Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series)

by Isabelle Stewart

  “I do not think we have to worry about the trackers and Firbolg. I found fresh tracks by the cave possibly only an hour old. It looks as if one assassin survived and two trackers. A set of tracks headed to the North and the other to the West.” he said.

  “Niall and Damon are smart enough to realize where we would be heading. Both must have survived if they were able to translocate to get here before us.” Eion said

  “That would also explain why none stayed behind to finish their mission. They probably wanted to report about Lara. There were older tracks too. It looks like one was practically dragging another person. That could have been my father.” said Aodhan

  “Hang on. How is it that they came through? Especially if supposedly they didn’t know how to open the portal?” Kedryn asked puzzled.

  “You have a point. I suppose I should have checked to see if the portal was still open before I started on the runes to open it. That was an oversight on my part. Chalk it up to old age. Now we will not know if it was open or if one knew how to open it.” Eion turned around away from the portal.

  “One thing I know is true if Lady Paili truly is ruler over Laois, she is not going to be happy with Damon. She is like Lord Faolan a finish the mission or die kind of person. He better hope he has some good information to give for his own skins sake. Although, I doubt she would send her brother to the altar. In her own way she loves him and his power is too valuable.”

  Aodhan’s face turned full of hatred. “I think that we should assume that Faolan made it through the portal too. That way we are prepared.”

  Aodhan walked to the opening of the cave. He looked up at the moon and felt the mist of rain on his face. He turned to Kedryn.

  “We should head out. That way we can get back sooner than later to get some rest. It is going to be a hard journey and we all will need our strength.”

  Chapter 5

  Across the mountains, in the land of Laois, there formed a castle carved into the mountain and hidden deep in a crevice on its side. The granite and limestone glowed in the moonlight reflecting of deep black with crimson red streaks throughout. Dug beyond the face of the castle keep a throne room, banquet halls and chambers had been constructed in the torch lit darkness. Many passageways led down deep into the mountain leading to the dungeons and torture chambers beneath. The only sections that were exposed on its granite face were four spiraling turrets, two balconies and a chimney protruding from each side.

  To the side of the castle keep a large waterfall carved its way down the mountain. A drawbridge set in the front of the castle lowered over the deep a natural gash formed by the waterfall. When the castle had been built, Lord Faolan’s many greats grandfather had been in charge of building the path that was cleaved into the mountain. He had also enlisted miners to carve tunnels in the mountain that had not been naturally formed by the underground streams.

  Unseen by the guards through one of the hidden passageways a foul black mist crept its way past the dungeons and up to the main part of the castle.

  In the throne room a scribe sat making a written account of the tongue lashing Lady Paili was giving Damon. She was furious that he returned alone and without his mission completed. Standing in front the marble steps that led up to an ornate and oversized golden throne she gave him a treacherous look.

  Damon took another step back behind one of the smaller thrones that were flanking the throne ready to translocate to a secret passage if she decided to send him to the altar. When his sister walked up to him giving him a kiss on the cheek he knew his life was not forfeit.

  “You are fortunate brother that you have a power that is of use to me. I believe only a flogging is what you will receive. However, I do not wish to be denied a sacrifice at the altar and have found a suitable replacement.” she released him swept her hair behind her shoulder.

  Paili snapped her fingers and a concealed side panel opened. A man flanked by two guards was brought through. Damon’s relieved look suddenly turned horrified as he recognized the man being dragged in. The guards dropped him at the foot of the steps to the throne. Blood dripped onto the floor as the General struggled to rise to his feet.

  “You cannot kill the one man who will lead our army to victory. Others do not have the tactical skills and knowledge he possesses.”

  “Silence brother. I will do as I please.” She looked at the beaten and bleeding man before her.

  “General Daigh. It was your plan that has failed in killing the descendant or to bring back word of Lord Faolan.”

  She turned making a grand sweeping motion with her flowing emerald skirt. Paili stepped up to the large golden throne and sat down. She pointed a jewel encrusted scepter at General Daigh.

  “Guards! Take him to the sacrificial altar. General Daigh will graciously take the place of my brother who failed. I no longer need his services.”

  As the guards lifted the General to drag him to the altar a black mist swept in. Paili heard a familiar dark voice in her head and tried to resist as it forced its way through all of her defenses.

  “You will not kill the best General I have. From what I have seen you are surrounded by imbeciles.” The voice boomed in her head. “Paili lay my scepter down!”

  The mist swirled up to her floating inches from her face. She made a symbolic gesture with her hand and swung the scepter like a sword to dispense of it. Paili watched in terror as the mist started to surround the outstretched scepter. She drew it close to her chest and held it tight. She was not going to give up her symbol of power to something such as a mist wraith.

  “Guards! Summon a priest to get rid of this troublesome mist. Go back to your grave wraith!” Paili screeched as it swirled before her. She glanced over as Damon started to move towards her. She made a motion with her hand and he stopped in mid stride.

  “Stay where you are. Nothing can happen to you.”

  “No.” he said and stayed where he was as she gave him a sharp look.

  Paili’s eyes grew wide as she gazed at the top of the scepter. “This cannot be.”

  A dark wolf appeared in the Carnelian sphere and started emanating a ghastly orange glow along with crimson webbing that swirled and the scepter grew hot in her hands. Paili shrieked and dropped it to the marble floor and watched as it rolled onto one of the steps below. Transfixed she stared as the black mist floated to the scepter on the step and swirled over it. The mist glowed orange and crimson and the form of a man appeared bent over on steps before her. To Paili’s disbelief the man she had not seen in eighteen years appeared before her.

  Damon watched in fear for his sister and himself as Lord Faolan appeared in front of them on the steps. He looked at the scepter in Faolan’s hands that emanated a faint orange and crimson mist surrounding him. It slowly faded only leaving a faint crimson glow in Lord Faolan’s eyes as he looked up at them.

  “Imagine that dear sister. All this time you were looking for his sphere and it was in your hands the entire time.” Damon said as he looked at the scepter in Faolan’s hands.

  Lord Faolan let out an evil chuckle and looked Lady Paili in the eyes. “Release him.”

  More consumed by her own thoughts she studied his face and ignored Lord Faolan as he spoke to her. She was more fascinated about the fact that he did not look a day older than herself. She did the math and she was nineteen when he disappeared and he did not look a day past thirty five. Paili’s eyes drifted to the scepter now in Faolan’s hands. She had learned that the Carnelian stone had the power to enhance courage, vitality, and confidence. Even sometimes bestowed the gift of eloquence. Not in her wildest dreams did she imagine it was his Druids Carnelian sphere that was placed at the top of the scepter.

  “Paili!” Faolan yelled and she jerked out of her thoughts.

  “Very well. Do as Lord Faolan commands.” Paili said as she lazily waived her hand at the guards.

  The guards that were standing with gaping mouths staring at Lord Faolan immediately let the General go dropping him to the ground. F
aolan turned to Damon giving him a devilish grin. It had been a long time since he was able to install fear in Paili and from what he has seen and heard she needed to be put back into her rightful place at his side and off of his throne.

  “You have failed Damon and you know I do not accept failure.” Faolan said as he slowly stepped up to his throne.

  Damon and Paili gave him a distressed look and he was amused at the fear in their eyes.

  “Yet, Lady Paili is correct. Your power is useful and Damon will live and receive as she has said a flogging. The healers will attend to you afterward.

  Guards take him away and make certain. . . ” he paused and looked at Damon “that it is a painful flogging.”

  The guards standing at attention walked over to Damon. He stepped in front of them so yanking his arms away. Paili swept her eyes around the room as if looking for something.

  “Where is the gift I gave to you before you left on the mission?” she shifted in the throne to look at him.

  “Left it outside.” he said quickly turning so she couldn’t see the lie on his face. His hand moved unconsciously to the chain around his neck.

  “Guards, make certain that his servant is taken with him. They both are in need of a proper flogging.” The guards nodded to her and followed Damon through the hidden panel and out of the throne room.

  At the bottom of the steps General Daigh unsteadily rose and carefully walked up the steps to where Lord Faolan stood. He slowly got onto one knee and bowed his head.

  “Lord Faolan it is an honor and a pleasure to have you back.” Daigh said as he glanced quickly to where Paili sat and gave her a sharp look which she looked away from.

  “Rise General Daigh.” Faolan said and watched as General Daigh struggled to rise. Faolan grabbed his elbow and helped him. “Is the army trained and ready for the plan of attack?”

  “Yes my Lord. With your permission I would like to check in on the troops and with the scouts. It is also my wish to spread the news of your return.”

  As Daigh shifted he felt a gash reopen and blood flow down his side. It was one of many of the gashes from the earlier flogging Paili had ordered to be inflicted upon him. He should not have defied her when he disagreed with sending a certain squire to the dungeons. He tended to forget that no one disagreed with her no matter how favored that person was.

  Faolan noticed the crimson spot on the general’s side. “General Daigh, you may take your leave.” Faolan put his hand on the general’s shoulder. “See the healers first the troops should see you in good form.”

  “Yes my Lord.” General Daigh said as he made a slight bow to Faolan. He straightened the best he could and glared at Paili as he strode by and into a passageway behind the throne.

  Faolan’s eyes scanned the throne room and settled on a man sitting in the corner with a quill and parchment. The feather was quickly moving as he recorded the events of the night.

  “Scribe!”

  The man scrambled onto the floor before Lord Faolan. “Yes my Lord.”

  “Find a guard and have him send a man to release Firnir from the dungeons. The healers are to attend to him. I wish to speak with my squire in my chambers after I dine.”

  “Yes my Lord.” The scribe said as he jumped up and scurried out.

  Faolan watched him leave and turned his attention back to Paili. He crossed his arms and looked at her through narrowed eyes. She was still sitting on his throne.

  “You have been busy. I took the liberty of inspecting the castle and its activities before I made my presence known.” He gave her a sharp look that she did not look away from.

  “You disassembled my whole counsel and replaced it. You also sent my most loyal squire to the dungeons.” Faolan said as he looked at the strength and confidence in her face.

  Paili angled her chin and looked down her nose at him. She reached up and twirled the long bloodstone ruby necklace and swept her long black hair behind her shoulder.

  “It was for the good of the land of Laois. None were interested in finding you or following through with your plans. Your squire may have been loyal to you. He was not to me.” she said and shifted uncomfortably as she finally thought about how she was sitting on his rightful throne as he stepped up and stood before her.

  “All your counsel cared about was amassing their personal wealth and keeping their own skins safe. As for Firnir, he did not agree with the disassembling of the complete counsel and believed that some should have remained. No one disagrees with me as many have discovered.”

  Faolan looked at her impressed thinking that he left his land in good hands. Although, he did trust Firnir’s judgment it was too late to question her decisions. Paili gracefully stood up from his throne looking him in the eye.

  “Not to mention their spies were not able gain the information necessary to find a way through the portal. Damon and the other assassin had to follow the Danann man through.”

  He reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind her shoulder and ran his hand down her arm. “Is the new counsel loyal and committed to the war?”

  “They will either follow us or go to the altar.”

  Lord Faolan studied her from head to toe. Her raven black hair was longer and had grown into her sharp features. He noticed she also had more womanly curves and knew she could used those curves to her advantage. Her steel gray eyes met his.

  “I would like to know how my plans have progressed. The report better be good.” he said with a razor edge to his voice.

  She took his hand guiding Lord Faolan to his throne. She moved her skirt to the side and gracefully sat down in the smaller ornate chairs beside him.

  “The Danann are at war with the Milesian. Just as you had planned Liam O’Cuinn believes that Lord Blaine MacCionaoith had his father murdered. Liam also believes that he is the one who was responsible for the raids on his land.”

  She gave him a devious look “There is something else that worked in our favor.”

  He leaned back in his throne and stroked his beard. ”And what would that be?”

  “It appears that Blaine MacCionaoith is deathly ill. Not of our doing and has been for many years. Many of the Danann immediately believed that O’Cuinn and the Milesian were responsible.”

  He grabbed her hand that was resting on the thrones arm and kissed it. “That is most pleasantly appealing.”

  “I did not even have to lift a finger.” Paili said as she touched the tip of her finger to his lips and he gave her a devilishly evil grin that for some reason she just could never resist. As she pulled her hand away she moved each of her fingers so that each would lightly touch his lips as she smiled at him.

  “General Ruark tried to dispel the rumors that O’Cuinn had MacCionaoith poisoned. That rumor is still in the back of everyone’s minds on the Danann side.”

  Faolan let out a wicked chuckle. “This is going even better than I have planned. What of the Seer? I see she is still in your quarters and allowed to roam about the castle.”

  “She has become quite an asset and has never been a disappointment. You will be quite pleased to have Kiara on our side.” she could not hide the fact that her eyes softened when she talked about the Seer.

  “You have gone soft on her Paili.” He said and noticed her eyes immediately harden again. “I see Cadmon is still at her side.”

  “He has been nothing but loyal to our cause. Cadmon and I took over her defensive training since the Danann have tried to rescue her a few times.”

  “Does she still have visions?” he asked.

  “Her latest was of your return. I was not prepared for you to appear as a mist wraith.” she looked at him amused and a bit annoyed.

  “And yet you still surround her with guards.”

  “It is for her protection.” She moved her hand so it slid on top of his. “And for mine. She has become a formidable ally but if she decided to turn against me, I may not need it, I want protection.”

  “If the Seer is anything like you she is just as b
rilliant and her sword hand truly deadly.” Faolan had a look of approval on his face that pleased Paili and she gave him a sly smile and looked into his dark eyes.

  “I never lost faith that you would return to me.”

  “It has been too long. I knew there was a reason why I picked you to rule by my side.”

  He stood up and roughly pulled her off of her seat and pulled her to him and kissed her. Faolan looked into her eyes that turned from steel to a smoky gray.

  “You are as beautiful and dark as ever.” Faolan said as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her through what appeared to be a wall into their chambers.

  Chapter 6

  After Kedryn and Aodhan had left the cave Lara grabbed her frame pack hoping that she hadn’t thrown out the newspaper and breathed out a sigh of relief when she found it. She really didn’t want to step out of the cave to find some other sort of kindling. Especially not knowing what was out there and let out a short laugh at the thought of a leprechaun jumping out at her. Walking over to the fire pit she looked at Eion and thought it was strange that he was reciting a Celtic language that she recognized.

  Sitting down cross legged felt a paper crinkle in her back pocket. Lara shifted and pulled out an envelope realizing she had completely forgotten she stuffed it there. Shrugging she ran her fingernail under the flap and pulled out the piece of paper.

  Dear Ms. O’Broin,

  We of the Smithsonian respectfully invite you to attend a banquet in your honor.

  The Smithsonian would like to recognize all of your hard work and dedication . . .

  Lara quit reading and looked at the date. “Guess I won’t be attending that one. Being dead and all.”

  She wadded up the envelope and paper along with the newspaper stuffing it in-between and under the wood. Lara flicked a match and the fire sprung to life. As she looked around the cave there was nothing really special about it, no cave drawings or markings of any other kind. Just a plain old cave except for the portal.