Page 23 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Magni raced over and bent down. “Is this it? It’s blue yarn.” He held it up for her examination.
Meg took one look at it and let out a sigh of relief. “Aye. That’s it. Many thanks to you, Magni.” She tucked it away, then yelped when her finger caught on her belt. “Ow.” She felt her finger and her hand, surprised at how warm the area was to her touch. She had no ointments or potions, so she didn’t know how to fix her wound. If they could get to the ferry quickly, then perhaps she could find a healer on the Isle of Mull.
Magni came closer and looked at her finger. “You were as warm as a hearth last night, Meg. I didn’t even feel the cold stone next to you.”
Lia explained, “She has a fever, Magni.”
Meg replied quickly, “Nay, I am fine. It is only a wee cut I made while slicing vegetables the other day.” She couldn’t slow this trip down. Now that she could see the firth, she hoped the ferry was just a brief journey ahead so they could board a boat by midday. If she had some of that water to wash her finger, it would surely heal. The waterskin she carried was empty.
She needed water—water would surely fix it, fix everything, clean the pus from her wound. But where would she find it? Near the ferry! Surely she could wash it before they boarded. “We must hurry to get to Oban.”
Even though she was quite certain she didn’t have enough coin for all of them to go across, she’d arrange for them to go in two trips. She’d let Rowan go first because his uncle could send a boat back, or so she thought. It all depended on how much the fare was.
Lia looked up at her when the others went outside and said, “You do have a fever. You must get home. You may go ahead of me. I have one task I must do, so I’ll gladly stay for the second boat.”
“Where are you going, Lia? I could not leave a young lass alone, but surely you know that. I’ll stay back with you. But what kind of visit have you planned?”
“I must go to Loch Aline. I will share a secret with you, Meg, but please do not tell the others. I am a faery so I can go off on my own and not get hurt. I am here for a reason, though that must stay a secret.”
Now Meg was certain she had a fever. A wee lass expected her to believe that she was truly a faery. She must have a fever because no person would ever confess to such a thing. Surely she was hallucinating.
Tora sat up, rubbing her eyes, while Rowan stood and ran outside, chattering over his shoulder, “I have to pish.”
Tora looked at Meg and said, “You awe sickly. We must get you home. Gwandpapa is down neaw the watew. We’ll get thewe soon.” She got up and went out with the two lads.
Meg didn’t feel well. Now that she’d gotten to know them better, she had to admit that the four bairns were all a bit odd. Lia acted as if she were four decades old and thought she was a faery. Tora claimed to be a seer. Magni said he was Lia’s brother, but she saw no resemblance between the two. And Rowan claimed his uncle was a chieftain. She prayed he wasn’t lying because they could use the help of a chieftain. Hopefully, he could also help locate her sister once she was on the Isle ofMull. After all, she was told Ulva was on the far side of Mull, so he might know exactly where she lived.
Lia touched her hand and said, “Do not worry. You will find your sister. She is in love with a chieftain, and she is verra happy.”
“How do you know my sister? I haven’t even told you her name.”
Lia smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but the three came running inside, cutting her off, all whispering with sheer fright. Magni said, “Someone is coming. I heard him in the brush!”
“I heard him too! It’s a man.” Rowan ran to Meg and knelt in front of her, grabbing her hand, but she winced, yanking back. “What’s wrong?”
“Naught. Tora, did you see him?”
“Aye. You must see who it is. I don’t know him,” Tora said.
“I’ll go,” Meg said, retrieving the axe from her sack, then turning to the four sets of eyes locked on her. “Do not come out under any circumstances until I tell you it’s safe. If he takes me away because I cannot fight him off, then stay here until we’re gone. Then run to Oban and the ferry. They’ll come back for me, but you must go for help. Do not follow me.”
“But—”
“No buts! Promise me now.” She whirled to face the four. “All of you.”
“I pwomise. Gwandda will help us. I’ll find him.” Tora gave an emphatic nod.
Rowan and Magni looked at each other, then both agreed.
Lia said, “I’ll do whatever you ask of me, dear Meg.”
“Stay here in the back of the cave.” She waited until they were well hidden behind a rock, then stepped outside. Listening for footsteps, she was pleased that it was only one man.
The crackle of the brush continued, strong, steady steps that came directly toward them. Her heart pounded because she feared she’d fail protecting these poor bairns. They were all in need of food and water. If she weren’t sickly, she’d launch her axe with her usual accuracy, but her hand shook a wee bit, even though the wound was on the other hand.
The crunch of boots on dirt came closer, making her wonder why he hadn’t stayed on the path.
She took out her axe and stood, though she found her legs too weak, so she had to find a rock to sit on.
