Lara slid her daggers together. “No. Badb was pregnant when she went through the portal.”
“Truly? You are my ancestor?” Nolan asked as the darkness in him started to go to light again.
Lara stepped closer to him. “That I am.”
“The young man I saw with the girl?” he asked looking anxiously around the room.
“He is my son.”
The spirit grew bright and smiled. Nolan started to float away and Lara held out her hand to him. “Wait.”
He stopped. “Yes.”
“The portal. Do you know where it is?” She took a step down.
“Yes.”
“Could you show me?” Lara asked as she shivered and crossed her arms.
“No.”
She gave him an impatient look and turned to the arch behind the thrones. “Thanks for nothing.”
“It is not that I will not. It is that I can not. The runes before you, there is one thing that she told me. It is that only by the blood of a descendant can the portal be opened and inside is a hint to where the other lies. If I took you to where the other is you will not be able to go through the wall.”
“I see. Blood.” Lara took out her dagger and slit her palm. She walked up to the runes and started at the lowest left. Holding her hand up she hesitated afraid to touch the stone remembering what happened when Kiara did.
“Do not be afraid.” Nolan said and floated up beside her. “The other did not have your blood. It will not happen to you.”
Nodding to him she placed her hand on the first rune and it
started to glow. She ran her hand along the rest. They filled the room with bluish white light. Even the fires began to glow light blue. Nolan placed his hands on hers healing the wound.
“I must leave you now. I believe this is what I have been waiting for. I need to find her. Speak the words and the weapon will show the way.”
“But you don’t understand . . . “ Lara said as he disappeared in a flash of light.
She let out a sad sigh and stepped back from the runes and read the inscription out loud in Celtic. “No door ever closed, but another opened. Blood. Kiss of Life.”
The throne room began to shake and a rumbling sounded in the kitchen. Kedryn grabbed his glass that started to topple. “Sounds like mom took a side trip.”
He looked from Aodhan to Kiara and stood from his chair. Kedryn ran from the kitchen into the hall heading straight to the throne room guessing that she must have stopped there. Dust was falling from the ceiling and all of the flames in the hall were blazing to the ceiling. A stream of blinding blue light was flowing out of the throne room doors. Aodhan passed him and ran straight at the light and hit a wall. He landed with a thud letting out a groan and Kiara helped him sit up.
Desperate Kedryn stuck his hand out and it was able to enter the light.
“I will be back.” he ran into the hall and looked to the thrones. His mother was standing in front of them looking at the arch.
The whole room shook as the runes flowed together forming one word. Love. What they thought to be stone shimmered away and a room was revealed. The throne room stood still as the dust settled. Lara looked to Kedryn and the blue light slowly faded.
“Up to your usual I see.” Kedryn said giving her a lop sided grin and looked back to Kiara who was supporting Aodhan as they walked in.
She turned to them. “You have no idea.”
Kedryn and Lara looked at each other and stepped through the arch. A blue glow filled the room. Lara walked up to the three stands and as soon as she touched the one with the raven the light faded. Kedryn lit each torch surrounding the room as Lara examined the armor. Each full set had the symbol of the three sisters.
“No door ever closed, but another opened.” Lara said.
Kedryn looked around. “It seems that there was never a door. So no door ever closed.”
“To a descendant. Now for the another opened.” Lara ran her hand over the helmet.
Kiara and Aodhan stepped into the room and looked around at the armor.
“What does that mean?” Kiara asked.
“Nolan said the hint to the portal is inside.” Lara pushed some hair behind her ear.
“Nolan? Badb’s lover? I believe you have much to tell us.” Aodhan asked.
“Shiny.” Lara picked up the breastplate of Badb’s armor. It was very light and she could feel magic around it. It was similar to what Christian had made her only silver with a black raven on it.
“Let’s be bad guys.” Kedryn said.
“What?” Aodhan asked as he raised his eyebrow.
“Oh nothing.” Kedryn said and glanced at his mother.
Lara let out a laugh and held the armor up. “I believe this armor is enchanted. I would feel bad not wearing the armor Christian made me but I think I will wear this in the final battle if it fits.”
Kedryn picked up a sword that was leaning against the armor. It was also silver with a black hilt engraved as a raven with its wings spread wide. “Very nice. Now what about grandpa Nolan?”
Lara gave him a half smile. “His ghost appeared and we had a little chat.”
Kiara looked around. “He must have been what we felt and heard before.”
“It’s a possibility. No door ever closed and the hint is inside. What do you think it means?” Kedryn asked looking around the room.
Lara set the breast plate back onto the stand. “Its simple.”
“What is it?” Aodhan asked
“The armor that is the hint. I felt a hint of magic around in the armory.”
“There was nothing there.” Kiara said.
“I believe it’s worth a re-check.” Lara said and walked out of the little room down the stairs and into the hallway.
Opening the armory door she looked around again. They moved weapon stands and looked over walls and still didn’t find anything. Lara examined a sword stand and it had the raven symbol engraved on it. It was too big for her dagger.
“The sword.” Lara said and started to walk out. “I will be right back.”
“I will come with you. The last time you said that you caused a quake.” Aodhan said.
He followed her out and Kedryn looked to Kiara. She blushed and looked around the room. He walked up to her, brushed his fingers down her cheek and pushed her braid behind her shoulder. They stood looking at each other and both jumped when Aodhan and Lara walked back into the room. Lara gave Kedryn a curious look and walked over to the stand setting the sword onto it crossways. She picked it up and a click sounded with a puff of dirt in the corner.
“Help me move this.” Aodhan said as he grabbed an end of a shelf.
Kedryn squeezed his way to the other side and lifted. The shelf cracked and toppled to the floor. Lara jumped back as a piece of wood crashed at her feet. Aodhan and Kedryn stood there looking at the mess and looked at Lara dumbfounded. She let out a sigh.
“We will clean this up.” Lara said and saw the look of relief on both the men’s faces. “If you get our packs and put out the fires.”
“Deal.” Kedryn said.
“I will put out the fires if you get the packs.“ Aodhan said.
Lara and Kiara started to move the mess aside. Lara stood scooting away a piece of wood with her feet.
She crossed her arms. “You and Kedryn.”
“Pardon me?” Kiara asked her face turning red as she stood.
“You and my son.” Lara looked her in the eyes.
Kiara looked away from Lara’s piercing gaze and at the floor. “Oh.”
“Yes. He seems to be quite fond of you.” Lara said as she pulled on the hidden door.
“He has grown on me.” Kiara said her face turning even redder.
Lara walked up to her and crossed her arms. “I know how you feel about the age difference. It most certainly would be frowned upon where I am from.”
Kiara bowed her head. “I apologize, my lady. I will keep my distance from him. I did try at first.”
“I realize that things are different in this realm. As they were in the renaissance era back in my realm.” Lara shook her head.
“My lady?” Kiara gave her a confused look.
“Kedryn has been through a bloody battle and I do consider him to be a man now. He has seen things boys his age will never see and has been through things that has made him a man past his years. He may be seventeen but is more mature than most men I know.” she said
Kiara gave her a slight smile and Lara held out her hand and the smile disappeared. “However, I believe you two should wait and after all of this. After the final battle to decide on anything.”
Pushing her braided hair behind her shoulder Kiara felt her heart sink. She had never felt that way before and realized how she truly felt for Kedryn. More than she would care to admit. “You wish for me to speak to him?”
Lara noticed the look of sheer loss on Kiara’s face. “I did not mean for you two to be completely apart.” she gave Kiara a slight smile. “I don’t believe I could prevent it if I tried seeing the way you two look at each other. Please, just nothing serious. I am talking to you about this because I know he would not listen to me. When it comes to you anyway.”
“That is more than generous of you and a reasonable plan. I will talk with him about it.” Kiara looked to the door.
“That is all I can ask.” Lara said and turned to the sound of footsteps.
Kedryn walked into the armory and handed Lara her pack and salted pork. “Aodhan is finishing with the fires. Through all of the excitement you were the only one who did not eat.”
“Thanks.” Lara said and started to eat.
“I for one would like to know about what Nolan said.” Aodhan said as he walked in.
Anxious to get back home Lara looked to the hidden door. “I will make it short.”
She quickly told them about Nolan appearing and thinking she was Badb. How he didn’t know the descendant was of his line. When she was done they looked to the passageway.
Remembering what happened last time Aodhan gestured to Lara. “Ladies first.”
She squeezed him from behind and kissed his neck and laughed. Lara held out a hand and it glowed blue. A bright flash of light appeared and slowly faded. Aodhan decided to test it out again.
“It seems that one with the blood of the descendant allows passage.” Kiara said as she stepped through.
They walked a short way down an arched stone passage that ended at a set of stairs. Steps that led straight up to the ceiling.
“Kedryn and I should see to this. There might be another block or trap.” Lara said and motioned for Kedryn to go up the steps with her.
Running their hands along the ceiling they found two latches and a panel swung down and a shimmering blue light. Lara looked to Kedryn and pulled herself up through the hole and stood. The shimmering blue light faded as Kedryn pulled himself up. He reached down and helped Kiara through. Aodhan pulled himself up and walked over to Lara.
Looking around they were on a hill a few miles away from the ruins. There was a protective shimmering blue light surrounding it. Only one thing stood on the hill. Three huge standing stones with an angled flat stone on top. There were light blue glowing symbols carved into each stone.
Lara walked up to the stones and ran her hand over the runes. “It’s a Dolmen. A portal tomb.”
Kiara walked up to the stone. “Three sisters bound by blood.” she then walked over to another. “Shining blue moon.” then to the last “Three days.”
“That seems simple enough.” Lara said as she looked up at the stone on top and read the Gaelic runes on it. “Blood to enter and Blood to close. We walk through to open it and one of us can follow to close it.”
Before anyone could say anything Kedryn stepped underneath the stone and disappeared. Lara looked to Aodhan and Kiara. “Wait here. I will be right back.”
She stepped through and wound up in a small passage. A cool breeze came from behind her blowing her loose hair. Kedryn was examining a gate when the breeze past him and he turned to her.
“Did you feel that?” he asked looking around.
“Yes. Lara looked behind her at a dirt wall then to Kedryn. “Can we get through the gate?”
“It’s locked.” he said and took out his dagger and hit the chain a few times until it finally broke.
Lara followed him outside and looked around. “It’s the Mound of Hostages.”
“We are home.” he said giving her an excited grin. “Lets get the others.”
They stepped back through and Lara walked up to Aodhan. “Go get your mother and Eion. I would like for them to come along.”
“As you desire, my heart.” he said and disappeared in a flash.
Aodhan translocated to Carrick’s Estate and landed on the porch of the manor house. He walked in to find his mother sitting having dinner with the others. All but Eion looked up at him startled.
“We found the entrance and are going through as soon as possible. If Lara and Kiara translated the runes correctly we only have three days before it closes. Eion, mother we would like you to come with.”
Orla let out a relived sigh and set down the napkin she was holding. “That would be a wonderful idea. Thank you.” she stood up and walked over to Aodhan giving him a fierce hug.
“Your welcome mother.” Aodhan squeezed her back.
Eion stood and looked to Carrick and bowed to Shanna. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Annie jumped out of her chair “I want to come.”
“No child. Stay here with your parents.” Eion said
“Ohhhhhhh.” Annie said and gave Shanna and Carrick a pleading look who both shook their heads no.
Walking up behind Orla, Eion placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him. “Aodhan first.”
Aodhan disappeared in a flash of light as Eion placed his arms around Orla’s waist. “Ready my lady?”
She leaned back against him and rested her head on his shoulder. “As ready as I will ever be.”
They appeared in a flash on the hill and Lara walked to Orla. “Thank you for coming. This is the first night of the blue moon. It will not appear for another three years.”
Orla looked to the stone portal shimmering before her. She raised an eyebrow and looked to Eion. “What do you think?”
Walking up to the ruins Eion studied them. “It seems Kiara remembers the old language well.”
Kiara sadly looked at him. “Your brother was a brave man. I am not certain but believe something bad happened to him. My lessons stopped with him and I could not find him after Bevin’s arrival.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Eion said
“Not to change the subject but can we get on with it then.” Kedryn impatiently said.
“You are correct. We do not have much time now.” Eion said.
Kedryn patted Eion on the back. “I am sorry. That was selfish of me.”
“Apology accepted.” Eion gave him a slight grin. “Lets get it on with then.”
Lara and Aodhan first stepped through the portal with Kedryn
entering last and breathed in the fresh night air.
“How are we going to get there?” Kiara asked.
“Translocate of course.” Eion said looking up at the stars.
“To where?” Orla asked.
“To my parent’s house. The back yard. Aodhan, you have been there. Would you be able to go straight to the house?”
“It is not clear enough.” Aodhan’s brow furrowed.
Eion stepped up to Lara. “All you have to do is picture the location in your mind. A clear picture of where you want us to be. I will take it from there.”
“Who will go with who?” Kedryn asked.
Aodhan took his mothers arm. “I will take mother and Kiara. Eion you can go first with Lara and Kedryn.”
Eion nodded and turned to Lara and Kedryn. “Take my arm. Now is the time.”
Lara closed her eyes and pictured her parent’s back yard. Sh
e felt Eion’s magic surround her.
“Ready.” she said and then felt the pull then release as her feet touched ground.
Chapter 40
A scream sounded and Lara opened her eyes just in time to see Cassie in a brilliant white wedding dress fall. Her mother and Teagan were running up to her as she clearly heard her father say “See. Told you.”
Dropping her pack Lara was almost thrown to the ground by her sister and mother. They went on to practically tackle Kedryn and bombard them with questions. Lara laughed and raised her hand.
“Questions later. Mom, Teagan, let’s see to Cassie.”
Reluctantly agreeing the three women walked up arm in arm to the gazebo and up the steps where Glen was holding Cassie up. Her father was giving her a glass of water grinning at them all. Lara knelt down by her side.
“You don’t think that we would miss your wedding. Do you?” Lara said as she looked up at the stone gazebo. “This is new.”
“It’s been in the works for months. Just had it put up for the wedding.” her dad said.
“Mother has been bugging you for a gazebo for years.” Lara said.
“Your father kept saying you were not dead.” Cassie said pulling her into a hug.
Standing Lara helped Cassie up and smoothed out her dress. “You look lovely.”
Lara looked to Aodhan and motioned for them all to come over. “There are a few people I would like to introduce all of you.”
Orla walked up to Lara’s mother and held out her hand. “I am Orla and this lovely young lady beside me is Kiara.”
Lara’s mother walked up to Orla and Kiara giving them both a hug. Lara smiled at Orla’s surprised look on her face.
“Ladies, as you might have guessed. This is my mother Clara,
sister Teagan and the lovely bride is Cassie. The groom is my brother Glen.”
Walking up to her father Lara gave him a huge hug. “This is my father Duke. The man next to Glen is my other brother Shane.”
Orla greeted them all and Lara walked up to Aodhan and he put his arm around her waist and squeezed. “This handsome man is Aodhan.” she noticed her mother and sister’s curious look at them both but chose to ignore it. “The other is Eion.”
Kiara walked up to Lara’s father and held out her hand. He took it as she smiled up at him. “You have the gift of sight.”
Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) Page 24
