Rhys swallowed a good portion of his wine before saying, “And if the villagers learn the truth of it, fear would spread like wildfire.”
“The men will hold their tongues.”
“But for how long? And do not tell me that tongues have not begun to wag about the warriors who attacked us. The ghost warriors that died were less seasoned ones. If it had not been for the experienced warriors with me, then no one would have survived. And with our warriors trained to pay attention to everything that goes on around them at all times, they will begin to see that I am relying more heavily on seasoned warriors. This will not be able to be contained for long, especially when this particular enemy will toy with us, instilling more and more fear in our people. Then, when he is ready, he will strike and strike hard, leaving nothing in his wake.”
“What do we do?” Pitt asked.
“More men will be needed, but we also cannot leave our home vulnerable to an attack. Send Innis to me, he will deliver the necessary messages. Are the bodies wrapped and prepared for burial?”
“Henry’s injury has delayed him, but he will be seeing to it shortly.”
“Good. I do not want the bodies revealed to anyone, and Henry will make sure of it.”
“When do you intend to make the men aware of the enemy they face?” Pitt asked.
“I have no doubt they are already aware of it. Their concern would be in how we deal with it.”
~~~
It was a beautiful day with a warm breeze drifting across the land, but there were few smiles on peoples’ faces. Heather easily understood why. With the attack on the troop yesterday, the numerous injuries suffered, and the two sentinels supposedly being killed by a wolf, the people did not feel safe. And she imagined that that was an unusual occurrence for those loyal to the Dark Dragon.
Heather followed her usual morning routine of walking through the village with a smile and kind greetings. At home, she would inquire of those who had not been feeling well or stop to speak with the women expecting babes. And if there was a minor complaint or dispute, she would settle it there and then, so her father did not have to be disturbed with small matters. She had found it made for a more pleasant day for all.
But today she also had another reason to talk with all she met. She wanted to discover what she could about the mysterious things happening here and loose tongues or innocent remarks could often prove useful.
After having engaged three women in conversation and not finding out anything she did not already know, Heather spotted the barn and made her way over there toward the man who stood guard in front of the closed doors. He was one of the warriors she had treated yesterday. He had suffered a minor wound that would not even leave a scar on his arm, though it would be sore for a few days.
She smiled as she approached him. “All is well with your wound, Sim?”
He returned her smile. “Aye, thanks to you, my lady. Elma, my wife, changed the bandage today as you said I should. She looks forward to meeting you and thanking you for helping me.”
“I was only too glad to help. I only wish I could have helped the two poor souls you watch over.”
Sim shook his head slowly. “A shame it is. Hyatt and Neil were good men, but the Dragon will see the wolf that killed them caught and revenge their deaths. Henry and his men will be here soon to wrap them for burial.”
“Then I will say a silent prayer for them as I pick some flowers along the edge of the woods.”
“Do not go into the woods, my lady. Danger lurks there until the beast is caught.”
“I will not stray from the edge,” she said with a cheerful smile. “You take care of that wound, Sim, and if it should trouble you let me know.”
“Thank you, my lady, you are most kind.”
Heather went to the edge of the woods and began picking the wildflowers that grew there, intending to take them to Bea when she went to see how Douglas was faring. Heather continued to drift along the edge of the woods, making her way behind the barn. When Sim’s glance finally ceased following her, she knew other eyes had to be on her. With all that had happened, her husband probably had doubled or tripled the sentries so that there were eyes everywhere on the village.
It was when she spotted a lose board on the back of the barn that she got an idea. She looked at her handful of flowers and smiled, as if pleased with the bouquet. She walked without haste away from the woods, though stopped abruptly, staring down and shook her head.
She pretended that she had stepped in something unsavory and went to lean against the barn with one hand while wiping her boot along the grass as if cleaning it off. She only hoped that whoever had an eye on her tired of her actions after a few minutes and took his eyes off her.
Hoping she picked the right moment, she squeezed behind the loose board and slipped into the barn. Sunlight filtered through the numerous cracks and holes in the worn barn and it was easy to locate the two bodies. They lay on the ground in a stall, blankets covering each of them.
Heather knew she did not have much time. She had to take a quick look and be on her way and pray she did not get caught. She placed the flowers on a nearby barrel top and lifted the blanket covering one of the warriors. No claw marks marred his body. Her heart broke for him, for he was a young, strong warrior and the only wound she could see was a wound to his chest, no doubt made by an arrow. She said a silent prayer as she dropped the blanket over him.
Her free hand shot to her mouth to stifle her gasp when she raised the blanket on the other warrior. His eyes had been gorged from his head and his throat had been cut. This had been done on purpose. It was meant as a message, a clear one, and fear rushed up to grip her heart.
Heather heard voices approach and quickly dropped the blanket down, grabbed her flowers, and hurried to the broken board, slipping out with ease, only to turn and see her husband standing there with his arms folded across his chest and his dark eyes filled with anger.
“Do you truly think that I do not have eyes on you at all times?” he snapped. “What excuse do you have for your actions now? And do not tell me you were restless.”
She spoke the truth. “I was curious.”
“Of two dead warriors?”
“Of their deaths. I could not make sense of why you would be summoned away from your bride because two of your warriors had been mauled to death by a wolf. You could have been told of it in the morning.”
“It is none of your concern,” he said in a tone that warned. “And you will speak of this to no one. Now go to my solar and wait for me there.” He raised his hand when she went to speak. “Not a word. Go!”
Heather had no choice but to obey. She hurried around the side of the barn and stopped when she saw Henry and two other men enter. They would wrap the bodies for burial and only a few would know the truth and whether a wolf was caught or not, a beast still remained on the loose.
“Go!” her husband said as he came up alongside her.
She bobbed her head and walked off, glancing back to see Rhys enter the barn, the doors closing behind him.
“My lady! My lady!”
The frantic voice had Heather turning around to see Bea running toward her.
“Douglas is beset with fever,” Bea said with tears in her eyes and fear in her voice.
Heather did not hesitate; she hurried along with the desperate woman.
~~~
Rhys stood as the two murdered men were swathed in cloth, their graves ready and waiting to receive them. Their families consisted of the ghost warriors, both having arrived together and trained together three years now. They had met up on the road in hopes of joining and becoming one of the infamous ghost warriors. They were good warriors, filled with potential to be the best and Rhys hated losing them, especially in this fashion. Neither deserved to die, and certainly not to die in the manner the one had. Their deaths would be revenged and all the ones to follow, for his enemy was not done with him yet.
The village would turn out for the burial and pay tribut
e to these two brave souls. Rhys would go and collect his wife and they would stand side by side as the two were placed in the ground.
There was much he had to say to Heather, though he wondered what good it would do. She did as she pleased at every turn and thought nothing of it. Her father had warned him that Heather did not follow the path of others. She had forged her own out of necessity with such heavy responsibility having been placed on her since she was young. In other words, Donald Macinnes had been warning him that it would be difficult for Heather to change her ways after all this time.
After only a day spent with his bride, Rhys was discovering how right her father was. But as difficult as it may be, his wife had to learn to follow his dictate whether she liked it or agreed with it or not. It was for her own good and for his sanity.
“Toll the bell when it is time for all to gather for the ceremony,” Rhys instructed and left the men to finish their solemn task.
He took brisk steps to the keep, wanting to have this talk done with Heather and this burial behind them.
Pitt stopped him before he reached the keep. “Innis waits in your solar for you.”
“Along with my wife?”
“Lady Heather is not in your solar. I saw her rush off with Douglas’s wife and fear his wound has worsened.”
Rhys rubbed his chin. He could not fault her for helping one of his warriors, but that he thought she was tucked safely away in his solar when she was not, irritated him. She was always someplace other than where he ordered her to be.
“She is not an easy one to keep eyes on; she moves around so much,” Pitt said. “And with extra sentinels posted, I fear there may be times when she becomes like the ghost warriors...invisible.”
“That is not what I want to hear.”
“I know, but until more warriors arrive there is little that can be done about it, which is more of what you do not want to hear.” Pitt hesitated a moment before he continued. “We could reach out to Macinnes—”
“No, I will not drag them into this hell and see them suffer for it. I will see my wife kept safe if I have to keep her by my side until this thing is done.”
“I have come to know Lady Heather well since I spent much time observing her after I led the troop that abducted her, and believe me when I tell you that that will be an impossible task.”
“I am beginning to realize that myself,” Rhys said and climbed the stairs, shaking his head.
Rhys entered the Great Hall to find Innis sitting on the floor in front of the hearth with a tankard in his hand.
Nessa rushed toward Rhys and bobbed her head. “I am sorry, my lord, but he refused to remain waiting for you in your solar and I fear he is far into his cups, for he grumbles and speaks to the flames like some are friends and some are foes.” Nessa wrinkled her nose. “He also has a foul order about him and grew upset with me when I asked if I could wash his garments for him.”
“It is all right, Nessa, I will see to him, but keep the servants and anyone else from entering the Great Hall until I am done.”
“Aye, my lord,” she said and hurried off, wondering why the Dragon would speak to a drunkard alone.
While Rhys filled a goblet with wine, he cast a glance at the man on the floor. Many would turn away from the stench and his filthy appearance. His senseless utterings would also keep people at bay. It was a perfect disguise for slipping past the enemy or in some cases being right in the middle of them. A dangerous game, but one Innis always looked forward to playing.
Rhys joined Innis on the floor. “I have a mission for you.”
Innis nodded. “I thought as much, after seeing what was done to the one warrior.”
“How did you know that?” Rhys asked concerned that the news had somehow already gotten out.
“It was easy. I knew the two bodies would be taken to the barn, so I arrived before them and hid. I had a look, and then stumbled out of the barn as if I had just woken from a drunken stupor and, with my stench ripe, the guard waved me away and ordered me to stay out of the barn.”
“And what do you have to say for what you saw?”
“It is a clear message. I will cut your throat and you will never see me coming.” Innis took a hardy drink from his tankard.
“Then you know what needs to be done.”
“I go east and north and gather the troops that lay patiently in wait for such a moment. Some I send to your land to protect those there and the others I send here, though not where they can be so easily seen.”
Rhys stood. “Time is of the essence, Innis. Do not delay.” Rhys turned away, then turned back again. “And stay safe, Innis. This enemy we deal with is not so easily fooled.”
“And I am not a fool when it comes to such evil. I will send our warriors and we will defeat this evil before it can spread.”
The bell tolled, letting the village know that it was time to gather for the burial ceremony. Rhys turned to ask if Innis wished to attend before he took his leave, knowing what a close knit band his warriors were, but the man was already gone.
Rhys went to collect his wife from Douglas’s cottage and was not pleased when he saw her disheveled appearance and flushed face.
“I am needed here. I cannot leave,” Heather said worried for Douglas. She could not get his fever to fade no matter how hard she tried. And if she did not succeed soon, she would lose him and Bea would give birth to a fatherless child. That was something she refused to see happen, knowing how difficult it had been for her sisters growing up without their mother.
“You are my wife and expected to stand by my side and show respect for such a solemn occasion,” Rhys argued, thinking she was trying to do the impossible—save a warrior that could not be saved.
“Those brave warriors are already dead,” Heather said with tears in her eyes. “Douglass is not. Give me the chance to save him.”
How could he deny her the possibility of saving one of his warriors when they had lost too many already? Rhys reluctantly gave his nod of approval and took hold of his wife’s hand to draw her close to him. “Do what you can, but know that you cannot save them all.”
Heather pressed her cheek to his and whispered in his ear, “If I felt that powerless then I would not be able to save any of them, and I certainly would not be able to save the Dragon from himself.”
Chapter Nine
The villagers made their feelings known for Lady Heather as they filed passed the Dragon after the burial ceremony.
“It is a fine thing Lady Heather does, giving her help to the living while the dead are buried.”
“Lady Heather is a selfless woman.”
“God bless, Lady Heather.”
“She heals the sick and comforts the dying.”
“Lady Heather has a healing touch.”
One day and his wife had won the villagers hearts, would he ever win hers?
Rhys stood glancing down at the fresh graves long after the ceremony was over and the villagers had dispersed. He had much on his mind, mostly why his wife had thought she needed to save the Dragon from himself.
He was not sure what she had been alluding to and that troubled him even more. He harbored secrets he did not want anyone to ever uncover, since the knowledge could cost them their lives. And he would not lose his wife when he had just found her.
He recognized the footfalls that approached. They were light and slow, as if unsure as whether to approach him or not. He turned and stretched his hand out to his wife.
Heather hurried to take it. “Douglas is well, the fever broke. I came to pay my respects to the fallen warriors and to thank you for letting me stay and tend Douglas. I am pleased to have such a thoughtful husband.”
Thoughtful? He was far from thoughtful and how could she ever be pleased to have him as a husband? He was not what she thought him to be and yet he felt a spark to his heart, a small sliver of something he had thought he would never feel again. Had his wife actually penetrated his icy heart?
Heather took his hand and
stepped close, resting her tired body against his, wrapping her arm around his waist, and laying her head against his chest. She smiled when she felt his arms circle her and hold her tight. And she could not help but think that embraced in his arms like this made her feel as if she had finally come home. A strange feeling while being held by the Dragon, but one she could not ignore.
“I am glad Douglas does well. He is a fine warrior.”
“And will make a fine da,” Heather said, thinking what a comfortable pillow her husband’s chest made. She smiled to herself. In just a day’s time, she found the Dragon’s chest more to her liking than she would have ever imagined possible.
Rhys cherished this moment with his wife. The comfort of their embrace had joined them more deeply than coupling ever could. They clung to each other as if neither wished to let go, as if they had just found each other and would never, ever part.
“My lord.”
Rhys and Heather turned reluctantly, both wishing the moment was theirs alone yet to savor.
“I am sorry to disturb you, my lord,” Pitt said, “but there is news of Greer McLaud.”
Rhys nodded and looked at his wife, as he made ready to step away from her.
Heather grabbed his arm and moved closer to him, making it clear she intended to remain by his side. “You cannot mean to order me away when this news concerns my family.”
“Considering what your curiosity had you doing in regards to the fallen warriors, I can only assume what it would have you do where your family is concerned. So, I will allow you to hear the news, but I will have your word that you will not let your inquisitive nature interfere,” Rhys said.
“I may be curious but I am not foolish,” Heather said.
“Curiosity and foolishness often go hand in hand.” He turned to Pitt, letting his wife savor his words and pay heed to them. “What of Greer McLaud?”
“Greer has received word of his wife’s death and is on his way to Macinnes keep with a sizeable troop.”
“His land is a distance away to learn the news so fast. Something is not right,” Heather said.
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