Chapter Seventeen
At Dunnakeil, Jessie forced herself to eat supper at the high table. Though her family and friends surrounded her, she was intensely lonely. Torrin had been gone four days, and she missed him terribly.
One of the guards rushed across the great hall to the high table. "The MacKay guards who went south with MacLeod are returning. We saw them in the distance," he told Dirk.
"Why are they coming back so soon?" Dirk shoved up from his chair and strode quickly across the great hall with the guard.
Several others followed, including Jessie and Isobel.
Was Torrin returning, too? What had happened?
The MacKays had planned to travel south with Torrin to show him where Nolan was buried. They wouldn't have had time to do that.
When the soldiers rode through the portcullis, she was shocked to see two dead bodies, completely wrapped in plaid including their heads, lying stiff and straight, tied to the horses' backs. A cold chill shook her, and tears filled her eyes.
"Who is this?" Dirk demanded, motioning to the dead bodies. "What happened?"
"Henry and Ross," Dougal said, his blue eyes pain-filled. "MacBain and his clan attacked us just this side of Munrick. 'Twas a terrible skirmish. One of the MacLeods was killed, too."
Nay! Jessie hurried forward. "Who?"
"The one they called Luag. Chief MacLeod was injured badly."
Icy fear poured through her. "Nay," Jessie whispered. Isobel put an arm around Jessie and held her close.
"MacLeod has two wounds and lost more blood. Iain told us that he was out cold for most of the night while we were there, and he has a fever."
Devastation crashed in upon Jessie, making her feel as if she were suffocating. "Saints," she hissed, her heart breaking. Tears filling her eyes, she felt herself trembling, but was unable to stop. She was so far away from him when he needed her.
"We killed eleven of the MacBains," Dougal continued. "Chief MacLeod killed Gregor MacBain."
Jessie pressed her eyes closed. She was glad that bastard MacBain was dead, but more importantly, she had to see Torrin. Having so many severe injuries only weeks apart might be more than his body could deal with.
After Dirk gave his men orders, he headed toward Jessie.
"I have to go to Torrin," she said.
Dirk nodded. "I'll take you. We'll leave at first light. I'm glad you weren't with him. You could've been killed."
That was true, but she wished she was at Munrick now. It had likely been two days since Dougal and the other MacKays had left Munrick. Had Torrin grown worse during that time? Was he still alive?
∞∞∞
"Dirk and Keegan will keep you safe," Isobel told Jessie in the solar that night.
"Aye." Too nervous to sit, Jessie paced before the fireplace, wishing they could leave this very instant, though she knew they couldn't travel very well in the dark. Too dangerous.
She had packed a few changes of clothes and had the servants prepare foods that wouldn't spoil during the trip.
She prayed they could make the journey quickly for she had to reach Torrin as soon as possible.
Flora would go, as well, and take her healing herbs.
Jessie didn't know how skilled the healers were at Munrick.
Aiden was going to take care of her puppy, Greum, so she didn't have to worry about him.
"I pray Torrin is much improved by the time you arrive at Munrick," Isobel said, sitting on the settle, her dark eyes worried.
Jessie nodded. "It kills me not knowing how he is at this very moment."
"I pray there will be no more attacks," Seona said. She turned from the window, tears in her eyes.
"Indeed." Isobel faced her. "Are you well, Seona?"
"Aye. But…" Seona wrung her hands and averted her gaze.
"What is it?" Isobel joined Seona at the window and took her hands.
Seona swallowed hard and smiled through her tears. "This may not be the best time to tell you this, but… I am with child."
"What?" Isobel exclaimed, then hugged Seona. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I only learned of it this morn. I wasn't feeling well and Keegan sent Nannag in to check on me. She thinks I am with child."
"Saints!" Isobel said. "Keegan does fast work."
Jessie forced a smile and embraced Seona.
Though she was truly thrilled for her, she was still too devastated by the news of Torrin's injuries to give a real smile.
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you and Keegan.
" She pulled back. "I'll ask him and Dirk to stay here for their own safety.
You both need them now more than ever, since you will soon be parents.
The MacKay guards and a couple of Keegan's brothers can take me safely to Munrick. "
"Nay! Dirk wouldn't hear of it," Isobel said.
"I'm certain they will be safe and fight off any attackers," Seona said, though she still looked worried. "They did on our long journey across Scotland."
Isobel nodded. "Dirk and Keegan are two of the best at fighting."
"I just pray that we make it in time," Jessie whispered.
∞∞∞
Two days later, Jessie and over twenty of the MacKays traveled south through the rugged granite mountains and along the green moors, interspersed with lochs and bogs.
She had gotten little sleep the previous two nights, being terribly worried about Torrin.
Last night, they'd stayed in Scourie with Lewis MacLeod, a friend of Dirk's.
Today, she rode between Dirk and Keegan. Half of the MacKays rode in front of them and half behind. Uncle Conall, Dougal, and Little Conall accompanied them. Jessie had also brought along her young maid, Dolina, and Flora.
Heather bloomed on the hills but Jessie barely noticed.
Though she normally loved looking at the purple heather, all she could think about was taking a walk through it with Torrin.
Tears filled her eyes. Annoyed, she wiped them away and hoped the men didn't notice.
Dirk and Keegan would understand, of course, but she didn't want to appear weak.
She knew the two would much rather be back with their wives at Dunnakeil.
"I thank you both for bringing me," she said.
"No thanks needed," Dirk said.
"Indeed," Keegan agreed.
Though she had hoped they would talk more, to take her thoughts off her dark fears, they didn't. Did they suspect that Torrin wouldn't be alive when they arrived?
She bowed her head and tears dripped from her eyes. Please God, keep him alive.
As late afternoon approached, Jessie could not believe how tired and sore she was. It had been a long time since she had ridden a horse for more than a few minutes. She feared she would be unable to walk once she dismounted.
A glistening loch reflecting the blue sky came into view in the distance as they rode carefully down a rocky incline.
"'Tis Loch Assynt," Dirk said.
"We are close?" she asked.
"Aye."
Her heart rate sped up and her stomach knotted. Pressing her eyes closed, she said another prayer.
Minutes later, they arrived at a smoother trail by the loch's edge and kicked their horses into a gallop, her heart pounding at the same quick pace.
A castle came into view in the distance. That had to be Munrick. As they approached, she saw that the gray stone castle had three towers and sat on a small island in the loch. 'Twas a beautiful, magical setting with the green hills in the background.
She imagined Torrin inside the walls. Would he be better or worse?
As they drew nearer the guard house and drawbridge, the men riding in front of them moved aside, allowing Dirk and Jessie to approach first.
Sim was one of the first people she recognized.
"Chief MacKay, Lady Jessie! Am I glad to see you," he greeted, his eyes wide with excitement. "Lower the bridge," he told the other guards.
"Are you certain?" one of them demanded, frowning and eying Dirk suspiciously.
"Aye, these are our allies, and they're here to help the chief."
"How is Laird MacLeod?" Jessie asked.
"He's alive but ailing something fierce. Thank the saints you've come. You can help him recover as you did last time."
"I hope so." She blinked back the tears burning her eyes once again.
The gate opened and the drawbridge was lowered. She, Dirk and the rest of the MacKays proceeded across into the walled cobblestone bailey.
Jessie quickly dismounted, her legs and derriere so sore she could hardly move.
But she forced herself to walk stiffly toward the entrance.
Where was Flora? She stopped and turned, seeing that one of the men was helping her dismount.
The healer, completely unaccustomed to riding a horse, waddled forward.
"I'm coming, m'lady," she said, carrying her satchel.
"Lady Jessie! Thank the saints."
She turned to find Iain standing in the portal.
"Come inside." He offered his hand to help her up the steps, then helped Flora. "Torrin needs you and your healer now more than ever."
"Is he bad?" Jessie asked.
Iain frowned. "Aye. I'm afraid so."
Please, God, don't let him be too far gone.
She followed Iain along one end of the great hall and up a narrow turnpike stairwell, Flora and Dolina trailing behind.
At the end of a short corridor, Iain opened a door and motioned her inside.
"Let me know if you need anything. I'll send a maid to assist you. "
Jessie rushed into the bedchamber. Torrin lay in a large four-poster bed with his eyes closed, his skin was so pale. "Saints!" She touched his feverish brow. "Torrin?"
His eyelids fluttered and then he moved his head. "Jessie?" 'Twas naught more than a breath.
"Aye, I am here."
Frowning, and with seemingly great effort, he opened his eyes a crack. "Missed you."
Tears filled her eyes. "I missed you, too. You must get better."
"Aye."
"I've brought Flora, the healer, with me."
At the moment, she was conversing with another woman in the corner of the room, near the door. Another healer, perhaps.
Torrin's hand moved from beneath the layers of blankets and clasped onto hers.
"Have you eaten anything?" she asked, holding his hand tight.
"Not hungry."
"How long has it been?"