Page 81 of The Eagle

Soaked to the skin, Stuart waved at her. “Do not come out,” he shouted when she went to grab her cloak.

“I love ye,” Cait said wondering if he heard her through the hard rain.

The group of men mounted to head to the village, leaving the women behind to care for the animals and the house.

The wind and rain were relentless. Stuart thought he’d go blind from trying to see the way. It took much longer than it should have for him and the others to arrive at the village. At least they thought it was the village, it was hard to tell because huge waves slammed far past the shoreline.

They stopped atop the hill, taking shelter under a stall next to one of the houses that had been spared.

Some cottages that were closer to the edge of the hill had slid down the saturated land taking everything those who lived in them owned. And in some cases, the owners themselves.

After a few moments of rest, they rode on. As they made their way down the coastline, they gathered people seeking refuge and took them to the main house. There Artair was already housing dozens of women and children, and any men too old or too ill to be out searching for their neighbors. The location of the home was far enough from the village below to keep it from any real damage. The tall walls and sturdy house offered protection to those that had managed to get there.

Carrying two young lads and a dog they refused to leave behind on his horse, Stuart arrived at the house.

Artair who was drenched and muddy hurried the children inside. “Where are yer parents?” he yelled over the loud wind. The boys shook their heads, and the one clinging to the shivering pup began to cry.

The older one looked toward the door. “Father was out there fishing. Mum went to see about him, and we saw a wave take her.”

A woman came and took the lads, ushering them to the hearth. “We will find ye a blanket to keep warm,” she said soothingly.

Searching for the lost and attempting to keep from being washed away themselves, took all their strength as they continued to trudge out to help save villagers.

By the time darkness fell, Stuart was too exhausted to keep going. And it was becoming much too dangerous to continue the search. Even though the sea had calmed some, the rain and wind continued unabated.

He’d just sat down to rest and drink some hot tea when someone began pounding on the front door.

Stuart rose and partially opened the door, trying to keep the cold wind and rain from blowing inside. On the other side of the door stood a man frantically motioning for Stuart to come outside.

“My wife,” the man yelled to be heard over the storm. “I need help. She is trapped and will drown if we don’t save her.”

Stuart looked around at all the exhausted men and checking his own reserve he turned back to the man and tried to explain. “We are all too exhausted, I do not know what help we can be to ye.” He paused and looked around the room again. “We simply haven’t the strength. And I cannot risk another life by sending them back out. It’s just too dangerous.

The man’s face fell, and there was desperation in his gaze when he looked at Stuart. “Help me, sir. I beg of ye. I cannot let her die. She is my world.”

When Stuart hesitated, the man turned and walked back into the storm.

Stuart closed his eyes. If it were Cait, he would not rest until he saved her.

“Wait,” he called out to the man.

Stuart went inside, grabbed a rope and his still soaked tartan, and went back out.

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was late the next day before any news about the village reached Cait. A pair of guards arrived with a wagonload of people to shelter there.

The two families were given dry clothing and fed. They were to stay at Dougal and Bree’s house until the weather calmed, then husbands would return to the village to rebuild their homes.

Through tears, the women told Cait about how many homes had been washed away and of several people who were still missing.

The villagers had come together, with those who still had homes standing welcoming those misfortunate ones who didn’t. Children who could not find their parents were at the house on the hill along with any families in need of a healer.

Bree immediately decided she would take blankets and dry clothing for the people.

“I will go as well,” Cait declared. “We cannot sit idly by and do nothing.”

A look of alarm crossed the guard’s face, who’d brought the people. “I do not think ye should go. There is scarcely any room for those there at the house.”