by Sky Winters
The evening passed slowly. Lady Davina paced the room before lying quietly on the bed to listen to the sounds of the castle around her. As the clock on the stairs struck 11 she could hear the thud, as Lord Edmond ascended the stairs. She held her breath as the footsteps approached her door and stopped. His breath was loud in the silence, heavy and oppressive and she guessed that he had been drinking. If he entered her room tonight it would be difficult to hold him off and she would be ruined, be his for life. She closed her eyes and prayed.
The moment seemed to be held, suspended in silence, with only the ticking of the old clock to count the seconds. At last his feet shifted, the floorboards creaking as he walked away from her doorway and on to his own room, and she sighed, almost crying with relief. Her prayers had been answered.
Now all she had to do was wait.
The chiming of the clock heralded the passing of night into early morning. Lady Davina did not sleep but lay wide awake, eyes staring into the blackness of her room, her plan whirling round and around inside her head. If her plan failed then she had no idea what she could do but accept her fate. The plan had to succeed; she would rather die than stay here with Lord Edmond.
With some relief the clock struck 5 and she climbed out of bed to dress in her riding habit and pack her smallest bag. Blankets, spare clothing, and food were all she could fit inside. It would have to be enough.
The castle was eerily silent as if deserted and she tiptoed carefully onto the landing and down the stairs. Heading for the kitchen she found some old bread and more cheese and stuffed them into her bag along with a flagon of ale for the journey, before walking into the hallway.
It was dark and silent, and she shivered slightly on the cold and drafty floor. The corners were filled with dark shadows and she did not feel safe. The clock on the stairs was ticking the time away and very soon Lord Edmond would be waking, walking down those stairs and out into the early morning air. She had to hide. There was a small recess leading off to the right of the doorway that she had spied earlier. If she could squeeze herself in there and stand as close to the wall as the small space would allow, then she should not be seen in the darkness. Slipping silently across the floor she pushed into the gap: a grown man could not have stood in there but there was just enough room for a slight 18 year old girl.
Standing in silence, her heart hammered in her chest until she was sure that the sound would awaken the whole house.
What if he did not come down today at his usual time? What if she was still standing here when the household awoke - what would she do then?
The waiting seemed forever, but as the old grandfather struck the half hour there was the sound of footsteps walking about on the floor above. Very soon his large booted footsteps could be heard clattering down the steps, followed by the lighter scratching of the two mastiffs.
"Reaper, Dylan, here boys," he shouted gruffly at the two animals as they raced past their master, only to quickly to fall back in place at his heels, their tails curled under their bellies in submission.
Lady Davina thought she would faint as the large, dark shape of Lord Edmond came into view, pausing only a few feet away from where she hid. Pulling a great key from his pocket he turned it slowly in the lock before unbolting the heavy oak doors.
For a moment he stood looking out into the cold air, breathing in the new day as she held her breath, not daring to move a muscle. One of the dogs moved across to where she was standing, its ears pricked at the scent of her.
"Come Reaper, Dylan" Edmond roared as he strode through the open door, both dogs hot on his heels. As the door closed she let out a sigh of relief, she had almost been found out.
She would have to wait for 10 or 15 minutes to pass until she could be sure that he was out of sight.
The waiting seemed an age and she dare not move until the clock struck a quarter to the hour. Venturing out of her hiding place she quickly slipped to the door, opened it quickly and was soon outside.
The air was damp and she was glad of the additional blankets she had packed into her bag.
Lord Edmond had disappeared into the early morning and she quickly stepped around to the side of the castle and into the cobbled courtyard and across to the stables.
As she approached, Bess pulled her long nose over the stable door and snorted her hot breath into the cold air. Lady Davina stroked the gentle face before opening the stable door, stepping over the straw to the saddles hung on the wall.
She managed to manoeuvre the saddle onto the horse and buckled the leather harness under the old girls belly before attaching the reigns and checking that all was in order. She had seen Joseph, the stable lad back home, do this job a thousand times before and she had learned well. All seemed safe, and placing her foot into the stirrup she leaned against the warm flank to heave herself atop the horse. Bess gave a slight whisk of her tail and a flick of her mane, but remained still and silent until Davina clicked her heels against the warm body and tugged gently on the reins.
They were away.
Lord Edmond had set off from the front of the castle so her obvious course was to set off in the opposite direction. There were a couple of open fields before they entered a deep wood of pine and aspen, the sweet smell of the trees hitting her as soon as they entered the leafy glade.
As horse and rider moved into the depth of the wood the light changed from the grey of early morning to the dark bottle green of the forest.
She urged the old horse on, desperate to put as many miles between her and the castle before anyone noticed her absence. The terrain was soft underfoot, but low hung branches and the spreading gnarled roots of ancient trees all acted as obstacles to slow her down. Once they had reached a small stream she dismounted, letting Bess drink the cool water and rest for a while. Now the excitement and apprehension of her escape had lessened, she too felt hungry and sat against a tree to eat some of the cheese and bread. The ground was chilly and she wrapped herself in the extra blankets for warmth. All was still except the babbling ribbon of the stream and soon she fell into a light doze.
As she slept her fiery dream returned. She was still trapped in the tower, the beast somewhere near was approaching. Her skin was now covered in scales and she gulped in fear. She heard a whisper soft and low, a woman’s voice that was comforting her. She recognized her mother’s voice. “Now is your time to take flight.”
The snap of branches and the rustle of leaves awoke her. She could feel the tremor of the ground beneath her, men on horses were approaching. Lady Davina could not tell how long she had slept, it could have been minutes or it could have been an hour, how foolish to relax before she had found a safe haven. With no time to lose she gathered her blankets and quickly packed her things before mounting Bess, driving her further into the wood. Hearing voices close behind, she panicked, urging the horse on even faster. Bess could sense the urgency of her mistress and galloped as fast as her old legs would allow, deeper and deeper into the forest. She did not see the low branch ahead, poor Bess tried to jump, her old heart beating fast, but the old thing did not make it, catching her hooves and sending horse and rider into the air, tumbling into the undergrowth.
Lady Davina lay still, she had twisted her ankle badly and cut her arm but she could not feel the pain; only fear remained as the sound of hooves grew closer until Lord Edmond rode into view.
He sat looking down at her astride a magnificent black and sweating stallion, his face twisted into a mixture of delight and evil; he had been enjoying the chase.
“Well, well my dear, fancy seeing you here. Your early morning ride seems to have taken you a long way from home. Anyone would think that you were trying to run away from me, eh?”
She looked up at him in defiance, but her heart was trembling. He would make her life hell from now on.
Dismounting from his steed, he strode over to where she lay and prodded her with his riding crop.
“Did you think I was so gullible? I guessed your plan straight away, as soon as you
mentioned the horses. I pretended to go out on my daily walk this morning; the dogs could sense you in the hall, even if I could not see you. I have trained my dogs well. I like my women like my dogs, obedient. I can see now that I have been too lenient with you and need to give you instruction. But first I will need to punish you. As with all animals I need to show you who is master here. You will ride with me back to the Castle. I’m afraid that poor old Bess will need to be shot. She is no use to me now”.
Lady Davina let out a small cry for the poor animal. She thought of the loving and trusting eyes; it had been her fault and not the horses and she couldn’t bear to think of the gentle life ending in such a way.
“Please don’t shoot Bess, you can do anything to me, but spare the horse, have mercy.”
A cruel smile spread across Lord Edmonds face as he strode over to the horse and raised his gun.
A shot rang out and she covered her ears, tears springing into her eyes; poor Bess.
The sound of raised voices caused her to look up. A band of men dressed in simple country clothing had appeared from out of the forest and had surrounded Edmond and his two men. Standing on foot he was at a distinct disadvantage against the 6 men on horseback, and stepped back towards his horse.
“Lord Edmond. We don’t usually see you so deep in the forest, what brings you here?” A handsome young man with golden wavy hair and fiery green eyes spoke, his tone sarcastic.
“Well if it isn’t James McCraig, I haven’t heard a word about you for over a year. I was hoping you were dead.” Edmond smiled sardonically up at the younger man.
“Sorry to disappoint Edmond, you cannot have my lands just yet, but who do we have here?”
James McCraig looked over at the young and beautiful girl lying on the ground and his heart raced. Her eyes transfixed him and he felt the connection straight away. He had been searching all of these years, could she be the one?
“This is my bride to be, Lady Davina. I’m afraid we were out riding and she has taken a fall. The poor old horse will need to be shot I am afraid. We are just about to ride back home, if you will excuse us.”
He could see the fear in the young girl’s familiar green eyes; smell the misery in her soul. He was older and wiser than he looked and his animal instincts were heightened and put him on the alert.
“The Lady does not look fit for travel all the way back to your castle Sir. My home is at her disposal, she can rest there until she is well enough to ride.”
“Lady Davina can ride with me, she will be quite alright.”
By now she had pulled herself into a sitting position. This golden haired man was her last hope and she pleaded at him with her eyes, willing him to take her with him.
It was as if he could read her mind, he was in tune with her thoughts and the feelings shot through him like an arrow. He must keep his cool at all costs.
“Perhaps we should ask the Lady?”
Both men looked at her; Lord Edmond glaring at her through narrowed eyes whilst James McCraig smiled.
“Well,” her voice wavered with a nervous tremor, “I think my ankle is badly twisted and that I will have difficulty standing...”
“You will not need to stand, we will ride back to the castle on my horse,” Lord Edmond was tiring of the game and wished to be away from the place, but surrounded by bandits he could do little else.
“I think the Lady has spoken and that we must abide by her wishes. I believe I will take her back to my camp where I will personally attend to her. When she is well, she can return to you, if that is her wish?”
“If that is her wish!” Lord Edmond almost exploded with anger. His usually cold and white face was red and ugly, his eyes glittering with hate at the young man before him and his hands automatically reached for the gun at his side. Four men were upon him; aiming their pistols at his head before his hand could even reach the weapon. His face twitched as he stamped the ground with his feet.
“Be damned McCraig. Touch that girl and I will kill you and all of your men, you hear.”
James McCraig smiled. “I swear on my honour as a gentleman that I will not touch the lady, unless of course she wants me to,” it was he now who laughed.
“Gentleman, you are no gentleman Sir. I have heard things about you and your clan. You are unnatural Sir and should be burned alive”
McCraig’s face turned to one of displeasure and his whip struck the side of Edmond’s face to silence him.
“My family is the oldest in the Kingdom Sir; my line descends from the first men that ever walked these fine lands. Do not disrespect my kind or we will extinguish you like a candle.”
Calling for his men to escort Lord Edmond back to the castle, James dismounted his horse and stepped over to where Lady Davina was sitting. She had never seen a man so handsome, and as he took her hand and pulled her gently to her feet, she felt the heat between them, a strong bond; it was as if she had known him her entire life.
Once Lord Edmond was away, he stepped forward, and picking her up in his strong arms he carried her to his horse as if she bore no weight. Once she was settled he sat in front of her and she placed her hands firmly about his waist for safety.
“What about poor Bess?” She had almost forgotten the poor horse lying quietly amongst the trees.
“Do not worry about Bess, my men will see to her.” A sob caught in her throat.
“No, you misunderstand. My men are wise and will bring Bess back to the camp. All will be well”
Smiling through her tears they rode on quickly through the forest, deeper and deeper into the trees. After almost an hour’s riding they reached their destination, a makeshift yet comfortable camp in a small clearing. Several tents had been made from cloth and branches, and a great fire warmed the cold air.
She was made comfortable in one of the tents and James was true to his word; placing a poultice of herbs on her swollen ankle and slathering her cuts with a green paste. Tucking a blanket around her with the promise of returning, he left her to rest.
Lady Davina felt safe and happy and soon fell into a deep sleep—on this night no dreams came to her.
It was night when she awoke and although the sky was dark, the camp was lit with the orange glow of the fire. Sitting up she looked around her. The tent was pretty basic, but some of the cloth of the tent had been embroidered with symbols, covered with the strange images of creatures from the old myths, glittering dragons with red eyes, breathing fire and smoke from their nostrils.
It wasn’t cold but she shivered slightly, the images seemed so lifelike, and in the shadows and dancing flames of the fire light, they seemed to come alive. She had seen the images before and tried to recall where, and then she remembered; the sign of the dragon had been present in many of her dreams for as long as she could remember.
The entrance to the tent opened and James McGuire stood before her. Her heart gave a slight shudder as he looked deep into her eyes and smiled.
“You are awake, how do you feel?”
She certainly felt refreshed after her sleep and her ankle didn’t hurt so much.
“I feel much better, but a little hungry,” she had only eaten a small piece of bread and cheese all day.
“Can you walk? We can sit together by the fire and eat. Come, I have a surprise for you?”
Extending his hand he helped her towards the fire. It was a chilly night but the blaze was enormous and he brought her extra blankets and fixed them around her shoulder.
“Close your eyes.”
She did as she was bid until told to open them again. Standing before her was Bess, as good as new, her legs strong with no hint of injury.
Rushing forward she embraced the old grey neck and stroke the old head.
“Bess my girl, you are well, you save me old girl and I owe you my life”
The old horse shook its head as if understanding.
“But how..? Poor old Bess was almost lame”
James only smiled and shook his head.
“My
men understand the old ways, the ancient magic; one day perhaps you too?”
The mutton stew was the finest she had ever tasted and the two sat in silence as they ate. James looked wistfully into the fire and she thought she saw sadness in his eyes. It was strange but she could almost feel what he felt, think what he was thinking, and his sorrow made her feel unhappy.
“What are you thinking Sir?”
James sighed as he turned to her. The shapes and colours from the fire played as a mask across his face and for a moment he looked altogether different, like one of the ancient creatures embroidered onto the tent.
“It is my father. He is dying. We think that he does not have many days left. Our clan has been weak since his illness and we have lost most of our powers. Lord Edmond, your intended, has seized most of our lands and he has taken control of our castle. If my father dies we have no-one to replace him, to lead and restore us to our former glory.”
He looked back into the fire, his eyes almost full with tears.
“But surely if your father is the head of the Clan then you will become the rightful leader. You seemed in control of your men this morning?”
His head drooped towards his chest. “If only that were true, things are more complicated than I can explain. You would never understand.”
He turned his head and she looked deep into his eyes.
“Try me.”
There was something about this beautiful girl that he could not explain; somehow he needed to tell her everything.
“My family are ancient, perhaps the oldest family in the land. The original clan name was not McCraig but McArach, Arach being the old Gaelic word for Dragon. My great ancestors were the last of the Dragon Shifters, a great race that could shift between human and dragon form at their will. As times passed and men began to toil the land and hunt and fight, there grew a wall of fear between the old ways and the new, and mortal men began to be afraid and hate the Arach. A hundred years war raged between the Arach and the Clans of the Highlands until there was only one family of Dragon Shifters left. My people were fearsome warriors when they needed to be, but they were starved and hunted and outnumbered, until finally my great ancestors were forced to live like animals, outlawed and alone in the hills. Many thought that we had died out all together, but we managed to survive and the clan quietly strengthened and we have lived in peace ever since. Not many know of our secret, but Lord Edmond is one of those who do, his ancestors were our main enemy, and knowing we are once again weak, he has used the knowledge to take our lands and castles.”
