Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

O wen woke to Iseabail’s soft kisses, and with a smile lining his face, he wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her on top of him.

“Be careful,” she said. “Ye have injured yersel’ enough fer one day.”

He gave a wry grin. “I dinnae mind injuring mesel’ a little more.”

“Nay. Absolutely nae,” she countered, pushing herself up and standing beside him. “I’ve caused ye enough damage on this journey. I cannae face causing ye anymore. Ye need time tae heal.”

He was still smiling when he pushed himself up off the ground. Towering above her, he held her chin between his fingers and thumb and gazed down at her tenderly. “And I’d dae it all again in a heartbeat,” he growled, before lowering his lips to hers.

She sank into his embrace, parting her lips and bidding him entry as his tongue roved about the sweetness of her mouth. But Iseabail gently pushed him away, and looking a little flushed, she breathed. “Come on. We have wasted enough o’ this day. We need tae return tae the cottage and let the healer take another look at that wound.”

Reluctantly, Owen stepped away, and bending to the ground, he scooped up the bag and donned it across his chest. Side by side, they began the journey back to the healer’s cottage, Iseabail seeming far more relaxed now after their rest.

“Perhaps there is someone else in Huna. Another villager who can tell us about the crystal,” she said as they walked. “If Ada kent about it, maybe someone else has some other information.”

He liked her optimism, and thus, kept his thoughts to himself. He doubted anyone else would know anything, though he could not know for certain. Still, surely, they had used all their luck over the last few days? And it would only be luck that would put them in contact with someone who might have more information. The fact that Ada had known anything at all about it was a miracle. He just couldn’t see that their fortune would be so great as to have another miracle anytime soon.

“For now, we should return tae Ada,” he said, diplomatically neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her suggestion. “At the very least, we could both use a decent night’s sleep after today’s excitement.”

“More tae the point, Ada needs tae check yer wound,” Iseabail countered.

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Och, o’ course, it will,” she quipped back dryly. “The fact that ye were in pain earlier means naething at all. And dinnae get me started on that daring rescue at the waterfall.”

He cast a smirk in her direction, and seeing it, Iseabail grinned back.

An hour later, they were back in the village and knocking on Ada’s door.

“Och, come in. Come in,” she waved eagerly. “I have news tae tell ye.”

The old woman hurriedly closed the door and looked from Owen tae Iseabail. “Ye didnae find the crystal, did ye?”

Iseabail, looking forlorn again, shook her head.

“Well, sit ye down. I’ll make us tea, and I’ll tell ye what I discovered today,” the old woman said with palpable excitement.

When the tea was made, Ada joined them at the table, and leaning forward, she began. “A man came in fer a healing today. We were talking about the many herbs available in the area, and how nature takes care o’ us. Somehow, the waterfall came intae the conversation, and ‘afore I even mentioned anything about it, he began talking about the crystal that once was hidden in a cave up there.”

Iseabail gasped. “What did he say?”

“He told me that a man has taken the crystal and has begun breaking it intae pieces tae make intae jewelry so he can sell it. He’s turned it intae a business and travels about selling them tae merchants and traders. That’s where yer crystal came from.” She nodded to Owen.

Owen frowned. “But we ken about that man. He drowned on South Ronaldsay.”

Ada shook her head vehemently. “It wasnae the same man. Apparently, yer drowned fella worked for the man who took the crystal. I hear he got murdered by some wicked men who were trying tae get their hands on it.”

Iseabail and Owen shared a look.

“Laird Sutherland’s men?” Iseabail said.

Owen shrugged. “Likely.”

“At any rate,” Ada continued, “this man is now in hiding, probably fearing for his life. He’s very hard tae find, but I dae ken where he was last seen.”

“Tell us, Ada. Please,” Iseabail said.

“He’s holed up in a cottage ten miles south o’ here. I will give ye a description o’ it, or for a certainty, ye’ll never find it.”

And with that, Ada continued describing the place Owen knew they needed to visit next.

“There is one last thing ye need tae ken. I didnae want tae tell ye ‘afore, but seeing as ye’re so determined, I suppose I must. I ken o’ Laird Sutherland. I also ken his power. He’s an evil man who can create the illusion o’ pain with only a look.”

Iseabail gasped.

“Ye will be protected,” she nodded at Owen, “if ye keep that necklace around yer throat.” She then turned her attention to Iseabail. “But ye, me dear, ye need tae be careful. And dinnae forget what I told ye. Ye cannae put yer hands on that crystal. When ye find it, dinnae touch it.”

Iseabail nodded, a worried frown dancing on her brow.

“For now,” the old woman continued, “ye can bed down here fer the night. Ye’ll nae find it in the dark, and besides, ye both look like ye could dae with the rest.”

Iseabail insisted that Ada take another look at Owen’s wound, and before they retired to bed, she took him into her healing room.

“What the devil were ye at today?” she bemoaned, cleaning blood that had leaked from the laceration.

“Naething much,” Owen replied matter-of-factly. “Just climbing a thirty-foot waterfall, and saving Iseabail from falling tae her death. A typical day.”

The healer cast him a glance and lifted the corner of her mouth in a slight smile. “Ye’d dae anything fer that lass, wouldnae ye?”

Owen nodded. “O’ course. I love her.”

“Aye. Smitten ye are,” she said, now bandaging his arm again. “Well, I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a more suited couple. And I get the feeling, that lass would dae anything fer ye too.”

The old woman then stood, and placing a gentle hand upon his arm, she looked him straight in the eye. “Things are going tae get worse ‘afore they get better. Look after her, Owen. She might nae ken it yet, but she needs ye.”

Owen shook his head. “I dinnae ken about that. Iseabail is a strong, independent lass.”

But the old woman shook her head. “I’m nae talking about strength, dear. I’m talking about this.” And with that, she pressed a withered hand against his chest. “Yer muscles, as big as they are,” she smirked, “are nae what that lass needs. She needs ye tae be strong in yer mind, and soul, and heart.”

Owen felt a little disturbed by her words. Not because he doubted he could be all those things if he put his mind to it, but more the fact that no one had ever needed any of those things from him before. Not in the way Ada was talking about, at least.

“I will try me very best, Ada. I swear that tae ye.” And with all his heart, he meant those words deeply.

The following morning, they both bid Ada a final farewell. They were never likely to see her again, and thus, they thanked her profusely for all she had done for them. Once again, the old healer had packed them food and drink, and offering her blessings and good luck, they left for the village.

Owen was determined not to walk such a distance, and in a short time, he acquired two horses for all the coin he had left in his pocket. Helping Iseabail upon her mare, he mounted his horse, and they got under way.

The journey was short, and just over an hour later, they found the cottage Ada had spoken about. Leaving Iseabail hidden behind a barrack with the horses, he went to scout it out.

Circling the cottage, it was evident the man they sought was not home, and while Owen was tempted to break in and search for the crystal, he decided such an action might well be pointless. If the man was so obsessed about his prize, he was unlikely to leave home without it.

Returning to Iseabail, he reported his findings.

“So, what now?” she said.

“We wait,” Owen replied. “I have a strong feeling the man has this crystal on his person. We have nay choice but tae wait fer his return.”

“And how long will that be?” Iseabail said, sounding slightly frustrated.

Owen looked at her, and then smirked. “I dinnae have me crystal ball with me tae tell ye, Iseabail.”

She rolled her eyes and let out a light laugh.

“We’ll settle ourselves here. We have a good view of the cottage. We’ll see him when he returns.”

The hours ran on, the sun above them crossing the sky slowly as time seemed to stand still. While Owen was used to holing up in places for long periods of time, for he had done so on many scouting missions before, Iseabail was getting more and more restless.

“He may never return,” she hissed, after they had been there for almost four hours. “He could be away fer weeks, and here we are, watching an empty cottage.”

Putting a calming hand out toward her, Owen said, “All will be well, Iseabail. I ken this is hard. I ken ye’re impatient tae help yer faither and braither, but this is the best lead we’ve had so far. There is naewhere else fer us tae be right now. I need ye tae trust me.”

“I dae trust ye,” she sulked. “I’m just tired o’ all this waiting.”

“I ken. But it is the way it has tae be.”

Another hour was just coming to a close when Owen heard movement nearby. Someone was approaching, and immediately, he turned to Iseabail, pressing his fingers to his lips. She nodded with wide eyes of understanding.

A broad man then emerged and headed toward the cottage they had been watching for most of the day. Still, Owen did not move. The man trudged through the surrounding wooded area of the hidden house, walked through the wooden gate of the garden, and headed toward the door. Excitement now swirled around Owen’s belly, for after all the hours of them sitting about, this surely was the man they had been waiting for. The man turned, taking his time to look all around him. He was clearly checking to see that he was alone. After a moment, he appeared satisfied. Only then did he enter, slamming the door closed behind him.

“Now, we go,” Owen whispered, standing fully erect.

Iseabail stood with him, and the two made their way to the door. But when Owen knocked, there was no answer. Lifting his large fist, he knocked again, only with more force this time.

They heard heavy footfalls on the wooden boards within, and then the door flew open, and an angry face peeked out at them.

“What dae ye want?” he growled gruffly.

Owen opened his mouth to speak, when Iseabail quickly stepped in front of him.

“Och, thank God,” she gasped. “We have been traveling for miles trying tae find someone tae help us. We were robbed on the road, and we dinnae have tae eat or drink. Would ye be so kind as tae help us?”

Bewildered at her lies, Owen watched the man’s face soften, his shoulders relax, and the door open a little wider. But as they stepped over the threshold, he caught the glint of a knife that the man was now sliding back into its sheath.

She was worried we would be attacked. What a clever girl ye are, Iseabail.

“Where are ye from?” the man demanded, as all three walked further into the cottage.

Owen scanned the area and noticed how dusty and filled with cobwebs it was. It did not look like a house that was lived in, and then he realized that this man was only holed up here temporarily.

“We’ve traveled from John o’ Groats,” Iseabail continued, glancing over at Owen uneasily.

Perhaps she was feeling the same discomfort he was, for his gut was telling him that this man was more dangerous than most. Glancing across the room, he caught the man eyeing Iseabail, his lips parting and his expression denoting a lust for her. It made Owen feel sick to his stomach.

“Sit down there,” he growled, pointing to a table that was covered in old books, dust, and clothes.

In the kitchen, the man grabbed cups from a cupboard and poured wine from a stoneware bottle. “I dinnae have much in the way o’ food, but I have wine,” the man said.

While Iseabail’s view of the kitchen was blocked by a cabinet, Owen did not take his eyes off the man for a second. He watched him slip his hand into a drawer and discreetly lift a paper sachet. Powder spilled from the sachet into each of their cups, and swiftly the man returned it to the drawer. But before he had chance to lift the cups, Owen was on his feet, anger racing through his body.

“What the devil dae ye think ye’re playing at?” he barked. “Did ye think I wouldnae notice ye slipping something intae our drink?”

“What?” Iseabail gasped, pushing herself up from the chair.

“Dae ye expect me just tae trust ye?” the man scowled back. “What kind o’ fool dae ye take me fer?”

“And so ye drug everyone ye dinnae trust?” Owen came back, now taking determined strides toward him.

But the man did not back away, and in fact, moved towards Owen to close the gap. By his expression, he was ready to fight, and Owen had plenty of reasons to hit him, not least of which the way he had looked at Iseabail earlier.

“Stop it! The both o’ ye,” Iseabail screamed.

So loud was her cry that both men stopped in their tracks and turned to gawk at her.

With a reddened face, she continued. “We mean ye nay harm. We are nae here tae cause ye any trouble. We ken ye have a crystal ye found in the waterfall past the village o’ Huna. All we ask is whether ye will part with it.”

The man glared at Iseabail like she was mad. “Indeed, I willnae part with it. I found it, and I will be keeping it.”

“I can pay ye,” Iseabail cried desperately. “I dinnae have the coin with me now, but I can go get it.”

He then laughed in her face. “Dae ye really think I’m so stupid as tae believe that?”

Owen then watched as Iseabail looked him straight in the eye. He knew exactly what was going to happen, and waited with eager anticipation. But just as she was about to speak, the sound of their horses neighing wildly seeped into the cottage.

“Something is wrong,” Iseabail gasped.

“I will go,” Owen offered.

“I will go,” Iseabail said sharply, giving him a determined look.

Clearly, she did not want to be left alone with this man, and nor could he blame her. Now, as he thought about it, he wasn’t too keen on that idea either.

“Go,” he said to her, jerking his head toward the door.

Nodding firmly, she slipped past the two of them and hurried out of the cottage.

“How much dae ye want fer the crystal?” Owen said, once she was gone.

“Naething ye could afford,” the man spat.

“Me name is Owen Sinclair, son o’ Laird Madigan Sinclair, heir to the Sinclair clan. Our wealth is very great, and?—”

“Aye, I ken well o’ the Sinclair clan. I’ve been on yer lands many a time selling me wares,” the man interrupted, now looking more interested.

“How much?” Owen pressed, seeing an opening for a barter.

“Forty merks,” the man growled.

Owen took a step back in astonishment. It was a ludicrous amount of money for a piece of crystal.

Aye, but look at the power it contains. Besides, what are Iseabail’s faither’s and braither’s lives worth? And then there’s Iseabail. Her happiness is surely worth every coin ye have, even if it means ye’ll nae pay yer debt.

Owen shook his head at the man and said, “Naeone carries that amount o’ coin around. But,” he continued, halting the man from objecting as he was clearly about to do, “I can get it fer ye. I will make a bond with ye right now, and swear tae it, that me word is true.”

Owen removed his clan ring and pushed it into the man’s palm. He then turned to the table, and finding a scrap of paper, he quickly scribbled a few sentences.

Signing yer own death sentence by giving all yer savings away, arenae ye?

Turning back to the man, he handed him the note. “If anything should happen tae me, fer if I dinnae return, it will only be because I have been killed, take that ring and that note tae me clan. Find a man named Daire. He will give ye what ye are due.”

For a long second, the man eyed Owen, clearly trying to decide whether he ought to trust him or not. But his greed got the better of him, and telling Owen to wait, he moved across the room. After rummaging in a cloth bag, he turned to face Owen with the crystal held proudly in his hand. It was the size of a large stone, chipped on all sides where the man had cut away at it to make the jewelry he sold.

After another moment’s hesitation, he thrust it at Owen, and growled. “Take it, and be away with ye. Dinnae dilly on yer return. I will be expecting me money within the month.”

Owen nodded, and before the man had time to change his mind, he turned and hurried out the front door.