A Criminal

Another month passed since Murtagh had gone and come back from Fraser's Ridge. Kaeden stayed an extra day in town as well before returning to Greenbriar Estate. He promised to return this month. But the month was almost up and I was beginning to think he'd forgotten about me.

One day as I made my way to the market, a man grabbed me, yanking me into the alley. His hand covered my mouth.

"Shhhh." He whispered in my ear, my elbow landed into his liver. I broke from his grasp, yanking the knife from my thigh holster and holding it to his neck. It was Kaeden. "Please, come. Ivy has been injured. Isaac is doing what he can." I released him, taking his hand to let him lead. My knife quickly found its sheath again.

We ran down the alleyway to a small shack at the edge of town. It looked abandoned. He barged in the door, letting me pass him before he barricaded the door shut.

"Ivy!" I gasped, ripping the shawl from my shoulders. Her leg gushed red liquid. Isaac's dark skin stained red. I began tying the shawl around her leg, tightening it above the wound to stop the bleeding. Isaac began describing the events that led them to this.

Mistress Iverson had signed the document for Ivy to be free. Isaac and Ivy began making their way north. Hugh Iverson greatly disagreed with his wife's actions. He sent men to hunt Ivy and bring her back home. Kaeden searched for them but Ivy was injured by one of the men before Kaeden could get them to safety. I sat in silence, looking over the wound as I listened to his words. Ivy was unconscious.

"We must get her to Fraser's Ridge. Claire Fraser is a doctor." I muttered, finding more cloth to wrap the wound in. "I will get Murtagh's horse and wagon and will be back. Stay hidden." They all nodded in agreement as I scurried out of the shack and back to my home. Murtagh was working by the fire as I neared.

"Where's the food?" He questioned.

"I need to go to Fraser's Ridge. A friend has been injured and needs Claire." I called, beginning to saddle and hitch the horse. I tossed blankets and other things into the wagon.

"Let me close the shop. You'll need a guide." He groaned, shutting the shop down. When he was ready, he climbed onto the wagon with me and hurried the horses. I guided him towards the shack. There we found the three still hiding. The two boys put Ivy into the back before mounting their horses to follow. Our ride to Fraser's Ridge was long. I did what I could for Ivy but I had no medical experience besides what my mother had taught me years ago or what I'd learned on the ships. The bleeding had slowed but she was ghostly pale.

As we neared the cabin, Murtagh began calling out for Jamie and Claire. Jamie came first, helping Kaeden with Ivy. Isaac watched, worry covered his face. Red marked his face, only disturbed by streaks of tears.

I hopped off the wagon, bringing a saddle bag and pack of bandages. I followed the two men towards the cabin. Claire cleared a table in the home, begging the men to set her gently onto it. She then shooed the men out as I began helping her snip the bandages from the wound.

"I couldn't do much but try to stop the bleeding. I had honey which I know is an antibiotic. That's all I could do." I explained, moving out of her way. Claire didn't even glance at me.

"That's alright, it's better than nothing. It doesn't look to be infected. You did well." She responded, continuing her work. Her accent was thick. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. My heart leapt at her words of pleasure at my work. I don't know why her approval mattered to me. I could see where my curls came from. Her hair was brown and curly. Her eyes were soft. "She'll be alright." I bowed my head and exited the cabin, finding the men gathered in a circle trying to console Isaac.

"Claire said she'll be alright." I stated. Isaac began to cry as Kaeden patted his back. "Once she's well, you both have to leave. You won't be safe here for long. Kaeden...." I paused, "You have to go with them." His eyes snapped towards me. "You're a criminal now. Iverson will hunt you." My eyes slightly teared at the thought. Murtagh's hand found rest on my shoulder. We all stood silently together until Claire came out.

"Isaac? She's calling for an Isaac." Claire smiled. Isaac hurried into the cabin. Claire descended the stairs, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Thank you for helping her." I spoke up. Claire's eyes finally met mine. A look of surprise crossed her face. "Ah, Claire. I don't think you've met Murtagh's worker." Jamie smiled, rubbing his wife's back.

"Faith." She stated, assured it was me. A small gasp left Claire's mouth. In that moment, I knew she knew. There was no need to hide anymore. I knew, she knew. It wouldn't stay hidden much longer.

"Faith?" Tears pooled in her eyes. I gave a small smile as she drew closer to me.

"Claire?" Jamie questioned, walking after his wife.

"Hi, mother..." I didn't know what to say besides that. She pulled me into her grasp.

"Mother?" Murtagh questioned, looking at Jamie.

"I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner." I laughed, hugging Claire back. "It's been right in front of your nose for two years, Murtagh." Claire released me, cupping my cheeks.

"You died." She sobbed. Jamie looked at me, tears pooled in his eyes as well.

"No... My mother, uh Jacelyn, one of the nuns, stole me. She told me you gave me up..." I explained.

"Can I hug ye, lass?" Jamie asked, finally standing next to Claire. I gave a small nod, letting him embrace me. He squeezed me right into himself like I might disappear in a moment. They took me to a table they had outside with chairs where we all sat and I recounted my past, explaining everything. Claire couldn't stop crying as Jamie tried to comfort her.

"We thought ye dead all this time." Jamie explained. "But here ye were for two years with my godfather." He laughed. Murtagh, still in a state of shock, nodded.

"Aye, who would've kent it." Murtagh rubbed his white beard.

Weeks passed as Ivy recuperated. Murtagh took the wagon back home so he could get back to the shop and his rebellion. I stayed with Kaeden and the others, hoping to help them prepare to run. I spent as much time with Kaeden as possible, avoiding my parents at all costs. I didn't want more questions. I didn't need parents anyways. I was grown and I had Murtagh. I was fine.

"Ye only wear pants? Why do ye dress like a man?" Jamie asked one day ask I packed a bag for the others.

"I work in blacksmithing. It's easier to not set pants on fire than all those skirts. I have two dresses. But my job calls for pants." I shrugged, tying the bag shut. The group was ready to set out. It was early in the morning. Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes. Then I did. Ivy hugged my tightly.

"I'll send a letter when we're safe." She smiled. I told her to send anything here. Ian would bring me what came. It was a risk to send things into town. She climbed onto the horse with Isaac. Kaeden stared at me from his horse. I slowly walked towards him, placing my hand in his.

"I'll come back for you when we settle somewhere." He smiled, holding back what looked like tears.

"No..." I shook my head, laying it against his chest as he embraced me. "Send a letter here. I will come to you. You cannot come back here." I let a small tear slip. I was letting go of the only man who'd made me feel safe. I gave him a tight squeeze and a deep kiss, then backed away from him as he mounted his horse.

I waved to them, keeping back the flood of tears that awaited me. Ian slung an arm over my shoulders.

"Aye, Cousin. They will be alright. Ye will see them again." He tried to console me. It did no good. I choked back the tears as he led me to the cabin. Claire had made us breakfast. I ate with them, before saddling my own horse to return. The breakfast sat incredibly unwell in my stomach. As Claire exited the cabin to bring me the saddle bag I'd brought, I made a break for the nearest tree, heaving up my breakfast. Her hand rubbed my back.

"How long?" She questioned. My gaze snapped to her as I wiped my mouth.

"Two or three months." I mumbled, taking the saddle bag from her.

"You didn't tell him?" She questioned.

"He would've stayed. He would've been imprisoned or hung." I sighed.