“Elysia.”
She jumped at the voice behind her, though it was soft, and turned.
Lendra stood there, tears pooling in her eyes. “Thank you for what you did for Bram. I am grateful.”
“He should be more grateful to you. You helped him far more than I did. You were there day and night for him. Bram survived because of you. He owes you much.”
“I don’t want to be owed. I want to be lo—” She lifted her chin and sniffed back her tears. “Men can be fools but we women are just as foolish for loving them.” With a rough swipe of her finger, she brushed a single tear off her cheek. “I heard some news.”
“Of Saber?” Elysia asked excitedly.
Lendra shook her head. “I’m sorry no. Chieftain Emory leaves to join the fight with more men. His brother Neil remains behind to see to the safety of the clan.”
The news startled Elysia. “Is there a chance the clan is in danger?”
“No one is saying, but it’s obvious how vulnerable the clan is with so many men off fighting.”
“Is there something else, Lendra?” Elysia asked when the woman chewed on her bottom lip as if stopping herself from saying more.
“I don’t know how true it is,” Lendra whispered. “It may be just talk, foolish tongues, or wishful thinking that this battle could be brought to an end soon.” She shook her head. “But at what cost?”
A thread of fear ran through Lendra’s words that made little sense and sent a worry through Elysia. “What are you talking about, Lendra?”
Her whisper turned so low, Elysia had to step closer to hear her.
“One of the other cursed lords—the one they call the silent highlander—I heard he has gathered his troop of men together once again and has joined the battle. He and his warriors are ruthless. They spare none and claim everything for the Clan MacBridan.”
“He has his own troop of warriors? And what do you mean he claims everything?” Elysia asked, fearful of what she thought it might be.
Lendra lowered her head close to Elysia. “Odran, the silent highlander’s name is Odran, Lord Odran. I heard say that he claimed his clan’s warriors too weak and set out to create a troop of fearless warriors. He gathered them from various places, and not all good places. Some said he gathered the devil’s own and with Lord Odran knowing only victory, all believed the tale. He even felled his own brother in one of the battles, some say by accident others say out of madness.”
Elysia shivered, silently praying to protect Saber from such evil.
Lendra continued. “He claimed the land of those he conquered. He has amassed great wealth for the Clan MacBridan. And now that he has returned, it’s feared he will not stop. That he will conquer more clans and swallow them whole, forcing them to bow to his rule and submit to his demands.”
Elysia realized what Lendra feared and shook her head. “The Clan Loudon has already pledged fealty to the Clan MacBridan. We have nothing to fear from Lord Odran.”
“Unless Chieftain Emory succumbs in battle. With Chieftain’s Emory’s death, he can appoint whoever he wishes to as the new chieftain. If I hear anymore, I will let you know.” Lendra hurried back to her cottage.
Elysia walked slowly through the village, Lendra’s words spinning in her head. Would the Clan Loudon fall under such a vicious man’s rule? How would life be then? A thought came to her. She and Saber could leave when he returned. They could go to her sister Bliss and make a home there.
She shook her head. She couldn’t leave here. She couldn’t have Annis returning home to find her gone. Besides, if Annis broke the curse there would be nothing to worry about. Or had the curse so damaged Lord Odran that nothing would save him now?
Elysia entered her cottage, hung her cloak on the hook and deciding she needed a soothing brew got busy preparing one.
A knock had her going to the door and she smiled to see Brit.
“I only need a moment,” Brit said and Elysia stepped aside for her to enter.
“Join me in a brew?” Elysia asked, thinking that talking with Brit on anything but her concerns would help chase her worries if only for a short time.
“I would but I have to get back to Lenis. She naps and Kevin has only a few minutes to spare. He needs to return to the fields. I am so blessed that he was not called to battle but left to look after the fields among other things. He works endlessly but he is home and that is all that matters to me.”
“I am pleased for you, Brit,” Elysia said, wishing her husband had not been called and blaming herself that he had. If his voice had not healed enough to speak clearly, there was a good chance he would still be here with her.