Highland Secrets (Cree & Dawn)

Fia sat on the ground, only after Dawn sat, crossing her legs and planting the bowl of food in the middle of her lap. “You have more questions for me.”

Dawn nodded.

“Have you ever made a promise, a serious one that must be kept at all costs?” Fia asked, then broke off a piece of bread in the bowl and eagerly placed it in her mouth.

Dawn nodded and pointed to the woman with a raise of her brow, asking if she had as well.

“Aye, I made such a promise, and I must keep it.” She took a drink from the tankard.

Dawn placed the back of her hand under her nose and her other hand on her stomach.

“I am so sorry for the stench,” Fia said. “The cells should be cleaned. It is not good to live in filth.”

Dawn agreed with a nod, and she intended to see it done right after she finished speaking with Fia.

Dawn gestured, hoping Fia would understand that she asked where her home was.

Fia responded without hesitation. “I live a distance from here.” And knowing the next logical question Dawn would ask, continued. “My need for various plants takes me away from home for a few days every now and again.”

Dawn scrunched her eyes and held a shrug.

Fia laughed softly. “You suspect there is more to my travels.”

Dawn nodded, patted her lips and shook her head with a smile.

Fia laughed again. “You won’t tell anyone. You cannae speak and yet you are humorous.”

Dawn’s smile grew.

“You are right,” Fia said and lowered her voice even though they were the only two there to hear. “I collect dead animal parts to see what I can learn from them. It is better I do so a distance from my home.”

Dawn’s eyes went wide, and she nodded repeatedly, agreeing it was wise of her.

Fia grew quiet, a sadness surfacing on her lovely face, and Dawn waited for her to speak.

“My grandmother taught me how animals are killed for food all the time, their entrails tossed aside without a care, when if studied could provide much knowledge. She taught me about the inner parts of the body and how she believed they worked. A group of warriors came across her one day in the woods just after she had cut open a dead animal, his entrails spread out on a stone, to examine. They believed she was making an offering to the devil.” Fia could say no more, her tears choking her.

Dawn wondered how Fia could continue to do what she did after what had to have been a horrible fate for her grandmother.

“You probably wonder why I continue to follow my grandmother’s work when it claimed her life,” Fia said.

Dawn nodded, thinking the woman far more astute then first believed, having known Dawn’s thought.

“Ah cannae let her death be meaningless. I must continue her work. Besides, I inherited her intense interest in healing.” She left some food in the bowl for later but finished the hot cider.

Dawn gestured and finished with her hand rested on her chest.

“Aye, I know I can trust you. I knew it when I first looked upon you. It is why I spoke to you in Latin. I sensed you knew the language.” Fia paused in thought a moment. “Ah cannae break the promise I made but I can tell you the lass you have seen needs help. Do not fear her.” Her head snapped to the side. “Your husband draws near.” She turned back to Dawn. “Keep Beast close, my lady, he will keep danger at bay. And worry not about me. Here is where I am meant to be. Here is where I will meet my fate.”

Dawn shook her head and gestured, letting Fia know she would not let anything happen to her.

“Nay, my lady. I am yet to know what fate I face. I only know that my destiny waits here for me, and nothing can change it.”

An ache caught in Dawn’s heart for the woman and while she would do what she could to help her, she sensed it would do little good. Fia’s fate was sealed.

“DAWN!”

She turned at her husband’s shout to see him vault off the steps, skipping the last four.

“At least you were wise enough to bring Beast with you,” he said, towering over her, his hands resting firmly on his hips and a scowl on his face that would have most people backing far away from him.

Dawn simply smiled at him.

His eyes caught sight of the tankard just inside the cell. “You brought her food and drink?” He shook his head. “That was not for you to do.”

Dawn rubbed her stomach, grimaced, and pointed to Fia.

“She was meant to be hungry,” Cree snapped.

Dawn frowned and shook her head, then patted her chest.

“Your wife has a far too kind and generous heart to let another go hungry and I would imagine it is because she knew hunger one time herself,” Fia said.