The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

21

They made it home without incident, a gray sky having followed them all the way.

Annis was more surprised to see that much work had been accomplished in the short time they had been gone, but that was thanks to the added men sent from Clan MacRae. She was more than pleased to see that her instructions on where and how the various dwellings were to be built had been adhered to. Her surprise grew when she spotted several young women who must have come with the MacRae men. What pleased her the most, though, were the smiles and laughter that were heard upon entering the village.

Cheers went up and people hurried toward them as soon as Annis and Brogan were spotted. Men hurried to assist Luna off the horse and to take and tend Belle after Brogan lifted Annis off the mare.

“You speak with Una, and I will talk with the men to see what has gone on here in our absence,” Brogan said, keeping his voice low. “I know you are as anxious as I am for you to speak with the witch, but it is best we wait until tomorrow.”

She nodded, agreeing. Besides, it was later in the day, dusk not that far off. It would leave no time to talk with her, if the witch could be found at all.

The women were quick to help Luna and she was soon sitting by a fire, a blanket wrapped around her, and food and drink offered to her. Annis noticed that she listened and offered little about herself. The only thing that was known about her was that she had no family and that her limp was caused by an injury many years ago. Annis thought there was more to the woman than she offered.

Annis wandered away from the campfire, tugging Una along with her. “It appears that much has gone on here since our departure.”

Una glowed with excitement. “It has been wonderful. More men than expected arrived from Clan MacRae and I was surprised to see several women with them. We thought the women would wait until sufficient dwellings were built, but they came anyway. While the men work on the dwellings, the women have seen to stitching garments from the cloth they brought with them. We have also worked to stock the stone shed with food for the winter. We will not starve or die from the cold this winter, and most of all, we will not be alone—thanks to you.”

Annis returned Una’s smile, more pleased for the young woman than for the compliment. “Much building has taken place.” She turned her head surveying the many partially constructed dwellings.”

“They work from dawn until dusk. They want dwellings completed for all before the cold sets in.” Una pointed to a new dwelling that looked comfortable for one person. “That is Seward’s new home, and he is thrilled. And he helps every day as best he can to get more dwellings built for others. He is very proud as we all are of our new village. We are enormously grateful to Lord Brogan, but we all are forever grateful for the day you arrived here.”

“As am I, for I have made good friends.” She grinned. “Now tell me how Risley does?”

Una’s cheeks flushed. “He works hard, and he also teaches the men how to use the tools correctly. It has helped the building go faster.”

“And?” Annis urged and Una’s cheeks flushed deeper.

Una gave a hasty look about and kept her voice low. “We have kissed, several times, and every one of them was more delightful than the last one. He wants to wed once he builds a cottage for us and have many bairns and teach his skills to them, even the lasses. He is impressed with your talent for building.”

“I believe I can learn much from him myself, and I am thrilled for you, but is it what you want—to wed Risley?”

Una smiled. “We may have just met but I find a comfort with him I have never known, and I rush out of bed in the morning eager to see him. And I love when he takes my hand in his and when he steals an unexpected kiss.” Her smile grew and she nodded. “Aye, I want to wed Risley.”

“I am happy for you and Risley. Soon the village will be filled with the laughter and squeal of happy bairns,” Annis said.

“You and Lord Brogan will help with that as well. Our bairns will grow up together.”

Annis smiled and nodded, but her heart hurt. That was what she and her sisters had planned—their bairns to grow, play, laugh together. It had her asking, “Have you heard any news of Clan Loudon.”

Una nodded and her voice turned to a whisper. “Aye, though the news is weeks old. Clan Loudon was attacked.”

Annis paled and a painful grip squeezed at her stomach.

“Lord Odran, the one they call the silent lord, was quick to end the attack and from what has been heard all is well. Though, Chieftain Emory succumbed to wounds he suffered when fighting.”

Annis closed her eyes for a moment against the news, silently praying that Saber had kept her sister safe.

“Una,” a woman summoned cheerfully.

“Is there anything else, my lady?” Una asked.

Annis wanted to remind her not to call her my lady, but instead she shook her head. “Nay, nothing more, Una.” She watched Una hurry off happily and laugh lightly when the woman said something to her, then they hurried off.

Again, she was reminded of her sisters and what they had shared, and she was also reminded that it was unlikely she would share such closeness with the women here since she was Lord Brogan’s wife. Her heart hurt at the loss not only of her sisters, but of the camaraderie of the village women.

Her feet were ready to rush off and find her husband, but she refused to let them move. Brogan would tell her everything he knew, and she much preferred he tell her when they were alone, since she was already on the verge of tears with worry for Elysia.

She had to get her mind off such dire thoughts. She forced them to turn on thoughts that would easily engage her—building. She looked over the progress of the building again and a thought came to her that had her hoisting the hem of her garments and taking quick steps away from the village.

* * *

Brogan keptan eye on his wife as he talked with Rudd. He was sure Una shared the same news with Annis as Rudd had with him, though his news was more in-depth. He was glad for the victory for his friend, Odran, but that victory could also cost him a degree of happiness he had found. He would tell his wife the truth now. She deserved to know. He had given his word to Odran to keep his secret, but it was no longer necessary with his friend having saved Clan Loudon from attack.

His brow narrowed slightly when he saw his wife hike her garments and rush away from the village, only to stop when she was a short distance on the outskirts to view the village from there. He knew her well enough to know that the news about Clan Loudon had upset her and to not let it devastate her, she had turned her mind to the one thing that would help combat her worries—building.

“Your father demands your presence upon your return,” Rudd said.

That drew Brogan’s attention. “Did he say why?”

“He did not,” Rudd said. “When will you want to leave, my lord.”

Brogan grinned. “Come now, Rudd, you know me better than that and I dare say you have no desire to return there. You seem quite comfortable here.”

Rudd nodded again. “I will not deny it, my lord. But I serve you and I go where you go.”

Brogan laid a firm hand on his shoulder. “This is my home, Rudd, and presently I am not going anywhere. Though, the quest may take Annis and me away again. If so, I will take a group of warriors with me this time. But not you, Rudd. You will remain here and oversee the village.”

Rudd drew his shoulders back. “I would prefer to go with you.”

“You serve me better here. Now, I must speak with my wife.”

Rudd gave a respectful nod and Brogan went to join his wife as she continued to survey the village.

Brogan wanted to take her in his arms but did not want to disturb her intense concentration, so he kept his hands at his sides. He had to smile when she planted herself against his side and he gently circled her waist with his arm and gave it a tender squeeze.

“There is a building that must be constructed before winter,” she said.

That she avoided mentioning the news Una had surely told her made him realize she did not want to speak of it just yet and that was fine with him.

“What dwelling do you envision?” he asked.

“A longhouse where the village can come to eat, share talk and laughter, and can house those that have yet to have a dwelling of their own.”

“A wise idea,” he said amazed how his wife’s mind imagined things.

Annis went on to detail her thoughts. “A fire pit in one area and a fireplace of sturdy stone in another so that the dwelling is well-heated against the cold and also two places where food can be cooked. Tables and benches will need to be built as well and beds for those in need.”

“The men will need to start on that right away if it is to be finished before winter.”

“Aye, they will. Leave them to build only a portion of our home. The rest can be finished come spring and summer,” she said.

“I have no argument with that since the space will keep us close throughout the winter,” he said with a smile and a playful wink.

Annis looked up at him, her eyes still intense. “We have a reason to keep close—love.”

“Damn if your words do not steal my heart even more, wife.” He kissed her, a gentle though deep kiss, meant to express his love.

Annis rested her head on his chest once the kiss ended, needing time to catch her breath and calm the passion it had stirred. It also gave time for thoughts of her sisters to rush back at her.

“I should not be so happy with you, husband, when my sisters could be suffering terribly.”

He could not keep the news from her that would ease some of her worry. “I have no word on Bliss, but I can tell you that Elysia is safe.” His wife’s eyes lit with delight, causing his to do the same.

“You are sure?” she asked.

“I would not lie to you, wife,” he said.

“Tell me all you know,” she said eagerly.

He kissed her brow. “Later when we are alone. Right now, the lord and lady must join the people in a small celebration of our return home.”

Annis saw the excitement on the faces that gathered around the two fires and agreed with a nod and took hold of her husband’s hand.

Smiles greeted them as they joined everyone and just as drinks were passed around—the first squawk was heard. It was followed by a second, then a third, then a fourth…

Everyone huddled together around the fires, frightened by the growing number of ravens circling overhead.

Annis stepped forward and called out, “What do you want?”

The circle of birds flew to form a line that pointed to the hills.

Annis looked to Brogan. “The witch summons me.”