Highlander's Winter Tale

by Donna Fletcher

  But now, since Dawn...Cree walked over to Neil and rested a strong hand on the man’s shoulder. “Elsa is strong. She will be fine.”

  Neil looked up at Cree. “I pray it will be so, for I do not know what I would do without her.”

  Cree gave the man’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then left the cottage. He knew exactly how Neil felt, for he could not think of life without Dawn.

  Once outside the cottage, Cree looked around for Sloan. He did not spot him, but he did see Lila, Dawn’s closest and dearest friend, and Dorrie, a friend to Dawn now, but not always, heading toward the keep.

  He shouted out to Lila and the two women halted and respectfully bobbed their heads at him when a few feet away and together they said, “My lord.”

  “Where are you off to?” he asked.

  Lila answered. “We go to the keep to help those taken ill and see how Dawn fares.”

  “Dawn is well,” Cree said, “but I do not want either of you at the keep and spread the word to others that they are to remain away from the keep. Also there is a stranger among us. He arrived last night and no one is to go near him.”

  “Do you believe he has brought an illness upon us?” Lila asked with concern.

  “I am not sure, but I intend to take no chances. Keep to your cottages until you are informed otherwise,” Cree ordered and seeing Sloan called out to him.

  The two women bobbed their heads again and turned and hurried off, huddled together talking as they went.

  “Have you seen Alexander today?” Cree asked when Sloan approached.

  “Not that I recall, though one of our warriors discreetly follows him,” Sloan said and lowered his voice. “When the villagers who were not at the keep last night heard about the tale being told and a stranger suddenly appearing, tongues started wagging and fear now can be seen in far too many eyes.”

  “Time to lock Alexander away until this matter can be settled,” Cree said.

  “My thought as well,” Sloan said and walked with Cree to the keep.

  ~~~

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Dawn jumped, dropping the cloth she had been bathing Old Mary’s brow with, upon hearing Alexander. She snatched the wet cloth off the bed where it had fallen and wondered how she had not heard him enter the room. The door always gave a soft creak when opening or closing, yet she had heard nothing.

  She shook her head and waved him away. She did not want him there. She was not comfortable with his presence and she wanted nothing to do with him. Besides Cree had ordered her to stay clear of him and this was one time she agreed with his demand.

  “You dismiss me again and all I want to do is help you,” he said and took a step closer.

  Dawn glared at him. So she had seen him outside her bedchamber last night, but how was that possible when a servant had insisted he had been with her the whole time and a guard had confirmed it?

  Ghost? Demon? What was he?

  “I am merely a man who offers his help.”

  A cold shiver ran through her. He answered as if he had heard her clearly, as if she had spoken aloud.

  Dawn stood and pointed to the door as her brow furrowed in anger and, to see if what she believed was true, she spoke in her mind. Leave at once!

  “Do not be so hasty to chase me away yet again. I only wish to return the kindness shown to me.”

  Dawn felt a tingle of fear creep over her. That he could hear her thoughts so clearly disturbed her. She would have to be careful around him, but then she did not plan on being in his presence often, if at all. But how did she get him to leave.

  His smile vanished for a moment, his head tilting to the side as if he heard something, and then his smile returned. “I do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable. I will take my leave.” He sent her a nod. “Until next time, my lovely lady.” He went to the door, opened it, and walked out.

  Dawn heard the creak as he opened the door and again when he closed it. She wondered again why she had not heard it when he had entered before. Her husband may believe Alexander was nothing more than a man like any other man, but she did not agree. Though what he was, she was not sure, and how did one combat something that was possibly already dead or could not die?

  She shook her head and lowered herself to the chair. This was far worse than any nightmare. One could wake from a nightmare, but this...was all too tangible. She gave past nightmares a thought. How had she escaped them?

  Her mum had always been there to comfort and counsel her. She missed her dearly and she was pleased that her wise words would always find a way to her when needed, as it did now.

  Chase the nonsense away and see what remains and then fight it, refuse to let it conquer you, and you will always be the victor.

  How did she chase away the nonsense of the present situation when that was all there seemed to be?

  Winter Tale.

  The tale was like a nightmare. She had to push away the nonsense and see what she could find out. But she did not know the tale well enough after hearing it only once and Old Mary—she turned to look at her sleeping peacefully—was not well enough to speak with her. She felt the old woman’s head and was pleased to find the fever had lessened, though remained. She wondered if there was anyone else in the village familiar with the tale.

  The door creaked open and Cree entered.

  Dawn smiled and hurried to him and as always he caught her in a strong embrace. She was never happier than when she was in his arms. Problems and worries seemed to melt away and all that was left was the love that embraced them as powerfully as his arms.

  “I was sorry to hear that Old Mary took ill. Does she fare any better?”

  Dawn nodded, patted her brow, and raised her hand up and down slowly.

  “Her fever goes up and down?”

  Dawn nodded again.

  “I wish I could say the same for Elsa. She remains the same.”

  Dawn patted her chest and pointed to her ear, letting him know she had heard about Elsa falling ill and shrugged, her brow going up and her eyes full of concern, asking how Elsa was doing.

  “Neil is with her and more fearful than I have ever seen him. He is doing what he can until the men can reach Ann’s cottage and dig her out. Lara is seeing to those in the keep who have yet to improve.” His brow knitted. “The illness strikes so fast, fever coming on without warning and without Elsa it will be difficult to combat it.”

  Dawn agreed, telling Cree how she had found Old Mary, the fire dwindled to embers, unable to call out for help and her nightdress soaked through from the fever.

  Cree followed her gestures. “You should have given her your only nightdress since you will never be using it.”

  Dawn tapped her chest and nodded.

  “You did?” And when Dawn nodded, Cree said, “Wise woman. I wish we knew what causes this illness so that we can stop it from spreading. I have ordered all those who have not been to the keep to remain a distance from it, though it concerns me that Elsa took ill without being in contact with either. Whether the stranger has something to do with this sudden illness or not, I can take no chances. I have ordered him locked in the tower room with guards posted outside the door until a path has been cleared from the village and he can be sent on his way.”

  Dawn gestured, letting Cree know that the stranger had been here, speaking with her. She was eager to tell him how Alexander had seemed to hear the thoughts in her head.

  “When was he here and what did he say?”

  She held up two fingers, keeping them only a short distance apart.

  “Not long ago? That is not possible. He was in the Great Hall when I entered, half asleep on his pallet, and I had him locked away immediately.”

  Dawn shook her head and pointed her finger down at the floor, insisting he had been there. When Cree went to speak, she pressed her finger to his lips, then tapped her temple as she shook her head again.

  Cree scowled. “I was not going to say you imagined him. I am trying to und
erstand how he can be in two places at the same time.”

  Dawn stuck a finger up from each side of her head.

  “For the last time, he is not the devil—”

  “I tend to agree with Dawn,” Sloan said, stepping in through the open door. “The two warriors guarding Alexander heard a loud noise coming from inside his room. They unlocked the door to see what was wrong—the room was empty.”

  Chapter Seven

  “I have had enough of this nonsense. Find him now!” Cree ordered with a shout.

  “I have men searching, but many are questioning the stranger’s sudden arrival so close on the tail of Old Mary’s telling of Winter Tale and they have begun to grumble among themselves, especially now that Elsa has fallen ill. Without her to keep them well, they fear what may happen and,” —Sloan hesitated a moment—“it has started snowing again and the men have yet to dig the whole village out. There is no way for anyone to leave here.”

  “And no reason for anyone to,” Cree was quick to say, then ordered, “Have another bed brought to this room and have Elsa moved here before the snow traps her and Neil again. Also have someone brought here to watch over Old Mary. Dawn will be coming with me.”

  Sloan nodded and went to do Cree’s bidding.

  Dawn looked to her husband with a scrunch of her brow and tilt of her head.

  Cree’s strong hand wrapped around Dawn’s, gripping it possessively. “For some reason this stranger has appeared to you twice and I intend to be there the next time he does.”

  Dawn smiled, slipped her hand from his and gave her husband a tight hug, then stepped away from him to gesture.

  Cree interrupted her, asking, “Why the hug?”

  Dawn rested a gentle hand to his warm cheek for a moment, then mouthed slowly as she gestured. You believe me.

  He brought his lips close to hers and whispered, “Always.”

  After he gave her a quick kiss, she gestured anxiously.

  Cree nodded. “I thought the same myself. We should have a look at the room where he was being held.”

  A servant entered then and after Dawn showed her how to tend Old Mary, she grabbed her husband’s hand and hurried out of the room with him to the tower room. The higher they climbed the colder it got. The cold winter wind was striking the keep so hard that it was creeping through the cold stone wall.

  Dawn rubbed her arms, wishing she had thought to bring her shawl with her, though her wool cloak would have served her better.

  Seeing that a chill had seeped into his wife, Cree took a moment to step behind her and rub some heat into her shoulders and arms. Then he leaned down to nibble along her neck and instead of a chilled shiver running through her, a warm shiver took hold.

  Dawn sighed silently, though she knew Cree would feel it being so close to her. He always looked after her, always thought of her well-being, always loved her and that thought not only warmed her heart, but her body as well.

  “Let us be done with this task and get you where you will be warm.”

  Dawn leaned back against him and took hold of his arms and wrapped them around her, letting him know she would always be warm in his arms.

  With an arm lingering around her waist, Cree opened the door, having to give it a hard push with his shoulder. It groaned as if annoyed at being disturbed, but then this room had sat abandoned until today when Cree finally made use of it.

  A sudden chill whipped out at them and Cree quickly moved in front of Dawn to block the mighty blast from hitting her. The only light in the confined quarters was from the fire that barely burned in the small fireplace. Shadows congregated in the dark corners, as if huddling in whispers.

  The shiver that ran through Dawn this time was not from the cold, but from a small tingle of fear that hurried through her and settled in the pit of her stomach. The sooner they finished here the better.

  Cree went to the fireplace, taking his wife with him, though he doubted he could dislodge her, she clung to his arm so tightly. He threw the few remaining logs into the dwindling flames and they were greedily attacked and set ablaze.

  “How kind of you to visit.”

  Dawn jumped, startled by the unexpected voice, though her husband did not budge.

  They both turned to see Alexander stepping out of the shadows that the bright flames were beginning to chase away and that also revealed a sleeping pallet on the floor.

  “I was sleeping and did not hear you enter.”

  Dawn stared at him. How could he not have heard them enter when the door had groaned? And he certainly did not appear as if he had just woken from sleep. Actually, he appeared much too well-groomed for one locked away in this cold, damp room.

  “I can only assume that this lovely woman on your arm is your beautiful wife.” Alexander bowed graciously. “I am honored to finally meet you, Lady Dawn. Your clan speaks highly of you.”

  Dawn wanted to step forward and demand he speak the truth. That he had already met and spoken with her, but part of her was too frightened to do so. A man, one of flesh and blood, could be subdued and conquered, but not so a man neither alive nor dead.

  Cree stepped forward, keeping Dawn slightly behind him. “A loud sound was heard from this room a short time ago and the guards entered and did not see you here.”

  A smile caught at the corners of Alexander’s mouth and grew as he spoke. “I must have been sleeping the sleep of the dead, for I heard nothing.”

  He plays with words, she thought and when he turned a subtle grin on her, she realized he had heard her.

  “I mean no harm to anyone and I would help if you would let me.”

  “You are helping, by staying here away from others who believe you evil and just may attempt to take your life,” Cree said.

  Alexander gave an abrupt laugh. “Evil is not easy to destroy, but then you are well aware of that since evil has reared its ugly head in you in the past.”

  Cree took a step forward with a nudge to his wife to remain where she was. “Many times and no doubt it will again. Let me demonstrate.”

  Alexander held up his hands and took a step back. “I meant no disrespect.”

  “A wise choice, though true evil would never apologize, which leads me to believe you would not be a difficult man to conquer.”

  A flash of anger crossed Alexander’s face before it was replaced with a smile. “I have no wish to battle with you. All I ask is shelter and comfort from the storm.”

  “And so you shall have it,” Cree said and took a step back, never taking his eyes off Alexander and with a hand to his wife’s arm urged her toward the door.

  Dawn did as her husband bid and stepped toward the door.

  “It was a pleasure meeting you, my lady.”

  Dawn turned and looked at him and purposely thought. I cannot say the same about you.

  Alexander laughed and bobbed his head at her silent acknowledgement.

  “Bring the guards,” Cree ordered.

  Dawn hesitated a moment, then nodded at her husband and left the room. She hurried down the stairs to fetch the guards as fast as she could. Her first thought had been to argue with Cree, but she had forced the thought from her head. It would not do to let Alexander know what she was thinking. The second thought she quashed was that she did not want to leave him alone with this—creature. There was no telling what he would do to Cree, but she would not disrespect her husband in front of the stranger and so she had taken her leave without protest. It did help that he had told her to ‘bring the guards’, his way of ordering her to return.

  She rushed over to Sloan when she spotted him in the Great Hall and her hands gestured so fast that he summoned Flanna over to interpret. When he found out that Cree was in the tower room alone with Alexander, Sloan gave a shout and four warriors rushed out of the room with him. Dawn was quick to follow them.

  Her name was called just as she was following the guards up to the tower room. She looked down behind her to see the servant, Bessa, she had left to care for Old Mary, stand
ing there anxiously waving to her.

  “Please, my lady, Old Mary is awake and says she must see you right away.”

  Dawn did not hesitate to turn around and hurry along with Bessa down the stairs to the room. Dawn gave the few furnishings that had been moved around to make room for Elsa, who had yet to be brought there, a cursory glance and went directly to Old Mary.

  Old Mary gripped her hand as soon as Dawn was in reach. “Go see Elwin. I do not know why. I only know you must speak with him.” She shook her head. “My mind is jumbled. I cannot make sense of things. You must go. You must go now.”

  Dawn felt her brow. The fever had risen, but it was not as high as it first had been and she related that news to Old Mary.

  “Like a poison to the mind,” Old Mary mumbled, “must fight it.” Her eyes closed and she was soon asleep.

  Dawn felt as confused as Old Mary sounded. Why the old woman urged her to go see Elwin made no sense. He had not even been in the Great Hall the night Old Mary had told the tale.

  A poison to the mind. Could the fever be poisoning her mind, robbing her of her senses? Dawn turned, shaking her head to find Bessa standing directly behind her, her face pale and wringing her hands.

  “He is poisoning us one by one,” she said tears gathering in her eyes.

  Dawn shook her head and eased Bessa down on the chair beside the bed. The servants she came in contact with often understood her gestures and the ones she only saw occasionally did not. Dawn was not familiar with Bessa. She did her best to comfort her and ease her worries and was relieved when Flanna entered the room followed by several male servants who got busy assembling a bed in the spot that had been cleared.

  Dawn gestured to Flanna that she had to hurry off and left Bessa to explain her tears to Flanna. She stopped in her bedchamber to change from her shoes to her boots and to grab her fur-lined cloak. Then she made her way through the keep, taking note of how upset and worried people appeared. Fear was brewing and it would soon bubble over if something was not done.

  ~~~

  “He was not here, my lord, I swear by all that is holy,” the one warrior said after being questioned by Cree.