The Wind in the Glen
Chapter 6
Though only a few days it seemed like each additional hour became more and more unbearable, as she stared out the window of the cramped little cottage. The brisk morning air bit at her cheeks, as she leaned forward, craning her neck towards the east. Dawn would break soon, and those few fleeting moments just before the sun rose somehow calmed her soul, a sort of solace to a broken spirit. Even her nights were no longer her own, the unsettling dreams that invaded her most private thoughts made her body fatigued, and each horrifying scene seemed to be worse than the one before it.
They all started the same way; the Campbell's finding him….the Highlander, hidden somewhere but she couldn't make out the place, it wasn't clear, every time this sequence appeared in her mind the surroundings were unfamiliar. They took him captive, and delighted in torturing the man brutally in front of her. She could still hear his screams inside her head and there was nothing, no way to stop them. If she moved or tried to reach for him they would only increase their insidious acts. Her eyes filled with tears as she remembered how they burnt his skin with a heated rod, and wondered if it wouldn't have been better to let him die in the snow.
Each night the dream would return and there was never an ending, the MacLeod never died just a continuation of events, and finally awakening in a fitful stir, drenched with sweat. She shuddered and wrapped her shawl closer to her body trying to put the thoughts away in the back of her mind, as she continued to watch for the morning to break.
Now facing only the moment she remembered how unusually warm the previous day was, as she gazed out onto the semi-lighted view. It left a most magical glistening effect on the re-frozen snow, her eyes being drawn upward to the summit she watched the orange and gold glow slowly appear. It was glorious nothing like she had ever seen before, the aura unfolded into a spectacular light display, as the sun's rays reflected off the mist. A brilliant spectacle of prismatic colors took flight, dancing through the white tinseled trees as it hovered gracefully and settled over the tops. Such an extraordinary sight made her turn to look; wanting to share it with someone dear, but there was no one.
The exhilaration she felt for the moment was soon replaced with a deep emptiness inside, it was a dark and hollow ache that existed even though the room was filled. There was barely a place to step but the company in the cot was not of her choice and it only made the sting of her solitude even worse.
Glancing about the room she looked towards the door, how she wished her father and the Laird would come bounding in to vanquish the foes and relieve her of this captivity. But, she knew better, they had no way of knowing where she was. The note left on the table would be of little or no help to them, and she wondered if her eyes would ever behold again the gentleness of her father's weathered face.
If only she had some way to give them a clue, to alert those who may be searching for her, a plan to expose the fiends that lay within the hidden cot. She mulled over her thoughts one by one, the silent list she kept in her mind and added to each night as she lye waiting for sleep to overtake her. Maybe escape was the answer, she could just grab a horse while they were sleeping and leave, but Shalain was too afraid they would retaliate against her father and the croft. They would descend on him like a pack of hungry wolves and kill both he and the Highlander. No….she could not bring that upon him even if it meant she would never stare into those kindly eyes again. There had to be another way.
She would go with the warning, as was her first thought. Looking about the cot her eyes laid sight on the cuttings from the pine trees, the needles were starting to dry but the wood inside would still be green. They would make a goodly amount of smoke as she continued to ponder the idea. If she lit the fire just now, ignoring the eldest brother's threats it would be easy to accomplish the task before they awoke. No one would be the wiser that she had started the fire after dawn, she would tell them her intent was making cakes for the morning meal, and had started long before first light.
There was only a little time before the Campbell's would waken from their drunken stupor of the night before. Creeping carefully she made her way between the scattered men to get around at the door. Just as she reached for the branches Sean began to stir…. fortunately he just mumbled something without cracking an eyelid and turned over. Shalain let her breath out slowly, not even realizing she held it within, as she stepped carefully around his burley body that lay below. Even though as cautious as she tried to be, in her haste a few of the dried needles trickled down and hit Dar directly in the face. As she tried to grab for them the larger branch brushed against his torso, his eyes blinked opened wide and her heart plunged, pounding with such ferocity that she was sure he could detect it. Her stare connected with his, but he said nothing, as if in a daze and turned his head shutting them again.
Dar drank the least the night before so she knew he would be most alert; standing still she waited….he lye there motionless as she watched several minutes. There was no movement and he seemed to be oblivious once again. She had no more time to worry if it was a deception or not, if she was going to give a warning signal it had to be now, her body shook with anxiety as she continued toward the hearth, making the last few steps into one large leap.
Shalain quickly laid a log of peat into the pit, bending the green wood over the top as she began rubbing the two pieces of flint that lay near. Fortunately the fire caught almost immediately to the dry pine needles and burst into flames. The peat started to burn more slowly finally catching the green wood….and as it did the smoke increased and became darker. Quickly she stirred in the makings for biscuits in a bowl adding water as she kneaded, and molded the mixture into shape.
The fire began to burn hotter now most of the branches were slowly being consumed. Luckily for her the spines were thin and didn't take too long to turn to ash and coals, but left a delicious aroma of pine and peat, as she placed the cakes in a kettle over the fire.
She turned quickly hearing a groan, it startled her and as the men began to be restless the groans and movement became more frequent. It would be just moments now, she knew the scent of cooking would be giving them hunger pains and it wouldn't be long now before they all awoke.
Just as she laid in the second batch of the cakes Sean opened his eyes widely like he were stunned….she watched him and took in another deep breath hoping the peat had burnt enough to cover the story she would tell. At first he was slow moving but when he realized a fire was going he was on his feet and lunged forward pushing her aside. Hitting the ground hard she glared up into the outraged look about his face, suddenly he raised his foot and kicked the pot wildly from the fire it landing right side up directly in Iain's mid section. The lad awoke screaming like a banshee as the oldest began stomping wildly at the remainder of the fire.
"Get it off…..Get it off it's burning me."
The others startled from their sleep jumped toward Iain pulling their swords before they even knew what had caused the ruckus. Shalain had to keep herself from laughing as the grown men still half drunk tried to grab the pot without burning their hands, flinging the kettle against the door, while the remainder of the half done meal flailed across the room.
Without thinking she let a smirk cross her lips, but casting her gaze towards Sean Campbell she knew he had not missed it, as she picked herself up from the floor. His face was red with anger raising his hand upwards in a swift motion as if he were going to strike.
"I thought I told ye to ne'er start a fire afta dawn…."
In surprise she listened as the second eldest spoke up.
"She dinny do it afta dawn, it were weel afore and I told her it wi'd be alricht to cook the cakes fir morning food," catching the big man's attention before he had time to lower his hand, as she cowered in disbelief.
Shalain stared at the big brawny Scot as he turned about almost immediately.
"Aye, er ye daft man, someone cuild see the smoke?"
"Not afore dawn, and it still bein so early. It's no likely there'll be any herders aroond in this season."
As she listened to the two brothers banter for authority….she placed the first batch of biscuits on a plate and placed them aside to the little wooden table.
"If you two can stop yir bickering long enough there is food on the table. I'll be going to fetch the water the now. If ye want anythin else you'll be fixin it yirselves, or be pickin it up off the floor."
Snatching up the bucket after she finished wrapping her cloak about her shoulders, she turned and stared at the two.
"You'd think ye were all a bunch o' wee bairns fightin o'er whose to be King, and who the Laird," as she reached for the door latch.
"I'll go with er to keep an eye afta the damsel in distress." said Dar.
"Aye Laird, ye do just that now." replied Sean.
Shalain tossed her auburn hair back in a huff trying to ignore the two, assured there was nothing the barbarians had to say that warranted a reply. Behind her, she listened as the rude remarks continued hissing, she deliberately stepped through the entry just when she heard Dar's heavy feet trod close behind her. Whirling around like a dervish she intentionally slammed the rickety cottage door in the unsuspecting Scot's face.
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Och, you Shalain…" he hollered after her….. "that's a fine way to treat the man that just saved ye from a beatin…." As he hurried through the snow to catch up to the woman taking two lengthy strides to her every one, as he made his move. Coming even closer he took two large bounds and placed himself directly in her path.
"And what do you think yir doin Dar Campbell blocking my way?"
He looked deep into her sapphire eyes that entranced him so….and just stood there arms crossed.
"Well…..I'm waiting….get yirself out of my way you Sloth."
Coming around to an angry look of disgust from the person opposite him he said.
"Are you no attracted to me in the least Shalain MacDonnell, do ye have no feelings for me at all woman?
"Feelings…..feelings….if ye want to know my feelings here they are…." Dar watched as she placed one hand firmly on her hip, and he took a step backwards as she raised the other pointing with a shaky finger towards his face, saying….
"You and yir brothers take me from my home falsely…..threaten myself and my father with yir revenge if I try to escape….to say nothing about yir family driven mad with hatred for a man that is probably dead. Despite the matter that he probably killed yir brother in defense of his own life, who I'm sayin clearly deserved whatever he received being a cruel and ruthless murderer. He slew my betrothed and I'm sure many others wi'd have suffered the same fate if it hadn't been for the MacLeod. So good for him, may God bless the Highlander's soul where ever he is."
He stared at her not able to utter a word, and watched as the anger seemed to leave her face. The dazzling eyes that had captivated his heart now portrayed a deep and lasting sorrow that seemed to lay dormant until this moment, where they brimmed with tears falling slowly down her cheeks.
Dar was stunned, and took another step back, knowing he could say nothing in his defense all of it was true. There was not a lie amidst anything she had to say. He had not seen his brother kill the man but he had heard his rants and bragging. William had killed a MacDonald, a Chieftain's son at that, while he begged for mercy, and he had shown none. Instead, after his ruthless act he told this story to he and his brothers, and after the deed was finished he claimed not only the man's kill, but his crest and his cross. But, his older brother, he knew nothing of it. Sean was not like this, that kind of evil he'd never seen in him. Dar felt his eldest brother made a lot of wrong choices, but usually was never deliberately cruel unless it involved harm to one of his own.
He stepped forward again and put his hands on her arms, and said….
"Look at me….."
His heart was saddened as he saw the lass' face lift indignantly and he glared into her eyes….
"How do you know this….how do you know my brother murdered your man?"
"It was the cross, it was a gift….he never took it off. I know it was a Campbell that did it he left his colors proudly."
He watched the hatred return to her eyes as she jerked away from his hands, and ran for the stream.
Picking up the bucket at his feet he walked towards her his long strides no match for hers. Dar knew now there would never be any room in her heart for him, she would hold this bitterness towards his family and his clan for as long as she lived.
He said softly as he approached her.
"I will help you, I weel find a way for yir escape, and I'll make sure my brother does not come for yir family."
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Shalain opened the door slowly careful not to spill the water she just gathered at the stream. A sudden sick feeling came over her as she saw Sean standing over the small table with parchment in hand. A quill and ink were already sitting on the table, as if awaiting someone to use them.
"What's this?" she questioned the older Campbell's intent.
"I've decided it no be safe for us to ride into the village and search for that murdering swine of a MacLeod. I think it's been long enough that the wealthy Laird friend of yirs weel be wonderin just where you er. So….I have been thinking it's just about time to make a trade….either that pig is dead by now or he's started to heal, but I think someone in yir village weel have seen him one way or the other."
A chill ran down her spine as she saw the same evil look fill his eyes as before.
"Tis a message you'll write to the Laird MacDonald himself in yir fancy script and you'll tell the nobleman that if he can come up wit' the MacLeod or his body by noon the following day, I'll trade you lass for either the man or his remains if not m'lady I'm afraid you'll no be seeing them again. A life for a life you know."