“I believe I shall bathe this morning. Will stoke the fire for me?”
Gawain nodded and moved about the cottage as if unaware of her discomfort. Aileana collected her clothes and made her way outside and toward the back to where a rough path led to a stream which formed into a small pool. It was perfect for one person to wash in. Or two lovers. Where had that thought come from? She didn’t imagine herself and Gawain there together. Who then?
Her previous night’s dream floated into her thoughts. The man seemed so familiar. She was safe and happy with him, but who was he? The kiss they’d shared was natural and sent fresh excitement through her. Was he someone she once knew? A shiver ran down her back as a slight breeze brought her back to the present. The chill encouraged her to rinse and dress.
When she returned to the cottage, Gawain was no longer there. She assumed he was collecting more wood. The fire she’d requested crackled and spread warmth which enveloped her. She moved to the hearth to begin the task of finger-combing out her long hair all the while staring into the fire.
Slow moving images formed in her mind. Through the mist a horse thundered toward her, but she couldn’t see the rider. A casket contained the body of a dead man, the same as in her dream the previous night. She saw him from another time, holding a little girl’s hand who cried. A woman dressed in servant’s clothes came out of the mist. Her face was kind and ever smiling with dark hair and hazel eyes. They laughed together.
She sat near the fire, transfixed, until it was almost gone. She had so many questions. If Gawain would perhaps describe her uncle and others she might place some of the faces. She had an overwhelming feeling her uncle was the man she saw in the casket, yet they ran from him. If her uncle was dead, what then? Could they go home?
Aileana braided her hair. She was desperate for answers and went looking for Gawain. She was familiar with the area and would locate him without trouble. These questions couldn’t wait and the answers might be able to help her piece together the broken fragments of her memory.
A small thrill rushed through her when she thought of the remote possibility that these were actual memories and not some muddled fantasy. She would not dwell too much on the handsome man from her dream. How unfortunate if he was real and she a married woman?
Bright green above from the canopy created by the dense forest and dark brown earth below, Aileana explored the entire area. She found the place where they collected firewood and followed a path they used to collect berries. She searched every part of the wood she was familiar with, but was unable to find him anywhere.
Upon retreating toward the cottage, she heard voices. Aileana scanned the area and noticed two men in the distance through the trees. She didn’t know if she should make herself known or not. Her thoughts returned to Gawain’s dangerous expression earlier that day which brought back the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her instincts told her to keep quiet, but her curiosity was intense. She crept closer, doing her best to remain unseen and hid behind the large trees. As she inched toward Gawain and the stranger, she overheard part of the conversation.
“And your man is certain, the MacIntosh and the MacKay travel south together?” Gawain asked.
Aileana sized up the man to whom the question was put. He was larger than Gawain and his rotten, toothy smile made him appear unfriendly; almost menacing. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she watched them and listened for his answer.
“Aye, I’m certain. I don’t know what changed the direction of his search. We thought he’d given up when he headed north but it turns out he went straight to the MacKay. The next day they all headed out with a large party headed due south. With the roads he’s taking, by our accounts he’ll be in the Peebles any time now.”
“And your source, it’s reliable?”
“As reliable as any message carrier can be. If you’re leaving, I’d do so now.”
“And go where?” Gawain asked. “If he’s got MacKay on his side that means he has more resources. He already has a healthy spread of the King’s Guard keeping an eye out in the larger centres. As I see it, as long as I’m travelling with her, I’ll be found.”
“What’ll you do with her?”
“You leave that to me. I grow tired of her questions and whining. I’m sure I can find a hole big enough to bury her in.”
Gawain and the man shared a sickening laugh as Aileana put her hand over her mouth to stop from gasping out loud.
“Well you had better bury her deep. I’m surprised he’s still searching for her after three months and hasn’t lost interest. Will you need help with her?”