Dragon Knight's Sword (24 page)

He feared it was more than just a simple possession, and it grew deeper each day they spent in each other’s company. She wove a thread around his soul, healing the ache with that thread.

Rubbing his hand against his face, he sighed deeply.

In his meeting, Cathal had revealed to them about his vision of an evil growing stronger each day—one which brought death. His vision could not show him whose death, but it was someone here within the castle.

Then Duncan mentioned the riders he saw, thinking them MacFhearguis, though each voiced their concern over what clan was stomping through the glen. The talk of reivers was mentioned; however, Cormac did not think he had lost any cattle. After much discussion and
uisge beatha
, they decided to take a few men at dawn’s first light and search the surrounding hills.

Stepping away from the door, Duncan strolled over to Brigid and gently touched her curls. “Och, lass, what ye do to me. If only circumstances were different. Aye, I would make ye mine, and mine alone,” he muttered softly.

Duncan gently lifted her into his arms, her head rolling against his shoulder, as a soft moan escaped her lips. Laying her tenderly on the furs and fighting the urge to join her, he brushed a kiss on her brow.

“Bonny, bonny Brigid, what have ye done to me?”

Walking over to the window, he bent and retrieved a stray ribbon that had come loose from her hair. Bringing it to his face, he inhaled her scent and then cast his gaze out into the night sky, speaking softly, “Oh great Danu, give me the chance to right this wrong that I have done.” Glancing back at her, he kissed the ribbon and tucked it inside the top of his boot, realizing now he should stay far, far away from her.

Chapter 34

“For time has many doors and to choose only one will cause one to stand alone and bound to none.”

Brigid woke instantly from a deep slumber when she heard a resounding crash of a door. Sitting upright, she looked around in confusion at her surroundings, until she remembered she had tumbled through to the thirteenth century and was now residing in a medieval castle.

She couldn’t recollect the last time she had slept so well. She frowned, recalling her last thoughts were sitting over by the window. How in the hell did she get into bed? Rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes, she peered at the small creature digging its claws into her gown.

“Damn. I fell asleep in my gown.” Which was twisted around her legs. Gingerly plucking the wee kitten’s claws from the material, she saw Nell was standing next to the bed tapping her foot.

“Yes, Nell?” Brigid mumbled wearily. Looking at the kitten, she noticed it only had one eye.

“The sun is full high in the sky, and ye are still abed. I brought Whiskers to wake ye.”

“
What
?” Gathering from the sun streaming into the room and Nell’s version of full high, Brigid took it as being noontime.

“Well, thank you Nell
and
Whiskers.” Dropping the tabby carefully onto the floor, she gathered her dress and got out of bed.

“Matilda told us not to wake ye, but I did not want to wait.”

“Well, you know, Nell, I’m grateful you did. I think I’ve slept enough.” Looking around, Brigid saw a pitcher and bowl and prayed there was fresh water to wash the last remnants of sleep away. Seeing that there was, she splashed the cold water on her face, then noticed another dress was laid across the chair with a woolen plaid wrap. Saying a silent prayer to whoever had been so kind, she turned back to Nell.

“Do you think it’s possible to get something to eat, Nell?”

Nell started biting the upper part of her lip. Brigid became concerned until she remembered Nell had been banned from the kitchens.

“Why don’t you wait for me, and we’ll both go to the kitchens. I’m sure Moira won’t mind if you’re with me.”

Puffing out her chest in mock display, Nell exclaimed, “Aye, Lady Brigid!” Then scooping up Whiskers, she went over to the window seat with a pillow and waited.

****

It seemed unusually quiet, except for the constant chatter of Nell, as they made their way toward the kitchens. Brigid kept questioning the direction in which they were descending, but Nell told her this was indeed the way. “How can you possibly tell which corridor leads you in the right direction?”

Nell tugged at Brigid’s hand. “This way, Lady Brigid.”

Pushing a large wooden door open, the smells of the kitchen assaulted Brigid. Smiling, they stepped into the warm place.

Moira cast her eyes at Nell, a frown creasing her brow, but kept her mouth shut when she saw she was with Brigid.

“I know it’s late, but would it be possible to get something to eat, Moira? I apologize for oversleeping. If you just show me where everything is, I will prepare my own meal.”

“Och, my Lady—nae!” A look of shock registered on Moira’s face, and she waved her hands about, causing Brigid to blanch.

“But I just want something to break my fast Moira?” pleaded Brigid.

“Aye, Lady Brigid, and I will see to it. What would my laird think if he came in here and saw ye preparing your own meal? Tsk, tsk.” Moira grabbed Brigid’s elbow and placed her near the hearth. Mumbling under her breath about strange talking lasses, she ladled some soup into a bowl, bringing it over to Brigid.

“Let me get ye some bread and cheese, too.” She bustled to the other side of the kitchen.

Brigid gave Nell a quick smile, patting her hand on the chair next to her, indicating for her to sit down.

Leaning close to Brigid, Nell said in hushed voice, “Do ye think ye could ask for extra cheese and bread, Lady Brigid?”

“Are you hungry, too?”

“Nae,” whispered Nell. “I need to feed my family.” She peeked around to make sure no one was listening.

“Your
family
? I’m confused, Nell.” Brigid recalled Duncan mentioning that Nell and Finn did not have parents. Did she have siblings?

Grabbing the girl’s hand, she bent low and spoke softly. “Tell me, Nell, where is your family?”

Again, Nell cast a glance over her shoulder before answering, “I will take ye after your meal.”

Moira came bustling back in with a trencher of cheese, bread, apples, and a bowl of something that looked oddly like modern-day potatoes. Setting them down, she reached for a jug, pouring some ale into a cup. “There ye are, Lady Brigid. If ye be needing more, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Moira, but I truly wish you would let me help.”

“Oh, but ye have.”

“I have? How?”

Moira placed a gentle hand on Brigid’s cheek and her eyes gleamed with kindness as she spoke. “Och, Lady Brigid, ye have brought our Sir Duncan back from the darkness. There is light back in his eyes.” With a smile she added, “We all can see the way he looks at ye, too.”

Brigid swallowed hard, as if a stone was lodged in her throat, making her unable to say anything in response to her kind words. Instead, she gave Moira a warm smile.

They spent the remaining time in the kitchen in hushed silence. Brigid shared some apples with Nell, but for the most part watched as the girl gathered most of the food, folding it within her own plaid. Brigid requested more before they left to visit Nell’s family.

Making their way out of the Great Hall, Brigid wondered what the rest of the castle looked like, and she told herself an exploration was in order. How could one not want to explore a thirteenth century medieval castle? And she already had a guide...Nell.

Stepping outside, there was a chill in the air and the sky partially overcast. Breathing deeply, Brigid felt as if she was inhaling Scotland. She could see the mists threading around one of the towers. It was the most magical thing she truly loved about this place.

Hugging her shawl more tightly around her, she followed Nell, careful not to step in any horse droppings. Cormac’s men would nod as she passed or give her a smile. She could hear the clang of steel nearby, the noise coming from the lists. That would be another sight to see.
Oh yes, seeing Duncan in the lists.
He didn’t go there this morning, since he and Cormac went out early beyond the castle walls. Moira had been kind enough to share this information.

In her heart, she had wanted Duncan to come to her bed during the night. He had teased her relentlessly with his fingers at their meal last night. Her thoughts returned to the glade, and she blushed just remembering. Touching her lips with her fingers, she whispered his name.

Passing by the stables at the end of the bailey, Brigid saw Finn with one of the horses. She caught his eye and waved a greeting, as he did the same.

“We’re almost there, Lady Brigid,” she heard Nell saying as they continued out a hidden entrance beyond the stables. Their journey took them through a clump of small trees where a small structure stood. It reminded Brigid of a storage shed, but made of stone.

“What is this place, Nell?”

“It is where my family lives,” her smile beaming. “Stay here, until I announce ye.” Pushing the door open, which squeaked loudly, Nell, disappeared inside.

Brigid was horrified.

How in the blazes could Cormac,
or
Duncan, let this child and her family stay in such a small place? It didn’t even have a fireplace, only two narrow slits serving as windows. She thought them men of honor and kindness, well at
least
Cormac. “I’ll give you a piece of my mind when you both return.” Brigid squelched her fury when Nell popped her head out.

“It is ready, Lady Brigid. Ye may come inside.”

Brigid stepped inside, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the half-darkness, with only a small torch lit against the wall. Glancing at Nell’s family, her eyes went wide. Tucked in the corner on some hay was a rabbit without an ear. On a table in a sorely fashioned wooden cage missing its door, was an owl, its wing bandaged. On the opposite corner, a mother cat and her kittens were sleeping. Sitting with a regal air about him, was a sheep dog, missing one of his front legs.

“This is your
family
?” Brigid exclaimed.

“Oh, aye!” Her smile wide and beaming as if she had brought them into the world.

Then realization dawned on Brigid. Nell was banned from the kitchens for stealing cakes and other items because she was feeding them. This was her family—a family of strays who were all under the same roof, and a quiet bunch, too. Not a peep out of them when she entered. She was positively stunned.

She turned toward Nell. “Where did you find them?”

Nell shoulders slumped slightly. “I just came upon them. They are lost and have no kin.” She moved to the owl. “His name is Feathers. I found him in the stables.” Moving next to the rabbit, she gently lifted it into her arms, placing a small kiss on its head. “I do not ken the story of her lost ear, but I have named her Faith.”

“Do you take care of them by yourself?” Brigid asked softly.

“Some days Finn helps me to get food, but aye, I tend to them myself.”

“Who is your guard dog?” Brigid noticed he placed himself in front of Nell, as if protecting her. She thought it best to stay where she was.

Tucking the rabbit back down on the straw, she gave the dog a fierce hug, burying her face into his fur. “This is Cuchulainn. He saved my life.”

She had to hold back her smile at the thought of Nell naming her dog after a Celtic hero. Nodding her head toward the mother cat, she asked, “What’s wrong with the family in the corner?”

“Och, Midnight is blind, but she needed a place to have her kittens.”

“And how did Cuchulainn save your life?” Brigid saw the far off look in Nell’s eyes, thinking that perhaps she shouldn’t have asked the question.

Nell sighed, “It was night, and was fierce raining. I was lost. The wind kept pushing me toward the edge of the mountain. I dinnae ken where I was, and I slipped, my legs hanging over the edge.” Nell nuzzled Cuchulainn again. “I was screaming, and then I felt something pull me away from the edge.” She looked into Cuchulainn’s eyes as she scratched his ears. “I stayed with him all night, huddled against a tree until morning.”

If Brigid was shocked before she entered the house, she was beyond that now. How Nell managed to keep a mixture of bird and animal at peace with each other was incredible. She was tending to their wounds, as if she were a healer. Then a thought occurred to Brigid. Where were her parents? Duncan never did have the chance to explain, and she chewed on the thought. She didn’t want to ask Nell, for fear it would cause her pain.

Brigid continued watching as Nell soothed and spoke to each one of her
family,
placing small portions of food nearby and checking to make sure each had water in their tiny bowls. Cuchulainn silently followed at her heels.

Returning to stand next to Brigid, she grasped her hand. With a look of pleading in her eyes, she said, “Promise me ye will not speak of this with
anyone
, Lady Brigid.”

Brigid bent down to her level, immediately hearing a small growl from Cuchulainn. “I give you my word, Nell, I will hold your secret safe in my heart.” Then she turned and spoke to Cuchulainn, “I, too, give my word to take care of your mistress, for however long I shall be at Castle Creag.”

Nell released her grip on Brigid’s hand and hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, “Och, thank ye.”

Cuchulainn gave two short barks, then proceeded to place kisses on their faces. Fits of laughter burst out from both of them.

“I think Cuchulainn likes ye, Lady Brigid.”

“Good! I don’t think I want to be his enemy.” Brigid gave him a scratch behind his ear and he rewarded her with more kisses.

Chapter 35

“Echoes of the silence—a soothing tonic to the chaos and cries of battle.”

“Hells bells!” Brigid muttered, as she pricked her finger for the tenth time in an hour.

Nell giggled in a corner tending to her own stitching. Brigid tossed aside the panel she was working on in sheer frustration. Raising her arms over her head and stretching, she peered out at the gray sky. The weather had changed from an unseasonably warm one, to colder, crisper days feeling more like autumn in the Highlands. The mists descended over the mountains and folded gently down around them, curling their way around the castle and making their way to the valley below.