Surviving Scotland Read Online Free Page A

nose began to run.
    Though I had warmed a bit, I was unable to stop shivering. My knees were unsteady so I knelt before the fire, careful not to let the blanket burn. My mind was foggy but I fought against it. As the moments passed, my head became heavier and I fought to keep my eyes open.
    “Elle?” a woman called as she knocked on my door. I tried to rise and answer it, but was too weak. I slumped back to the floor and watched the door open. An elderly woman with long, silver hair in a braid gave me a concerned gasp just before the world faded into grey.

Chapter Two

    I was running, trying to catch up. A man with broad shoulders leaned over his horse, urging it faster as his chestnut hair flew free. His golden horse stretched its neck forward, pounding the ground harder with its thundering hooves. Desperate to see his face, I pushed myself faster, but my stockings and stays held me tightly, preventing any further movement. I called to him and fought against the tightening corset and suffocating gown. The pressure continued to increase and began to prevent me from breathing deeper to satisfy my body’s demand. Hot… Everything was so hot. The gown grew tighter and tighter till I couldn’t move my arms or legs any longer. I screamed at the sensation of the world closing in on me. My breathing became short and erratic in my fear, and I thrashed with increasing violence till my panting for breath held me still. Unable to move, I gave in to the darkness that surrounded me.
    ****
    Slowly I became aware of the sound of water sloshing in a bowl. I was so thirsty, but I couldn’t find my voice. After swallowing a dry lump in my throat, I tried to speak.
    “Water.”
    The croaking noise was barely discernible to my own ears, but soon a cup was put to my lips and I drank greedily.
    “Slow now, lass. Donna fash yerself. Thar’s a plenty.”
    With herculean effort, I opened one eye and soon the other followed, but my sight was blurry and all I saw were shadows. The effort was too much, and I let my eyes close as sleep beckoned.
    “That’s a good lass, try again. Let me see yer blue eyes.”
    Again, I opened my eyes slowly and let them adjust. This time I was able to see a woman’s face. She didn’t look familiar, but her voice was calming in its deep, soft cadence. My eyes left her face and began to glance about the room. The furnishings were sparse. A nagging feeling of missing something important tickled my mind, but I couldn’t quite recall what I was missing. The woman patted my shoulder then touched my forehead.
    “Lass, ye can sleep now. Ye’ll be stronger in the mornin’.”
    I obeyed and drifted into a deep slumber.
    What seemed like moments later, I awoke to the sound of a door opening. I opened my eyes but closed them quickly against the light. With a groan, I lifted my excessively heavy hand and placed it over my eyes.
    “Ye’re movin.’ ‘Tis a good sign.” The voice belonged to the same woman as before. The comforting lilt caused my body to relax.
    “Can ye open yer eyes, lass? Can ye see me?”
    I kept my hand over my eyes, but nodded. After a moment I removed my hand and blinked rapidly ‘til I focused on the woman’s face. The lines on her face were deeply etched in her skin, and her grey hair was braided haphazardly over her shoulder. The pale blue of her eyes glowed with kindness, and her skin crinkled when she gave me a small smile. Two of her lower teeth were missing. Her hands were warm as she touched my face for a moment before brushing a few stray hairs from my brow.
    “Are ye hungry, lass? Thirsty perhaps?”
    My stomach twisted at the thought of food, but water sounded heavenly. “Water, please.” My voice was still hoarse, but it was louder than before.
    “Aye.” She turned and filled an earthen mug with water from the pitcher beside my bed. She reached around my back and helped me sit up. The water was cool and sweet as it trailed down to my belly, and I emptied the cup. She