The Silent Highlander by Donna Fletcher

Chapter 28

Three days since Deara had died and Elysia was still no closer to solving the puzzling problem. How no one had any idea of who the man was who had been seeing Deara seemed improbable to Elysia, and yet no one seemed to know anything of him. Most even doubted it was true since Deara had paid no heed to most men. However, speculation had risen that the unknown man could very well be responsible for not only Deara’s death but Glenis’s as well.

“Deara made no mention of a man. She was quiet and diligently did her chores without complaint. She smiled often and was willing to help anyone who asked. While I would say she was content, I’d have to question how a lass could be content without a man.” Lendra shook her head. “I should amend that to the right man. Some men are not worth the trouble—”

Elysia remained silent as Lendra paused in thought and wondered if she realized her own words warned her about Bram.

Another shake of her head and she resumed talking. “But then I have heard and known women who are just as troublesome. I sometimes think one is lucky to find a worthy mate.”

“I am lucky,” Elysia said, hugging the tankard in her hand while thinking of her husband. “Odran is the perfect mate for me.”

“That he is and I am relieved that you have told him of the bairn,” Lendra said, whispering the last of her words.

“It is a relief and I am so glad I can share it with him, though I worry how others may take the news,” Elysia admitted.

“Perhaps the bairn will bring good news and his birth will usher in a period of prosperity to the clan.”

“God willing,” Elysia said. She finished the last of the brew and stood. “I must go. I will work tirelessly to prove your innocence and see you are set free.”

“Do not overly tax yourself, Elysia. While I miss my freedom to come and go as I please and talking with others, my lot here in my cottage is far better than it was in that hut. I am abundantly grateful for what you have done for me.”

“I will see you tomorrow,” Elysia said and gave Lendra a hug.

“I should tell you that your daily visits are not necessary, but I look forward to them far too much to do so, and I am also grateful for them.”

After another hug, Elysia left. A chill filled the air and with dusk not far off the night would only get colder. She tucked her cloak around her and had taken only a few steps when she heard shouts. She hurried around a few cottages and halted abruptly.

“You stole the coin and you’ll be punished for it,” Cadell warned, shaking the lad he held by the nape of his neck.

“Nay, it was given to me. It’s mine.”

“Let him go, Cadell,” Elysia ordered sharply as she rushed toward him. “Annis gave Dugan the coin.”

Cadell glared at her, but made no move to obey.

“My wife gave you an order. OBEY IT NOW!” Odran’s booming voice had Cadell releasing Dugan with a shake and a push, sending the lad stumbling.

“You are a fool if you believe Annis gave a filthy lad the likes of him a coin,” Cadell argued.

“Annis didn’t give it to me, it was payment for a chore,” Dugan shouted.

“What chore?” Cadell asked.

Elysia grabbed Dugan’s arm before he could respond. “That is none of your concern.”

“Anything that involves Lord Brogan is my concern,” Cadell argued.

“Unless my wife commands otherwise,” Odran said again with an authority that was not meant to be questioned.

“As you say, my lord,” Cadell said, his jaw tight with annoyance. “I must see to my men. I take my leave in the morning.”

Odran turned to the lad as soon as Cadell was out of sight. “Did you steal the coin?”

“I earned it,” Dugan said, his skinny chest puffing out proudly.

“My son does not steal.”

Elysia and Odran turned to see a slim woman about a head taller than Elysia. Her face was pretty, though pale, and her long brown hair lay braided on her chest. Holding firm to her arm was…

“Rory!” Elysia smiled as she called out.

Rory returned her smile as he helped the woman, her steps slow. “The lad showed up with Berdina, his mum here, and when he found out you were no longer with the Clan Loudon he refused to stay. He says he trusts no one but you. I offered to bring the pair here. Berdina could use some rest.”

“You’ve been ill?” Elysia asked, stepping toward the woman.

Dugan went to his mum’s side. “More like starving. That’s why I left her, to try and find food.”

“Your clan lets your mum starve?” Odran questioned with a scowl.

Dugan squared his shoulders, his skinny chest puffing out again. “We have no clan.”

“You are welcome here,” Elysia offered without hesitation.

“Did you have a clan?” Odran asked.

Elysia saw suspicion in her husband’s eyes and how Dugan took a protective step in front of his mum. There was no way she would see Dugan and his mum turned away.

Rory assisted the woman to step around her son. “Lord Odran, you should know that I have not been welcome at any clan before you decide to allow me and my son to remain here.”

“Berdina is a good woman,” Rory said in her defense.

“How long have you known her?” Odran asked with a direct glance at Rory.

“Long enough to know she’s a good woman,” Rory said, a defiant spark in his eyes.

“Why have you been turned away from other clans, Berdina?” Odran asked.

“I was the healer for the Clan MacClaren and when I failed to save the life of Lord Rannick’s third wife, I was cast out of the clan. No one dared offer me a home, fearful I would bring the vengeance of the curse down on them.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” Odran said.

“Aye, we met once when you visited with Lord Rannick,” Berdina said. “Though, I was not as thin as I am now.”

“My wife is right. You are welcome here. We could use a healer to help my wife and give her time to do her stitching she so enjoys,” Odran said with a quick smile to his wife.

Berdina’s smile was filled with relief. “I would be honored to help your wife with the healing of your clan.”

“First, you need to rest, eat, and grow strong,” Elysia said. “I will see that a cottage is made ready for you and your son.”

“See, Dugan and I both told you she was a kind woman,” Rory said to Berdina.

“Come to the keep and eat while a cottage is prepared for you,” Elysia said. Odran walked with her a few feet ahead, Berdina’s steps slow and neither her son nor Rory leaving her side.

“I know your thoughts, wife,” Odran said, keeping his voice between them.

“She is familiar with the Clan MacClaren and Rannick. How can I not ask her about him? It will at least let me know what my sister faces. Unless you want to tell me about him since you’ve visited with him, something you failed to tell me.”

“And burden you with more worries?”

Her brow shot up. “So you admit the news would burden me?”

Odran groaned low. “We will discuss this when we’re alone.”

“First, you will answer one question,” she said and didn’t wait for his reply. “Would Rannick harm my sister?” That he hesitated to answer frightened her and when his reply came, his sharp order only added to her worry.

“We will discuss this later.”

Elysia kept silent, for her husband was now not the only one she could ask about the cursed lord.

Talk went on easily around the table once seated in the Great Hall, though any talk of Lord Rannick was avoided. Rory let Elysia know that all was going well at Clan Loudon and miracles of all miracles Clyde was married to a woman he well-deserved. She ruled him with an iron fist. Kevin and Brit were doing well, their daughter Lenis growing bigger by the day. And all were happy with Chieftain Neil as their new leader, though many talked of Chieftain Emory’s bravery.

Finch entered the Great Hall with Crissa on his arm.

“I could not stay abed any longer,” Crissa said.

“Growing tired of being abed is a good sign that you are healing,” Elysia said and pointed to the table to her left, no room at the table where she sat. “Join us.”

The couple took a seat. Food and drink were placed on their table and they were all soon engaged in conversation.

Willa wandered in with her blackthorn stick. “I heard new people had arrived. I want to make certain no evil is attached to them.” She waved the stick.

“Put the stick down, Seanmhair,” Stiles ordered, following in shortly after her. “My apologies, my lord.”

“Apologizes for what?” Willa snapped and waved the stick again. “I protect the clan.”

Stiles shook his head.

“Join us, Willa, and meet friends of mine,” Elysia said and pointed to those at her table.

“If they are friends of yours, they must be good people,” Willa said and sat with Finch and Crissa, keeping her stick close by.

Stiles left with a nod to Odran, his duties calling him.

Cadell entered the room shortly after Stiles’ departure. “Well, well, a gathering.” He didn’t wait to be invited as he joined Finch, Crissa, and Willa, who eyed him suspiciously.

Soon chatter and laughter filled the room, ale flowed generously along with food. Odran couldn’t recall the last time such enjoyment was had in the Great Hall. It felt good and he hoped it would become commonplace. He hoped that the curse had been beaten or perhaps Annis had found a way to see it fulfilled.

“Tell me why I found this in your stitching basket, Elysia,” Fergus demanded upon entering the room, waving something in his hand.

Elysia’s stomach roiled. She knew what he held—the garment she was stitching for the bairn.

Anger rumbled in Odran. Whether the curse was to blame or his father, he didn’t care. He was angry that a pleasant time, the first in far too long, had been disrupted. He stopped his wife with a hand to her shoulder when she went to stand, letting her know to stay put. He stood instead.

“A garment for a bairn,” Fergus said, shaking it at his son. “Does she play you for a fool and get with child when you ordered her not to?”

Elysia wanted to jump up and tell Lord Fergus that it was all her fault that she had made a mistake, and what was done was done. But she remained where she sat and held her tongue, this was for her husband to see to.

“Elysia carries my bairn and I am proud and glad that she does,” Odran said with pride in his voice to prove it.

Fergus’s shoulders sagged. “You don’t know what you’ve done, son.”

“Aye, I know well what I have done. I’ve chosen to live in spite of the curse, Da.”

Fergus shook his head and stopped when his eyes caught on Berdina. “You know. You’ve seen it. Lived it. It has touched you. Tell my son of the suffering and see that Elysia does not bear this bairn.”

Elysia had had enough. No one would take her bairn from her and before she could hurry off the bench to toss angry words at Fergus, her husband spoke up.

“HEAR ME NOW!” Odran said, his powerful shout booming through the Great Hall. “I will kill anyone who tries to take my bairn from my wife. And it will not be an easy death. I will make him or her suffer ENDLESSLY.”

“It’s about time one of the MacBridan men grew a pair of balls.”

Everyone turned to look at Willa.

“What?” she said, turning a scowl on them all. “You can’t be spineless when it comes to a curse.”

“Berdina might disagree with you, Willa,” Fergus said with a nod to the woman.

Willa was quick to argue. “She has suffered just like all of us have, but we have Elysia now. She has brought to this clan something we haven’t had in a long time—she brought us hope. And I for one don’t intend to let it go. So quit your complaining, Fergus, and congratulate your son and his wife on the impending birth of your first, I pray among many, grandchild.”

“HERE! HERE!” Cadell shouted, raising his tankard.

Finch joined in with a shout and raised his tankard.

Rory hesitated but when he saw the happiness in Elysia’s smile, he joined in as well. Dugan shouted along with the men.

Elysia noticed that neither Berdina or Crissa cheered.

Fergus walked over to his son. “I want to be happy for you, Odran, I truly do, but I know what your bairn will face and I know one day you will regret giving him life.”

“Do you regret giving me life, Da?”

“You were already born when the curse was cast. I had no choice and after that I watched how your mum suffered losing bairn after bairn until we both chose never to have another child. I pray it isn’t the same for you.”

“Then let it be different from the start, Da. Raise a glass in celebration and hope,” Odran said and filled a tankard and handed it to his da.

Fergus took it, hesitated for a moment, then raised the tankard high. “Here’s to my grandchild. May he know more happiness than sorrow.”

Cheers were shouted and tankards raised and talk and laughter once again resumed.

A while later, Dorrit announced that a cottage was ready for Berdina and with seeing how tired the woman looked, Elysia suggested she take her there and see her settled.

Odran got up to go with his wife but she stopped him with a gentle hand on his arm. “No, you stay and talk with your da. I won’t be long.” She could see the worry in his eyes about letting her go alone, especially after the unexpected announcement that she was with child.

“I’ll see Lady Elysia returned to the keep safely. You have my word on it, Lord Odran,” Rory said.

Odran expected to see Rory stumbling around from too much drink and was surprised to see that he had tempered his drinking. He was a skilled warrior, far more skilled than Tavish had been, and Bram as well.

“Do not be long, wife,” Odran said, allowing Rory to escort Elysia, since he had no doubt she wanted to speak with him privately to see if there was anything he wanted to tell her that no one else needed to hear.

Elysia kissed her husband on the cheek and turned to the table where Crissa sat. “Do not wait until you grow tired to seek your bed. You still could do with rest.”

“I’ll take her there now,” Finch said and stood, holding his hand out to her.

Odran was soon left in the Great Hall with his da and Cadell.

Cadell moved to the table where Odran and his da sat. “Lord Lochlann will be pleased at the news that the Clan MacBridan lives on and I’m pleased to be the one to deliver the news.”

“I thought you were going to see Lord Balloch,” Fergus said.

“I am but a short stop at Clan MacClaren will not take long and it is such a pleasure to deliver good news for a change.”

“Surely Lochlann was thrilled when you delivered a bride for his son,” Odran said.

“It was more a relief for Lord Lochlann that a wife had finally been found for his son. I am sure he will share the news of your impending bairn with his son to encourage him to do the same as you have done and get his wife with child.”

The news would be a blow to Rannick since he, Brogan, and Rannick had agreed, after much debate, to let the curse die with them. He would have preferred to tell his friend himself. Unfortunately, he didn’t want to take a chance on journeying to Clan MacClaren. There were those who still wanted to see him, Brogan, and Rannick dead and now with Elysia carrying an heir not just to the Clan MacBridan but to the curse itself, they could very well go after her as well.

Finch returned to the Great Hall and stopped by the table. “My apologizes for disturbing your conversation, Lord Odran, but some of Cowan’s men requested to speak with you several times and I would like to see it done. Could you spare a few moments when you are done here?”

“Aye, Finch. I’ll meet you where they camp as soon as I’m finished here,” Odran said and Finch took his leave of the room.

“It would be remiss of me if I didn’t say that the clans that banded together with the intention of seeing this curse brought to an end will not take well of the news that you will have an heir, Lord Odran,” Cadell said. “While you have quelled the unrest for now, this news may spark it again.”

Odran pounded a heavy fist on the table, causing Cadell to jump. “My wrath will know no bounds if anyone dares to harm my wife and if I so much as hear a mere rumble of unrest, I will ride on the clan with my warriors and rain the fires of hell down upon them.”

“Such an ominous warning will surely keep the clans at bay,” Cadell said and stood. “I leave in the morning. I wish you both well.” With a bob of his head to each man, he took his leave.

“I wish things were different, son. I wish my heart was filled with joy for you and Elysia instead of fear.” Fergus took a strong gulp of ale. “The news of an impending heir will spread fast. The warriors will need to be extra vigilant. Travelers who stop will need to be watched, never left out of sight. And Elysia must be watched over at all times.”

“I will see to it all,” Odran assured him.

“The news will upset your mum. She will worry over you and Elysia.” Fergus took another strong swig of ale. “Why don’t you visit with your mum much?”

Odran rubbed the back of his neck. “Guilt. When I visit with her she cries and I hate to see her cry. I am too much of a burden on her.”

“Never does she think that of you,” his da scolded. “She has grown stronger under Elysia’s care and her visits. I believe one day soon she will be the strong woman she once was.”

“That would be nice, Da, since I miss the mum who raised me with courage by showing her own bravery.”

* * *

Rory remainedalert to all around him as he escorted Elysia back to the keep.

“You have changed, Rory,” Elysia said.

“Berdina has seen to that.”

“You favor her?” Elysia asked, though it seemed obvious to her.

“She is a good woman and Dugan is a good son to her.”

That was answer enough for Elysia. “Mother and son both seem to favor you as well.”

He bristled at the suggestion. “I was the first man to treat them both decently in far too long.”

“The three of you make a fine family,” Elysia said and was pleased when he didn’t dismiss her remark.

“Berdina is a skilled healer. She will be much help to you.”

“The clan can use a skilled healer since I am far from one.” Elysia didn’t give Rory time to debate her words. “Has Berdina healed you, Rory?”

Rory stopped, his mouth moving as if to speak but no words passing his lips. He continued walking not saying a word and Elysia followed along.

“She was with Shona when she died,” Rory said.

Elysia remembered Rory telling her about Shona, the woman he loved, and how she had been forced to become Rannick’s third wife. She remained silent, hoping he would continue and she would learn more about Rannick.

“Berdina told me how much Rannick objected to the marriage. He did not want to wed Shona and he fought with his father over it. His father paid no heed and had them wed, but Rannick refused to consummate the marriage.” Rory coughed clearing his throat, a telltale sign tears choked him. “Berdina spoke to Shona only once and she confided in Berdina that she had given her heart to another man and she would never love another.” He coughed again and took a moment before he spoke again. “Berdina saw Shona and Rannick talking outside in front of the keep, a rare occurrence for no one had seen the couple together in the three days they had been wed.”

Elysia heard Rory sniffle back his tears and her heart hurt for him.

“Shona collapsed and Rannick caught her in his arms. Berdina hurried to her but she was dead. There was nothing she could do for her and she doesn’t understand why she died. It has puzzled her. Rannick left for foreign shores after that and when he was forcibly returned home, Berdina said it was as if hell had returned with him. Illness plagued the clan and nothing she did stopped it. She felt helpless and it didn’t help that Rannick returned home more animal than human. It only added to the misery and suffering of the clan. Lord Lochlann accused her of failing the clan and doing nothing to help his son. He cast her and Dugan out and spread word that it was her fault the clan suffered. No clan would allow her near or even give her food or drink. You can see the toll it has taken on her and Dugan since he has been shunned along with his mum.”

“They are safe here,” Elysia assured him.

“I had no doubt of that, especially when Dugan said you invited him and his mum to join Clan Loudon. He refused to stay when he learned you had left and I had to agree, for once it was discovered who Berdina was, I’m ashamed to say few were hospitable to her. That’s why I brought them here. I knew you would give them a good home.”

Elysia stopped at the bottom of the keep steps. “Is Berdina aware that my sister Bliss has wed Rannick?”

“She is and the only thing she said was that she would pray for her.”

Worry for her sister weighed heavily on Elysia as she and Rory entered the Great Hall.

Odran immediately spotted his wife’s distress even at a distance. It was the blankness in her eyes as if her thoughts were anyplace but where she was. He hurried to her while casting a scowl at Rory.

Elysia reached out to her husband. “Rory did nothing but tell me the truth and I am grateful to him for it. At least I have a good picture of what my sister faces.”

Rory bobbed his head and took his leave without saying a word.

Odran kept his arm around his wife as they walked to the table.

“It has been a long, exhausting day, can we retire to our bedchamber?” she asked.

“Go,” Fergus ordered. “Elysia needs rest. “I will go and speak with Cowan’s men.”

“I appreciate it, Da,” Odran said, his need to console his wife more important than anything.

Elysia sat on the bed as soon as they entered their bedchamber, feeling as if her legs would no longer hold her up. “I know now why you wouldn’t say anything about Rannick. He is as they say—more animal than human.”

Odran sat beside her, taking hold of her hand. “Rannick is an exceptionally strong man. No matter what the curse threw at him, he faced it with more courage than me and Brogan combined. It was the death of Shona, his third wife that broke him. He didn’t know her and he didn’t want to know her. His father forced the marriage, but he kept his distance from her. The first time he saw her, spoke to her, she collapsed in his arms and died. Something was destroyed in him that day, deep down inside him, and I fear he will never heal from it. Though after meeting Bliss, I’ve wondered if she just might be the one who could heal his ravaged soul.”

Elysia dropped her head on her husband’s shoulder. “Knowing my sister, she will try her hardest.”

“Cadell leaves in the morning and plans to deliver the news that you’re with child to Lord Lochlann. Do you wish to send another message to Bliss since surely she will worry when she hears you’re with child? You can assure her that all is well with you and again remind her that you’re madly in love with your husband and happy. That should at least take any burden of worry Bliss has for you off her shoulders.”

Elysia lifted her head and grinned. “Madly in love?”

“Do you deny it?” he asked teasingly.

“Madly. Astonishingly. Gleefully in love, and Bliss would be overjoyed to hear it.”

“Then I will see it done. I’ll inform Stiles that I wish to speak with Cadell before he leaves. You can give him the message you wish delivered.”

“You are the best husband,” Elysia said and turned her head when a yawn suddenly came upon her.

“You are tired and need to sleep,” Odran said.

“Is that what you wish to do—sleep?” she asked with a grin that turned to a yawn.

Odran laughed. “You are far too tired to make love tonight.”

She yawned again. “I fear you’re right.” She smiled. “There’s always the morning.”

Odran kissed her quick. “I do so love you, wife.”

“LORD ODRAN! LORD ODRAN! HURRY!”

Odran and Elysia rushed to the door at the frantic call and Odran threw the door open.

A servant lass stood with tears in her eyes. “Lord Fergus has been stabbed and is near to death.”