The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

8

Annis slipped quietly out of the cottage, leaving Una snoring lightly. Sunrise was just touching the horizon and with any luck she would reach the hills before the light completely drove the darkness away. She cast a quick glance at the fire where Brogan and Iver slept, but with the fire having died down it was difficult to see them. She did not want to take the chance and make sure he was sleeping, for fear of waking him. It was better to be on her way and, pulling her hood up on her head, she hurried her steps.

She smiled as she reached the outskirts of the village, proud of her victory.

“Thought to sneak away without me, did you?”

Annis scrunched her face in frustration, then turned to face Brogan. He stood with his arms folded across his chest and a devilish grin on his handsome face. “I feared we would be delayed yet another day if I waited for you to wake.”

His finger shot out to point at her. “Your nose wrinkled.”

She stopped her hand from going to her face. She actually did not know if her nose did wrinkle when she fibbed or if he knew her well enough to know when she did fib.

“What happened to the trust you had in me?”

Hurt and annoyance mingled with his words, and she shook her head. “It is not that I don’t trust you.”

“It is just that you believe the witch wants to see only you and I will not let you go there alone,” Brogan said.

“Exactly,” she said, pleased he understood and decided now was a good time to tell him about the message. “I know the witch wants to speak with me and me alone because Nolan delivered a message from her to me, and that message was meant for my ears alone.”

He threw his hands up. “You tell me this just now? How can you believe Nolan? He was recovering from a drunken stupor. Oh, and just to make it clear, you are right. I will not let you go alone. I will not take that chance,” he said with a sternness that bordered on a command.

She groaned, frustrated and let loose her tongue. “You have no right to dictate to me. No right to commandeer my quest. This is for me to believe whoever I wish to believe and to do it the way I choose, not you.”

One wide step with his long legs had Brogan in front of her. “I have every right to keep you from being foolhardy.”

“Nay! You do not, and who are you to decide if I am being foolhardy?” she accused.

Your husband, he wanted to shout, but chose a different response, one that would not cause a battle. “Someone who cares deeply for you and lives in fear of you being harmed.”

Her mouth opened to speak, but there was only silence. She shook her head confused. “You care deeply for me?”

“Aye. I know it is difficult for you to believe how a charming man like me can care for such a stubborn woman—OW!” He rubbed his arm where Annis punched him. “You punch me when I tell you I care deeply for you?”

“Stubborn? You tell me you care deeply for me even though I am stubborn?”

He grinned. “I am glad you see the truth for yourself.”

Annis went to punch him again, but he grabbed her wrist and yanked her against him, then lowered his lips to hers. The kiss caught her off guard, yet the power of it, or her own desire, or perhaps a bit of both, welcomed it.

Brogan lingered in the kiss, not eager to end it. When he finally did, he rested his brow to hers to whisper, “I have missed your luscious lips since we last kissed yesterday. Though it was not that long ago, it has felt like ages to me. Kissing you, mo ghràdh, is like breathing—I cannot go long without it—without you.”

Words were lost to Annis, Brogan’s words wrapping around her heart to squeeze it tight. How did she respond? She knew not what to say. She chose to be honest. “I do not know what to say.”

Brogan raised his head and smiled. “My kiss and words leave you speechless, that says it all.”

Annis shook her head and laughed lightly. “You find the good in my ineptness.”

“It is easy to find good where so much good already exists.”

“No man has ever spoken with such favor to me.”

“I am not just any man—” Brogan’s smile vanished, and he stepped away from her. He shook his head. “I am a condemned man, and I should warn you away from me.”

Her heart squeezed tight and the need to protect him rose like a majestic beast inside her, and she was reminded that it was not only her sister she needed to save from the curse but Brogan and others as well.

Annis went to him and poked him in the chest. “You forget what a stubborn lass I am. Your warning will do no good.” Brogan’s arm hooked around her waist, and she found herself tight against him once again, a place she truly favored.

“I should chase you away, but God help me, I do not know how I would live without you.”

His words continued to stun her and leave her speechless and with a sense of guilt, since she had no idea how to respond to him. She did not understand all that she felt and until she did, she worried she would say the wrong thing and either he or she would regret it. It was similar to constructing a dwelling, if she placed a stone wrong, the whole dwelling could collapse, and she did not want Brogan and her to collapse before the first stone was placed.

“I am not going anywhere. Besides, you told your father you had to spend more time with me to see if I would make you a good wife. I need more time to see if you would make me a good husband.”

“Then either trust me or take pity on me, mo ghràdh, and do not search for the witch alone,” Brogan pleaded with a grin.

She chuckled softly. “I will do both. Now let’s be on our way before the village wakes and our search for the witch is once again delayed.”

Brogan gave her a hasty kiss, took her hand, and they headed to the hills.

The mist was not heavy nor was it light, but it did linger as they walked along the path that saw few travelers.

Brogan was extra alert, his body taut beside her, his hand firm around hers. She tugged at his hand to stop. “I am going to call out to her.”

He shook his head. “I do not think that is wise. Let her reach out to you.”

“We cannot delay any longer,” Annis argued, and she didn’t. “I am here, and I wish to speak with you.”

Brogan tensed even more, his muscles bunching in his arms and chest as he stepped behind Annis. If anything happened, he could at least shield her with his body, wrapping himself around her.

Annis tried again. “Please. I must talk with you.” When no response came, she got annoyed. “I am not going away. I will come here day after day and call out to you until you have the courage to face me.”

“Do not provoke her, Annis,” Brogan warned.

“Why? I do not fear her. Do you hear that, witch? I DO NOT FEAR YOU!”

Brogan clamped his hand over her mouth. “Do not be foolish and call down her wrath.”

She shoved his hand away, her patience gone. “Call down her wrath? It would do her well to worry about my wrath.”

The mist suddenly parted, rolling away, and there on a tree branch, so close they could reach out and touch it, sat a raven, his beady black eyes focused on them.

“She is here,” Annis said.

Brogan stepped closer to the raven to keep himself between the blackbird and Annis. The bird didn’t budge but his black eyes followed Brogan’s every move.

“Show yourself,” Annis demanded.

Brogan cringed. He was confident in his skills as a warrior, but fighting a witch was different. He feared his skills would be sorely lacking when battling a witch. How then did he protect Annis against magical power?

“I have no time for nonsense. I demand you show yourself,” Annis called out and Brogan cringed again.

Not yet!

“What do you mean not yet? I am here and ready to talk with you,” Annis said.

Brogan remained still, his eyes on the raven, listening to Annis but hearing no other.

“I have questions for you. My sister Bliss is in danger. Time is not on her side. We must speak now,” Annis called out. Silence met her demand, and her frustration grew. “Answer me!”

The raven squawked, causing Annis to jump and Brogan to keep her shielded from the bird, not that it was necessary. The raven took flight, flying high, circling, dipping down again near them to squawk once more, then flew off.

“She is gone,” Annis said, disappointed and began to pace in front of Brogan. “She lets me know she is here and that she will not show herself—not yet. But why not yet? Why does she wait? Why not hear what I have to say?”

“As usual, I did not hear her,” Brogan said. “I have no way of knowing how she sounded; annoyed, angry, calm.”

“Powerful,” Annis said and shivered. “She knows she has the power, that I am defenseless against her and that I have no choice but to wait.” A smile suddenly lit her face.

“What makes you suddenly happy?” Brogan asked, since fear still rippled through him. He could not see, nor could he hear the witch. How did he protect Annis against something he couldn’t see or hear?

“She gave us something very important,” Annis said, as if claiming victory.

Brogan grinned and nodded. “She let us know she is real and since she is real—”

Annis hurried to finish. “There is a chance the curse can be broken.”

* * *

They were almostto the village when Brogan said, “We need to keep this to ourselves. There is no telling what might happen if others learn of it. We also do not know what we will learn ourselves.”

“I agree,” Annis said.

Unease hit them upon their return. Even the MacRae warriors seemed disturbed. Iver and Rudd stood talking while everyone else lingered about.

Brogan was quick to address Rudd when he and Annis reached the two men. “What is it?”

“A raven, my lord,” Rudd said and nodded to a low branch not far from them. “He sat there watching our every move, his black eyes making sure to touch on every one of us. Then his head shot up as if hearing something. He squawked at us, then took flight.”

“A raven is a harbinger of bad things to come,” Iver said and those nearby nodded in agreement.

Rudd kept his voice low. “The men worry, my lord.”

Brogan was not going to take any chances. “We need more men.”

“Aye, we do, my lord,” Rudd said, bobbing his head in agreement. “I can send a man with a message to your father.”

Annis wondered what difference more men would make against a powerful witch, but Brogan’s command seemed to appease Rudd.

“Is today market day at the clan?” Brogan asked.

“I believe so,” Rudd said.

“I will deliver the news to my father myself and see if I can get some craftsmen to return with me. That will give us more experienced hands to help build the village,” Brogan said. “I will take two warriors with me.”

“Aye, my lord, I will see it done,” Rudd said and turned to speak with his men.

“How long will you be gone?” Annis said.

Brogan’s grin bordered on a light laugh. “You truly believe I would go and leave you here on your own?”

“I am not going with you,” Annis said. “Or do you so easily forget my quest?”

Brogan took her arm and walked her a distance away where they could talk privately. “Today we discovered the witch exists and learned there is hope the curse can be broken. And while we are delighted with the discovery those here may not be when they learn of it, for it means a witch does live in the hills. We need to take their mind off that worry. We will take Iver and Una to market and return with items that will put smiles on everyone’s faces. With horses, we will reach my home in a couple of hours. We should be able to return by evening and if we are delayed for any reason, we can leave at sunrise tomorrow and be back in enough time to wander the path once again.”

“You are right,” Annis said. “I am being selfish in my quest. It would do Una good to get away from here even for a short while.”

Brogan took her hand. “You are far from selfish. If it were not for you being here, many in this small group would not survive the approaching winter. Besides, you never know, you may hear something about your sister Elysia or even Bliss.”

Annis’s eyes brightened. “You are right. I never thought of that. And perhaps your father would not mind parting with some cloth so that warm garments can be made for those here.”

“I can see to that and more,” Brogan said, “but we should not delay if we prefer to return before dark.”

Annis tugged at him as she turned to hurry off and he followed, looking forward to the day with her.

* * *

“Areyou sure we will be welcomed, Lord Brogan?” Una asked as they approached the village that surrounded the MacRae keep.

“Worry not, Una. I will make sure of it,” Lord Brogan assured her.

Annis noticed how stiff he sat his mare and how his eyes turned watchful, and she wondered just how welcome they truly would be.

Brogan led them through the village to the keep and passed the shocked faces, sneers, and whispers that showed no sign of welcome at all, and Annis feared the day would not go as planned.

Lord Balloch stood on the top step of the keep waiting. Brogan had sent one of his warriors ahead to let his father know they approached.

“Stay as you are until I speak with my father,” Brogan said as they came to a stop at the keep.

“Is there going to be a problem?” Annis asked before Brogan dismounted.

“Not in the least,” he assured her and quickly mounted the steps.

“You bring the ones from the village here when I have ordered their banishment?” his father asked, his anger obvious in the tight set of his jaw.

“If you wish an heir to the Clan MacRae, you will welcome these people,” Brogan said.

“You dare threaten me?” his father said, his anger ready to erupt.

“I warn you, Father,” Brogan said calmly. “Accept them and make certain others do or I will make certain my wife does not get with child.”

“There is no chance yet?” his father snapped. “What do you wait for?”

“For you to do what is right,” Brogan said with an anger of his own. “You can start by greeting Iver and Una warmly so that others may see they are now welcomed here. And while they enjoy market day, you and I will talk. Also, have a cart made ready. There is a list of things I need.”

Lord Balloch guarded his tongue. “I will give you what you need, and you will give me more than one heir. You will have the many sons I never got to have.”

“Daughters as well,” Brogan said with a smile.

“Aye, daughters can greatly benefit a clan through marriage. I will see them married well.”

Brogan almost laughed. Annis would never let their daughters be used in such a way and either would he. “That will be my decision, Father. Now let’s see this done, since I intend to return home today.”

“You are home,” his father reminded.

Brogan looked to Annis and realized at that moment home was wherever she was.

Brogan was not impressed with his father’s performance and how he warmly greeted Iver and Una and insisted on strolling through the market with them. He had seen such a performance many times. He believed Iver and Una had as well, for they played their roles with forced smiles.

“I am going to speak with my father. Make certain to behave yourself while on your own,” Brogan said with a chuckle and tap of his arm against hers.

“Funny,” she said, glancing about.

Brogan could see from the narrow set of her eyes that it wasn’t funny to her. “What troubles you?”

“Iver and Una have no coin or anything to barter with,” she said and had thought to bring at least one of the coins Elysia had insisted she take when she left. But those were for the witch if needed.

“Iver has coins, I gave him a few for him and his daughter to buy what they wish. And you need no coin, since the merchants will be informed that I will pay for all your purchases.”

“That is not necessary,” Annis said.

“My choice,” he said and nudged her arm again when he would rather take her in his arms and kiss her. But he could not do that here and now—not yet.

Annis saw no point in arguing. Besides, there wasn’t anything she needed. She wanted to be done here and return to the village.

“Do not be long,” she said, seeing his father approach.

He leaned down to whisper, “I look forward to seeing whatever bauble you find for yourself.”

“Bauble. You think I am interested in baubles?” She laughed and walked off.

Annis found herself with a steady smile, watching the joy Una got from being at market. She had taken the day for granted and had even avoided market day at Clan Loudon at times. But having been deprived of mingling and talking with people, Annis could understand the joy it could bring.

She was also happy to see Iver reunite with old friends and how pleased they were to see him. He seemed to stand straighter and taller, his shoulders broader than she had ever seen them. Brogan had been right. This was a good thing to do today.

People looked at her strangely when she lingered at a merchant’s table covered with building tools. She spied a chisel. She always wanted a chisel of her own and he had a gimlet as well.

She picked up the chisel. It felt good in her hand. “How much?”

The young man behind the table looked at her oddly. “Maybe you should let your husband choose the one best for him.”

Her chin shot up. “It is for me.”

“Annis is a builder,” Una said, walking over to stand next to her.

“You are teasing me,” the young fella said with a laugh.

“I am not,” Una said. “She directs the men in building a fine stone shed for our winter food and will be building dwellings as well.”

The young man looked to Annis. “Can you use help? I am good with tools, and I have many as you can see. I grow tired of traveling. It is a lonely lot and a dangerous one. I am Risley and would serve your clan well.”

Annis could tell from his calloused and scarred hands that he spoke the truth and though he was slim, there was muscle to his arms. He had good features and kept his brown hair trimmed short. And, of course, there were all those tools.

Una smiled. “He could be of great help to us.”

Annis had to agree.

Iver joined them, smiling. “We could use some of those.”

“Risley,” she said with a nod to the man, “would like to join our clan.”

His smile faded some. “That would be grand, but, first, he needs to know about our clan.”

Una’s excitement faded more and more as her father explained about their small clan and how the condemned lord was helping them.

Risley scratched his chin. “It would be amazing and challenging to help build an entire village. I would like to be part of it.”

“There is one more thing,” Iver said, and Una’s returned excitement faded again knowing what her da would say. “Our village is not far from where the witch of the hills supposedly lives.”

Risley brushed it off with a wave of his hand. “That is a myth. Whenever you are ready to leave, I will go with you.”

Una’s excitement returned.

Annis smiled, happy for the lass. “How much do I owe you for the chisel?”

“You do not need to purchase it since all the tools will be available to the village to use,” Risley said.

“I always wanted my own,” Annis said.

“Then consider it a gift from me to you for allowing me to join your village,” Risley said and chuckled. “I will deliver it to your home for you.”

They all laughed, and Annis thanked him. She walked off with Iver, leaving Una to talk with Risley.

“I have no words to thank you for this,” Iver said teary-eyed. “My daughter has a future because of you.”

“It is Lord Brogan’s doing, not mine,” Annis said.

“If you had not come to our village and been so insistent, Lord Brogan would have never come there. It is your doing and no other,” Iver said, “and I and the others are grateful. Though none say it, we hope you will stay and make your home with us and bring your sisters to live with us as well.”

Annis got teary-eyed. “I would like that.”

Iver was approached by a man he had not seen in years and Annis left them to talk. She wandered through the market and saw Una still talking with Risley and looking happier than she had ever seen her. She was thrilled herself, but for a different reason than Una. It was the prospect of having all those tools to use that put a wide smile on her face.

“My baubles,” she whispered with a laugh.

She looked to the keep and wondered what was delaying Brogan. If they were to return to the village by dark, they would have to leave in the next hour or so. She decided to go to the keep and find out.

Annis entered to find no one about, then she heard the terrifying screams and took off. Horror at what she saw stopped her dead. A woman of importance, from her fine tailored garments, was striking a servant lass with a stick repeatedly as she lay in a ball on the floor, protecting her rounded stomach. She was with child.

Fury raged through Annis, and she did not stop to think. She ran to the lass being beaten and flung herself over her.