Page 54 of A Fearless Rebel

Her arms refused to move, so she tipped her face up and the woman pressed the bottle to her lips. The ale was bitter, but she welcomed the wetness of it.

“Thank ye,” Ava finally said. She remained sitting on the ground, her blood and urine-stained skirts collecting dirt.

“Ye should go over and wash up.” The woman motioned to the water’s edge with her head. “Salt water will help with the healing”

Ava wasn’t sure about the healing properties, but she did have to wash up. Although she would have preferred an alternative to salty water, it was better than nothing.

“Where am I? What place is this?”

“Shandwick,” the woman replied, walking away. “Ye be with care. Many men look for young lasses for the taverns or to sell to traders.” She pointed to a ship that had drifted away from the shore. “Ye were probably meant for that one.” The woman continued rambling as she walked away.

Once Ava got to her feet, painful tingles traveled down her arms. But at least feeling was returning.

On wobbly legs, she managed to make it to the water’s edge and walked into the water until it reached her knees.

The water was frigid but, for some reason, it felt exhilarating. Being in the water, washing away days of filth meant she was free.

Having to wash away all the blood, she continued forth until she was waist deep and then began splashing water to her arms and face. She ensured to wash between her legs and then rubbed the fabric of the skirts in an effort to get as much excrement from them as possible.

Shivering, she hurried from the water. Soaked from the waist down meant she’d be very cold if her skirts did not dry by sundown.

Like every other port village, it was untidy and probably dangerous for a woman alone. She blew out a breath as she tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, she walked in the direction the old woman had gone. After a few minutes, the woman came into view as she tottered into a tiny, lopsided house. Ava hurried to the door and knocked.

“Ah, it’s ye,” the woman said, not seeming surprised. “I suppose ye may as well come in. Tis not a good place for ye to be out and about.” The woman’s keen gaze took her in. “Have ye any coin?”

The question surprised her. Ava did keep a small sack of coins in the pocket hidden in her skirts. But she wasn’t about to admit it to a stranger.

“Nay. I was robbed of everything when I was attacked. My family will pay a ransom for me,” she added, not sure which family she referred to.

One way or another, she had to get away from there. “Is there someone who could take me home?”

The woman shrugged and lowered to a stool. “I do not have a horse. Thomas may take ye, but I’ve not seen him in days.”

“I promise to send ye payment and…” Ava looked around the shabby surroundings. “Fabric for a new dress if ye help me.”

The woman brightened. “I do need a new dress.” She got to her feet with surprising spryness. “Come along then.”

They traversed one of the most interesting and, at the same time, terrifying places Ava had ever been. Men called out as they walked by asking the old woman how much for Ava. She hunched her shoulders, allowing her hair to fall and hide her face, but it did not stop her from attracting attention.

Although not as painful, the cramping in her abdomen continued. It was obvious that she was suffering from more than her monthly courses. At the moment, however, she refused to think about what was actually occurring.

The woman stopped at a shack and rapped on the door. “Thomas.”

An instant later, the door opened, and a man emerged. With hair past his wide shoulders and a full beard, it was impossible to describe his features. He grunted at the old woman. “What do ye want today, Hilda?”

“This woman claims her family will pay a ransom for her. I want a portion of what they pay.”

His icy gaze moved to Ava. Something flickered a sort of softening, but it was gone when he shook his head. “No, I do not trust ye.”

Not sure if he spoke to her or the woman, Hilda, Ava waited.

“There won’t be another ship for days. Ye have time.”

He looked to Ava again. “Where are ye from?”

She considered the closest clan but discarded returning to Clan Ross. “Clan Fraser near Munlochy.”