A walk between worlds

Isabell's Journals

Isabell’s Journals

          It was almost midnight as the four of us sat in the living room watching the fire die down.  I felt I got to understand a little more of their relationship with Shawn which I enjoyed. The guys brought two guitars and jammed a bit.  I felt like an excited groupie getting my own personal show.  I’m not going to lie it was amazing. 

          Seeing they were most likely going to be up for a bit longer I decided to excuse myself.  Today had been very eventful between Ambrose stopping to see me and the guys.  “Well, I am going to retire for the evening.  Is everyone sleeping in tomorrow morning?”

          Paul said, “Well looking at the time most likely.”

          I smiled, “Well then I will have brunch ready around 10:30.  Shawn, why don’t you decide what the plans are for tomorrow after that?”

          Shawn said, “Well we have been kicking it around, thinking of taking them into the village and maybe doing some sight-seeing.”

          I walked over and kissed him on the cheek, “Sounds good to me.  I did make up some snacks and left them in the refrigerator for you in case you guys get hungry.  See you in the morning.”

          Jace said, “Thanks love.  Shawn, you got a good woman there.”

          Shawn said, “Don’t I know it.”

          I ascended the stairs and got undressed and crawled into bed.  I was completely spent for the day, and it was not long before I fell into a deep sleep.

          I must have been dreaming as I felt myself floating away to another place or time.  Finding myself standing in our cottage in front of the fireplace, I could see that it was the cottage but a different time.  Everything was much more primitive.  There was warmth in this home, a comfort I could feel from within.    Slowly I felt myself being drawn to the wood hewn mantle over the fireplace.  Just like before, I slowly ran my hand across the top.  I started to look at the stones that made up the chimney.  A whisper in the air said, “Leigh, remember….”  Remember what?  I raised my hand to a stone that seemed to protrude a bit more than the others and wrapped my fingers around it.  Pulling on it slightly, I could feel that it was loose, and it wiggled free.  There was an open cavity behind the stone, almost like a secret hiding place.  I reached back and started to feel something but before I could see what it was, I woke up.

           It was morning and I was still in bed with Shawn’s arm draped over me.  Looking over at the clock, I saw it was about 7:00 am, so I carefully crawled out of bed, careful not to wake him, and made my way to the bathroom.  Looking into the mirror at my reflection all I could think about was getting dressed and going downstairs to the fireplace.  Everyone was still asleep so now would be a good time.  I showered quick, brushed my teeth and slipped into a pair of jeans and a comfortable sweatshirt. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and left a few strands loose around my face.  

          There was a bit of a chill in the air, so I started a fire in right away.  I slipped down the hallway and peeked in at Paul and then Jace.  They looked unconscious and I chuckled to myself.  I slipped in and started a fire for them as well.  Satisfied I have everyone taken care of, I moved toward the fireplace and hastily ran my fingers around the stones, and then I found it.  Freeing the stone from the wall I immediately reached back into the cavity, my fingers finding my treasure.  I gently pulled out some books.  Sitting on the couch I looked closer at them and realized, they were journals.  Opening the cover of the first one, there was a date inside.

          The year is March 22, 1723….

          I don’t even know where to start after this evening’s events.  I am so exhausted, but I cannot sleep.  I had already readied myself for bed this evening when I heard a frantic knock at my door.  Wrapping a cloak around me I hasten to open it when my eyes met a young man who I would surmise to be about 11 or 12 stood in my doorway.  He was a skinny lad and a bit disheveled, looking frightened and his eyes wild.  “I am sorry miss, but would you be Isabell the healer?” 

          “Indeed, I am, what brings you to my door in such a state?”

          “My name is Tavish, and we have landed below on the bluff.  My captain and two of his mates are in a bad way and need help.  We were in a skirmish with the British Miss.  Please can you help us,” his eyes were pleading.

          “How bad are they?”

          “Captain is shot, with Peter his first mate taking a musket ball in his shoulder.  The other mate, Jack, his leg may be broken,” said Tavish.

          “What of the rest of the crew?”

          “They are scrapped up, but I was told to get help for my captain and his men.”

          I knew helping these men would most likely put me in danger, but I could not deny this young lad.

          “Tavish, go to the barn and wake my helper, James, tell him to hook up the small wagon to the horse and ready Storm.  I will be right behind you.”

          “Yes, Miss.”

          I dressed quickly.  All I could think was what was I getting myself into.  Tavish and James were waiting for me and in no time, we headed down the narrow road to the beach.  I saw the impending ship in the distance, men frantically yelling and getting the ship in order.  I could see that the ship had taken on an attack but was still seaworthy.  As we neared the ship an older man with a limp came toward us.                        

          “Tavish, have ye brought her?”

          I came up along the wagon on my horse Storm.  “Yes, let me see to the men immediately.”

          “Yes lass.  My name is Hobs.”

          “I am Isabell.”

          As I followed Hobs onto the ship, I was very aware of the other men looking at me.  Tavish and James were right behind me.

          James said, “Miss, I don’t think it is safe for you on here.”

          Hobs said, “Dinna worry, they won’t be touchin you.”

          Nearing the area where the captain was laying, I could see a lot of blood, another man leaning over him also bleeding.

          I rushed to the captain, assessing his injuries. His arm was also bleeding.  The musket ball did not exit that meant it was still inside which was not good.  “Captain, can you hear me?”

          His eyes opened looking into mine, but he did not speak.  I turned and looked at the man with the shoulder wound.  “Are you Peter?”

          “Aye miss, sorry to wake you so late at night,” and he smiled. 

          “Where is the one they call Jack?”

          “I’m over here,” said a voice.

          I went over to him, and his leg was broken.  Looking up at him, he smiled down at me, “I guess I won’t be a dancin anytime soon?”

          I turned on my heel and yelled, “Hobs, James, and Tavish, get the Captain and Jack into the wagon and bring it up to the cottage.”

          I turned to Peter, “Can you ride?”

          He said, “Yes I believe so.”

          “Good then you come with me.  James we will ride ahead.”

          One of the other crew members came up and helped Peter up on Storm.

          I said, “Hold on tight.”

          Peter said, “I have no problem holding on to a fine lass such as you.”                                                                                                          

          I was about to have three men in my home, and I was a lone woman, I must be mad.

          As we neared the house, I helped Peter off the horse.  I put him in the spare room and instructed him to lay down on the bed.  I started a fire in the hearth that warmed both his room and the adjoining one and got ready to receive my other visitors.

          “Peter, will you be ok for a bit, I will need to help the captain first, his wound needs immediately attention.”

          I poured some water for him to drink, and he took it then grabbed my wrist, “He is the only reason any of us are alive right now, you do what you need to.”

          By this time the other men were arriving, “James, you and Hobs get the captain up to my room.  Tavish, I need fresh water in all the rooms.  I will help Jack to his room. 

          Jack wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and I put him in the adjoining room next to Peter.  Carefully laying him down on the bed and elevating his broken leg.  I knew they were both in pain, but I need to get to the captain first, as it was dire.

          I squeezed Jack’s hand and said, “I will do my best so you can dance with the ladies again.”   Smiling down at him I left the room.  Hobs and James were awaiting instructions.

          “I need you both to strip those men down and wash them up, I can’t have them being dirty.  There are extra quilts in each room, make them as comfortable as possible.  Tavish, you come with me, I need you to help me with the captain.”  He nodded eagerly as if, proud he was going to help me. I poured hot water into the basin and had Tavish bring up the whiskey.

          I looked at the man on my bed.  He was so pale, and I was scared I would not be able to save him.  Tavish helped me get him undressed and washed up.  I need to see the wound.  It was deep and I need to pull the musket ball out.

          “Tavish, what is the captain’s name.”

          “Murdoch Miss.”

          “Wait, Mad Murdoch the pirate?”

          Tavish looked down at the floor, “Yes miss, but he is a good man, please don’t believe everything ya hear.”

          I reached up and whispered in his ear, “Murdoch, my name is Isabell, I need to pull the musket ball out of your side which is going to cause you some discomfort, ok?”

          Murdoch’s eyes opened looking into mine, those very blue eyes, and he nodded.

          “Tavish, what you see in this room you must never repeat, or I will be very angry with you, do you understand.”                                             

          Tavish nodded frantically.

          I took a string and cut it and then had Tavish tie it around my middle finger, leaving the other end hang loose.

          I took the whiskey and put some into a glass and brought it to Murdoch’s lips.  Then took some a poured it over the wound.  I moved my hand in a circular motion over the wound then said these words…

          I pray to the Lord to guide these hands

          To help ease the pain of this man

          To pull the object of distress

          And ease the burden of unrest

          Bring forth the object to my hand

          And bring life back to this man

          Placing my hand flat over the wound, I closed my eyes and started to hum and concentrate as if the string was attached to the musket ball.  Slowly I started to pull upward as if the string was pulling the object with it.  I could hear Murdoch yell in pain as the object continued its course until it was completely out.  I could feel Murdoch’s body relax.  Tavish stood there eyes wide as if in a trance.  I handed the musket ball to Tavish and made a paste of herbs that would pull out the infection.  After I packed the wound, I then placed my amethyst stone on the top.   With Tavish’s help we dressed the wound.  I placed my hand on Murdoch’s forehead and it was cool.  Now all we could do was wait and see.

          Without a word Tavish followed me to Peter.  “Looks like the musket ball went clean through your wound.  I will clean it and put a paste over it to draw any infection out.  You are lucky it did not hit anything vital.”

          I poured Peter a glass of whiskey.  He smiled at me, “I thank ye lass.”

          Taking the whiskey, I cleaned the area and applied the paste, then Tavish helped me dress his wound. He winced a bit but did not complain.

          Tavish, attended to stoking the fire. I turned to go to Jack in the next room, and turned and said, “Murdoch is resting, the next 48 hours will tell.  I removed the musket ball.  Now we wait.  Get some rest Peter.”

          I could see Jack was uncomfortable.  “Hobs, I need you to cut his boot in half please.  Then you and James will need to hold him down.  I will need to reset his leg.  Jack, I’m not going to beat around the bush.  How bad do you want to dance again because this is going to be extremely painful.”

          Jack said, “Do it, I don’t wanna be a cripple.”  I handed the whiskey bottle to him.  “Let me know when you are ready.”

          After drinking a few gulps, he handed it back to me and nodded.” I handed him a piece of wood.  “Here, put this in your mouth and bite down on it.”  I squeezed his hand then nodded to Hobs and James.  Grabbing his leg, I closed my eyes and ran my hands over the leg feeling for the break.  I started humming and as if there was no one else in the room pulled the leg and snapped it back.  Jack screamed.  The I softly spoke these words.

          I pray the Lord to look over thee

          As time and rest will be the key

          What once was broken shall be no more

          And heal this leg as it was before.

          I ran my hands over his leg concentrating as if I was putting him back together, feeling the warmth from my hands underneath.  Jack was still in pain but started to relax. 

          The room was quiet, and they stared in awe.  I motioned to Hobs to slip the half boot under his leg.  We carefully wrapped his leg in the boot to keep it from moving. 

          “Keep this elevated.  I will give you something to drink to help you sleep.”

          He reached up and grabbed my arm.  “Thank you, Isabell.”

          Walking out of the room with Hobs, James, and Tavish in tow, I went to make some chamomile tea to help the men sleep.  “Hobbs, you are welcome to sleep in the separate quarters with James if you want.  I would like Tavish to stay here with me in case I need him through the night.”

          Hobs nodded then said, “Aye, thank you lass, but I should check on the men.  I will be up in the morn.  And thank ye.”

          Hobs and James left the cottage and Tavish followed me with the tea.  I peaked my head in and saw Peter was already fast asleep.  I stepped closer to Peter and pulled the quilt up around his shoulders.  The I went over to Jack I sat down on the bed and gave him some tea.  “This will help you sleep tonight and relax a bit.  For now, you are all safe.  Murdoch still is not out of the woods yet, as the next 48 hours will be critical.”

          Jack’s one eyebrow arched up, “Aye, so they told you his name then.”

          “Actually, Murdoch told me himself.  Imagine my surprise to know that Mad Murdoch the pirate is now laying in my bed.”

          Jack said, “Please don’t be mad lass.  We thought you wouldn’t help if you knew who he was.”

          “Well, I don’t like being deceived, but I would have helped either way.”

          Standing up to leave I said, “Please rest, I will check on you in the morning.  Right now, I will be looking after your captain.”

          Jack said, “Thank you again.  We are in your debt.”

          I went out of the room and looked at Tavish who had become very quiet.

          “Are you afraid of me now?  After what you saw.”

          Tavish’s eyes were wide, “No miss, just speechless.”

          I looked at him and said, “I could not have done those things without your help.  I am forever grateful.”

          Tavish’s chest puffed out a bit as if he was so proud. 

          “I have some quilts for you, but no extra bed.  You are welcome to sleep on the settee if you like.  The fire will keep you warm.”

          Tavish nodded.  I’m not sure what came over me, but I wrapped my arms around the young lad and hugged him.

          “Now get some rest Tavish.”

          With that I went up the stairs.  I was exhausted and sat on the edge of the bed.  I watched Murdoch sleep.  I reached out and ran my fingers over the outline of his face.  He was rugged, but extremely handsome.  His hair was blonde and long and disheveled.  I had not failed to notice how well his muscles were defined on his chest.  Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked at me, “Are you an angel sent to save me?”

          “No.  Just your humble servant Isabell.” 

          He reached his hand up to touch my face and ran his thumb over my lips which sent chills through my whole body.  Then whispered my name, “Isabell.”  And fell back to sleep.

Leigh POV

          I held the book so tightly in my hands.  Maybe these journals held the key to my past.  Looking up at the time it was 9:30 am already.  I needed to get brunch around and the guys would be awake soon. 

          My head was spinning thinking about my grandmother Isabelle.  I felt like everything was about to come full circle.  I just hope I could handle it.