Chapter 21

Producing a pair of shears from her red-stained apron pocket, Alana rapidly cut away the blood-soaked clothing concealing Tadgh's wound. Once it was revealed in all its ugly glory, she gasped and stepped back before taking a deep breath, obviously steeling herself. She visually examined the narrow, swollen, bloody slit where the dirk's blade had entered Tadgh's side.

After a few moments, she turned to Maddison and said, "Hand me some calipers, will ye?" She held out her hand, while Maddison snatched the instrument from a nearby tray and placed them in the healer's palm. "Thank ye. Now, I need ye tae fetch me some clean rags, bandages, and some of the heather salve, quickly." She turned back to probe the edges of the wound, grimacing when Tadgh shouted with pain.

Odhrán watched as his wife sped off to fulfill Alana's request. Despite the terrible, testing circumstances, his heart swelled with love and pride to see how calmly and efficiently she was acting. It was a side to her he had never seen before and it struck him as being the perfect counterpoint to her often fiery personality. Amid all the bloody chaos, he suddenly felt very lucky. Any man, let alone a laird, would be proud to be her husband. She's a lass tae have yer side in a fight!

Tadgh's cry of pain brought him back from his brief musings. He watched as Liam stripped off his own jerkin, rolled it up, and put it gently beneath Tadgh's head.

"Hold on, brother, help's comin', just stay with me," he told his brother, gripping his hand tightly as Tadgh's eyelids wavered, and his face contorted in agony with his every breath. Maddison returned with the rags and bandages and deposited them by the tray of medical instruments.

Odhrán heard her say to Alana, "We've run out of the heather salve, so I'm goin' tae run back tae the infirmary tae fetch some more, but I'll be as fast as I can." Preoccupied, the healer nodded and returned to gauging the extent of the damage of Tadgh's stab wound.

To Odhrán's surprise, on her way out, Maddison stopped by him. Smiling up at him, she rose up on her toes to kiss his lips. "I'm so glad ye're all right," she whispered as he bent down to her. The warmth in her eyes, her smile, and the kiss were like a soothing balm to his troubled soul, renewing his strength.

Even so, he thought little of it when she continued on her errand, and was completely distracted when Alana suddenly said, "Odhrán, will ye bring me a large pitcher of hot water from the kettle? Over there, by the hearth." She gestured with her eyes at one of the hall's giant hearths, where Odhrán saw a fire was blazing. A large cauldron had been suspended by a thick chain over the flames. Glad to be of use, Odhrán hurried off immediately to fetch what she asked for.

When he returned, bearing the hot water, Maddison was not back. He assisted Alana and Liam as best he could in keeping Tadgh calm while his wound was cleaned. However, when she had not come back after ten minutes—ample time to run to the cottage and back—he started to worry.

"Did Maddison take some guards with her tae the infirmary," he asked Liam, a tentacle of fear curling around his heart. His friend, still gripping his brother's hand, shook his head and shrugged.

"I dinnae ken, man, I didnae see her go."

The tentacle tightened its grip. "I have tae go," Odhrán blurted out suddenly.

"All right, go, we'll be fine here," Liam told him with a nod. Filled with dread, Odhrán rushed from the hall, out through the courtyard doors, and sprinted towards the cottage. The attack of the two enemy men earlier that day in the garden was fresh in his mind, and he had a horrible feeling that, in a moment of inattention, he had failed to protect his wife by letting her go without an armed escort. He ran faster than he had ever run before.

Maddison had wasted no time in hurrying to the infirmary, her thoughts revolving around her relief at seeing Odhrán safe and getting back quickly with the heather salve so Alana could treat Tadgh. She silently prayed the healer could save Tadgh, for she knew how much it would hurt Odhrán should anything happen to his friend. She did not like the thought of that at all. The notion that she might be in danger did not occur to her, and as she saw no one on the way, she felt fairly secure.

Letting herself in the cottage with the hidden key Alana had shown her, she rapidly packed up another large basket full of salves and other supplies before lugging it outside and placing it on the path while she locked the door. She was just about to return the key to its hiding place when she heard a noise behind her. She whirled around and was horrified to be confronted with what was clearly an enemy soldier. He held his claymore in his hand.

"I've been lookin' fer ye," he snarled, his eyes gleaming with malice as he approached her. Panicking, Maddison backed away, looking left and right for an escape. She bolted to the left, picking up her skirts and running straight through the flower beds, vaguely intending to hurl herself over the fence and run for her life.

"Ach, dinnae run away!" the man shouted, crashing after her. She increased her pace, but just as she thought she would make it to the fence, she found herself suddenly violently jerked backwards as he caught her by her back hair in an iron grip. Maddison screamed and gripped her head in pain as he dragged her backwards through the foliage.

"Ye're a lively one, are ye nae?" the soldier hissed through broken teeth, throwing her to the ground, his sword pointing in her face. "And a pretty one too. Maybe ye'd like a little fun before we go, eh?"

Revolted, Maddison spat at him, scrambling backwards to get away. But he just came striding after her and pressed the blade to her cheek, making her freeze, hardly able even to breathe.

"That's right, just ye stay there," he leered at her, his hand going to his belt buckle. Desperate, Maddison cast about for anything she could use as a weapon, but there was nothing.

"Help!" she screamed. "Help me!"

"Shut yer noise, ye stupid wench," the man cursed, pressing the blade harder against her cheek. "I've orders nae tae hurt ye, but if ye keep on screamin', then I'll have nae choice but tae kill ye. I'll hide yer body where naebody'll ever find ye."

Maddison's confusion and terror at this threat was suddenly pierced by the sound of somebody running towards them, the heavy pounding bootsteps obviously those of a man. The soldier looked away from her, distracted by the noise. With hope flaring in her breast, she took the opportunity to scramble to her feet and put as much distance between them as she could.

As if in answer to her prayers, Odhrán then burst into view, running towards them at full tilt, his claymore in his hand. His face was thunderous, like a stone-carved statue of some malevolent god bent on destruction. His dark eyes fixed on her tormentor, and without slowing down, he cleared the garden fence easily and headed straight for the enemy soldier.

"Get away from her, ye filthy dog," he bellowed, immediately attacking the man with savage ferocity, while Maddison watched in terror for him from her safe spot.

"For God's sake be careful, Odhrán!" she screamed. Before the sound had died away, the soldier, fear now etched on his ugly features, suddenly turned tail and ran around the back of the cottage, clearly heading for the adjacent woods. Odhrán let him go, instead racing over to Maddison. He flung his weapon down and grabbed her tightly. She clung to him. "Thank God ye got here in time," she sobbed.

"Are ye all right?" he panted, his eyes wild, running his hands over her body to check for injuries. "Did he touch ye? Tell me ye're nae hurt!"

"I'm all ri—Odhrán, behind ye!" she suddenly screamed, seeing over his shoulder that the soldier was running up behind him, brandishing his sword and dirk. Odhrán pivoted on his feet, but not quickly enough to stop the man from clubbing him over the head with the hilt of his sword. Maddison screamed again as he pitched forward, terrified that he was knocked out. But somehow, with an angry roar, he gripped his sword and rose to his feet, turning on his attacker. But when the soldier saw he had not brought him down, he cursed and fled once more.

Maddison sprang up and ran to Odhrán, who was looking distinctly unsteady on his feet. She grabbed him around the waist, trying to support him, terrified the soldier would come back again.

"Odhrán, are ye badly hurt?" she asked frantically, trying to get him to show her the wound to his head. But he seemed dizzy, as though disorientated, and did not seem to understand her words. In the distance, she could hear the soldier crashing through the woods. To her relief, the sound gradually faded away.

"I'm all right," Odhrán mumbled, but she could tell he was not.

"Ach, there's blood runnin' all down yer face. Come on, we've got tae get ye back tae the hall," she cried, full of fear for his wellbeing. It was the second time in a short while that he'd taken a violent blow to his head on her behalf, and she felt dreadful to see him in such a state again because she had failed to take proper precautions.

'Tis all me fault. I should have brought guards with me!

Odhrán groaned and rubbed his head as she slipped under his arm, propping him up as best she could.

"Can ye walk?" she asked as he leaned on her.

"Aye, I think so. I'm just a wee bit woozy, is all," he replied. "Ye're nae hurt, that's all I care about," he told her, giving her a squeeze with his arm.

Slowly, for Odhrán had a few dizzy spells on the way and they had to stop, they managed to navigate the garden and arrive back at the hall. The place looked a little emptier than before and was more peaceful now the stream of wounded men had ceased after the battle.

"I suppose many of the wounded have been treated and gone home to their beds to recover," Maddison observed looking around. "Och, there's Alana, over here. Come on." She walked Odhrán over to where the healer was talking to her assistant Kate. But as soon as she saw Maddison and Odhrán approaching, with the laird leaning heavily on his wife, she broke off her conversation and hurried over to them, looking worried.

"'Tis nae yer head again, me laird, is it?" she asked, the blood running down his face and neck a telltale sign she was right.

"Aye, one of the enemy soldiers attacked me at the cottage, and Odhrán took a nasty blow tae his head again rescuin' me," Maddison explained, pushing Odhrán into a chair. "He says he keeps feelin' dizzy, and I had tae help him get back here without fallin' over. Can ye have a look at him, please, Alana? I'm worried he may have a concussion again."

Alana examined Odhrán's head, grimacing when she saw the gaping gash on his scalp.

"Well, it's a deep cut all right, but it looks tae be closin' up by itself. I'll clean it up, and ye'll have tae dae the same as before I'm afraid, Maddy, keep him awake fer as long as ye can before ye let him sleep."

"Ach, nae again," the patient protested. "There's naethin' wrong with me, I tell ye."

"What about yer dizzy spells, then? Did ye imagine those, eh? And ye would have surely fallen on yer backside several times on the way back if I hadnae been there tae prop ye up," Maddison pointed out to him sternly.

"I'm nae takin' any of that foul concoction ye gave me last time," Odhrán grumbled.

"Ye'll take whatever medicine Alana says ye'll take if ye ken what's good fer ye," his wife told him in no uncertain terms, eliciting a deep sigh of resignation from him.

"How's Tadgh?" he asked.

"Och, he'll make a full recovery. It turned out his jerkin protected him from the worst of it. 'Tis mainly a flesh wound, the Lord, though there's a nasty nick tae his hip bone. He was lucky the blade missed his vital organs," Alana explained, smiling wearily.

"Thank the Wee Man," Odhrán breathed, rubbing his temples in obvious relief.

"That's grand news!" Maddison said, taking his hand and squeezing it.

"Aye," Alana went on. "Liam's taken him back tae his chambers, but he's supposed tae be comin' back here tae speak with ye about the battle." She began to clean up Odhrán's wound, while Maddison fetched him a mug of ale, as he was complaining of a dry throat. She kept him company while Alana worked on him. A short while later, Liam reappeared, looking much more cheerful than before.

Odhrán greeted him warmly, saying, "Alana told us about Tadgh. 'Tis good news, eh?"

"Ye can say that again," Liam replied. "I honestly thought he was a goner for sure." He looked curiously at Odhrán.

"What happened tae yer head?"

"Och, 'tis naethin'. I got hit on the head by a sword hilt in a fight," he explained, "by one of Rollo's men."

"He was attacked at the infirmary while savin' me life," Maddison put in, "and he's likely got another concussion."

"At the infirmary? I'd better get over there with some men and search the place. Did ye see where he went?" Liam asked, suddenly all business.

"He ran intae the woods behind the cottage," Maddison told him.

"Right, I'd best be off. I'll see ye later, Odhrán." He rushed out to rally some men to accompany him on his search.

A little while later, with clear instructions for Odhrán to rest and try to keep awake as long as he could, he and Maddison entered their chambers. As before, she supported him until they reached the bed. She pulled of his boots and trews and coat, all drenched in blood, and let him lay back against the pillows.

"I've still got some of that salve from when ye fell down the stairs, and I think there's even a wee bit of the tonic left for ye tae drink," she teased him, sitting beside him and stroking his forehead gently.

"I'm nae drinkin' it. Bring me a dram instead, will ye?" he said, catching hold of her hand and kissing her palm.

"All right." She got up and fetched the whisky and poured them both a large dram. "I think I'll join ye. It's been quite a day. Tae think ye've fought a whole battle. Slàinte mhath!"

"Slàinte mhath," Odhrán replied as they clinked glasses and drank.

"I was so happy tae see ye walk intae the hall in one piece, Odhrán. I dinnae ken what I would have done if anythin' had happened tae ye," Maddison said.

"I felt the same about ye when I saw ye there, bein' so efficient and helpin' everyone. I was proud of ye."

"Pish! I only did what was needed and what Alana told me tae dae" she said, blushing under his praise. "I would have nae been any use tae ye on the battlefield, now, would I?"

"Och, I dunno. Ye could have stunned them with yer beauty maybe. Ye stun me all the time."

"Are ye tryin' tae butter me up so I'll nae make ye drink that tonic?" Maddison jested, touched by his sweet words. He laughed then winced.

"Ow! Dinnae make me laugh. It hurts me head," he complained, laughing again.

"And ye're still covered in wounds from duelin' with Rollo yesterday," she said with a frown. "Here, take off yer shirt." She leaned over and helped him off with it, revealing his chest in all its glory. Quelling a pang of desire, she knelt up and said, "Let's see how they're healin' up." Carefully, she inspected the wounds. "Hmm, nae bad at all. That salve certainly works. There's nae sign of infection."

"Good. In truth, I'd forgotten all about them, what with the battle today. I was lucky tae get away with naught but a few scratches," he said with rueful sigh.

"I'm glad," she said, pressing her lips to his chest before sitting up. "Now, ye must be hungry too, and ye need tae eat tae give ye strength. I'll order us some dinner, and ye can have a nice bath and a rest. Ye can go and see Tadgh tomorrow, eh?" She summoned a servant and ordered the meal, making sure to include some of Odhrán's favorites. Then she stoked up the fire and added a couple more logs.

"But ye're injured, and the place must be warm for ye tae bathe and be comfortable," she insisted when he complained it was his job. "Especially if ye're gonnae lie about half naked like that," she added, glancing meaningfully at his bare chest.

"'Tis ye who keeps insistin' I take me clothes off. But I must admit," he said, laying back and stretching luxuriously, "I feel like a king. I cannae remember ever bein' so spoiled. I'll be turnin' soft after a while of this treatment. I reckon I can see where I've been goin' wrong in life, though."

"Oh? Where?" she asked, giggling at his silliness.

"Well, 'tis obvious I should get bashed in me head more often if 'tis the only way I get pampered like this," he declared, wincing as he laughed. Maddison laughed too, happy to see him making jokes. It was far better outcome than she had secretly feared.