and put him on the alert.
“The Lady does not look fit for travel all the way back to your castle Sir. My home is at her disposal, she can rest there until she is well enough to ride.”
“Lady Davina can ride with me, she will be quite alright.”
By now she had pulled herself into a sitting position. This golden haired man was her last hope and she pleaded at him with her eyes, willing him to take her with him.
It was as if he could read her mind, he was in tune with her thoughts and the feelings shot through him like an arrow. He must keep his cool at all costs.
“Perhaps we should ask the Lady?”
Both men looked at her; Lord Edmond glaring at her through narrowed eyes whilst James McCraig smiled.
“Well,” her voice wavered with a nervous tremor, “I think my ankle is badly twisted and that I will have difficulty standing...”
“You will not need to stand, we will ride back to the castle on my horse,” Lord Edmond was tiring of the game and wished to be away from the place, but surrounded by bandits he could do little else.
“I think the Lady has spoken and that we must abide by her wishes. I believe I will take her back to my camp where I will personally attend to her. When she is well, she can return to you, if that is her wish?”
“If that is her wish!” Lord Edmond almost exploded with anger. His usually cold and white face was red and ugl
y, his eyes glittering with hate at the young man before him and his hands automatically reached for the gun at his side. Four men were upon him; aiming their pistols at his head before his hand could even reach the weapon. His face twitched as he stamped the ground with his feet.
“Be damned McCraig. Touch that girl and I will kill you and all of your men, you hear.”
James McCraig smiled. “I swear on my honour as a gentleman that I will not touch the lady, unless of course she wants me to,” it was he now who laughed.
“Gentleman, you are no gentleman Sir. I have heard things about you and your clan. You are unnatural Sir and should be burned alive”
McCraig’s face turned to one of displeasure and his whip struck the side of Edmond’s face to silence him.
“My family is the oldest in the Kingdom Sir; my line descends from the first men that ever walked these fine lands. Do not disrespect my kind or we will extinguish you like a candle.”
Calling for his men to escort Lord Edmond back to the castle, James dismounted his horse and stepped over to where Lady Davina was sitting. She had never seen a man so handsome, and as he took her hand and pulled her gently to her feet, she felt the heat between them, a strong bond; it was as if she had known him her entire life.
Once Lord Edmond was away, he stepped forward, and picking her up in his strong arms he carried her to his horse as if she bore no weight. Once she was settled he sat in front of her and she placed her hands firmly about his waist for safety.
“What about poor Bess?” She had almost forgotten the poor horse lying quietly amongst the trees.
“Do not worry about Bess, my men will see to her.” A sob caught in her throat.
“No, you misunderstand. My men are wise and will bring Bess back to the camp. All will be well”
Smiling through her tears they rode on quickly through the forest, deeper and deeper into the trees. After almost an hour’s riding they reached their destination, a makeshift yet comfortable camp in a small clearing. Several tents had been made from cloth and branches, and a great fire warmed the cold air.
She was made comfortable in one of the tents and James was true to his word; placing a poultice of herbs on her swollen ankle and slathering her cuts with a green paste. Tucking a blanket around her with the promise of returning, he left her to rest.
Lady Davina felt safe and happy and soon fell into a deep sleep—on this night no dreams came to her.
It was night when she awoke and although the sky was dark, the camp was lit with the orange glow of the fire. Sitting up she looked around her. The tent was pretty basic, but some of the cloth of the tent had been embroidered with symbols, covered with the strange images of creatures from the old myths, glittering dragons with red eyes, breathing fire and smoke from their nostrils.
It wasn’t cold but she shivered slightly, the images seemed so lifelike, and in the shadows and dancing flames of the fire light, they seemed to come alive. She had seen the images before and tried to recall where, and then she remembered; the sign of the dragon had been present in many of her dreams for as long as she could remember.
The entrance to the tent opened and James McGuire stood before her. Her heart gave a slight shudder as he looked deep into her eyes and smiled.
“You are awake, how do you feel?”
She certainly felt refreshed after her sleep and her ankle didn’t hurt so much.
“I feel much better, but a little hungry,” she had only eaten a small piece of bread and cheese all day.
“Can you walk? We can sit together by the fire and eat. Come, I have a surprise for you?”
Extending his hand he helped her towards the fire. It was a chilly night but the blaze was enormous and he brought her extra blankets and fixed them around her shoulder.
“Close your eyes.”
She did as she was bid until told to open them again. Standing before her was Bess, as good as new, her legs strong with no hint of injury.
Rushing forward she embraced the old grey neck and stroke the old head.
“Bess my girl, you are well, you save me old girl and I owe you my life”
The old horse shook its head as if understanding.
“But how..? Poor old Bess was almost lame”
James only smiled and shook his head.
“My men understand the old ways, the ancient magic; one day perhaps you too?”
The mutton stew was the finest she had ever tasted and the two sat in silence as they ate. James looked wistfully into the fire and she thought she saw sadness in his eyes. It was strange but she could almost feel what he felt, think what he was thinking, and his sorrow made her feel unhappy.
“What are you thinking Sir?”
James sighed as he turned to her. The shapes and colours from the fire played as a mask across his face and for a moment he looked altogether different, like one of the ancient creatures embroidered onto the tent.
“It is my father. He is dying. We think that he does not have many days left. Our clan has been weak since his illness and we have lost most of our powers. Lord Edmond, your intended, has seized most of our lands and he has taken control of our castle. If my father dies we have no-one to replace him, to lead and restore us to our former glory.”
He looked back into the fire, his eyes almost full with tears.
“But surely if your father is the head of the Clan then you will become the rightful leader. You seemed in control of your men this morning?”
His head drooped towards his chest. “If only that were true, things are more complicated than I can explain. You would never understand.”
He turned his head and she looked deep into his eyes.
“Try me.”
There was something about this beautiful girl that he could not explain; somehow he needed to tell her everything.
“My family are ancient, perhaps the oldest family in the land. The original clan name was not McCraig but McArach, Arach being the old Gaelic word for Dragon. My great ancestors were the last of the Dragon Shifters, a great race that could shift between human and dragon form at their will. As times passed and men began to toil the land and hunt and fight, there grew a wall of fear between the old ways and the new, and mortal men began to be afraid and hate the Arach. A hundred years war raged between the Arach and the Clans of the Highlands until there was only one family of Dragon Shifters left. My people were fearsome warriors when they needed to be, but they were starved and hunted and outnumbered, until finally my great ancestors were forced to live like animals, outlawed and alone in the hills. Many thought that we had died out all together, but we managed to survive and the clan quietly strengthened and we have lived in peace ever since. Not many know of our secret, but Lord Edmond is one of those who do, his ancestors were our main enemy, and knowing we are once again weak, he has used the knowledge to take our lands and castles.”
He thought that she would be shocked and stopped to let his words sink in, but she did not stir, but looked into his eyes as if she had always known that it was so.
“But why do you not lead your men, why do you grow weak.”
James looked at her and sighed.
“It is true that I am indeed next in line to be leader of the clan when my father dies, but before I can lead the clan I must shift into my true Dragon form.”
“And, what is to stop you?”
“I must first find my true mate. She too must have Dragon blood in her veins. I had thought that...” his voice trailed off and he gazed into the fire once again.
“Thought what?” her eyes were steady on his face.
His hands grasped hers as he turned to face her, a look of deep sorrow in his eyes.
“When I first saw you I was struck by your beauty, but then I felt something more. It was if I had always known you, there seemed to be some common bond between us as if we were joined by some invisible thread. My thoughts seemed to be yours. I thought perhaps that you were the one, but how can you be, you are not of my race and besides, you
are betrothed to my enemy Lord Edmond.”
“I do not love Edmond, nor want to be his wife. It was a marriage of convenience only. I agreed to marry him only to save my aunt and uncle, they had looked after me from an early age and I am in their debt,”
“What happened to your parents?”
Lady Davina hesitated “I do not know, they were killed when I was but a baby. I tried to find out what happened but my aunt and uncle refused to speak of the matter and I gave up in the end. But I do know that I dream of dragons.”
James was now sitting up straight and gazing intently at Davina. There was something about the girl, the eyes, the way she looked at him, the way he felt. There had to be something.
“What were the names of your parents?”
“Isabella and Frances Drake”.
His grip on her hands tightened as he stared into her eyes.
“Drake is an old word for Dragon.”
Something in what he was saying was starting to make sense but she couldn’t be sure what it all meant.
“I remember stories of some distant cousins. Their secret was discovered and they were hunted by a group of evil men, hunted down like wild animals and killed; murdered in cold blood. There was talk of a child. A baby girl, but no-one knew what happened. It was presumed that she died too. Of course, there is only one way of knowing for sure. When I find my true mate and couple with her then I will transform into my true form, I will shift off this skin and become my inner being. I will be able to lead this clan once my father dies. I will become a true Dragon Shifter.
“So if I am your true mate you will realise your destiny, but if not, what will become of me?”
The girl was truly beautiful but he could not lie to her. “If you do not carry the Dragon blood then you will not be my true mate. I will not shift into my true form. I would carry on my search for my true mate, for the sake of my clan. Otherwise we will not survive.”
Her small hands were still clasped into his own. She could feel the blood coursing around his veins as if it were her own heart beating in his chest. Looking into his eyes she could see the flames of the fire flickering in the dark depths. She trusted her instincts, she trusted him.