The messenger rode fast, only stopping for a few hours of rest and to relieve himself when necessary. He’d seen the panic in the lady’s eyes as she’d brought the parchment to him. He knew not what information Arran Conall needed so desperately, but his family had been loyal to the Conalls for decades, and he would not be the first in his family to disappoint them.
He made the journey in half the time it would have taken most. Knowing his horse was in desperate need of rest, he stopped at the edge of the village and knocked on the stranger’s door to see if he could pay for a stall for his horse while he attended to his duty.
*
The knock on the door surprised Tormod. Surely Edana would not be coming to see him at this time of day, and everyone else in the village knew better than to come to his home. He swung the door open to find a young lad, undoubtedly travel worn by the dirt on his face and clothing.
“What do ye want?” Tormod stared down at the young lad, hoping that his size alone would be enough to strike fear in the young man.
“Excuse me, sir. I’m travelling from Conall Keep and am on me way to deliver a message to yer laird. I was only hoping ye would allow me horse to rest here for a bit whilst I complete me task?”
“Conall keep ye say? Let me see this note that ye carry.” The boy backed away from him, and Tormod floundered for a better response. “I only want to make sure that ye come from where ye say, and then I shall return the letter to ye and allow yer horse to rest here.”
Hesitation crossed the boy’s face, but eventually he extended the parchment in his direction. Tormod snatched it out of the lad’s hand before ripping it open to read its contents and then tossing the letter into the fire.
The boy lunged toward him, but Tormod caught him swiftly by the throat, pushing him into the side of his wall. “Now, lad, I suggest that ye get on yer horse and ride back to Conall Castle and tell whomever sent ye that ye delivered their message just as intended. Ye would no want them thinking that ye failed them, would ye?”
The boy shook uncontrollably under Tormod’s heavy hands, and his face look conflicted as he took in his words. “Aye, sir. Ye are right. If ye will only allow me to leave, I shall do as ye ask.”
“O’course ye will, lad. Now get out of here and doona ever knock on me door again. Do ye understand?”
The lad nodded and fled quickly back onto his horse as he rode in the direction of Conall Castle. Tormod smiled ghoulishly as he shut the door to his home. Not only was Arran about to lose his wife and child, but his lover as well. And he would believe she died without him bidding her farewell.
Everything was beginning to lean in his favor.
Chapter 31
Two months had passed since the day Bri, Adelle, and Mary had come charging into me room and rather excitedly poked me in the bum with some sort of sharp instrument. That day and the days following, I’d been still too overcome with fever to question or worry about what it was they were doing to me, but eventually the fever broke for the last time and slowly but surely I was regaining me health.
Still, there was no doubt just how close to death I’d come. People still seemed nervous around me and avoided much conversation as if they were afraid I would break if touched or spoken to. I’d still no been allowed to leave me bedchamber. The closest to the outdoors I’d come were the few short moments each morning that someone helped me to sit in the window and feel the summer breeze.
I could really only remember the past few weeks, but I knew me days had been settled into the same routine for months. Mary would bring me meals throughout the day, staying with me to ensure that I finished all of it. Afterward she would spend time telling me stories as if I were a small child while combing me hair or rubbing me feet.
Each morning, me father would come to see me, but he would only stay a short while before heading out to help Eoin with whatever task he could. He would no return home until I was well, but he refused to be a guest in the Conalls’ home without helping as much as he could.
The afternoons were spent with Bri and Adelle. It was me favorite time of day, for they were the only ones who seemed to have enough faith in Morna’s medicines no to tip-toe around me in fear that any stress might cause me to die. They talked freely, and I usually ended up laughing so hard that the coughing would come back. That was when Mary would shoo them from the room.
I could tell by the angle of the light through the window that ’twas almost time for Bri and Adelle to arrive. As if summoned by magic, they appeared just as they crossed me mind.
“Hello, hello! You look much better today, hon. Time for you to get outside and stretch your legs, build your strength. It’s certainly nice enough for you to do so, and you’ve spent so much time in bed. It’s important for you to start re-building your muscle strength. I’m sure you’re as weak as a new babe now. I think tomorrow one of us will get you outside.” Adelle moved across the room to open the window wide, allowing the sunlight and fresh air to seep inside.
“I’ll no argue with ye. Me legs have shriveled away to nothing. Come and sit with me.”