Realms Gate

by Juliet Anderson

  Erin headed back to the kitchen, stopping to marvel at the huge portraits that lined the staircase. One particularly scary painting held her captive for a moment. The Scots certainly weren’t known for their genteel nature.

  “That’s my great grandfather.”

  She turned a little too quickly on the stair and felt her foot start to slide from underneath her. Strong arms steadied her. Birdie was right, the McLomards were seriously clumsy.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump.”

  Erin stared at the man who still had a grip on her shoulders. He was tall, with short dark blonde hair and brown eyes. She had a fair idea who it was. “You must be Angus.”

  “Guilty.” He smiled and released his hold on her.

  Erin glanced back at the portraits. “Who’s the sinister looking one with the moustache?”

  Angus laughed. “Believe it or not, my great grandmother.”

  “That’s a woman?” Erin looked back at the picture. “No way.”

  “Sadly, yes. Wee Grinnie not only had a moustache, a mole with a fabulous black hair in it, she was also full of the lord and had no sense of humour whatsoever. At least that’s the story my father used to tell.”

  Erin shivered. “Perhaps I shouldn’t complain too much about my mother. Compared to that lady, she’s a positive beacon of warmth.”

  Angus shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I’m sorry about the other day, I was pre-occupied with several things. I should have been more welcoming.”

  “Yeah, you did come across as a bit of a twat.” Erin stepped past him and headed into the kitchen, in search of Sasha’s popcorn.

  Angus followed her. “Can’t we start over?”

  “Difficult when I’ve already formed an opinion of you.”

  He winced. “Not a good one, I take it?”

  “Not particularly. But I will be civil if you tell me where the popcorn is.”

  “Top right hand cupboard. Is there a chance that I can get you to change your opinion of me?” he asked in earnest.

  “Lindt chocolate, sunflowers and FMX,” Sasha responded, emptying the pack of kernels into a bowl.

  “What?” He took the bowl of kernels from her and stuck it in the microwave.

  “Are all Scotsmen this thick?” she sighed. “Those items are my favourite things.”

  “I’m male, we’re slow at picking up hints. What percentage?”

  “Sorry?”

  “The chocolate. Do you like dark or milk?”

  “Dark. I’m a purist. The higher the cocoa content, the better. Now I’ve spelled it out to you quite clearly, you should have no excuses,” Erin flashed him a smile. She took the bowl out of the microwave and headed back up stairs. Angus wasn’t so bad after all, but she wasn’t going to let him off the hook for his appalling behaviour just yet.

  For once, Wilhelm had taken on board a lot of what Ajax had said. He was beginning to understand that the key to defeating Heinrekh probably wasn’t with brute strength alone, not when up against sorcery. Even though it was the Viking way.

  Ajax’s jaw nearly hit the ground when he arrived at the Archives to find him skimming through various tomes.

  “Are you lost, Wilhelm?” his tutor teased.

  “Very funny,” Wilhelm grunted.

  “What are you looking for?” Ajax was curious.

  “Nothing in particular,” Wilhelm shrugged and pushed the volume he was reading away. “I’m just trying to get a better understanding of Heinrekh, and what he is capable of.”

  “There is a saying in the First Realm that first you have to know your enemy to be able to defeat them.” Ajax pulled a couple of books down from the shelf. “You might find it useful to read up about Heinrekh’s early years. A lot of what happens to us when we are young, forms the basis of our adult lives.”

  “Are you suggesting that Heinrekh may not have been evil when he was young?”

  “No-one is born evil, Wilhelm. But what happens to us as we grow, can turn us to the darkness.”

  Wilhelm looked unconvinced.

  “You and he had very similar starts in life. Both born the sole heir to a ruling family, you both had a privileged upbringing. The difference was he lost everyone he cared for in close succession, leaving him alone. Having no-one to turn to, his anger and hostility led him to the dark arts.”

  “That and the fact black blood runs in his veins.”

  “You should have a little more compassion. That could have quite easily been your path in life, had your parents been killed when you were young.”

  “But I would never turn to sorcery, even if I could.”

  Ajax gave his head a shake. “Easy to say when your life has not been ripped apart. If you had the option of defeating Heinrekh with sorcery, would you?”

  “You mean use someone else who has the ability?”

  “Yes.”

  Wilhelm thought about his answer for a moment. “If it meant saving the lives of Lokranor troops, yes.”

  “Then you are already on the same path as Heinrekh. Once you use sorcery, even if your intention is pure, there is no turning back. It worked once, what harm could come of using it to suppress an uprising in Nordgard or some other event? Before long, you’ll be using it every day. Its power can consume even the most noble of people.”

  “So you think Heinrekh turned to the dark arts because he was angry and lonely?”

  “Yes. It filled his need for revenge. Lokranor was partly responsible for the hatred that drives him. Now your next task will be to figure out what his plans are.”

  Wilhelm took the books. “You are probably right in that the more I know about him, the greater chance I might have of detecting his next move.”

  “Heinrekh is clever. He will already have several options in place for abducting the girl.”

  “I must double the guards around the Realm in case we uncover any of his hidden gates.”

  “A good idea, Heinrekh will make his move soon so be prepared to act.”

  Wilhelm took the two books and headed back to his quarters. His mind drifted momentarily to the girl. Had she any idea what was waiting for her? What duty her parents had left her? He wondered what she was like? He imagined she would be pretty like her mother, but having led a very sheltered life, would be weak and fragile. She would have to toughen up very quickly.

  CHAPTER 7

  Erin was like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for Magnus to appear. She’d fetched her bike from the stables and was waiting out front in her favourite outfit; black jeans, her biker boots and a denim jacket.

  Magnus appeared on a similar bike to hers, dressed head to toe in black leather. He removed his helmet. “Are you quite sure you’re okay to go out?”

  “I’m back to perfect health,” Erin smiled, her fingers crossed behind her back.

  “Then why aren’t you putting more weight on your right ankle?”

  Bloody man had x-ray vision as well, she thought. “It’s just the way the bike is leaning,” she lied.

  His blue eyes stared hard at her for a moment before he grunted and put his helmet back on. “Try and keep up.”

  Yeah right, Erin muttered to herself. He could choke on her dust. The pair tore up into the hillside above the house, each try to beat the other. Erin followed Magnus’ lead into the woods. He had found a great path which had a few jumps, lots of twists and turns and plenty of mud. Erin was in seventh heaven. They eventually cleared the trees and kept heading along a mountain path. Magnus came to a halt beside a small wooden shed.

  “Don’t tell me this is home?” Erin giggled.

  Magnus threw her a hard look. “This is an emergency shelter for hikers who become lost.” He got off his bike and went inside, emerging a few seconds later with a bag. “I left some supplies for us.”

  He pulled out a couple of bottles of coke and tossed one to her. “No diet coke?” she asked teasingly.

  He grunted and ignored her, sitting down on a large boulder. Erin sat next to him, wondering wh
y all of a sudden he had gone quiet. Was this the point when he turned into an axe-wielding murderer? She decided it was time to see how good his telepathic link was and whether it only worked when she was in danger. She needed to really grab his attention so focused heavily on an image so naughty that it even made her blush.

  Magnus choked on his coke and looked at her in shock.

  Erin burst out laughing. “I was just checking to see whether your telepathic abilities were for real.”

  “Quite real,” he glared at her.

  “So are you going to explain how you do it?”

  “It’s a skill I was born with.”

  “With just me or anyone?”

  “Only with people I’ve been assigned to protect. As I’ve told you, I’m a bodyguard of sorts.”

  “But why would you want to protect me?”

  He gave an enigmatic smile and stared out at the hillside. “I was assigned to protect you a long time ago, Erin. But until that accident in Bath, you’d not needed my direct intervention.”

  “Who do you work for?” She was more than a little curious as to who his employer was.

  “A group of interested parties who want to see you reach eighteen.”

  “Is that when my protection ends?”

  He nodded. “At least under my current assignment, yes.”

  She got to her feet and paced up and down for a few minutes. “Why would anyone be interested in me? I’m about as ordinary as they come.” She was genuinely bemused.

  Magnus looked away from her. “You’re anything but ordinary, Erin. But it is not for me to explain.”

  Erin saw Magnus close up like clam. She’d need a change of tactics if she was going to get any more information out of him.

  “So tell me something about yourself, Magnus.”

  “What do you want to know?” he shrugged.

  “Other than your love of black leather, what else do you like?”

  “Fast bikes and fast women.” He threw her a mischievous smile.

  “Men usually say they like fast women when they’re unable to hold down a steady relationship,” Erin teased.

  “Or perhaps I just like women too much.”

  “Or perhaps you’re lousy in bed and never get a second date,” she giggled.

  “If you want to put it to the test, I’d be than happy to oblige,” he challenged.

  Erin could feel the colour rise in her cheeks. “You’re not that cute.”

  “Chicken,” he retaliated.

  “It must be fairly boring watching my back all the time. Do you ever get to go home, wherever that is?”

  “You don’t give your rear view enough credit,” he smirked. “But yes, I do go home from time to time.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “Kind of. Home is not quite as developed as it is here. Think old world Scandinavian and you’ll get a reasonable idea of what it’s like.”

  “No fast bikes?”

  “No. Just horses and women.”

  Erin rolled her eyes. “Are you parents still alive?”

  He stood up and grabbed his helmet. “No,” he grunted. “Time to go.”

  Erin was surprised how quickly his mood could change. She’d obviously touched a raw nerve. It seemed talk about family was off limits.

  She leapt back on the bike and followed him down the hill and back through the forest. Magnus was travelling very fast along the pathway and she hated to admit it, but she was struggling to keep up with the pace. She hit an unexpected rut and felt the bike start to slide away from underneath her. She jammed on the brakes and came to a grinding halt.

  Her legs felt very shaky, she’d scared herself going too fast. And she’d put far too much weight on her right ankle which was now throbbing. She let go of the handlebars that her hands were squeezing too tight. Shake it off, she told herself. She took a few deep breaths and felt calmer.

  A snapping of twigs caught her attention. She peered into the heavy woodland and could see the outline of a large creature. What was it? Instead of running in the opposite direction, it seemed to be coming towards her.

  She heard the roar of Magnus’ bike; he came to a sliding halt beside her. “What the hell happened?” he barked.

  “Sorry, I almost came off.” She glanced past him into the undergrowth. “I think there’s something in there.”

  “Just a deer,” Magnus grunted. “Let’s go. You first.”

  Erin threw him a scowl. Why had he turned so grumpy? He had more mood swings than a hormonal teenager with PMS. A few minutes later she was out the woods and heading down towards home.

  Magnus followed her to the garage where her bike was kept. “Well, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time,” she joked.

  He grinned, seemingly back to his happy self. “You’ve no idea. Now, please promise me you won’t go into the woods alone. Surprisingly, we still have a few wild animals up here.”

  Erin was covered in mud so slipped into the house via the back door. Birdie heard her and she was called into the kitchen. A heavy set gentleman was sitting at the table, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Douglas, this creature from the swamp is my niece, Erin.” Birdie introduced her.

  The bear of a man rose and crushed her small hand in his. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Erin. I’m Douglas Buchanan.”

  “Douglas tutors, amongst other things, fencing. Whilst you’re here, I thought you might like to develop your skills.”

  Erin was slightly taken aback. A private fencing tutor? “Sure, I’d love to. But can we afford it?”

  Birdie laughed. “That’s no problem.”

  “Where would we practice?”

  “The old ballroom is actually used as a weapons training room, hence all the swords lining the walls.”

  “You have your own training room?”

  “Yes. All the McLomards have been keen swordsmen and women so it’s been a tradition to have a room dedicated to it.”

  “Perhaps you might show me the level you’re at so I can structure our lessons to your needs?” Douglas suggested.

  “Of course.” Erin looked at Birdie. “Let me guess, my swords are already in the ballroom?”

  Birdie smiled. “You’re getting the hang of this.”

  Erin led Douglas through to the ballroom. “How often did Birdie want you to come over? Once a week?”

  He smiled down at her. “Every Tuesday and Thursday between 5 and 6.”

  “Twice a week?”

  “That was your aunt’s request.” He pulled a couple of swords from her carrier. “Show me what you can do. Be gentle as we’re not suited up.”

  Erin felt quite at home with an epee in her hand. It made her feel powerful, like she was actually good at something in her life. Apart from having accidents, she was very good at that.

  She tied her hair back with a scarf, donned a visor and proceeded to lunge, parry and riposte to her heart’s content. When Douglas challenged her, she blocked and retaliated.

  He removed the visor a short while later. “I have to say you’re actually rather good, Erin. I’m looking forward to getting into a real tussle with you when we’re fully protected.”

  Erin felt a small bubble of satisfaction burst over her. “When do you plan on starting?”

  “Tomorrow was Birdie’s instructions. I’ll see you then.”

  Erin retreated to her room to wash the mud off her before hunting down Birdie to ask what the lessons were all about.

  “You have a skill, Erin, like your father. I want you to hone in on it and excel. One day you might even be able to wield your father’s favourite sword.”

  “Is that one of the ones in the ballroom?” She was a sucker for anything relating to her dad.

  “No. His sword was quite unique. It is waiting for the next McLomard to claim it.”

  “But all the weapons in the ballroom, they belonged to former McLomards?”

  “Yes,” Birdie smiled warmly. “It is a collection of our family’s history.”<
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  Erin wrapped her arms affectionately around Birdie. “You are the best aunt a girl could have. Not only have I got my bike, but fencing lessons as well.”

  “You, my dear, are in need to affection and spoiling. That has been missing the last ten years.” Birdie kissed her forehead.