Child of the Mist (36 page)

"'Tis indeed the work o'the fairy fingers," she said grimly. "Bring me a cup and some water. I will make him a red clover tea. 'Tis the best o' blood cleansers and an excellent tonic."

She pulled an old pot out of her bag and filled it with the water Anne provided. A short time later, the simmering water was poured over the dried clover leaves to steep.

Finally, Ena motioned toward Niall. "Rouse him as best ye can and lift him. We must try to pour as much o' this down his throat as possible."

Anne slipped behind Niall to prop him up. She gently shook him. "Niall, Niall, my love. 'Tis time to wake. Ena is here. She has a tea for you to drink."

He groaned and mumbled something incoherent, then tried to snuggle into her and go back to sleep. Anne shook him harder, her voice rising. "Wake up, I say. 'Tis past time a lazy knave like you were up and about." She grasped his jaw with one hand and squeezed painfully.

His lids fluttered open then, a confused, startled look in his eyes. "L-lazy knave you s-say?" He glanced around, noting the still-dark windows. "W-why 'tisn't even dawn. You're a heartless lass, Anne MacGregor."

Ena shoved the cup to his lips. "Here, m'lord. Drink this. 'Twill strengthen you."

Niall drank deeply. Then, with an exhausted sigh, he fell back against Anne. The door to his bed-chamber flung open. Ena turned, the cup still in her hand.

In the doorway stood Duncan with Malcolm and several armed clansmen close behind. A scowl of rage twisted the tanist's face. "So," he snarled, "you sneak back here in the dark o' night to wreak your witch's magic on our chief."

Duncan strode into the room, waving the others in behind him. "Seize the old woman. You're all witness to the fact she gave the Campbell some witch's potion."

"Nay," Anne cried, clinging tightly to Niall. "'Twas only clover tea, a tonic to strengthen Niall. He's so sick, can't you see? Someone has poisoned him!"

"Aye, poisoned him." Malcolm grabbed Anne by the arm. "And mayhap you are as guilty as old Ena."

"'Tisn't Anne's fault," Ena was quick to intervene. "The Campbell instructed her to obey me in my healing o' him. Ye all know that. She is innocent o' wrongdoing."

Dark eyes, shaded by bushy brows, glared down at her. "She's a witch as much as you. And soon enough you'll both burn!"

"Enough, Malcolm!" Duncan snapped. "The truth will soon come out in Ena's confession." He motioned to the armed clansmen. "Take the old woman to the dungeon. We'll see to her later."

"
Nay!
" Anne screamed.

She slid out from beneath Niall and flung herself at the guards. Duncan pulled her away, capturing her arms to pin them at her sides.

"'Tisn't wise to align yourself with Ena," he whispered. "She is doomed. Malcolm will soon see to that."

"And why should you suddenly care what happens to me? You've been against me from the start. Why not throw me in the dungeon along with Ena?"

A cold smile touched his lips. "What need have I to condemn you when others will soon do it for me? My hands will be clean no matter what happens. As well I should, I will remain above all the tumult."

She stared up at him, struck speechless by the sheer malevolence of his reasoning. He, above everyone else, would come out as the man of pure motives, forced by law to condemn her and see her burn. And burn she would while Niall lay helpless and near death. Anne knew they'd eventually extract the confession they wanted from Ena. No one could withstand the tortures for long and Ena was a weak, old woman.

Defiance glared in her silver eyes. "We shall see how long you remain above the rabble you so slyly stir. Niall will yet recover, and when he does"

"Och, I only pray that 'tis so, lady. No one wants for our chief to live more than I." Duncan smiled grimly. "But if he doesn't, I am tanist and must rule as I see fit. And no witch responsible for his death will live.

"Take her away," he ordered the guards holding Ena.

He released Anne only after Ena was led away. "And you, lady, are refused further entrance to this room. I won't have you attempting to finish what Ena has begun."

Anne stepped back from him. Incredulity widened her eyes. "You cannot"

Duncan arched a graying brow. "Am I not Niall's chosen successor, named before all? My power is second only to his. And, as you see, he is now incapacitated. In all but name, I am the Campbell."

He motioned over Agnes, who had heard the noise from Anne's bedchamber and had entered. "Take your mistress to her room and keep her there. If she dares step again into this chamber, 'tis the dungeon for her."

Agnes hurried to Anne, grasping her by the hand. "Come, m'lady. Come with me."

Tears stung Anne's eyes as her glance moved to Niall, pale and silent in his bed. He was helpless now, at the mercy of othersand someone meant to see him dead. He needed her and she was now denied access to him. But who would protect him, if not her?

"Come, m'lady," Agnes was pleading, a thread of hysteria in her voice. "'Tisn't the time to defy them.

Please, please, come with me."

She was right, Anne thought. It wasn't the time to defy or fight them. But the time
would
come. She was not yet beaten.

Anne exhaled an acquiescent breath. "Aye, Agnes. 'Twill be as you say. I must obey our tanist."

But only for a time,
she silently added as she followed the old maidservant from the room.
The battle 'tisn't over, only begun. At last the enemy, whoever he be, has shown his hand
.

Agnes ushered Caitlin into Anne's bedchamber and shut the door. The girl hurried to the window seat. Anne motioned for her to sit beside her.

"We must keep our voices low," she explained, "for there may be spies. We are far enough from my doors that none should hear, if we talk quietly. And what I speak o' must be known to none or it might cost Niall his life."

"Tell me what you want o' me," Caitlin whispered, a determined light burning in her eyes. "I won't let my brother die."

"Someone poisons Niall," Anne began, "with a drug stolen from my storage chest. There is no antidote. Only time will clear the drug from his body. In the meanwhile, we must make sure he is given no more."

"And how will we do that?"

"You must watch the preparation o' all his meals, bring them up yourself, and feed him. You must not allow the physician to give him any medicines or anything to drink. And you must stay with Niall as much as possible, sleep in his room. Trade off with Agnes when you must, but don't
ever
leave him alone. 'Tis the only way to protect him."

Caitlin's smooth brow wrinkled in a frown. "But who am I to watch? Who is trying to poison my brother?"

Anne sighed. "I'm not certain. Mayhap old Murdoch, mayhap Malcolm or Duncan."

"Nay, not Uncle Duncan!" Caitlin exclaimed with a cry of horror. "Nay, it could never be him. He loves Niall and me like a father."

Anne shot her a wry glance and continued on, "Or mayhap a man outside the castle, manipulating someone within to do his bidding. I don't know, Caitlin. 'Tis the most frightening part o' it all. I don't know whom to trust, whom to suspect." She shook her head in despair. "And I am helpless, save to ask others to do my bidding. Niall needs me, yet I cannot go to him, Help me, Caitlin," Anne cried, her voice breaking. "If you don't, I don't know what I'll do!"

"Fear not, sister. I won't fail you or my brother."

Anne marveled at Caitlin's sudden surge of maturity and strength. Och, but it was so good to have another to bear a bit of the burden, to help where she was not allowed to go. Anne lifted her head.

"You must not reveal our plan to anyone. And that includes Duncan. If the traitor guesses, he will find a way to stop you. We must get Niall strong enough to know his own mind again. Then he will have the power to refuse to eat or drink what 'tisn't safe. Do you understand?"

Caitlin nodded. "Aye, I understand."

Anne gave the girl a gentle push. "Then go and see to your brother. And, Caitlin," she added, as the girl rose to leave.

"Aye?"

"When Niall rouses enough to understand, will you tell him I am near, that I love him?"

Caitlin smiled. "Aye, Anne. I'll say it over and over, for 'twill give my brother the will to live."

"My thanks," Anne whispered.

She turned back to gaze out the window, her hands clenched, knuckle-white, in her lap.

"I couldna see her, m'lady," Agnes admitted regretfully late the next day. "I am sorry."

Anne sighed. "Do you know if they've yet begun the torture? Och, if only Niall recovers before they begin! Then he can save Ena."

Agnes carefully averted her gaze, finding sudden interest in putting away some fresh linens Anne had been folding. "The guard wouldna say."

"Look at me, Agnes," her mistress commanded, knowing there was more here than her maid cared to reveal. "Tell me true. Have they tortured Ena?"

A look of misery flooded the old woman's eyes. She nodded. "Aye, m'lady."

"H-how does she fare?" Anne asked through a suddenly constricted throat.

"She hasna confessed, but the guard says 'twillna be long now."

"Blessed Mother!" Anne breathed. "What am I to do? Duncan won't allow me down there to see her and refuses to stop that madman preacher. They'll kill her!"

"'Twould be a blessing. If she died before they could extract a confession . . ."

Anne's eyes widened in horror. "How can you say such a thing? Ena is but a kind old woman. She has never harmed a soul!"

"Aye, m'lady. That I well know. But if she confesses and names ye witch, Malcolm will turn on ye like a blood-crazed hound. Ye'll be tried and burnt before the Campbell has a chance to recover."

"He grows a little better with each passing hour," Anne murmured. "You and Caitlin do your job well."

"But he still falls in and out o' a deep sleep," Agnes stated grimly. "He is confused and weak as a newborn kit. And 'twillna be much longer before Ena breaks."

"Then we must seek help!"

With resolute strides, Anne walked to her small writing desk and pulled out parchment and quill. She scribbled a quick note, then sealed it.

Anne motioned her maidservant over. "Find some man whom you know can be trusted to deliver this. It
must
reach Iain Campbell at Balloch Castle, and quickly. If the man hurries, Iain can be here in two day's time, mayhap less."

Agnes dubiously accepted the missive. "Will he come, m'lady? There's no love lost between him and the Campbell o' late."

I know that, Agnes. He may not come for Niall, but he'll come for me."

"And isna that a dangerous game ye play? What if the Campbell mistakes yer motives?"

"'Tis a chance I must take," Anne replied. "I am desperate and must call whatever friends I have to my aid. If Niall turns from me because o' that, there's naught I can do. He said he trusted me. The time has come to put that trust to the test."

She smiled sadly. "Now go, Agnes. Find your man and send him on his way. In the meanwhile, I must go to Duncan and buy time for us all."

Agnes's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do ye mean to do?"

"I won't let Ena suffer a moment more for me. I pulled her into this tangled web when I asked her help in healing Niall. 'Tis time I took responsibility for it all."

"But what do ye mean to tell Duncan?"

"That I have been the witch all along, bespelling even Ena to my will. 'Tis the only way to save her."

"Nay, m'lady! Ye'll condemn yerself on the spot. They'll burn ye, and no mistake."

Anne swallowed a panicked sob. "Aye, that I know. More reason to send for Iain forthwith. We have little time to spare."