The Seer - Hildie McQueen Page 0,20

almost threw up. Fiona rounded him and hurried away, down the stairs. He followed suit, needing to get outdoors. He raced out a side door barely making it before throwing up.

He leaned on a short wall and waited as a second wave of nausea hit him. Once again he bent over the wall and lost the little that was left in his stomach.

“Not the way one hopes to find my soon to be daughter’s husband,” the Gordon said from a short distance with a chuckle. “I came to find ye and ask for yer attendance at a boar hunt. My wife asked that we remain another day as yer mother and she wish to discuss wedding plans.”

Guiles closed his eyes and took a long breath. “I do apologize. Believe me, I would prefer hunting to feeling like this.”

“It’s common after a night of...celebration?”

“Yes. I was celebrating. A bit too much I’m afraid.” He found that indeed he was glad to be marrying the beautiful Fiona. If given a choice of a wife, she was the one who’d be first in his mind.

Seeing he smiled, the laird nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Ye will be a good match for my petulant daughter.”

Thankfully the laird walked away. The fresh air and remaining still helped gis stomach seemed to settle some. The thudding on his temples softened while he leaned on the short wall allowing for the fresh air to fan over his heated face.

Once time passed without incident, Guiles decided to seek out the seer before finding his bed for a few much-needed hours of sleep.

Alasdair was glad that he could remain longer at the Sinclair keep. The main reason more muddled than most decisions he’d made in the past. In truth, he had nowhere to go. He lived a nomadic life that if he were to be honest had grown wearisome as of late.

In recent months, he’d considered purchasing land and settling down. He had plenty of coin earned throughout the years being hired either as a seer or for his sword arm. Not having many expenses, he’d been able to keep most of what he’d made.

For someone like him, it was best not to remain in one place too long. Already he’d lost several aunts, uncles and cousins to being burned at the stake. There were many who did not understand his gift and saw it as a form of witchcraft.

The most dangerous people were those that asked for help or advice, only to turn around and have the seer condemned when the outcome was not what they expected or wanted.

Just months earlier, he’d watched helplessly from a distance as flames devoured a seer he’d met once. The sounds of the man’s agonizing screams, something he’d never forget.

Alasdair had purposely gone to witness the execution as a way to remind himself that there were consequences in divulging his gift.

The bed at the keep was comfortable, much appreciated after long weeks of sleeping wherever he could. He slipped from under the coverings and stretched. After pouring water into a large bowl, Alasdair dunked a rag into it began to wash.

A maid entered with fresh clothes sent by Guiles. The young woman smiled at him, her gaze moving down his chest to between his legs.

“Would ye like my assistance?” She neared with the clothing in hand, her lips curved. “I am well practiced.”

It seemed Guiles thought he’d need more than fresh clothing and had sent the willing wench.

“No, I thank ye.” He took the clothes from the obviously disappointed lass who left in a hurry.

A rather pale looking Guiles entered next.

“Niven and I would like to ask that ye remain here longer.”

Alasdair studied him for a moment. “Of course, we can talk later if ye wish.”

The man nodded and left.

The great room was already filling when Alasdair entered. The lairds who sat at the high board had their heads together deep in conversation. He didn’t sense any animosity between them or any type of bad intentions, which was good.

“Alasdair,” Niven called out, waving him over. “Come join us.” The warrior, along with who Alasdair assumed were his most trusted four guards, sat at a long table.

The men all acknowledged him with a nod.

“What say ye cousin, would ye like to come as an escort for the boar hunt later today?” Niven ensured to remind the others he was there as a relative.

“I can escort. I will remind ye that I would be of little help with the hunt as I’ve never