Ailith wasn’t about to be ignored. Surprising everyone around her, she stepped forward and said, “What know you of missing bairns? Have you heard of any taken from the local village? Any missing from here?”
The man, Jasper, spun around and said, “Nay, we have no problems such as that. Do not return with such a question.” He whirled about so quickly that he nearly knocked Ailith over. Edan stepped forward to steady her, but a hand from her father quickly shoved him out of the way.
Edan had had enough of Ailith’s father. He’d have a word with him later, but before he had that chance, he stepped closer to Ailith, placing his hand on her shoulder. “They are not the kindest here at Finlaggan. Let it go, my lady.”
Catrina added, “Jasper serves Wilmot, not Evander. That tells you something.”
Ailith turned to Edan and locked gazes with him. “Nay, I will not let this go. Bairns are important too.”
The man made quite a show of harumphing and walking back across the causeway, but the woman stood back and whispered, “Ignore Jasper. He hates bairns. Ask in the village. They know something.”
“Who?” Ailith lowered her voice so as not to antagonize the fool who’d departed.
“Ask for the healer. Old Grissel. She will help you.” Then she disappeared.
“Well done, Ailith,” Dyna said. “Lead us to the village, Edan.”
Edan knew who they were looking for, the healer who’d killed his wife, though not directly. Her inability to help deliver Heilyn had left his wife abed for three days, sobbing in pain.
Catrina clasped his shoulder while the others climbed on their mounts. “I’ll talk with her. You need not deal with her at all.”
Emmalin asked, “Is the healer untrustworthy?”
Catrina turned to face the group while Edan climbed on his horse. “Nay, she is the one who delivered Heilyn. Unfortunately, his wife, Florie, did not survive the birth, screaming for three days before dying in Edan’s arms. If I am ever carrying again, I would go to Mull for a midwife. I hear you have one?”
Dyna said, “Our deepest sympathies for your loss, Edan. We have a strong healer, Eli, who is learning midwifery. We also have two of the best healers visiting often, both skilled in delivering bairns. Please reach out to us if you are ever in need of a midwife again.”
Roger said, “You don’t have to go with us, Edan. We can speak with her.”
“Nay, I’ll go. But someone else can approach her. I was not kind when Florie died. She may not speak with me.”
Ailith said, “I’ll speak with her. And I’d also tell her that she should know enough to ignore the rantings of a man who just watched his wife die slowly. She should know better.”
Edan caught Ailith’s gaze, fighting to keep his tears from showing. “My thanks to you. Catrina can speak with her if you would prefer.” His voice caught, and he headed out toward the village.
As soon as they reached the village, Edan knew something had definitely happened. It reminded him of the village near Dunyvaig. Rowan hung over doorways, iron-barred walkways, all things meant to offend and repel faeries. The fearful glances in the villagers’ eyes told him more than words could ever say.This was a village that was usually friendly and welcoming, but the oppressive silence told him much had happened. Every window they could see was shuttered up tight, something one wouldn’t see in early summer.
When they reached the healer’s cottage, the old woman came out to greet them, her wiry hair unbound and waving in the wind. She pointed a finger at Edan and gave him a stern warning. “You are not welcome here.”
Edan said naught, instead staying on his mount while the others dismounted.
Catrina intervened. “You remember the night his wife died? Then you should know we are serious when we tell you that his sweet daughter has disappeared.”
Dyna said, “My name is Dyna Grant Corbett, and I am chieftain of Clan Grantham on Mull. We can see that others are missing. What has happened? Is there something nearby? A faery hill? What is taking your bairns away? Tell us so we can help put a stop to this travesty.”
Roger said, “Grissel, you delivered both of my bairns. Tell us, please. We’re beside ourselves with worry.”
Catrina said, “They have Milo too, Grissel. What is happening?” She burst into tears and the healer hung her head.
Grissel lifted her head as quickly as she had dropped it. “She knows.” She pointed to Ailith, wide-eyed. “She can tell you. She has the powers. The faery hill in the west near Kilchoman. Take them there, lass. It will be a battle, but you can beat them.” The woman’s eyes misted as her face fell. “They have my great-niece. She is the sweetest ever, and I miss her dearly.”
She took two steps closer, waved her arms over Ailith’s head, and smiled. “Lass, you have more power than anyone I’ve ever met. It must be new to you. Use it wisely. And that one behind you with the white hair can help you. She has the power too, butnot as strong as yours. You’ll find them, but whether you have the power to save them, I don’t know.”
No one said a word, the villagers gathering behind them and listening to the old wizened healer. “And I’ll tell you something else, if you wish to save the bairns.”
“What?” Catrina yelled through tears. “Please.”
She pointed the gnarled finger straight at Edan. “Don’t lethimnear the hill.” Then she returned to her small hut, placing a large block of iron in front of her door.
