Mists of the Highlands by Miranda Martin

Author:Miranda Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Looking Glass Publications Inc

Chapter Seventeen

The village is brightly lit by the central fire. It’s built bigger than it has been since I’ve been here and the carcass of one of the cows they’ve stolen roasts on a spit over it. The rich scent of the meat fills the air as its juices sizzle in the fire, mixing with the music of bagpipes, flutes, and drums.

Villagers dance around the roasting meat, boys and girls swinging each other with such wild abandon that more than once I’m sure one or the other is going to land in the bonfire. Thankfully, by some miracle, no one has, yet.

Everyone is gathered which includes Alesoun and me. We are surrounded by the clan, yet they still manage to make me feel their distance. It’s obvious in their sharp glances, quick signs of the cross, or warding against the evil eye. I’m an outcast. I don’t belong here, and they want to make sure I know it.

It doesn’t stop the fun though. Even for me. Though at moments it feels like it, not all the villagers are mean. A long table is set up and laden with food: breads, cheeses, nuts, fruits, smoked fish, and even some sweets. There is plenty of drink to be had and I’ve had more than one mug of the sharp and bitter ale. After the third one, it doesn’t taste so bad.

“He’s making eyes at ya,” Alesoun says, drunkenly grabbing my arm.

She speaks in a stage whisper, loud enough that the closest people turn and look. She has a big smile on her face as she weaves on her feet. I glance in the direction she’s looking then turn quickly away when I see Duncan staring. He’s standing with Robert and some other men, talking and drinking.

“I see that,” I say.

My head is light and the world around me has a slight rocking as if someone broke the equilibrium of the ground. Or the earth is a ship, racing through the waves of space, and the ground is rising and falling as we crest each one.

I can’t keep myself from smiling. The firelight casts an intriguing orange glow on his face that highlights his strong jaw. I like the way his eyes glitter with the reflected light. It’s as if they’re burning themselves. Burning because of me, at least in my slightly tipsy imagination. Warmth flashes across my skin, but it’s probably because I’m too close to the fire. That must be it.

The music is loud as if it is at war with the conversations and laughter. Alesoun laughs loudly, squeezes my arm, then wanders off, leaving me on my own. I glance in Duncan’s direction again. He’s still staring.

Oddly uncomfortable, I walk around the outskirts of the gathering and bask in the happiness of the people. Their joy is a palpable warmth beyond that the fire casts. Their lives are hard. Every day is a struggle for survival, but they are happier and more alive than anyone I’ve ever known. More than I’ve ever been.

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