“We are finding our way,” Annis said. “When this is done, the curse broken, then Brogan and I will see what there is between us.”
“My dear child, if you do not open your eyes to what is in front of you with Brogan, then your quest will certainly end in failure,” the witch warned with sharp annoyance.
Annis took offense to that. “I see Brogan clearly enough. His tongue may charm but he has a good heart, and I know he cares for me. I believe I care for him more than I want to admit, but now is not the time to explore it.”
“For a wise woman, you are a fool when it comes to a man.”
Annis bristled. “I am no fool. I had no wont for a husband. I have seen how some husbands treat their wives and their bairns. I would not tolerate such nonsense or abuse. He would be dead and buried fast enough, so I thought it wise to abstain from marriage.”
The witch laughed. “I suppose that would be wise of you.”
“Most men think me beautiful, but none can tolerate me, except Brogan. He is patient and does not grow upset with me—”
“Or your quick tongue and stubborn nature?”
“He possesses that virtue you highly praise… patience,” Annis said in defense of Brogan. “He kept me from being locked in his father’s dungeon and he defended me against his father and mother.”
“His father is a hard taskmaster.” The witch tapped her chin in question. “Why would he surrender to his son so easily?”
“Brogan’s tongue can charm.”
“Lord Balloch is not a man to be charmed easily. It is one reason Lord Brogan avoids his father. The man does nothing but demand from everyone, especially his son. The one command he expects his son to obey is to wed and produce an heir. I ask you again why Lord Balloch would easily surrender to his son’s demand?”
“He sees it as wise,” Annis said, though the witch’s remark did have her giving a second thought to it.
“If you close your eyes to the obvious, how will you ever find the lass I send you to search for?” the witch asked impatiently.
“You talk in circles,” Annis accused, annoyed with herself for not understanding what the witch implied.
“And you allow the obvious to slip right past you,” the witch snapped. “How will you succeed if you remain blind?”
Annis was quick to snap back. “I have had enough of your riddles. Point me where I need to go to find this woman.”
“Be gone. You disappoint me,” the witch said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“You disappoint me as well,” Annis shot back.
The witch’s eyes narrowed. “And how have I done that, Annis?”
“You avoid answers to some of my questions. Do you wish to misguide me for some reason? Or do you not wish me to know that you obviously were more familiar with Lord Brochan and Lady Aila than you will admit or want anyone to know. And I have to ask myself why?”
“In due time, my dear,” the witch said.
“As I told you, I do not have time, especially for nonsense or what is between Lord Brogan and me. My concern is not only to free my sister but Brogan and the other lords as well. So, stop wasting my time and tell me what I need to know to see this task done,” Annis demanded.
The witch’s face brightened. “Perhaps you are not a disappointment after all, Annis. Head north and those you meet along the way inquire about an older woman who walks with a limp. And since you showed me your true mettle, I will give you this.” She reached into her cloak and withdrew a small pouch. “Take this.”
Annis took it from the witch.
“You will need it to keep yourself from getting with child while on your quest, since your husband is such a virile man. Make a brew and drink it every day though the leaves mixed with your food will work as well.”
Annis stared at the witch, her lips moving but words failing her, until finally she said, “Husband?”
“Think on it, Annis, and I will see you again,” the witch said, her words fading as the mist slowly receded.
Annis’s mind was a jumble of racing thoughts. Several things the witch had said to her returned to haunt her and she began to make sense of them. But it could not be.
The thought struck her hard. She could not be wed to Brogan.
Surely, he would have told her. Yet it all began to make sense. His father not arguing with him about her being taken to the dungeon. How his father so easily agreed to refurbish the small village. That he had told his father to speak with his wife after she had taken a stick to Annis. How Brogan had followed after her—his wife.