10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set
Page 27
“Do you threaten me?” Voadicia screamed. “Kellach will not return. He will not save you.” Turning to the guards gathered in the square, she dramatically waved her arm at Fiona. “Did you hear the criminal speak? She curses me with her words.”
Tanith jerked free, moving to stand behind Fiona. “You lie, Voadicia! Fiona speaks the truth! Kellach returns soon.” She pleaded with the guards. “Do not let Voadicia do this! Fight her!”
Voadicia motioned to a guard who struck Tanith from behind, knocking her to the ground, and holding her there.
Fiona was dragged to the center of the square. She was held immobile while manacles were locked around her wrists. Horses were led out and long chains were attached to the metal bands and then looped over the saddles.
Tanith began screaming and the guards moved uneasily. “Do not let her do this!” she cried. “Stop her!”
Fiona swayed, praying silently for Kellach to come, knowing it was too late.
Alstrom stepped out of the Chieftain’s dwelling, his face shocked and questioning. “Voadicia, what is the meaning of this? What are you doing?”
“Go inside, old man, this is none of your concern,” Voadicia laughed, the sound mocking Alstrom. “Leave this to those who can take charge and rule.”
Alstrom was roughly shoved back by two of the guards who then stepped in front of him, preventing his further interference, warning him if he tried.
Several guards were standing near a hot brazier to the side of the square. Voadicia waved her arm and they ran forward carrying two burning metal rods. At Voadicia’s direction, the guards grabbed Fiona’s long silken hair and forced her head back, preventing her from moving.
Voadicia taunted her, relishing the scent of fear emanating from Fiona. “Never will you see the faces of your loved ones again, and you will wander the afterlife blind and alone.”
In the depths of Voadicia’s eyes, madness lurked, pitiless and cruel. Fiona panicked, struggling fiercely, all the while watching as the red hot brands neared her face. She could feel the heat on her skin, blisters forming even before the rods stabbed into her eye sockets, blinding her, the flesh searing as the rods pierced her skin. Fiona screamed uncontrollably over and over and then mercifully fainted, sagging against the bonds that held her. The horses lunged, held back by their handlers, stomping nervously, made uneasy by the smell of burning flesh and the screams.
Voadicia strutted around in triumph, savoring the moment to the fullest, drunk from excitement, wanting it to last.
Outside the confines of the square, a crowd of angry people had gathered, armed with whatever they could find to use as weapons, trying to push past Voadicia’s guards. The guards stepped forward, nervously forming a line to stop their entry. Voadicia stopped her triumphant parading, alarm flashing across her face. She had not counted on there being any resistance to her once Kellach was gone. It seemed her plans had a slight flaw. The crowd surged forward, forcing the guards to give ground.
Consciousness returned slowly to Fiona. It was as though she were swimming in a sea of agony. Intense waves of pain radiated from her tortured face. Vaguely, she could hear the babies wailing and Tanith’s sobs and, distantly, the sounds of an angry mob.
A small spark of anger floated through Fiona, forcing its way to the surface. Barely able to speak, she managed to whisper, “Rot in hell, Voadicia!”
Voadicia turned on her, screaming in rage, wanting Fiona to crawl and beg for mercy, mercy which she would not give. Grabbing a whip, she lashed the horses repeatedly, over and over. Fiona’s tormented screams echoed through the square, the horses straining to run. The chains stretched tighter and tighter. As the moment of death touched her, Fiona felt Kellach’s presence, long enough for her to say goodbye.
Voadicia laughed maniacally, whipping the horses until they bolted, tearing Fiona apart and mercifully releasing her.
Forty-Seven
Fiona was falling, falling, falling through a long black tunnel, whirling and spinning out of control. She was on a journey of darkness, beyond the realm of physical being.
Plummeting down, down, through a bottomless crevasse, alone and without substance. Time was inconsequential, distances immeasurable. Unfettered by connections and commitments, free at last!
As though from a great distance, a voice called her name., “F-I-O-N-A! F-I-O-N-A!”
She didn’t want to hear it, she wanted to be released from this world and float away in the void.
“F-I-O-N-A!” the voice called again.
“NO!” She cried out. “Leave me alone—leave me alone!”
On and on she tumbled, the darkness lifting, light washing over her, bathing her in the warm glow.
“Fiona, come on, Honey, wake up,” her mother’s soft voice coaxed. “Come on, Honey, you can do it.”
Fiona’s eyes fluttered open. Maeve’s beautiful face hovered over her, lines spider-webbed her forehead, tired circles rimming her eyes.
Fiona shrieked and threw herself up, fighting and crying, screaming for Kellach and Con. “Kellach! Kellach! Where are you? Con, my baby, Con! Where is he, what did she do to him?”
Maeve fought to hold her down, tears streaming down her face. “There you are, Sweetie, it’s okay! You’re all right. Just relax...relax! I’ve got you.”
“Mom, oh Mom! They’re going to kill Con, I know it! I have to go to him, you have to help me!” Crying hysterically, she fought to stand, pain wracking her body. “I have to go to him, I have to save him.”
“Who, Fiona? Who do you have to save?” Maeve cried. “I don’t know who Kellach or Con is! I don’t know where they are.”
Fiona stopped struggling, dazed and confused. She glanced around. She was in a hospital, a modern day hospital, and Mom and Dad were there, worried looks on their faces.
She looked down, a hospital gown covered her and a cast sheathed her arm. Her head hurt and she was not thinking clearly. This isn’t right. I shouldn’t be here. She had died. She knew she had. “I’m dead,” she stated flatly, “I died.”
“No, Honey,” Mom said. “You were in a car crash and you were badly hurt but you aren’t dead. Goodness, no wonder you’re acting so wild.”
“I don’t understand,” Fiona wailed. “I was with Kellach and Con and Voadicia killed me.”
“You must have been dreaming,” Maeve tried to reason with her, “and it’s not surprising that you would have such terrible dreams. You were hurt pretty bad. We’ve been so worried.”
Tear streamed down her face. “How long have I been here?”
“Since the night of the Festival, four days now,” Maeve said. “They didn’t find you until the next morning, you had been thrown from the car and you must have wandered away. We were so scared. Dad and I helped with the search and then someone down in the valley found you and you were brought here unconscious. You’ve been unconscious since.”
“That can’t be! I know I’ve been away for almost two years.”
“No, Baby, you’ve been right here, right in this bed.” Tears glittered in Maeve’s eyes.
Fiona couldn’t understand. It all seemed so real. Every single day and everyone she met had been real. They hadn’t been a dream. She knew it! She wouldn’t believe otherwise.
“Who is Kellach and this Con you talked about?” Dad hesitantly asked.
“Kellach is my husband and Con is my baby. They are! I know they are!” she cried. “I won’t believe they were just a dream, I won’t! I won’t!” She turned away, facing the wall, her shoulders heaving as she sobbed.
Fiona’s parents looked at each other, helpless to comfort her, helpless to understand.
Forty-Eight
The dream came again last night, frightening in its intensity and more detailed than ever before…
****
Tanith could not bear to look, gore flew everywhere, and a trail of blood followed the horses as they ran from the square. Her mind could not accept what was before her. Tears streamed down her face and she sagged ag
ainst her jailers. Con and Berlach were crying hysterically, ignored by the uncaring guards.
“Follow the horses and recover the witch’s body. Take it into the desert and bury it.” She pointed to Connach. “And take her brat with you. Bury him with her.”
Several of her guards hastened to do her bidding, taking the screaming baby with them as they headed out towards the desert.
“No!” Tanith screamed. “Do not do this! Is your bloodlust so great that you would kill an innocent child?”
“Careful what you say, sister of Kellach. It would not trouble me to send you to follow the witch into the afterlife.”
“I am surprised you have not done so already,” Tanith whispered. “Your actions say otherwise.”
Tanith was forced to her knees, her arms pulled tightly behind her by Voadicia’s guards. Her head was jerked back and Voadicia moved to stand in front of her.
“You thought to trick me,” she sneered. “I knew what you planned before you planned it.”
“You killed Fiona and took his babe. Kellach will have his revenge,” Tanith spat the words.
“Kellach cannot touch me! The Counsel would not allow it.”
“The Counsel won’t be able to stop him.”
Hatred glittered from Voadicia’s eyes. “They will protect me. I am first wife.”
The angry mob broke through the line of Voadicia’s guards.
“You are not first wife,” Briga stepped from the crowd. “I am first wife and I say Kellach has the right to do with you what he will.” She faced Voadicia without hesitation. Heads nodded, the crowd’s allegiance had changed and many moved to stand with her. She turned to Tanith. “I weep with you,” she said sadly. “Voadicia had locked me in and I could not get here soon enough to save the other. Your maid released me.” Xio Li stepped out of the crowd, her face awash with tears.
An older man stepped forward. Rodan, head of the Counsel. “This ends now. You took that which was not yours to take.” Heads nodded in agreement.
Tanith spat in the dust at Voadicia’s feet, the voice of doom in her voice. “Know you this, Kellach will have his revenge. You have dared to do what none have. Be prepared! Kellach returns soon and, when he does, that moment will be your last. Of that, I am sure.”
Voadicia’s venom would not be contained. “Best you silence yourself or you face the same sentence as the blonde witch.”
Tanith’s head lifted proudly. “I am not afraid of you. Soon you will be as if you never were. Your time is short. Kellach will see to that.”
Voadicia whirled. “Take her to the desert and dispose of her along with the others.”
No one moved and angry murmurs burst from the mob. Tanith was the daughter of a respected Lord and beyond Voadicia’s treachery. They had seen and heard enough. None stepped forward.
A war carnyx blared in the distance. Tanith smiled. “Kellach comes, are you ready?”
Voadicia hissed. “He does not have the right.”
“He has the right, I give it to him,” Briga thundered. “It is my right as first wife to decide your fate, and your fate is to face Kellach! Release Tanith!” she demanded.
Voadicia’s guards stepped back, confusion on their faces. Their positions were tenuous at best and Kellach’s wrath would leave none untouched. The crowd advanced closer. Several of the guards turned and ran, escaping from the obvious consequences that their actions entailed. Kellach’s wrath would not be appeased until all were punished. Tanith collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, and Briga moved to comfort her.
Voadicia made as if to run, but the angry mob surged forward, catching her in their midst. A guard called from the tower. “Kellach approaches!”
Forty-Nine
The long column was headed home. It was useless to continue searching any farther. The nomads had retreated to their winter camps and it would be spring before they resumed their raids on the settlements. Though only a few skirmishes had been fought, the journey was tiring and all were weary. Kellach was not unhappy with the decision, being away from Fiona and the baby did not set well with him. He hoped to be home before tomorrow evening, if all went well. Large groups had been breaking off as they traveled, heading home to their respective settlements. Besides his soldiers, only two other groups still accompanied them.
Siran rode beside him, discussing the events and prospect for success in the spring. Shouting filtered back through the column and the ranks parted as men on horseback made their way towards the rear. Kellach looked up, surprised as Cyrnon forced his way through the mounted warriors towards him. The twins followed behind, both riding one horse, and all three looked fearful and anxious. A sinking feeling of dread coursed through him.
“Kellach,” Cyrnon cried. “You must return to the settlement quickly. Fiona’s life depends on it!”
Kellach pulled his horse to a stop. “What is the meaning of this? What has happened?”
“Voadicia imprisoned her and Tanith is afraid Fiona will die unless you get back and stop Voadicia!”
A red haze of rage burst through Kellach’s constraint. Voadicia had waited until he was out of the way before attempting the takeover, and Fiona was in her grasp.
He wheeled his horse, and spoke to the nearest mounted soldier. “Give me your horse, and your water.”
The soldier jumped off quickly and handed the reins over. Kellach forced his way out of the column, leading the extra horse, cursing his inability to move more quickly.
“Elochad,” he shouted. “Take over here. You are in charge.”
Siran grabbed another horse, following close behind, along with several other mounted soldiers, and the small band charged off.
The three boys turned as if to follow Kellach but Elochad held them back. “What happened to your horse,” he asked the twin riding double.
“He was blown, he couldn’t run anymore,” he replied sadly.
Elochad nodded his understanding. “You did well,” he said, “but it’s time to let Kellach take over. Your horses cannot carry you any further. They need to rest.”
The boys slid off their horses, exhaustion making them weak. More soldiers dismounted and allowed them to ride. They were too tired to make the long walk back.
Kellach raced through the day and into the night, alternately praying and cursing the Gods. The horses labored under the pace, short rest stops were all he was able to allow them. They alternated the horses so they weren’t carrying weight the entire time. One rider went down, his horse’s leg broken in the fall. They left the soldier there to be picked up by the column, taking his spare mount and hurrying on.
Kellach raged. It was taking too long and he was still too far away! His fury mounted as the miles flew under his horse’s hoofs. On and on he raced, knowing that he would be too late, but asking the Gods for time and promising everything if his prayers were granted.
Far in the distance, the first signs of the settlement came into view. Kellach’s horse would run no more after this ride. He was broken, only continuing because of his great heart and love for Kellach. As they approached the gates, the horse wavered, slowing to a walk, unable to run any farther.
Kellach rubbed the animal’s neck. “That’s okay, my old friend, you did the best you could.” As if bolstered by Kellach’s voice, the horse kept going forward.
The great war horns sounded from the tower. Stunned, the crowd turned. Kellach, the Destroyer, had returned.
Sliding down from his horse, he approached the sobbing Tanith. “Where is my Fiona and the babe?” he said softly.
Tanith’s heart was breaking and she couldn’t look him in the face. “Voadicia murdered her and they took the babe into the desert, I couldn’t save him.” Tears streamed down her face and great sobs wracked her body. “I could not save her and they took the babe,” she wailed.
Kellach’s great body shuddered. Rage against the Gods and these butchers coursed through his brain. He roared his grief to the heavens, and when he could rage no more, he turned to the crowd. Rea
son had flown and all that remained was the promise of retribution. His eyes burned and his face became the mask of death. All who aided Voadicia saw his countenance and knew their end was near. He drew his great sword and stalked forward, cold fury burning from his eyes. Voadicia’s priestesses fell to the ground begging for his mercy, but he had none to give.
He halted in front of Alstrom. “Your days to rule are done. I claim leadership of the tribe. Do not let me see your face ever again in this lifetime. Leave now whilst I can still contain myself. I owe you that much.”
Alstrom barely dipped his head, shame and guilt rendering him speechless.
Rodan stepped forward. “The Council is behind you. Whatever you say, we will do.”
Kellach turned to the crowd. “Voadicia is mine!” he roared. “Her punishment is mine to seek.”
Voadicia screeched. “I but did what was for the good of the people! She murdered a child and had to be dealt with.” She squirmed, kicking and fighting wildly with her captors, terror giving her added strength.
Kellach moved to stand in front of her, touching her neck with the tip of his sword, slicing a thin red line. “You dared to touch what was mine. You took the one thing I truly loved because you could not have that love yourself. For that, your sentence is death and I am the slayer.”
With one great sweep of his long sword, he cleaved Voadicia’s head from her body. Her priestesses tried ineffectively to escape, but when it was over, all were dead.
Behind him, Siran and the others finally caught up. Siran leapt down and took the sobbing Tanith in his arms. Those of Voadicia’s guards who had not ran knelt in obeisance, but Siran would not be mollified, and he quickly and efficiently dispatched them.
“Which way did they take my son?” Kellach turned to Tanith.
“To the north—into the desert. Leave now or it will be too late.”
Kellach caught the nearest horse. “I go to save my son.” He wheeled the horse around and raced out of the settlement, disappearing into the distance.