Iver shook himself from his stupor. “Aye. Aye, my lord.”
“I will get several fires going,” Una said, her face brightening with a smile.
“I will help,” Annis offered.
The night went better than Annis had expected. While the few there were grateful for the meat, they were—understandably—concerned with Brogan’s presence. That was until Brogan began entertaining them with humorous tales. As soon as laughter filled the air, other people wandered over, until by night’s end all the occupants of the village—ten—were gathered around smiling and laughing.
Annis caught the disturbed look on Brogan’s face when he saw an old man retreat to a lean-to after several yawns. She, herself, had noticed the dire conditions of the group, since it certainly could no longer be called a village.
“Annis.”
She turned to Iver, leaning close to her to speak.
“You will share the cottage with my daughter tonight,” Iver offered.
“I appreciate the offer, but I can sleep outside by the fire.” Annis did not want to deprive the man of what little comfort he had.
“You do me a favor, Annis. Una has barely any chance to speak with a woman her own age. It would be good for her to share some time with you.”
Annis smiled. “Then I gladly accept your invitation. Where will you sleep?”
“By the fire where Lord Brogan will bed down,” Iver said and lowered his voice. “I’d like to discuss a few things with him. Winter isn’t far off, and we could use some help with repairs to the few dwellings we have, or I fear we will lose some of the older ones this winter as we did the previous winter.”
“I’m sure something can be arranged,” Annis said, though seeing how the small group had been neglected she worried her words might not prove true.
“I believed that once,” Iver said, shaking his head. “More the fool me.”
Annis didn’t blame Iver for not trusting after what he’d suffered. She would feel the same. She stood, seeing that Iver, his daughter, Brogan, and herself were the only ones who remained. “We need to get an early start tomorrow and travel the path more slowly this time.”
Brogan stretched himself up to his feet. “Slow or fast, there is nothing to find there.”
“Appease me,” Annis said.
Brogan smiled playfully. “Always.”
Annis grumbled and shook her head. His playful way could be disarming, and his smile distracted far too easily. She hurried to follow Una to the cottage and was relieved once inside, until Una spoke.
“Lord Brogan favors you.”
“He speaks to all women that way,” Annis said, dismissing her claim.
“It’s not what he says, it’s how his smile changes when he turns it on you, as if his whole world fills with delight and his eyes ignite with sparks of desire. It is obvious how much he cares for you.”
“Lord Brogan cares for many women,” Annis said.
Una pointed to one of the two narrow beds that sat against opposite walls. “You can sleep there. I keep the bedding fresh. I cannot abide dirty bedding. I understand why you deny that you feel the same toward Lord Brogan. It is senseless to care for one of the cursed lords.”
Annis went to correct her and make it clear she felt nothing for Brogan, but something stopped her. There was something she favored about Brogan. That she couldn’t understand it annoyed her, but how did she deny the obvious, especially to herself.
“You are lucky. You are beautiful and free to find a good man. I dream—which is all I can do—of finding a good man who would love me,” Una said as she removed her tunic and leaving her shift on, slipped into bed after removing her boots.
Annis followed, though removed only her cloak and boots before settling beneath a soft wool blanket. “You will find love, Una.”
“I wish I felt as confident as you sound.”
“The curse will be broken, and all will change,” Annis assured her while reassuring herself. It had to or she chanced losing her sister, a thought that struck fear and heartbreak in her.
“I must tell you something, Annis, but you must promise me you won’t tell my da.”
“You have my word, Una.”
“I have walked the less traveled path many times.”
Annis popped up in bed. “You have?”
“Aye, I have, and I am sorry to tell you in all that time I have never come across the witch. I have not told my da since he would worry that Lord Balloch’s warriors would catch me and drag me away to the dungeon. I have learned the way of the warriors. They do not go near the path and rarely linger in the area, too afraid to remain near it, especially when the mist grows thick.”
“Why do you go there?” Annis asked.
“Curiosity, anger, frustration,” Una shook her head. “I do not know. One day I went there and simply started following the less-traveled path. I came upon a lovely stream and sat and began to dream of a good future. I left feeling better—in a way hopeful—than I had in quite some time. On subsequent visits I noticed various healing plants grew in abundance in the area as well as some plants I am not familiar with. While others fear the area, I take comfort in it.”