Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

" L eave me, I can't walk another step," the seasoned warrior said. "Be off with you." He shooed them off with a blood-stained hand. "You can easily make it without me."

"Nay, Mervin, we'll not leave you. Chieftain Ryland would never leave any one of us behind. We stand together and die together if necessary."

"Heath said there are four of them and there's four of us. We can fight them and win," a young warrior said, limping over to Mervin, where he had dropped down to sit on a flat boulder.

Mervin chuckled, shaking his head. "You got one part of that right. We can fight them, but win?" He chuckled again. "You can barely walk, Harris. I have no strength left and Andrew and Stuart have arm wounds that will not let them lift a weapon."

"I got another arm," Andrew said, barely raising it without cringing.

"We go together. Now get up off your lazy arse and get moving," Stuart ordered as seasoned a warrior as well as in age as Mervin was and just as long of a friend.

Quint listened to the group from the darkness of the woods that surrounded them and watched as Stuart bolstered Mervin with the weight of his shoulder beneath his arm and was about to get his friend walking when a shout stopped them.

"Don't bother. You won't be making it home tonight."

The four injured men went for their weapons with what strength they had left as a large man stepped out of the woods, followed by three other men, and he laughed.

"We'll be done with the likes of all of you soon enough, then we'll make our way to your clan and oversee it by order of Lord Torrance," the large man said and looked at the three men with him. "Kill them."

One warrior eagerly rushed forward and collapsed before he reached the four MacLeish warriors, falling face down and blood pooling beneath his face. That stopped the other two from taking a single step as they glanced around fearfully.

"Which one of you threw that dagger?" the large man demanded.

Before any of the MacLeish men could respond, the man standing to the side of the large man cried out as he turned to run, "The Monk!"

He dropped to the ground, a dagger sticking out of his chest. The other man shook with fear and the smell of urine was strong in the air just before he fell back, a dagger in his chest.

"Go, the lot of you to Clan MacLeish. I have no fight with you," The Monk commanded from the darkness and the four wounded men didn't hesitate.

The large man turned to run and stopped, a dark, looming shadow almost blending with the night blocking his way.

"Tell me what I want to know, and I may let you live."

"I have no quarrel with you, Monk," the large man said with a distinct quiver in his voice.

"Good, then you will tell me what I want to know."

"Anything. Anything, just ask me," the large man said anxiously.

"Is Asher looking for me?" When no response was forthcoming, The Monk said, "I will not tolerate silence from you."

The man never saw it coming. The sudden pain and the warmth running down his face was the only indication of the slash to his cheek. He pressed the edge of his cloak to the wound to stop the bleeding.

"Asher is a madman. He will kill me if I betray him."

"I am believed to be a madman as well, so I would worry more about the madman who stands in front of you than the one who is not here," The Monk warned.

The large man didn't need to think about it. He responded quickly, "Asher does search for you."

"What does he want with me?"

The man almost hesitated than thought better of it. "He wants to see the mission finished."

"What mission?"

"I don't know the whole of it. I only know your wife, Amara, was meant to die."

That took Quint by surprise, the darkness of night hiding his shock. "Are you saying Amara, was the target from the start, not me?"

"Aye, your wife was meant to die, not you," the man confirmed. "Then the mission changed and now, it's you Asher seeks, though I don't know why."

Quint felt numb. Why did someone want Amara dead? Shade had been right in her thought that Amara's death had everything to with her and nothing to do with him. He had not asked Amara about her life before he met her, and she did not ask about his. There was no reason to. That they were together was all that had mattered to him. So, what in her past had caused her to be killed?

Something else troubled Quint. "You talk about betraying Asher and not knowing why he wants me dead, yet you know my wife by name and know she was meant to die, which means you had to be one of the men there that day. You are one of the men who took part in her killing. The last man I have yet to kill."

The large man felt his urine run warm down his leg. "I don't want to die."

"Either did my wife. Did she plead with you not to kill her?"

"She told us we'd be sorry that you loved her as much as she loved you and that you would hunt every one of us down and make every one of us suffer before you ended our worthless lives. I believed her and walked away."

Amara knew she would die, and she made sure to let him know that she loved him and knew that he loved her. Quint couldn't hide his rage. It sounded in his every word. "You left the task to the others."

"There was no stopping it. Asher ordered her dead and no one disobeyed him, or they would wind up dead themselves."

"So, all of you were cursed one way or the other. You either die by Asher's hand if you didn't obey him or die by mine for killing my wife. That means you are all fools and don't deserve to live."

"Wait! Wait!" the large man said, stretching his arm out as if his splayed hand was enough to stop The Monk. "I have information I've been sworn to keep. Let me live and I will tell you."

"You'll tell me anyway," Quint said and stepped forward.

The large man rushed his words out. "Nay! Nay! I heard Asher say who is responsible for your wife's death."

"Who?" Quint demanded.

The man hurried to tell him. "The healer, Shade."

Shade woke the next morning to find she had slept alone. Quint had yet to return home. She feared something had happened to him, then told herself she was foolish for believing that. It was well known how skilled The Monk was with his daggers and sword, and she had seen it with her own eyes. Still, she worried about him.

She dressed, combed her hair and pinned it up with two combs but by the time she left the bedchamber, strands were already falling loose.

As soon as she entered the chieftain's bedchamber, she spotted Ula where she had left her last night, sitting beside the bed, her head resting on it, sound asleep.

"Ula," she said softly as she rested her hand on her friend's shoulder.

Ula raised her head, rubbing her eyes. "He woke briefly not long ago and tried to move but found it too painful and he still feels warm to the touch."

Shade felt his brow for herself. "Keep giving him the brews and he needs to eat lightly to start regaining his strength. I will have the cook prepare a broth for him. Rest is what he needs right now."

"He knows you are here, and he is grateful and hopeful," Ula said, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

"Keep doing what you are doing and do not let anyone but me know when he wakes. My husband wishes to speak with him when he does, and he has met Chieftain Ryland."

"I will be sure to keep him out of this room," Ula said, worried.

"My husband is not a man who will be kept from doing as he pleases," Shade warned.

"And I am a woman who intends to see her husband heal and help keep hope alive in my clan until Chieftain Ryland returns."

"I forgot what courage you have."

"I got it from you, always strong in any given situation. You always amazed me," Ula said. "You still do."

Shade hugged her, then hurried to excuse herself explaining she had to see how Liam was doing and to look for her husband. She turned as did Ula when a knock sounded at the door, and it opened slowly.

Ena peeked her head in, smiled as she entered, and walked over to join the other two women and cast a quick glance at Caleb. "It appears all goes well here."

"He rests more comfortably and wakes now and again," Ula said.

"There is hope yet," Ena said, her smile growing. "Nug and a few other men had barely set off to rescue the four warriors in need when they met up with them. Mervin was quick to tell the tale and most wonder if it is just that, a tale. But the others with him insisted he spoke the truth. When they thought all was lost and they would die… the four men ready to fight them dropped one by one until only one was left standing. That was when The Monk was heard from the woods and ordered our four warriors gone."

"They did not wait to see what happened to the last warrior?" Shade asked, worried her husband might have been seen and could then be recognized.

"The Monk ordered them gone. You don't deny The Monk," Ena said.

Shade only partially listened as Ena and Ula talked about The Monk being in the area. She wondered if her husband had learned anything from the lone man left that could help him. She also wondered over how fearful people were of The Monk. But then people only saw one side of him, that of a man gone mad with revenge.

"Shade, are you all right? Shade?"

Shade shook her head, clearing her thoughts upon hearing Ula speak to her. "A bit of a foggy mind this morning and a bit startled by the news."

"At least The Monk bore no ill will against our warriors," Ula said.

Ena agreed with a quick nod. "Aye, something to be grateful for."

Shade was eager to find her husband and find out how much of the news was truth or tale, so she moved the conversation along. "Have you been to see Liam, Ena?"

"I have. He's in pain, though resting better in his own bed than on the table in the solar. His wife Dee is insisting that I give him a small dose of henbane to put him in a restful sleep, so he does not have to suffer the pain. I thought it best I consult with you about it first."

"Henbane might prove dangerous with what I have Dee giving her husband now. I will go talk with her and see what would be best for Liam." Shade looked at her friend. "You need to eat, take a walk in the crisp air, and return to your husband refreshed."

"I don't want to leave him," Ula said, glancing at her sleeping husband.

"I will look after him," Ena said. "I could use the rest since I woke long before the sun came up, not that the sun came up. It is another cloudy day."

Ula attempted to argue until she had no choice but to capitulate and go with Shade.

"We will walk to Liam and Dee's cottage. No need to wait for me, by then I am sure you will be anxious to return to your husband."

"Maybe halfway to their cottage," Ula said.

Shade stopped on the stairs. "People will begin to question why you are spending so much time with the chieftain. You don't want to draw suspicion to you."

"It is known that I help Ena, but you are right. Suspicion might grow."

They continued to the Great Hall where Shade was hoping to find her husband, but he wasn't there. She was pleased when she finally spotted him talking with Nug as she and Ula walked to Liam's cottage.

Ula called out to Nug, and he hurried toward her. Shade was puzzled when her husband remained where he was, and she went to him. The closer she got to him, the more she felt something was wrong. There was something different about him and a chill raced through her, thinking it wasn't her husband she approached, but The Monk.

"What's wrong?" Shade asked when she stopped in front of him and went to rest her hand on his chest.

Quint stepped back, leaving her hand to remain outstretched. "Nothing."

Shade lowered her arm and said softly, "That's a lie."

He glared at her. "And how would you know that? Unless, of course, you are familiar with lying."

She drew her head back as if he had slapped her. What could possibly have happened to him to cause him to speak to her that way? She kept her hands at her sides and kept her voice low as she took a step toward him.

"I know my husband well and he would never speak to me so rudely, so I can only assume something happened that kept him from returning to me. I love my husband with all my heart which means I also love you, no matter how difficult you may make it for me to do so. Whichever one of you speaks to me next better do so with a civil tongue."

Shade went to turn away from him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her against him.

He pressed his cheek to hers as if he was showing her affection as he whispered, "Never. Ever. Give me an ultimatum. You will regret the consequences."

He released her and turned and walked away.

"Shade, I am going to walk with Nug for a bit," Ula called out. "I will see you later."

Shade forced a smile as she turned and waved to Ula. She was glad her friend would not finish the walk with her. She knew her too well and would know something troubled her and since she had just talked with her husband, Ula would guess they had some kind of rift.

With her thoughts troubled, she continued on her way. She had been in the presence of The Monk before now and while she had seen his rage, it had never been directed at her. Feeling his anger, she had taken the opportunity when he grabbed her and pressed her against him to see if there was anything amiss. His heart beat faster than usual and there was an uncomfortable stirring in him that was unfamiliar to her. It was almost as if he disliked touching her and that had left her feeling uneasy. If her husband loved her, how could The Monk dislike her?

She thought it might be better that he stayed away from her until he sorted out whatever it was that troubled him. But then she worried that if he kept his distance and they did not face the problem, speak about it, and see it settled, that it would damage their love and their marriage.

A soft sigh escaped her, and she glanced around to see if anyone saw it, but no one glanced her way. All were busy talking while doing chores or chatting in groups and as Shade continued walking, she caught snippets of what had caught their attention.

"The Monk can help us."

"We need his help."

"He is fearless."

"He kills without regret."

"Without remorse."

"He has no heart."

"Nay, it is a soul he doesn't have."

"And we need a soulless warrior to help save us."

Shade was glad when she reached Liam's cottage. She could not hear another word, knowing they were speaking about her husband.

She sent a silent plea to the heavens. I need that miracle, Brother Emmett, since only a miracle will save Quint's soul.

Quint didn't enter the woods, The Monk did, and he feared Quint would never return. He had been surprised when Quint surfaced, but the healer had done that by healing more than his wounds. She had healed his heart. Now, though, he felt it breaking again.

The news about Shade had shocked him and left him angry, confused, and feeling guilty that he had fallen in love with the woman responsible for Amara's death. He had not believed the man and as he questioned him, Quint realized the man didn't know that Shade was his wife. The man had told him to find the healer, Shade, and that she would confirm that he spoke the truth.

If it was Quint who dealt with the problem, he would wait to speak with his wife and find out the truth. But The Monk was so enraged at the possibility that he could have fallen in love with someone who was involved with his wife's death that he wanted nothing more than to see her pay for her deception and lies, leaving him unable to think wisely.

The Monk paced between two pine trees, growing more disturbed with each anxious step.

"Talk with her."

The Monk halted, one of his daggers already in his hand as he looked around, though knew he wouldn't see anyone. It was Brother Emmett's voice he heard, and he feared his thirst for revenge was turning him into the madman everyone believed him to be.

Brother Emmett always advised him to talk when things troubled him since prayer did not come easily to Quint. And the good brother was always available to talk with when needed. He wished the man was there now so he could talk with him, but since he wasn't, he would take his advice and speak with Shade.

He made his way back to the village, thinking about his wife and how he had unexpectedly fallen in love with her. What a good woman she was. How she helped the ill. How could he think that she could, in any way, be responsible for Amara's death?

He entered the village somewhat calmer than when he left and after not finding her where he thought she might be, he found out she was summoned to the chieftain's chamber. He didn't hesitate, he hurried to the keep.

He raced up the stairs, eager to speak with his wife and hoping the chieftain's condition hadn't worsened. He didn't bother to knock, he rushed right in.

His wife was bent over the chieftain and Ula jumped in front of her, blocking Shade and the chieftain from view.

The Monk sensed something was wrong and with a scowl on his face, he approached the bed. "Get out of the way, Ula."

Seeing the anger seething on his face, Ula didn't hesitate. She moved aside.

"What lies go on here?" The Monk demanded when he looked and saw that it wasn't Chieftain Ryland in the bed.

"I have no time to discuss this with you, Quint," Shade said. "Caleb's one wound is presenting a problem, and I must tend to it immediately. Anything you have to say will have to wait."

Shade cast a quick look at her husband and seeing the fury in his eyes, whispered, "The Monk has no place here."

Ula bravely called out, "I can explain."

The Monk swerved around causing Ula to step back though she was a distance from him. "Aye, that you will and right now."