Chapter 4
The morning’s repast seemed to drag by slowly, and Adrina tried to stomp down the impatience that stirred in her belly.
She dipped a piece of bread into the steaming bowl of stew.
After last night’s supper, the women were again dismissed from the great hall, and the men continued their talk about war.
She wanted to stay and listen to the discussion, but she knew that women were usually barred from hearing such talks.
Anything more about the gathering, she had learned from Mairead.
For someone who didn’t attend the gathering herself, and who claimed a disinterest in politics, Duncan’s sister was well-informed.
Adrina knew that if her father had knowledge of this gathering, he would have made it a point to be at the war council. But he wasn’t here. Why? The only thing she could determine was that once again her father’s principal advisor, Fingal MacNauld, had a hand in it.
Scanning the room, she took in the people who surrounded her.
At the dais, the MacGregons sat, formidable and proud.
By now many of the septs had left Tancraig, although there were some clan members that remained.
She supposed that the various chieftains had to return to their homes.
Once they took care of their business, they would march on to Bracken Ridge, an area so named because of the abundant bracken which grew on all sides of the steep glen.
Aside from her vision earlier, she had never visited there, although she understood that it was located in the mountainous range south of Tancraig.
A narrow crossing ran through it, and which was used for traveling into the heart of the highlands.
In the summer months, however, the pass became virtually inaccessible, since the bracken grew thick and sturdy.
There were some spots where the plant swelled to the height of a full-grown man.
Nevertheless, now that the weather was cooling, the bracken would die back.
And because of this, the English would be more successful in moving large cavalry and battle equipment through the passage.
Off to the side, Adrina overheard two men discussing the coming war. Even though she tried to center her attention on her meal, the conversation between the two men floated to her ears. Adrina pushed the bowl away, the little food she ate now sitting within her stomach like a rigid mass.
She concentrated on taking in one breath after another.
Bunching her hands in her kirtle, she prayed that she wouldn’t experience another horrific vision.
The last thing she wanted was to re-experience the realities of war, and watch her kinsmen die.
But then the moment passed, and the youthful brogue of Duncan’s youngest brother entered into her consciousness.
“…’A Highlander is resilient, and always fights for what he wants.
But he also has the support of his clan,’ Rory said.
The English knights quaked in their boots, and bolted out of Scotland.
And so ends the tale of how Rory won the love of his bonny lass,” Ewan finished with flourish.
Soon after shouting and applause erupted all around them.
Rory reached over and covered Darra’s hand with his while a pretty flush stained her cheeks.
Adrina sighed. “’Tis plain that they are verra much in love,” she said to Mairead who sat beside her. “Even my own parents are nae sae bold as tae display their affection in public.”
“Aye, they both make each other verra happy,” Mairead said, smiling.
The couple’s delight in each other was obvious.
Adrina wondered whether she would find a similar happiness even though she had no choice on who she would marry.
Her father and his advisor were intent in matching her with some mighty laird that would prove beneficial to Clan MacGill.
They hadn’t yet found this man, but it was only a matter of time.
Adrina pushed the bowl of stew away, her appetite gone.
She didn’t know what had come over her, and why she was thinking of love or the lack of it.
Her purpose here was to get the help she needed to free her people.
As much as she wanted to, she didn’t have the power or the influence to save Scotland.
For now, she had to be content with helping her own clan.
But a new worry nagged at her. What if her clansmen came out of their stupor, and discovered that their beloved land was overrun by the hated English.
Was Adrina really doing them a favor by breaking them loose from one prison only to have them enslaved in another?
She shook off the gloomy thoughts, resolving to think of something else. In a few short hours Venora would deliver the brew, and Adrina would be on her way.
“What manner of woman is Lady Venora?” she asked Mairead.
“She’s a lady of merit,” Mairead answered simply. “She has a rare ability tae quickly assess a problem and derive an adequate cure. I have never seen the like. The auld healer from the village isnae as accurate.”
“She has the appearance of a Scotswoman yet she speaks with the inflection of a sassenach.”
“Sae ye noticed that,” Mairead said. “Lady Venora was born in the highlands, however when she married an English lord, she moved to England, and lost all traces of her heritage. She’s here now tae visit with her daughter.”
Adrina fell silent as she continued to listen to Mairead’s description of the healer. Her inner guidance did well to lead her to the renowned healer. On her own, Adrina would never have thought to come this far into MacGregon territory.
“Och, there’s the lady now,” Mairead said, interrupting Adrina’s train of thought.
A flurry of activity at the front of the great hall caught her attention.
Sitting up straighter, she craned her neck, and saw the healer and a servant making their way toward them.
But it was when she saw that Venora clutched something in her hand that her heart began to race.
This was it. All thoughts fled from her mind.
She quickly made her excuse to Mairead, and rushed over to meet the healer halfway across the hall.
“Is the brew finished, milady?” Adrina asked a little breathlessly.
“Aye,” she said, handing her a small bottle. “Make certain that you use it well, as ‘tis a long and difficult process to make. As well, keep the potion away from the sun, since this will reduce its potency.”
“But how can I administer it?”
“Mix the contents into a drink, and with one sip, the spell will break.”
Her mind started racing. First she would pour a small amount in her father’s whisky, and have him drink it. After that, she would pour the rest of the contents into the communal well. Once the people in the castle drank from the well, everyone would wake up, and see Fingal for who he really was.
Adrina’s fingers curled around the precious bottle, and she held it close to her breast. “Thank ye, milady.”
Venora nodded her head graciously. “The servant will take you to the stables where your escort is waiting.”
***
As they neared the stable, Adrina scanned the surroundings to find Griogair.
If there was anyone that she wanted to accompany her it was him.
The man was pleasant, and despite his size, she didn’t find him intimidating.
And if she didn’t feel like conversing throughout the journey, she sensed that Rory’s younger brother would be more than willing to accommodate her silence.
But her gait faltered when she saw a man who was definitely not Griogair.
This man was in the shadows, and at the moment, his back was turned to her.
He possessed dark hair that fell to his broad shoulders.
And even in the dim light, she could see his tall, lean build.
There was no mistaking this Highlander’s warrior status.
He must have heard her approach because he pivoted.
Her hands flew to her mouth as a sharp gasp escaped from her. “What are ye doing here? Where’s Griogair?”
A dark brow quirked as he took in her shock. “There has been a change in plans,” Duncan said, flashing his white teeth, his deep brogue sweeping over her skin like a caress. “I’ll be the one tae take ye home.”
“Couldnae some other man provide me escort?” she said, folding her arms over her chest, refusing to allow herself to fall for his charms.
“Why?” he asked. “Dinnae ye like me?”
“Nay,” she said, adamantly shaking her head.
She didn’t know what she liked, but one thing was certain, she didn’t want to spend any time with him.
The day before he was rude and obnoxious.
And from watching him, it was clear that he also had the ability to turn on his charisma whenever he wanted.
A sudden wave of irritation surged to her breast. In all honesty, she preferred to forget that she had ever met him.
She had fooled herself in thinking that her dream lover was Duncan.
It was someone else that bore a strong resemblance to him. That was all.
“Aiya, lass, ye sorely wound me,” he said, making an exaggerated movement to place a large hand over his heart.
“I doubt that ye have a heart tae wound,” she said, screwing up her face. She could see that his easy appeal could easily woo a woman. But she wasn’t a typical lass who was so easily beguiled.
“Another arrow struck.” A mocking smile played on his mouth as he pretended to grasp an arrow at his chest.
“I refuse tae go with ye,” she said, pursing her lips.
The amusement in his eyes disappeared. “I’m afraid that ye have nay choice as the others are nae available tae take ye. Either ye accept my offer, or ye will remain at Tancraig Castle until further notice.”
“Ye cannae keep me here against my will,” she said, her fists clenching tightly at her side. “I’m nae a prisoner here.”
He shrugged, ignoring her anger. “Like I told ye, the choice is yours.”