Highlander Unchained (Highlander Trilogy 1)

“I look forward to getting to know you and I would be pleased to have you visit my cottage as soon as I am settled in,” Elsa said.

Dawn pointed to the cottage and back at Elsa, and then shrugged.

Elsa smiled again, though Dawn realized it was simply an extension of the warm smile that she seemed to constantly wear.

“I understand you perfectly,” Elsa said with joy. “You want to know where my cottage will be.”

Dawn nodded fearful that perhaps someone would be forced to give their home to Elsa.

“Cree will find a suitable and an unoccupied one for me and make repairs if necessary. He will want me to make a place available to all who require healing.”

Dawn tapped her chest, pointed at the cottage, and then all around.

“You do make it easy to understand you. Yes, available to everyone, villagers and warriors alike. I am here to serve the ill and needy.”

Dawn wondered if her words would prove true. Colum had his healer serve him and his warriors. No villager had dared approach the healer for help. They relied on the older women in the village who had some knowledge of healing.

“I would love to sit and talk with you more but a brief reprise is all I can spare. I must go and see how the wounded do and if anyone else needs me.” Elsa stood. “And I’m sure your friends are wondering where you are. Lila would not stop worrying about you. She was frantic for your safety. It was only when I reassured her that Cree protected the weak and afflicted that she finally calmed. We will talk soon, Dawn.” And with that she walked off at a brisk pace.

Dawn remained on the bench. She had thought Cree an unfeeling soul and yet he had not been cruel to her. He had not caused her harm. Were the tales about him just that… tales? He certainly had to have done something to have people fear him so badly or where would the rumors have come from?

She was curious to hear what Cree would have to say to the villagers and she would not have long to wait since Cree’s warriors were walking through the village herding the people toward the keep. A warrior waved her toward him and she stood and hurried to the cottage door and gave a knock.

Paul opened the door his finger pressed to his lips. Then in a whisper said, “Mum and babe just fell asleep though—”

Dawn tugged on his arm and Paul hurried the door closed behind him after catching sight of the warrior making his way toward them. Dawn slipped her arm around his shoulder to lend him support. He was pale and obviously in pain and no doubt had not wanted to leave his wife and newborn son but he, like her, knew they had no choice.

The warrior halted his approach when he saw that Dawn helped Paul and returned to herding the crowd that was growing larger as more and more villagers joined the others in walking to the keep. Everyone searched the crowd for family and friends to see who had survived. Some husbands just now were reuniting with their wives and crying children found their tearful parents.

Dawn looked about for Old Mary, not many bothered with her and Dawn feared she may not have survived. She did spot Flanna, though did not catch her eye. She appeared dazed and unsure as did many in the crowd.

A poke to her arm had her turning quickly and she smiled down at Old Mary smiling back up at her.

The old woman poked her again. “Changes come; good changes.”

With that she made her way through the crowd toward the front, her steps sprier than Dawn had ever seen. She was pleased that the old woman was hopeful but she was more pragmatic. What would happen when their feudal lord Roland Gerwan was told of the attack? Would he send his warriors to retake the keep and reclaim his land? Were more battles on the horizon? Would there be more suffering?

“I hope Elsa is right and our lot will improve with Cree as our leader,” Paul said.

Dawn heard the doubt creep into his words and understood. The liegeman that had overseen the village before Colum arrived had been old and had not driven the people hard. Life had been fairly good. Everyone in the village had seen to doing their share and had shared when necessary. Upon that liegeman’s death the Earl of Carrick sent Colum to oversee his land and life had changed and not for the better. Now it would change again but how was the question on everyone’s minds.

“Elsa is such a generous woman. She’s returning to the cottage later to check on Lila and the babe and she says that she will bring food for us.”