As she got to the bottom of the stairs, Wabi was still wrapped in his blanket. His rhythmic snoring indicated he was dead to the world. The commander was still near the fire, covered from head to toe. She decided to check his status hoping he would be in a better state of health, and that his senses had returned to him. Surely, by now he would have figured out she was not a witch and his pursuit of her was ridiculous. Alex must still be sleeping, too, which was probably a good thing.
She gently turned back the covers from the soldier's face and gasped! The blanket was empty and the soldier was gone! Oh, great glory, where had he gone? She felt panicky just wondering where he might be hiding. But, she also knew he was in poor physical condition and not likely to have gone very far. She prayed he had realized his mission, trying to find and do away with her, was not one he could continue. Why else would he have left? But, after she had sent him flying yesterday, he had not been aware of anything and had shortly become unconscious. He had not regained consciousness before she retired last evening, so she didn't think he could know she was here with him. Maybe he had left, still thinking to chase after her, still unaware he had been in her care.
She thought it might be a good idea to check on the horses, as he may have taken one of them, most likely his own. They, too, must have had a better night, with plenty of water, fresh oats, and a blanket on their backs. She was still glad she had stolen the soldier's horse and she would do it again.
She stopped and looked across the fields beyond the stables. The sky was announcing a new day, and the sun was just peeking over the mountains. The snowstorm had subsided and as far as she could see, all across the distant moor, the ground was covered in a white sheet of crystals that winked at her when the light struck them. There was not a sound anywhere. It was truly Mother Nature at her most beautiful, calm and peaceful. Caitlin wondered why the inhabitants of the world couldn't find this same tranquility, for surely it was available.
She made her way to the stables and could see tracks left by Jack when he had brought his horse in last night. It was still amazing they had crossed paths in this unlikely place. The stable doors were unlocked, and slightly open. She remembered closing them completely herself, but Jack must have left them ajar in his rush to get inside to a warm fire. She had to use both hands to pull the large doors open, as they were built of very thick, heavy wood and had been here for ages. Stepping inside and again seeing the large well, she thought whomever had come up with that idea had been quite a resourceful person. At least you would be inside, out of the weather, when you needed to get water for the household or for the livestock. She peeked over the edge of the well and could see water far below. The particular smell of the water told her it must be some sort of underground spring. She would bring up one of the several buckets that were hung over the side, take water to the horses, and maybe take a bucket full to the house as well. Maybe she could make a pot of tea or coffee if they could find any.
She reached down, grabbed the rope and began to pull the bucket up. As she leaned over, something lunged at her from behind. In a flash, a large, muscular arm was around her neck, cutting off her oxygen.
"Well, now, my lovely little witch, when I make a promise, I keep it!" Commander Campbell, even in his condition, had more strength than she could imagine. She felt her heart pounding, and a fear she had only experienced once before was threatening to overwhelm her ability to think. Trying to keep her mind working, she tried to recall what Wabi had told her.
"You can always call me, Caitlin. When in a dire circumstance, just think about me and call me, in your mind."
Caitlin was far past relaxing as Wabi had instructed, but her scalp began to sizzle and in her mind she screamed, "Uncle Wabi! Help me! Wabi!"
But no sound came from her lips as there was no oxygen left for her to breathe. She felt herself fading away and desperately tried to stay conscious.
Then she mentally called once more. And this time she screamed "Alex! Help me!"
* * *
Jack had also awakened early, as was his usual routine. He was hesitant to leave this warm cocoon and was enjoying the smells in this room. He hadn't noticed any of these details last evening as he was far too exhausted. But, in this early morning light, he knew he was in a female's bedroom. The lustrous drapes at the window, lace on the linens, and something that smelled like Mam's heather or some of her herbs. And, across the room was a most unexpected sight. A window seat appeared to be home for a falcon. She was sitting quietly on her large nest, as if not aware of his presence. Now that was an unusual sight, a falcon nesting in a window. He had seen them many times before, but always up high on a ledge of some kind. He smiled and got up, put his boots on and walked out of the room, taking time to close the door. He was anxious to talk with Alex, but would go downstairs and wait until his brother came down. Alex was not exactly at his best early, and Jack knew to hand him a cup of coffee before trying to talk to him.
As he came out into the hallway, he heard a small animal mewing, like a small kitten seeking its breakfast. But, looking about the hallway, he found nothing. He walked across the hall to another room, one with the door cracked just a little. A quick glance told him that Caitlin must also be an early riser as her bed was empty. But in the other one, the woman was still asleep — but her "companion" was not. Jack could see the small infant flailing its arms and legs about, totally out of the covers. This was where the sound of a small animal was coming from. And it was most definitely a small animal!
He went over to the bed and gently picked up the small babe up and held it close to his chest, fully supporting the head, just as Mam had taught him. He, Alex, and Hector had learned much when Ian was born. Ian was a change-of-life baby for Mam, and these three older brothers found this baby even more exciting than a new pup. Mam had taught them all how to care for him, change him, feed him, and most of all, how to love him. Of the brothers, Jack had most enjoyed taking care of the little brother and so holding this new infant felt natural.
"Why, you're no bigger than a little midge!" whispered Jack. Of course, midges could be irritating, as could some babies.
Taking a small blanket laying on the table next to the bed, he wrapped the infant in it, then decided to go downstairs with her so the new mother could rest. He couldn't imagine what an ordeal this woman must have gone through. Having a baby under the best of circumstances was one thing, but to have one in the middle of a snowstorm and outdoors was another. Willie watched as the big Highlander picked the child up, but knew this child was in no danger from this man.
Jack cautiously walked down the stairs and headed for the kitchen, hoping to find the makings of breakfast, or at least coffee. As he held the infant closely, the babe rooted up to Jack's neck seeking some breakfast too, but finding nothing, made some little animal sounds and drifted back to sleep. Jack continued to talk soothingly to the babe, holding her easily in one hand. He found some baked goods, but they were very old and had been here a long time. He puttered about some more hoping to find coffee or tea.
As he opened a cabinet door still searching for coffee, he felt a tremendous vibration, and it was shaking the entire room. Then the whole place reeled with the screaming of a woman! He ran back to the great hall and the walls fairly echoed with the same voice calling out.
"Uncle Wabi! Alex!"
Jack watched in awe as the old man with the beard jumped straight up and held his head between his hands, then fairly ran from the room. Just moments later, coming from somewhere upstairs, Alex flew down the stairs and dashed out the door, just a few seconds behind the old man.
"Caitlin! I'm coming! Hold on!" yelled Alex.
Jack tried to think what he must do. He started toward the stairs intending to return the infant and follow the old man and Alex outside. But, as he looked up to the top of the stairs, another scream — from a different female — met him head on.
"What are you doing? What are you doing with my baby? Give her to me!"
In a flash
, this woman fled down the stairs with her long, black hair billowing out behind her and such fury in her face that Jack found himself backing up! He knew trouble when he saw it!
"Whoa! Hold on! She's fine! I was just holding her so ye could rest!" Jack gently removed the child from his shoulder where she was sound asleep, and let her lie in the crook of his arm.
"Give her to me! Get away!"
The woman plucked the infant from Jack's arms, shoving him back as she did so. In a moment Jack had regained his footing and stood still for a brief second. He could still feel the warmth left by the baby and it felt like such an emptiness now. How strange, he thought.
But, he had no time to dwell on this incident as the room was still vibrating, and he dashed out to see where the old man and Alex had gone. There were several sets of footprints in the snow, all leading to the stables, so he headed that way quickly.
Wabi had flown through the stable door without a thought as to what or who might be on the other side. He needed to find Caitlin, and then he would proceed from there. Once inside, however, he stopped in his tracks. Commander Campbell was holding Caitlin at the edge of the well, his arm around her neck, threatening to break it if Wabi came any closer.
"Stop, old man. Nothing would please me more than to kill her now. And I will if you don't stop right where you are!"
Wabi considered sending a bolt of lightning into that sinister man's insides, incinerating him completely. But, there was a chance Caitlin could be harmed as well, so he tried to reason with the soldier, all the while trying to get closer to them.
A few moments later, Jack reached the stable doors. He decided not to rush in, as he could hear voices being raised in anger. Hurriedly, he ran to the back side of the stable and entered the small door that the stable boys used. He crouched down behind one of the stalls and listened. He froze when he saw there as a confrontation going on and Caitlin was in trouble. He had enough experience to quickly drop down on his knees and make his way along the back side of the stalls. He listened for a moment and jumped straight up when someone touched him on the shoulder.
"Alex! Jesus, brother! You scared me to death!" Jack whispered.
Alex motioned to Jack to creep along the walls and come up behind them. Alex would very quietly climb to the loft and see from above. He had his pistol and knew how to use it. Jack nodded that he understood and began to move along the walls. That would bring him up behind the two at the well. Jack wasn't sure what he would do, but didn't figure the old man could help much. He listened as Wabi tried to reason with the soldier.
"Let her go, Commander, she's not a witch. She's only a healer without a wicked bone in her body. She can help you, still. Come. Let's go inside and have her tend you."
"She killed my son! My only son! She will pay, I tell you!"
Hearing Caitlin's sound of distress, Wabi prepared to send his solution to this frightening situation and prayed Caitlin would break away, as the commander would not be able to hold on to her once the powerful surge entered his body.
Wabi lifted both his hands high in the air, chanting under his breath, and watched helplessly as Caitlin's eyes closed, indicating she was close to losing consciousness.
The big Highlander watched as the old man started raising his hands, muttering. Jack was only about one foot behind the soldier and stepped forward, pulling the commander off his feet with one arm around the man's chest. The soldier abruptly dropped Caitlin as he tried to remove the enormous hand that was pulling him away from the witch!
Jack put his other arm around the man's neck, just as the soldier had held Caitlin, and began to squeeze slowly, causing excruciating pain to the already severely wounded neck. Jack hoped to cause the man to black out and then they would deal with him.
Just as he felt the man begin to struggle, he heard an ear-piercing sound, then the wind began to roar, and that was followed by a blinding, white light that filled the entire stable. At once Jack found himself thrown across the room, having dropped the soldier and landing rather unceremoniously on his arse in the pile of hay. There was a flash of animal fur flying through the air, then a loud growl as the wolf's fangs made contact with the soldier's neck. There was another agonizing scream, and a final whimper. And both came from the soldier.
"Jesus Christ!" yelled Jack. He felt like his brain was on fire and his hands burned as if he had stuck them into the flames of a brushfire.
As the soldier released Caitlin, the healer saw only blackness and then felt herself falling . . . falling . . . falling . . . and she screamed as pain came searing through her body. She had slipped over the edge of the well and landed on the buckets down below. With her left leg dipping down into the water, and on the verge of passing out, she controlled her anguish long enough to call out.
"Uncle Wabi! Alex!" once again.
Wabi lowered his arms, looked across the floor, and saw Jack sitting there, almost looking comical, as if in a stupor. Hopefully, he will snap to attention momentarily, prayed Wabi. But where was Caitlin?
"Caitlin!" he yelled and started for the well. Before he could get there, however, Alex was at the edge peering over the side. Caitlin had landed at the bottom of the well and was suspended on some of the buckets. And she was sobbing.
"Ah, she's crying, Alex. That's beautiful music to my old ears!" stated Wabi. Alex made no comment, but continued climbing down the side of the well. Reaching the bottom, he called out to Wabi.
"Throw me a rope! I'll put it around her waist!" The old man dropped one of the ropes from the nearest bucket down to Alex.
"Ok, now, pull us up. Slowly!" called Alex.
Wabi had to think for a second. What was that big man's name? He had just met him last evening, or actually in the middle of the night, but that was all a bit blurry. Ah, yes, he thought, I remember now.
"Jack! Come help me pull them up!"
Wabi was aware that Jack was struggling to get up and probably still trembling as he had to have absorbed some of the bolt Wabi had sent to the soldier. Plus, Wabi knew the man didn't understand what he had just witnessed, so there would probably be some difficult questions to answer later. As for himself, Wabi was always weakened immensely after using his power. He needed Jack's help.
"I'm coming!" Jack called out as he got up and hurried to the well. His knees were weak, but he began pulling the rope slowly, knowing if he and Wabi pulled too quickly Caitlin might be hurt even more. Jack was a strong man, but it took great effort on his part to pull Caitlin and Alex up from so far below. Wabi wasn't much help at this point.
Finally, they managed to get both to the top of the well. And both men were thoroughly exhausted. Alex climbed out and reached for Caitlin, once again being reminded how small she was. But, she was very much alive and reached out to him with both arms. Alex picked her up and wrapped his arms around her as if she were a precious package he never wanted to let go of. She continued to sob and he held her closely all the while whispering softly to her.
"Ah, Cait. Yer alright. Ye gave me a fright, my girl."
Wabi sighed. He stroked her cheek and relief could be seen on his face. He helped Alex lay her down on the stable floor and began to take inventory of possible injuries. After a quick assessment of Caitlin, Wabi decided she was in great pain, but not irreparably harmed. Now he needed to see about Jack as that man had to be in pain also.
"Jack, here. Let's have a look at you. Where are you hurting? Let me see your hands. Can you speak?"
Wabi had felt he had no choice but to send the flaming bolt to force the soldier to release Caitlin. But he wished Jack had not grabbed the man at the same time. But, he had, so now Wabi must do whatever he could to help Jack.
Jack nodded.
"Well, yeah. Looks like I can talk. My hands are burning and stinging a bit, but nothing awful. But, I do believe my heart is working overtime!"
"Here. Let me see your hands. Open them."
Wabi took both Jack's hands in his and rubbed them slowly between his palms. Immediat
ely they began to lose the burning sensation and the stinging stopped.
"Your heart is just responding to the circumstances, Jack. It will get back to normal shortly. Have no fear."
Jack looked at the three of them, Alex, Caitlin and Wabi. He didn't begin to understand what he had just seen. Actually been a part of! But, he decided there were just some things he didn't want to know about, and would ask no questions. But, good Lord he hoped Alex knew what he was getting into if he continued chasing this woman. His life would never be the same again.
Wabi was thankful that Jack hadn't suffered any worse consequences from his experience. Now they needed to look at the soldier and see what was left to do with him.
One look at Commander Campbell, lying in a heap next to the wall, told Wabi the man had finally gone on to whatever resting place his soul deserved. The wizard was certain it would be a lonely, desolate eternity for this one. Wabi touched Willie and gave him a signal to "release." All this while, Willie had kept the man's throat pinned in his jaws and would have stayed there as long as he possibly could have. For another minute or so, Willie still held on.
"It's all right, Willie, he's done for. Let him go now. You've finished him off this time." Wabi stroked the great beast's head, and then the wolf let the soldier go, reluctantly.
Alex sighed a breath of relief now that the soldier was no longer a threat to Caitlin. And Jack, too, began to feel better. But just as his heart had almost returned to its regular rhythm, he found it racing again in one quick moment, for out of the blue, a loud voice shattered the quiet that had followed the events in the table.
"Caitlin! Where are you! Answer me!"
Millie had taken her baby from the giant man and watched him as he rushed out of the castle. She, too, felt the vibration in the room and was frightened for her infant, as well as herself. But, never one to run from confrontation, but rather, always ran toward it, she found herself wrapping the babe and herself in a blanket and running toward the stables to see what was happening.
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