Ch 48
Jamie dug his palms into his tear filled eyes. In the back of his mind he knew and understood all too well. But the truth being laid bare before him wrecked him in new ways he never before fathomed. Murtagh looked on in understanding as he handed over the flask.
"Murtagh?" Jamie whispered.
"Hmmm."
"What-what if...we're...I'm... too late?"
"Live with it. That is your only choice as this is hers."
Two more days of roughing it on the Mira had Jamie darting from the deck once she docked in the small port of County Mayo, Ireland. Murtagh couldn't help but laugh as he gestured to the ferryman who stood poised ready to take them the last leg of the trip over to Achill Island.
"Ye know if I wasna paying attention I would think we were still in Scotland." Murtagh commented as they skimmed along the water, towards the grand Mountainous Island that loomed before them."
"Aye, cept it's warmer." Agreed Jamie trying his best to stop fidgeting. "How are we suppose to find her? This island isn't that small."
Murtagh chewed on his pipe as he peered at the beaches in the distance.
"Maybe I can help. Who you lookin fer?" The ferryman smiled, his thick Irish accent stark compared to the highlanders.
"A young woman who might have travelled over to the island a day or so back. She has long black hair and"
"Oh! Ye must be talking about Branna." The man interrupted.
The men looked puzzled at him. "Well.. That's one of her names." Jamie answered.
The Irishman chuckled. "Branna means Raven haired, and there's only one girl on the whole island with such an appearance and name. I suppose ye would call her Daniea?"
Jamie released his worried breath. "Aye."
"She made the crossing... the day before yesterday. Been well over a year since I had seen Branna… I mean Daniea,"
"Why do ye call her Branna?" Murtagh questioned.
"It's from childhood."
"Ye knew her when she was a wee thing?"
"Aye, I knew the O'Dowds, grew up just a hill over. Not many villagers there anymore though."
"Do ye know where she might go?" Jamie pushed, a jolt of urgency rushing through him.
"I suspect to their old cottage. What manner of business do ye have with her?" He questioned, a wrinkle in his brow as he felt out the men's intentions.
"I'm her godfather." Murtagh lied, "We were all traveling together when we got separated. We were supposed to meet at the Island."
The ferryman visually relaxed. " I can't leave the ferry to show ye the way unfortunately, but I can draw ye a map if ye like."
"Yes, that would be extremely helpful." Murtagh beamed.
A short while later Jamie was finally able to put his feet on land for more than a few minutes. The pale sand of the beach sunk beneath his feet as the men transversed upwards towards the rolling green hills in the distance. Murtagh carefully studied the hastily drawn map and deduced they were a few miles from their possible destination. Aside from the ferryman, the island appeared deserted. Not a single person or building crossed their path as they neared the top of the hillside.
"Lad, let's stop here to rest. Without a horse my ole bones need a break before we keep tackling this damned mountain."
He nodded, plopping down on the soft grass and extracted a loaf of hard bread from his pack. Breaking a piece off for Murtagh and himself, he set the loaf aside as he reached for his canteen. With everything out in the open, it was the first time they managed to sit in companionable silence. As Jamie reached behind him to break off another piece, his hand landed in open space. Glancing back he saw that the bread was missing.
"Where did?" he muttered as he looked this way and that. His eyes settling on a thin copper tail lying in the underbrush a few feet away. Drawing his dirk, he inched towards the creature. Pulling the branches aside, his aim ready to strike, a thin dog curled in on itself releasing the bread in fear.
Murtagh, curious of the commotion, joined Jamie as he looked on at the poor animal.
Jamie put away his dirk and spread his arms in a placating manner like he did with his horses.
"Wee beastie, ye hungry? By the look of ye I would say so." Jamie soothed as he reached for the loaf. The dog curled into itself even tighter, waiting to be struck.
"Here ye go laddie," He whispered, pushing the bread towards the scared animal. He then found a hollowed piece of wood and poured some of the water from his canteen in it, leaving the animal at peace.
An hour later as Jamie and Murtagh returned to their trek the animal darted back and forth carefully following the pair for well over a mile. Finally Jamie stopped and knelt down.
"Here laddie, I promise we won't hurt ye." He smiled, extending a hand towards the copper pup.
The dog cowered but eventually dragged itself on his belly towards him, allowing the highlander to brush his silky head. Jamie reached in his sporran and withdrew his last piece of dried meat and happily fed it to the starving animal. Right away he perked up, jumping on him after polishing off the treat.
"Looks like ye found yerself a hound." Murtagh snickered at Jamie, "And his fur matches yer red mop." He laughed gruffly. Jamie grinned as he caught back up to the older man, followed closely by the dog
"Aye, seems I have. I think I'll call ye…." He thought for a moment, scratching the animal behind the ears. "Rory."
The red hound barked in excitement.
"Well Rory, let's go find our Lass."
