by Sky Winters
Suddenly, the dragon transformed before her eyes, and a naked human man emerged. Kareena stood in shock as the most beautiful man she had ever seen stepped toward her. His muscles gleamed like the dragon’s and his eyes continued to look at her with fire. As if in a trance, Kareena stepped toward him feeling his magnetic pull.
He reached towards her and began stroking her face.
“Is it really you?” he asked.
The commanding sound of his voice caused Kareena’s insides to stir. She was about to speak when Frazier’s frantic whinny startled her out of her reverie. She jumped back, breaking contact with the man. He leapt back as well and with one last look in her direction, he transformed into a dragon and flew off into the forest. It took only a few short seconds for Kareena to lose his image in the darkness.
She stood there by the tiny stream trying to process the strange moment, but it did not seem to matter how long she stood there. It didn’t feel any less strange. Finally she turned away and walked back to where Frazier waited patiently for her. She mounted him distractedly and rode back to the castle, with her thoughts running in chaotic circles.
Kareena could hear the music before she entered the castle. It rang through the castle’s stonewalls, echoing down its long hallways. Kareena knew the castle well, she slipped in through one of the lesser-known corridors and within moments she was in the main hall where most of the clan’s banquets and feasts were held. She stood behind one of the large stone pillars that circled the hall.
Her father sat on the raised dais, behind a long table filled with several large cuts of meat. He was dressed in his finest red tartan and grey furs. To his left sat Lady McNeil. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders, fastened by Scottish pearls that seemed to catch the light with every turn of her head. She was dressed in crimson silks and white furs. Next to her sat Lady Saraid, Kareena’s older half sister. She had her mother’s coloring without any of the beauty. Kareena had admired her once, before Saraid’s disdain for her had pushed them apart.
Kareena watched as her father took a great gulp of wine and turned to the man sitting on his right. Royce McDougal was younger and shorter than Kareena had expected. He did not look like a clan chief’s son, but he seemed to have a knack for making people smile. He bowed graciously as he asked Saraid to dance, making her glow with pleasure while their father beamed in satisfaction. As Saraid and Royce McDougal joined the other dancers in the centre of the hall, Kareena watched as her father and stepmother put their heads together, conversing in intimate whispers.
Standing there in the shadows, Kareena realized that that she would never be on the other side. She would never sit with the people she considered her family and share hushed conversations. She would never be invited to dance by a noble lord and she certainly would never be encouraged to do so. Her father had cast her into the shadows, making sure she would never truly be apart of his family.
“Is this what I want?” Kareena asked herself. “To stand on the edge, wishing to be included like a dog waiting for scraps?”
She stared at her father’s face, wondering if his love for her had always been an illusion, or if it was a fickle thing that existed only in the privacy of his own chamber. If that was the case, Kareena wanted no part of it. She turned from the scene and walked out of the hall. She didn’t stop until she had reached her bedchamber. When she walked in, she found that Meghan was there, waiting for her.
“Where have you been lass?” Meghan asked with concern.
“I was out riding,” Kareena replied. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to make sure… you weren’t too lonely,” Meghan said simply.
Kareena appreciated the sentiment but she hated the pity. “I’m fine Meghan,” she assured the older woman. “Truly.”
“Then what is that look in your eye?”
Kareena dropped her gaze, but she knew that little got past Meghan. “Tis nothing,” Kareena replied. “I have only made a decision this night.”
“Aye and pray what is it?”
Kareena looked up. “I’m leaving Northwick castle and Kinross territory. But most importantly, I am leaving clan McNeil.”
Chapter Four
Meghan tried to convince her to stay but Kareena could not be moved. There was a clarity attached to her decision and that gave her the confidence she needed to go through with it. The night of the feast had opened Kareena’s eyes to the reality of her life. She was the eternal outsider; whatever affection her father held for her was not strong enough to withstand her stepmother’s dislike.
“This is drastic,” Meghan fretted as she bustled about the apothecary throwing things into a large brown bag. “I shouldn’t be encouraging you.”
“And you haven’t,” Kareena said. “I’m leaving no matter what anyone says or does.”
“Does that include your father?”
“Aye,” Kareena nodded fervently.
“He’s not going to allow you to leave,” Meghan pointed out. “You are may be illegitimate, but you are still his daughter.”
“I am his daughter in private,” Kareena replied. “Tis not enough for me.”
“And you’re answer is to flee in the night?”
Kareena shook her head. “There is a party leaving the castle soon. They’re heading towards Aberdeenshire with a delivery of horses for Lord Maclver. I intend to be among them when they head out on the morrow.”
Meghan raised her eyebrows incredulously. “And how do you plan to escape notice?”
“I’ll be dressed as one of the stable boys,” Kareena replied with a confidence she did not feel.
“Tis a risky plan lass,” Meghan said with a shake of her head.
“Aye,” Kareena agreed. “But it’s my only way out.”
“And what do you intend to do once you’ve set off with the delivery party?”
“I’ll travel with them as far as the Elsick mounth. Just before they enter Aberdeenshire, I’ll slip off into the forests with Frasier, then I’ll ride South to one of the seaside villages and find work there as a healer.”
Meghan sighed deeply. “I don’t like it.”
“Aye I know,” Kareena said with a smile. “But I know I’m doing the right thing. I can feel it in my gut.”
“I wish I could say the same,” Meghan replied as the continued to bustle around the apothecary.
“What are you doing?” Kareena asked impatiently.
“If you really are going to do this you will need a few things,” Meghan said quickly as though she knew she was running out of time. “You are a talented healer, you will know what to do with the ingredients I have given you.” She handed Kareena the bag with a resigned air. “You will be able to collect a few things on your journey, especially if you’re travelling into the forests. But still, I will feel better knowing you have these with you.”
Kareena leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Meghan. “Thank you so much Meghan,” she said. “I’m going to miss you the most.”
Meghan laughed awkwardly and pulled away. She had never been good with open sentiment. “Just be safe.”
Kareena nodded. She picked up the bag and turned to leave.
“Wait,” Meghan called. “I have one more thing for you.”
“You’ve given me enough Meghan,” Kareena pointed out gratefully.
“Aye, but this one is the most important thing,” Meghan replied as she went to the cupboard and pulled out an old book whose covers looked worn and overly used.
“This book is for… whenever you need some drastic help,” Meghan said softly.
“Is it a book of remedies?” Kareena asked.
“It is,” Meghan nodded. “Tis a special book. Look to it for guidance but use your own knowledge and your instincts. You understand me?”
Kareena took the book gingerly and nodded. “Aye, I will. Thank you,” she said before leaving the apothecary for good.
Kareena was up before the sun the next day. It took her only a few hours to gather al
l her belongings. She wanted to travel as light as possible and that turned out to be easier than she had anticipated. Kareena stared down at her brown rucksack, amazed that nineteen years could be boiled down to a few measly possessions. Her mother had left her nothing in the way of a keepsake and she did not wish to take anything that belonged of her father. The only thing that she had that was precious to her was the book Meghan had given her.
In the privacy of her room, Kareena leafed through its yellowed pages. There were several recipes for remedies, many of which she recognized, but others were foreign to her. She didn’t have time to dwell on them however. She wrapped the book in one of underskirts and packed it away with the rest of her things. She had managed to bribe one of the younger stable boys into giving her his britches and shirt. She put them on and stared at herself in the grainy mirror in front of her.
Once she had thrown a coat over herself, she didn’t look quite like a girl, but she didn’t look like a man either. Her hair fell straight over her shoulders, a fiery red that was hard to hide. She found a thick piece of string, gathered her hair into a tight knot and tied it firmly. Then she added a lopsided hat that hid her bun and turned back to her reflection. Except for her sharp nose, her features were soft and decidedly feminine. She stepped towards her dead fireplace and grabbed a small handful of ash, which she proceeded to smear across her face in small strokes. She was subtle in her approach and by the time she was finished, she looked much less like herself.
With a sigh, she slung the bag over her shoulder and slipped out of her room without a backward glance. As she moved through the castle’s stonewalls, Kareena felt a small beat of sadness. She did have affection for the castle, it had served her imagination well and she was sad to leave it. Still, it was not her home, and now that she had become so painfully aware of it, Kareena knew that she could not stay.
The party was getting ready to move out when Kareena slipped into the stables. She waited till they had mounted their horses and started for the gates before she saddled Frazier and joined them. She stayed at the back with the horses, keeping her head down and eyes sharp for anything that might give her away. Earnan Baird was leading the small group and Kareena prayed that he was not an observant man. Just to be safe she had a dagger hidden in the waistband of her britches.
As they passed through the keep, she could feel the castle’s shadow looming over her in farewell. Just as they were passing through the gates Kareena looked up and caught Meghan’s eyes fastened on her. She gave her a small smile of farewell.
“Be safe,” Meghan mouthed.
Kareena nodded as she passed through the castle’s gates, leaving it behind forever.
Chapter Five
They made excellent progress. By twilight, the party had travelled well into the forests and they were only a day away from reaching Elsick castle. Kareena did not wish to disengage herself from the group until they had cleared the forests. She was impatient to be away from them but common sense told her that to separate now would put her at risk. The forests were quiet but they were dangerous. Wild animals prowled the land, especially at night and Kareena did not wish to be alone if she happened upon one of them.
The forest was alive with the soft ever-changing glow of the sun’s last rays before it disappeared for the day. Kareena was starting to believe that she could escape without anyone ever noticing her. The horses were a great means of camouflage.
“That’ll do for today,” Earnan called out gruffly as he held up his hand, halting the group. “We’ll make camp ‘ere and head out early on the morrow.”
The men grouped together while the horses surrounded them. In the chaos of setting up camp, Kareena managed to avoid notice. She helped where she could and made sure the horses were properly fed and watered. The men were exhausted and that meant Kareena was safe. They were just about to sit down to an early supper when a noise in the distance caught their attention. Earnan Baird sat up; his face wore an expression of intense concentration. He was almost completely bald, making his translucent eyes that much more prominent.
“Shut it the lot o’ ye,” he barked and everyone fell silent. “There’s something in the woods this night.”
“Tis just a wild animal,” a younger man said with casual indifference.
“I thought I told ye to shut it,” Earnan shot back. “Shut your mouth and open your ears. Those aren’t paws you hear, those are wings.”
A sudden panic caught a hold of Kareena. Her eyes strained into the distance trying to catch some movement but she could see little in the fast fading light. Earnan rose slowly. He was slightly hunched, but he still looked deadly. He reached for his bow as his eyes darted around the forest.
“There,” Earnan said suddenly, pointing east, a few metres away from where the group had set up camp. Kareena stifled a gasp as she recognized the dragon that had crossed her path only days before. “Hurry up,” Earnan shouted. “We might be able to catch that dragon once and for all.”
Earnan mounted the nearest horse in one quick move and raced after the dragon. His men mimicked him and Kareena was forced to do the same. She knew she should have stayed back and bided her time, but she could not bear to think of that dragon cold and lifeless. It was not the type of animal that should fall prey to a hunter’s arrow. It was the kind of animal that deserved to live wild and roam free.
“It’s him, the beast,” Earnan roared from the front of the pack. “And we are going to be the ones who catch him.”
Kareena spurred her horse faster. The further in they moved, the thicker the growth of trees became. Darkness came creeping in and at some point during the chase Earnan slowed, until the small party were bunched together. Kareena hoped that the dragon had lost them, but she could smell it close by. It was hiding.
“I think we lost it,” one of the men said cautiously.
“No,” Earnan said confidently. “It’s here. This animal is a smart one, but I’m smarter.”
Kareena caught sight of the dragon at the same time that Earnan did. His body stiffened immediately as his face broke out into a wide grin. “We’ve got it now.”
Slowly, he reached back towards his quiver and pulled out a long arrow. He aimed for the dragon; Kareena could see the rise and fall of his chest. She acted without thinking. Instinct was all it was, she screamed as she rode her horse directly into Earnan’s. Startled, his horse bucked, sending him and his bow and arrow flying onto the forest’s musky ground. The riders that surrounded him scattered in obvious shock and confusion, allowing the dragon the opportunity to fly out of sight into the darkness.
“What the bloody hell was that?” Earnan all but bellowed.
He stood fast, his eyes darting around frantically for the person who had toppled him. His translucent eyes fell on Kareena and she felt a shiver of fear race through her. Earnan came forward and before she could stop him, he had pulled her off her horse. His hand was painful around her wrist as he pulled her towards him.
“You look familiar,” he said angrily as his eyes studied her face.
Kareena tried to turn her face away, but Earnan grabbed her jaw and pulled it up to face him. He frowned at her before then realization dawned. He pushed her back, releasing his hold on her wrist. Then he grabbed the coat that was wrapped around her shoulders and pulled it off her.
“Well, well,” he said with a growing smirk. “We have a runaway lass on our hands.”
Kareena tried to back away but she found herself surrounded. “You stay away from me,” she said threateningly.
“You’re a plucky lass if ever I saw one,” Earnan said with a leer. “Let’s see how brave you really are.”
He came forward and tried to grab at her but Kareena put her hands on his chest and shoved as hard as she could. He stumbled back but he didn’t loose his footing. “Grab her,” Earnan barked to the men that surrounded the both of them. They descended around her. Knowing she was surrounded and outnumbered, Kareena reached for the dagger she had hidden earlier that day.
Earnan came forward again and this time, Kareena let him get a hold of her. He had just relaxed when she swiped at him with the dagger. He jumped back but Kareena knew she had managed to cut through his shirt. She might even have managed to give him a flesh wound. Either way, she didn’t hesitate to find out. Taking advantage of his shock, she pushed him back and jumped over him as she ran into the dark forests. Almost immediately she heard an enraged scream and the sound of running footsteps just behind her. Thankful for her britches, Kareena ran faster than she had ever run before.
“Split up and find her,” Kareena heard Earnan scream.
Kareena knew that at least one man was on the right track. He was directly behind her and gaining quickly. The moon gave her some measure of light, but her eyes were already tired from the long day and straining as hard as they were able. She screamed as her foot caught on a large stone that she had not seen, sending her flying, face first onto hard, dry earth.
Kareena moaned as she realized that her left ankle was twisted. She forced herself into a standing position but she realized immediately that she wouldn’t be able to run. Still, Kareena limped forward, trying to put as much distance between her and the party. Her breath caught as she heard thick footsteps just behind her. She turned in time to see one of the men step between the trees. He was one of the younger ones, with a short dark ponytail and buckteeth.
“Got ye,” he said giving her a smile. “Lucky me.”
“Stay away from me,” Kareena hissed as she backed away slowly.
He laughed darkly. “Earnan is waiting to get his hands on you,” he said. “But since I was the one who found you, I think my hands should be first.” With that, he tore at her blouse exposing her supple breasts to the night air. He licked his lips as he ground his body against her, and began to lift up her skirt. He began to fumble with his trousers.
Kareena still had her dagger on her. She was about to reach for it when the sound of a firestorm made her jump back. From the roving darkness came the large form of a great dragon. Kareena could see the sharp points of the dragon’s mane as it bent its head and charged straight for the man advancing on her. Kareena watched in shock, as the dragon sent him running back the way he had come, screaming at the top of his lungs. Before she could process what had just happened, the dragon re-appeared.
