Page 53 of Fearless Heart
Chapter Sixteen
They’d been back at the caves almost a fortnight, when Friar Hemm sent one of his stable lads with a message. The lad stood taller than Gilroy, but he wasn’t as courageous as their squire for he stood back, and when they neared him, he retreated.
“Be still, lad, we won’t harm you. Tell us the message from Friar Hemm.” Graeme bid him to stop moving with the palm of his hand. “Hold still.”
The lad nodded. “The friar bid me to come at once because the village is being besieged.”
“Know you who invades? Is it the English?”
The lad hunched his shoulder. “Nay, I know not. The friar only told me to say the village was being attacked and that you should come at the soonest. I should get back to the abbey.” He turned and fled before they could question him further.
Heath didn’t think the English still resided nearby, for most had sojourned back to their homeland upon their king’s death. Yet he discerned some had no reason to return, especially to the young ruler who apparently cared not for his soldier’s welfare. He turned to his comrades to put voice to his thoughts.
Graeme motioned for them to follow and they entered the cave where warmth permeated. “’Tis too damned cold to stand out yonder and discuss the matter. We should leave and aid the villagers. Rohan might have need of us.”
“Aye,” Brodin agreed, “Do ye think the English are wont to cause trouble?”
“Mayhap since many are leery of returning to their homeland,” Liam put in.
Heath nodded. “Aye, and why would they? Their king is a sniveling wagtail.” He turned to Liam, “Is it all right if Lillia stays with Makenna whilst we’re gone? If James comes, I don’t want him to see her.”
“Aye, I’ll tell Makenna to expect her.”
Heath hastened to the ossuary where Lillia spent much of her time lately. He entered and found her tending to Graeme’s horse. With a brow raised, he questioned Gilroy who caught his meaning.
“M’lord, she insisted she help with the horses. She’s only brushing him.” Gilroy took the currycomb from her and tossed it aside.
“Heath, what are you doing here?” Lillia asked and retrieved the brush.
“Graeme would be ireful if he found out you attended to his horse. He is adamant about the care of his animal. Let Gilroy tend to the horse.” He took her hand and retrieved the brush and gave it to Gilroy on the way out.
“If you’ve come to yell at me again, I’ll have you know—”
He kissed her. Heath wished he didn’t have to leave her yet again, but he had his duty to his comrades. Even if they’d gain no coin in their pursuit in the village, at least they would protect its residents from the knaves. There was justice in that. He pulled back and smiled. “I haven’t ever yelled at you. What do you mean again?”
She scoffed. “You do too yell at me. Likely you don’t realize you’re doing it, but you do. I was just wondering what I did now to incur your wrath.”
Heath laughed, for she had to be jesting. “If I’ve yelled at you, Sweetness, it is because … Well, there’s no really excuse. I came to tell you that I must go to the village. I don’t ken how long I will be, but I wish you to stay with Makenna whilst we’re gone.”
“Very well, but only because you asked me kindly. Why must you go to the village?”
He wasn’t sure how much he should tell her. “There’s a scuffle there and the friar bids us to see to it. Hopefully we won’t be gone too long.”
“I’m gladdened to hear it’s only a scuffle. I shall miss you.”
Heath pulled her in his arms again and took his time telling her how much he’d miss her. Graeme shouted his name. “Stay in the cave with Makenna, be warm.” He’d added the last because he didn’t want to worry her. The last thing she needed to know was that James Douglas made it his mission to take her to King Robert.
He joined his brethren and they rode out. The ride to the village didn’t take long, and as they trekked on the road, many of the villagers ran past them. Heath picked up the pace and rode for the walls. When he entered, he found several buildings aflame. Women held their children, weeping at the sight. A stench of burnt wood and hay permeated the air.
Ireful and disgusted by the criminal injustice, he jumped from his horse and pulled his sword free. Before this day was over, he’d be sure to add a few strings to his boots, warranted and justly so. His comrades joined him and they separated. Heath skulked behind the cottages and sheds, but found no one. In his quest to find the miscreants, he roamed through the lanes and grew impatient.
When he neared the mead hall, he spotted Graeme. “Have ye seen anyone?”
“Nay, they must’ve fled. Let us visit Rohan, mayhap he’ll know who did this atrocity.” Heath bounded inside the mead hall and found his robust, burly comrade sitting in the corner, being tended by his serving women.
“Rohan, are you hurt?”
“Ah, ‘tis glad I am to see you. Nay, be gone women. I tell ye I am unharmed. I fought off a few of the loggerheads, but they left after they destroyed two of my finest tables.”