Eion felt a pressure lift off of him and he let out a slow breath. Kedryn was out of the castle. The weight almost made him ill but he had to concentrate so that Lord Faolan would not detect the magic on the cross. He stretched and now understood what Lara meant when he overheard her say that parts of her were sore that she didn’t even know existed. He quickly stood and headed to the study where he knew Lara and Aodhan were researching Fianna Fail. A lost cause but it kept them busy and together. A guard crossed his path.
“Lieutenant Kory.”
“Yes sir.” Kory said as he stopped and turned to face Eion.
“Are Lord Aodhan and Lady Lara in the study?”
“Yes sir.”
“Thank you.” Eion said and as he started to walk away he turned. “Lieutenant.”
Kory stopped and looked to Eion. “Sir?”
“I am curious. Where is Lieutenant Derrick? I have not seen him as of late.”
“He is with the general sir. They headed out with a group of men to make sure the outlying towns and villages were evacuated.”
Eion looked at Kory’s irritated face. “I am assuming you are not happy that you did not accompany them. Honestly I do not think I have ever seen you two apart.”
“He is like a brother to me sir. Someone has to keep the troops in line here.”
“General Ruark could not have chosen better. I will let you get to your duties. Be well Lieutenant.”
“Be well sir.” Kory gave him a slight bow and turned walking away.
Eion walked down the torch lit corridor to the study. He found Aodhan and Lara seated next to each other behind a large oak desk.
Scrolls and books were scattered around them on the desk and the floor.
“Pardon the intrusion I have news.” Eion said as he sat down and picked up a scroll
“News of Kedryn?” Lara asked hopefully.
“Yes. I have felt that they are now out of the castle.” Eion set the scroll down.
“Oh thank God.” Lara said and stood.
“Their journey is not over yet. I am certain Lord Faolan will hunt for them.” Eion said.
“Patience is a virtue. Right?” Lara said and gave Eion a half smile.
“Yes my lady. I was wondering if I could convince you two to lift your noses out of these scrolls and dine with Orla and myself tonight.”
“Of course. Please have a servant drag us out of here when it is ready.” Aodhan said.
Eion rose and watched as Lara sat down in Aodhan’s lap not giving any notice to him. She kissed Aodhan and Eion heard her say. “It is almost done.”
As he closed the door behind him he whispered. “No, my lady. It is the calm before the storm.”
Chapter 27
Damon caught up with the group as they were setting up camp. Niall was nursing a small fire and looked his way. “Found the path did you?”
“If I did not know your ways I would not have.” Damon said as he stepped up to the fire not knowing what he should do. He watched as Lawler walked up to him and braced himself.
Lawler let his distaste be known as he shoved him. “You took advantage of a mourning widow. I do not know why Kedryn saved your sorry carcass. You deserve the blood eagle.”
Damon stood there taking the brunt of Lawler’s assault. When Lawler glanced around he backed off. Bevin was on the ground sobbing with Kiara trying to comfort her.
Damon looked him in the eye. “Do you think I wanted this? To live this life? Faolan used me and my sister to his own advantage and means.”
“Don’t try to sway the conversation. This is about you and Bevin.” Lawler looked over to Bevin who was trying to wipe away the tears.
Kedryn walked up placing himself between them to make sure Lawler did not take things too far.
“Enough.” Kedryn looked to Damon. “Why did you stay?”
Damon took a step back. “I had my reasons. These are my people even though I don’t agree with what is going on. You must trust me to at least be on your side. This time.”
“We may have the same goal to see Faolan defeated but that does not mean I should trust you.” Lawler said as he spat on Damon’s feet.
Kedryn gave Lawler a stern look. “No more. I don’t care if you trust each other or not. We can’t afford to be split because it might just get us all killed.” He turned and walked off disgusted.
Niall threw a stick in the fire. “We need a plan.”
“Faolan will send his assassins after us.” Cadmon said.
“They could not catch us in my realm. The trackers defeated all but Damon. How good could they really be?” Kedryn asked as he sat down by Kiara.
Damon walked over to Cadmon and sat down beside him. “My sister did not send the best through the portal. For her own reasons she wanted to give the descendant a chance to survive.”
“What do you suggest? ” Kedryn asked looking to Cadmon.
“We make our way to Pergamon. There is a tunnel in the cellar of a manor house that leads to a small hole in the mountain. It exits just to the north of Milburn.”
Kiara looked away from Bevin to Cadmon. “Pergamon? Did you hit your head?”
“Do not let the rumors of the village cloud your judgment. There is a curse but it is only magic. It was placed there to keep the Firbolg away.” Cadmon said as he took off his pendant. “I believe it is best to destroy this now.”
“Last I knew you are a Firbolg.” Kedryn said as he watched Cadmon take his weapon and destroy the pendant. He heard Kiara gasp and she grabbed Kedryn’s hand.
Cadmon gave her an apologetic look. “It had to be done. Lest Lord Faolan could use the pendants magic. Who knows what magic’s he has placed on it while I was back.”
“He could do that? Without you knowing?” Kedryn asked.
“Lord Faolan is a powerful Druid. There is much he can do.” Kiara said as he let out a small yawn releasing Kedryn’s hand to cover her mouth.
“Speaking of Druid’s. Would you like to explain what you were able to do at the castle?” Kedryn asked.
Cadmon threw shards of the pendant behind him. “My father taught me well. It was one of the reason he always took me on his so called diplomatic missions.”
“I thought all Druid teachings were secret and taught only at the Sanctuary. How did Lord Faolan not know about your powers?” Lawler said crossing his arms.
“Let’s just say my father had connections. Lord Faolan did not know because I learned how to suppress my powers until needed. He probably thought Eion was with us.”
Kiara gave him an accusing look. “You never said anything.”
“It never came up.” Cadmon gave her a slight grin.
Lawler sheathed his sword. “The village is on this side of the mountain. How do you know of the passage?”
“As with the caves I explored a lot. It sent mother into fits.” Cadmon gave them a sly grin. “Not to mention Pergamon is the home of my birth.”
Damon looked over to the trees and saw a wolf cub. He nodded to the creature. “Why did you agree to guard Kiara? I always questioned your motives.”
“What Lord Faolan did to my father was unforgivable. I agreed to his bidding to save my mothers life. After her death I was asked by Lady Paili to stay. Since your father and mine were great friends I agreed.
“Among other things. Like revenge? Kedryn asked.
“Revenge, in part. Yes.”
“Will the village be safe for us? Is there anything else we should know about it?” Kedryn asked as he threw a stick into the fire.
“The village is abandoned. The magic my father cursed it with remains. Not even Lord Faolan visits there. Only I know how to avoid the traps and how to unlock the magic.”
Lawler gave him an untrusting glance and shook his head. “Then Pergamon it is. I will take first watch with Niall. Come on, lets scout out a place.”
“Wait. Your Shoulder.” Cadmon said and took out his stone.
Lawler looked at his festering shoulder and it appeared to be getting worse. “
What of it?”
“I can help.” Cadmon walked over and Lawler started to walk away.
Kiara moved to block Lawler. “Do not be stubborn. Do you wish your shoulder healed or not?”
“He is no healer.” Lawler said.
“But it seems he is a Druid.” Niall looked at Cadmon “Let him at least try.”
“Fine.” Lawler walked up to Cadmon.
Cadmon held the stone over Lawler’s blackened shoulder. It began to glow an eerie blackish green and wisps of black smoke lifted away. The light turned a bright green and Cadmon backed away. Lawler looked at his shoulder that was perfectly healed.
“Thank you.” Lawler said and walked away.
Niall had to scramble to catch up with him. “Better put out the fire.”
“I will take the next watch with Damon” Kedryn said as he kicked some dirt into the small cooking fire.
A crunching sound came from behind Kedryn and he looked back to see Kiara patting down some leaves. The women had set up a sleeping area that was covered by the branches of a willow tree. The men were going to sleep near the small fire pit to draw any attackers. They all were convinced this was not the end.
Looking away from Kiara he glanced over at Bevin. He shifted to move over to where she was and ask about what happened to her, Dillon and the village. Damon sat down by Bevin and glanced around for who Kedryn assumed to be Lawler. When Damon was satisfied the man was nowhere in sight he put his arm around Bevin and squeezed. Bevin reached up and pulled his head down to hers and kissed him.
Damon pulled away and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Perhaps it is too soon. I do not know what to do. Being near you how can I stay away from you?”
Bevin looked away from him. “Dillon will always be in my heart. I still ache when I think of him.”
Damon started to say something and she held a hand up to his lips. Bevin gave him a weak smile. “When I look at you the pain goes away and everything feels right. Lawler is right. It has only been a few weeks but how could I stay away from you?”
He gave her a smile. “Sleep well my angel.”
“You grace me with a smile? That is a rarity.” Bevin said.
“Not when I look at you.” Damon stood and held out a hand.
She took his hand letting him pull her up. Bevin gave him a hug and guilty look at Kedryn who looked at Cadmon as he shrugged it off. Kedryn glanced at Kiara who was already curled up asleep. He scooped up some dirt and poured a little bit more on the embers that had not gone out yet.
“We should get some sleep too.” Kedryn said and they all mumbled in agreement.
Kedryn, Damon and Cadmon all set their unsheathed swords at their sides and lay down to get some much needed sleep. Kedryn woke with a start to Lawler standing over him. He wiped the sleep out of his eyes and groaned as he sat up. Lawler held out an arm that Kedryn took and he let him help him up.
“You should be able to follow the trial. There is a flat rock Niall found that looks over the camp.” Lawler said and turned as Niall walked up to them.
“Assuming Aodhan has trained you well. Although I did not hide my tracks. You should not have any problems.”
“I will go with.” Damon said as he sat up and grabbed his sword. He stood patiently waiting for Kedryn.
“Lead the way.” Kedryn said.
The trail was easy enough to follow and when they found the flat rock Kedryn and Damon jumped up and looked down at the camp. Kedryn was full of questions but he was sure Lawler had given Damon enough grief. It was harder to see the camp with the fire extinguished but there was still the faint glow of embers. It was during their watch when the Firbolg assassins arrived.
Torches lit up surrounding their camp sending a blinding light. A piercing cry sounded and Damon was down off of the small ledge first shouting a warning to those below. Kedryn jumped down after him and they sprinted to the camp.
A Firbolg appeared before them and Damon kicked him aside. Kedryn sliced through the man as Damon stopped a deadly blow aimed at Lawler whose eyes were still adjusting to the light of the torches. Damon exchanged blows with the Firbolg slicing the mans stomach open.
Lawler stood looking around deciding where he was needed most. He turned to Damon. “This changes nothing.”
Damon rushed away from him to where Kiara was parrying away a blow. She ducked under a swing and was able to get through the assassins defenses and the man crumpled at her feet.
“Are you alright, my lady.” Damon asked.
She breathed out. “Yes.”
Niall was fighting off an attacker that was aiming for Bevin as Kedryn was rushing at a Firbolg. As the Firbolg ran to head off Kedryn a wolf joined into the fight. It tackled a Firbolg that was about to strike a deadly blow at Damon and ripped out the man’s throat. Kedryn turned and watched as the remaining Firbolg ran into the trees leaving them standing in a blood stained camp.
Damon bent down and scratched behind its ears. “Creal! It’s good to see you.”
“How do you know this wolf?” Kedryn asked.
“He has been my companion and only friend. A Pooka that my sister had gifted me.”
“How is it that you know he is a Pooka without the amulet?” Kedryn asked as he sheathed his claymore.
“Creal has certain silver markings on his tail and on his nose.” Damon patted the wolfs head and it turned and walked away.
Cadmon picked up his pack. “Discuss it later. I do not wish to spend anymore time in this blood stained place.” Cadmon said.
“Agreed. Lead the way.” Kedryn said.
Niall looked up at the stars. “Not much night left.”
“It will be a hard journey. We should rest around mid day but only for a short time. Who knows what the assassins have planned for us next.”
Kedryn and Niall scanned the area as the rest quickly packed up camp. When the sun had reached its height in the sky Cadmon led them off the path to a more concealed clearing. Lawler looked around at the group and his eyes settled on Damon who was helping start the fire.
“I suggest we split shifts. If no one objects I will take first watch and Kedryn you can take second and then Niall.”
“What about Damon and Cadmon?” Kedryn asked
“What about them?” Lawler asked and turned his back to Kedryn and started looking over the trees looking for a spot to keep a look out.
Kedryn let out a huge sigh and turned to Damon. “You will take second watch with me.”
Niall understood Lawler’s frustration with Damon but Cadmon has done nothing to earn their distrust. “Cadmon, you can take the last watch with me. Let’s go scout around a bit.”
Kedryn watched them walk away and curiously watched as Bevin walked up to Lawler. She laid a hand on his shoulder that he shrugged off but did not move away.
Kedryn motioned to Damon to help set up the rest of the camp. “I believe we should give them some room.”
Kiara looked around the camp site. “I will look for a place to hide our packs.”
“Understood.” Damon said and he threw some more branches in the fire pit and walked to the edge of the camp to keep watch. Kedryn followed him as they both walked the perimeter.
Lawler took a few steps away from Bevin and stared into the fire. “Why.”
“Please try and understand.” Bevin said walking up to his side.
He turned to her and looked in her eyes. “I do not trust him and never will. How could you even associate with that Firbolg filth?” he gave a side glance over to where Kedryn and Damon were.
“I could not explain it to you. It is strange for me to have Dillon still in my heart and knowing that Damon is the one I am meant to be with.” Bevin said.
Lawler said loud enough for everyone in camp to hear. “You have not even been through the whole grieving process when you took up with that snake.”
Kedryn looked at Damon’s pained face and walked over to Lawler. “You can not keep two people apart who are meant to be together. Especially after the
y have met.”
“It is too fast. You both are fools.” Lawler said and turned to the fire.
Kedryn threw the water skin down he was gripping and the thud made Lawler turn to him. He had just about enough of Lawler’s attitude.
“Really? So Aodhan and my mother are all wrong? Look how quickly that sprung up. It probably increased everything with the situation they were put in. The same happened with Damon and Bevin. Have you not felt the same about Kaylee? The only reason you have not acted is because of your stubbornness?”
Lawler’s face softened from a scowl to a frown “Did you look? Are we a match?”
They all turned as Cadmon and Niall came into sight rejoined the group. Niall heard the last of their conversation and walked up to Lawler smacking him on the shoulder.
“You are the most confident man I know. But turn into cowardly mush when she is around.” Niall said giving him a sly grin.
Lawler gave him a look. He turned and walked away ending the conversation.
“Was there more to that conversation I should know about?” Niall asked.
“He just needs to let things go. Keep one eye open Lawler and is distracted by hate and I don’t know how alert he will be.”
“I will go with him.” Niall said.
“If you are sure.” Kedryn said.
Niall nodded to him and walked off following the path where Lawler had walked off to. Looking around Kedryn could feel the uneasiness in the air.
“I know it will be hard to sleep but we all need to rest.” Cadmon said.
“You are right.” Kiara said as she led Bevin away from the fire to a hidden thicket where she had placed their packs.
The men made sure the women were secure and rolled up in their blankets for a short rest. Kedryn woke to the sound of footsteps and saw Niall and Lawler return. He said a prayer thankful that the Firbolg did not appear.
Damon sat up and rolled up his blanket. “No sign of them?”
“What are they waiting for?” Niall asked as he returned with Lawler.
Damon anxiously looked around. “Reinforcements possibly. We did diminish their numbers.”
“Get some rest.” Kedryn said as he left with Damon to keep watch.
Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) Page 14
