Chapter Twenty-Five #2
The old man had a half-chewed piece of green grass hanging from his lips. “When Laird Currie purchased this horse, he named it after the immortal steed owned by the Roman god of war,” he said. “His name is Aethon.”
Brody looked at the animal. It was white with a hint of gray, which made it look silver. Its mane was dark gray, as was its tail, giving it a striking appearance.
“Aethon,” he said. “I like it. What say ye, Tynan?”
The boy nodded eagerly. “It’s magical.”
“Aye, it is.”
“Where will ye take the horse, Brody?”
Brody looked at the child, hearing something wistful in that tone. The little boy had attached himself to Brody when he’d been here the first time and, now, it was as if he’d never left. Tynan adored Brody. Truth be told, Brody loved Tynan, as well. He was going to be sad to leave him behind.
“Far away,” he said quietly as he finished securing the saddle. “Have ye been tae the Highlands, lad?”
Tynan shook his head. “I’ve only been here.”
Brody came away from the horse. “The Highlands are a place of beauty and magic,” he said. “It has big mountains of the greenest green and lochs of the bluest blue. ’Tis a beautiful place.”
“Will ye take me there sometime?”
“If yer mother allows it.”
Tynan left his post by the horse, coming to stand in front of Brody. “I dunna want tae work in a house like my da did,” he said. “I want tae fight, like ye. Will ye let me fight with ye?”
Brody smiled, mussing the boy’s straw-like hair. “That is up tae Laird Currie,” he said. “When ye’re old enough, mayhap I’ll ask him if ye can come with me tae the Highlands and learn tae fight. Would ye like that?”
Tynan’s face lit up. “I would!” he said. “Can Mam come with me?”
“If Laird Currie says so.”
Tynan was delighted with the prospect of learning to fight with Brody. He picked up a horse brush and began to dance around, trying to brush the horse but the animal was skittish and didn’t want a dancing boy near him.
Brody finally had to put a big hand on Tynan’s shoulder to settle lad down, and he stopped wriggling long enough to brush the horse’s left front leg and part of his torso. Brody watched the boy for a moment before turning to Angus.
“When I’m gone, ye’ll watch out for him, willna ye?” he asked quietly. “He’s a good lad. I worry about him here and how much they work him.”
Angus chewed on his grass as he looked over at the child, eagerly doing his task. “That’s why I brought him intae the stable,” he said. “He’s too young tae scrub floors and work the kitchens. He’s smart, too.”
“I know.”
“He doesna belong here. Brody, did ye mean what ye said? About taking him with ye?”
“I never say anything I dunna mean.”
Angus seemed relieved. “Good,” he said. “Come back for him and his mam soon. Take them both with ye, away from Lady Currie and her nurse. That woman is the devil.”
Brody knew that but refrained from agreeing.
He was simply glad they were finally able to leave it all behind.
His belongings were tied onto the back of the saddle and he took a few steps towards the open stable door, looking up into the sky.
It was nearing dusk. Lilia should come around soon.
He was just turning away from the door when something in the yard caught his attention.
Lilia was approaching.
Brody tucked in behind the open door, watching her as she practically ran across the yard and darted into the stables.
That was when he realized she was sobbing.
“Lilia?” he said, rushing to her and grasping her by the arms. “What’s wrong? Why are ye weeping?”
“We have to run,” she gasped. “Brody, we must leave now!”
He looked at her with great concern, seeing dark droplets on her shoulder and hand. It didn’t take him long to realize it was blood. His eyes widened.
“Bleeding Christ,” he hissed. “Are ye hurt? What happened?”
She wiped at her eyes. “Colly attacked me,” she said. “She said she recognized ye. She tried to force me tae confess… something. I dunna even know what she wanted before she attacked me with a stool. She was trying tae kill me so I stabbed her with my scissors. I had no choice!”
She was off on a crying binge and Brody pulled her against him, holding her tightly as the news settled in.
The old nurse was dead!
“God,” he finally hissed. “Where is she?”
“In the manse,” Lilia wept. “Brody, we must run! We must leave before Lady Currie discovers her!”
Brody understood the situation for what it was – critical. Even if Lilia had killed in self-defense, she was a servant and the magistrates would not look kindly upon her. If Lady Currie pushed hard enough, Lilia could be severely punished.
She might even be executed.
Not now, he thought in a panic. We’ve come too far tae see it all slip away now. God, not now!
Leaving Lilia sobbing by the door, he rushed to the horse and unfastened the tethers. “We must leave,” he said to Angus and Tynan, who were standing in shock. “If they come looking for us, deny ye ever saw us. ’Tis the only way ye’ll not be held accountable in this, so deny everything.”
Angus nodded firmly. “No one would bother a silly old man,” he assured him. “Get along, Brody. Take the lady and go.”
Brody didn’t need to be told twice. As he ran to the entry where Lilia was standing, leading Aethon behind him, Tynan scampered after him.
“Brody!” he cried. “Will ye still let me fight for ye?”
Brody turned to the child, who was looking as if he were losing his best friend. He smiled at the lad. “Ye know I will,” he said. “When ye’re older, I’ll come for ye. Do ye believe me?”
“Aye.”
“Then be a good lad. Be strong for yer mother.”
Tynan nodded, furiously wiping at his eyes so his tears would not be seen as Brody grasped Lilia by the hand and, together, the two of them rushed across the stable yard to the postern gate, which was unmanned and unwatched.
Slipping through the gate, they mounted the horse and took off towards Edinburgh, leaving the heartache, death, and destruction of Hawkhill behind them.
Forever.