Chapter Eleven

T he woods surrounding Ailith’s cottage served to keep the wind at bay. Hendry pulled his horse to a stop a short distance away and studied the small home.

Smoke wafted from the chimney, and he imagined the woman was inside either cooking or keeping the fire going to stay warm.

As a leader he could have sent a guard to inform the widow that the danger of an attack was gone, but he’d felt compelled to come himself.

Riding closer, he dismounted and tethered his horse to a young tree and walked to the front door.

Immediately barking from inside sounded reminding him of Ailith’s faithful and very protective companion. It was smart of her to have the dog, it would certainly deter someone from attempting to enter and steal or cause harm.

A curtain shifted and she looked out, at recognizing him, she moved from the window and moments later the door opened.

“Ye can come in.” The invitation came as a surprise. She pulled the door open with one hand and held her dog back with the other hand. “Teller will nae bite ye if I invite ye in.”

By the baring of his teeth, Hendry wasn’t assured, but he walked in.

Ailith went to a chair that had blankets on it and lowered into it. Her face was flushed and nose was red. It explained why she wouldn’t go outside.

“Ye are ill,” Hendry commented while studying her. “How long have ye been unwell?”

She waved away his concern. “Only since yesterday. I am sure I will be much better in a day or two.”

There wasn’t a pot on the hook by the hearth. Or evidence of any meal having been eaten. No dirt bowls or cups to be found.

Finding the kettle empty as well, he got a bucket and went back out. The dog, probably needing to relieve itself, followed him out and upon Hendry filling the bucket from the well, he trotted beside him back inside.

“What are ye doing?” Ailith asked as he filled the kettle and brought it to the hearth, once he hung it over the waning fire, he added a log.

“Ye need to eat and drink something.” He looked across to the table to where there was a basket with potatoes and carrots beside a piece of salted meat on a plate.

While the water in the kettle heated, he went about peeling and chopping the vegetables and meat and placed them into a small pot that he also filled with water.

Ailith had fallen asleep by the time he replaced the kettle with the pot over the fire. The woman didnae feel well in the least, otherwise, she would have protested more.

He placed chopped herbs into a cup and added the boiling water, allowing them to seep.

The dog settled on the floor next to his mistress, despite his being invited in, the animal didnae trust him fully. It was a good thing.

“Ailith,” he said in a loud but calm voice. “Drink this.” Hendry held out the cup with a green tinged liquid inside.

Her eyes opened and then widened as she seem to realize she’d fallen asleep. “I-I am fine, ye dinnae have to…” She took the cup not finishing her sentence, seeming to realize that yes, she did need his help. Not only that, but the pot over the fire was now filling the space with a wonderful aroma of stew.

While she drank, he lowered to the only other chair in the room and kept an eye on her. “I can take ye to the keep. Ye can recover there.”

The keep was the last place the woman would wish to go, so Hendry added, “Or to the village. Do ye ken someone there?”

Ailith considered what he said, her gaze meeting his for a beat before she looked away. “I would be grateful if ye can send a message to my sister Helena. I am sure she will come with her husband to see about me.”

“Very well,” Hendry said and waited in silence as she finished the herbal water. “I am nae sure what I boiled, I assume ye picked it for yer ailment.”

She nodded. “Aye.”

When the stew was done, Ailith went to the table and looked on as he ladled it into a bowl for her. Then waited as he placed a smaller amount into a bowl for himself and then placed some into a flat plate for the dog.

They ate in silence, the only sound was moments later when he placed the cooled food on the floor for the dog, who gobbled it up.

“I do appreciate this,” Ailith said in a soft voice. “I was planning to cook, but I found it hard to motivate myself to do it. Poor Teller has been eating bread since the day before yesterday.”

Hendry realized she must have gotten ill right after he’d seen her last. “Why do ye nae move to live in the village? It is nae safe to be out here alone.”

Ailith looked about the cottage, and by the forlorn expression, Hendry knew she thought of her dead husband. “I have considered it.”

Once she finished, Hendry went to the well to wash the dirty dishes, then filled the bucket and brought fresh water back inside. After the leftover stew was properly covered with a small cloth and he ensured the kettle was filled and hung by the hearth did he feel more at ease leaving the woman alone.

“I will send someone with the message to yer sister and return to see about ye the day after tomorrow,” he told her. “If yer sister is nae here, I will take ye to the village myself.”

By the changes in expression, Ailith considered what to say. “She will come. I am sure of it.”

Hendry walked out, pulling the door closed behind him.

Once mounted he studied the front of the cottage. Something had changed between himself and Ailith.

Something akin to hope flickered in his chest.