Highland Healer

by Florence Love Karsner

  Caitlin had indeed seen families, in their grief, react to the loss of a loved one in ways that were always out of character for those involved. Grief drastically alters one's thought processes, and emotions rather than reason, are riding high at those times. And often, acting on emotions brings even more disaster. In truth, grief seems to have no bounds and cares even less for consequences.

  Commander Campbell would report that she was totally to blame, when in actuality, she cared for these soldiers until such time as the disease had spent itself out. Only after that time had passed would they be allowed to leave her and go to their loved ones. Of the eighteen young men, all soldiers, traveling together back to their villages, only four survived, and they had already departed and were on their way home. And that was only because Caitlin cared for them and did everything within her power to keep them alive. Without her care they, too, would have succumbed to the deadly illness. But, grief has a way of clouding the judgment of almost all families and they most certainly would blame her. And, she knew only too well they would act on their threats. Trust a Scot to avenge a loved one!

  Caitlin disliked leaving the last body, the Commander's son, alone. But she knew the Commander would come back as soon as it was light and take his son home for burial. So, once again, she had to steal away in the dark of night, taking only her medicines with her.

  As she left the cottage, the moon had already risen and sent its warm, yellow glow over the whole area. She looked about and felt this could have been a wonderful place to make a permanent home.

  "Will this never end, this running to escape in order to survive?" She spoke to herself and perhaps the night owl that sat just above her head in the blackthorn tree. He hooted to her in a mournful tone as if he, too, felt her anguish.

  CHAPTER 3

  Caitlin's first escape had happened only a few months ago when she found it impossible to stay on the Isle of Skye where she had lived all her life. An unlikely event beyond her control had dictated that she leave Uncle Wabi, who was her only family, and her friends behind and make a new life for herself, someplace where she was not known and could not be found. Her roots were in Skye, but now apparently, her destiny lay elsewhere.

  After some long days of walking, she had found this deserted, thatched hut to live in, and thought it was distant enough that she would not be discovered. And, other than being a bit lonely, she was quite enjoying the small hut and had begun creating a home for herself. But now she needed to leave again! But where would she go?

  At present, she must just try to escape this mad man. She would forever remember the anger in the soldier's eyes as he held her in his grip. She must lose herself somewhere in the forests and hills or mountains, maybe even go as far as the upper Highlands, across the Grampians, where she had heard many go who wish to be lost to civilization. Apparently, the ruggedness of that countryside deters some from entering such wilderness. But, that just might be what she needed to do, go where others would not.

  She had traveled quite a ways, and watched constantly. She hoped no one was following her. Traveling only at night, when moonlight provided enough light, she stayed deep within the forest. It had been almost a fortnight now and she had seen no one, and thought she had escaped Commander Campbell at last.

  "Well, Caitlin, my girl, what now?" Again she spoke only to herself as she did quite often these days. She knew she was somewhere on the edge of the Grampians as she had struggled to get over the lower mountains and had only passed a few villages along the way.

  First of all, she must seek shelter in a place that was not easily found even though she truly believed that Commander Campbell had forgotten about her, but no need to be careless. She began to scout the area, and hoped to find another hut as she did so like the last one.

  After several hours of scouring the area, there was not a hut or shanty or lean-to anywhere to be found. She sat down and had a lunch of one of the apples she had picked some way back down the road. She must find shelter, and obviously, she couldn't live on berries and fruit forever. Her packet of food was all but gone as it was.

  She gathered up her small sling bag and throwing it across her shoulder, she looked about and listened carefully. What did she hear? What did she smell? It sounded like water maybe. And as she walked over the next small knoll covered with heather and short grasses, she could hear the water more clearly. Ah, a river. Well, that was a good find as rivers meant fresh water, and fish! She was indeed beginning to need more nourishment than fruit could provide. But, still, the problem of shelter had not been solved.

  As she walked closer to the stream, she got on her knees and leaned over the water, splashing her face and drinking at the same time. The coolness of the water was refreshing after walking such a distance.

  "Well, healer. A bath would be a good idea too," more verbal communication with herself and whatever or whomever else may be listening.

  She wandered over to a small area of brush and discarded her shoes and clothing, slipping quietly into the water, which was just a small stream at this part of the river, and not very deep. Still, she immersed herself totally and let the water relieve some of the tension that she had carried with her for such a long time.

  She felt much better now, and certainly smelled better, she thought! She saw her reflection in the water and pinned her hair up as well as she could. Then she redressed herself in her ankle length, blue dress with long sleeves, and buttoned the many buttons down the front; she put that cumbersome petticoat back on and slipped her feet into her small leather boots. These boots were made of the softest leather, and they had protected her feet from many cuts and bruises, and kept them warm as well. But, they were beginning to look like they may not have a lot of life left in them. She knew that were she at home, she would take them to old Fergus who would put a new sole of them and make them shine like new leather. But, that was another life, and she wouldn't dwell on that anymore.

  CHAPTER 4

  "Well, now, back to the task at hand. Shelter." She saw some large trees up ahead, with lots of brush as well. It was a bit of a struggle to go down the path to reach the trees, and she stopped to catch her breath. As she got up, she heard a sound coming from the brush nearby, like something crying.

  "Oh please, don't let it be a baby!" she said aloud. She knew of several cases where a distraught mother had left her newborn infant in the woods, hoping someone would find it, and the outcome was not usually a good one.

  She stopped again. The crying and whimpering was still coming from the brush. As she bent over and pulled the lower brush limbs aside, she quickly lurched backward with a gasp! It was indeed a baby! And it was definitely crying! And it was so beautiful! Caitlin couldn't resist picking it up. As soon as she cradled it in her arms, the baby stopped its crying and closed its eyes, as if so relieved someone had finally found it. Caitlin smiled at it and stroked the thick hair on its head and looked at its ears, which seemed much too big. And its feet were enormous! She had never been this close to a wolf pup before, but thought this one was a beautiful specimen if ever there was one! Its fur was raven black and its underside a soft, pale, creamy color. And its feet were definitely too large. When she went to reposition the pup in her arms, however, it let out a howl that surprised her.

  "What was that about?" she asked the little creature, holding him up under his front paws, letting his small body dangle in the air. After deciding that the cry was one of pain, the healer began to search for the source of the distress. It didn't take much inspection to discover what was ailing this little fellow. She put him down and as he tried to take a few steps, he fell immediately, and she could see he was dragging his left hind leg. This small critter had a broken leg, which was usually a death sentence in animals this young.

  "Ah, so that's why you were left here," crooned the healer, gently rubbing his leg. She had lived with her grandparents as a child, then later with Uncle Wabi. Her grandfather had been a woodsman and Uncle Wabi a dog trainer. She had been on many walkab
out with her uncle and always learned something about an animal on every trip. So, she knew the pup's mother had probably left him as is common practice in the animal world when a newborn pup has a disability. The mother wolf would have had some other pups to care for as well, and would have had to make a choice as to whether they would all be subject to predators, or to leave the small pup to fend for himself. It was not really a choice; it was a reality that all animals have to deal with.

  She placed the pup down on a small blanket she kept in her pouch. As she gingerly felt the bone in his leg, she went about positioning it so it was in the proper position to heal. She had done this many times for humans, so doing it for a wolf pup didn't seem too difficult.

  The pup whimpered as she continued with her healing process. However, as she tied the bandage up neatly, the pup stopped his crying and licked the back of her hand. In that instant, a bond was formed between the two homeless creatures.

  "Well, then, you'll be as good as new, now!" The healer spoke to the pup as if he could understand every word. And, who knows, perhaps he could. As it was, she picked him up carefully, balancing him in the crook of one arm, and carrying her pouch in the other.

  "Looks like we both need shelter, my friend." So she continued walking to the bottom of the hill where the trees and brush were thicker. The walk down the hill was even more difficult, what with trying to balance the pup and carry her pouch. Plus, she was really beginning to tire from such long days of walking and trying to stay hidden in the forests.

  As she finally reached the bottom of the long hill, she took one last step and, unexpectedly, found herself falling — falling — falling, and abruptly coming to a halt many feet below the surface. That was quite a hole into which she had dropped! Her backside was smarting, and she was afraid she may have further wounded the pup in the fall. But, there was no noise coming from his direction, so she placed him on the ground next to her.

  "Healer, you better check yourself out first," she said. She stood up, brushed herself off, and other than a good-sized lump on her right elbow and probably her bottom too if she could see it, she seemed to be in one piece. However, it was very dark and difficult to see.

  She reached inside her medicine bag and brought out a small candle she kept for emergencies as sometimes she had to perform surgeries and other healing procedures under circumstances that were not the best. At least a candle helped when more light was not available.

  She lit the candle and held it high above her head. Apparently, they were in some sort of cavern with high ceilings and a long narrow passageway. She was a bit unsure about moving farther in, but could see no way of getting back to the top of the opening, so she slowly made her way, still holding the candle high and carrying the pup again. He had awakened with the fall and had perked his ears up and started sniffing the air, looking about from side to side. The floor was sloping ever downward as she continued to walk. Then she had to make a choice as to which path to follow as they had come to a junction. Should she go left or right? Both paths were worn and plenty wide enough to get through, so she went to the left, pausing just long enough to see there were markings on the walls. It was apparent that his cave had been used by someone before. And maybe they were still here! Her senses heightened a bit, and she looked, listened, and put her nose on alert. When all other senses failed her, she knew her nose would not.

  Apparently, this was a genetic trait that was passed down the long line of healers. She recalled stories about her healer ancestors who had used this same sense in their time, too. She was glad she also had this trait at her disposal as it had served her well.

  The pup was beginning to squirm in her arms, and she stopped to let him down, not sure he was yet able to stand on his own. But, he did stand, and with his broken leg being bound tightly, he dashed off but returned quickly and began to prance around her as if he had use of all his legs. Perhaps having never had use of his hind leg, he didn't know anything different. The healer smiled as she watched him move right along with his ears standing at attention and his nose twitching as he, too, made use of his exceptional sense of smell. Just having another living being with her somehow made her a bit less anxious, but not totally.

  "Well, there doesn't seem to be anyone else here with us, and I do believe we are well hidden down here. But how are we ever going to get out?"

  Her words sounded like they came from a very composed person, but her insides were jittery and she was feeling somewhat fearful.

  Caitlin had walked quite a way down the underground path and presently could smell water, fresh water, somewhere nearby. Perhaps the river they had just left ran underground as well. If so, that was good, as it meant there was an exit somewhere also. She continued walking until she came to a large room-like area. She immediately knew this had been a place where others had lived, for their bones were still here!

  "Oh, Holy Rusephus!" she yelled, grabbing at her throat before she caught herself. The pup started a low growl and she laughed as she saw his fur standing up on his back.

  This little wolf was exhibiting signs he would be a great protector if she ever needed one! Unlike most people, Caitlin was not afraid of bones, but she was not expecting to come upon then, so she was taken aback, just a bit. And a quick look at them told her they had been here many decades, and that was somewhat reassuring.

  "It looks like we're somewhere close to the Great Glen, and we can at least be safe for a bit until we figure out exactly what we're going to do. I suspect we should move on higher into the Grampians, but for now, we have shelter, and safety and I know how to catch fish!"

  The healer continued to wander through the endless cave and found many items that would be of great use to her as she tried to make this place a home until such time as something better presented itself.

  The very first task she undertook, however, was to create a resting place for the bones that represented others before her. Something deep within her demanded she treat these bones with respect, and she performed a ritual she was taught years ago. When she went through the ritual, honoring these persons from long ago, there was a feeling of déjà vu, as if she had done this before and she had a kinship with these people, but she knew that couldn't be. But, whatever, her spirit rested easy, knowing reverence had been observed for her unknown cave dwellers.

  Caitlin had passed a village nearby as they came across the hills, and before they fell into the giant hole that was the opening to the cave. They had been in the cave for an entire day and were still looking for a way out when she came upon a large pool of water, back in the far end of the larger room. Following a well-worn path behind the pool, she found herself going up at a slight angle, then more so, and finally she walked to what looked like a large bush standing in the pathway. With just a little tugging, she was able to pull the bush aside and knew she had discovered the exit.

  "Well, thank goodness for that! Being safe is one thing, but being unable to get out of a cave is quite another! Apparently this cave has served many purposes over the years and you and I are just the latest inhabitants."

  Now that she knew how to come and go, Caitlin felt much relieved and decided the two of them would make their surroundings as pleasant as they could, and then they would venture into the village. Healers have a need to use their skills, and all villages are in need of at least one healer. She could possibly exchange her skills for food or, perhaps, even charge for her services if there were any persons of means in the village. Actually, she had little wish for anything other than basic necessities and being allowed to work her magick, as it were. She had found a place to begin building a new life and, hopefully, she would make friends in the village as well. She felt a real need to connect with others.

  Caitlin was ever so pleased to find this cave, a place where she could be reasonably comfortable and, for the moment, safe from those men pursuing her. The cave itself had obviously been home to many over the years. She had found indentations in the walls where candles had been placed. There was al
so a stash of candles, heavy with drippings, and they provided plenty of light. A hole had been created in the ceiling of one room where she could build a fire and the smoke could escape. There was even a small platform that was apparently used as a bed. Plus, there were several large pots for her many herbs and medicines that she used in her practice as healer.

  She went about cleaning the cave and bringing in heather and flowers from the surrounding countryside. Within just a few days she had made the place actually very appealing. The aroma from the heather entered your nostrils the moment you entered the cave, and wove its lingering scent throughout.

  She would exchange her healing skills for some items as she found need for them. Food was not too difficult, with the village being so nearby.

  "Well, little big-footed one. I do believe we can make this place work for us. It's actually not too bad is it?" The pup's expression was one of adoration. This healer had rescued him and now his purpose was to protect her. And he would.

  Chapter 5

  Many miles south of the cave, down in the borderlands on the English side, another young woman was having her own difficulties as well. But unlike Caitlin, Lady Millicent Sinclair lived in a very large castle with every comfort one could desire. Her windows were covered with watered-silk drapes, she drank from silver goblets, and servants were at her elbows at all times. But even with all that opulence, it was a most undesirable place to live. At the very moment Caitlin was struggling to keep a young patient alive, Lady Millie found herself remembering the day, several years ago, when she had been grieving the death of a loved one. She paced the floor of her large bedroom, mumbling to herself as she did so. She thought about the conversation she had had with her father, Lord Sinclair.