"That's ridiculous." Dani tried to ignore the jealousy worming its way through her at the idea of some hussy named Marilee in his bed.
"Aye, I ken it well, but they believe it. And no one has seen Marilee since."
Dani's brain grappled with the illogical story. "Did the rock suddenly appear here?"
"Aye, about a week after a landslip that damaged the wall. I'm thinking it rolled down from the hill." He pointed to the left. A portion of the high stone wall had collapsed, and a pile of dirt lay beyond it.
"So… everyone left because they think a woman turned into a rock?"
"Aye." He glanced away. "Partly. The crops failed, as I said. The rain near washed us away in spring, and the sun turned the fields to dust in summer. A plague killed most of the cattle and a few of the people."
"What sort of plague?"Crap!Couldn't she escape horrible diseases?
"The healers had never seen it before. Most of the clansmen and women survived—thank the saints—but they fled to parts unknown."
Why did she get the feeling he held something back?
Chapter 8
"Finch!" The shout echoed from the front of the castle.
"'Tis Ewan. Come." Gavin clasped Dani's hand, and they hurried toward the open portcullis. He had no reason to close it since he'd been unable to convince any stonemasons to repair the tumbled-down curtain wall. Any invader had full access to their bailey regardless of the portcullis.
Still bellowing for Finch, Ewan led his horse by the gatehouse.
Shocked to see a body lying draped over the back of the horse behind the saddle, Gavin wondered if his eyes played tricks on him. "Who is that?"
Ewan turned. "Och, m'laird. 'Tis Father John."
"Saints!" Releasing her hand, Gavin ran toward the horse. The thin priest, wearing dark robes, lay face down, unmoving. "Is he alive?"
"Aye, last I checked, a few minutes ago." Ewan edged closer. "Careful of his head, though. Someone clouted him on the left side."
"'Slud! Who would've done such a thing?" Gavin wanted to strangle the person. After laying the flaming torch on the cobblestones, he lifted Father John off the horse, then gently placed him on the ground. He held his fingers beneath the priest's nose, feeling for warm breath.
"I'll check his pulse." Kneeling, Dani pressed her fingertips against the priest's neck. "Yes! He's alive. Feel here." She pulled Gavin's fingers to the spot, and he felt the surge of blood in the man's veins, almost like a small heartbeat. He observed Dani in amazement. How had he not known about this means of determining if someone yet lived?
Gavin tilted Father John's head and, in the torchlight, looked at the bloody wound. "What happened?"
"I have nay inkling, m'laird," Ewan said. "As I traveled along the trail, my horse got skittish, then I heard moaning. Following the sound, I found the father knocked out at the edge of the wood, buried under the mangled bracken. 'Tis clear someone left him for dead."
Gavin's burning anger magnified. "Did that hag Wilona do this? Or Alpin?"
"Could've been either."
"I'll get to the bottom of this." Gavin wanted to call those two every foul name he could think of but held his tongue. When he had flown about the clan lands earlier in the day, he had not noticed any trespassers creeping in from the MacRae side. But he didn't know what Wilona, with her wicked abilities and powers, could do.
After lifting the frail priest, Gavin carried him up the entry steps, Dani following. "Careful, lass. Hold onto my plaid if you wish."
"I'll be fine." Dani gingerly climbed the slippery steps behind Gavin, hoping she wouldn't need his assistance. Father John's injury was of primary importance right now.
In the great hall, Finch rushed forward, his eyes wide. "What happened to Father John?"
"Someone bashed him on the head. Will you fetch Crocker?"
"Aye, m'laird." Finch threw the pitchfork aside and lumbered toward the spiral staircase.
"Is Crocker a physician?" Dani asked.
