The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

24

An overcast sky greeted them the next morning and lingered as they walked to the village.

Brogan kept his hand wrapped firmly around his wife’s, not that he had to. She gripped his hand with a strength that surprised him and made him realize her intention. Any assailant would be forced to pry her hand out of his to separate them. It made him worry a little less, but only a little.

“We need to see to those mercenaries, so they do not slow down or interfere with our quest,” Annis said.

He had recognized from first meeting Annis that she had a sharp mind. And as always, she approached most everything as she did when constructing a dwelling, piece by piece. So, any advice she offered he gladly considered.

“I was thinking,” she said and glared when he smiled at her. “Why are you smiling?”

“I feel lucky to have you as my wife,” he said and raised their locked hands to kiss hers.

Annis stopped abruptly. “Lucky! If you feel lucky perhaps the curse has been broken, or could it be losing its power?”

“Lately, I have been happier than I can ever remember,” he said, the thought surprising and he tugged her hand to continue walking.

“Find the lass and all will come to pass,” Annis repeated what the witch had told her. “What if the witch means something different?”

“What else could she mean?”

Annis shook her head. “I do not know. Maybe something has already been set in motion and by the time we find the MacWilliam lass all will come to pass. What I do know is that we should be careful who we trust.”

“I agree. A good sum of coins can tempt the most loyal man or most any stranger,” Brogan said, the thought sparking his anger.

“We will see what the mercenaries have to say,” Annis said.

This time Brogan stopped abruptly. “You should not go with me.”

“Why not? We simply offer them more coin not to take me captive.”

“You do not think like a mercenary. Such a ruthless man would not only take our coins but turn around and take you captive anyway and get even more coins,” he explained and watched her brow scrunch in concentration. He started them moving once again, the open area around them leaving them much too vulnerable for a surprise assault.

She smiled after a few moments. “I got it. We set a trap. We let them capture me—”

He came to a jarring halt, yanking her to land solidly against his chest. “Are you completely insane?”

“It is a logical plan,” she said.

“It is a foolish plan,” he argued.

“Why? Do you think you would be unable to rescue me?”

He lowered his face close to hers. “I would go through hell itself to rescue you, but do you have any notion at all of what could happen to you before I got to you?”

“Nothing would happen. The mercenary made mention that if I was not worth so much unharmed that he would have… he never got to say since that was when he spotted the wolves,” she said. “So, it seems that whoever has paid for me to be abducted wants me delivered unharmed. Therefore, the plan is logical.”

Brogan planted his face even closer to his wife’s, the tips of their noses touching. “Hear me good, wife… that is never going to happen.” He stepped around her to tug her alongside him, his strides strong.

Annis hurried to keep step with him.

“Not another word about it,” he ordered when she went to speak.

She bit her tongue. It would do no good to continue to discuss it when he was obviously angry with her suggestion. She hoped he would come to see reason and he would discuss it later with her, though she intended to leave him no choice.

The village was a buzz with concern when all found out that Annis had almost been abducted and saved by the wolves. They were worried for her and fearful that the wolves had returned.

“A bad omen,” Seward said, shaking his head.

“He is right,” Iver agreed. “It does not bode well.”

“Post extra guards around the village,” Brogan said with a look to Rudd. “And let it be known that no one is to wander off alone until I can be sure it is safe.”

“Aye, my lord,” Rudd said and went off to see to it done.

“Mercenaries are a ruthless lot. They care for nothing but the coin they can earn,” Iver said. “Only the foolhardy deal with them.”

“Or those who have no choice,” Seward said.

“I intend to have more warriors brought here. You will be safe,” Brogan said, having decided on that last night when he had laid awake after they had made love for a second time. He refused to take any chance of losing his wife. If need be, he would surround her with warriors until this matter was settled. He almost laughed at the thought, knowing exactly what Annis would have to say about that.

“Aye, Lord Brogan, will keep us safe. We have nothing to fear,” Iver said. “Now it is time to get back to work. We have many dwellings that need to be finished before winter sets in.”

Everyone drifted off, talking, whispering, and no doubt worrying.

“Let me get you a hot drink, my lady,” Una said and hurried off before Annis could refuse.

Annis found herself alone with Luna.

“It is nice to see how much you and your husband love each other. I was lucky enough to know two good loves in my life,” Luna said.

“Two?” Annis asked, curious.

“My husband got sick and died when we were wed for barely two months. The second man I found love with was far different from my husband, but a good and loving man.”

Annis wanted to ask what happened to him, but heartfelt memories had tears pooling so heavily in the woman’s eyes that she did not want to cause her any more pain.

“You are building a good home here. Your talent is everywhere I look.”

Annis beamed with pride and cast a glance around. The village was beginning to take shape. “My sister Bliss tells me I was constructing things as soon as I was able to walk. She told me that I would get terribly upset when my rock buildings crumbled and set to building them again and again until they remained sturdy. My sister Elysia tried to teach me how to stitch and realized soon enough I was better at fashioning her stitching needles than sewing with them.” She chuckled, recalling the day.

“You miss your sisters,” Luna said.

Annis nodded. “Very much and I hope it isn’t long before we are reunited.”

“I hope as well since I lost a sister and miss her every day,” Luna said tearfully.

Una returned and handed a tankard to Annis and one to Luna.

“Aren’t you going to join us?” Luna asked.

“It is time to take food to the men,” Una said.

Luna looked ready to get to her feet. “I can help.”

“Nay, you can sit and rest your leg. I have more than enough help,” Una said.

“I will join you after finishing this fine brew,” Annis said, enjoying the flavorful brew.

“Take your time, my lady. There are many hours of work ahead of us today.” With that Una took her leave.

Luna hugged her tankard. “May I ask you something, my lady.”

Annis disliked being referred to as my lady. It simply did not suit her. She was as far from a noble as one could be, but out of respect for her husband, she held her tongue.

“You may, though I cannot promise I can answer it,” Annis said truthfully, since there were things that were private to her.

“The witch—you have met her?” Luna asked in a whisper as if it was a secret.

It was suspected in the village that she had met the witch. She shrugged neither admitting or denying it.

Luna nodded and whispered, “I wonder what she is like?”

She laughed. “I would venture to guess that she is stubborn. Commanding. Irritating—” She stopped abruptly, one word echoing in her head. “Fearless. She would be fearless.”

“You sound as if you would admire such a woman,” Luna said.

Annis was about to laugh when a sudden thought struck her. A thought that startled her. “I would admire such a woman. It takes courage to be different, to be truthful to yourself. I was fortunate that I had my sisters who encouraged and helped me to pursue my interest in building, though it was frowned upon by most. A woman, like the witch, stands alone and yet she stands strong and embraces her strengths. So, oddly enough, I do admire the witch.”

“Where does your task take you next?” Luna asked.

“I do not know. That is something Brogan and I have yet to decide.”

Luna smiled gently. “You work well together.”

“We do and my husband is a good man for tolerating me.”

“Be still my heart, is that praise I hear from my wife?” Brogan said with a chuckle as he approached.

“Praise where praise is due,” Annis said, placing her tankard on the ground and going to her husband to be wrapped in his strong arms.

Brogan kissed her brow. “I knew there was a reason I wed you.”

“To stroke your enormous ego?” Annis asked with a teasing laugh.

“Well, there is that, but also that you are always truthful with me.” He kissed her again, though this time on the lips, a soft, loving kiss. “Come with me, wife, we have things to discuss.” He looked to Luna. “Have you been appointed a chore or task?”

“I have, my lord. I help Maddie with the stitching. Her hands are not as nimble as they once were, and I still have a fine hand at it. All thanks to my sister, who taught me the skill. Bless her soul,” Luna said.

Tears tickled Annis’s eyes as she closed her fingers around her husband’s when he took her hand and they walked off. “I feel for Luna. She has lost two loves and her sister. I am glad she now has a home here where she will be embraced as family.”

“We will have a good, happy village here,” he said, reaching out to catch a tiny tear that lingered at the corner of her left eye.

“I hate that I am moved to tears so easily.”

“It is a sign of a good, loving heart,” Brogan reminded.

“It is a sign of weakness,” Annis protested.

“I disagree. It takes a strong heart to shed a tear when no one else does.” He grinned. “And I would dare anyone to suggest that you are weak.”

“You are a good husband,” Annis said seriously.

Brogan slapped his hand against his chest. “My wife praises me again. I am blessed.”

Annis jabbed him in the side with her elbow. “Be thankful or it will be years before you hear it again.”

Brogan laughed. “Now there’s the wife I know and love.”

She shook her head but smiled at his playfulness. “Enough nonsense. There are things to discuss.”

Brogan was about to tell her what he had discussed with Rudd when she suddenly yanked her hand out of his and hurried off.

“Nay! Nay! Do not do it that way, it will not hold,” Annis called out and she rushed toward the men.

Brogan smiled and followed slowly behind her. Where she got such a talent for building, he wished he knew. It was as if she had been born with it. He watched how she showed the men how certain stones needed to be shaped to fit and how they needed to be positioned so they would remain sturdy.

She held a stone while Risley chiseled a section, explaining as he worked. “You will see how this makes for a tighter fit—OH!”

Brogan pulled away from the tree he was leaning against and hurried to his wife as soon as he heard her cry out. When she held up her hand and he saw blood covering her one finger, he sped to her and caught her just as her body slumped in a faint.

“UNA!” Brogan cried out as he rushed through the village with his wife cradled in his arms.

Una rounded a dwelling. “Take her to my cottage, my lord.” She quickly ran ahead of him to open the door.

Annis began to stir when Brogan placed her on the bed.

“She cannot see the blood. She will faint again if she does,” Brogan said and reached for her hand.

Una was quick to fetch a bucket of water and with Brogan’s help cleaned the blood off, so she could examine the wound.

“A minor wound that needs to be wrapped after salve is applied to it and it will heal nicely,” Una informed him.

“See it done,” Brogan ordered, sitting on the edge of the bed and keeping his wife’s hand cradled in a cloth in his lap.

Annis’s eyes fluttered, fighting to open.

“A minor wound, wife. You are good and your finger will be wrapped soon,” Brogan explained. “Keep your eyes on my face when you open them.”

“There you go again, thinking I cannot get enough of your fine features,” Annis said, a slight smile touching her lips as she slowly opened her eyes.

“How could you not when I am such a handsome devil?” he teased.

Annis chuckled.

“This may sting a bit, my lady,” Una warned as she made ready to apply the salve.

“My husband’s attempt at humor stings much more,” Annis said playfully, then winced when the salve settled into the wound.

“You wound me, wife,” Brogan said at his wife’s teasing stab, though more so for the pain she felt.

Annis remained silent as Una wrapped her finger, the cloth going down to circle her wrist and be tied to hold it firmly in place.

“Does any blood seep through?” Annis asked, her eyes still focused on her husband’s face.

“Once cleaned, it barely bled, but I bandaged it with extra cloth to make certain none will seep through,” Una said.

Brogan held her bandaged finger up for her to see for herself. “All good.”

A knock sounded at the door and Una went to answer.

“Whatever is wrong with me?” Annis said, shaking her head. “I must find a way to stop this weakness.”

“My lord,” Una said, preventing Brogan from responding to his wife. “It is Risley. He asks about Lady Annis and wishes to apologize.”

“For what? He did nothing wrong,” Annis said, recalling the incident, but not the bloody part. “Bring him here.”

Risley entered, pale and his hands trembled. “I am so sorry, my lady.”

“Nonsense, Risley. Accidents happen with tools. It was no one’s fault. Worry not about it,” Annis said, annoyed that her faint had brought the young man such worry. “Now you must return to work and think no more on it. There is much work to be done.”

“Aye, my lady, and thank you.” Risley bobbed his head as he backed out of the cottage.

Una gathered the bucket and bloody cloths and took her leave as well.

“Help me up,” Annis said, reaching out to her husband.

“You feel well enough?” he asked and eased her hand away to settle both his hands at her waist to lift her to sit up.

“A minor wound to my finger does not require bed rest,” she said, though remained as she was, a slight lightheadedness having taken hold of her.

“Yet you pale again,” he said, concerned.

She rested her hand on his arm. “I am not fragile, Brogan. Please do not treat as if I am.”

“I know you are not fragile, but that does not mean I do not worry about you when something like this happens.” His face suddenly brightened. “I have a thought. I do not know if it would work, but you never know it might. And what harm is there in asking.”

“What is it?” Annis asked excitedly.

“The witch. Why not ask her if she can help you?”

Annis’s eyes went wide. “That is brilliant. I will ask her.” She pushed at him to move off the bed.

Brogan held her firm. “I did not mean now. We will not be going anywhere until Rudd returns with more warriors. And do not bother to argue with me on this.”

“We can at least visit with the witch. The warriors cannot go there with us. She will not show herself and it will anger her.”

“I wonder how the mercenary got on her land without being detected,” he said.

“I will ask her,” Annis said. “Now please move so I can get up and make sure everyone knows I am well.”

“Don’t you want to know what Rudd and I discussed?” he asked, trying to delay her.

“That can wait until later. This is more important. I do not want the men to think me weak.”

Brogan could argue with her and make sure the men did not think that, but he would not do that to her. This was for her to do and so he moved off the bed and reached out to help her to her feet.

“I will be close by if you need me,” he said.

She smiled. “Something I can count on—for you to catch me when I faint.”

He kissed her gently. “Always.”

* * *

Later that nightthey lay in bed, Brogan nibbling teasingly at her neck as his hand stroked her naked body.

“So, Rudd will ask your father if there has been any news of mercenaries in the area?” she asked, trying to concentrate on what he had told her about his earlier conversation with Rudd. “And he will return with more warriors, and you think your father may return with him to see things for himself and speak with you.”

“Aye, that is all, so let’s not waste any more time on it. There are more important matters on hand,” he said, teasing her nipple hard with his fingers.

Her sigh was more a moan as she relaxed against him.

“Finally, you have no choice but to surrender,” Brogan said playfully and was about to kiss her when she sprang up in bed.

“Of course, why did not I see it?” she said, shaking her head.

Brogan groaned, his stiff shaft not happy about the sudden interruption. “See what?”

Annis turned a beaming smile on him. “I know where Gunna hides.”

That caught Brogan’s curiosity and he sat up beside her. “How do you know?”

“You just said no choice and Seward said earlier that when a person is left no choice they turn to—” She clapped her hands. “The mercenaries. Gunna hides among the mercenaries.”