Her Healing Touch.

Chapter 6.

Cambryn.

We were just on the outskirts of my lands when I decided that we should stop for the night. I could tell right away that Bella, was growing weary, and that the child that she carried was becoming fussy as it was probably hungry.

 The boy that stood protectively at her side, said nothing. Obviously, he made a silent vow to not only guard his little sister but to protect Bella, as he would have his mother Margaret! He also wondered, if the vow he made to his dying mother, was what was keeping the boy silent. And Cambryn also wondered if he would claim Bella as his new mother? 

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he heard a snap of a branch behind them. He paused, 'it wouldn't be a McKenzie scout, would it?' He thought silently. As I stood up, I removed my sword from my scabbard at my waist, and slowly made my way towards the sound of where I heard the branch snap. Seeing nothing for a few moments I hesitated for a brief second, then he called out into the darkness...

"Who goes there? Come out where I can see you!"
At first, nothing happened, then suddenly the bushes parted, and out came one of the sentries that guarded the Mckladdon keep and its lands. Relieved, I put away my sword.

"Thank goodness you're here my Laird, the clan has been worried. After your brother's returned from the battlefield without ye, they made it clear that we should keep on the watch; to always be aware of our surroundings! I and the men have been searching for you, for the last two days! Where have you been?" He stressed.

"Are you alone? Have you brought anyone else with you, on your search this night? Finley?"

The guard nodded silently, then put two fingers to his lips and whistled for the men that accompanied him.

Soon they're both surrounded by his loyal men. When his men stood before their Laird, they all breathed a sigh of relief collectively, then they immediately bent down to their knees, and bowed fealty to him.

Calling over his shoulder, for he knew that the boy was not far behind him, he told Kellan to bring forth Bella and the wee one. After making his appearance known to Cambryn, Kellan silently nodded and disappeared into the trees to bring forth his new mother and his baby sister.

Bella.

I was sitting on the fallen log that was before the Roaring fire, and I was feeding Maggie from a crock of milk that I had retrieved from Margaret's Cottage before we left the village. Maggie was just about done drinking, and as I was about to burp her, I looked up and I saw Kellan, step out through the bushes into my line of sight.

"My goodness child, you gave me a fright when you disappeared and then reappeared before me. Where is Cambryn?" Kellan said nothing. Instead, he stood before the fire and started Gathering our belongings. He then began to put out the fire. Curiosity got the better of me, and I wondered why Kellen was putting out the fire when I happened to see something different on his face.

"What's the matter, lad? Why don't you speak, has something happened?"

Kellen got to his feet, grabbed a hold of my hand, and brought me to my feet. "Come on mamma! Laird Mckladdon is awaiting for us to join him!" Was all he said. When I heard what Kellen had just called me, I was shocked for a few minutes. Was this the promise he made to Margret before she passed away?

Trusting in my new son's decisions, I readjusted Maggie on my hip and retrieved our meager belongings and grabbed a hold of Kellen's hand and let him lead us into the forest. When we emerged a few seconds later, I gasped,  For suddenly, the area around us was crowded.

At first, I thought, they were my brother's men and fear crept up inside of me. But upon closer examination, I didn't see Richard's colors upon any of their clothing, neither did I see Angus or Fergus among them. 

I inhaled a giant sigh of relief, and my suspicions of the nature of our safety with these men, was confirmed when I saw one man approach Cambryn. He must be captain of his guard. I silently watched as he prostrated himself to Cambryn and I soon, realized that this man and the rest of them, that surrounded us, must belong to Cambryn, and that we were standing upon Mckladdon soil.