Medieval Highlands 01 - Highland Vengeance

by K. E. Saxon

  “You shall have them again, I trow, now that you’ve a new love in your life.” Maryn hoped she was right. Her friend was too young to have given up on happiness.

  “Aye, so it seems,” Jesslyn said. “What have you decided, then? Will you go against Daniel’s wishes and work in the garden again on the morrow?”

  “Nay,” Maryn replied on a disgruntled sigh. “I suppose I shall do as he asks—at least for the nonce. I cannot promise, however, that I shall remain content for very long twiddling my thumbs while others do my work.” Maryn rose. “I must fly, my babe is ready for another meal. Will I see you this eve in the great hall?”

  Jesslyn rose and walked with Maryn to the door. “Aye. But Alleck will no doubt eat with Niall again, for he has not warmed to Callum as much as I would like. Tho’ there has been some progress the past few days, he still dislikes sharing a meal with him.”

  “Time. That’s the key. ‘Tis certain that Callum will at last break through Alleck’s defenses, and then they shall be good friends, I trow.”

  “I pray you are not wrong. For all of our sakes.”

  With an affectionate squeeze to her friend’s arm, Maryn turned and departed.

  Jesslyn watched Maryn walk toward the keep a moment before wearily closing the door. Leaning against the thick wood, she closed her eyes. Wishing for a steaming bath to ease her muscles, she settled instead for a short rest on her bed.

  *

  Graeme stood on the edge of the Maclean wood and lifted his arm, beckoning Jesslyn to follow him. Her heart pounded with joy as she hoisted her skirts and ran toward him. Flying through the dark opening in the dense cover of trees through which her husband had just disappeared, she called out, “I’m here! Where are you?” She halted her flight and frantically looked in all directions, but saw no sign of him.

  His voice came from a distance ahead. “I’m here, love. Follow me, I have something to show you.”

  Pressing on, following the sound of her beloved’s voice, she stumbled over a fallen branch. Why had she not worn her shoes? How strange. With a shrug and a shake of her head, she anxiously continued onward. “Graeme, why can I not walk with you? Wait for me, my love.”

  His voice was nearer now. “What I must show you is just ahead. Follow me and we’ll be together soon.”

  Desperate to be with her husband, she began to run. Ignoring the pain of the jagged edges of stones and the prickling of the fallen pine needles as she went, her mind remained focused on her goal.

  When she came upon a dense growth of vines, she tore at them, moving through the space as she cleared it. Stepping through the natural portal she’d created, a bright light pierced her eyes and she slammed her lids shut. As she stood immobile for a moment, the sound of rushing water filled her ears. Curious, she slowly opened her eyes and her breath caught in her throat as the beauty before her filled her gaze.

  A waterfall rushed over the top of a moss-covered cliff, filling a deep green pool, the sides of which were jagged walls of limestone. As she stood there, a cool mist landed on her skin and hair, leaving small droplets of water in its wake.

  Looking across the expanse, she saw her husband, dangling his feet over the edge of the stone, silently watching her. “Graeme?” She took a few steps toward the opposite end of the natural pool, thinking to walk around it, but stopped short. For there, in front of her, the pool’s edge ended and another cliff rose up. She turned back to him then. “Graeme, come to me. I—”

  “Nay, love. I must stay where I am.”

  “How can you torment me so? Tell me how to reach you—there must be a way to get to you without crossing the water, for you are not wet.”

  “That is because I am but a dream to you—an image in your mind’s eye, as you remember me. You must do as I say, my love. Do not waste our time together on futile endeavors.”

  Jesslyn nodded but looked down and began studying the pool’s walls more carefully. If only she could find a foothold, a means of climbing back out of the water, she’d jump in this instant and swim to the other side.

  Rising, Graeme began to walk along the edge of the limestone, throwing his arms wide. “Look around you now and memorize this place, as it plays an important part in your future.” Turning back to her then, he said, “Jesslyn, look at me.”

  Startled by the authority in his voice, she did as he’d bade.

  “Watch closely now, for I have something to show you.”

  As she gazed at him, his looks began to change. His hair became as black as pitch and his face broadened, encasing upturned eyes. Their familiar gentian blue became a deep brown with flecks of green. “What is happening. Who are you—where is Graeme?” Fear drove her now. She put her foot over the stone ledge and balanced her weight on her palm, which rested on the jagged surface of the pool’s stone border. “Graeme! Graeme! I pray you, leave me not!” she screamed. Then she began to slide one leg down the wall, hoping to find even as much as a toehold to support her weight.

  “Nay!” ‘Twas Graeme’s voice that yelled out. “You must not attempt such! You’ll be hurt.”

  Looking over her shoulder, and seeing only her husband, her panic lessened. Obeying his command, she swiftly turned and sat on the edge of the steep limestone. “Who was that man?” she said breathlessly.

  “He is the ‘magic giant’ that our son has been meeting. You must find this man and help him. He knows something of Daniel’s past and he needs to share the knowledge. ‘Twill allow Daniel to heal and give him the answers he still seeks.”

  Suddenly, the earth began to quake and Jesslyn almost tumbled from her perch. Fearfully, she looked across the expanse, and saw her husband walking into the forest beyond, slowly fading from sight. “Graeme, leave me not, I beg you!”

  *

  Mama! Mama! What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Mama! Wake up!”

  Jesslyn slowly awakened, at last hearing her son’s distressed cries. Peeking through her half-opened eyes, she put her arms around him, bringing him down to her as she held him close. Stroking the back of his head, she kissed his hot cheek. “Be easy, laddie, your mama was only resting a few minutes. I know you were not truly worried, for you are much too big to worry over such a small thing as a nap—is that not so?”

  Alleck nodded his head so vigorously, the bed shook. Then, using her collarbone as leverage, he pulled back a bit. “Why were you crying, Mama? Did you have a sad dream?”

  “Nay, I had a very happy dream. I saw your papa.”

  “You did?” he asked excitedly.

  “Aye, I did. And he led me to a beautiful waterfall. We had a pleasant talk. I was only sad when I had to say goodbye.”

  Rising to a sitting position, she placed her feet on the floor. “Are you ready to walk over to Niall’s house, then?”

  “Aye.” Alleck took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I’ve talked to Papa in my dreams a few times. He’s never taken me to a waterfall, tho’. Was it really big and loud, like the one Laird Daniel said he saw that time when he was coming back from his hunt?”

  “‘Tis glad I am that you remember your papa in your dreams—I know how much you miss him, laddie mine. And, aye, the waterfall was as big and loud as Daniel’s—mayhap even bigger!” She continued the light banter with her bairn as she walked with him to his friend’s cottage, enjoying her son’s youth and exuberance. At Niall’s door, she handed Alleck over to his happy friend and called a greeting through the open portal to Niall’s mother before turning to make her way to the well to gather water.

  The dream had seemed so real. Could it all have been her imagination? She supposed it could. After all, she had been speaking of her husband mere moments before she’d fallen asleep—and Alleck had given such a detailed description of his mysterious ‘giant’ that she only had to use his description to conjure an image in her mind. Plus, her recent worry over that man’s existence and identity surely spurred the melding of her dream of meeting her husband with Graeme’s mysterious words regarding the ‘giant’.
Still. ‘Twould not hurt to look for the waterfall, would it? She thought she could remember the path she’d taken in her dream, and if she did not find it, well, what was the harm?

  Tho’ this time she’d wear shoes, she thought wryly, smiling to herself.

  *

  The air was crisp and filled with the scent of heather the morn Jesslyn was finally able to follow through on her plan. Dawn light was just making its way across the glen that separated the village from the wood and a gentle breeze caused the sky-blue of her woolen skirts to flap against her legs as she walked. Birds twittered in the trees up ahead and a rabbit burrowed down its hole when it heard the sound of her voice as she hummed her husband’s favorite tune.

  Most morns were spent tending to her active bairn before he ran off to play with Niall and the other children. This night past, however, her son had stayed over at his friend’s house and would spend the morn with him as well. She had just enough time to retrace the steps she’d taken in her dream and find out if this mystical place truly existed before Alleck came home.

  She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Knowing it was not a rational endeavor, she moved forward all the same. Compelled by the memory of her handsome husband on the opposite bank, almost near enough to touch. If she found this place, would he be there? Her mind would not let go of the thought, the hope, that she’d see him again. She’d worn the gown she’d made from the woolen cloth he’d bought for her from a merchant he’d passed on his way to battle. He’d never seen her in it—the cloth had been in his satchel when his body had been brought home. Daniel had told her of the care Graeme had taken in choosing the material, knowing the color would bring out the blue hue of her eyes.

  If she did find the waterfall and he was there, would seeing him again be enough? If all she would ever have of him was a few words across a watery abyss, would she take it?

  Aye, she knew she would.

  Almost to the edge of the wood now, she stood still and gazed at the prospect before her, hoping to recognize the location from which her husband had beckoned her. Turning in a circle, she studied her surroundings. She’d been standing in the glen; she remembered that much. The glen stretched out on the other side of the wood as well. What if she’d been standing on that side instead in her dream? She would not have time to search the entire perimeter this day. She shrugged. Well, she must begin somewhere, and this morn, it seemed, she would begin here.

  Finding an entry that looked similar to the one in her dream, she trudged ahead. When she was just outside the opening, a blackcock flew from its perch in a tree and dove in front of her. She squealed and jumped out of the way as it soared into the sky. Her heart pounding, she clutched her chest as she caught her breath. Moving through the foliage, she stepped over fallen branches and other woodland debris littering the ground. It was cooler inside the dense canopy of trees and the air smelled of mushrooms, soil, and fallen leaves. She shivered and rubbed her hands along her arms as she took in the view. This was not the entry she’d taken in her dream.

  Looking to her right, she saw a large boulder through another opening in the canopy. This must be the one her son had spoken of. Curious, she decided to examine the area.

  The sun was over the horizon now, giving her a good view of the terrain surrounding the rock. Bending at the waist, she examined the earth for human footprints or other signs that may have been left by someone. An odd sound, like the winter wind across the moors, came from the forest behind her and the back of her neck prickled. Straightening, she scanned the gap in the trees. “Godamercy,” she breathed. There, in plain sight, was the black-haired warrior—the ‘giant’—from her dream standing in the opening. He turned and disappeared into the darkness of the wood.

  She gathered her skirts in her fists and ran at full tilt, determined to follow his trail. Bursting through the natural entryway, she skidded to a halt, looking in all directions for her quarry. Gulping in ragged breaths, she listened for the sound of footsteps crunching across the woodland floor, but heard naught. She’d lost him. Disheartened and winded, she sat down on a fallen log. “Eeeek!” she shrieked several seconds later, springing to her feet. Damn! She’d sat on an ant bed. Turning in circles as she shook out her skirts, she muttered one of her husband’s favorite expletives—and then immediately crossed herself.

  A decidedly male snort came from up above her. Craning her neck, she dizzily looked up into the canopy of trees. ‘Tho she saw naught, she’d recognized the sound, and was now much too disgruntled to hold her tongue. “Where are you?” she called out. “I saw you; I know you exist, so stop your infernal hiding and be a man!”

  He dropped to the ground in front of her and stood silently gazing at her with his feet apart and his arms akimbo and Jesslyn’s heart leapt into her throat. Towering a head and a half above her own rather tall stature, the dark behemoth blocked the light with his height and broad shoulders. Naked shoulders. Oh. My. God. All at once, she was painfully aware of her own vulnerability and backed away, moving—she prayed—towards the exit into the glen. “‘Twas very good meeting you, giant. I shall leave you to your…ummm…your…morn…ummm…” Morn what? Devouring? Mauling? Her foot snagged on the hem of her gown and she lost her balance. Before she could take her next breath, she was on her backside in an undignified heap.

  He rushed forward and took hold of her hand, bringing her to her feet. “Leave me to my morn?” he said with a grin. “You’re as amusing as your son has said.”

  Jesslyn jerked out of his grasp and turned to run.

  He waylaid her with a hand on her shoulder. “Leave not, fair one, I pray you. After all, you did demand that I show myself to you, did you not?”

  A frisson of awareness passed through her as she stood there, frozen in place. Confused and unnerved by the reaction, she forced herself to ignore it. But the gentleness in his touch and the deep, smooth timbre of his voice did give her pause. Mayhap she should find out more about him, now that he’d allowed himself to be seen. Was that not what they’d all been trying to do these past sennights: Find him and learn his purpose? She relaxed and allowed him to turn her around.

  “Why do we not find a place to sit while we get to know each other?” he asked. She gave him a brief nod and he took her elbow and led her further into the wood to a hidden alcove behind a curtain of vines where a makeshift table and stools made from the cut trunks of pines were tucked.

  He must not have been using this as his dwelling, Jesslyn mused as she watched him tie the vines back and allow the dim light of the forest to filter through. For, tho’ the cave was large enough for the two of them to move about, ‘twas not deep enough to use as a permanent shelter from the elements.

  “What is your name? I feel odd calling you ‘giant’,” she asked.

  He grinned, clearly amused by the epigram her son had contrived for him, and led her to the stool facing the opening of the cave, then motioned for her to take a seat before settling on the stool opposite hers and giving his reply. “I’m Bao Xiong. Call me Bao.”

  “Bow? She-yohng?” Jesslyn hesitantly repeated, struggling with the strange name and wondering at its origin.

  He nodded approval at her pronunciation. “And you are Jesslyn.”

  “How did you know my name—and that Alleck is my son?” she asked in alarm, just now recalling his earlier words to her. Uneasy once more, she looked toward the entrance to gauge its distance in case she needed to make a hasty departure.

  “Fear not, fair one. Your son is quite frank in his love for you and he shares his thoughts easily. He’s told me much of you, including your name. And ‘twas your interest in the boulder that convinced me that you were indeed the mother he’d described.”

  Jesslyn calmed. “Why do you hide yourself in the forest? Why do you not let yourself be known? Are you a criminal?” She did not believe him to be, but wanted to hear his denial all the same.

  “Aye, some might call me such.” Her jaw dropped open and he grinned. “But that is not why I
hide in this wood. I hide while I wait…I wait while I explore…I,”—he shrugged as he swept his arms in a quick arc before crossing them over his chest—“I…explore while I prepare.”

  Jesslyn threw her hands in the air. “What mean you by that puzzle? Are you dangerous to my son? To me? Do you wait in these woods, spying and planning some vicious attack on the Maclean holding?”

  Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on his knees as he gave her a steady look. “Nay, of that you can be most certain. I hold no ill-will for the Macleans, nor do I have a desire to take their holding. My intentions are of a personal nature and involve my connection to the Laird of the Macleans, Daniel MacLaurin.”

  ‘Twas as her husband had told her in her dream, she realized all at once. “If your business concerns Daniel, why did you not present yourself when he spent those days searching for you in this very wood? Why continue this game?”

  He sighed and lifted his gaze to the stone wall behind her, shaking his head as he replied, “The time is not right; he’s not ready to hear what I must tell him. Tho’ I grow anxious for this thing to be finished, ‘tis important that I not rush the event.”

  Jesslyn studied her companion while his eyes were turned from her. He was truly beautiful. She’d been struggling to keep her gaze from his bare chest these past minutes while he answered her questions. He wore only a light woolen green cloth wrapped around his waist, held in place by a wide leather belt. Why did he not wear a shirt? Did he not understand the indecency of the attire? At least the cloth fell below his knees, covering the top laces of his leather boots, else his bare legs would be in open view as well. The man was massive. And extremely muscular—more so even than her husband had been, and he had been huge. An oddly shaped pinkish-tan scar made a raised pattern on his chest, just below his collarbone. The remainder of his skin was the color of Daniel’s uisge beatha, and just as smooth. A bit of black hair grew over the rock-like slabs of muscle above his brown nipples and trailed down between them over his hard, rippled abdomen and down inside his belt. Very fine black hairs lightly covered his forearms as well. He’d tied a portion of the hair on top of his head into a leather thong, leaving the remainder of the straight, black mass hanging down, the jagged edges sweeping over his shoulders and back. Something in the shape of his mouth and nose was familiar to her, but she was unable to place whose they looked like. And those unusually shaped eyes! The flecks of green in the deep brown reminded her of a large piece of granite she’d seen at a holy day festival when she was a young lass.