She took a deep breath as she approached a meadow. If she made it across this clearing, she would reach the cave in another hour, but traversing the clearing could prove treacherous with the velocity of the winds. It would also be easy to get disoriented.
She started to cross the wide expanse, but wind spun her around and took her breath away. She trudged along sideways, but she wasn’t moving fast enough.
The snow became deeper and deeper.
She could no longer see the other side of the clearing because the snow was so heavy.
Her steps faltered, becoming more and more labored.
Each boot became heavier and heavier, loaded with snow, packed with extra weight. Each knee had to be lifted higher and higher to clear the sheer depth of snow.
You must keep going. Think of Juel, Jamesina, Benneit, James.
You must…
You must…
If she closed her eyes just for a moment, she could take a short nap on this soft snowbank she’d fallen into.
Just a quick nap…
***
Moray had gathered a group of men to help him search for Shona. Still stunned that she’d had the fortitude to gather food, dress as a lad, and leave the keep, he had to give her credit and assume she’d made it a distance away.
Yet this blizzard would not be easy to travel in.
Paddy the Pony bucked against his stall as if eager to join them. The three lads, Terric, Henry, and Steenie, did their best to calm him. They’d run out to the stables with the guards despite the adults’ best efforts to keep them back inside the castle.
“He’s afraid of the storm. We must let him out,” Steenie begged.
But Braden wouldn’t be swayed. “It’s plenty warm enough for a pony inside the stable. He’s too short to wander around in a blizzard. One deep snowdrift could bury him alive.”
Corc said, “I’ll stay behind with you lads. Henry brought a few apples for the pony. Paddy will be fine once the others leave.”
Eager to leave, Moray set out with Roddy, Braden, Daniel and a couple of guards. They fanned out crossing the terrain, looking for any tracks, but the snow was falling too quickly. They didn’t dare separate because they’d easily lose their bearings and each other. They continued on, looking for any sign of a lass.
The more time that passed, the more worried Moray became. They huddled together inside a group of trees at one point. Braden said, “I see no sign of anyone out in this weather. She didn’t steal a horse, so she has to be on foot. How could she have gotten away that quickly?”
Moray said, “She’s quick on her feet. ’Tis all I know. We have to find her. She’ll die alone out here.”
“Mayhap she returned home,” Braden suggested. “She must have been living somewhere. Or she found a stray reiver’s horse from the attack the other day. ’Tis definitely a possibility.”
“Where? We know all of the cottages in the immediate area,” Moray insisted. “I fear she’s alone.”
“I agree with Moray,” Roddy said. “She’s living alone somewhere, but there’s only so much we can do.”
Braden said, “We’ll search for one more hour, then I’m ordering everyone back to the keep. I’ll not be losing any of you over a lass who could be safely ensconced in her own place somewhere. No one asked her to leave—she did so of her own free will.”
Much as Moray felt the desire to search all day and night, he had to agree with his chief. His own fingers were getting mighty cold. They all knew the serious repercussions of spending too much time outside in the snow.
An hour later, Braden whistled and led them back to the keep.
Moray feared she was buried in the snow, possibly even dead. He hated giving up. Hated it. And yet, he didn’t wish to risk anyone else’s life. They moved the horses into the stables, warming themselves at the same time. The building was incredibly well built, a structure that barely whistled with the wind. Cairstine’s sire had done a fine job of building this castle for his clan.
Corc had cups of warm broth for those who’d been out in the cold, and the hot liquid quickly warmed up Moray.
Paddy was still having a fit at the end of the passageway. Moray made his way down, still holding the bowl of broth in his hands for the heat. “Steenie, has he been this way the whole time?”
Steenie said, “Nay, he just started again when you returned.”
“Come, I’ll help you find him some carrots to calm him. Where are your friends?”
“Terric and Henry went inside to warm up. We were all inside for a while, but when I saw Papa had returned, I came back out.”
They collected the treats from the bin at the front of the barn, walking around the other men who were still savoring their broth, then turned around to head back to Paddy’s stall.
Only he was missing.
“Hellfire, but I latched that stall,” Moray whispered to himself. “Stubborn beast.”
Steenie cried, “Paddy, where are you?”
He got more and more upset as they searched the stables for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. How had the wee beast crept past all of them? The others were still gathered near the entrance. Surely they’d have seen him.
“He left,” Steenie cried out. “We have to go after him. Please?” He ran to Braden and stared up at him, clearly hoping his adoptive sire would take up the search for his dear pet.
Braden set down his broth and shot to his feet. “Corc, come with us for a moment.”
The group of four stepped outside just in time to see Paddy leaving through the gates, tossing his mane and letting out a snort over his shoulder.
Moray said, pointing to the departing figure, “The wee beast is laughing at us.”
Braden said, “Send Roddy out with three horses, Corc. We’ll go after him. Steenie, you’re to wait inside the great hall with Corc.”
The three mounted quickly and headed out the gates, surprised to see Paddy not far ahead of them. He’d taken off in the same direction they’d gone earlier, to search for Shona, although he’d paused. Almost as if he were waiting for them to follow.
Moray glanced at Braden and said, “Do you think the animal knows something we don’t?”
Braden shrugged his shoulders and said, “’Tis Yule. Believe as you wish, but never doubt him, my sire says. We have to follow him.”
“Aye, animals are known to do strange things,” Roddy agreed.
Moray yanked on the reins of his horse, praying Paddy would take them to Shona.
Chapter Twelve
They followed Paddy for quite a distance, far longer than they would have guessed, although it didn’t surprise Moray that Shona would have gotten this far. The lass was persistent. Strong.
Moray glanced over at Braden and Roddy each time the wee beast took an unexpected turn, but they all followed him without question.
Paddy seemed to know exactly where to walk—he never sunk too far beneath the snow, although Moray’s horse dipped down until half his forelegs were covered.
Finally, they moved across a meadow, snowdrifts and wind howling as if nature were unleashing her fury on someone. Paddy stopped abruptly, buried his muzzle into a deep snow drift, then lifted his head and whinnied.
Moray stopped his horse and dismounted, running to the spot where Paddy’s snout had been. Sure enough, there was the tip of a wool scarf.
Moray dug at the snow like a man possessed, praying at the same time. When he uncovered her head and pulled the scarf away, he waved to Braden and Roddy, who jumped down to join him.
“Is she still alive?” Roddy asked, searching for her feet.
“I think so,” Moray said, removing his glove and putting his hand in front of her face. “I feel warmth and a small breath, I think.”
“Hellfire, ’twould be a miracle if she survived this.” Roddy scanned the area as the brutal blizzard continued to pound on them. “Who knows how long she’s been in that drift? It could be minutes or longer.”
Braden bent over and dug as
fast as he could. “I told you before,” he said, panting, “’tis Yule and ’tis Paddy. Miracles happen. We’ve seen them before with the animal. He brought us here, did he not?”
“Lift her out,” Roddy said. “We cannot wait to get her back to the keep. We’ll have to take her to a protected area and warm her.”
“How the hell are we going to warm her?” Braden asked.
“There’s only one way. One of us will have to undress her and give her our heat. She’ll never make it back like this.”
“I’ll do it,” Moray said at once.
Braden said, “She’s uncovered. Where can we take her? Do you see a protected area?” Their gazes searched the area, but then Paddy snorted and headed off in a new direction.
Braden’s eyes widened. “I’ll not question him.” Turning to Moray, he said, “Get on your horse and I’ll hand her to you. Follow the possessed pony.”
Moray did as Braden suggested and followed the wee horse. Sure enough, Paddy led them to a cave.
Roddy whistled as they stepped inside the small covering. “Hellfire, he is possessed. A spirit lives inside him. It must be. ’Tis a perfect place. I’d have never found this spot because it’s so well hidden. You strip her down and we’ll start a fire.”
Moray sat down on the cold stone and settled her on his lap.
“Shona, ’tis me, Moray,” he said. “I’ll not hurt you.” He unbuttoned her mantle, tossing the wet garment off to the side, then looked to Roddy for direction. “And the tunic also?”
“Aye, we’ll dry it by the fire so you can put it back on her for the trip home. Leave her chemise on. Your heat will carry through it. But you must get her warmed up first or she’ll not make it back. The color on her face is not good. ’Tis the first thing my mama checks.”
Braden said, “I’ll see if I can find any dry wood for the fire.”
Paddy joined them inside the cave, still making strange noises. He moved to the back then emerged with a mouthful of sticks, dropping them at Braden’s feet.
“What the hell, Paddy? Is there something else you wish to tell us?”
The wee horse snorted, but Braden and Roddy focused on getting a fire started.
Moray removed his mantle and his plaid, then pulled off his tunic, leaving his trews on. He took a deep breath and pressed her cold body up against his own, gasping as her frigid skin touched his flesh.
“Best part of men, Mama always said. We’re forever warm,” Roddy said with a smile. “Here, I’ll wrap your plaid over her back to keep her from losing your heat.”
He knew it was working because he could actually see the color of her skin changing. Her lips, which had been a dusky gray, had already taken on a light pink tinge. The blush moved across her skin as if someone were waving a wizard’s wand across them. It wasn’t long before her eyes opened.
“Moray?”
“Aye, we found you in a snowbank. You had a wee angel watching over you. ’Twas foolish of you to leave in a storm.”
“My brother…”
Braden stopped what he was doing and rushed over. “What did she say?”
“She said something about her brother.”
Paddy bucked and snorted again, then moved into the back of the cave. Shona lifted her hand and pointed in that direction.
Moray picked her up, wrapping the plaid around her, and followed Braden and Roddy back into the cave.
“Saints above join us, please,” Roddy mumbled.
There in the back of the cave were three lads and a lass. The only one alert was the lass. She had a strange sobbing sound coming from her, but she shed no tears. “Shona. Is she dead?”
Moray said, “Nay, she lives. Who are you?”
“Help us, please. We’ll not live much longer. We have no food.”
Braden bent down and picked up the smallest lad, while Roddy moved to the others.
“Are you from the Channel?” the lass whispered. “Are you going to steal us away?” The odd sobbing sound continued to come from her.
“Nay,” Braden said softly. “The men from the Channel are no more. We’re from Clan Grant, and we live at the Muir Castle. What’s your name?”
“Jamesina. These are my brothers, James and Benneit, and the smallest lad is Shona’s brother, Juel.”
“Why are you hiding in this cave?” Roddy asked.
“We’re hiding from the Dubh men who killed my mother and tried to steal us all away. They killed Shona and Juel’s parents. Please help us. We’re hungry and cold…” She hugged one of the wee lads to her chest. “Benneit, wake up. Someone is here to help us.”
Moray asked, “Is James MacFee your sire?”
“Aye,” Jamesina replied, hope in her gaze.
“Fear not. He’s looking for you, and he’ll return to Muir Castle. I’ve already sent a messenger for him.”
“Juel?” Shona whispered.
Juel opened his eyes and Braden brought him over so Shona could see him.
The lad asked, “Shona, are you hale?”
“Aye.”
Jamesina stood up, helping her brother stand. “Where did you find Shona? She never returned to us. I feared she was dead.”
“The reivers caught her when she was searching for food. She rolled down a ravine and hit her head. We brought her to our castle to our healer, but then she crept out when we were sleeping. We found her in a snowbank, then we came here to warm her so she could awaken.”
She gave him a strange look and asked, “How did you know to look here?”
Paddy shook his mane and turned back toward the entrance, snorting over his shoulder as he took his leave.
Braden whispered, “Paddy magic.”
Chapter Thirteen
Moray and his friends had saved them, and the Dubh men were no more. It truly felt like a Yuletide miracle. When they stepped back into the keep with Shona wrapped up in Moray’s plaid, a big burly man shot up from a trestle table. “Jamesina! Benneit and James?” He rushed over to them, a look of shock on his face.
Moray led Shona to a chair by the hearth, and Juel sat on her lap and rested his head on her shoulder as they watched the tearful reunion.
It was the first time Shona had ever seen a man the size of James MacFee shed tears. He cried and cried, hugging each of his children individually before setting them down on the trestle table around him. It felt bittersweet to watch them. Although she was happy for her friends, she knew she and Juel would never see their parents again.
As if he sensed what she was thinking, Moray reached down and squeezed her hand.
“I cannot thank you enough, Moray,” MacFee said at last.
Moray said, “You owe thanks to Braden, our chieftain, and the wee horse who led us to Shona and the cave. We’ll do that later. He’s celebrating with three carrots and an apple at present.”
MacFee ushered his three children over to the hearth. Someone had brought out a huge tray of meat pies, and Shona and Jamesina and the boys all helped themselves. James MacFee sat in a chair and stared at them, as though he feared they might disappear if he took his gaze from them. The man choked up as he watched them eat, their hunger evident. “You’re all so thin.”
James moved over to his sire and leaned against his knee. “Don’t cry, Papa. We’ll be fine. Shona and Jamesina kept us alive and ’tis the most important. ’Twas because of them that we got away.”
MacFee hugged his son and nodded, again and again. “You are right. I’m grateful. We’ll always miss your mama, but we will survive. I’ve found you and ’tis what I’ll focus on.” He wiped his eyes and glanced at the chieftain, Braden, who’d just come inside to sit by the hearth. “You and your people saved my children’s lives. If you have room, I’d be honored to join you here at Muir Castle. When we returned, your stable master told me you’re welcoming hard workers. I was a smithy for my brother, and I’d be honored if you’d allow me and my bairns to live here with you. I have two men with me who’d gladly join your guards if you’re in need, Chief. The
other two will be returning to Clan MacFee.”
“You don’t wish to return to your brother’s clan?” The question had been asked by an older man who looked a lot like Braden. His father, perhaps. He came forward and joined them.
“My brother and I have mended our differences, but he already has a talented smithy. I’d be pleased to join a clan where my talents can be of use. If you need time to think about it, please do. I would ask that we be allowed to stay until the Yule or at least until my bairns are hale enough to travel.”
Braden smiled at MacFee. “We’d be honored to have you join us here. There are not many of us, so you’ll have to work hard, but we could use a man with your talents, and we could certainly use more guards. Your lads are nearly old enough to start training in the lists.”
“Aye, in another couple of years. They can assist me or work the soil. Jamesina has a fine hand with a needle. Her mother, bless her soul, taught her well.”
A pulse of loneliness passed through Shona. Where would they go? They had no home to return to, but they also had no special skills to offer. She gave Juel a squeeze, but he leapt off of her lap and scampered over to stand in front of the three big Highlanders—MacFee, Braden, and the man who looked like Braden. “What about us? The Dubh men killed both of our parents. We have nowhere to go. May we stay?”
Braden and the man who looked like his sire said in unison, “Of course.”
“We’d love for you to join us,” Braden added. “We have plenty of room and extra foodstuffs for winter.”
Just then, the door burst open and a wee lad ran over to the hearth. “More lads? Are they staying, Papa?”
Braden said, “Benneit and James will be staying with us, Steenie. Juel here just asked if he and his sister could stay. What say you?”
“Aye! I’ll have friends! Juel, you can sleep in my chamber with me if you like.”
Juel looked to his sister before he answered. “May I, Shona?”
The lovely, calm lady who’d helped Shona earlier came in, followed by Braden’s wife, Cairstine, the surviving Muir. “We’ll find a chamber for the lassies to share so Juel can join Steenie,” Cairstine said at once. “We’d be pleased to welcome you all.” She moved over to Shona and lifted her out of her seat, wrapping her into a warm embrace. “You poor things. My sympathies for all you’ve had to bear, but you are all verra strong if you’ve survived the Highland weather at this time of year.”
Highland Yuletide Magic (The Band of Cousins Book 9) Page 7
