Her hand felt cold when he let go of it. But she refrained from voicing her discontent.
He reached for the bag, hoisting it over his shoulder. It was filled with various glass vials, which she had thoroughly washed before this excursion, perfect for collecting samples.
They walked over to the glen, and she looked around, not sure exactly what she was searching for. The water was clear, though there was a smattering of algae near the shore. The edges of the algae were slightly yellow. The water was also foamy.
Lilliana frowned, looking at Kayden. “Is this usual?” she asked, pointing to the algae.
He squatted down, leaning in to take a whiff. He frowned, straightening up. “There is a smell to it. I cannae be sure, but…” He shook his head. “Something’s wrong.”
“Help!”
The cry startled them both, and they turned to see a young boy running towards them.
Kayden immediately started in his direction, one hand on thesgian-dubhhe had on his belt.
He grabbed the boy and tilted his chin up. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
The boy gestured frantically towards the woods, stuttering almost incoherently, “M-me maither! M-m-me sister…”
Kayden looked towards the woods and began to hurry in the direction the boy had come from. Lilliana followed behind, heart racing with anxiety.
They found the two women soon enough, writhing and moaning on the ground. Both of them were clutching their bellies. The stench of vomit permeated the air.
Lilliana went down on her knees, examining first the daughter, then the mother.
“What’s your name?” she asked the boy.
“It’s Conall MacCeasain, ma’am,” the boy answered, panting anxiously.
She nodded. “Alright, Conall, can you tell me what happened here?”
“W-We were on our way back from checking the snares. Rab—rabbit snares. W-We didnae catch any,” he said, and then looked at her expectantly as if waiting for permission to continue.
“Yes, and then what happened?”
“We stopped by the loch to rest and drink some water. But I spotted something that looked like a hare and ran after it. When I came back, they w-were l-like this.” He gestured to his family in despair.
“I see. So, did they drink from the loch?”
“Aye,” he said.
“And you didn’t?”
He nodded.
Lilliana looked at Kayden, her eyes wide. He returned the look, before turning to the women. “Can ye help them?”
“I could give them some milk thistle, and hopefully that will help, er, expel the…” She pursed her lips, reluctant to use the wordpoison. “Contagion,” she said instead.
He nodded. “Did ye come on foot, or do ye have horses?” he asked the boy.
“Foot,” the boy replied.
Kayden sighed. “Very well. We shall stay here with yer maither and sister. I’ll send ye with a message to the castle. Can ye deliver it?”
The boy nodded emphatically. “Aye, Me Laird.”
“Good lad. Ask for a man named Cormag at the stables. Tell him the Laird bids him to bring the carriage.”
