Page 61 of Awoken
“First we find a merchant who’ll be happy to take us with him at dawn,” Ross replied, “and then we find lodgings for the night.”
Leanna nodded. Her heart sank at the thought of scouring the village for someone who’d help them before she’d had the chance to fill her belly. However, she knew he was right. That had to be their priority.
Slowly, they made their way down the hill between the fields of produce and into the village.
On the waterfront, they found a tavern. A white-washed building,The Drover’s Innwas filled with local farmers, fishermen, and a couple of merchants. One of them was north-bound and had no space upon his vessel anyway, while the other was from Barra, a small isle to the south-west of Skye. Once every few months, he brought wool to trade from his island.
“I’m heading back tomorrow, at dawn,” the man told them as they sat near the hearth with him, cradling tankards of ale in their hands. “Is that soon enough for ye?”
Leanna suppressed a grin of excitement. Barra was a goodly distance by boat from Skye. She’d heard it was a windswept isle of sandy beaches, moor-covered hills, and ancient standing stones. It was as good a place as any to start afresh.
“That will suit us well,” Ross replied with a smile. He then dug into his vest and produced two silver pennies. “For yer trouble.”
The merchant offered him a toothless grin in reply, before he took the coins. “No trouble at all. Meet me at the docks just before sun up … I like to make an early start.”
“As do we,” Ross assured him.
The Drover’s Innrented out rooms to travelers, but Ross and Leanna didn’t lodge there. Ross pointed out that the inn would be the first place MacKinnon would look if he arrived at the port—they needed to find somewhere more discreet.
A few questions with locals sent them to the home of an elderly couple who were happy to let travelers stay in the tiny annex behind their cottage. Located upon the south-western fringe of the village, the cottage sat amongst a sprawling garden.
Their hosts were welcoming, inviting Ross and Leanna to share a supper at their table.
Despite that she was now weak with hunger, the invitation made Leanna nervous. She didn’t want to answer any awkward questions about her identity. Tonight, they posed as a wedded couple traveling by the names Fergus and Greer, Fortunately, as it turned out, their hosts weren’t of a nosey disposition. Luckily too, without her veil and wimple, and crucifix hanging from her belt, Leanna no longer appeared a nun. Instead, it looked as if she wore an unflattering dark-colored, ankle-length tunic.
Their hosts served up a delicious mutton stew that had been simmering over the stove all day, accompanied by fluffy oaten dumplings.
Leanna stifled a groan as she took her first mouthful. She didn’t know whether it was just her hunger—but stew and dumplings had never tasted so good.
After supper, the old woman, Inghean, wrapped them up some bread and cheese for the following day. Ross had informed her that they would be leaving before dawn, and she didn’t want them to travel with empty bellies.
“Ned will bring ye hot water to bathe with,” Inghean said when they eventually rose from the table. The warmth of the nearby hearth was making it difficult for Leanna to keep her eyes open. She hadn’t slept the night before, and fatigue had now well and truly caught up with her. “I’ve left some drying cloths and soap for ye, as well,” the old woman added.
Thanking Inghean for her hospitality, Ross and Leanna retired to the annex.
It was a tiny space, with a low, sloping ceiling, but Inghean took care of it well. Lavender scented the air from bunches of the herb that hung from the rafters. The floor and bedding were clean, and a small hearth burned in one corner. Ned followed them in, bearing a large bowl of hot water, which he placed upon a wash stand in one corner behind a narrow wooden screen.
Then, bidding them both goodnight, the old man left the annex, closing the door behind him.
Leanna turned to Ross, to find him watching her, a gentle—if tired—smile curving his lips.
“Do ye want to wash first?” he asked.
Leanna nodded. In truth, she was so exhausted all she wanted to do was collapse onto the bed fully clothed and fall into a deep slumber. However, she also longed to bathe, as she hadn’t done so since fleeing Dunan.
Ducking behind the screen, she deftly removed her habit, underskirts, and léine, before she picked up the cake of soap and began to wash. It felt strange to be standing naked, just a few feet away from Ross. They had lain together, had explored each other’s bodies, but she suddenly felt shy around him.
The scent of lavender wafted through the annex, and Leanna breathed it in with a sigh of pleasure. Lavender would forever remind her of her mother. Sadness filtered over her with the thought.
I’ll never see her again.
But it was just as well—this way her mother would be kept safe. Their hosts here didn’t know her real identity, a secret which would hopefully ensure their safety too.
Returning to her ablutions, Leanna quickly washed her hair before wrapping it up in a drying cloth. Then, dressed only in her ankle-length léine, she emerged from behind the screen.
Ross was reclining on the bed. He’d stripped off his boots, léine, and vest, and wore only his braies. However, he’d fallen asleep while waiting for her.
Leanna halted before the bed, her gaze devouring him. The first time she’d set eyes on him, she’d been struck by his beauty—and she was again now. His expression was softer in repose, younger.
