Chapter Fifteen #2
“You should lay down again, laddie. You could hurt yourself in your state.”
Her words were foggy and she became blurred to him. William lay down as he had no strength to do otherwise. “Tell me where is Agnes?” he whispered.
“Shh, sleep now, laddie.”
William fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed he was in a thick wood with dozens of pathways, some lighted and some dark.
He searched and searched, but he could not find her.
After what seemed like fruitless hours, he discovered a path brighter than the others.
Something sparkled along this one, so he followed the path, which led to a brightly moonlit meadow.
All sorts of frost-covered flowers swayed to and fro in the soft breeze as if in some sort of death dance.
In the middle of the clearing, he found them.
Cailleach stood tall holding Agnes, her icy staff pointing at her throat.
“I wondered when you’d find us,” the crone said in a raspy voice.
“Let her go,” he said in the strongest voice he could, though his body was still weak.
“And what do I get if I release her?”
“You get to live,” he said. He meant it. He’d rip her apart with his bare hands if he had to.
“William, I’m sorry,” Agnes said. “It was the only way.”
“What do you mean?”
“She means she has come here of her own free will, offering herself to me in order to save you.”
“Agnes, no!”
“Aye,” the crone said with a cackle. “I win after all these years. I will either get a mortal body in the form of you or of her.”
“You will get neither; now, release her!”
“Or what?” the crone asked. “What power do you have over me?”
“William, please. You will live and be strong and the fighting will end. She will destroy the rebels for us.”
“You don’t need to do this, Agnes. I will find the rebels. I will destroy them.”
“You cannot; you were harmed. I cannot stand by and see you suffer like that. It was killing me.”
“Agnes, I cannot live without you.”
“But you will live,” she said. “The most important thing is that you will live.” As she said this, a single tear fell down her cheek. “I love you with all my heart and soul and I make this sacrifice for you.”
The crone tilted her head back and let out a loud wicked laugh. “She is mine!”
She drew her staff away from Agnes and made to plunge it into her neck just as William lunged forward. As he was about to knock the staff from her hands, they disappeared before him. NO!
William searched the meadow. Little by little the frost faded from the flowers and their colors returned.
The moonlight dulled as clouds passed over its brightness.
All color and light continued to fade until there was only blackness.
William did not know how long he stood alone in the black with only the sound of his ragged breathing and his pounding heartbeat to comfort him.
He had to get away from this dark place—this hell hole. He needed to get back to the light to where Agnes was, where they loved one another and would make their family.
William turned around and around but could not find anything on which to aim his gaze.
An eon later he noticed a small pinhole of light coming through from a distance.
He ran toward it and as he did it grew larger.
Shapes formed within the light, trees now and a road were visible.
Faster and faster he ran toward it and just as he was about to reach it, he found himself falling away from it.
He reached and grabbed and tried to find footing, but he fell so hard and fast that the light faded back to a pinhole and then to nothing.
William woke with a start and sat up to find his bearings. The pain in his head was nearly gone, and the room was so bright his eyes hurt.
“Hush, laddie. You are safe. I will get you your medicine now.”
“Nay,” he said. “No more medicine. I will take the headache. That stuff makes me feel odd in my head.”
“As you wish, laddie. But it is here if you need it.”
William blinked and ran his hands through his hair. He felt like shite. “How long have I been like this?”
“Four nights, and this is your fifth day.”
He looked around the chamber to see it all neat and tidy. Only the side table with her medicine ingredients was a little cluttered. He turned his attention to the empty spot beside him. “Where is my wife?”
“I had better fetch Neville,” she said and made her way to the door.
William was still reeling from the terrible dream he’d had. By God, what was in that tincture that made him dream like that? It has been so vivid!
Something was wrong. He could sense it, knowing it was not just left-over emotion from his dream.
Neville knocked then entered the chamber. “I am glad to see the whites of your eyes,” he said.
“Aye, I am glad they can be seen.”
“How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve been poisoned.” His attempt at a jest didn’t register on Neville’s face. “Where is my wife?”
“Do you want water brought for a bath? Food?”
Why would no one answer his question? “Neville, aye I want all of those things. But mostly I want my wife.”
Neville sighed and pulled something from his pocket then passed it to him.
William took the missive and broke the seal. He opened it and read.
My dearest husband;
I have sat beside you while you fought your battle with the poison. Nan is a wonderful healer and assures me you will make a full recovery, but will be in and out while the poison leaves your body and you recover your strength from your wounds.
I have decided to seek permission from the queen and king to see my uncle.
I believe I can convince him to do the right thing and reveal to me who these rebels are and how to track them down.
I promise you I will take every precaution for my safety, as I am certain will Neville and the king.
Do not be vexed with me. I cannot stand by and let these events unfold without taking action.
I believe I can get through to my uncle. I will make this right.
Yours lovingly,
Agnes
Jesus in the garden, she was going to get herself killed. “Ready my horse,” he said to Neville.
“He is already set for you, my lord. As is mine.”
“How could you let her go?”
William regretted his words the moment they left his mouth. Neville would not have the power to stop his lady.
“I assure you, she arrived safely at Stirling and was delivered directly to the king.”
Well, there was that at least.
“You must eat something before we travel,” Neville said. “You are not fit in this state.”
William couldn’t really argue with him. He was hungry, and a wash wouldn’t go astray.
“Very well, I will eat and clean myself up, and then we will ride. Is that acceptable?”
“Aye, my lord. I do not want any harm to come to either of you.”
“I know that, Neville. I know.”
William flicked the sheets off him and stood. He was a little rocky, but he felt better than he had in days. He wondered what in all that was holy would possess her to take such a risk. Once he caught up to her, he didn’t know if he would embrace her in relief or tan her hide. Or maybe both.