The Witch's Daughter

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  The seriousness on Killian’s face was evident, and he swallowed hard before asking, “You don’t approve of our being together? You believe I should allow her to marry the farmer and go near her no more?”

  “I like you fine, and I believe you to be a good man. And at the moment she believes she will never be happy without you. Who can say what the future will bring for either of you? I will say that you and your kin have done her no favors through the years.”

  Stunned at this, he touched her shoulder.

  “You think we have been unkind to Alainn?”

  “Aye, well it’s not to say you haven’t done what you thought was right by her. And she has been forever grateful for the schooling and education she’s been given. And I know she’d not trade a moment she spent with you and your cousins. But, it’s left her between two worlds. She does not fit in your world for she is still a servant and not allowed within your circle. She’s remained a commoner no matter how many lessons she had or books she’s read. The other servants and peasants have resented her terribly. She was never included entirely with them either. They believe she thinks herself above them. She’s no female friends, save Molly. She has been like a daughter to us, but we cannot protect her as we do our own daughters, for we’ve truly no say when it comes to her life.”

  “I had no notion she had been shown cruelty by others because she had spent time with the O’Briens.”

  “Aye well, one never truly knows another’s lot in life, no matter how well we think we know them, or how dearly we hold them within our hearts.”

  Killian heard the bagpipes beginning and looked toward the castle.

  “I must be off now, but I thank you for this conversation, and for setting me right about a good many things.”

  “Aye well, I may not be schooled or important, but I’ve an abundance of knowledge and a good deal of experience at motherin’ and handing out advice.”

  “But you’ve not told me what you think would be best for Alainn.”

  “Sure, I don’t know the answer to that. The two of you will have to find that out yourselves. I do know you’ll be needin’ to mend her pride as well as her heart if you ever intend to be more than a memory to her.”

  He looked toward the door, but the pipes called loudly and the cheers had begun. He nodded respectfully to Margaret and headed off at a steady trot.

  “Keep your wits about you, Killian O’Brien, for you’ll be no good to anyone if your head lies apart from the rest of your body!”

  He smiled to himself for the first time in days.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The morning dragged on for Alainn, though she had passed the time with readying bandages and sorting through her remedies. The physician had spoken a few words to her but then left her to her temper. There had only been a couple of men from neighboring clans brought in from the challenges, and their wounds had been bloody but quite minor.

  She could hear the roar of the crowds in the playing fields. The cheers were always the rowdiest when an O’Brien was on the court, and when they’d won a bout, there was no need to be watching to learn the outcome. Two generations of O’Brien’s were competing in one or more event. Though Hugh and all of his brothers were scheduled to take part, it was Riley and Killian who brought the greatest pride to Clan O’Brien. They were the undefeated champions in all of Munster.

  She was standing on a wooden crate straining her neck to look out the tiny window at the current match, when the wee babe within her moved.

  Is it your da who’s battling for the honor of his clan? she silently asked the child, smiling. She wondered if he would resemble his father.

  “How far along are you, then?” She nearly fell off the crate at the physician’s words.

  “What? How? Is it evident?”

  “No, you cannot tell by the look of you, to be certain. But I’ve noticed the scent of herbs on you. Now, the only reason people ingest that combination of herbs is if they are squeamish, which is surely not the case for you, since you have not flinched nor seemed the slightest bit disturbed by the amount of blood you see, or they have a stomach ailment. You eat later in the day, never in the morning, and you’re moody and disagreeable. Yet, every so often you smile and place your hand to your belly. I have seen it before.”

  “Most physicians are not so knowledgeable or accepting of herbal remedies.”

  “They’ve been used for centuries. I can hardly discredit hundreds of years of proof.” He smiled. “My mother was a healer, and my father a physician. Sometimes the two complement each another.”

  “Is it you then who’s been leaving bits of thyme throughout this chamber?”

  “No, I’ve not gone near your herbs, and though I do not discredit the use of herbs, I only use them on occasion. Why do you ask me this?”

  “I have found scattered sprigs of thyme on my table, in my mixing vessels, and even occasionally on my pillow. The old healer, Morag, who has recently gone to the beyond, found great favor in thyme. Of course, it cannot be denied to be a heal-all and beneficial in any number of remedies, but Morag adored the scent of it. She carried it with her always.”

  “But you’ve not answered my query, when is your time?”

  “The babe will be born early in the month of December.”

  The words were barely out of her mouth when Riley entered the healing chamber assisting a limping Killian. There was a large, dark red stain on the front of his thigh. Rory followed closely behind, scolding his cousin.

  “Killian, you are being reckless! Your mind is not on your opponent!”

  His brother added, “Aye, Killian, you’re lucky the wound was not over a wee bit or you’d be of little use to your wife. With your wedding only days away, I think she’d not be so keen on being wed to a gelding.”

  Riley looked up and, upon seeing Alainn, his face colored. “Forgive me, Alainn.”

  “ ’Tis of no concern to me,” she sniped.

  When Riley headed Killian toward her, she shook her head. “Take him over to the physician straightaway! His side of the room is clearly marked. You may find me in the kitchen should anyone else need my attention.” Before leaving, she handed the physician two vials. “After the wound has been cleaned with this solution, this ointment should be applied before it is sewn together. If you don’t care to take the time to sew it up, I’m sure one of your many saws would work fine to amputate, or perhaps you might employ his betrothed, I’m certain her needlework would be fine and as perfect as she is!”

  Not one of the men spoke until she’d left the room.

  “I wonder who’s put her in such a fury this morning,” Riley remarked, looking accusingly at Killian.

  “She’s in a rare temper, even for Alainn,” Rory agreed.

  “What is that ointment?” Killian asked suspiciously to the man cleaning his wound.

  “ ’Tis a heal-all, and she knows her herbal medicines as well as anyone I’ve ever known. But she’s got half a dozen others that would serve the purpose just as well as this one without—”

  He’d stopped mid-sentence and hesitated, with his hand suspended over the wound.

  “Without what?” Killian asked impatiently.

  “Without the pain,” he finished, pouring the medicine into the wound as Killian sucked in his breath and swore. “This one burns like fire,” he added needlessly.

  “Why the wee bitch!” Killian snapped through gritted teeth, and at that moment, the physician was quite certain he knew who had fathered the healer’s child.

  When she returned nearly an hour later, Alainn was startled to find Killian still lying flat upon the table, the physician continuing to work on his wound. Rory sat to one side.

  “Is it serious, then?” she asked in a voice that unwittingly revealed her concern.

  “No, ’tis deep enough but not apt to become purulent, I believe.”

  “And you cleaned it with the water I gave you earlier?”

  “Aye, woman, I have closed a wound or two before.
I once served as physician to men in battle.”

  “Ah, so you haven’t always spent your days looking through bodily fluids and excrement.”

  The man glanced at her for a moment but then went on with his suturing.

  “Much can be learned from the examination of bile, blood, and excrement. Many cures will be found by such studies.”

  “Christ is that the smell that fills this room?” Rory coughed and jokingly put his hands to his throat as though he were choking. Alainn giggled at the sight, and Rory grabbed her and playfully swung her.

  “Stop that, Rory O’Brien, my head grows dizzy, I beg you, stop it this instant!” she squealed. “What was that about?” she asked dizzily when he finally relented and the room stopped spinning.

  “I like to hear you laugh, and it’s been a time since I’ve heard it.”

  “Where is Riley?”

  “He’s gone to spend time with Iona, his intended. They’re not hitting it off well, and father thinks if they spend more time together they might begin to see eye to eye.”

  “I’m sorry to hear it. But I see you and your betrothed are getting along most splendidly.”

  “Aye, I like Brigid. We are able to talk freely with one another. And though she doesn’t have quite the same sense of humor as you and I, she is not without humor.”

  “Aye well, you and I share something uncommon, no one can question that. I shall miss the times we have spent together.” With that, she threw her arms around his neck, and they embraced openly with a familiarity that left the physician wondering if he had been incorrect about the father of the child, after all.

  Killian lay still as the man continued with the closing of his gash. He was happy that Rory had made her laugh. It had been a very long time since he too had heard the sound so dear to his ears.

  When Alainn peered over the physician’s shoulder to gauge how apt he was at repairing a slice by a sword, she saw that the wound truly was quite close to his most sensitive area. Though his tunic covered his masculine parts, his trews were removed for the procedure, and she found herself thinking about that part of him.

  “Is it to your liking?” the physician asked, and she felt her cheeks color slightly. “The wound, is it as able a job as you might have done?”

  “Aye, your stitches are sturdy and precise.”

  “Would you care to accompany me to the banquet this night?” he asked as he laid a clean cloth to the wound.

  “It is not permitted for a commoner to attend the feast of nobles.”

  “But your chieftain has told me to be in attendance and insisted I bring someone of my choice. I would welcome your company.”

  “Because you have found no one else so entirely welcoming and charming as myself?” she jested, knowing how poorly she had treated the man since he had arrived. “ ’Tis sorry I am that I can’t attend as a guest, but the earl has ordered all who are able to assist with the feast this night. Nearly all the lords and ladies have arrived, and the hall is sure to be filled to the limits with nobility. I suppose every extra hand is needed, though I am uncertain how much help I will be when I have never carried a tray of food anywhere but within the kitchen.”

  “You’re sure to do fine, Alainn. You’re graceful and most capable in anything you do,” Rory offered.

  “How are your mother and your grandfather, Rory?”

  “They are doing as well as can be expected. They are planning a druid burial ritual, which has my mother and father at odds. My mother wants Riley and me to attend, though my father is much opposed to the notion.”

  “Aye, I suppose he believes you’ll be sacrificing virgins or dancing about naked worshipping trees.”

  Killian opened his eyes as the physician finished his chore, saying, “You’ll need to move slowly and cautious for a while.”

  “I have another bout before the feast this evening.”

  “You can’t seriously be thinking of fighting in another challenge!” Alainn scolded. “You’ve lost a good deal of blood, and you are surely weakened. ’Tis a jolt to one’s constitution to have a wound such as that inflicted on a body!”

  “Nonetheless, I am scheduled to partake.”

  “That will be three challenges this day! That is not safe, and you know it well, Killian O’Brien!”

  Her eyes flashed as she pulled the dagger from her apron and handed it to him. He did not take it or understand her meaning.

  “And what is it you are indicating?”

  “If you are trying to see to it you go to your grave instead of the altar, you might just as well end it now, for it will save us the trouble of cleaning up after you twice!” She pointed to the blood that lay upon the table and floor.

  “I’ll take that under consideration,” he said dryly. He attempted to put weight upon his leg and sucked in air deeply as pain seared through his thigh. Alainn went to her cupboard and pulled out a bottle of clear liquid. She filled a cup and handed it to him.

  “Drink it,” she ordered.

  “And what is it, some type of poison?”

  “There are none fast enough or painful enough to my way of thinkin’!” she saucily answered. “ ’Tis water from the spring in the glade. Drink it.”

  “When did you become so entirely bossy?”

  “Nearly ten and eight years ago, I’d wager.” Riley jested as he came in through the door. She tossed a rag at him. He caught it as he ducked, then aimed it back at her. He blocked her next shot. Killian cast him a sour glance. Riley ignored it entirely, picked up Alainn, and threw her over his shoulder. It was then that Mary MacDonald came to the door. She looked at Killian and his blood-stained trews, then Riley, who still had Alainn over his shoulder. She looked most displeased with both sights.

  “Are you quite well, Killian?” Mary asked, going to his side. “Is it terribly painful?”

  “No, ’tis only a scratch.”

  “A scratch that nearly left him emasculated,” Alainn scoffed.

  Mary’s cheeks turned bright red. “You were able to heal him, then? You’ve mended what has been damaged?”

  “No, ’twas the physician who so capably has seen to the wound, so he should be well enough for your wedding. You might use your connection to him to urge him to withdraw from this day’s event.”

  “You don’t truly intend to partake in an event when you are so recently wounded?” the Scottish girl asked, unhidden horror and disbelief in her voice.

  “I have fought more difficult matches with far worse wounds.”

  “Go then, Killian O’Brien,” Alainn snapped. “But, when the pith axe slices off your head, make certain someone brings it to the physician to be examined, for I think he’s sure to find it entirely empty!” Upon seeing how pale Mary’s face had grown, she felt chagrined. “Are you still interested in going to the herb garden?” She looked at the young woman and attempted a smile.

  “Aye, it would be much to my liking!”

  As the girls headed toward the doorway, only the Scot called out a farewell to the men left behind.

  Chapter Eighteen

  As the two women sat in the garden, Alainn couldn’t help noticing how Mary did not seem like the noble women she’d known before. She sat upon the soil as Alainn did, though she’d been offered her a blanket to sit upon. She didn’t mind getting her hands dirty and followed Alainn’s lead as she weeded out unwanted plants, and pruned and trimmed others.

  As the young woman reached to pluck one of the plants, however, Alainn swiftly knocked her hand away, crying harshly, “Don’t touch it!”

  “I’m dreadfully sorry, Alainn!” Mary said, turning red in the face. “I’m so clumsy. I’m ruining your beautiful garden, aren’t I?”

  Alainn held a hand to her chest for her heart was thumping wildly. “I could care a whit whether you pull a plant, but ’tis evening nightshade! It’s a most powerful and deadly plant. At best ’tis known to cause hallucinations and madness; at worst, a slow and hideously painful death. I am not accustomed to having others in t
he garden, so I did not take the necessary precautions. I am disbelieving of how careless I was. My mind is muddled this day.”

  “But, Alainn, I saw you touch it. And you are well and unaffected.”

  Pushing hair away from her face, she explained, “ ’Tis only that I have handled tiny wee bits of it since I was a child and have become immune to the poison. It has no effect on me. Although,” she smiled, “many might say it would explain much, for I have been accused of madness more than a time or two throughout my life.”

  “So everyone who touches it in small quantities will build up a resistance to the poison?”

  “No, that is not always the case, sometimes, if a person takes a tiny amount orally, it can drive them quite mad as well, and change their personalities entirely.”

  “Then why would anyone knowingly risk it?”

  “Some believe it will allow them eternal life, that somehow it will poison the aging parts of their body and allow the youthful to be retained. Quite a lot of malarkey, I’d say.”

  “But why would you grow such a horrible plant, if it is so dangerous?”

  “The wall around the garden is high, and most know a healer’s garden holds many dangers.” She shrugged. “ ’Tis a heal-all and can be most effective in healing wounds if the healer knows what they are doing. Few people are immune to it, though, and nearly everyone reacts badly to it. Killian has built up some immunity to it himself, for his many battle scars have been managed with the plant.”

  “You seem to know Killian well, Alainn, and the chieftain’s sons. Do you know...is Killian always so distant? He has not been unkind to me, but I feel he has much on his mind and is not so very easy to become acquainted with. He is unquestionably handsome. His eyes are so intense, so vividly green. Would that I knew how to become closer to him. In truth, I am uncertain if he will be a good match for me. Riley speaks to me often, but he seems displeased with Iona. I have never opposed arranged marriages. I have never dreamed of marrying for love, as many girls do. Of course, I hope that one day my husband and I will find love, but I am not so certain that Killian and I will ever come to that.”