Upstairs in the tower, Rose felt her way in the dark.
Maybe I should dash down the stairs, fall on my knees, and beg the leader’s forgiveness. But then what?
She hadn’t harmed anyone and if anything, her dwale had been a miracle. The Destroyer had control of the keep with all the land surrounding and no one was injured.
This is so unfair. I’m a menace?
She walked all the way below the moat and plopped down on the cold stone floor. If only things were different. She’d don a beautiful gown with the softest of slippers. Her hair would be braided and combed, her body soaked in lavender. Mayhap dressed as a noble, The Destroyer would take notice. He’d take her to his table, slice her meat into small pieces, and bring his knife to her lips.
She’d lean in, he’d lean in, and they’d kiss. After, they’d rise, he’d take her in his arms, and walk her to his chambers…
Her finger found the ache between her legs and she pressed. Every time she saw the man, this strange feeling got worse.
How did I make such a huge mess of my life?
Now, The Destroyer was going to make the kitchen women leave their livelihood, all because of her.
A menace?
On her knees, she cried and prayed until her knees ached and her eyes were swollen. Only one option was clear. She’d need to use dwale one last time to convince The Destroyer to allow her to stay in Naward.
At the sounds of women speaking outside, she felt her way back to the tower and stared down. Carrying large bundles, Agnes, Catherine and the rest of the kitchen servants left the hall with heads hung low. However, after crossing the drawbridge, midway through the bailey, merchants approached and one by one they disappeared.
Unlike me, they must have family, someone who cares for their wellbeing.
The Scot warriors appeared in the square next. Tied to their horses, they either ran to keep up or were dragged to the outer wall. One of her brothers cursed most foully and was rewarded with the flat edge of a blade to his back. After that, they all were led down under the great arch, across the meadow, and into the forest.
Despite the righteousness, she sighed. First it was Mother Abbess, then Sister Cecilia, and now her brothers. Albeit the nastiest sort, they were the only kin she had.
At clicking paws on stone she turned, squatted, and gave the hound with the wagging tail a hug.
“Good boy.” She patted his head and stayed at the window until her eyes drooped.
After he curled up, she lay down with him as pillow but alas, her sleep was restless as she dreamed of wars, murder, and blood.
Beating drums startled her from another of her nightmares and she bolted to the archer’s slit where the sun was already high in the sky.
What now?
Her breath let out when she spied a long line of horses, people, and carts making their way toward the keep wall.
“Doggie, here come my new friends.”
When women’s voices came from the kitchen, she pounded on the little door. “It’s me, Rose.”
“Rose? Where are you?” Azzah’s muffled voice sounded too far away so Rose dropped onto hands and knees, with nose to the wood.
“Pull on the big cupboard’s feet and I’ll push.”
The cabinet moved, Rose squeezed through, and brushed herself off. She hugged Azzah while the other three women stared with mouths open. One she recognized as Simone, little Val’s mother and the other two had hid her in the tent outside Lanercost.
“We were all so worried.” Azzah took Rose’s hand and led her to a bench by the oven where they sat.
There, a wrinkled woman placed a piece of dried meat in Rose’s hand, poured her a cup of juice, and gave a kiss to her cheek.
Azzah translated for the ancient, “Teita says to tell us what happened. Start at the beginning, after you left us in the camp.”
So much has happened in such a short time.
Rose shook her head and swallowed. “Well, I followed The Destroyer and Aliyar through the gates of Carlisle. The guard let me enter without issue because I’m his healer. Then, I went to the kitchen and offered to bring DeBruce and his guests some food. Once I was upstairs, I saw a map of Naward and the three men discussing a battle.”
She unpinned her brooch from her undertunic and turned it over so they could see the marks etched into the back. “This was left with me as a child by my birth mother. The verra same coat of arms was in DeBruce’s chambers, the same shade of green as worn by the Douglas. From that, ’twas plain to see. I am a Douglas.”
Several women crossed themselves and a few others muttered, eyes wide. “By Allah.”
“But when I got to Naward, my brothers threatened to do awful things to me, unholy and base. That’s why the kitchen women offered to hide inside the walls. Then, all their warriors returned from Inglewood, very drunk. I had a woman poison the keg they drank from and when the battle began, they could barely stand, let alone wield their swords. They were so groggy that they couldna fight. I overheard The Destroyer call me a menace.”
Azzah giggled and the rest almost fell over laughing.
“And prithee, what jest is this?”
“You don’t know? In The Destroyer’s mind, he took the castle dishonestly. You stole his honor.”
“I don’t understand.”
Azzah hugged her tight. “Pay it no mind. What are you going to do now?”
“I want to stay here with ye. I have no other place to call home.”
“You must first speak with m’lord. He’ll know what to do.”
“Mayhap I will.”
I just need to be assured he’ll listen.