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Beware of the wolves...

Chapter 8: Tigh Na Faol

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A sharp pain had begun to shoot up my back and my legs ached from being in the same sitting position so long. It had rained badly and Lord Lyall had decided to forgo camping and carry on through the night. I'd only gotten a few small naps, the jolting of Breò-chlach waking me up just as I was about to fall asleep properly.

I wanted nothing more than to curl up in a comfy bed and sleep until the next day where I would wake up to a nice warm bath that would soothe my aching body. None of the others seemed to be struggling with the pace as I was, their spirits were still light and the continued to laugh and converse.

"Not too long now, my Lady." Jasper repeated for the third time.

I didn't bother telling him that he had said that a couple hours ago, and a few hours before that as well. Giving him a nod, I rolled my shoulders, my jaw clenching at the pain it caused.

"I may never be able to move again." I grumbled.

Jasper chuckled, patting his horse's neck, "I have no doubt that you will be spoiled and fretted over by Lady Lyall when she sees the state you are in."

My eyebrows shot up and I looked down at myself. There was mud all over the hem of my dress but that was to be expected. I hadn't seen my reflection in a few days but I couldn't possibly look that bad could I?

"I didn't mean to worry you, Lady Máili. Forgive me. You look perfectly well, just a little tired." Jasper assured me with a smile.

Smiling back, a little unsure whether or not I truly believed his assessment, I pushed worries about my appearance to the back of my mind.

A forest loomed before us like a wall of green against the blue backdrop of the sky. The road seemed to twist just at its edge to run alongside it, the other side looked like farmland and I could just make out a few small cottages and the movement of what I guessed were people. This was most definitely the western Highlands.

"We're on Lyall land now, my lady, home to the best hunting and the most stunning scenery if I do say so myself." Jasper said proudly.

It was beautiful. The grey mountains in the distance stood tall and majestic, their rocky slopes jagged and dangerous. I was glad that I was no longer near a city or any village, I liked how secluded it was here. There was so much I would be able to explore, with Breò-chlach and by myself. Perhaps I could even find some herbs and flowers to grow, if I was allowed to.

Voices cheered at the return of their Lord as we approached the small bundle of cottages. A man and woman stood smiling up at Lord Lyall who greeted them as friends.

"We are glad you are back, Alpha." The man with his arm wrapped securely around a small woman said.

Lord Lyall gave him his usual grin, "I'm glad to be back. We will have a meeting soon and I can catch up with my pack."

Even at the back of the party, I could hear the strange conversation clearly. Torian looked over his shoulder at me, catching my puzzled expression then leaned over to whisper something to his father. As if remembering I was here, his father also glanced back at me.

"We best get home, or my mate will scold me for dawdling." He excused himself.

The man and woman bowed their heads, smiling, and our party got back on the move. I felt a little shy as the two strangers stared at me and tried to avoid their eyes. Did they perhaps just wonder who I was? A strange woman riding with their kind would have seemed strange if my marriage to Torian wasn't common knowledge.

Looking back, they were still watching, another couple walking over to the first. They shared words and suddenly the new couple's heads were snapping in my direction as well. I whipped back round, blushing. It wasn't odd to be talked about, I told myself, especially as I was new here. Maybe I would get to know them soon at whatever meeting Lord Lyall had been talking about.

Something rustled in the trees to my left and suddenly Breò-chlach was rearing up, kicking out his front hooves with a loud whinny. It was so unexpected and without warning that I didn't have time to prepare. My body was thrown back, the reins slipping from my grasp and I hit the ground hard. My chest tightened, stopping me from being able to suck in a breath. I lay gasping in shock while Breò-chlach stomped and angrily shook his head, rearing up again. I managed to avoid his flailing hooves and further injuring myself.

Trying to push myself up with the intent of calming him down, I groaned as my muscles screamed in protest and my head swam and pounded painfully.

"Máili, can you hear me?" Torian's voice cut through the fog but still unable to breath, I could only nod.

Slowly my vision returned and Torian's concerned face came into view. Bright hazel eyes studied me and I struggled to keep my own eyes open.

"I hit my head." I slurred, lifting a hand to rub the sore spot at the back of my head, my fingers coming away with sticky red blood.

How unseemly, I thought, my eyes fluttering shut as darkness filtered in again.

"Keep your eyes open and on me, wife." Torian ordered firmly, gripping my chin.

I did as told and he helped me sit up properly. He tipped my head forward to study the back of it, his fingers probing around the bump I'd gained to assess the damage. I hissed, pulling away.

"Ouch."

"I knew that horse was too wild for you." He snarled, glaring at my still restless stallion.

"It's not his fault. Something spooked him, he doesn't normally react that way." I argued, then frowned.

He'd only acted that way once before since I'd trained him, and that was in the woods only a few days ago when I was escaping the pressures of being at court.

Grey fur in the tree.

The thought sent a shiver through me but I didn't have the presence of mind to connect the dots. Lord Lyall crouched next to his son, lifting my chin to look into my eyes before he too checked the bump on my head. I felt like a child with the way they were both fussing over me. I was more embarrassed by the fact that I'd fallen from my horse for the first time in years.

"Do you think you can stand? We really aren't that far from the house and then we can have one of our healers look you over before we let you sleep." Lord Lyall said, the crease between his eyebrows more pronounced while he frowned.

I nodded and my husband took my arm, helping me to unsteady feet. Swaying as blood rushed to my head, I blinked quickly to rid my sight of the swirling black shapes.

"Have her ride with you, son. She might need someone to keep her upright." Lord Lyall fretted, "and I think her horse needs time to calm down."

He checked my eyes again, looking for something that I was unsure of. He lifted a finger and moved it side to side, my eyes following it.

He smiled, "She'll be okay after she's been cleaned up and allowed to rest, the bleeding has already stopped."

Torian nodded, looking down at me but the worry still creased his features. He nodded to his father who went to mount his horse again while Jasper took Breò-chlach's reins, tying them to his saddle.

I giggled as if drunk, my fingers gripping the sleeve of Torian's doublet, "I told you I heal fast."

He eyed me, unamused, and carefully lead me over to his stallion. I'd forgotten how big this horse was, even compared to Breò-chlach. I felt a little sick just thinking about being so high off the ground after having met the ground with my head. He crouched and boosted me up and my fingers curled around the rough textured mane. The world seemed to spin and I squeezed my eyes shut. I felt a little safer when Torian joined me and grabbed the reins, one of his arms wrapping around my waist.

"Lean back against me." He murmured, urging his horse into a gentle walk.

Hesitating for a moment at the idea of being so close to him and biting my lip, I leaned back. Even through his clothes I could tell he was muscled but those were bad thoughts to have. My head was still pounding and even though I had been told to keep my eyes open, the fall had gotten rid of the last of my energy and I started nodding off. Torian noticed though and every time my head dropped to the side, he'd give my hip a squeeze or the feel of his breath fanning against my neck as he chuckled would cause sparks to flutter over my skin and I'd be wide awake again.

This time when I forced my eyes open, my new home was before me. The manor should have been called a castle with its towering stone walls. Flowers and ivy grew up its walls, curling around the windows, and the front door was made out of heavy oak. A stable sat a little closer to the line of trees and was bustling with more people than had ever been at my home. My sore head and back was almost forgotten as I took in the grandeur of the place.

Torian guided his horse towards the stable and more shouts of greeting were cried out from servants who spotted us. My father-in-law jumped down from his horse, embracing and chatting to those that surrounded him. The odd brush of cheeks that happened between the soldiers that had rode with us and what I assumed to be family and wives was something I took note of.

I'd never seen anything like it, Lord Lyall was surrounded by people that seemed more like close family than a master and his servants.

Torian jumped down too and reached up to help me gently down. I swayed a little, feeling unsteady on my feet but his hands stayed strong on my waist.

"Let's get you inside and tended to." He said, frowning as he checked me over again.

With his body keeping mine up, he lead me past the crowd that were suddenly watching me. I moved a little closer to my husband, hiding behind him. The grand doors swung open almost immediately and I was once again captured by the beauty, this time of the interior.

A blonde woman came running down the stairs with a grin on her face and my husband leaned down to whisper, "Welcome to Tigh Na Faol, my wife."

"Tigh Na Faol." I repeated quietly, tasting the unfamiliar words on my tongue.

"Torian!" The woman called, embracing my husband with her cheek pressing against his.

I wondered now if it was some sort of traditional greeting here. The grin slipped from the woman's face as she took me in and her hand flew to her heart.

"Good gods, my dear, are you alright?" She cried aghast before turning to glare at Torian, "Have I not raised you to know to take better care of your wife, my son?"

"I took perfectly good care of her, mother. Something spooked her horse and she fell." He told her indignantly.

His mother's hazel eyes, the double of Torian's, turned back to me and she too began to check me over without so much as waiting for a proper introduction. She gasped as she looked at my blood soaked hair and sent her son another glare.

"Come with me, dear, I'll make sure you're taken care of. Torian you should go and find your siblings and you can explain why they may have to wait until tomorrow to meet their new sister, and make sure Máili's things are brought to her chamber, oh and call for the healer as well!" She rattled off while leading me up the stairs she had appeared from.

Torian bowed his head, "Of course, mother. I will be with you soon, wife."

The look I gave him must have conveyed the nervousness I felt at the idea of suddenly being left alone with his mother because he gave me a comforting smile. Watching him walk away, I allowed my new mother-in-law to whisk me away.

I took the steps slowly, placing my hand against the wall to keep me steady.

"I'm very sorry you didn't have a better journey, Máili. A warm bath and perhaps some rest will have you feeling better and we can leave introductions for when you're feeling better." She suggested, turning to walk down a long hall lit by many candles.

"Thank you." I murmured nervously.

She smiled and pushed through a door that lead to what was unmistakably Torian's chambers. I could smell his scent in this room; woodland trees and burning fire.

She sat me on a chair and stood behind me to check my head again.

"Well, you're no longer bleeding but it's still best we get you checked over by someone who can be sure." She murmured.

I nodded, fiddling with my fingers.

"Forgive me, I should have introduced myself downstairs." She suddenly shouted, making me jump, "I'm Torian's mother, and I could say you could call me so also but if your prefer, you can call me Eilidh."

Smiling, I bobbed my head in greeting, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry I didn't arrive a little more..." I trailed off, looking down at the mud that covered my dress.

She waved a hand, "Nonsense, I'm just glad you seem to be alright, a fall like that could have been worse. I'll run and tell the servants to start heating some water and get the fire going in here and then find you a clean nightgown to sleep in. Torian shouldn't be too long, I imagine you both need sleep after such a long ride."

I nodded again and she gave me another quick once over before running from the room, her dress swishing against the floor. It was oddly overwhelming being here, even if the only new person I had met had been Torian's energetic mother. I didn't expect her to be so caring and worried for me, and it was odd having a mother figure wanting to look after me again. Staying where I was sat, I looked out the window, I didn't think I'd be able to call her mother and it hurt to even think of someone taking my own mother's place.

Allowing myself to slip into grief, I closed my eyes for a moment before pushing myself to my feet. My head swam and I had to steady myself on the back of the chair. Perhaps I'd hit my head a little harder than I thought.

When I didn't feel so dizzy, I began to take in the chambers that were now mine as well as Torian's. The walls were covered in tapestries depicting images that I recognised from my mother's books; various gods and goddesses with Celtic knotwork surrounding them, and some of great wolves howling to a full moon. I recognised one wolf in particular from the story my mother told me a of mighty Norse wolf named Fenrir who the gods were so scared of, they imprisoned him in chains.

My fingers brushed over the tapestry, feeling it's rough texture while I studied it in awe. Whoever had created this had true talent. Turning away, I wandered around the rest of the room.

The fireplace took up the wall that also had a door that I guessed led to the bedroom. While it wasn't exactly cold, I couldn't wait for the fire to be lit, nor wait for the feeling of sinking into a hot bath.

Part of me wanted to take a peek at the bedroom but it felt too much like invading Torian's privacy, despite the room now being mine as well. I wondered if we would share a bed tonight and the idea sent a thrill through me. It would be noticed here if he slept elsewhere and I don't want my first days here surrounded in rumours about why the young lord would not share a bed with his wife.

A young girl scurried in, carrying a basket of wood that she took to the fire. The only acknowledgment she gave me was a quick bow of her head before she set about lighting a fire. I stood awkwardly, unsure what to do with myself until Eilidh returned with a flock of servants behind her. My luggage was carried in by a few while the others pulled out the wooden bath and lined it with cloth. The sight of the steam rising as water was poured in was enough to have me already relaxing a little.

When all but one of the servants was left, Eilidh led me over to the bath. The girl looked younger than me by a handful of years but her face was calculated as she watched me. She would have been considered beautiful by the women of court if it weren't for the jagged scar that stretched from her cheek down to her neck. Whatever had caused that was dangerous, I couldn't imagine how painful it must of been, but to me it didn't detract from her fierce beauty.

"Let's get that mud off you. Unfortunately our healer is attending the birth of one of our females, but this is Asa and she's been learning to be our next healer. She'll make sure your wounds are cleaned. Shall we get you into the bath?" Eilidh chirped, already beginning to undo the laces of my dress.

The relief was instantaneous when the dress was dropped and I felt like I could breathe again. I should have felt slightly embarrassed that my mother-in-law was seeing me so naked on the first day but I was exhausted and too tired to really care.

Oddly, the bruises my father had left on my skin were still a yucky yellow colour and I didn't miss the way my mother-in-law's eyes swept over them. The anger that took over her features had me flinching away when she lifted a hand to touch them.

There was a deep rooted pain in her voice as she spoke, "Torian didn't-"

"No!" I blurted, shaking my head quickly, "Torian has been nothing but gentle with me. It...my...my father..."

Her features softened and she brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. I looked down, biting my trembling lip.

"Nobody would even think of harming you here, and if your father ever visits, you will be sure that you'll have a wall of teeth surrounding you." She vowed, a growl to her tone.

While it was an odd statement, it had me lifting my chin. There was no doubt in my mind that her words were true. A strange glow held her hazel eyes and she quickly ushered me towards the tub before I could think to find it odd.

Stepping into the water, I sunk gratefully into its warmth. Asa moved behind me and started to clean the blood from my hair to better inspect the wound, at her sharp inhale I feared the worse.

Torian's mother frowned and came to look to.

"Is it bad?" I fretted, trying my best to keep still.

Asa laughed, "Not at all. Don't worry, it's already healing up nicely. I can give you a tea for the pain if it's bad and I recommend getting some sleep."

Relaxing, a whoosh of air left me, "The pain isn't bad, but I have a herbal mix to put in tea that I made myself to help me sleep. It's in the pouch."

I pointed to wear the small bag that had been around my waist was near the pile of my skirts. Lady Lyall fetched it for me, inspecting its contents. For a moment I worried she'd turn and cry witch and I cursed myself for being so open about my knowledge of herbs. When she turned a bright smile my way, I was almost shocked.

"We have a herb garden around the back of the house, it's been left to the weeds but if you would accept it, I gift it to you to use as you please. We can fetch whatever herbs and seeds you may need." She offered.

My heart swelled and I couldn't help but smile brightly back, "Thank you."

"Anything to make you feel more at ease here. I want you to be happy, it may take time for you to settle and get used to our ways, but anything I can do to make it easier for you. We want this place to be your home."