The Devil's Laird

by Brenda Jernigan

  Roderick froze. She could see a muscle twitching in his jaw as he turned to her, and the fury she saw in his eyes frightened her. She leaned back afraid he might strike her. “D--did I say something wrong?”

  “I have no family.”

  “But—”

  “Do ye no remember me telling you that yer brother attacked my castle?”

  “Aye, but--”

  “And yet ye dare to ask about my family! How do ye ken my wife?”

  “I—”

  Roderick stood, then reached down and grabbed Siena’s arm. “Come with me.”

  Siena didn’t have much of a choice as she followed Roderick. She knew everyone in the hall was watching them. They marched straight up the stairs to one of the solars before Roderick turned on her and said, “How do ye know Gillian?”

  Siena rubbed her arm where he’d grabbed her. “I will tell you what you want to know when you quit shouting. I assure you there is nothing wrong with my hearing.”

  “I’m no shoutin’!” Roderick shouted.

  Siena crossed her arms and waited and without thinking said, “My brother always shouted at me, too. You saw what happened to him.”

  Roderick blew out his breath and waited until he’d calmed down. He should hate this woman, but he didn’t. However, it was difficult to hold his temper when his wife was mentioned. He took a deep breath and said, “Go ahead.”

  “I had heard my brother talk about attacking White Dawn a week before he did so. I had a dream about your family, so I went to find them.” She held up her hand when Roderick started to speak. “Do not ask me how I made the distance on my own. It is one of those things I cannot explain … just like when I saw your attack … I can’t explain some of the things I do or see. But, somehow, I made it to your castle. I spoke with your wife and I told her of the coming attack. I thought, perhaps, she could hide and warn the others.”

  “She knew?” Roderick whispered, feeling he’d been slammed in the gut. His wife knew and yet she died.

  “Aye. I told her, and she asked me to take your son to the small cave and hide him. She said she would follow as soon as she warned everyone. That is why I haven’t understood why I’ve not seen your family.”

  “My wife was raped and killed by yer brother,” he bit out. “It wasna a pretty sight.”

  Siena gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth. “Why didn’t she run and hide?”

  “I dinna ken.” Roderick shut his eyes for a moment, seeing the horrors of that day. He shook his head, feeling dead inside. “My son, Michael.”

  Tears sprung to Siena’s eyes. “Did he survive?”

  “We’ve never found him or his body.”

  Siena dashed the tears from her eyes. “I--I took him to the cave as your wife requested. I wrapped him up and gave him his stuffed bunny. I told him his mother would be along shortly and stressed he should be quiet because it was dangerous. He nodded that he understood and hugged his toy close.”

  “We searched everywhere, but found nothing,” Roderick said. “Can ye show me the cave? I think I ken the one, but I want to make sure.”

  “I can show you.” Siena dabbed at her tears, then her head jerked up. “But if you found no body then Michael could still be alive.”

  Roderick rubbed the back of his neck. Would he ever find peace? “I dinna see how he could have survived.”

  “I wish I could tell you what happened, but it’s been over a year. I went back home not wanting to be caught by my brother’s men. Perhaps I should have stayed . . . I’m sorry.”

  They both grew quiet.

  “It was all my fault,” Roderick admitted in a dull and troubled voice.

  “How so?”

  “I was arrogant enough to believe that my castle would never fall. I dinna leave enough men to protect it. That will never happen again. I’ve worked hard to double my army since that time.”

  She placed her hand on his arm. “You cannot blame yourself for my evil brother’s doings. Now I wish my vision had been about you, then I could have warned you.”

  Siena’s heart went out to Roderick. For once he’d let his guard down, and she could see the hurt he was experiencing. She wanted to wrap her arms around him to give comfort, but she knew for now he fed off his loss and that is what drove him. She let her arm drop back to her side.

  “Perhaps if I really concentrate, I can see what happened to Michael. Maybe he was taken. I would have seen him if he’d been brought to Berwick, so I know he isn’t there. I’ll need Elen’s help, but I promise I will try.”

  “I’ll hope for the best, lass. Ye are dismissed for now,” Roderick said, turning his back on her, wanting to be alone.

  Chapter 8

  Siena moaned as she rolled over and opened her eyes to the shadows of light peeking out from the window where a shutter had come loose. She hadn’t slept well at all last night. The reason was simple, she couldn’t get Roderick off her mind. One minute he was angry with her and the next he was holding her telling her everything would be all right. She lay in the drowsy warmth of her bed, thinking. Should she have stayed with the child until his mother came? That was something she would never know, but for now a stab of guilt still lingered deep inside her. Instead of saving them as she had intended . . . in the end the warning hadn’t done any good.

  Agatha entered the room. “Good morning. It’s freezing in here.” She went to the window and closed the shutter.

  Siena threw back the covers and slid out of bed, then grumbled, “Burr, it is cold.” She stumbled over to the fireplace and stirred the embers to get the flames going, then tossed more wood on the fire.

  “What happened last night after you left the table with Laird Scott?” Agatha asked. She held a robe up so Siena could slip it on. “He looked very angry.”

  “He was angry.” Siena tied the sash of the robe. “He told me that Fidach killed his wife, and he doesn’t know what happened to his son.” She sighed. “He said they never found the child’s body.”

  “Oh, no.”Agatha visibly blanched. “I’m so sorry, milady.” Her face changed from sad to full of contempt as she continued, “We both know your brother was capable of killing the child.”

  “If only I could picture the boy and see what happened to him.” Siena paused to splash water on her face, then patted it dry. “At least, I could bring Roderick a little comfort. I feel so guilty that I didn’t do more than I did. Somehow this seems all my fault.”

  Agatha placed a hand on Siena’s arm. “You thought you were doing the correct thing by warning them of the attack. You couldn’t have known that they wouldn’t take your warning. And if Fidach had caught you, he would have killed you. I’ve no doubt of that.”

  “I know, but I still feel bad.” The child’s name lingered around the edges of her mind. “Help me get dressed,” Siena said, then added, “I’m going to see Elen.” Siena had made up her mind that she needed some help. “Do you know which room belongs to Elen?”

  “Aye, milady,” Agatha said as she slipped a pale yellow bliaut over Siena’s head. “This wool will feel good, today. It is very cold this morn.”

  “Thank you, but you didn’t answer my question.”

  Agatha ran her hands down the bliaut to smooth it out. “Elen lives in the treatment room, milady. Remember where you treated that nasty woman who tried to kill you?”

  Siena smiled at Agatha’s indignation. “How could I forget that?”

  Siena made her way down a second set of stairs, winding through the hallways until she found Elen’s room. When she’d been down here before, the door had been open, but this time it was closed, so she knocked and waited until she heard someone call out to enter.

  Slowly, Siena slipped into the room. The many shelves along the walls were filled with different size jars lining the shelves, which she assumed contained lots of herbs for healing. There were two beds in the middle of the room for the sick that were neatly made and thank goodness empty.

  “Milady,” Elen called from the corne
r of the room. She’d been sitting on a third bed shoved against an outer wall. “I was wonderin’ when I’d see ye again.”

  “Good morning,” Siena said. “I didn’t see you when I first entered.”

  “I’ve not lit all the candles yet, lass. I should request a room with a window.” Elen smiled. “At least I’d have more light down here.”

  “I agree, nothing like fresh air to help the sick. Why are you way down here?”

  “’Tis the safest place in the castle and when yer the only healer they tend to make sure no harm can come to ye.”

  Elen withdrew a clay pipe and lit the herbal blend with a straw.

  “Do I smell mint?” Siena sked.

  “Aye, ’tis a special blend along with Horehound and mullein, passionflower and a few other things that help me breathe.” After she took several puffs, she asked, “Now, what can I help ye with, lass?” She waved her hand toward a chair. “Please sit down.”

  Siena chose one of the green cushioned chairs. As a matter of fact, now that she glanced around the room, there was a lot of green. “I didn’t notice when I was in here before, but everything is green.”

  Elen chuckled. She sat on a chair across from Siena. “Remember, I’m called The Green Woman and for that reason ye see green everywhere ye look, but I dinna have antlers growing out of my head as is rumored.”

  “Thank goodness.” Siena laughed.

  “The green makes one feel better. Do you see how ye have relaxed since ye entered my room?”

  Siena nodded.

  “How can I help ye?”

  “Everyone tells me that I have special powers. However, I don’t know how to use them….”

  “I sense there is more?”

  “Aye, Roderick told me about his wife and son last night,” Siena paused, glancing down at her hands. “I had no idea of his wife’s death, and he said he never found his son.”

  “’Tis sad. Laird Scott worshiped both his wife and son, Michael; however, the laird canna put the past behind him wi’ his son still missin’. And I sense he’s finally ready to move forward.”

  “That is why I’ve come to you.” Siena peered into Elen’s green eyes. “I thought perhaps you could show me how to find out what happened to his son.”

  “Umm,” Elen murmured. She took a drag from her pipe, then she blew a smoke circle, which slowly rose until it surrounded her head. “As ye know lass, I’m not a seer, I’m a healer, but ye, lass have been blessed wit’ both powers. ’Tis rare.” She paused to blow another smoke ring. “’Twould help if ye had seen the wee one.”

  “But I have.” Siena told Elen all about what had happened when she visited Black Dawn before.

  Elen sat a little straighter. “Did ye enter by the kitchen or the front door?”

  “By the kitchen. I remember the cook went and got her mistress. Why do you ask?”

  “’Tis considered unlucky to enter the house by the back door when ye come the first time, which is why ye see so many come through our front doors.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Siena said, but wondering why in the world that would matter to anyone. Perhaps it was Elen rambling. “But my warning did no good. However, you survived. What did you do that day?”

  “Gillian did warn me, but I chose to remain below, knowing they would not bother to look down here, and I was correct. They did not. She said she was going to warn a few others and then head to the caves for Michael.” Elen sighed. “I guess she tarried too long and before she knew it the invaders were upon her.”

  “It is very sad.”

  “I think ye need a fairy stone.”

  Siena looked at her puzzled. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’re lucky to have a fairy mound, although, most cannot see the fairies, I can.” Elen smiled. “And I bet ye can, too. Let me fetch my tartan and we will go and see them.”

  “I’ve never believed in fairies.”

  “Ye will, lass. Wait and see.”

  They left out of the kitchen door and strolled across a courtyard that was used for a garden. In the middle of the stone wall stood an iron gate that was ajar. They pushed it open with a screechy protest and slipped through the gate. A big wall surrounded the entire castle, so they headed toward the wall. Once they got closer, Siena spotted a mound that should have been brown since it was winter, but it was as green as a summer day.

  “’Tis said that the fairies were once proud angels who wanted their own kingdom. The fairies that live here are called ‘Gude Wichts,’ Elen explained before she called out, “Barra.”

  Suddenly, six fairies flew up out of the earth, all dressed in green. They were maybe six inches high with big wings that fluttered constantly.

  Siena was stunned but recovered quickly as she watched the creatures bob up and down until a girl with long, golden hair moved to the front.

  “Elen. How nice to see you?” Barra turned. “I see you have brought a guest who can see us; therefore, she must be special.”

  “Aye. This is Lady Siena and I believe she has the power to be a healer and a seer, however, she has trouble controlling her powers,” Elen explained, then she turned to Siena.

  “This is Barra,” Elen said with a swish of her hand.

  “Hello, Barra,” Siena said.

  “Milady, you seek my help?”

  “If you can help me … I’d be most grateful.”

  “Will you permit me to land on your hand, Siena?” Barra asked.

  Siena nodded and held out her arm. Barra flew over and landed on the back of Siena’s hand. It tickled, but Siena kept her hand steady as not to make the fairy frightened.

  “Ah, I sense great strength in you, milady, and you will do good things. Therefore, you will always have our help when you need us.”

  “Thank you.”

  Barra withdrew a pink stone, a yellow-colored stone, a blue stone, and a red ruby stone and placed them on Siena’s palm, then she flew back to the others. “Always keep the stones with you and turn them over and over in your hand when you need something. There is magic inside the stones. Just as there is magic inside yourself but tell no one that you have them.”

  Siena examined the pink stone. It was very pretty and smooth. It looked like there were sparkles on the inside trying to escape. “Thank you. I hope one day that I become the person that everyone thinks I am.”

  “Give it time,” Barra said, then she looked at Elen. “I believe it is getting ready to snow, Elen. Best get back to the castle. You know how your bones ache in the cold.” Then in a swoosh the fairies had all disappeared, however giggles could be heard beneath the mound.

  Once they were safely back in the castle, Elen said, “Such a powerful gift ye have.” She wrinkled her nose and nodded as if she came to a conclusion. “I think ye should go back to the cave and find the verra spot where ye left Michael. Look around for something the child might have touched like a smooth stone. Take the stone and keep turning it over and over in yer hand. If you still have no visions, then bring the stone back with ye and we’ll try a couple of other things. Perhaps the fairy’s stones will help. However, it might take time to learn the way of the stones.”

  Siena stopped in front of Elen’s room. “Thank you for helping me. Roderick wanted to go to the cave so perhaps we can go today. Let’s hope I can learn something that will be useful.”

  “I sense a storm is brewin’ like the fairies thought, so do be careful,” Elen said. Aye, she thought there was a storm brewing both outside and with the laird.

  She smiled. ’Twas time someone stirred her laird in wanting to live again.

  Several hours had passed by the time Siena met Roderick in the great hall. A kitchen servant passed her as she scurried out of the room not bothering to greet Siena. It appeared Roderick was putting something into a bag. He closed the bag and looked up as she approached. “Are ye ready to leave, lass?”

  “Should I have Agatha get ready to go?”

  “Nay, lass. We will not be gone long.”

&n
bsp; Siena decided not to argue since she was a guest in his home, and it would save Agatha from going out into the wintery weather. “Let me retrieve my cloak.”

  In no time, Siena was back wrapped in her purple cloak. Roderick handed her his plaid.

  “I don’t understand,” Siena said. “What do I do with it?”

  He took the plaid and wrapped it around her shoulders and then tossed the remainder over her left shoulder. “There. ’Tis verra cold outside and snowin’. Nothing like a plaid to keep ye warm.”

  “Should we wait and go another time?”

  “Nay.” He picked up the bag and headed toward the door.

  Siena wondered if Roderick was a man of few words. He sure hadn’t used many around her, and she had no idea what he was thinking or how he felt. Nevertheless, she followed him outside like an obedient puppy. An icy breath of fresh air hit her in the face. She gasped.

  Good Lord, it had gotten colder.

  Garvin had brought their mounts up to the front steps, so they wouldn’t have to walk to the stables. Roderick’s horse stood still while Star was dancing around impatient to leave.

  “I think yer horse is ready to stretch her legs, lass,” Garvin said as he helped Siena to mount.

  “Thank you, Garvin,” Siena tightened her hold on the reins. “She is a bit frisky today. Perhaps she is trying to stay warm.”

  Garvin chuckled.

  Once Roderick had mounted, he looked at her and asked, “Now lass which cave did you take Michael to? We have three different caves for safety.”

  “It was the one in the hill off the main road. Your wife told me about it as I had not remembered seeing a cave when I came.”

  “It will be easy enough to get to and we can return before the weather turns too bad. Ye can ride, can’t ye? I’ve not actually seen ye on yer own horse.”