Highland Secrets (Cree & Dawn)

“This is our healer, Auda, in case you should be in need of her while here,” Tavia offered.

Dawn nodded her thanks.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Dawn, and I would be pleased to help you in any way if needed,” Auda offered.

Dawn kept her smile strong and nodded her appreciation to Auda.

“Auda has just finished tending Flora,” Tavia said.

Dawn purposely let her smile fade and turned questioning eyes on Tavia, hoping she understood.

“Unfortunately, there is little improvement,” Tavia said, reading the concern on Dawn’s face correctly.

“It is puzzling,” Auda said, her brow scrunched. “I have tried different brews, but none seem to help poor Flora, either does bramble berry syrup. The soreness in her throat simply refuses to heal.” She tapped the side of her head. “But I have something else in mind to try. I go now to my cottage to mix the brew.” She sighed and shook her head. “I miss Hertha. She was helpful and so pleasant, always smiling.”

Dawn got an idea, but how to get either woman to understand her was the problem. She patted her chest and pointed to the healer, then walked her fingers in front of her and pointed to herself and the healer again.

“Are you asking to come along with me, my lady?” Auda asked.

Dawn nodded, but quickly held up one finger.

“There is something else to your request, Lady Dawn?” Tavia asked.

Dawn nodded and thought how she could explain it and decided mouthing her request would be the easiest way.

See, she mouthed. Hertha home.

It took a moment, but Auda got it. “You want to see Hertha’s cottage.”

Dawn nodded and smiled.

“I can show Lady Dawn,” Tavia said.

“The snow is not easy for you to maneuver with that limp. I will take Lady Dawn there,” Auda said. “Besides, you have yet to begin packing for your departure to your new home. You do not want to keep your husband waiting when he arrives to take you there.”

Tavia forced a smile. “I suppose you are right.”

It was obvious that Tavia was apprehensive with her situation and Dawn did not blame her. The young woman had been wed to a man she had never seen and knew little about—a complete stranger. Though it was commonplace with many marriages, that did not make it easy for the woman.

“I hope to have time with you later, Lady Dawn,” Tavia said, her hands nervously gripping the sides of her garment.

There was something Tavia wished to discuss with her, something that obviously worried her. Dawn reassured the woman with a nod and a smile, and she tapped her lips with her finger and pointed to Tavia, letting her know they would talk.

Tavia loosened the grip her hands had on her garment and smiled. “I look forward to talking with you, my lady.”

Dawn nodded again before she followed alongside Auda out of the keep.

Dawn snuggled her fur-lined cloak around her, the air having grown colder since being in the woods earlier. The sting in the air certainly felt like more snow, which would only hamper any tracking efforts.

“You have a confident step about you, my lady. You do not let your being with child interfere with anything,” Auda said as they walked through the village.

Dawn’s smile bordered on a laugh.

“One look and you can see what a strong and resilient woman you are, and brave to involve yourself in this dreadful matter.” Auda grew misty-eyed. “I worry it is too late for Hertha.”

Dawn patted her lips and pointed at Auda, then mouthed, Hertha.

Auda smiled in understanding. “You want to know about Hertha.”

Dawn nodded.

“I believe Hertha was born with a smile and a pleasant nature and the most caring soul. She was so excited when I asked if she would like to help me and learn the healing ways. She would ask me endless questions to make certain she understood correctly. She learned so quickly that I was able to send her off on her own to collect the plants I needed.” Auda chuckled. “People started preferring that Hertha help them rather than me. She has a far gentler touch than I do, and I believe her smile is contagious, since all the people she has tended left here smiling.” Sadness stole her smile. “I should have known something was wrong and looked in on her sooner.”

Dawn scrunched her brow in question, though it wasn’t necessary. Auda continued talking without glancing at her.

“If I had kept watch over her like I do others, she would not be missing now,” Auda said, remorseful for what she believed was her fault. “Someone probably lured her out of her sick bed with pleas for help.”

Dawn would have to mention this to Cree. If what Auda suggested was true, if Hertha went off willingly with the culprit, then that meant she knew the person.

Auda stopped walking and Dawn saw they were in front of a small cottage, a pine wreath gracing the front door.