"Nay, I'm looking for Tomas. Have ye seen him?"
"How do ye know Tomas?" She tilted her head. "Ye're new to the village."
"True. I don't know him. We ran into Serena and Evelina on our way to Braigh Castle. Serena was hurt and Evelina sent me to find Tomas."
"I hope she'll be all right." Concern flickered in her eyes as she blinked and shook her head. "I've not seen 'im, but let me see if either of my sisters have." She turned. "Rosheen! Birkita!" Gavin's ears rang, unprepared for the way she bellowed their names, quite a booming voice for such a young female of her small stature.
Another lass appeared through the curtain carrying a worn book with her finger pressed in the center of it. Her hair was a shade darker than her sister's. She smoothed her free hand across her gray wrinkled skirt and straightened to her full height, which was quite tall. "Birkita, this man is looking for Tomas. Did ye see him on yer walk earlier?"
"Nay." Birkita shook her head.
A third lass popped through the curtain and shoved her plump hips between her two sisters to make room for her grand entrance. A displeasing frown marred her forehead, as her dark eyes shifted to Gavin. "I heard, and nay, I've not seen 'im." She was shorter than the other two, and while she was heavier, Gavin could tell by her smooth, round skin that she was the youngest. Her dress pulled against the extra flesh folding around her neck and arms. "Why do ye want Tomas? Who are ye?"
"Rosheen, mind yer manners." Lavena scolded. "She doesn't trust strangers verra easily. Please forgive her rudeness. Ye must give Tomas my best when ye find him."
"Of course." Gavin said, backing up. He couldn't escape this odd place soon enough. He bumped into a solid figure who grabbed his shoulder.
"Ah! We've a customer, do we?" A man shouted in his ear. "My name's Girard, and I'll be glad to assist ye with a fine pair o' shoes this day."
Gavin resisted the temptation to poke his fingers in his ears. His sister had a brother-in-law who couldn't hear, but he didn't go around shouting like this man. He looked at Lavena for assistance. As if sensing his discomfort, she went to her father and removed his hand from Gavin's shoulder and shook her head.
"Oh, he's not 'ere for business?" Disappointment wrinkled his frowning expression. "Then why is he 'ere?"
Gavin closed his eyes. The cobbler's voice echoed through his head.
"Thanks for yer assistance." Gavin took advantage of the moment and made his escape. Outside, he breathed deeply and rubbed his sore ears. The refreshing pine scent gave him renewed energy. Determined to keep his word, he hurried to the next dwelling.
"Hold it up higher, Quinn. How ye expect me to get the wheel on if ye don't?" A whiny male voice complained.
A huge man who must have been close to eight feet tall held up a wagon, but as soon as he noticed Gavin, he lowered it. "We've company, Beacon." His deep voice sounded as menacing as he looked.
Gavin gulped. As a warrior who had been in his share of battles, he rarely quaked at the brawn of other men, but this man was a giant. He forced a friendly smile, knowing it was too late to turn around and retreat. Besides, cowardice wasn't in his blood.
"What do ye mean?" The other one stepped out from behind the cover of the wagon, rolling a wheel taller than himself. Gavin blinked at the wee man, standing no taller than three
and a half feet. "What are ye staring at? Haven't ye ever seen a dwarf before?" He pulled out a short sword and held it up.
"Nay, Beacon. Calm yer temper." He laid a large hand on the dwarf's head.
"Afternoon," Gavin said with a nod in greeting. "Evelina sent me to find Tomas. He wasn't at the kirk. Do either of ye know where he might be?"
"What have ye done to the Boyds?" Beacon thrust his sword at Gavin, but he was too far away to touch him.
"Ye're a stranger." Quinn stepped forward, placing his fisted hands on his hips. "How do ye know Tomas?"
Gavin launched into the story of Serena's injury. Afterwards, Quinn shook his head. "We haven't seen Tomas since this morn. But he mentioned he might visit Kyla this day."
"Who is Kyla?" Gavin asked.
"The village seamstress." Quinn scratched his brown head. "He worries 'bout her. She's not been the same since losing her husband and bairn to the fever."
"Fever? How long ago was that?" Gavin wondered if there might be some contagious disease spreading through these people. Mayhap that could explain the madness.
"At least a year ago." Quinn shoved a thumb over his large shoulder. "She's up this way. We can take ye there, if ye want."
"What?" Beacon looked at him, lifting a palm up. "We don't have time for that. We got work to do."
"Beacon, this wagon wheel will be waitin' when we get back. No reason why we canna help out. Ye're gettin' difficult in yer auld age."
"Auld age?" Beacon sheathed his sword at his waist and raised a wee fist at his giant friend. "I'm five years yer junior!"
"Let's go find Tomas." Quinn stepped over Beacon, ignoring him. Each heavy footfall he took pounded the earth.
Gavin had to run, taking two steps to each one of Quinn's. He glanced up at the trees above him. Now he knew why they called this the Village of Outcasts. It suited them. He took a deep breath as he struggled to keep up with the giant. He hoped they would soon find Tomas, but in the meantime, what else would he discover?
Serena woke to whispered voices above her. She recognized her mother's soothing and peaceful tone, but the man now talking escaped her. Who was he? Their muffled words sounded as if they were behind a closed door.
She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids. Serena blinked a few times, allowing her vision to clear in the dim candlelight. Yawning, she stretched. Voices paused. Shadows shifted along the dark walls.
Her mother's concerned face leaned over her. She linked her fingers through Serena's. Faint worry lines edged her eyes. Tension hovered around her lips. She forced a smile as if the effort drained the last of her strength.
"What's wrong?" Serena tried to sit up, but her lack of energy prevented her.
"Nay, rest." Her mother's gentle hands pressed her back.
"Serena, ye've suffered a blow to the head." She now recognized the other voice as Father Tomas. "Ye've slept for several hours. Judging by the swelling on yer head, I'm afraid ye may have a cracked skull. Getting up and moving around could leak too much blood to the brain and make matters worse."
Easing back against the feather pillow her mother had made, Serena nestled into a contented spot and tried to remember. They were returning from the town of Braighwick with supplies and one of her headaches began. Serena blinked, looking from Father Tomas to her mother. "How did it happen? Did I have another fit?"
"Ye did." Mother nodded and gripped her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't catch ye before ye fell. It all happened so fast."
"How could ye've known? I was still trying to figure out if it was only a headache or if I was about to have one of my fits." She turned to Tomas. "How long must I rest?"
"At least until the swelling goes down, lass."
Lying still when she felt fine might prove to be a hard challenge. Serena hated idleness. It allowed one too much time to dwell on things.
"Aye, Serena, 'twould be best." Mother patted her arm.
Another fit. Serena didn't dare question her faith aloud. It would distress her mother, who had tried so hard to build Serena's faith, but there were days when she couldn't help wondering why God would ignore her prayers for healing. If so many people thought her condition evil, why wouldn't God help her? Mother chose to blame ignorant people, but she questioned God since the Lord was the one who created her and seemed to be the one in control of everything.
"Ye've a visitor." Mother gestured toward the foot of the bed.
Feet slid across the dirt floor. Serena strained to make out the features of the person in the shadows. Her heart beat fiercely as she clutched the handwoven covers lying over her, waiting. Cara, her best friend appeared in the candlelight.
"Serena, I came as soon as
I heard. We're all praying for a quick recovery." Cara held out her hands with each sliding step until her knees pressed against the box bed.
"Careful. Ye don't want to bruise yer legs," Serena said. "I'm so glad ye came."
"What a pair we make. Me, running into things with my blindness and bruising myself, and ye cracking yer skull with yer fits." She smiled, but Serena heard the sorrow in her voice.
"At least we have each other," Serena said. "As close as two sisters could ever be."
"True." Her bottom lip trembled as she brushed a wave of brown hair from her face. "How are ye feeling?"
"A wee bit tired is all."
"Are ye hungry?" Mother asked. "Gunna made a fire pit outside for some stew. Since it's a nice day out, we didn't want to smoke up the house or make it too hot in here."
"Aye," Serena said, glancing up at her mother. "My stomach isn't rumbling, but I believe a little nourishment will help build my strength."
"I agree," Tomas smiled. "That's the hearty spirit I want to hear from ye."
"If I canna go out, please open the door so I can at least see some light. I wish we had a window like the ones at Braigh Castle." She loved the long halls and chambers layered with windows that opened to the beauty and splendor of the outdoors.
"I'll take care of it," Cara offered, heading toward the wooden door. She splayed her hands across it and felt for the latch. With both hands she swung it open. Light poured in like golden rays of varying shades. Dust stirred, swirling in the air like snow flurries. It was a welcome sight compared to the contrasting darkness.
"We've company comin'. Looks like that fella was here earlier." Gunna's cheerful voice carried through the threshold.
Serena tensed. "What fellow?"
"After yer fall some men happened upon us on their way to Braigh Castle. They helped me bring ye home." Mother
touched her arm in support. "Don't worry. They don't know about yer fits— only the fall and the injury to yer head." She pressed her palm to her forehead. "Oh dear, I believe I sent Gavin on a merry chase looking for ye, Tomas." She stood to her feet. "I hope he isn't angry with me."
She rushed outside to greet their guest.
Serena pushed herself up with Cara's help and brushed her fingers through her long hair, hoping to improve her unkempt image. She adjusted how her dress lay across her shoulders and took a deep breath.
"None of the villagers will say aught," Cara said. "Yer secret is safe."
"Aye, but now he must think me a blunderin' fool to fall off a wagon." Fear wound inside her nervous chest. It wasn't often she got the chance to meet new people. She could only imagine the impression she must have made. Her skin prickled as a small shiver raced up her spine and crawled around her neck.
"Stop fretting. I'm sure he's quite nice," Cara whispered. "He must be of excellent character to perform the deed he did for both ye and yer mother." Father Tomas bent toward her. His bald head glistened from the angle of the light. "Indeed, I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"Evelina, I'm sorry," a man's voice spoke outside. "I tried to find Tomas, but I failed. I trailed him everywhere, but each time I arrived too late to catch him." His voice sounded winded as he puffed between words.
"Gavin, what happened to ye? Looks like ye've tangled with a bear." Her mother's concern heightened Serena's curiosity.
"I came across a white wolf. Thought he wanted to eat me alive. Turns out, he just wanted to play."
Serena smiled, covering her lips before her mirth could escape. So Gavin, whoever he was, had already met the village wolf.
"Oh, ye must be referring to Phalen," Mother said. "He belongs to Quinn. The wolf has determined himself guardian over our village." Her mother paused. "While Phelan can appear frightening to strangers, he's naught but a playful beast. At least that's what I'm told. I don't like animals with fangs. I tend to keep my distance."
"I'll keep that in mind when I don my ripped tunic on the morrow." A gentle laugh laced the man's good natured voice. "After all, he only drew a wee bit of blood out o' me."
"Let me see, laddie," Gunna offered. "I've sewn a number of wounds in my lifetime, but my eyes 'ave nearly given out. Evelina or the lass will need to tend to ye."
"Thank ye, but I'm fine. Speaking of the lass, how is she?"
"She's much better," Gunna said. "Asking fer my stew, she is."
Serena imagined the proud smile on Gunna's wrinkled face. Her heart brimmed with love for her old nursemaid. She'd been like a grandmother to Serena.
"She's awake?" The eagerness in his voice surprised Serena. Cara giggled, but Serena swatted at her arm. She covered her mouth to suppress further noise.
"Aye, would ye like to come in?" Mother asked.
"If it's no trouble. When I couldn't find Tomas I began to worry."
Tomas crossed to the doorway. "No need, lad. I'm already here." He pumped Gavin on the back as he entered. "But I want to thank ye for all the trouble ye went through to find me. If ye hadn't stopped at so many places, I wouldn't have run into the cobbler's daughters and known to come here."
"I began to wonder if ye were real or not." Gavin greeted Tomas with a nod. His tunic was indeed ripped, all the way across the front of his muscled chest and there was a claw mark on his upper right arm. Dirt smudges covered his clothes.
Portions of his red hair had fallen from the tie at his nape, revealing shoulder length locks. A day's growth of a beard graced his jaw as fiery a color as his hair.
Serena gulped. She wasn't sure what she had expected, but certainly not this handsome stranger who lifted blue eyes in her direction. They were as striking as her mother's sapphire ring she was forced to sell a few years ago. She wondered about his age and where he came from.
"Gavin, meet my daughter, Serena Boyd, and her friend, Cara Grant." Mother gestured to them. "Serena, this is Gavin MacKenzie. Since the wagon was full, he carried ye home on horseback."
"I owe ye a debt of gratitude," Serena said. "Thank ye."
"'Twas an honor. I wish I could have done more. How do ye feel?"
"A wee bit sore and tight just above my ear." She touched the side of her head. "But otherwise, I'm feeling much better."
"With a few days' rest, let's pray the swelling and soreness go away," Tomas said.
"I believe it will." Serena gave him a smile.
"Gavin, on the way here ye asked why they call us the Village of Outcasts. Have ye figured it out yet?" Evelina folded her arms as she regarded him, tilting her head.
"I believe so." He thumped a finger against his chin. "But I think they've given it the wrong name."
"What would be more fitting?" Serena braced herself to hear a hideous name that would be even more insulting to her beloved home.
"I think the Village of Hospitality is more appropriate."
Stunned, Serena could only stare at Gavin, waiting for him to burst into laughter or at least admit he was jesting. The few who had visited usually couldn't escape fast enough. The villagers' generosity was always overlooked for their flaws.
People in Braighwick teased and taunted them without mercy. Serena wasn't about to give up her guard so easily. Mayhap Gavin MacKenzie was a gifted charmer.
Horse hooves pounded the earth as a rider rode toward the cottage.
"Slow down there, laddie. Else ye'll end up in my stew." Gunna warned from outside.
Highland Sanctuary Page 4
