Highland Sanctuary

by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

  "I've brought ye a bite to eat," she said aloud then lowered her voice to a whisper. "There's a veil beneath the tray from yer mither. If ye receive a guilty sentence, ask to wear it."

  Serena's cell mate scrambled toward them after the food. Doreen picked up a chunk of bread, tore it in half and threw it at her. "Here, that should satisfy ye," she said aloud for the guard's benefit. The woman caught it and crouched in the corner, content to devour the meager portion.

  "What do ye know?" Serena asked.

  "Yer public inquisition is to begin within the hour," Doreen said. "I'll pray for yer soul." She set the tray down on the bench and backed away. "We'll all be there," she whispered.

  "Mither?" Serena's bottom lip trembled, and she fought the ache in the back of her throat.

  "Aye, she's fine. She's with Father Tomas and Gavin. Don't worry none. We'll take good care o' her."

  Serena breathed a sigh of relief, breaking into a flow of silent tears as she watched her friend go. She'd wanted to hug her, but knew it would make the guard suspicious, so she remained still. God had not forsaken her. He was taking care of her mother just as she'd prayed. Serena picked up the other half of the bread. She lifted the wooden cup, surprised to taste mead. Doreen had slipped her something better than the stale water she'd had since her arrival. She washed the bread down, thankful to have something strong against her parched throat.

  She saved a wee bit for her cell mate and set it on the floor between them. The woman waited until Serena sat back on the bench, and darted out like a wild mole and grabbed the cup.

  A while later another guard came for Serena. He unlocked the shackles at her feet and led her down the dark hall. The chains on her wrists weighed her arms down as she followed at a slower pace. They turned down another hallway. He stopped before a closed door, motioning to her. "Hurry, lass!"

  When she reached him, he opened the door wide, revealing a courtroom full of people. The judge wore a black robe and sat at the front center of the room.

  "Go . . . stand before the judge," the guard said, pointing ahead.

  As Serena made her way, she noticed Gavin, her mother, and Father Tomas sittng on a bench near the front. The rest of the villagers were in the back or standing on the sides. She couldn't see her mother's eyes through the black veil, but she could imagine her sorrowful expression. Gavin's blue eyes looked red and swollen. He hadn't shaved in a while. The red beard he'd grown looked different. To her dismay, he'd lost a lot of weight. She turned from them to face her judge. Serena lifted her gaze to the elderly man frowning down at her with hard charcoal eyes.

  "Witch!" a man cried.

  "Devil worshiper!" a woman yelled.

  The judge pounded a rod against the counter. The people quieted. "First, I'd like to call her accuser forward. Devlin Broderwick."

  Her inquisition began. For the next five hours, they called witness after witness from the market. They told falsehoods and embellished the truth. When given an opportunity, Serena tried to defend herself, but they twisted her words and everything she said was used against her.

  Father Tomas spoke on her behalf, but he was dismissed because of his speech problems. Father Kendrick said Tomas couldn't keep up with a whole parrish and had been relieved of his duties and only allowed to tend to the spiritual needs of the villagers.

  Unwilling to give up, Father Tomas pulled out a petition signed by all the villagers, but the court and the townspeople laughed saying the Village of Outcast signatures didn't count since they weren't members of the town. When it came to Gavin's turn, he was accused of being a love sick fool who had been cast under her spell. They complained of the same thing regarding Iain MacBraigh.

  Hot tears slipped past Serena's lashes. It was no use. They were determined to persecute her regardless of the lack of evidence. Her legs were sore, her body tired, and a headache pounded against her temples.

  The judge repeated a short litany of complaints against her. He pointed down at her. "Serena Boyd, I pronounce ye guilty of evil, being possessed by the devil. Ye refused to give up the evil spirit dwelling within ye during the exorcism Father Broderwick tried to perform. This is a God-fearing town and we'll not tolerate evil persons in our midst. Ye're hereby sentenced to death, by burning at the stake tomorrow morning at dawn."

  Serena's knees gave way, and she slid to the floor in a mixture of tired disbelief. "God save me!" she whispered, closing her eyes.

  20

  Rage exploded in Gavin when Serena shuddered and sank to the floor. Her unfair sentence threw the courtroom into chaos. Cheers and moans burst at the same time. People stood and poured into the aisle eager to spread the news. Others hovered in conversations.

  Gavin lunged forward, thrusting anyone who stood as a barrier out of his way. His heart pounded in his ears, blocking out the noise around him.

  "Serena!" he called, wanting her to know he was there and that he wouldn't desert her no matter what.

  "Gavin!" Leith called him.

  Unwilling to heed his brother's warning, Gavin continued forward as the guard hurried over, gripped Serena's elbow, and snatched her up. Her head snapped back on her neck, and she cried out in pain.

  Before Gavin could seize the guard, someone grabbed Gavin's shoulders from behind. The person used his entire weight to pull Gavin down. He fell to one knee, but struggled with all his might, dragging his attacker with him.

  "Gavin, stop!" Leith shouted in his ear. "They aim to do a lot more harm than that before it's over." His brother lowered his voice. "Ye canna help the lass if ye get locked up. Now be reasonable."

  Breathing hard, Gavin watched in helpless frustration as Serena was hauled away. At the door she glanced back one more time. She found his eyes. He knew she'd told him how much she loved him. When she vanished, strength left him, and he sagged upon the floor like a flower in darkness.

  Leith must have known the fight had left him, for he released Gavin and pulled on his arm. "Come. Everyone is staring."

  "I don't care!"

  "Well, for Serena's sake, ye might. If we're able to save her life somehow, ye don't want her virtue to be a topic among all the other accusations, do ye?"

  "See!" A woman pointed in his direction. "The mon is under a spell, he is. The witch 'as cast a spell upon 'im, she 'as."

  "These people are awful," Gavin said through clenched teeth. "They're so driven by suspicion that they make things up even when it doesn't exist."

  "I've an idea, but ye've got to come with me." Leith shoved him toward the door.

  "Ye should listen to the wise counsel of yer brother, lad." Devlin Broderwick's deep voice cut through the air. He stood a few feet away, glaring at Gavin with disapproval.

  "I don't take advice from murderers, even those garbed in robes." Gavin stood to his full height and strode over to the man until he was a few inches from his face, eye to eye. "Now I know the true meaning of what the scripture means by wolves in sheep's clothing."

  Gavin turned and strode down the aisle, ignoring people as they quietly moved to the side. Leith hurried after him, the villagers falling in line behind them.

  Outside, Evelina stood weeping by Father Tomas, who wore a grim expression. He kept patting her back, unsure how to comfort her. When she saw Gavin, she lifted her black gown from the ground and ran to him.

  "Gavin, please help me. I must see her one more time . . . before . . . before . . ." Evelina couldn't finish her sentence. She burst into fresh tears.

  "I'll do what I can," he promised. Gavin turned to Father Tomas. "Mayhap they'll be more generous if ye're with me."

  "Verra well, but remember a kind word turns away wrath." Father Tomas lifted a finger at Gavin as if he were tempted to give a lecture. "If it wasn't for Leith here, I'm not sure what might have happened in there. Ye lost yer head, lad. Ye canna afford to do that at a time like this."

  "Aye, I'm sorry for it." Gavin rubbed his weary eyes. "Leith, stay with Evelina until we return."

  "We'll be at the inn,"
Leith said.

  He and Father Tomas walked down the street to the magistrate's office, passing the baker. The scent of fresh bread and pastries lingered in the air. Rolling carts and wagons passed by in both directions with wheels crushing against the dirt road and horse hooves clopping. The world continued on as usual, while his world crumbled like many of the stones at Iain's castle.

  At the door, Gavin paused, stepping to the side. "Father Tomas, I caused such a scene in the courtroom, I doubt any favor I ask would be granted. Mayhap yer best chance is to go in alone."

  He nodded and stepped inside. Gavin leaned against the limestone structure with a thatched roof. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

  "God, please don't let this happen. She's innocent of what they accuse her. Ye're our only hope. I promise, I'll continue to do everything in my power to stop it. Please help me. Give me wisdom and ideas."

  A while later, Tomas stepped out.

  "Well?" Gavin bent to read the clergyman's expression.

  "Only one person is allowed to see her before she's placed on the stake—and that's her mither." Tomas sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Gavin. I tried."

  "I'm glad she'll at least have that. When will Evelina be allowed to see her?" He swallowed the rising disappointment, blinking back moisture.

  "We're to bring Evelina before daybreak. She'll only get about ten minutes."

  "Will ye bring her?" Gavin asked. "I'm going after my da. He's carrying a letter from the King that could make a difference, if I can reach him in time."

  "Of course, but are ye going alone?"

  "Nay, I'll take Craig with me," Gavin said. "But Leith will stay here and help ye with Evelina. We must leave right away. We're losing time."

  "Go with God's speed, Gavin." Father Tomas gripped his shoulder in a gesture of support.

  "Pray." Gavin lifted a hand and touched the clergyman's arm.

  Evelina spent most of the night on her knees weeping before God. She wrote a long letter to Serena on some parchment paper with ink she had borrowed from Father Tomas. She feared she would run out of candle wax before she was done. While the ink dried, she dressed in her black gown. She pulled her hair up and fastened it in a bun and covered it with a long black veil. This one was the darkest one she owned and it reached beyond her chin.

  Stepping out into the dark an hour before daylight, Evelina made her way to Doreen's lodgings, where she had taken work in the kitchen at the inn now that Iain no longer possessed the castle. She was often required to take meals to the prisoners down the street, which allowed her to take the veil to Serena.

  This time Evelina had a very different favor to ask of Doreen. Evelina climbed the stairs and stopped at the second room on the right. She knocked on the door and waited, hoping she didn't wake anyone else.

  A muffled groan sounded on the other side. "Who is it at this 'our?" a sleepy voice asked.

  "It's Evelina. Please, I need to speak with ye.'

  The lock clicked and the door opened. "Evelina, I'm so sorry. Come in." Doreen swung the door wide, blinking from Evelina's bright candle.

  "'Tis I who's sorry to wake ye at such an hour, but they've granted me ten minutes with Serena before daybreak . . . before . . . before they take her out." Evelina nearly choked, but caught herself.

  She pulled out the folded letter from her plaid. "I've a plan, but if aught goes wrong and something happens to me, give this letter to Serena."

  Doreen's eyes flickered in concern. Further awake now, she stared at the letter and back at Evelina. "What do ye mean? It isn't a foolhardy thing ye plan, is it?"

  "She's my daughter, Doreen. I'd never be able to forgive myself if I didn't try everything within my power." Evelina's throat cracked and she paused. "Please, promise ye'll find a way to give her this letter."

  "I promise." Doreen took the letter and cradled it to her chest. "I'll guard it with my life."

  "Thank ye." Evelina sighed with a relieved smile.

  Doreen's lip trembled. Tears sprang to her eyes. She stepped forward and raised her arms around Evelina's neck. "I'm so sorry. I'll be praying." Her weeping voice came out into a whisper.

  "Shush, none of that now. I've been weeping most of the night, and I'm saving the rest of my tears for later. Thank ye for yer prayers, lass." Evelina hugged her back and stepped away. "I must go. I don't want to miss my allotted time."

  Evelina turned and made her way back down the stairs and stopped by the fourth room on the left. She knocked on the door. A haphazard Leith swung it open and ran his fingers through his brown hair.

  "Have ye heard from Gavin?" she asked, hope harboring in her heart.

  "Nay, not a word." He shook his head, leaned out into the hall and glanced up and down and then back at Evelina. "Is it time already?"

  "I came a wee bit early. I've a favor to ask of ye."

  "Aye?" He raised a dark brow.

  "I need ye to have yer horse ready and saddled. I only get ten minutes from when I enter her cell. Serena will come out, and when she does, mount up with her and ride out of here as fast as ye can. Get her out of the shire. Take her to Gavin—to yer family. Will ye do that for me?"

  "What are ye plannin' to do?" He folded his arms and stroked his chin, watching her with interest.

  "I won't tell ye and we don't have much time. Please . . . if I succeed and Serena walks out, will ye take her away from here to Gavin?"

  "Evelina, I don't wish to consent to a plan that will end up with both of ye hurt."

  "If I do naught, Serena will die." Her voice came out harsh. "What happens to me doesn't matter. She's young, in love, and has her whole life ahead of her. I'm getting auld and I've already lived half my life, and it will amount to naught if she dies like this . . . today." Evelina swallowed back the threatening tears. "Please . . . help me."

  Leith let out a deep sigh. "I'll do as ye ask. Give me a moment." He grabbed his broad sword, a knife, and a few items and tucked them in his plaid and followed her out.

  While Leith went for his horse, Evelina hurried to the courthouse prison. A guard carried a large round ring with several keys that jingled at his side. He held a torch and whistled as he made his way past the cells. Most prisoners were asleep, a few snored.

  He reached Serena's cell and clicked the lock open. "Only ten minutes."

  "My daughter will die shortly. Would ye grant me some time alone with her...please?"

  He paused and finally nodded. "All right, but only ten minutes an' no more. I've a daughter, too." He locked the cell door and whistled down the hall, the sound fading as he lengthened the distance.

  "Mither!" Serena rushed forward.

  "They already took yer chains off?" Evelina touched her hand to her chest. "Oh, thank God, the Lord is with me in this."

  "Aye, when they brought me my last meal this morn."

  "Listen. I don't have much time. Take my clothes and I'll take yers." Evelina began undressing.

  "What? Nay!" Serena protested.

  "Do as I say and keep yer voice down." Evelina used the tone she'd needed when Serena was younger. "We'll switch places." Evelina talked as she worked. "Once I know ye're safe, I'll reveal myself. They may put me in prison, but they won't burn me at the stake."