She lifted her nose. "Wabi, what's that wonderful smell?"
"Ah, yes, that would be the apple and pear tarts that will be ready in just a few more minutes," replied Wabi to her question.
His energy never ceased to amaze Caitlin. Personally, she was about to expire any moment now. A bath would be wonderful, followed by a bed with blankets to snuggle under. But, first, she would have a meal with Wabi and Alex and try to make some sense out of their situation.
* * *
Following a most scrumptious meal, the three of them felt half human again.
"Uncle Wabi, you never tell anyone your recipes, but maybe one day you'll teach me how to cook like this," Caitlin commented.
"I don't know much about cooking, but maybe you could teach Hector too. He does our cooking and we've learned not to complain, but I believe you could teach him a thing or two," said Alex.
Caitlin stood up from the table, "I'll take a tray up to Millie. She's bound to be even more tired than we all are."
However, Millie was covered from head to toe, and Caitlin decided just to leave the tray on the bedside table and Millie would find it if she awakened.
After a quick washing up, Wabi, Alex and Caitlin went to sit by the fire in the great hall. Wabi had poured them both a goblet of the wine and had given himself a generous portion also. So after Caitlin checked once again on Commander Campbell and found him still unconscious, she, Alex, and Wabi gathered their thought. But, in just a few seconds, Alex was nodding in his chair. Rousing himself, he stood slowly.
"If ye'll excuse me, I believe I'll find a bed somewhere. It's been several nights with not much sleep, and it's caught up with me," said Alex, trying to stifle a yawn. He actually felt that Caitlin may need some personal, private time with her uncle. And, Alex was still not sure what to think about the old man.
"Of course, Alex." Wabi nodded to him.
"Yes, off to bed with you. I'll sleep in with Millie. There are several rooms upstairs. Just find one and lay your head down," said Caitlin. Then she rose and gave him a kiss on his cheek as he got up from his chair. He simply smiled and started up the stairs.
Twisting her goblet in her hands, first one way, then the other, Caitlin peered across at Wabi. She had debated with herself whether to have this conversation or not.
"Uncle Wabi, did I see you nod your head to start a fire in the fireplace?" she asked.
"Well, yes, as a matter of fact you did. But Caitlin, you have seen me do this many times when you were a child You just never questioned it then. Children have no trouble believing the seemingly impossible, unlike adults. And, Caitlin, you too, have the power to do this. All you must do is think about it and know that it will happen. Most of your powers need only be accepted and they will be at your fingertips."
"This wizard weaving . . . or place weaving . . . time weaving . . . lighting fires . . . why me . . . what am I to do with these powers?"
"Oh, Cait. There was a destiny determined for you long ago. You will find what that destiny is as your life proceeds, but you must not continue to disbelieve or these gifts will never manifest themselves for the purpose the Creator intended. I do not know what this entity had in mind, but it will be for mankind's good, and you are being called to serve in some capacity, it seems. This calling can seem a burden at times, but ultimately, you will understand how you are to take your place in the universe. I will not be surprised that your destiny was designed to include the gift you have always had . . . healing others. Of course, there are many kinds of healing. You may be called on to administer more than one.
"Don't worry so, dear girl. We'll talk more of this once we have sorted through our present situation. Now, to bed with you, too. Tomorrow will take care of itself, so let's not think about that tonight. I've been running on leftover energy from the 'weaving,' but tomorrow I'll feel like I have the biggest hangover ever. 'Weaving' has a way of catching up with you, both physically and mentally. So, it may be that you'll have to wake me in the morning. But, please be gentle with me, I'm an old man, you see." He laughed as he bade her goodnight.
Wabi made himself a pallet near the soldier. His personal code of ethics never allowed him to kill unless there was no other solution. But this soldier could only bring disaster wherever he went. Wabi hoped he would just continue to sleep, and may it be forever.
"I'll sleep down here tonight, just to keep an eye on our 'friend.' I'll call you if you're needed."
She started to walk away when Wabi called to her. "Oh, Cait. I did want to ask you a question, if I may."
"Of course, Uncle Wabi, anything."
"Well, these, uh, uh, pants you're wearing. Much like mine that gather just below the knee. And your hair braided down your back. I actually thought you were a young lad when I first saw you. This look is most unusual you must admit, on a young woman that is."
Caitlin laughed at her uncle. "Well, I was trying to figure out how to escape from the commander, so I thought maybe if I disguised myself as a lad, he wouldn't recognize me if he ever caught up with me. I thought getting about would be much easier without having to deal with petticoats and long dresses. And, I must say, these pants and stockings do work very well!"
"Yes, I can see that. So, does that mean I should get used to seeing you in this attire in the future?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm not sure a healer would be well received dressed like this. But the outfit may come in handy again. Think I'll hang on to it for a while."
"Your inner beauty will always show, Caitlin, no matter what you wear." She kissed his cheek and walked on.
Caitlin slowly climbed the stairs thinking what a magnificent place this must have been to grow up in, or even visit as Millie had apparently done. And, remembering Millie as she had walked up the stairs, carrying her babe and murmuring to her, Caitlin thought to herself, there was such an elegance about this woman. She had a regal bearing and when she spoke, her voice was quiet, gentle, and made you want to listen to her. At almost six feet tall, Millie towered over Caitlin, who barely made five feet. But a camaraderie was developing between them. They didn't know each other at all, or only briefly, but each recognized some characteristic in the other they felt missing in themselves. Maybe a friendship would be a good thing. Not something that Caitlin had given much thought to before.
When Caitlin got to the top of the stairs she looked back down and could see Wabi and the commander both sleeping by the fire. If the soldier did awaken, she felt sure Wabi would be able to handle the situation.
Entering the hall at the top of the stairs, Caitlin saw the open door where Millie was sleeping. She also saw several other rooms farther back, and one with a closed door. Curiosity got the better of her, even in her tired state, and she gently opened the door and looked about. Was Alex in this room? She didn't wish to wake him if so. But just knowing he was near had her heart wishing for something more in life, and she hadn't even known something was missing until he came along!
Her brain quickly registered this was a bedroom where a woman had slept. The linens were exceptionally fine with hand tatted lace on the sheets and pillowcases. The window was adorned with curtains that reached the floor and were made from a soft fabric her fingers wanted to touch. As she walked closer to the window, however, she heard a soft fluttering sounds. She stopped and looked in amazement as a falcon moved about on a large nest on the window seat. The falcon stood up, turned in the other direction, scratched around the edge of the nest, and reseated herself. Caitlin smiled, just watching the bird. Did falcons make nests in windows? She thought they only liked high ledges in nature. Apparently she was content to use whatever was at hand. Caitlin wondered why mankind couldn't be so content, just to do what we were put here to do. She walked away and quietly closed the door. Alex was not there, but she didn't look into any more rooms.
Caitlin went into the small dressing room attached to the bedroom where Millie slept. The fire had warmed the room and the light from it flickered on the highly polished floors. Ther
e was a ewer with water and a bowl waiting, again as if ready for use. And, there was a bar of chamomile soap! Oh, what a treat! The water was cold, but just removing some of the grime from her body was most refreshing. She had to put the same clothing back on, however, as she had nothing else to wear. But, she really liked these pants and the shirt she "borrowed" from Ian. She lay down on the other bed, relishing the feel of the fine linen and soft bedding. Such a luxury, and she didn't count any black-faced sheep before she drifted off into a deep sleep with no dreams this night.
CHAPTER 43
Hours later, in the deepest, darkest part of the night, Caitlin heard something as did Willie, who as on his feet and waiting for a signal from her — a signal to attack!
As Caitlin and Willie quietly walked down the staircase and reached the bottom, she tripped over a large object of some kind at the foot of the stairs. She picked herself up and listened, trying to see and hear. As she looked about, the object she had stumbled over had come to life and was reaching for her! It was a giant of a man and he grabbed her by her shoulders, lifting her off her feet! He was enormous! But Willie did not growl, and Caitlin held her breath as the giant continued to hold her higher and squeeze her. She had awakened him and he was about to cause her great bodily harm. Why had Willie not attacked him?
"Who goes there?" he called out, still holding her tightly, lifting her even higher, her legs dangling in the air.
"Let me go this minute!" Caitlin screamed in his face, all the while kicking him in the shins with her small feet. He held her farther away in order to see her face more clearly.
"Jesus!" The man didn't need to see her face, he would have known that voice anywhere. The healer! Whatever was she doing in this castle?
"Caitlin? What are ye doing here? Is Alex with ye? Are ye alright?"
As the giant lowered her to the floor, Caitlin caught her breath and looked carefully at the man. It was one of the MacKinnon brothers, Jack or Hector? Yes, Jack MacKinnon! What was he doing here?
"Jack!" she gasped, thankful to be back on the floor and released from his terrifying grip. "It's a long story, but we're here trying to keep out of the storm. And, yes, Alex is with me He caught up with us today." At least now she understood why Willie had not attacked him. He had found the MacKinnon brothers to his liking from the very beginning.
Jack was breathing heavily as he was certainly awakened abruptly and not expecting to find the healer here.
"Alex left some days ago headed back down to the cave to try and talk some sense into ye. He felt the soldier would not cease looking for ye and ye were in danger. So, after he hadn't come back in another few days, I came down to look for him. Thank goodness. Is he alright?"
"Yes, Jack, he's fine. A bit too tired, but all right. He's upstairs asleep."
"Good. I'll go up then and talk with him."
"Oh, Jack. Let it wait 'til morning. We're all past going another minute. He'll feel better with some uninterrupted sleep." The healer was forever trying to get folk to understand the body needed to rest in order to keep going. But, trying to tell that to a sheep man was like talking to the wind!
"Ah, well, then, ye've got a point there. I'm a bit tuckered meself."
"Oh, what a complicated mess," said Caitlin. "We all need to put our heads together, as Uncle Wabi would say, and sort this one out."
"We all? It's just the three of us, Caitlin."
"Well, not exactly. Uncle Wabi is here, as is Millie and her newborn babe, and the soldier, too."
"Who is Uncle Wabi? And a woman with a baby? What is she doing here? And a soldier?"
Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands, Caitlin could hardly explain the situation.
"Jack, some of these events I don't even begin to know how to explain, but, nonetheless, they have happened. But, first things first."
"But, Caitlin, where are ye and the others headed? This storm is likely to last a while. What about food and water?"
"Well, I was trying to get to your farm and hoping you might allow me to stay there until this soldier comes to his sense. But, that plan has changed a bit, so I'm not really sure what I'll do now." She hesitated before adding more to her story.
"As it is, rather than running from him now, I've brought him here with me."
"What! Have ye lost yer mind, bringing in the man who wants to burn ye?"
"That's not exactly what happened, you see. I was just coming north on my own, with Willie of course, and then I came upon this woman in labor, and then I delivered the baby, and it started to snow and . . . and then I was attacked by the soldier, but apparently I took care of that . . . and then I called for Uncle Wabi . . . and he came and . . . Owl was there . . . "
Even to her own ears, Caitlin knew this story sounded utterly ridiculous.
Jack stared at the woman. He had long ago decided she was not a witch, and was indeed a most skilled healer, and he acknowledged that Alex was taken with her. But, my goodness, she did seem to be spinning a really unbelievable yarn. Maybe he had made too hasty a decision. Maybe she was a witch!
As they continued their conversation, Uncle Wabi awoke and stood up holding his blanket about himself, just listening, wondering who this giant of a man was and what action he might need to take to protect them all. He noted Willie was not alarmed and understood there must not be any danger at the moment. Well enough, but who was he? Apparently, they were discussing Alex. Wabi pulled at his beard and took a deep breath. He had forgotten how complicated Caitlin could make one's life. He just hoped this would turn out well, but, at the moment, he was not so sure.
Walking closer to the two, he cleared his throat, "Ahem, uh. Whatever it is that you two are discussing, I believe it can wait until tomorrow. I must sleep now." He promptly lay back down, and the snoring commenced immediately.
"But what about the soldier? Where is he right now?" Jack whispered loudly.
"He's tied up, down by the fire. He's been unconscious all day and still remains so. I don't think we need to worry too much about him. Uncle Wabi will take care of any problems from him."
"Caitlin, that soldier could overpower that old man in a minute! He's dangerous!"
"Don't count Wabi out so easily. He's got more on the ball than you know. He can handle the soldier."
Jack was not happy with that conversation and thought Caitlin was making a big mistake bringing a madman into the house with them.
"Caitlin, Alex will tear me apart if I let anything happen to ye. Yer putting all of us in danger!"
She could see there was no changing Jack's mind, so she just shook her head and started asking her own questions.
"Why are you here, in this castle?" Caitlin whispered, looking as Jack as if he had two heads.
"Well, ye see, I've been before, several years ago, when the old laird passed on. The estate was looking to rid themselves of a large number of their sheep, so we, me and Alex, came down and made our agreement with the old woman, Mistress Cameron, I believe it was, to herd them back up to our place. She felt she wouldn't be able to run the sheep farm without the laird, so she as pleased that we wanted to make the purchase.
"So, what with the storm, I thought perhaps they would allow me to stay in the stables, so I came to the door to inquire about that. I knocked, but no one answered. But, the door was unlocked and I could see a fire. So, I came in quietly and saw there were some other travelers as well who seemed to be resting here out of the weather. So, I just bedded down at the bottom of the stairs, out of the way of the other two. It was quite a dreadful storm. But where is the mistress?"
"Oh, that's a good question and one I can't answer. But maybe Millie can explain more to us in the morning. Right now, let's get back to bed and try to get some sleep."
Caitlin found some blankets for Jack, and he settled back at the foot of the stairs. He tried to sleep, but was still fuming about the soldier, and Wabi made enough noise to wake the dead! After some time, tired of listening to the ever-snoring Wabi, Jack got up, blankets and
all, and ascended the stairs, hoping to find someplace to sleep. Someplace with no snoring!
At the top of the stairs, he saw the door open to a room on the right. A quick peek in there and he saw Caitlin in one bed, and another person in the other, totally covered from head to toe. They were both sleeping soundly, and he walked on across the hallway to the room with the closed door.
As he went inside he never noticed the falcon in the window. He only saw a most inviting bed with what looked like warm blankets and he made a beeline for it. He collapse immediately, and the bed groaned under his weight.
CHAPTER 44
Caitlin awoke feeling more rested than she had since leaving the Isle of Skye. The fine linens and blankets on the bed had felt like heaven. And, now, she was ready to go down and talk with Uncle Wabi, Alex, and Jack and see what kind of plan they could come up with. She put her boots back on, casting a critical eye at them briefly. To look at them now, you'd never know they had been a Christmas gift from Uncle Wabi last year, crafted from the softest leather and handmade by the leather maker in their village. They had served her well and had kept her feet warm and dry, so she was glad to have them and hoped they would last a little longer.
One look at the other bed and she could see Millie and her bed partner were still enjoying their rest. Millie never complained about any discomfort, but Caitlin knew the woman must have been in agony just sitting on that horse for hours following delivery of a baby. This woman was most unique, of that she was certain. Just before Caitlin left the room, Willie sat up, ears ready for any instruction. She decided he, too, needed to rest while he could, so she gave him a "stay" hand signal, and he settled back down on the rug next to the bed.
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