Page 77 of Sins of a Scot
“At any rate,” Ada continued, “this man is now in hiding, probably fearing for his life. He’s very hard tae find, but I dae ken where he was last seen.”
“Tell us, Ada. Please,” Iseabail said.
“He’s holed up in a cottage ten miles south o’ here. I will give ye a description o’ it, or for a certainty, ye’ll never find it.”
And with that, Ada continued describing the place Owen knew they needed to visit next.
“There is one last thing ye need tae ken. I didnae want tae tell ye ‘afore, but seeing as ye’re so determined, I suppose I must. I ken o’ Laird Sutherland. I also ken his power. He’s an evil man who can create the illusion o’ pain with only a look.”
Iseabail gasped.
“Ye will be protected,” she nodded at Owen, “if ye keep that necklace around yer throat.” She then turned her attention to Iseabail. “But ye, me dear, ye need tae be careful. And dinnae forget what I told ye. Yecannaeput yer hands on that crystal. When ye find it, dinnae touch it.”
Iseabail nodded, a worried frown dancing on her brow.
“For now,” the old woman continued, “ye can bed down here fer the night. Ye’ll nae find it in the dark, and besides, ye both look like ye could dae with the rest.”
Iseabail insisted that Ada take another look at Owen’s wound, and before they retired to bed, she took him into her healing room.
“What the devil were ye at today?” she bemoaned, cleaning blood that had leaked from the laceration.
“Naething much,” Owen replied matter-of-factly. “Just climbing a thirty-foot waterfall, and saving Iseabail from falling tae her death. A typical day.”
The healer cast him a glance and lifted the corner of her mouth in a slight smile. “Ye’d dae anything fer that lass, wouldnae ye?”
Owen nodded. “O’ course. I love her.”
“Aye. Smitten ye are,” she said, now bandaging his arm again. “Well, I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a more suited couple. And I get the feeling, that lass would dae anything fer ye too.”
The old woman then stood, and placing a gentle hand upon his arm, she looked him straight in the eye. “Things are going tae get worse ‘afore they get better. Look after her, Owen. She might nae ken it yet, but she needs ye.”
Owen shook his head. “I dinnae ken about that. Iseabail is a strong, independent lass.”
But the old woman shook her head. “I’m nae talking about strength, dear. I’m talking about this.” And with that, shepressed a withered hand against his chest. “Yer muscles, as big as they are,” she smirked, “are nae what that lass needs. She needs ye tae be strong in yer mind, and soul, and heart.”
Owen felt a little disturbed by her words. Not because he doubted he could be all those things if he put his mind to it, but more the fact that no one had ever needed any of those things from him before. Not in the way Ada was talking about, at least.
“I will try me very best, Ada. I swear that tae ye.” And with all his heart, he meant those words deeply.
The following morning, they both bid Ada a final farewell. They were never likely to see her again, and thus, they thanked her profusely for all she had done for them. Once again, the old healer had packed them food and drink, and offering her blessings and good luck, they left for the village.
Owen was determined not to walk such a distance, and in a short time, he acquired two horses for all the coin he had left in his pocket. Helping Iseabail upon her mare, he mounted his horse, and they got under way.
The journey was short, and just over an hour later, they found the cottage Ada had spoken about. Leaving Iseabail hidden behind a barrack with the horses, he went to scout it out.
Circling the cottage, it was evident the man they sought was not home, and while Owen was tempted to break in and search for the crystal, he decided such an action might well be pointless. Ifthe man was so obsessed about his prize, he was unlikely to leave home without it.
Returning to Iseabail, he reported his findings.
“So, what now?” she said.
“We wait,” Owen replied. “I have a strong feeling the man has this crystal on his person. We have nay choice but tae wait fer his return.”
“And how long will that be?” Iseabail said, sounding slightly frustrated.
Owen looked at her, and then smirked. “I dinnae have me crystal ball with me tae tell ye, Iseabail.”
She rolled her eyes and let out a light laugh.
