Bless her sister; she was keeping their mother distracted. Super stealthy, she snuck down the hallway and exited through the backdoor. As expected, her friends were waiting. David looked concerned, Jim, exasperated. But she understood Jim’s expression. He always turned impatient when he couldn’t immediately fix something. Right now, in his estimation, she needed fixing.
“I’m fine,” Mildred declared and started walking toward the forest. “So you both can stop worrying.”
“I wasn’t worried in the least,” Jim declared walking on one side.
“Well, I was,” David said, falling in on the other side.
“Either way,” Mildred said. “I’m feeling much better. Thanks for coming by. I was getting bored.”
Jim grinned. “Of course you were.” He glanced over his shoulder at the house. “Who wants to be cooped up in the house during the day?”
“Speaking of day…why aren’t you two at work?”
“We were. Left a little early is all,” Jim said.
“Tsk. Tsk. Good way to lose your jobs.”
Jim shrugged. “We can always find another.”
She rolled her eyes. Yes, Jim could but David, he was so responsible. Leaving work early must’ve been taxing on him. “Well thanks. But I’m fine, really.”
Neither responded but she sensed their concern. Mildred picked up her pace. “Let’s go to Mystery Hill.”
“Old man Pattee’s cave? Why?” Jim asked.
“Why not?”
“Because we’ve been there a million times.”
Mildred shrugged. But the gesture was more forced than she was willing to admit. Yes they’d gone there a lot as kids but they hadn’t been in several years. For some reason, the strange Stonehenge was a draw for her right now. Almost as if she needed to go there. Funny because the draw hadn’t been there until she’d exited the house.
“So what exactly happened to you today?” Jim asked as they navigated the sticks and stones of New England woodland.
“Must’ve had a touch of something,” Mildred said absently. “Whatever it was, I shook it.”
“Did you really? That fast?” David said.
“That fast.”
“She always did bounce back well,” Jim said, a wide smile breaking over his face. “Half her charm.”
“Her charm?” David frowned.
“Sure.”
“You always did see things the wrong way.”
“Now what do you mean by that?”
Mildred tuned out their chatter and slowed when the Stonehenge came into site. Was it her imagination or did the air suddenly feel cooler? Did all the sounds natural to a forest seem to quiet? Save her two arguing friends of course. But then, even they suddenly did. Perhaps they sensed it too?
Drawn, she continued to walk until she saw the first of the odd stone buildings. Though this place had been officially discovered in 1907 it’d clearly been around for tens of thousands of years. As kids they loved to play in the old ruins and pretend they’d been the ancient people who’d called this their home.
“I can’t imagine why you’d want to come here right now, Mildred,” Jim said.
Neither can I. But she did. “Memories, I suppose,” she whispered.
“Of our time here?” David asked.
No. Yes. Sort of. “I guess. A little.”
Somehow it was that but not at all. With a thick swallow she whispered, “Why did I never see it like this before?”
“Like what?” Jim gazed around. “Looks the same as it always did.”
“No.” She shook her head and continued walking. “Something’s different.”
As if her friends understood she needed some silence they said nothing as she headed through their old stomping grounds to a particular spear shaped stone that aligned with the sun during summer solstice.
“What’s the date today?” she asked.
“Your Birthday, silly. June twentieth,” David said.
Mildred ran her hand over the rock and murmured, “Summer solstice.”
“What’s the big deal?” Jim asked.
If only she knew. But somehow, inside, she knew it was a very big deal.
Jim leaned against the rock, his brow furrowed. “Mildred?”
“What?”
He shook his head. “What is the matter with you?”
“Nothing,” she replied automatically and stared beyond the rock.
“Interesting that you wanted to come to this rock today,” David said. Always the logical one he nodded toward the sun. “Were you interested in seeing the equinox?”
Jim rolled his eyes. “She’s seen it before. We all have.”
“Have we?” Mildred said, her gaze wandering to the sun. It was slowly sinking to the point where the rock would touch its belly. Yes, she’d watched this before but it’d never had sound.
“Sound? What do you mean?” David asked.
“Hmm?” Mildred looked from him to the sun. Had she said her thoughts aloud? No. Impossible.
Yet there was sound and it grew louder. Her attention turned to the rock and sun, she listened. She heard a strange wind and vibration. How was that possible?
“Listen to that,” she said. “Why didn’t we hear this before?”
“Hear what?” Jim asked and frowned. His eyes went from her to the rock and back. “I don’t hear anything.”
“I don’t either,” David said.
“Shhh.” Mildred felt the vibration in the rock. Or was it somehow the sun on the far off horizon? The wind increased, flipping the leaves. Any diehard New Englander knew that when the leaves flipped just so in the wind a storm was coming.
The minute she thought it the tip of the rock touched the bottom of the sun and black bellied clouds started to roll in, swiftly eliminating the sun’s rays. Breathing seemed impossible. When she looked at Jim he blurred. Panicked, she looked at David to find he’d all but disappeared.
“Where are you guys?” she yelled.
But they were gone. For that matter, everything save the rock and reemerged sun had vanished. There existed nothing but a vibrating rock, a loud hum and a long stream of near-blinding sun rays. By instinct, Mildred crouched to protect herself from the wind and sun. Plastered back against the rock she watched as the sun rays streamed past on either side. It was almost as if the sun itself was trying to swallow her whole if only it could find her.
“Mildred.”
Adlin? She heard his voice. But how was that possible? Mildred squinted but it hurt more and more to keep her eyes open. The vibration and strange sound became louder. Tucking her head into her legs, she started to pray.
The rock warmed and she tilted forward, disconcerted by the sensation. Panic rose but she tempered it. What good would anxiety do right now. She squeezed her eyes shut to the point of pain and tried to remain calm.
But it was becoming harder and harder.
The only reason she didn’t bolt was because of Adlin. She was positive that she’d heard him. And that was all she had to hold on to in what was quickly becoming pure madness. Mildred ignored the tear that leaked from her eye, ground her teeth and rode out the strange storm screeching and howling in what seemed an isolated world. As before when she traveled back, she smelled burning sugar.
Eventually, the sound started to fade as did the smell. Though she shook, Mildred focused on breathing. Almost afraid, she slowly opened her eyes. Not to sun burning and steaming around her but to a thick forest. David and Jim were gone. In fact, everything that’d been there before was gone. The air was slightly cool. Sea salt tainted the wind.
Mildred carefully stood. It almost felt as though if she made a sudden movement her world would come crashing down around her harder than it already had. But the strange wind had ceased. The severe sunlight was gone. All that existed was her and forest.
Peace.
“So are you a fairy then?”
Mildred scurried back against the rock and remained silent. Was she hearing things?
“No need to be alarmed. We’re alone.”
It took Mildred several more long moments to realize that the person who spoke was a child. She somewhat relaxed. “Who are you?”
The little boy plopped down in front of her and shrugged. “I’m just a stable boy.”
A stable boy? While she kept an eye on her surroundings she said, “Just a stable boy, huh?”
“Aye.” The boy nodded. “And you’re just a fairy, right?”
Cautious, Mildred sat and pulled her knees up. Yes, she could run and try to hide. But what would be the point. In her estimation, it’d do no good. “I’m not a fairy. I’m a woman.”
The little boy nodded and sighed. “That’s too bad because I really am just a stable boy.”
Mildred eyed him uncomfortably. How was she to believe that? “What’s your name?”
“James,” he said nonchalantly and twisted a pine needle around his finger.
“James is a good name,” she gave willingly. “My Da’s name is James.”
The boy arched his brows. “Really?”
Mildred studied him. As far as she could tell there existed nothing but innocence in his eyes. “Yes, really.”
James eyed her for several long seconds before he reluctantly asked, “Why are you out here alone? Nobody travels alone anymore, especially not a lass.”
“I would imagine not.” Mildred shifted uncomfortably. Was she back where she’d landed before? Obviously it was Scotland based on the boy’s thick brogue. But was she near Adlin?
“You should probably come with me. I’ll take you home.”
“Where is home?” she asked.
“Not far.” James held out his hand. “Come, I’ll show you.”
Mildred took his hand and let him lead her. To where she could only speculate. As they walked she asked, “Does your mama know you’re out her in the forest?”
“Aye! Of course. But she knows we MacLomains are explorers.”
So she’d returned to Adlin. Good. Or was that bad? Either way, her footsteps lightened and her chest felt a little less tight. Once she could talk to Adlin again, all of this would be worked out and she could return home, explanation intact. Mildred chose to ignore the extra beat of her heart and inability to swallow correctly.
“We’re not far now,” James said.
Thank God. But as they walked it became more and more apparent that this wasn’t where she’d been before… this wasn’t Cowal. “Does Chieftain Adlin know we’re coming?”
James shrugged innocently. “I dinnae ken. Chieftain Bruce probably does though.”
What? “Who?”
“Chieftain Bruce knows everything,” James said matter-of-factly.
“Bruce,” she murmured. “Not Adlin.”
James smiled and nodded. “Laird Bruce is kind and good. You need not worry.”
She didn’t miss the way his young voice wobbled when he said it nor the stiffening of his posture. Was he simply saying what he was supposed to? The wind blew up. Fear flooded her veins. Her palms grew sweaty. Should she run in the opposite direction? But where would she ultimately go? She’d been plopped back in Scotland and James had—however unknowing—been the one there to greet her. That must mean something.
“Are you cold then, lass?”
Mildred shook her head and tried not to shiver. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
Another shrug from the boy and he continued. “The castle’s just up yonder.”
“What clan is it you belong to again?”
The boy looked at her as though she’d sprung an extra head. “The MacLomain clan.”
He seemed quite sure. Yet how was that possible? The land was considerably different here. Colder, harsher, there existed more rock than trees. Wind blew strong through what was quickly becoming a scarce forest until the trees all but vanished and they walked on a barren path over craggy rock.
Inch by inch a castle appeared over the horizon. Thoroughly chilled and underdressed, Mildred could admit the place, though stern, appeared welcoming. Fear was not an emotion she allowed herself as they trudged closer. But what she wouldn’t do to be home. Or even to have Adlin here. A man she’d only just met! Still, she knew she’d feel far safer.
“They see we’re coming.” James nodded at the castle.
Mildred stopped short. They knew alright.
Twenty armed men were riding their way.
Chapter Four
It took everything she had not to turn and run. But what good would it do to turn her back to what came her way? Thunderous, the men slowed and formed a circle around them. All well-muscled and well-armed, they wore the same sort of garb Adlin had, yet their plaids were a different color.
One man trotted his horse forward a little closer, obviously trying to intimidate her. “Who’s the lass, boy?”
James’ eyes grew round and he glanced from Mildred to the man. “Never did get her name, my laird.” His lip quivered. “But I can tell you she’s no faery.”
The men chuckled, all that is except the one who did the questioning. She wouldn’t call him unhandsome. No doubt he’d once been quite glorious. Now, he possessed an unfortunate fierceness. From this angle his hair appeared dirty blond, his deep-set eyes severely dark. Broad shouldered, he blocked out the sun.
Slowly, methodically, his intense eyes roamed over her. Lord, what must he be thinking of her pants? “Give your name, lass. Why are you here?”
Should she tell them she knew Adlin? No, best to remain vague until she had more facts. Mildred made to speak but her voice caught. Not good. She cleared her throat, stood tall and kept her gaze locked with his. “Mildred. I’m lost.”
The men mumbled in a foreign dialect. The man, Bruce she assumed, shook his head sharply and they quieted. When he swung down from his horse, Mildred locked her legs so she wouldn’t instinctually step back. This was a man she knew she shouldn’t show fear in front of. Not easy though.
Quite tall but not as tall as Adlin, he again looked her up and down. From this proximity she realized that his eyes were not black but a very dark brown. His features were striking but harsh and weather-worn. She sensed that he was in his twenties but looked more like he was in his late thirties, early forties.
“I’ll ask again, why are you here?” he said.
“Because I am lost.”
“Verra lost I’d say.” His eyes shot from her pants to her face. “What do you wear?”
What did she wear? What would make sense? “Traveling clothes. I’m from the south you see.”
“One from the lowlands th—,” said a random man.
Bruce scowled and he stopped mid-sentence. But she’d been given enough information.
Though she couldn’t put the inflection of the Scots in her voice she replied, “Nay, a highland clan. The MacLomains.”
Mentioning Adlin would be her best course of action after all.
She hoped.
Eyes narrowed slightly, Bruce’s jaw hitched slightly. “The MacLomains you say. And why is it I should believe you?”
Mildred thought fast and hoped she sounded like she knew what she was talking about. “Because you know the way Chieftain Adlin thinks. It would not be beyond him to send a strange woman to soften the blow of his arrival.”
The men chuckled. Bruce’s pupils flared. She was on to something.
Several long moments passed before Bruce spoke again. “Not even your accent is right. Where did MacLomain find you?”
Ah. So he believed she’d been sent by Adlin…which made her truly wonder about Adlin’s reputation. “East Lothian,” she replied automatically. “I am a Broun.”
East Lothian was supposedly where her mother’s side of the family came from. With any luck that’d explain some of why she seemed out of place.
“So you are a lowlander,” he grumbled. “Never did see what the MacLomains saw in them.”
Discussion apparently ended, he grunted and swung onto his horse. “We’re off to hunt. See that she gets quarters in
the castle.”
With one last, long eyeful of her, Bruce spurred his horse and left, all of his men in tow save two. One swung James up, the other her. Mildred tensed, severely uncomfortable being on the horse with a rugged and somewhat smelly stranger. The castle seemed hungry to welcome her. Square and unforgiving, she realized it sat on a cliff overlooking a raging sea. It seemed she’d somehow found herself at the tip of Scotland. Grinding her jaw she knew without doubt she had not found her way here but somehow Adlin had found the way for her. So did that mean her one true love was here?
Daunting thought.
As the horses cantered over the drawbridge she found herself longing not for the company of her siblings but for that of David and Jim. With them here, this would be an adventure. Without them it felt more like she was being imprisoned. For all she knew that’s exactly what Bruce intended for her.
When they dismounted James left without a word. Though she didn’t blame him she wished he’d stuck around. It seemed he was her only potential ally here. The man who had given her the ride nodded toward the castle and started walking. Apparently she was supposed to follow him.
What a place! Like the environment itself the people seemed more abrasive, their faces harder, eyes colder. Then again, she could only compare them to the MacLomains who she’d so recently visited. But it’d felt warmer there… cleaner almost. Not that it was dirty here. Everything seemed in order. But this clan didn’t nearly possess the comfort level she’d felt when with Adlin. Why would it though? The chieftain hadn’t escorted her here.
No, he’d all but ordered.
“I’ll take her the rest of the way, lad,” a woman barked.
Iosbail? Impossible! Yet there she was, hands on hips, expression exasperated. Before Mildred could say a word, Adlin’s sister looked at the man escorting her and said, “You heard me then!”
The big guy who’d been so strictly ordered by Bruce to get her here now almost cowered when confronted with Iosbail. With a brief nod he turned and left. Mildred was about to speak but Iosbail shook her head. “Come on, lassie. Let me show you where ye’ll be sleeping.”
Could this get any stranger? Why was Iosbail here and so familiar with this clan? Guess she’d find out soon enough. It’d be a lie to say she wasn’t slightly more comfortable now knowing Adlin’s sister was here. That she wasn’t alone.
Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) Page 5
