Gowthaman winced as a single blow from a heavy hammer punched a small hole in the side of Lucidea’s father’s head. Tears streamed down Lucidea’s cheeks as she carefully picked away the pieces of hard clay exposing a small section of the skull.
“Eww,” Breanna muttered. “Is that real? Did you always use a real skull as a base?”
“Of course not. But Morghan needed the reconstruction done so quickly I didn’t have time, or means to make a cast. At the time, I figured I’d pull the clay off when I was done. But when he told me who this was... I couldn’t. There wasn’t anything else left of... my father. Then I was going to give the skull to the Sindhu people so they could perform the rituals to send his spirit to the great sea. But when the time came, I just couldn’t. I mean, Coralie magicked a stone replica for the palace, but I couldn’t let this little bit of Daddy go.” She stroked the side of the bust’s cheek. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “But if this will help my uncle...”
Breanna peeked around Lucidea’s shoulder at the smooth bone. Withholding a shudder, she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Something didn’t look quite right. “May I?” she asked.
Lucidea shrugged, stepped aside and Breanna smoothed her fingers over the darkened bone until she touched a slight, sharp point. “Here, what’s this?”
“That wasn’t there when I did the reconstruction.” Lucidea reached around her to touch the tip of one finger to the protrusion. “Oh, Coralie, touch this. I think I feel magic.”
Coralie moved closer as Bree stepped back. After touching the point, a soft smile graced her lips and she closed her eyes. “He must have placed this here after ye completed yer work.”
Coralie stood back as well. Lucidea gave the miniscule protrusion a slight tug. It moved, then slipped from the skull in a long ribbon of curling parchment.
Breanna grinned. “Looks like you won’t have to totally destroy your work after all.”
The strip unfolded to a sheet about the size of half a notebook page. Lucidea spread it carefully on the table but slid the parchment to Gowthaman instead of reading it herself. “I can’t. You look at it.”
With infinite care Gowthaman moved the parchment closer and bent over the table to read. “Interesting. It is not written in Sindhu or English, but in the language of a long dead human population. A moment please.” He studied the parchment silently then leaned back and looked up at the expectant expressions.
“By using a language few are able to read, Morghan protected this information. He gives a series of computations for the rising of the blue moon in a number of worlds. With your permission I will refrain from explaining the complexities of his computations until I compare them with my own.”
Nodding, Lucidea said, “Go on. I’m not interested in the computations, as long as there’s answers in the end. Does he say anything else?”
Gowthaman pointed to a line three quarters of the way down the page then slid his finger along the line as he continued. “He writes as though he knew he would be taken to the world between worlds. According to his reckoning, a simple rescue will fail. Instead, another must... enter... the gray world to find him. The only time this will be possible is two nights prior to the conjunction of moons, for there will be a significant weakening in the veil.” Thoughtful, he paused. “That may be why the only records I have discovered concerning beings sent to the world between world make mention of the days prior to the full moon. Fascinating. That may mean a tidal component to the thinning of the veil.”
Gowthaman shook his head to clear his thoughts and gave an apologetic shrug. Breanna smiled and his breath stalled in his chest. She had become accustomed to how his mind skipped from one interesting fact to another while still retaining a connection to the original information. Others were frequently confused by his seemingly random thoughts.
Jayse made a thoughtful sound deep in his throat. “So someone must go into the world between worlds.”
The parchment blurred. Gowthaman grasped the table edge, squeezing but not feeling the pressure against his fingers and palms. Forcing himself to breathe, he struggled to push back the rise of mental pain and dark, empty memories. The mere mention of anyone entering the world between worlds drove him further from the reality of his world. And from caring.
A warm hand covered his with gentle, comforting pressure. He knew the shape of her fingers, and the peace she could bring to him with just a touch. The clarity he needed and longed for. But not now. Perhaps never again. He’d taken too much from her already, and could give nothing in return.
He took a shallow breath and slipped his hand from under Breanna’s to reach again for the parchment. If he held the slip the shaking would give away his fear, so he simply rested his hands next to it and continued.
“These computations indicate the rescue party must enter the world between worlds in two nights’ time. Once there, Morghan must be found before the full moon. On the night of the conjunction, the veil will again weaken and using the incantations to create a stable opening, all will be able to return here.”
“What about the fire elemental?” Jayse asked
“Though this parchment doesn’t address that factor, I believe this is how the elemental attempted to enter this world, and when unsuccessful, dragged Morghan back with him. Undoubtedly his strength will have been renewed since that time and he will again make the attempt. We cannot allow him access. Not to this world, nor any world. He must be permanently contained.”
It was a harsh statement. However, he should have made the more appropriate, the more realistic proclamation. Brandr Ur would have to be destroyed. There were some beings with no goodness, who could never be redeemed. Much like he could never return to the man he had been before the attack on his mind.
“There is nothing more on the parchment. Perhaps after comparing the calculations, I will be able to provide more exact theories.”
Lucidea stood and flattened her palms against the tabletop. “I’m going. We’ll get everything arranged tonight.”
“I’m going with you.” Jayse stood beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She gazed up at him with love and thankfulness then leaned her head against his shoulder.
Breanna closed her eyes against the sight. Jealousy reared an ugly head. How she longed for the kind of love and support these two had for each other. She had no doubt where one would go... Her eyes flew open.
“No.”
Startled gazes turned to her. Lucidea opened her mouth but Breanna prevented her speech with a wave of her hand. “You can’t do anything dangerous like that.”
“And why not?” Jayse asked. “Morghan is her uncle. Who better to—”
“No, you don’t understand. She can’t. Not now. Not when she’s...” Breanna froze, horrified she’d been about to break her promise to Lucidea. “No, I’m the leader of the Alastriona. I’ve trained for this. I’ll go and bring Morghan home safely.”
“Breanna. My uncle. My rescue. Of course I’ll want to you assist.”
Widening her eyes and glancing at Lucidea’s abdomen in what she hoped was a meaningful manner, Breanna strained for Lucidea to understand. Lucidea couldn’t endanger her child, not when she’d had so many disappointments in the past. When Lucidea simply stared at her in confusion, Breanna made a decision. The safety and healthy growth of Lucidea’s child was more important than the promise she’d made. She’d deal with the consequences later.
“I can’t permit you to go into the unknown. Not now. Not when you’re pregnant.”
Jayse jerked and pulled his wife around to face him. “Dea Annie?”
Lucidea frowned and pointed an accusing finger at Breanna. “She thinks I’m pregnant.” Lowering her hand, she sighed. “I don’t know. I have to admit there’ve been signs, but I ignored them. Jayse, I... You know how hard it’s been for us, how much harder each time was.” She stood stiff and unrelenting for a moment then let herself be enfolded in Jayse’s arms.
He kissed the top of her head. “
If there’s any possibility, Dea Annie, any chance at all, there’s no way you’re going to go into the world between worlds.” He chuckled softly. “I don’t even know if I’ll let you pass through any portal.”
“But I have to save Morghan,” she mumbled into his chest.
Jayse leaned back and held her shoulders at arms’ length. “At what cost to you? To us? No, Lucidea. I would never deny you a thing. But this. I won’t let you endanger yourself and the possibility of our child.”
“But it is only a possibility.”
Breanna shook her head and blew out a breath, stirring her bangs. “Each of you has trusted me with healing a wound. Have I ever failed you?” She rested her gaze on each in turn. And received slow head shakes in return. Except from Gowthaman. He sat, head bowed, refusing to look at her. She couldn’t take time now to examine his behavior; she had to convince the others of what she knew. Of the happiness that awaited them in a few months.
“When I allow myself, I see the colors surrounding each of you. I see soulfire rising strong and bright between Jayse and Lucidea. And in that soulfire is a another color. Pale, but strong. Centered and sparkling around Lucidea’s womb. Trust me, you’ve got a baby in there. And Jayse, it’s long past the time when she’s miscarried before. I don’t believe this child will leave you.”
At Lucidea’s sharp intake of breath, Bree lifted one hand to forestall her speech. “Unless you do something stupid. Crossing into the world between worlds is a fool’s errand at any time since we know so little about it. You will not risk it. If I have to pull rank on you, I will.” She smiled to soften her all too real threat.
“As shall I,” Coralie stated firmly. “Ye shall no’ endanger yer family in any way. I shall go in yer stead. ’Tis my right, mayhap more than yers. Ye have yer love to hold. I shall bring mine home.” She turned her gaze to Breanna, eyebrows lifted in question over her determined expression. “If that is permissible, lady Alastriona.”
“I welcome your help.” There would be no way to keep Coralie from joining in her lover’s rescue. Bree glanced at Gowthaman, understanding the intensity of Coralie’s feelings.
“But—” Lucidea started.
Jayse covered her lips with his for a brief, hard kiss. “They’ll be fine, love. We’ll be here for the planning and to hold down the proverbial fort. I’m sure we’ll all have our parts to play in Morghan’s rescue. Just remember what I said.” He tapped his finger on the tip of her nose. “Here. This house. This world. Oh god, Dea Annie, I love you.” He rested his hand over her abdomen. “Both of you.”
Blinking back tears Breanna left the workroom followed by Gowthaman. She returned to her seat in the kitchen and fiddled with the sketchpad. Gowthaman waited a moment then began adding the new information to his journal. When Coralie scooted her chair close, Bree studied her. “Coralie, I think we’ll need at least one other to go with us. I know we don’t have much time to make the decision of who would be best suited. I’d really like your opinion.”
The other woman nodded. “Agreed. But first, since we’ve heard m’lord Morghan’s words, we should listen to what Gowthaman has found. With both together, we shall have more basis for our decisions.”
Gowthaman jerked at the mention of his name, his fingertips scraping over the journal page. Breanna ached to take his hand again, to offer nothing more than calm reassurance. He needed her touch, his soul called out for her healing. She reached one hand toward him, but he flinched and she drew her hand back to her side. One day he would realize how much she loved him and how deeply they needed each other. One day. Holding back a sigh she looked past Coralie and out the window overlooking the loch. She was tired of waiting for one day.
When this mission was complete, with Morghan home and in Coralie’s arms, Bree vowed she’d find a way to make him face his demons. And her.
Flushed and smiling, Jayse and Lucidea returned to the kitchen. Gowthaman took a deep breath and after digging though his carry sack set a few scrolls next to his journal. Bree dipped her head to hide her grin. He didn’t need the scrolls except to create a secure wall of knowledge to hide behind. He knew the information the scrolls contained, or had at least copied the relevant parts into his own notes. His mind amazed, intrigued and delighted her. His intellect was one of the many things she loved about him.
Gowthaman looked briefly at his notes then began. “An hour or two should be all I need to determine the exact time when the veil will allow passage to the... world between worlds. We need to determine the incantations needed to part the veil for both the transition from here and when you are ready to return.”
Coralie reached for the sketchbook. “There were a few chants Morghan discarded afore his battle against the elemental. I shall write them out for ye. Mayhap ’twill be of assistance.”
Gowthaman smiled at Coralie, though Bree noticed how tightly he gripped his pen. “Thank you. I believe comparing those to other recorded incantations will bring us the correct words for our purpose.”
“If you can get us there, that will be enough.” Breanna put more confidence into her words than she felt, and the look Gowthaman flashed her said she hadn’t fooled him. “Okay, maybe not enough, but it will be a start.”
Seven
Morghan bent double, scrambling over low, jagged rocks. He peered around a narrow ledge into a level, open area at the top of a conical hill. Now that he’d found his mind... He shook his head fiercely and speared his fingers through his hair chasing the mist and forgetfulness continually attacking his consciousness.
He would not lose himself again.
A massive temple complex had once stood centered on the vast plain. He scanned the tumbled ruins. Surrounded by the remnants of smaller buildings, the arches and broken walls of the ancient temple reached majestically toward the gray sky.
Empty. Morghan frowned. Wearied of tormenting him, the fire elemental had retreated to his temple.
Sinking to sit behind a tall stone, Morghan supposed that retreat had been a mixed blessing. While ending the constant taunting and battle had been a relief to his exhausted soul, the lack of stimulation had led to his dulled mind and—
The muffled crunching of feet upon stone rose from across the plateau. Morghan stilled his breathing and allowed his lips to stretch to a smile. The movement and stretch of unused muscles felt odd. He increased the width of his smile. Mayhap he would now treat the elemental to torments of his own.
Morghan eased close to the ground and peered around the rock. Brandr Ur stomped up the narrow stairs toward the three-sided structure topping the temple. Once the elemental stood before the stone throne he’d claimed, he turned and stared in Morghan’s direction.
The heat of Brandr Ur’s scrutiny touched Morghan. Awareness crawled across the back of his neck. The elemental tilted his head and lifted his hands chest high. A ball of flame burst into brightness between his palms. He held the churning gray fire and moved his hands to increase and decrease the size of his show of power.
Morghan rose and stepped from behind the rocks. No need to hide his presence. The elemental had sensed him and now sought to disable his renewed spirit. Morghan tossed back his head and laughed.
Brandr Ur answered with a growl and his flame ball burst into fiery fragments that smoked in the dry air.
The physical touch of the elemental’s glare sparked memories of their first battle. Morghan fought the rise of anger and lifted one shoulder to ease the tension tightening his neck.
He hadn’t been defeated yet. Neither had the elemental won. Both were trapped here in this gray world. Letting despondency take him had been a mistake. He would not again fall prey to meaningless taunting and threats.
From the blatant show of power and the elemental’s posturing, Brandr Ur knew as well as he, a conjunction of moons approached. A conjunction signaling renewed battle.
Morghan tossed off a cocky salute and turned his back on his enemy. No matter the cost to him, the fire elemental, Brandr Ur, would never leave th
e world between worlds.
Such was his vow.
Telling her parents she was leading a rescue mission to the world between worlds was one of the most difficult moments Breanna had ever encountered. When she finally got the words out, their reactions surprised her.
“It’s part of the duties you took on as the leader of the Alastriona, honey,” her mother said calmly. “Your dad and I have every confidence in your abilities. Oh, don’t worry, I’m going to stress over every moment you’re in that nether world. But you worrying about how we feel isn’t going to help the mission.” Her shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, but a shimmer of tears glistened on her lashes. “I suppose it’s not a whole lot different any time mothers send their children off to war, is it?”
Mom had hit the nail square on the head. Bree was going to war. Not against the people or politics of another nation, but against a world, a place. “No Mom, it isn’t. I can’t promise everything will be fine.”
“I know, honey. Just be safe. Have you told your granda?”
Bree shook her head and grimaced.
Her dad chuckled at her unwilling admission. “Da will be envious. He’s often spoken of exploring different worlds.”
“Maybe he’ll get a chance once all this is over. Gowthaman has some interesting theories on how worlds connect. We may be able to find portals to some of these places without having to pass through the world between worlds.” Bree shared her granda’s excitement for adventure and exploring. Despite the dangers inherent to any mission into the unknown, the thrill burned within her. Although she wouldn’t be the first to experience the world between worlds and return, none of the others she knew of had embraced the experience by choice. If only there was a way to share her excitement with Gowthaman.
“How is Gowthaman?” her mother asked. “He hasn’t shown up to many family gatherings lately.”
“He... he’s withdrawn. He won’t let me help and it’s been too long. He’s unsuccessfully dealing with the recurring horror and pain alone.”
Blue Keltic Moon (Children of the Keltic Triad) Page 6
