“It makes sense to someone,” Bliss said.
“We have to stop this madman. I need to think. We need a solid plan to—”
The door flew open, and Damia hurried in, rushing to shut the door. “I am sorry. I did not mean to disturb, but a raven chased after me and this was the closest place to escape the angry bird.”
Annis stood, grabbed her cloak, and tossed Bliss’s cloak to her. “Come with me.”
“Stay until you feel safe, Damia,” Bliss hurried to say as her sister rushed her out the door.
Annis looked around. Several more ravens had appeared diving and pecking at the guards left to watch over Bliss.
“It is the witch,” Annis said, keeping her voice low. “She wants to see us.”
A raven dipped down toward them, squawked and took off toward the woods behind the healing cottage.
“We follow it,” Annis said.
“What if someone waits for us in the woods?” Bliss asked.
“The only one who waits for us is the witch. She commands the ravens and the wolves,” Annis said and hurried Bliss along.
Rannick sat with his father and Brogan in the Great Hall, no one but the three men there, not even a servant. They sat at one of the tables near a corner where the shadows cloaked them.
“She is alive isn’t she?” Lord Lochlann more demanded than asked. When neither his son nor Brogan responded, Lochlann’s shoulders slumped. “Fergus and I both had grown tired of the endless search for the MacWilliam bairn. When a dead bairn had been presented to us, we accepted it as fact. We never bothered to correct anyone when it was assumed one of us ended the bairn’s life. It was over and done, and that was all that mattered.”
“The tale will continue,” Rannick said. “Our only interest is to see the curse ended and along with it the pain and suffering.”
He had no intention of telling his father that Bliss or one of her sisters might be the MacWilliam lass. As they all had agreed last night, that would remain their secret.
“Did you know Gunna was Lady Aila’s sister?” Brogan asked.
Lochlann nodded. “Gunna showed up at the keep when Aila was about five months with child. She got on well with the servants and Aila would often laugh and tease her about being one of them. She called Gunna her most faithful, trusted servant. Gunna even referred to her as my lady or Lady Aila. I thought it strange, but afterwards I realized it was messages they exchanged in front of other people of who could be trusted and who could not. I was not among the trusted.”
“What about the third sister, Verbena?” Rannick asked.
“Verbena vanished after Balloch’s father threatened her. Many believe his father had her killed so that she could never trouble his son again. Balloch was devastated, he truly loved Verbena. His father forced a marriage to Faline only a few days after Verbena vanished and threatened that he would see her sisters dead if his son searched for her,” Lochlann said. “When Brochan learned of the threat to his wife, he confronted Balloch’s father, cautioned battle if he dared to harm Aila. Balloch’s father could be an evil man for no reason and I for one was glad fate intervened that day. Balloch’s father lost his temper badly and was ready to come to blows with Brochan when he clutched his chest and dropped to the ground dead at Brochan’s feet. With his father gone, Balloch pursued his search for Verbena but to no avail and then Faline announced she was with child and Balloch abandoned all efforts after that. It was troubling times for all.”
“Did you know Lady Aila well?” Rannick asked.
“I knew she was a skilled healer, having helped your mother through a difficult time when she delivered you,” Lochlann admitted, his eyes glazing over as if he was transported to another place and time. “Aila did not need to die. She was not a MacWilliam. I begged her to surrender the bairn so she could live. I did not see the dagger. The blood spilled so fast, her life spilling away with it. The curse continues to echo in my thoughts every day.
“She’s safe. You’ll never find her. And a curse on the three of you for betraying your friend. May you suffer and never know peace until you right this terrible wrong. But you, Lochlann, will suffer the worst for you were his best friend.”
A shiver ran through bother Rannick and Brogan.
“How did Lady Aila come by the curse?” Brogan asked.
“A witch… is what many believed, and it could very well be how the witch in the hills was born,” Lochlann said. “Though we tried, no proof could be found of a witch. After your father and I were struck by endless tragedies, I tried to think of a way to right the curse, but how did I right a wrong when not one MacWilliam lived?” He looked to his son. “That changes with your discovery. Your mother says it is now your time and I gave you my word that if you gave the clan an heir I would turn the leadership of the clan over to you. The birth of your son or daughter will be that day. Do what you will to see it is a safe day for all.”