Chapter Seven

Alaric sat on a stool next to his sire's bed in the healing chamber. "Does it feel better, Da?"

"Aye, once yer mother and Aunt Jennie straightened the bone, it took much of the pain away. And yer aunt splinted it tightly so I cannae move it much. I'll have the same contraption Ysenda used eventually, the kind that allows me to get around a wee bit, but for now, I'm stuck in this bed."

"I can carry ye into the hall if ye like."

"Connor and Magnus said they would bring me out for the evening meal. Gracie will hold the leg still while they move me. I have this bucket to pish in for now, but my pain is better. And I actually would like to sleep. The pain was fierce enough last night that I didnae sleep much. I promised Gracie I'd take a nap before this eve."

Alaric stared at his sire, trying to get the gumption up to say what needed to be said, knowing that it needed to be said now. He had to apologize, since the entire episode was his fault.

"Da, I'm sorry I led ye down the slope."

"Alaric, I would have suggested going that way if ye hadnae said anything. 'Twas more important that we get the seed into storage before the rain hit. We took a chance, and some of ye got through, just no' all of us."

Alaric thought for a moment. He hadn't been the first one through. Why hadn't he recalled that? He'd been about fourth in line, and they'd all been successful.

"The weather turning was what hurt us. Ye know it, but I do thank ye for having the presence of mind to send the seed ahead. If no', it could have been totally ruined. Finlay said it came through dry and will feed us well when the time comes."

The door opened and Uncle Connor came in. "Alaric, we're taking him out into the hall. He's been in here long enough. Will ye watch over yer brother while we carry him out?" Magnus entered behind him. "Gracie says he can nap near the hearth."

His mother came in last. "Jamie, do no' move that leg at all. I will move it."

"I know what to do, Gracie. Ye need to calm yerself."

The two bickered on as they often did, so Alaric turned his attention to his brother. He hated the sight of him so motionless and pale. Els did not look well at all. His mother kept changing his position, but he had yet to awaken.

Once the group left and he was alone with Els, and he knew this was time to speak to his brother. He had much he needed to say.

He sat next to his brother, setting the stool as close to his bed as possible, and he began his apology. "Els, forgive me for convincing ye to come down the incline. We should have gone around. What did it matter if we took the long way? It was the safest way." He stopped to swallow a few times. If not, he feared he'd cry like a bairn. "I know Da says I didnae make ye come that way, but I persisted when others suggested taking the long way. I shouldnae have been so pushy about it. I'll keep my mouth shut the next time." He knew what his father had said about many of them deciding the same, but it did not ease his guilt. He felt responsible, though his own sense of reason was beginning to flounder after speaking with his father. Perhaps it was not entirely his fault.

"Els, I miss ye." There. He'd said the words he wanted to say. "If ye can hear me, I beg ye to fight. Please try to wake up. We're all so worried about ye, but ye are my closest friend. Ye are my brother. I expected us to…" He stopped, wiping the tears from his eyes, not caring that he was crying. He needed to speak, because he believed his brother was still inside, that he could indeed hear him. "I expected us to grow old side by side, to marry beautiful lasses, have bairns who would grow up together. I wished to do the same as ye and Joya. I want my bairns to know ye as well as I know yours. Ye have to wake up."

He reached his hand behind his brother's head and felt the swelling still there. "'Tis no' growing any larger, and I think it may have shrunk a wee bit. So sleep until 'tis gone, but then ye must awaken. Mama is heartbroken and so is Da. And Joya, poor Joya tries to be positive around the bairns, but she's scared, Els.

"She's scared and so am I. And so are yer sisters and brother. Please wake up." He stopped again to wipe the tears from his face. "I need ye, Els."

The door opened and he quickly wiped his tears away. It was his mother.

"Oh, Alaric."

"I miss him, Mama. I just begged him to wake up."

His mother said, "Now that yer sire is out of the room, I'm free to do what I have longed to do since your brother came home." She pulled a stool over and lay her head on Els's chest and sobbed.

Alaric stepped away and let her cry her tears out, though he stayed nearby in case she needed him.

He'd cried his tears out; she needed her turn.

And while his mother cried, he prayed.

***

Eli tied her saddlebag to her horse, getting ready to leave with their small patrol group. The group from Clan Grant had arrived and were chatting in the yard, waiting for Eli, Tevis, and Wenna.

Wenna came in and said, "Are ye ready, Eli? I surely am. I wish to go south. Mayhap spring will be closer in the Borderlands. Are ye worried that our group is too small?"

"Nay, we have three archers and three swordsmen. We'll be fine. I hope we find the English invaders quickly. I dinnae like to spend more than a moon on each patrol."

"I havenae been on many." Wenna leaned toward her. "So what do ye think of Tevis and Alaric. Do ye like either one?" Wenna had the long dark hair of her father. With her deep blue eyes, she was striking, especially because she was always smiling.

Eli didn't know exactly what Wenna meant by that so she was unsure how to answer. "I like everyone on the patrol, or do ye mean something more serious?"

"Aye. Do ye like either of them as a lad? Because I do, and I hope we arenae liking the same one," she whispered, glancing over her shoulder to watch for anyone entering the stable.

"I dinnae like either one like that, so ye may have yer choice. Which one is it?" Why was there a sudden squeeze inside her chest that said she hoped it was not Alaric?

"Tevis. I like Tevis. He kissed me once, and it was sweet."

Wenna was older than Eli, and it seemed she had more interest in men. Was Eli's sire right, and that was something that came with age?

Fortunately, Dyna entered, ending their conversation. But Eli was glad to know Wenna's interest. She would observe Wenna and Tevis along the way. This would prove interesting.

"Are ye ready, lasses? We're off to the Borderlands. Douglas says the English in Berwick Castle are starving and restless. He fears they'll be out in search of food soon. We're to go patrol along with Douglas and his men. There's a large area to cover."

"Does he think the English will be traveling as a larger group?" Eli asked. "We only met up with those few who tried going to market in Edinburgh last year. Mayhap they have gone elsewhere too."

Dyna shrugged. "Edward isnae sending any rations. Douglas said word reached him they've killed horses for food. They're in a desperate situation, for sure. They must send more out to search for provisions, but we dinnae know if they'll go in force or small bands."

Eli led her horse outside, grabbing some dried meat to take along, something they often kept in a bin for the stable lads. Food was still scarce after the famine last year. Clan Ramsay got by, as did most of their allies, but times would be tougher this year. Better to take a few provisions along than count on finding anything as they traveled.

Once outside, she nodded to Alaric. "I see ye are joining the patrol again, Grant."

"Aye. I hope we are successful. Even with our small group, we should be able to take any marauders down."

Aunt Brenna surprised her by coming out to greet those coming from Clan Grant. "Will ye come inside for a meal? I'd like to hear about yer sire, Alaric."

Maitland stepped in behind Alaric, joining the conversation. "Good morn, Aunt Brenna."

"Greetings, Maitland. I'm anxious for a wee update, if ye please."

Alaric replied, "We are stopping on Cameron land so we cannae stay, but I'm happy to update ye. My da is healing well now that Aunt Jennie has helped Mama set his leg. He sprained his wrist, and it will take time for him to be up and about, but he's adjusting. Magnus and Finlay move him, though he's no' the best patient when he's confined to a chair. But he's accepted his fate for now. I'm sure someone will be coming for that contraption Ysenda used, but he doesnae need it yet."

"And Elshander? I heard he had a severe head injury, Alaric."

"He has not awakened yet, Aunt Brenna. He's got a large swelling on his head. It has just begun to shrink. Think ye he has a chance at this point? I would love to hear yer opinion."

The look on Alaric's face struck Eli. His pain washed through her as if it were her sister Ysenda hurt again. When Ysenda had broken her leg in the avalanche, Eli had been distraught, but at least a bone could heal. Elshander's situation sounded much more serious.

"He took a bad fall?" she asked, wondering why she hadn't heard the news. Or had she? So worried about her grandmother, she hadn't paid much attention to anything else. She chided herself for being too focused on one thing, promising herself to pay better attention to those around her.

Dyna explained. "Uncle Jamie and Elshander both. Their horses fell coming down a slope slick with rain. Els landed on his head. The blow knocked him out, and he hasnae awakened yet. Uncle Jamie landed on his leg and is healing."

Aunt Brenna took Alaric's hand and squeezed it. "I've seen similar head injuries many times. There have been situations when the injured is out for a sennight. One was out for nearly a fortnight, and he still awakened. He lost some of his thinking ability, but he came to and was able to speak just fine. But some never awaken either. I pray that Elshander will awaken and be hale."

"Thinking ability?"

"Much like an apoplexy, an injury to the head can cause some strange things to happen. He could have trouble talking. He could lose some memories or just not be able to work out puzzles as well. Sometimes physical abilities will be affected as well. I dinnae understand how the brain works, but with time, some of the loss can sometimes return. For others, the loss can be permanent. But remember, Elshander could awaken tomorrow and be perfectly fine, especially since he's a young man in his prime. Ye must have faith. Give my love to my sister when ye see her, please."

Aunt Brenna gave Alaric a tight hug and returned to the keep, stopping once to turn around and say, "Godspeed to ye all."

Eli was sobered by the news, especially for Alaric. "I'm sorry to hear about yer brother and father, Alaric. 'Tis a most difficult situation." Two in his close family were stricken. For her, just the incident with her sister had upset her terribly. And now her grandmother was ailing. Would it never cease? She couldn't stop thinking about her grandmother, and her situation wasn't nearly as bad as Alaric's brother or father. How was he handling everything so well?

"My thanks," Alaric said, a heavy sigh telling her exactly how he felt. "I'm going to believe Els will awaken. 'Tis my hope." Alaric mounted and turned his horse toward the path, the others following.

Little as she liked him and even less the idea of marrying him—no matter what her grandsire said—this sad turn of events changed her whole demeanor toward Alaric.

She'd have to be kind to him.

She'd rather tell him to kiss her arse.