Chapter 14
Sky crept through the keep, doing her best to keep her footfalls as light as she could so as not to disturb anyone, though more so not to alert anyone to what she was about. She had grown accustomed to waking up in her husband’s arms these last few weeks and often coupling. However, she presently needed the solitude of watching the sunrise to prepare her for the day to come. She wished she could go into the forest and be joined by some of the animals as was her way back home. Unfortunately, it was not safe for her to venture into the forest alone, so remaining inside the stone wall that surrounded the castle was her only choice.
It was a relief to wake this morning and slip on the clean garments Euniss had left for her last night. A finely spun, soft wool, light green tunic and a freshly washed linen shift to wear underneath it. She did not bother wearing the wool leggings. They were better left for winter, but she was grateful for the finely crafted leather shoes. Unfortunately, with as much walking as she loved to do, she feared they would not last long. She had braided her hair into a single braid, though her hair always had a mind of its own and would no doubt break free of its confines soon enough.
A board creaked beneath her foot, and she stilled, listening. When she heard nothing and no one appeared, she continued through the Great Hall and breathed a sigh of relief once outside. She might not be able to go to the edge of the woods to greet the day, but she would find a spot to enjoy the break of dawn and gather the strength she would need to begin her new life here. She hoped a few animals would seek her out and offer her some comfort as well as making friends with her. Animals would probably be the only friends she made here, not holding much hope that people would accept her.
She set out for the east part of the village where the sun would rise.
With abundant cottages and buildings, it was not easy to find a spot to view the sunrise and time was running out. The predawn light was beginning to rise. She needed to find a spot now. The rising pale light gave her a better view of the village than the few flaming torches situated along the village pathways, and she spotted an area that looked perfect.
She hurried back toward the castle, keeping to the east side of it. There was an animal pen up ahead, toward the back of the keep, but she did not see any animals. A small enclosure also occupied the pen, so she assumed the animals were inside. Daybreak might bring them out since most animals rise early in the springtime, eager to enjoy the warmer days.
Sky came to a stop where the trees cleared, and she was able to see the sky in all its glory just as the sun dawned, painting it in beautiful yellow and orange colors. She breathed in deeply, grateful for a new day and all the beauty, promise, possibilities, and even problems it might hold.
She watched quietly, thinking how much the forest and the animals had taught her and how eager she was to learn more. The sun continued its ascent when she picked up the sound of a low growl that grew slowly and was joined by another growl. It didn’t frighten her since she had yet to find an animal who she could not befriend, but she erred on caution, for she was wise enough to know that not all in the animal kingdom wished to be friends.
She turned slowly so as not to alarm the animal and her eyes went wide upon seeing four wolfhounds sitting lined in a row staring at her from behind a wood rail fence. A fence they could no doubt easily jump, though they remained as they were, growling in warning.
The four were no doubt battle hounds. Wolfhounds were a preferrable dog to take into battle because of their size and fearlessness. While the look of them could easily intimidate, Sky was not deterred by it. She had befriended fierce dogs before now.
She approached the large dogs slowly, keeping her voice soft as she spoke to them. “Good morning to you all. I am Sky and I would love to make friends with all of you.”
The hounds continued to growl.
“I mean you no harm. I hate seeing animals harmed, even ones with teeth as sharp as yours and your penchant to battle though no fault of yours. I would much rather sit and talk with you. I love to watch the sunrise, so perhaps we can watch it rise together each day.”
She knew it would take time for the hounds to trust her and she would not mind at all visiting with them daily to talk, assuring them she meant them no harm.
Their growls turned softer.
“I could bring you a treat. A bone or two that the cook has no use for,” she suggested with a soft tilt of her head at the hounds.
Their growls stopped and they tilted their heads as well.
“Wonderful,” she said with a wider yet gentle smile. “I will see you all tomorrow and we will talk more. Enjoy the sun that I hope will last throughout the day.” She waved before walking off, the four wolfhounds staring after her without a growl from any of them.
That she would have animals to converse with lightened her worry some and she continued her trek through the village that was coming quickly to life. Fires were lit under cauldrons and broths and porridges would soon be cooking and people eating, fortifying themselves for the day ahead. Children were busy at play before they would be chased off to get to their chores and women congregated in small groups to share news.
It was a scene she was familiar with, it being similar to her own clan’s morning routine. Only her clan was much smaller, and many would at least acknowledge her with a nod. Everyone here who she passed turned away intentionally, fearful of meeting her eyes.
Her confidence began to dwindle from the endless whispers and unfavorable glances, and she found herself anxious to return to her husband. She hurried toward the keep, her head down, paying heed to no one. A sudden frightening screech from what was surely an animal stopped her. She ran toward the terrifying sound to help whatever poor creature was suffering.
It took only a few steps around a cottage to stare horrified at three lads, around ten years of age, throwing stones at a small, black kitten that attempted to shield itself between two barrels pressed tightly together, screeching in fright and pain.
“STOP!” she yelled with fierce anger.
The lads laughed at her and gathered more stones to continue their assault.
“Don’t you dare throw any more stones at that kitten,” she warned and hurried toward the small ball of black fur.
The lads, busy collecting more stones, didn’t see her run to the kitten. Once they were done, they turned in unison laughing and launching the stones at the kitten. Instead, they hit Sky pelting her in the back as she scooped up the kitten to cradle protectively in her arms.
A larger rock caught her in the back of the head, and she cried out in pain.
“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON HERE?”
Sky shivered at Slayer’s vicious roar of anger and turned to see the three lads frozen in place, their faces drained of all color, and fearful tears welling in their eyes.
People came running, one man grabbing one of the lads by the nape of his neck and demanding to know what he did. A woman hurried toward another of the lads poking him in the chest demanding answers, and an elderly woman approached the last lad shaking her head.
“The three of you stay where you are,” Slayer ordered, pointing at the lads before he went to Sky. He had to fight to keep his hands off her when all he wanted to do was to take her in his arms.
“Are you all right?” he asked, and he almost lost all willpower when he saw the hurt in her eyes and how she went to take a step toward him then stopped. Her first reaction was to seek his arms just as his was to reach out to her and it angered him even more that they couldn’t.
She raised her hand to rub at the back of her head and cringed when her hand connected with a painful lump.
Slayer did not hesitate. There was nothing improper about him seeing to any injury she may have sustained and at that point he did not care what anyone thought. He would see the injury for himself. He pushed her hand away and felt the area she had touched and let loose with, “Bloody hell.” He turned to the three lads. “Which one of you hit her?”
The man shoved his son forward. “Answer his lordship.”
Sky felt sorry for the lad. He looked terrified and he sent a quick glance to his mates for help, but they were just as terrified and as speechless as he was. She did not condone their actions toward the kitten but she worried what Slayer might do to them, so she spoke up.
“I doubt they know which one of them hit me since they were all throwing stones at the kitten,” she said, glancing down at the black ball of fur that cuddled tightly against her. “I got in the way. I do not think they meant to hit me.”
Slayer turned an angry glare on each lad. “Did she tell you to stop?”
The wide-eyed lads nodded in unison.
“How many times did she tell you to stop?” Slayer demanded.
The three lads looked at each other and one got the courage to say, “Twice.”
“One time too many,” Slayer said. “And tell me, do the three of you enjoy harming a helpless animal because I can show you how it feels when someone bigger and stronger than you decides to torment you?”
“Please, my lord, my grandson is just a foolish lad. He will not do it again,” the elderly woman begged.
“Aye, Ruth, you are right. Wade will not do it again once he tastes what it feels like,” Slayer said, and the woman shook her head and Wade looked about to cry. He turned to signal one of his warriors and saw that Sky was about to speak. “Not a word,” he ordered.
The warrior came forward and waited for Slayer to speak.
“Take the three lads and have them work with the Gallowglass warriors today and for the next five days, and they are not to go easy on them,” Slayer ordered.
“Aye, my lord,” the warrior said and turned to call out to the lads. “Over here, the three of you. NOW!”
The lads rushed to the warrior.
“Follow in a single line behind me,” the warrior ordered, and the lads hurried to obey, their heads hanging down and a tremble in their steps,
Slayer called out for all to hear, “Sky is under my protection, the clan’s protection. If she is harmed in any way there will be severe consequences to pay. Now go and attend to your chores.”
The people hurried off, not a whisper passing among them.
Slayer turned to Sky. “Leave the kitten and come with me.”
“Please do not ask that of me, Slayer,” she whispered softly. “The clan no doubt believes me evil and responsible for what the lads will suffer, due to their own foolishness. That will only make some intent on taking their anger out on the innocent kitten and make her suffer. I cannot allow that to happen. Please, let the kitten remain with me.”
He shook his head. “I had not given thought to that but that is a good possibility.”
“Besides, the kitten will provide me with some friendship.”
“Am I not enough friendship for you?” he whispered.
Sky was glad she held the kitten, or she would have reached out to touch him gently. “You are my best friend, but you have duties to tend to.”
“Once they get to know you, they will think differently.”
She shook her head and followed alongside him as he began walking toward the keep. “They will never get to know me since they will not take the chance to speak with me, and you cannot force them to speak with me. Such a decree would only worsen the situation.”
“Keep the kitten, but keep him out of my way,” Slayer said.
“Cats choose who they will befriend.”
“Are you telling me the kitten will not like me?”
“You said yourself that you are not a kind man. The kitten will sense it and avoid you unless…”
“Unless what?” he demanded.
She smiled. “Unless you are not as unkind as you say.” He looked about to lecture her, so she hurried to ask, “The wolfhounds, are they yours?”
Slayer stopped abruptly. “Never go near the wolfhounds’ pen. They are vicious animals, bred to fight in battle and obey only me. Whatever magic you think you have with animals, you do not have with them. Stay away.”
She was glad he continued walking and had not insisted she give her word to him, but then he expected everyone to obey his word so what need was there for a promise?
Seeing Ross sitting at one of the tables upon entering the Great Hall, Slayer asked, “There are a few things I wish to discuss with you before you take your leave?”
Ross went to stand.
“Stay, I will join you there,” Slayer said and was quick to call out to Sky when she did not follow him to the table. “Where are you going?”
“To feed the kitten. I will return shortly,” she said and hurried out of the room.
“You let her bring the kitten she saved into the keep?” Ross asked.
“You know about that already? You have only arrived from the compound.”
Ross nodded. “Word spreads fast throughout the clan. I heard all about the attack and your victory yesterday. The servants are whispering about both, and much blame is being placed on Sky for the kitten incident. To them, she is an outsider, and her affliction does not make it any easier.”
“Do I command this clan or not?”
“You command the Gallowglass. You lead this clan.”
“And the difference?”
“I imagine more patience is needed with one more than the other.”
“One cannot lead without command, and patience is more like indecisiveness and can be fatal to a clan. Patience did not win us endless victories or save the lives of our warriors. I command. It is what I was taught and what I do to keep everyone safe. If I had spared those three lads the consequences of their actions, they would never learn to obey my word. And one day that may cost them their lives.”
Ross raised his tankard. “The reason you lead, and I follow.”
* * *
“Cats don’t usually stayin the keep,” Euniss said, watching the little ball of fur licking up the milk from the bowl she had placed on the floor.
“Why, when they are so good at keeping the mice at bay?” Sky asked and tried to ignore the whispers and stolen glances from the servants.
Euniss appeared hesitant to say, strange for her since she had been blunt with her remarks since Sky had met her.
One of the servants bravely spoke up. “They fear his lordship.”
“Nonsense. Cats know better than to get in his lordship’s way,” Euniss said as if that was an adequate explanation itself.
“We shall see how the kitten fares with his lordship,” Sky said, thinking, like most cats, the little ball of fur would have her own way. “Let her enjoy the milk and I will return for her, if that is all right with you, Euniss.”
“Aye, the little darling is welcome to stay.”
“I am grateful,” Sky said and turned and headed for the door.
“Looks like you won’t be going anywhere without her,” Euniss said with a chuckle.
Sky turned to find the kitten at her feet meowing. She scooped her up and the kitten curled herself in the crook of her arm, letting her know Euniss was right, she wouldn’t be going anyplace without her.
“You rescued her. She is not going to trust anyone but you,” Euniss said.
“She is such a sweet thing, a little angel,” Sky said.
“Angel. A good name for her,” Euniss said. “I will send a bowl of milk to the Great Hall for Angel.”
“Thank you,” Sky said and left. As she made her way to the Great Hall, she gently lifted the kitten, kissed her small head, and whispered, “You are safe with me, Angel, I will always protect you, and I could use a dear friend right now.”
The kitten’s tiny tongue peeked out to give Sky’s cheek a lick and with a smile Sky returned her to the crook of her arm. She no longer had any worries. She had an angel with her.
Slayer watched Sky enter the room, glad she had returned, and glad Ross had taken his leave. He had gotten annoyed when he woke this morning and found her gone. His annoyance had grown when he had gone in search of her and did not find her in the keep. He wanted time alone with her before starting the day. He had never thought of his arms as feeling empty, but they felt that way now, not being able to hold or touch her.
He gave a quick glance at the spot beside him, so she knew to sit there. When she did, the flowery scent that had been on her pillow drifted off her teasing his nose and senses and arousing him as it had done this morning when he turned in bed and it had greeted his face. It worsened as he watched her gently stroke the kitten cuddled in her arm, recalling memories of her stroking his manhood, and he wanted to rush her back to their bedchamber.
Annoyed that he allowed thoughts of her to overpower him, he said gruffly. “I gave you no permission to leave the keep this morning.”
“I did not think I needed it. I believed myself safe within the confines of the castle walls,” Sky said, her soft smile never wavering.
He loved that she forever wore a soft smile and the way her two different colored eyes gazed upon him with pleasure as if she had missed him and was happy to be there with him. No one had ever been happy to see him.
“With your life in danger, it is wiser that I know where you are at all times, or I can have a warrior follow your every step,” he said, an easier solution than constantly worrying as to her whereabouts.
To have her every move watched upset her and she pressed her leg against his beneath the table. “Please don’t do that, my lord. I would feel a prisoner not able to move about at will. And would your clansmen not question my trustworthiness if a warrior must forever keep pace with me?”
Feeling her leg pressed so firmly against his made him want to feel more of her. Not being able to touch her, show the simplest of affection or comfort was far more challenging than he expected and that she referred to him so properly annoyed him even more. Then there was her remark that made sense but did not help the situation.
His father had told him that Sky spent much time alone and probably did not possess a bright mind, but he had found just the opposite, sharing the last few weeks with her. Her mind was quick to see things and make sense of them.
“You know from our many talks, I so favored, that I spent much time walking in the woods and, though I know I cannot do that here, I would not mind walking through the village.”
“Why, if you feel no one will befriend you or speak with you?” he asked, curious.
“A brave soul or two might, but if not, it still allows me to learn about your people and the village. I do not want to be ignorant of its workings and I cannot learn if I do not see for myself.”
“You observe like I do,” he said.
He never let anyone have any insight into him, it could prove dangerous if the enemy were to learn his ways. Yet Sky’s kind and trusting nature made it easier and easier to share with her.
She smiled. “Observation is the key to learning. The forest teaches, the animals and people teach, the rivers teach, and the sky as well. Knowledge surrounds us if we but take the time to observe it.”
How could he confine her any more than he already had by bringing her here and keeping her contained behind the castle walls?
“I would never want to rob you of gaining knowledge, for it is important to learn and better understand things. So, I will allow you to walk through the village unfettered if you agree to one thing.”
“What is it?” she asked, hoping it would be something easy for her to do since the idea of constantly being watched, being followed would make her feel like a prisoner all over again.
“That you share your observations with me,” he said, and her eyes brightened, and she looked ready to kiss him and he so wished she could.
“I would love to share my observations with you,” she said, then whispered, “I wish I could kiss you right now.”
He kept his voice to a murmur. “I want more than kisses from you.”
She went to lean her head closer to him when she saw two servants staring at them. “They watch us. Reprimand me.”
“Aye, I will and give good reason to send you to our bedchamber,” he whispered, then raised his voice. “You will heed my word or be sent to your bedchamber to do penance.”
Sky bowed her head as if repentant, fighting to keep a smile off her face, and whispered, “I believe I will be doing much penance.”
Slayer kept a stern expression on his face. “And make no mistake, I will thoroughly enjoy delivering it.”
The few servants there turned away, whispering while one hurried off, no doubt to let others know of Lord Slayer’s warning to the guest.
A warrior suddenly rushed into the Great Hall calling out for his lordship and wasted no time in delivering the news. “A troop of mercenaries have been spotted not far from the village. Your men await your command.”
Slayer stood. “Ready the men. We ride.”
He glanced at Sky aching to kiss her.
She spoke so low that she feared he might not hear her. “Come back to me.”
“Always,” he said and felt an ache so sharp in his heart at leaving her that he wondered if he had lost his heart to her.