Highland Secrets (Cree & Dawn)

The village seemed quieter than usual, not many people lingering about. Had people heard why Lord Ivan had been here and gone into hiding out of fear? Did they lock themselves away fearful of the supposed demon?

She took a few more steps and stopped. If Beast was close, he would have caught her scent by now and hurried to her. She turned and placed her hands on her hips to glare at Dermid.

“Lord Cree informed me that if you took that stance it meant you demanded to know where he was,” Dermid said and quickly continued. “He went with a troop of men and Chieftain Newlin into the woods to hunt the demon.”

As Dawn expected, there was nothing the healer could do for her leg. She had advised rest, but Dawn had suffered the leg pain before and had found walking brought more ease than resting it. She took a different path back through the village, hoping to spot her husband returning, the sky growing grayer since this morning and with the stinging cold air surely more snow would fall.

The village was even quieter than before she visited with Auda. It almost appeared deserted with only an occasional person spotted. Even then the person soon disappeared into the cottage.

“We should return to the keep, my lady. It is cold,” Dermid said, concerned, though his anxious glance of the surrounding area told a different story.

Dawn could see he was concerned, and she understood why. No one lingered about if he should require help in protecting her, especially if more than one person attacked. At that moment, she wished Beast was there with her.

She nodded in agreement and hastened her step, Dermid keeping close and alert. It was when she turned to travel the main path to the keep that she stopped abruptly. Her heart slammed in her chest when she saw Stuart in the stocks, his thin body shivering. The image of him locked there, his head drooping and nothing but a thin cloak thrown carelessly over him to keep him warm brought back memories of another time, a woman suffering the stock because of what she had done to Dawn.

“Forgive me, my lady, I truly do not know what came over me. I never meant you harm. I was foolish so very foolish,” Stuart said, sniffling back tears. “I am afraid, my lady, afraid the demon everyone talks about will snatch me away and tear out my heart.”

“He deserves his punishment, Lady Dawn,” Dermid said, stepping next to Dawn. “It grows colder, you need to return to the warmth of the keep.”

“I beg you, my lady, don’t let the demon get me,” Stuart pleaded.

“Hold your tongue,” Dermid ordered. “You get what you deserve.”

“I do deserve punishment,” Stuart said. “Chain me in the dungeon, but I beg you, please do not leave me out here where I am food for the demon. I do not want to die.”

“My lady, you need to return to the keep,” Dermid urged. “It starts to snow.”

Dawn realized Dermid was right, snow was starting to fall. “Dawn pointed to Dermid, then to the thick wood peg that secured the stock and waved her hand at it.

Dermid stared at her a moment, then asked, “Are you ordering me to release him from the stocks?”

Dawn nodded firmly.

“I cannot do that, my lady. A punishment has been served on him. Only Chieftain Newlin or Lord Cree can order his release.”

Dawn pointed to the peg again, then to the ground, then crossed her arms firmly against her, and glared at Dermid.

Dermid’s eyes turned wide. “Are you refusing to move unless I release him?”

Dawn emphasized her response with a sharp nod.

Dermid stood, not knowing what to do.

Dawn knew she placed the young warrior in a difficult position, but she would not see him blamed for her actions and she would make that clear to her husband since she intended on getting her way. She pointed to the peg again and saw that Stuart’s shivering had worsened. He would not survive here in the snow. She looked around and spotted the large hammer that was used to remove the peg from the stock and went to pick it up.

“Nay, my lady, nay, Lord Cree will have my head,” Dermid said and hurried to grab the long-handled hammer before she could reach it.

Dawn’s arm shot out, her finger once again going to the peg, demanding him to remove it.

Dermid shook his head, realizing he had no choice if he was to keep her safe. He swung, knocking the peg free.

Stuart raised his head with difficulty and as he stepped free of the stock, his legs wobbled, and he looked ready to collapse.

Dermid hurried to help the man when he saw Dawn was about to do so. He supported the man with his shoulder, keeping him steady on his feet.