“Retching.”
“This is all? Nae pain in the stomach?”
“No. Are you a healer, my lady?”
She shook her head. “Nae, Captain Castellón, simply an adorer of herbs, with a keen sense of listening to an abbess who is a most gifted healer,” she explained, looking at the threeearnest expressions. “I believe it to be foxglove. A year past the abbess sough to heal a case such as this when a jilted lass began poisoning a lover who came to see the abbess. ’Twas the same as you describe.”
The captain took a shaking inhale. “Did he die from the effects?”
“Nae, Abbess ordered him to drink a tincture of Belladonna, I remember it well,” Nella replied somberly. “‘With care,’ she said to the lad; too much will cause one to never wake she warned.”
The captain sighed the reply. “I believe we have this tincture in the hold.” He glanced at, “Tomas!”
Chapter 20
“Sir Callum,” Callum heard the captain begin while he remained on the stern castle with Brayden as Nella spoke with Tomas on the lower deck. “I have traveled many a port but there are few whose manner fall into this declaration for me – extraordinary.”Well said, but you forgot delightful, brilliant, and eyes that steal a lad’s soul.“’Twas worth the wait for you, my friend, to find such a rare treasure as she.”Aye.“She saves my crew, they shall all be at her beacon call for eternity.” The captain crossed his arms over the heaping torso. “Tell me the plan forthwith and I assume it shall not include the sheriff?” Aye, the sheriff was untrustworthy at best.
“You are not mistaken,” Callum replied, then paused, regarding the stern brow inclining toward him. It was right to come here and not chase the Benefactor’s warriors. “Upon the morrow when you relinquish the blades, I assume Tomas will be the one present for the exchange? A captain does not abandon his ship with an ill crew.” Castellón nodded. “Forthwith, may you offer us Tomas’s efforts?”
“Of course.”
“Then we shall have him with us as we follow at a distance to track where the enemy has his stronghold on the Highlands.”
“Tomas is yours to call upon and any other crewmen who are able to fight.” He looked back at Nella. “You best take her from here this eve. In my profession, I find that placing swordsin hands of rivaling clans is always a challenge to navigate. I know of an innkeeper who has aided me in the past upon such matters. He is discreet for these dealings…” Castellón gave a sound:ahem. “If you state to the innkeeper at the rear door, ‘the sky is gray but never stray’, he will see you and your lady to a secure secret chamber for the eve.”
“I shall remain,” Sir Brayden stated. “Upon the morrow, I may venture on the wagon with Tomas.” Brayden raised his palm between them. “Before you argue, Callum, they have not beheld my appearance as you and the lady.” He had a strong point.
“You’re certain?” Callum asked.
“Aye, it shall offer a chance for a heavy look at the traitors’ faces who appear to collect the wagon.”Therewas the determined expression worn so many times during past challenges.
“Then it shall be so.”
Brayden grinned, leaning closer. “Simply make certain nae harm befalls me, lest my Lady Maise shall turn you from being a stallion into gelding.” The captain chuckled.
***
Callum watched Nella look toward the twilight clouds which had darkened further with a mist that was dampening their faces. A certain bitterness filled his bones, and it wasn’t the rain. The prospect in navigating a half-filled burgh with a “treasure such as she”, as Castellón had called her, felt the same as leading a gentle doe through a pack of snarling wolves.
“We take our leave for this inn?” his doe murmured after Tomas saw them onto the docks.
Callum tugged the hood higher on her cloak which had fallen back when she glanced skyward again. His own eyes glimpsed down the wooden planks leading back into Dundee.Hell! It was quieter now. Perhaps they should have stayed aboard even if it smelled rancid as the devil’s chamber pot.
“Aye, the captain said to venture east till we are upon the outskirts. This is where we will find the inn with two floors.”
He threaded his fingers through hers as their feet hit solid soil with a fish merchant grousing about the dire weather, causing a lack of patrons. There was a lack of everyone! Too many stalls were shuttered. Only a few lanterns or lit rushes or torches threw light onto the more fortunate merchants who had enough eager hunters searching for their goods. Cottages also dotted the row before them with Castle Wynd shadowing in the distance. Perhaps he should have sought there.No, don’t trust the earl of Dundee – he is a seedy sort.Inn. The inn was the best choice.
Taking them right, which was eastward, he gently tugged her hand. He almost severed the appendage from her wrist when she halted. “My lady,” he began in a pressing whisper while turning toward her, “we must make haste. We know not where Hiss or his warriors…”
The words on his lips failed at the panic upon her features. “Here.” She spun away from him, heading north through the stalls. Callum’s blood ran as cold as the rain now pelting them stronger. “Hiss is here! ’Twas a trap set for us; alas, he has Lord Kolson surrounded by the Benefactor’s warriors, at least seven. They are warning him to step away quietly.”
He would not risk her.“My lady.” He tugged her eastward again. “Nae.”
She met his gaze but didn’t move. “We cannot leave him to perish.”
“The Northman knew full well the chances taken. I willnotchanceyouin his place. Nae, we venture for the inn.” Shestill didn’t move! “Nella, do not force this choice, for there is none for me. You are paramount,always.”
“Perhaps if we venture closer to aid in a distraction for his escape?”
