Colin shifted uneasily. “We have another problem.”
He whipped his head around. “What?”
“They have started the cleansing. Seamus brought news of the first. A young villager by the name of Garret was burned in the abbey square.”
“And they call us heathens?” hissed Stephen. His hand cut through the air, adding, “Is Seamus safe among them?”
Colin nodded. “Aye. He will ken the time to leave, but for now, he has chosen to remain. He will seek out others like us or gather information.”
Stephen grasped the man’s shoulder, his voice one of steel, “I give ye my pledge no one here will come to harm. We will discuss this after the council tonight without the women.”
“It won’t sit well with Betha,” he grumbled.
“Aye, and it can be my head she’ll take,” stated Stephen before walking away.
****
The aroma of the stew she was stirring smelled heavenly to Aileen. She had prodded and begged one of the women to let her help with
anything
. Finally, Betha came to her defense, saying the meal would be twice as delicious with a fae adding its power.
Earlier when she descended from the ridge, all conversation had ceased. One by one, they all came forth and bowed. Some of the children even brought her flowers. She had to swallow a retort when one inquired about the mighty Aidan Kerrigan. All she could tell him was he was doing well. Now, her jaw ached after an hour of constantly smiling.
Stephen trekked through only giving her a cautionary glance before heading in the opposite direction where Osgar was talking to Cesan and the other men. Her heart skipped a beat whenever he was near, and she cursed her body for its betrayal. She was just another burden to him. Yet earlier, for a brief moment, she thought she saw a flash of desire within those stunning eyes.
“Not in this lifetime,” she uttered softly, noting this was the second time she told herself. The only comfort she would take was his promise that he would return her to the abbey. If she came through, then she could certainly go back.
“What troubles ye, Lady Aileen?” asked Ian, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Hmmm...where do I begin?” She shook her head in dismay.
Eyes full of wisdom for one so young, he peered down at her. “It is always best to start at the beginning,” he said matter of factly.
She squeezed his hand gently. “Yes, you are correct. I think for now it might be best to sort it out in my mind, first.”
“Let the words settle in your heart. There ye will find the answers you seek.” Giving her a broad smile, he reached into the pot, and quickly pulled out a chunk of potato, plopping it into his mouth. Licking his fingers with glee, he gave her a quick hug and scampered off.
Bemused and humbled by his words, Aileen stared after him. “You are destined for great things, Ian.”
Chapter Sixteen
“For the Dragon carved out their path from the roots of the Oaks, and the dew from the thistle.”
If looks could kill, Stephen was sure that those Betha aimed at him and Donal were lethal. She stood, hands on her hips, giving them both an earful. How she learned Seamus would not only be joining them, but someone had been burnt at the stake, was not something he could fathom. People scattered like ants to get away from her wrath. He clenched his jaw hoping she was almost through with her tirade.
“Men! Ye think ye ken everything?” she shouted. “Dinnae keep anything from us again. We have a right to know.”
Donal tried to take her into his arms. “Whist, love.”
“Nae!” She batted his arms away. “Dinnae whist love, me!” She stormed off, leaving both men feeling like two scolded boys.
Stephen rubbed the back of his neck to relieve some of the tension. “Now would not be the time to tell me I was wrong, Donal.”
“Ye ken she has the sight. We should have told her.” Donal narrowed his eyes at Stephen. “Now my bed will be cold tonight, no thanks to ye.”
Stephen grimaced as Donal followed in his wife’s path, still muttering under his breath. He observed Aileen standing back against a pine and raised a dark brow questionably. “Would ye also like to add your words of wisdom?” He crossed his arms across his chest in an attempt to scare her off.
Stepping over to him, Aileen looked at him directly. “No words from me,” she said smiling. “I believe Betha said all that was needed. Now, I think I’ll go and see what needs to be done before we leave.”
Aileen had gone only two steps when she heard him mutter, “Brazen fae.” Halting in her steps, she turned and asked, “What did you call me?”
The smirk on his face told her all. Storming up to him, she glared up at him. “Why is it so difficult to say my name?”
He stood there staring at her.
Aileen saw the look of lustful invitation all over his face. Taking a few steps back, she felt her face flush. “Forget it.”
“Lugh’s balls,” he hissed, while watching her lovely backside saunter quickly away. One moment more and he would have taken her into his arms to feast on those delectable lips.
“Trouble with the lass?” asked Osgar who had silently meandered over to him.
“Humph! All women are trouble this day.”
Osgar chuckled softly.
Stephen eyed him narrowly. “I find no humor in this.”
“Nae, I expect ye would not.”
“Why would the fae send the daughter of Aidan Kerrigan through the veil?”
Osgar took a deep breath. “
Aileen
is here for some purpose—one she seems to be unaware of at the moment.” He tapped his finger to his chin in thought. “When we arrive in Finlow, I pray Cathal will shed some insight, if he is there.
“Aye. ’Tis best we get moving. It will be several days till we reach Finlow.”
****
The extraordinary clean air and the warm sun on her back brought a smile to Aileen. Birds chirped, singing their song of spring. Once, she spied a hawk circling close by as if part of their band of travelers.
To take her mind off
him
, she let herself soak in her surroundings. Her horse ambled along, and it was just fine by her. Everyone else could saddle up to the almighty Stephen MacKay. He brought forth emotions that had a mind of their own. Hurtling without thought, they filled her body and mind. She was good at building a protective wall around herself. Yet, when he was near, it was as if someone else inhabited her being. Staying far, far away was the best solution.
“Oh look!” she exclaimed in child-like delight. The small rust-colored animal stood still as if watching the riders.
“It is my friend, Lady Aileen,” replied Ian. “He has been with us for the past few days.”
She eyed him in shock. “Like a dog?”
“Aye,” he chuckled.
“But he’s a fox, Ian. What if he attacks you?”
“Nae, he will not harm me. He will only be with us until we reach Finlow.”
“Hmmm...then where is he off to?” she asked skeptically.
He shrugged. “Did not tell me.”
Okay, she thought to herself. Now the boy communicates with animals. “What’s in Finlow, Ian?”
“Other travelers and the druids. They gather for the feast of Beltaine.”
Aileen’s eyes went wide. She would be with others to celebrate the May Day. How could she have forgotten? Singing, dancing, bonfires, and so much more. “I’m going to observe the day with druids,” she said softly, her gaze drifting back to the man who stirred something primal in her.
Stephen felt Aileen’s gaze although she rode some distance back.
He slowed Grian, twisting around and meeting her violet eyes across the path of the others.
“Trouble?” Donal asked.
He swallowed, clenching his fists. “Nae.”
“Would ye like me to go fetch the lass?”
“Which lass?” he barked out.
“The one ye cannot take your eyes off of.”
He glared at him. “See to it that one of the men is at the rear. There are women and children.”
“Anyone ye would like to handle it?”
Stephen shrugged and then noticed Donal smiling at him. “What?”
Donal held up his hands in surrender. “I’ll send Brian,” and turning he made to leave.
“
Brian
? Nae! Are ye trying my patience? Everyone can see Brian is smitten with the fae.”
“And how is that a problem?”
Stephen wanted to wipe the smirk off Donal’s face. “I’ll go myself,
nae
—ye go, Donal.”
“Scared of the fae, are ye, Stephen?” His laughter rang out as he quickly departed before Stephen could utter a retort.
****
Aileen decided to eat her evening meal with a young new mother. She had noticed earlier the woman was traveling without a husband, and made up her mind to keep her company. When she saw Stephen eating with Betha, Ian, and Donal, she quickly gathered her items heading in the opposite direction.
“Have you eaten, Mara?”
“Nae, Lady Aileen.” Carefully she brushed a finger across the baby’s face, as he suckled softly from his mother’s breast.
“I believe I have enough for both of us. May I share your meal?”
Mara’s eyes went wide. “Och, ye would want to share with me?”
Aileen gave her a huge smile. “Why of course. There is plenty, and you do need to keep your strength for your baby.” She nodded toward the contented infant. “What is his name?”
Tears glistened in Mara’s eyes when she spoke, “His name is Robert, for his father.” Mara looked up at Aileen and noticed the confusion. “My Robbie died over the winter. Sickness in his chest.” Casting her gaze back to her infant, she added, “He never knew he had a son.”
Aileen knelt beside her. Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, she said, “I truly believe he knows.”
“Aye, that’s what Osgar says.”
They shared a meal and conversation well into the evening, with the waxing moon dusting them with its luster of light. Aileen was cradling Robert when Betha approached with a mug clasped within her hands.
“I’ve brought ye a brew of nettles mixed with honey, Mara.” She brushed her hand across the top of the now sleeping bairn. “How does he fare?”
“He’s a ravenous one,” she said through sips of the tea. “Thank ye, Betha.”
“Aye, that is good. He seems to be content with ye, Lady Aileen.”
“Och, she is a natural. He took right to her,” Mara replied.
Aileen gave her a slight shrug. It felt good to hold him, reminding her of possibilities. His little hand stretched out seeking hers, the tiny fingers grasping hold of her one. Watching in awe, she desired to have one herself. Sadness engulfed her realizing if she didn’t return to her own time, none of this would ever happen.
“Ye may return whenever ye wish. Stephen has left to seek out Osgar.”
Betha’s words jolted her from her thoughts. “I think I’ll stay here for the night,” she muttered, her face burning with heat.
“Then I’ll send Ian with an extra wrap. Sleep well.”
She glanced up watching Betha stride away, wanting to say something more, but the words strangled in her throat.
****
Lachlan watched as the man paced furiously spouting angry words. His jaw ached from clenching it so hard. They were all fools, he thought. Stephen and his band of followers had silently crept away, leaving a hushed stillness within the village. He was not to blame—nae, it was their inability to see through their own beliefs, and act swiftly. They were a pathetic group of men, and he forced down the bile of being in their midst.
How much longer would this tirade continue? He could end this now with one quick snap of the neck. However, he still needed the bishop, and there were too many witnesses present.
“If I may interrupt, Bishop Augustus?” asked Brother Patrick.
Lachlan turned toward the brave man standing in the back. Foolish, he thought for one to step forward when the bishop was talking.
“Do you have any valuable information that would require you to speak?” spat out the Bishop.
Brother Patrick’s face turned crimson from the harsh remark. He moved away from the wall and tried to compose himself. “I would think that since the heathens have left, we could dispense from any further actions.” He scanned his surrounding brothers to try to judge their reaction. A few were nodding in agreement.
The bishop’s nostrils flared in anger. “You would want these heathen people spreading their beliefs deeper into your country?” He advanced slowly toward him. “Why, I would think you would want to squash this uprising, considering that some of them lived among you here in the abbey.”
Brother Patrick would not back down. “We are peaceful men.” He cast his gaze to his remaining brothers. “To seek out these people to cause harm, is not what our Lord taught us.”
The slap came hard and swiftly. “How dare you tell
me
of our Lord’s teachings! I believe some time in solitude will remind you what your true mission is here,
and
to respect those in authority within the church.”
Brother Patrick clenched his fists, and with a curt bow left the room. No one said a word, stunned by the outburst of both men.
“Would anyone care to add further their unease over the church’s teachings?”
Lachlan arched a brow at the bishop. If only this man was a druid. He would have been a great ally.
“Will you be ready at dawn, Lachlan?” asked Bishop Augustus.
Lachlan nodded affirmative.
“Good. You will take ten of my guards with you. You do understand you must return these heathens,” his tone harsh and demanding.
“Aye.” This was not part of his plan, and he had to act quickly. “In truth, your Holiness, if there is resistance from the men?”
The bishop folded his arms behind himself as he paced in thought. “What would you do, Lachlan?”
“Burn them all,” he answered.
“Then let it be done.” Giving the sign of the cross over Lachlan, he took his leave.
Chapter Seventeen
“The meadow was filled with the scent of the Mother awakening, and her children were the flowers who spread their petals over her gown of green.”
“When will we get there?” asked one of the children.
“Yes, when?” chimed in a few of the others.
Aileen was beginning to wonder herself, and almost shouted out the question also.