The Devil’s Laird by Brenda Jernigan

Chapter 4

The next morning Roderick woke up to find his arm draped across a warm body snuggled next to him. During the night, Siena had whimpered several times and he had to comfort and assure her that she was safe.

Something changed within him during the night, an overwhelming need to protect Siena seemed natural to him.

It had been too long since he’d known anything but hatred, and he didn’t want to disturb this newfound peace, but he knew they couldn’t remain here. With his free hand he stroked the side of Siena’s face to wake her. She felt much too warm. On second thought, she was downright hot.

He leaned up on his elbow and touched Siena’s forehead. Aye, she had a fever. However, there wasn’t much he could do until they reached his holding where The Green Woman could attend to her.

Glancing around at the frost-covered campsite, he saw the first signs of his men waking up to start their day. The fire was no more than embers and ashes.

Carefully, he slid Siena’s hand off his chest, then he pushed himself into a sitting position. He reached over and gently shook her. “Wake up, lass. ’Tis morning. We’ll be leaving soon.”

Siena groaned then slowly opened bloodshot eyes. Her face appeared as pale as the frost and she looked completely drained. However, it would be time to travel as soon as they broke up the campsite, so she must get up and attend to what was necessary before they left. She’d not likely be able to sit a horse for long today without falling off.

Roderick must have awakened Agatha because she sat up and yawned. She stretched her arms overhead, and then she turned toward them, frowning as she recognized how ill her mistress was. “How are you feeling, milady?”

“M--my head hurts. I’m sure it is caused by the fever,” Siena said as she glanced toward Agatha. “By chance, did you bring my herbs?”

“There wasn’t time for me to fetch anything but our clothes.” Agatha shoved herself to her feet, and then ran her hands down her skirt to smooth out the wrinkles. “Let me help you to the stream so you may wash before we leave. The cold water will help you feel better.”

“At the moment, I doubt anything will make me feel better,” Siena grumbled.

Roderick took Siena’s good arm and helped her to her feet. “We have a long ride ahead of us today,” he said impatiently. “We should reach my holdin’ by nightfall, where my healer can tend to you. Ye are weak, lass, so ye’d best ride with me today.”

“Aye.” She held her arm up to Roderick, then swayed backward, so he had to steady her. “Do you see any red streaks?”

He took her arm gingerly, then partially unwrapped the bandage. He felt like a servant, he thought, and questioned the fact that he should be doing such a menial task. Wasn’t he called the Devil’s Laird? The man who made others tremble by the mere mention of his name. If only they could see him now. For here he stood tending a woman. “Nay,” he said as he rewrapped her arm, wondering why he couldn’t dismiss her so easily. “Remember, yer body went through a great deal yesterday, and that was before the hanging,” Roderick said, shaking his head. “Most would have died.”

“I’m made of strong stuff.” She half-smiled. “Aye. It was fortunate for me that you showed up when you did.”

Roderick made sure Agatha had a good grip on Siena before he turned and left them. There was much to get ready before they rode out.

Siena felt as if she were in a dream world as she stumbled through the trees to the small stream supported by Agatha. Siena also had an odd, sick, empty feeling. Since yesterday her world had come crashing down around her – not that her world had been good before, but she’d had things that were familiar to her. Now she had nothing, only Agatha. She cherished her, but their future was uncertain. They had no home, nothing to hold on to.

Now she was going to an unfamiliar place. What would she find there? Would people mistreat her there as they had in her own home? She didn’t have the slightest idea, but she did know she needed some help getting her fever down before she could think straight again. She tore a piece of material off the bottom of her underskirt and bathed herself with cold water. It felt good and reviving, but she was still lightheaded, and her eyes burned as though they had sand in them. She wished she could remove her head completely, so it would quit hurting so bad.

“Do you think anyone would notice if I sat down in the middle of the stream?”

“’It is much too cold outside, milady. Why would you do such? And where are your shoes?” Agatha asked as she splashed water on her own face. She shivered from the icy drench. “You must get out of the water least you catch your death.”

“I’m so hot,” Siena complained. “I want to be cool.”

“’Tis the fever talking.” Agatha took the cloth from Siena and dipped it in the cold water, then she squeezed the water out. “Come milady, you can hold the cool cloth to your head.” Agatha gripped Siena firmly by the elbow and slipped the shoes back on her feet. “Let’s go to our new home. I’m anxious to see it, and to get warm. I’m not sure I can feel my toes at the moment.”

Siena let Agatha steady her as they made their way back to camp. Siena followed Agatha like a small, lost puppy. Then strong arms lifted her off the ground. The next thing she knew she’d been settled in front of Roderick on his giant warhorse. Truth be told, she was glad, so she could rest her head on his chest, but she felt she should protest … just a little. “I should ride my own horse. I don’t want to be a bother,” she mumbled.

“The black is sturdier than yer palfrey,” Roderick explained. “Besides, I’m no sure ye could stay on yer horse for hours without falling off and adding more injuries to what ye already have.”

Siena was too tired to protest. Instead, she leaned back and welcomed the strength of his arms supporting her, and strangely enough, she felt safe with someone she’d once thought of as the enemy. The slow steady gait of the horse soon lulled her into a restful sleep.

Roderick really wasn’t sure why he didn’t let one of the other men carry Siena. They were capable, but for some strange reason he didn’t want them touching her. He glanced down at her. She reminded him of a stray animal that someone had thrown out because they didn’t want them.

By the end of the day, they would be home where she could receive proper care. In the meantime, she'd better not die on him. He forbade it.

Roderick held his left hand up for the procession to stop. “We’ll have to go single file through the pass,” he said to Duncan.

Roderick had no sooner gotten the words out of his mouth when Siena jerked to a sitting position, and he had to hold on to her, so she wouldn’t fall. The lass was dangerous when she first awoke from sleep.

“You must not go!” she warned him, clutching his plaid.

“Go where, lass?”

“Through the Blue Pass. It is dangerous. They wait to attack you.”

“Yer fever has made ye daft,” Roderick told her. However, something gave him pause as he looked into her bloodshot eyes. How did she know they were getting ready to go through a pass when she’d been fast asleep?

“Not fever. I saw them.”

Roderick was listening now. “Go ahead.”

“It’s a trap. Five men are waiting to attack you once you proceed through the pass. Be careful,” she said the last in a whisper as she collapsed against him.

Duncan had ridden up beside them. “Back at the castle, they said Lady Siena could see things,” he said. “Do you suppose…?”

“Ah, wull I’m no’ sure I believe in seein’ things, but yet --. We’ll take no chance. Leave the women here,” Roderick said as he turned his mount around. “Gareth, take the men up through the trees and root out what is up there. We’ll give ye a head start, and then Duncan and I will ride through the pass. With any luck, that will draw out whoever is there.”

Gareth was quick to obey.

They stopped in a small clearing. Duncan spread out two red tartans on the frost-covered ground, and then took the girl from Roderick. Siena moaned. “Och, she still burns with fever.”

“Aye, hopefully we will be home before sunset and she can get some rest.” Roderick turned. “Agatha, stay here with yer mistress. I’ll come back for ye as soon as I know it’s safe.”

“Don’t forget us,” Agatha pleaded.

“How could I forget ye?” Roderick said with what he hoped was a smile.

He felt better with his arms free. Now they would see if what Siena had said was true. “I’ll go first,” Roderick said to Duncan. “Keep an eye out.”

The path was wide enough for two, but most of the time they came through the pass single file to be safe. Birch trees were to the left and on the right-side oaks grew out of the sides of the hill. Slowly, they made their way on the winding path. They had barely swung around the bend, when bellowed war cries ripped the air and two men jumped out of the bushes at them.

Roderick nudged Hercules toward the man on the left and lunged off his horse, taking the assailant down. He heard Duncan cursing and ranting as he swung his sword to end the life of the other man.

Roderick jerked his man up by the front of his shirt. “Who are ye?”

“We heard you have the White Witch.”

“I have no witch.” Roderick shook the man. “Who sent ye?”

The man’s eyes were wide with fear, however, he said in a choked voice, “Lord Malcolm needs the White Witch. . . Fidach’s sister.”

“And the reason he needs her?”

“S--She is the key to finding the Holy Grail.”

Roderick straightened, then shoved the man away from him, knocking him on his backside. “Such English nonsense. This day, I will let ye live, and ye can tell Malcolm he need not bother Fidach’s sister again. She is under my protection. And she is no witch.”

The soldier jumped to his feet, turned, and ran back down the path.

“Let’s go back, get the women, and meet up wi’ the others,” Roderick said. “I dinna think there are any more attackers. The lads did a good job up top.”

“Aye. But what about this White Witch?” Duncan asked.

“Sounds like nonsense to me. Remember, we found her ready to be hanged. If there were such things as witches, she’d been able to get away without our help.”

“Aye,” Duncan said.

It didn’t take them any time before they arrived back at the clearing to find the rest of his men and Agatha. “Where is your mistress?” Roderick bellowed, unable to believe that Siena wasn’t where he’d left her.

Agatha was ringing her hands, clearly agitated. “T--two soldiers came and took her, sire. I couldn’t stop them.” Her lip was bleeding. Evidently, she’d tried to stop them from taking the girl. “They went that way.” She pointed.

Roderick blew out his breath in disgust. “The rest of ye take Agatha and head for home. I’m going after my captive.”

“Ye need me to ride wi’ ye?” Duncan asked.

“Nay. I will make better time by myself. I’ll see ye back at Black Dawn.”

“The lass is a lot of trouble, and she isn’t even conscious.” Duncan chuckled. “Canna imagine what it’s going to be like once she is alert.”

Roderick gave Duncan a half-smile. “Of that, you and I agree. But she is mine, and I dinna appreciate someone takin’ her from me.”

* * *

Siena awoke to suffocating heat.

She was bundled up much too tight. A flicker of apprehension coursed through her. She needed air. And she needed it now!

“Let me out!” she cried. When she received no response, she began thrashing until her arms were free. How dare Roderick treat her as a sack of grain. Had something happened for him to change his mind? He’d been so gentle when he bandaged her arm this morning . . . now this.

Finally, her head and arms were free of the blanket, and when she could see it wasn’t Roderick, she punched the person who held her. “I said to let me out!” She landed a blow to the man’s jaw. Her panic had given her strength of two men. The man’s head jerked back, and he swore and loosened his grip.

“I cannot hold her,” the stranger called out as his horse danced around in a circle. Finally, the animal reared, throwing both of them to the ground.

Siena landed on her back, knocking the breath from her body. It took several gasps before she could breathe again. She didn’t recognize these men, so she figured they were some of her brother’s thugs. But what disturbed her most was that she had no knowledge of being put on a horse or how she ended up here. She vaguely remembered bathing in a stream this morning, but nothing more.

She realized her fever had broken because her arms were damp from sweat, and her head didn’t hurt as it once had. At least she could think clearly now that her mind wasn’t in such a haze. However, she had no idea how she was going to get out of this mess.

“W--where is Laird Scott?”

“Dead, we hope,” said one of the men.

She swallowed hard. Roderick couldn’t be dead, surely these men were lying.

The other man, a dark-skinned soldier said, “Get the White Witch. We need to make time lest our brothers were not successful in killing the Devil’s Laird.”

“Who are you?” she repeated as she scrambled to her feet and backed away. A wave of apprehension swept through her. She knew she was still weak because she hurt all over but fight them she would. There was no way she would go with these men.

“We were instructed to bring the White Witch to Lord Malcolm,” replied the man who had been holding her.

Siena had heard people call her the White Witch before, but she’d never been sure what they meant. However, if these two men thought her a witch, maybe she could use it to her advantage.

Slowly, she straightened and raised her arms over her head. She smiled benignly, as if dealing with temperamental children. She took a deep breath and began to chant in a loud dead voice.

“Whatever evil comes to me.

May it be returned to you three times three.”

She pointed at the men.

“To whoever sent you, so mote it be.

That death will come to you and he.”

She brokeout in hysterical laughter and twirled around for effect. Her black hair swished straight out as she spun around.

“D--did you hear that James?” the man sputtered. “She is putting a curse on us.”

It took two tries before James managed to mount his horse because his foot kept slipping. “Aye. Let’s get out of here.”

Siena started toward them her hands held out in front of her, repeating her chant. She’d never seen men move so fast as they jerked their horses around and galloped away from her.

That was rather fun.

Siena let her breath out slowly. A little too late, she realized that she should have demanded they leave her a horse. However, she couldn’t stay here so she turned and started back the way she’d come, or the way she thought they had come. She wasn’t sure what she would find, but the other way would take her back to her home and she definitely didn’t want to go back there.

This was the second time in the last few days she’d taken up for herself, and she really liked the feeling of power. A sense of strength came to her and her despair lessened. She swore that from this day forth, she would take care of herself and would never be at the mercy of a man ever again.

Slowly, she put one foot in front of the other, even though they felt very heavy, and headed down the road. She hoped the men were lying about Roderick being dead. She wasn’t sure she was worth his effort to save her a second time. Still, she hoped he had Agatha and would be looking for her.

* * *

Roderick couldn’t rememberwhen he’d felt such an urgency to find someone other than his family, and that had not turned out well. He would kill the men if they had hurt Siena. He kept reminding himself to be reasonable, but he wasn’t listening to himself. Siena was his. And he’d never cared for men taking what belonged to him.

Hercules cantered down the path until Roderick pulled the beast to a halt. He dismounted and checked the ground to see if the tracks were fresh. Rubbing his hand across the dirt, he felt the impressions. There appeared to be two riders, so overcoming them would be simple. Nothing like a good fight, he thought as he mounted.

He nudged Hercules with his heels and they were off down the wood covered road. He’d been traveling for a while and growing more irritated by the moment that he’d not caught up with the bandits. Then he spotted someone up ahead.

At last.

Roderick halted ten yards in front of the person. He sensed a trap. However, it appeared to be Siena standing in the middle of the road all by herself with no one around. He reached behind him and pulled out a long dagger and laid it on his leg, so no one could see the weapon.

“Are you alone, Siena?” Roderick shouted.

“Yes.”

“Saints above!” he swore to himself. “How had she escaped?” he asked his horse, not expecting a response, but dumbfounded at what he was seeing. She looked like she was taking a stroll down the road. Not very steady, as she was swaying from side to side, but she was on her feet. A great accomplishment, considering he’d last seen her lying on his plaid.

Roderick slipped his knife back in place. He dismounted and walked the short distance over to her. Hercules followed him. He took in her disheveled appearance before he asked, “Are ye hurt?”

“You came for me,” she said with a surprised expression. And then she smiled. It was the first time he had seen her do so, and his heart swelled with feelings he’d thought long dead.

“Aye, I came for ye,” Roderick replied. “You are my …” He started to say prisoner, but she wasn’t exactly that. “Ah, wull, ye are mine, and I always take care of what belongs to me.”

He saw surprise on her face as she said, “Thank you.”

There was something odd about this woman. He was glad to see both her eyes were open and clear. He knew the fever had passed. One eye still had a blue-colored bruise, but the swelling had gone down. “Where are the men who took ye?”

“Gone back the way they came.”

Something really wasn’t making any sense to him. Why would they go through the trouble of taking her, and then let her go? He would wait and ask her more questions on the ride home. “Here, let me help you in the saddle. I’m glad to see yer fever is gone.” He placed his hands on her small waist and lifted her up onto Hercules, and then mounted behind her.

“Yes, but I’m still as weak as a kitten.” She sighed. “However, I’m sure I’ll feel fine in a few days.”

Roderick saw the wild haunted look in her eyes and wondered if she was still afraid. He wrapped his plaid around her and settled her on his lap. Then he turned his mount and they started for home. “Tell me how ye got away, and who or why did they take you?”

When she failed to answer him, he glanced down and saw that again she slept soundly. Evidently, she trusted him to fall asleep so quickly. Since he’d found her, she’d been unconscious or asleep. What would she be like when she was fully awake?

“Perhaps later, I will find out.” Roderick chuckled then nudged his horse forward. His questions would have to wait for now.