Chapter Thirteen
Meg
The five escapees had been running for two days, and Meg had no idea where they were. The first day, the man they called Hairy had caught up with them, but she threw one of her axes square in his forehead, dropping him instantly. It had been unsightly, so she forced the bairns to run in the opposite direction before they got a good look at all the blood. That meant one less man to chase them.
The first night, they’d slept huddled in a clearing together, but last evening, she’d noticed a cave, a much more appealing prospect since it had rained again. They slept hard, all of them hungry, yet hopeful as they huddled together to keep warm.
This morn when Meg awakened, she was pleased to see the sea, though it still lay a distance away.
She made her way back into the cave to see if the others had woken up yet.
Magni sat up and said, “We’re still free. Can we find a boat this day? I’m going outside.”
“I hope to make it to the ferry soon. Go ahead, but please remember to be quiet and do not venture too far away, Magni. There could be men still looking for us,” Meg advised, giving a little squeal when she looked down at her finger. It had hurt just to touch it, something she noticed two evenings ago. Now it was swollen and red, which she knew was bad. She reached into her small sac attached to her belt, feeling for her sister’s bracelet for good luck.
But it wasn’t there.
“I’ll be right back,” Magni said as he skipped outside into the cool morning.
She searched the floor around her but didn’t find her missing bracelet. There was no way she could have lost it.
Magni came back inside and grabbed her by the hand. “Meg, what’s wrong?”
“My bracelet. I can’t find it. It was in my bag on my belt. It’s gone.” She couldn’t stop the misting in her eyes, but then took three deep breaths to stop because she had to be strong for the bairns. “It’s blue. I’ve looked everywhere. Please help me find it.”
She dropped Magni’s hand and went over to one corner in the cave, then raced to another, her vision blurring. “I must find it.”
Lia pointed for Magni. “Over there. I see something.”
Magni raced over and bent down. “Is this it? It’s blue yarn.” He held it up for her examination.
Meg took one look at it and let out a sigh of relief. “Aye. That’s it. Many thanks to you, Magni.” She tucked it away, then yelped when her finger caught on her belt. “Ow.” She felt her finger and her hand, surprised at how warm the area was to her touch. She had no ointments or potions, so she didn’t know how to fix her wound. If they could get to the ferry quickly, then perhaps she could find a healer on the Isle of Mull.
Magni came closer and looked at her finger. “You were as warm as a hearth last night, Meg. I didn’t even feel the cold stone next to you.”
Lia explained, “She has a fever, Magni.”
Meg replied quickly, “Nay, I am fine. It is only a wee cut I made while slicing vegetables the other day.” She couldn’t slow this trip down. Now that she could see the firth, she hoped the ferry was just a brief journey ahead so they could board a boat by midday. If she had some of that water to wash her finger, it would surely heal. The waterskin she carried was empty.
She needed water—water would surely fix it, fix everything, clean the pus from her wound. But where would she find it? Near the ferry! Surely she could wash it before they boarded. “We must hurry to get to Oban.”
Even though she was quite certain she didn’t have enough coin for all of them to go across, she’d arrange for them to go in two trips. She’d let Rowan go first because his uncle could send a boat back, or so she thought. It all depended on how much the fare was.
Lia looked up at her when the others went outside and said, “You do have a fever. You must get home. You may go ahead of me. I have one task I must do, so I’ll gladly stay for the second boat.”
“Where are you going, Lia? I could not leave a young lass alone, but surely you know that. I’ll stay back with you. But what kind of visit have you planned?”
“I must go to Loch Aline. I will share a secret with you, Meg, but please do not tell the others. I am a faery so I can go off on my own and not get hurt. I am here for a reason, though that must stay a secret.”
Now Meg was certain she had a fever. A wee lass expected her to believe that she was truly a faery. She must have a fever because no person would ever confess to such a thing. Surely she was hallucinating.
Tora sat up, rubbing her eyes, while Rowan stood and ran outside, chattering over his shoulder, “I have to pish.”
Tora looked at Meg and said, “You awe sickly. We must get you home. Gwandpapa is down neaw the watew. We’ll get thewe soon.” She got up and went out with the two lads.
Meg didn’t feel well. Now that she’d gotten to know them better, she had to admit that the four bairns were all a bit odd. Lia acted as if she were four decades old and thought she was a faery. Tora claimed to be a seer. Magni said he was Lia’s brother, but she saw no resemblance between the two. And Rowan claimed his uncle was a chieftain. She prayed he wasn’t lying because they could use the help of a chieftain. Hopefully, he could also help locate her sister once she was on the Isle of Mull. After all, she was told Ulva was on the far side of Mull, so he might know exactly where she lived.
Lia touched her hand and said, “Do not worry. You will find your sister. She is in love with a chieftain, and she is verra happy.”
“How do you know my sister? I haven’t even told you her name.”
Lia smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but the three came running inside, cutting her off, all whispering with sheer fright. Magni said, “Someone is coming. I heard him in the brush!”
“I heard him too! It’s a man.” Rowan ran to Meg and knelt in front of her, grabbing her hand, but she winced, yanking back. “What’s wrong?”
“Naught. Tora, did you see him?”
“Aye. You must see who it is. I don’t know him,” Tora said.
“I’ll go,” Meg said, retrieving the axe from her sack, then turning to the four sets of eyes locked on her. “Do not come out under any circumstances until I tell you it’s safe. If he takes me away because I cannot fight him off, then stay here until we’re gone. Then run to Oban and the ferry. They’ll come back for me, but you must go for help. Do not follow me.”
“But—”
“No buts! Promise me now.” She whirled to face the four. “All of you.”
“I pwomise. Gwandda will help us. I’ll find him.” Tora gave an emphatic nod.
Rowan and Magni looked at each other, then both agreed.
Lia said, “I’ll do whatever you ask of me, dear Meg.”
“Stay here in the back of the cave.” She waited until they were well hidden behind a rock, then stepped outside. Listening for footsteps, she was pleased that it was only one man.
The crackle of the brush continued, strong, steady steps that came directly toward them. Her heart pounded because she feared she’d fail protecting these poor bairns. They were all in need of food and water. If she weren’t sickly, she’d launch her axe with her usual accuracy, but her hand shook a wee bit, even though the wound was on the other hand.
The crunch of boots on dirt came closer, making her wonder why he hadn’t stayed on the path.
She took out her axe and stood, though she found her legs too weak, so she had to find a rock to sit on.
The man appeared in front of her.
He wasn’t any of the men she’d seen at the kirk, and she’d not seen him at the market either. Hesitant, she waited until he saw her, and she held the axe over her head. “Come any closer and I’ll fire this.”
The man stopped as soon as he saw the axe. “I will not come closer, then. But I have a question. I promise I’m not here to hurt you.”
“Go ahead, but if you come any closer, I will throw. I’m verra good with it.” Her lower lip trembled so she bit down to stop it, but she was certain he’d noticed. He was a handsome man. Tall, broad-shouldered, hair as dark as the night and eyes the color of a cloudless sky in summer. He had a sword sheathed over his shoulder. “Do not go for your weapon.”
He held up both hands. “I thought I saw a couple of lads. We are missing some bairns from the Isle of Mull. I’ve come to take them home.”
“Sure you are. For certes, you are lying. You’re from the kirk. I’m sure your plan is to steal them away and take them back, but I will not allow it. You’ll have to kill me first.” She lifted her chin to let him know she was not jesting.
He knelt on one knee. “Lass, you are sick. I can see from your flushed cheeks and the dullness in your eyes that you have a fever. Probably from that swollen cut on your hand. I can see the scab and the redness from here. I need to get you to a healer if you wish to live.”
He rose and took two steps forward, so she stood and swung the axe back in an arch over her head.
His arms flew up over his head quickly. “Nay, not yet. I’ll stop.”
“You’re not taking me to a healer.”
“How about this? There are four bairns. Two boys about six and ten. Two lasses around five, both fair-haired.”
“If you are the one who stole them away, then you would know that, wouldn’t you? That proves naught to me.”
“The younger lad knows me. Allow him out and he’ll attest to me. Then I’ll take us all to Oban, about two hours west of here. I have one horse, and you may ride it with the lassies. I’ll pay for your fare. I’m the chieftain of Clan MacVey. We have two wonderful healers on the Isle of Mull. I wish to get the bairns home and get you to a healer.”
She listened, hoping that this handsome man was telling the truth. He gave her enough reasons that she thought to trust him until Rowan could vouch for him. Tears rolled down Meg’s cheeks and she whispered, “Will you help me get to Ulva after? I need to find my sister.”
“I promise to get you to Ulva. I’ll help you in any way I can.” His blue eyes bore into hers, and though there was a touch of coldness there, she believed what he said. He’d offered a perfect way to prove whether he was lying. All she had to do was ask Rowan if he knew this man.
Right now, she needed help. Could he be her savior?
She had to trust him, not because of his looks or his words, but because she was getting sick. Her mind was no longer working the same as it should. She was unsure of whether she could make it to the ferry, and it was more important that someone take care of the bairns.
“Magni! Bring your friend here.”
A moment later, Magni stuck his head out, then Rowan came up behind him, launching into a squeal as soon as he saw the man. “Uncle Lennox!”
The big chieftain opened his arms and Rowan jumped into them with a shout. “We’re safe! He’s my uncle’s closest friend. He’ll take us home.”
Meg fainted and tumbled from the rock.