by Kara Griffin
Brodin kept in stride with him and gave him an inquisitive glance. “Did ye ask her? I told Graeme and Liam about your suspicion. We need to ken if she’s the queen’s bairn.”
Graeme slowed his pace as did Liam. Heath peered ahead. He had to give them an answer and shrugged his shoulder.
“I didn’t have time to gain the truth.”
“’Tis my fault, is it not?” Graeme frowned at Liam and turned his gaze back to the trail.
Brodin chortled at their leader. “What the hell were you doing all that time, Heath?”
“What do ye think he was doing? I walked in a got a view of his bare arse.”
His comrades hooted in laughter at Graeme’s admission.
Heath shrugged off their teasing. “I did ask her, but Graeme came before I got a proper answer or could press her further. I don’t deem she’s the missing heir. She was saddened by what I told her, but otherwise she didn’t react.”
Graeme rode ahead. “Mayhap James will bring news about the bairn or at least a location where it might be.”
They reached the abbey, but James hadn’t arrived. Heath asked Friar Hemm to listen his confession again. He left his comrades and awaited the clergyman in the small chapel. After the friar joined him, he sat in the confessional and wavered.
“What troubles you? You were here but a sennight ago. Surely you haven’t done any misdeeds since then? Ah, but something has changed ye for I saw it in your eyes. Have you given thought to what I bespoke the last time we met?”
Heath leaned back and folded his hands. He tried to ease his tenseness and took a deep breath. “I have, Friar, but that’s not why I’m here. I want to confess a grave sin. I fornicated with a lass, one that I’ve knowns since we were wee.”
“And this troubles you because …”
“Obviously because we are not wedded and even though I took other women out of wedlock to my bed, I am disheartened to dishonor her.”
Friar Hemm leaned forward, but kept his face directed away from the small opening. “There is a way to rectify it. You can marry the woman.”
Heath rubbed his face and leaned back so the friar couldn’t see him. He was afraid that would be the friar’s answer.
“Heath, did ye hear me? If you want to right this sin, you’ll need to wed the lass at the soonest. It is the only penance I can offer.”
“Do I detect a hint of mirth in your voice, Friar?”
He chuckled. “Nay, not at all. Bring the lass here and I’ll perform the sacrament of marriage myself. Are there any other sins you’d like to confess?”
“I suppose I will need to rethink my position with the order.”
“I ken that troubles you, but remember, Heath, there is more than one way to serve God. There are many ways. You will find your way, just as I have, others have.”
“My thanks, Friar.” Heath left the confessional, exasperated and downright disturbed at what the friar suggested. He must give it consideration, but not until he was certain Lillia wasn’t the queen’s bairn. And the thought of giving up his goal to serve God … He shouldn’t wed her. Yet the sin of their deed weighed on him.
The remainder of the day, he walked the grounds of the abbey reflecting on his conversation with Hemm. He cared for his horse and checked a good many horses in the stable for loose shoes and oiled their harnesses. The stable lads didn’t give a care he tended their chores. Heath needed to keep busy or he’d go mad with his thoughts. He’d forgotten to purchase a new harness and tried to mend the one he had until he could.
He picked up a pitchfork and cleared out his horse’s stall. As he pitched the soiled hay, he heard someone approach.
“I’m pleased you’re here. I haven’t much time.”
Heath turned at the sound of James’ voice.
“Here, see to my horse.” James tossed the reins at him.
He threw them back. “I’m not your damned squire, James. See to your own horse.”
James chuckled and motioned to one of the abbey stable lads. “You and your comrades are becoming as severe as I am.” He chuckled at his jest. “Come, I have much to tell.”
Heath followed and sent a monk to fetch the friar. They waited for everyone near the large hearth in the hall. Friar Hemm sent all from the chamber and closed the door for privacy.
All assembled and James bid them to sit. “There is much to discuss. I just came from Robert. He’s taking rest at Turnbury for the cold season. Och, he was not pleased to learn of the Comyns latest attempt to usurp him. I vowed to find the child before they did.”
Graeme cut in, “Have you word of where the Comyns went? If we might trail them, it might lead us to the child.”
James pinched his eyes with his fingers. He appeared tired and woeful. “My lads trailed them to the king’s autumn festival. They tracked two men who pursued a lass, but she and they disappeared. There is word that the Guardians placed the bairn with the Hunters for Aylmer met with the elders soon after the queen’s bairn was born.”
Heath groaned. He’d been right all along. Lillia had to be the queen’s child.
“What’s wrong with you?” James asked.
“Nothing, continue.” Heath gave a glance to his comrades and hoped they would keep Lillia’s existence quiet until he figured out what to do. Besides, James had no care for anyone especially if that someone affected the king. He’d proved that when he took Kerrigan to see Robert against her will. That was a difficult time for them. They respected and revered James, but their churlish comrade put the king’s matters foremost and all else secondary even if it affected one’s welfare.
James pivoted his gaze to each of them before he went on, “I fear there is more distressing news to report … the Comyns told tales of the king’s guard aiding them.”
Graeme stood and kicked his chair back. It fell over and the bang echoed in the hall. “Why would they speak such a falsehood? We have never aided them.”
James sighed. “Why do ye think? They mean to gain the commoner’s support against the Bruce and if they have the king’s guard aiding them, or supposedly aiding them, many will trust their lies about Robert. You’re isolated here. Have ye any awareness how far and widespread the tales are of your heroics? Why your tales almost rival mine.”
Brodin scoffed. “I’d say surpass, James. Och ye ken it’s not true. We’d never side with the enemy against Robert. They’re the reason we’re holed up in the God forsaken forest to begin with.”
Liam added, “The Bruce doesn’t ken it’s true and neither does anyone else.” He cursed aloud, and the friar was too perturbed to chastise him. “Surely Robert knows our loyalty. We would never go against him.”
“Mayhap he believed that once, but lest ye forget, you disobeyed his direct order to stay on the isle. Likewise, he knows not that you’ve protected him during battles. What with Liam escaping him last year and the many tales promulgated of your deeds … He’ll not ken what to believe. He may reissue the price on your heads.”
“Damnation,” Graeme shouted. “How are we to prove our innocence?”
“We must find the man who told the tales and take him to Robert.” Heath pondered it and added, “There are ways to make him speak the truth.”
James fingered the leather scabbard holding a large dagger over his chest. “If we can find the slimy piece of shit, I’ll get it out of him. Once he tells Robert the truth, he’ll exist no more.”
Graeme retook his seat. “You will have your lads search the land and find out the name of this Comyn.”
He nodded. “I will, rest assured, we will find him.”
“We shall go to Hunter land to find the lass your followers spied.”
James nodded. “Aye and when ye find her, I will come and take her to Robert.”
They sat quiet for a moment until Graeme spoke, “Once we dispatch the liar, secure the lass, and ensure Robert doesn’t set a price on us–all will be righted.”
“What a harried situation,” Liam said.
Heath
remained silent.
James pulled himself out of his seat. “I must be off. The Comyns will be difficult to track now that they know we’re on to them.”
Graeme stopped him from leaving. “How do they ken we are on to them?”
“One of the Comyn’s clansmen searching for the lass on Hunter land was killed. John Comyn came to claim his kin. He accused Aylmer Hunter of the deed but he denied knowing they were there or having him murdered.”
“And now they believe someone knows their intent?” Brodin asked.
“They must. Apparently Hunter’s daughter is missing. The Comyns apprehended the sentry searching for her. Arms were drawn. Your father, Heath, was there. He smoothed the situation, och he had a good many Frasers with him at the festival. The knaves had no choice but to lie down their arms or risk the losses.”
“We must take care that the Comyns don’t find out we’re trailing them. If only we knew what hole they crawled into,” Liam said.
“Indeed,” Graeme said. “Our plan is sound. I’ll await word from you, James, on the whereabouts of the falsifier. We’ll see he’s apprehended and you can make sure he declares his lies to Robert.”
“I worry for the lass, King Alexander’s daughter. The Comyns won’t care if she’s a gentle maiden. They’ll use her for their purpose and once they have no need of her …” James leaned against his vacated chair. He purposely glanced at each of them. “She needs to be taken to Robert for her own safety at the soonest.”
“We’ll find and protect her until then,” Liam said.
“I’m off to find Valence for he’s harbored the enemy before. If I find the English king’s favored knight, Valence, I’ll find those who mean to usurp the king. I mean to murder that knave for he’s vexed me more than any other. I’m sure he schemes with the coxcomb Comyns for I’ve heard they practically sit at Valence’s feet.” James sneered, bowed his head and thanked the friar before heading out the door.
After he left, Heath and his comrades sat in silence. The only sound in the hall was that of a fly buzzing near the ornate window glass. Each in their own thoughts, none would put voice to the truth of the matter.
Except of course for Heath. “God Almighty, she is the queen’s daughter. I should’ve listened to my gut.”
Friar Hemm excused himself and left them to their discussion.
“What are you going to do about it,” Liam asked.
“I cannot allow Lillia to be taken to Robert, and she damned well won’t end up with the Comyns.” Heath tensed at his words.
“You ken what must be done,” Brodin said and laughed.
Graeme nodded. “Aye, the only way to protect her is to wed her.”
“That’s not necessary,” Liam said. “He can surely protect her without taking her as wife.”
“Is it not necessary?” Graeme said low, “If she’s no longer a Hunter, she’ll be safe enough. The Comyns are searching for Laird Hunter’s daughter now, not Heath Fraser’s wife.”
The grim situation hit him with force and he leaned back in his chair. “I need a drink.”
Brodin poured him a cup of wine. The monk’s stock was much stronger than what was served at the local mead hall. He chugged the wine and used the edge of his tunic to wipe his mouth. And yet the wine did little to ease him.
“I now know why Laird Hunter set a betrothal for Lillia. She told me she was to be betrothed when I saw her at the festival. He was trying to get her to safety.”
“What clan was he settling her with?” Liam asked.
Heath hunched his shoulders. “Lillia didn’t say and I didn’t think to ask. She only said the betrothal was to take place that night, but she abhorred the man and fled. The lass says that’s when she found Gilroy and traveled with him here. What does it matter?”
Graeme interjected, “It matters greatly. What if Hunter sides with the Comyns? Mayhap he intended to give Lillia to them. He’d certainly do whatever it took to keep his clan safe and if they threatened them …”
He shook his head. “Nay, Aylmer Hunter is loyal to the Bruce as is my father. He would never give her to the Comyns no matter what danger his clan faced. Besides, he has too many allies and would be able to squelch any threat from them.”
“You’re blinded by your father and Laird Hunter’s alliance. If the Hunters repealed their support of the Bruce, they wouldn’t make it known,” Brodin said objectively.
“My father would have told me so when I spoke with him at the festival. Although, he mentioned that Laird Hunter hadn’t visited him and he was disturbed. It was unlike Aylmer to avoid my father.”
“Mayhap your father doesn’t ken Hunter’s change of alliance. There is a way to find out whom her betrothed was and if she is indeed who we deem her to be,” Graeme said.
“And what way is that?” Heath couldn’t help asking. He raised his brow, suspecting his comrade was about to suggest something devious.
“Once ye wed the lass, demand answers. She cannot deny you once you’re her husband. A wife must obey her husband in all matters.”
His comrades chortled at that.
Heath scoffed. “I was afraid you were going to say that. Och, I doubt such deviousness would work on her.”
“Why?” Graeme demanded.
“Has it ever worked for you? Or you, Liam?”
They shook their heads.
Graeme laughed. “You make a good point. No matter if you wed her or not, she’ll be safe enough from the Comyns and the king. She cannot leave the caves now. Nay, we shan’t let the lass from our sight. It won’t matter much who her betrothed was.”
“Nay, it shan’t matter one bit.”
Heath walked out of the abbey with his comrades trailing. He wanted to make haste and get back to the caves to make sure Lillia was safe. But more than that, he wanted to ensure she would be his.
Chapter Nine
With Heath gone, Lillia ambled about the hills. She wasn’t sure what to do, where to stay, or if the women welcomed her. Lacking anything to do but ponder her situation, she wanted to keep from obsessing about her circumstances of her birth, what her betrothed did when they realized she’d gone missing, what her parents must be going through. And the most daunting of her problems, how to gain Heath’s affection.
She found Gilroy in the ossuary. The cave reeked of horses and death. She wouldn’t stay long inside such a dreadful place and motioned to him to join her outside.
“M’lady, Heath bid me to see to you whilst he is gone. Is there something you need?”
“Good morn, Gilroy, there is. I wish to make a spear. Do you have a dagger I can borrow to whittle one?”
“Of course.” He pulled a small, sharp object from his boot, and held the handle out to her.
Lillia took the dagger and started off toward the trees. Gilroy followed.
“What do you need a spear for? None shall harm you here, m’lady. You don’t need it for protection.”
As they walked into the dark woods adjacent to the hills, Lillia kept her eyes peeled for the perfect branch for her purpose.
“I want to use it to catch fish.”
“Ye don’t need to provide for your own supper. Annag is pleased to cook for us. She says it gives her something to do and her life a purpose.”
“I want to compensate for their generosity, especially for them allowing me to stay here. And I have nothing with which to do so. I hope to catch a few fish for supper.”
Gilroy stopped and pointed ahead. “There’s a good branch, there at the base of that tree.”
Lillia retrieved the thick birch branch and assessed its quality. “This will do well enough. I shall be by the stream, Gilroy, should anyone ask after me.”
He walked with her to the edge of the woods and turned back to the ossuary. Lillia ambled from the woods and sat on the boulder near the stream. The day grew warm and the sun bright. It made for an enjoyable autumn morning. With the dagger held tight, she whittled the end of the wood. It took several hours to clear the bark and
sharpen the end into a point. She was about to retreat to the water and begin her task when she heard the sound of voices behind her.
The ladies approached the stream. Mistress Annag held wee William, Kerrigan held a basket of launder, and Makenna held the hand of her daughter.
Kerrigan set the basket down and shook out a tartan for William to sit upon. “We wondered where you’d gone. Gilroy told us we would find you here. Do you mind if we join you?”
“Not at all. I was making a spear and thought to provide fish for this night’s supper. If that would please you.”
Annag approached and embraced her. She wept on her shoulder. Lillia didn’t know what to make of the elder lady’s behavior. She pulled away and looked to Kerrigan and Makenna for direction.
“I’m sorry if I’ve displeased you, Mistress Annag.”
Kerrigan laughed and shook her head. “Nay, she’s not upset. You’ve brought her joy.”
Lillia found them perplexing, but she didn’t remark on it.
“Come and sit with us before you begin your fishing. You see, Annag’s husband, Finley, adored to fish with a spear. He’d always be here by the stream and still is.” She pointed at the grave that lay nearby.
“Oh, I’m sorry he’s gone, Mistress Annag. You must miss him terribly. I adore fishing too, for my grandfather used to take me as a wee lass. I learned how to whittle spears. He enjoyed it also and it entertained me for I had nothing but brothers for company and they never allowed me to play with them.”
Makenna sat next to Darcy and combed the knots from the lass’ long tresses. “You have no sisters?”
“Nay, only brothers, four in all. Two elder, two younger.”
“Then we shall be your sisters.” Makenna smiled. “Can you teach me to whittle a spear? I imagine Liam would be impressed if I learned such a skill.”
Lillia’s heart lightened. She spent the afternoon with the ladies and enjoyed hearing how they’d come to the caves. The tales were sometimes woeful, but the ladies found love and family. Their relationships somewhat despaired her.