Briar Woods (Re-working)

Chapter 12: Brom's Past

Sitting on a large rug in front of my fire place that evening, I stared at the flames. We had left Perth directly and I felt unsettled about their reaction. I knew there would be discontent and fear among many, but seeing it in their faces shook me. It was all just too much.

I heard a knock on my door and pulled my wrap around me tightly before callilng, "Come in" It was most likely Sara or Avis. Instead Jocelyn entered the room and shyly asked, "Would you care for some company Thea? Brom told us about what happened and I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"Of course, please come in." I smiled as Jocelyn sat across from me on the rug. " I apologize; I had not meant to hide away in my room. I just needed a little time to myself. I know Brom and Sir Raulf mean well, but I was feeling pulled to and fro. I could not take it anymore."

Jocelyn laughed. "I understand. They want to protect us delicate females and do not realize they only accomplish to aggravate us with their overbearing ways, instead.

"I'm glad to hear I am not the only one who feels that way." I replied with a sigh.

Smoothing out my nightgown and sitting straighter I continued. "I was rather frustrated earlier. They swept me away from Perth so quickly, but I feel I could have done more to help the people understand. Then again, I am only a woman and what can I say or do that would sufficiently calm their fears." I sighed.

"You will simply show them what you are made of." Jocelyn declared. She continued. "Thea, please don't forget that you are not alone--you have friends. And I know that Brom can be rather overbearing, but you could not ask for a better advocate than he."

"You seem to know him well? If I overstep my bounds I understand, but why is he the way he is? He is perplexing to say the least. Lord Pennington said he served under my father and I understand he feels persuaded to help, given his respect for my father. More than that, he seems very protective of me as well."

Jocelyn was silent for a moment and I wondered if I should have said anything. She gave me a sorrowful look and said. "It is a sad and tragic tale and not an easy one for me to share. She stared into the fire for a time before continuing. "I was not there at the time. I only know what Drake has told me. Brom never speaks of what happened to anyone."

"Jocelyn,, if you feel you shouldn't share this with me I understand." I interjected as I realized this was not going to be a happy story.

"I feel you should know, perhaps then you will better understand him and trust him the way I have come to." She took a deep breath as if working up the courage to tell me.

"After the great wars and Brom returned home, he married Anabelle Fennwick, a daughter of the Duke of Bannock. They had a daughter they named Lydia almost a year's time after they were married, and were very happy. That happiness was not to last and what happened nearly destroyed Brom."

"There were rumors of an impending attack by invaders from the east. A spy was captured and they obtained information and details of when and where the invaders where to attack and their location. Brom along with a small army, feeling they had the upper hand, rode out to confront and take them by surprise. Unknowingly, they were falling into a trap. The spy had been planted and he was supposed to be captured and give erroneous information. This information was contrived for the sole purpose of drawing them away and leaving the land defenseless."

"Like thieves in the night the invaders infiltrated the land, what followed only could be described as barbaric. Defenseless woman and children were murdered. Homes were destroyed and burnt to the ground. Everything they loved violently destroyed."

"Brom and his army returned home to find the carnage. Brom lost his wife and daughter, along with so many others that day" Tears were streaming down Jocelyn's face as she struggled to finish her narrative.

I became aware, my own eyes were brimming with tears. I could not fathom the horror of what Brom had been through and felt my insides turn. I stood and walked to the window, but the view before me gave little comfort. The evening had grown cold and a storm had moved in. The gloom seemed to equal my feelings of despair.

In an emotion filled voice I asked. "What did he do?"

"What would you have done? " She asked rhetorically.

I answered anyway. "I would have wanted revenge and hunted the murderers down. I would not have rested until justice had been met."