MacGregor had never been in the lower chambers of the castle. He had no idea where they were, or how to get to them, and he never knew if there really was a dragon’s hoard. For years, he had listened to the stories about the dragon, and believed it existed. He had listened to the rumors about Castle Thighearn most of his life and would swear an oath to never reveal to anyone that the rumors were true.
Laird MacEachthighearna had promised to reward MacGregor if he did a good job and he was true to his word. Michael MacGregor had become a very wealthy man in thirty-two years and his contract was almost over. He wanted to stay on at the castle. His wife had passed at an early age and his children, all but one, had moved on to start families of their own or go to school. His oldest boy loved the land and the home he grew up in. The rest of his children couldn’t wait to leave home and move to the city.
Before MacGregor had a chance to ask if he could stay on, Lazarus asked him if he would be interested in being his personal assistant. He would live in the Castle. His oldest son had already traveled and seen the world. He was ready to settle down and start a family of his own. Lazarus inquired if the son would be interested in becoming the new caretaker. Normally, it was the job of the current caretaker to find his own replacement, someone who wasn’t familiar with Castle Thighearn, but things had changed over the years.
As far as Michael MacGregor was concerned, he couldn’t have asked for a better man for the job. His son had lived there most of his life and knew everything there was to know about running Castle Thighearn. The only thing he didn’t know, was, the dragon was real.
“But what about the Castle secrets, my lord?” He asked Lazarus.
“I’m tired of this cat and mouse game, Michael. Do you not feel he could be taken into confidence?”
“Aye, he could. The boy would never break an oath.”
“Good. If I dinnae succeed in my quest this time, I may not live to see another year, therefore it won’t make much difference if I’m dead. I have left instructions with Prince Lukar, should I not return.” Michael had kept in touch with Prince Lukar Adamokus over the years. They had become friends when they first met twenty-five years earlier.
Michael MacGregor was shocked. “My lord, let me go with you to cover yer back. I am still strong, and my aim is true.”
“If I should find who I am looking for, it is a fight only I can fight,” he paused, “and only one can win.”
MacGregor hung his head. “Should ye change your mind….”
Lazarus interrupted him before he could finish. “You’re a good man, Michael. This is my battle. Make sure your son is properly signed over and move your personal belongings into the chambers next to mine. Should I have need of you, I want you close at hand.”
“Aye, my lord. I’ll move my things once the boy is settled.”
Lazarus laughed. “He’s no longer a boy. Your son is a man and deserves better than being referred to as anything, but what he is.”
“Aye, he is a man, but he’ll always be a boy to me.” They both had a good laugh.
When they finally arrived at Castle Thighearn, Lazarus bid him goodnight. He informed MacGregor he would be indisposed for a few days. He would speak with him more when he returned.
“I’ll expect you to be settled in the castle by the time I return.”
MacGregor was familiar with the lord’s routine. He did the same thing each time he returned. He would arrive and then disappear for days. When he reappeared, he looked rested and younger, revived.
“Aye, my lord. Everything will be in order.”
*****
Lazarus crossed the threshold of the castle and a calm came over him. This was his home and the heart of his dragon. He wandered the halls, taking inventory. Cataloging in his mind, what he would be leaving to his friend, should he fail to win the battle of his life. He also made assurances Michael MacGregor and his heirs would care for Castle Thighearn. If they chose to move on, arrangements would be made through solicitors to replace them, following strict guidelines.
Lazarus descended the stairs leading to the caverns beneath the castle. Tunnels bored by dragon fire thousands of years ago. The entrances were disguised, unless you knew exactly what to look for, you would never find them.
A little bit of dragon magic. It had been lost and forgotten over the years. Lazarus never forgot the magic taught to him by his mother. She made sure he learned everything she could teach him. She made him promise to teach his younger brothers and sister if anything were to happen to her.
His father thought magic was a waste of time. He argued his son had no need of magic, he was a dragon. He could defeat and defend against any threat. He taught his son how to fight, as a man, as well as a dragon. He regretted his words, the day he died, as his life blood left his body, to run between the cobblestones. His wife, seeing him dying, was distracted and was struck down. She reached for her husband, pulling herself to him. They lived side by side and died in each other’s arms.
As Lazarus entered the cavern of gold and shifted, his dragon purred as he rubbed his head and neck against the mountains of gold coins and bars of gold. There were chambers filled with other treasures and jewels. The chamber of gold was where he liked to rest. Like a cat, he circled around and around until he found the proper place to settle. He let out a long sigh and went into a hibernating type sleep.
Four days had passed before the dragon woke. Lazarus opened one eye. He took a deep breath. He could smell his gold. He stretched slowly, let out a groan, then shifted.
He made his way to his chambers and enjoyed a long shower. He had modernized the castle over the years. Bathrooms were lavishly remodeled with large tubs with water jets, and marble showers. He put away his city clothes and redressed in kilt and tartan. Scotts followed tradition in the twenty-first century and Lazarus lived for tradition, it might save his life when the time comes. Finally, feeling refreshed and properly dressed, he went to the dining room.
Michael MacGregor was there waiting for him.
“Michael, have ye been able to settle in?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Cannae drop the formalities?”
“Nay, my lord. I prefer formalities. Not saying we cannae be friends.”
“Good man. Tell me, Michael, what do ye know of the castle? The history?”
“I’m not one to listen to stories, but I’ve heard me share. I dinnae pay them any heed.”
“And, what of the dragon, the stories, I mean.” Lazarus asked.
“I can take em, or leave em, my lord.”
“Ye dinnae believe the tales the old women weave.”
“I didnae say ah didnae believe.”
“Good.” Lazarus left it at that for now. “Is there a meal prepared?”
“Aye, I’ll have it for you directly.” Michael started for the kitchen.
“I want you to dine with me.”
“Excuse me?” Michael didn’t know what to say.
“You are now my personal aid and I want you to take your meals with me.”
Michael didn’t reply, he continued to the kitchens. He returned with a service cart and an extra place setting. He served Lazarus and then himself.
It was a quiet meal. Finally, Lazarus broke the silence. “Tell me what you know.”
Chapter 7
Michael MacGregor proceeded to tell him the stories he’d heard over the years. Some of the stories had Lazarus laughing so hard, his sides ached, and tears ran down his face. Michael laughed almost as hard while doing the telling.
“I must admit, we Scotts can weave a tale. Tell me, Michael, how much do you believe.”
“All of it.” That got them laughing again. Lazarus suddenly got serious.
“Have you seen the beast?”
“Aye, I have. When ye thought no one was about.” Michael told him. “Do you still hunt for the man who killed your family? It was a long time ago.”
“Aye, I do.”
“Is he like yourself.”
“He is. If I find him, it will be a fight to the death. I’m staying this time until it’s over.”
All Michael could do was solemnly nod his head. “If there is anything I can do to help, you let me know.”
“Thank you. All I ask is you keep your eyes and ears open. Do you visit any of the local pubs?”
“On occasion.”
“I’d like you to mingle with the locals when you do. You may never hear anything out of the ordinary, but you never know what might slip. If anyone questions why you are no longer at the castle, tell them you’re retired and a new caretaker has taken your place. You won’t be lying,” Lazarus paused, “that was an excellent meal, did you prepare it?”
“Nay, me son’s mother-in-law has taken over the kitchen.”
“Give her my compliments for a fine meal. In a week or so, after everyone has had a chance to get settled, I’d like you to arrange a meeting, so I can meet the new staff.”
“Aye, my lord.” In the thirty-two years Michael had been caretaker, the Laird of Castle Thighearn never met with the hired employees. Michael cleared away the plates and brought Lazarus a brandy.
“Will you not join me?” Lazarus asked.
“If ye don’t mind, I’ll have an Irish whiskey.” Both men relaxed with their drinks. Michael asked Lazarus about what he did in America. “After all these years, you and Prince Lukar are still friends, and you work together. He was a fine lad and a quick learner. Does he know why you have returned home?”
“Aye, he does. Don’t discredit him, he wanted to come with me. His wife just had a baby. I’ll not have my godson growing up without a father.” He sipped his brandy. “If anything happens to me, you are to contact him. There is a packet in my desk, it has all the information you need. Names and phone numbers. Lukar has another packet with instructions. He didn’t want to accept it, but I gave him no choice.”
“Well, let’s hope I don’t have to call him.” Michael finished his drink. “Good night, my lord.” He left Lazarus to himself and went to bed.
Lazarus thought about the future as he sat alone. He thought about his mother and father, his brothers, Rolf and Brand, and his sister, Rebekah. Their portraits hung in the hallways of the castle. The reason he roamed the halls was to walk with his family.
There was one portrait of Lazarus, holding his baby sister in his arms, with his brothers standing on each side of him. Lazarus would stare at the portrait for hours, wondering if they were alive. His sister, only an infant. How would he know her? Somehow, in his heart he knew he would. She would be the image of their mother. Before he retired for the night, he stopped in the main hall in front of the portrait of his mother and father and swore an oath. “I promise, on the life of my dragon, I will find them, or I will die trying.”
******
Lazarus was getting restless. Several weeks had passed and there hadn’t been any new reports. Normally he received at least one report a week. He had risen at dawn and told Mr. MacGregor he was taking a walk on the moors. He had to get out of the castle. He could shift and fly, but even with his cloaking ability, he could still be seen by another dragon. If his enemy was in the vicinity, he would know he was there.
Lazarus walked on the moors for several hours before turning around and heading home. The sun was high, and he was hungry. He knew Michael would have a mid-day meal ready for him. As he walked, he caught movement off in the distance, something flapping in the breeze. He went to investigate.
“Probably trash,” he thought to himself. The modern age brought tourists and hikers to the area. He shook his head, no one respected the environment. When he got to where he thought he saw something, he found the last thing he expected to find. A woman, unconscious on the ground.
“Miss, are you alright?” He reached down and shook her. She didn’t move. His fireman training instantly kicked in. He checked her pulse. It was there, but weak, and she was cold. He checked her for injuries. There didn’t appear to be any wounds, but she did have bruises and badly scraped hands and knees. He needed to get her to a doctor. The quickest and easiest way to get her back to the castle was to carry her. He carefully picked her up and hefted her over his shoulder and walked as fast as he could. Being a dragon, he moved quickly, his feet barely touched the ground.
Michael had been watching for Lazarus when he saw him enter the castle gates with someone draped over his shoulder. He quickly rushed to the main entrance to open the door.
“What’s happened, my lord?”
“I found this woman out on the moors. Is there a guestroom prepared?”
“Aye.” Michael rushed up the stairs to the second floor.
Lazarus followed him into one of the rooms and carefully set the woman on the bed.
“Is there a doctor about?”
“Nay, my lord, but me daughter-in-law, Roana, and her mother practice midwifery, it’s better than nothing at all. At least she can clean her up. I’ll have her come straight away, Mrs. Stewart is busy on an errand.” Michael called his son. It wasn’t long before she arrived.
When Lazarus upgraded the castle, he added a cell phone and internet tower. It was disguised in one of the castle turrets.
“Who is she?” Roana asked.
“We dinnae know.” Michael answered.
“Well, she needs to be cleaned up. I’ll need a basin of warm water and some towels.” She gave her father-in-law a questioning look. “Da, could you call Nicholas again and have him bring one of my nightgowns. I need something to dress her in after I get her cleaned up.”
“I’ll get the basin, Michael, you call your son and get what Roana needs.” Lazarus left to fetch a wash basin. An hour later, Roana had finished taking care of the woman.
“Well, she’s all cleaned up. She’s terribly dehydrated and skinny, like she’s been starved.” She told Lazarus. “She has signs of being mistreated, bruises, but no broken bones. She has quite a lump on the back of head and we’ll need to watch for signs of a concussion. I think the scrapes and scratches are from being on the moor. I’ll sit with her for a while.”
“Thank you, Roana. Let me know if she wakes.”
Lazarus went to his chambers and retrieved his laptop. He wanted to check missing person reports. Even though he was out of the States, he still worked for the FBI. He knew how to access records filed with local law enforcement. He searched for over an hour with no leads. Michael finally let him know their guest was awake.
Lazarus was surprised when he walked into the guestroom. He hadn’t seen the woman since Roana cleaned her up. Other than being very drawn from lack of food and liquids, she was an attractive woman. She had wild, fiery, red hair and green eyes.
“My lord, this is Aria McDuff.” Roana introduced Lazarus. “Aria, this is Laird MacEachen. He is the one who found you out on the moor and brought you here.”
“You saved my life. I’ll will be eternally in your debt,” she whispered.
“Not at all. Anyone would have done the same. Is there anyone we can contact for you?” She shook her head. “I’m having some food brought up to you. After you have eaten and rested, we’ll talk.” Lazarus turned to leave.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Eat and get some rest.” Lazarus left just as Michael returned with a tray of food for the woman.
“Your meal is ready down stairs, my lord.”
“Thank you, Michael, I’ll be there directly.” Lazarus made a quick stop in his room. He typed “Aria McDuff” into his computer under missing persons. Nothing came up. He punched in extended search and left to go down stairs and eat his meal.
“Are ye familiar with the name McDuff?” he asked Michael as they both sat down to eat.
“Nay, my lord. McDuff is not a name from around these parts.”
“I thought you might say that. I looked up the name in missing persons and nothing came up. I’m waiting to see if I get any hits with a further search.”
“I’m sure you will find something. Once the lass has had some
rest and a couple of meals under her belt, she can tell you who she is and where she’s from.”
“Aye, I hope so.” They continued to eat their mid-day meal. “Do ye think Roana or Mrs. Stewart could stay close? It’s a bit inappropriate for a couple of men to be caring for a young woman.”
“I dinnae think my son will mind, long as he knows she is here in the castle and I’m here with her. He’ll know she’s safe.”
Lazarus lifted a brow. “He fears I might harm her, if she’s here alone in the castle with me?”
“Not you. He has heard the old rumors of the castle, my lord.”
“Ahhh, so he thinks there is a monster within these walls. Even after growing up here?”
“Aye. He does from time to time.”
“That’s good. Don’t want to disappoint the locals and the tourists. Maybe I should make an appearance. Renew the faith, so to speak.” That got them both chuckling.
“You best be keepin the beast under wraps. Ye dinnae need people snoopin about.”
“Aye, I got enough to think about, dinnae need to add to it.” He continued to eat but paused. “This woman, something about her has me skin a prickle. Be very cautious around her, Michael. Do not discuss anything regarding the estate in her presence. Do not trust her before we know more.”
“Aye, my lord.” The two of them ate the remainder of their meal in silence. When they were done, Michael cleared the plates and Lazarus went to his chambers to check his computer.
Chapter 8
Lazarus’ extended research brought up nothing new. He had gone back five years. Just for the hell of it, he tried again and went back twenty years. He watched the screen as the little globe went around and around, searching. He was about to hit the exit tab when the globe stopped, and a picture popped up.
There, before him on the screen, was a younger version of the woman in the guest room. The woman on the screen, Aria McDuff, aka: Crystal, had been missing for seventeen years.
Last of His Kind: Lazarus (Eichthighearn Dragons Book 1) Page 4
