Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series)

by Isabelle Stewart

  Eion started to say good night to Lara but noticed as he was ready to say it she was already fast asleep. He cast a simple spell at the front of the cave blocking the entrance. Now only Kedryn and Aodhan could find it and walk through. Anyone else that would look at it would see a wall of stone. Eion closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.

  Chapter 7

  As Lara slept Kedryn and Aodhan were scouting in the surrounding woods. Aodhan stood up after examining tracks and felt a jolt.

  “We will not have to worry about Niall being anywhere close. He just left. You can go back to camp and get some rest.” Aodhan said.

  “How do you know? What about the other?” Kedryn said as he examined the trees and brush surrounding them.

  “I can feel it. I have seen no sign of Damon being close. The tracks we found were not that fresh. Go on and head back.”

  “I’m not tired yet. I would like to learn some more about tracking and scouting. Besides I know you need a fresh set of eyes. It’s been a long day and night.” Kedryn said as he gave Aodhan a hopeful look.

  “I hope your mother can get some rest. She is most likely wondering if you are safe.”

  Aodhan switched the direction that they were walking and every once in a while checked the ground and a broken branch here and there. Kedryn followed him listening to Aodhan’s explanations. Amazingly enough he was keeping up.

  After a while of wandering around Kedryn started thinking about what Aodhan had said earlier. He pushed back a limb of a tree in front of him and watched as it snapped back behind him.

  “I’m sure mom will be fine. She hasn’t slept well all weekend being excited about giving a lecture and starting the dig. I guess she will not be able to finish that one and it will probably be passed onto her assistant.” He squatted next to Aodhan. “Anyway, she’s probably out cold right now. What’s that?”

  “You tell me.” Aodhan said as he glanced at him.

  Kedryn studied the half print of a boot and stood up looking to the West. “It was the Firbolg.”

  Aodhan looked proudly at him. “Very good. You learn quickly.”

  “Why hasn’t he translocated yet?” Kedryn asked.

  “I have no idea. He may have overexerted himself somehow and does not have the energy. This does not make sense. See how the tracks move back and forth here? It was the same back behind where we had just come from.” Aodhan said and stood. He followed the trail to make sure it didn’t veer back around and jumped onto a small flat rock scanning the area.

  “Tell me again. What was it exactly that your mother does?” Aodhan jumped off of the rock and began walking again.

  Kedryn almost stopped in his tracks but he was following Aodhan and didn’t want to fall behind. He decided that later, he would sneak a peek at his mom and Aodhan. It couldn’t hurt any.

  “Why so interested?” he asked with a sound of amusement in his voice.

  Thrown off by the question Aodhan turned sharply and looked at Kedryn.

  “For one I will be training her tomorrow. I would like to know how she thinks. I would like to have a plan of what to do.”

  Aodhan felt the jolt of Damon translocate. “Damon is gone.”

  “Does it hurt to feel them?”

  “Just a quick shock. Nothing more. Back to your mother’s training. I spent the warm season with Carrick my cousin Shanna’s husband. He had different ways to train certain soldiers so that all would understand exactly what he wanted.”

  Kedryn leaned against a tree trunk and crossed his arms in front of him. He studied Aodhan and wondered who would be training who. Especially if his mom remembered her training.

  Aodhan raised an eyebrow as he studied Kedryn and smiled thinking like mother like son. He looked at the moon and gestured to Kedryn to start moving and stepped to a path wide enough for the both of them.

  Kedryn caught up and walked beside him. “Has there always been fighting here?”

  “There are always little skirmishes with mainly the Firbolg. It was not always like that. Years ago, troops were sent to different places to keep their skills up. There were seven throughout the three lands. Only three that everyone wanted to be accepted into.”

  “Who’s camps would those be?” Kedryn asked.

  Kedryn stood still as he noticed a shadow move behind Aodhan. A wolf slinked by and he relaxed as it looked at him and moved on. Aodhan turned and pulled his dagger out of its sheath.

  “Good. You are aware of your surroundings.”

  Kedryn grinned at him and said sarcastically “Well, I do my best.”

  Aodhan laughed and tensed as he saw the shadow of a form crouching behind Kedryn. He waited for the timing to be right as he whispered. “Hold still.”

  Kedryn saw out of the corner of his eye something launch at him. It took all of his willpower to stand still. He felt Aodhan’s knife fly by his ear as he was knocked down by a huge ball of fur. He kicked at it and rolled over in a position ready to fight. Kedryn looked at the motionless bundle of fur on the ground.

  “Nice throw.” Kedryn said as he rolled the wolf over with his boot.

  Aodhan walked over and retrieved the knife wiping it off on the fur. He looked at Kedryn and did a mock bow.

  “I do my best. Where was I?” Aodhan said as he scanned the area.

  “The camps.” Kedryn said as he tried to hide his shaking hands.

  “Right. I want to go back and check out the trackers trail. Niall has a different way to cover his tracks and I believe it would be a good learning experience for you.”

  “What about other wolves? Won’t the rest of its pack attack?” Kedryn asked glancing around.

  “Once the wolves get a whiff of the dead one and our scent they will stay clear.” Aodhan said as he scanned the area and whispered. “I hope.”

  Aodhan led Kedryn away from the area keeping an eye out just in case. He searched the surrounding area and when satisfied no other wolfs were around continued on with their conversation.

  “Each of the three camps was led by a General who was and still is brilliant when it comes to war tactics, skirmish planning, politics, and with the sword. General Carrick, who is retired now, General Ruark, the general of the Danann army and the other is General Kayne, who is the Milesian General.”

  “The Firbolg didn’t have any camps?”

  “When Shiloh was Lord of the Firbolg lands there was one exclusive to that territory and General Carrick was in charge. Once a soldier was accepted to a camp he stayed there until his training was completed. Lord Faolan rose to power after his father Shiloh died and Carrick did not agree with his methods. He defected to our side when he met my cousin and shortly after retired. As for the Firbolg, General Daigh took over. He is a favorite of Lord Faolan’s and is just as sadistic and demented.”

  “I see.” Kedryn said.

  Aodhan led Kedryn north and came across the trackers trail. “This is hidden very well.”

  Kedryn looked at the ground and realized that Niall and the other Danann must be using the roots of the trees to step on to hide the tracks.

  “That is a good way to hide his trail.” Kedryn said.

  “He is one of the best and around your age. Niall would give Scanlon a good challenge.” Aodhan started to follow the trail jumping as he went.

  “Are there any other creatures we need to worry about?” Kedryn asked as he glanced around their surroundings and followed Aodhan’s lead as he jumped from one tree root to the next. Kedryn realized that Aodhan was showing him what Niall had done to cover his tracks. Aodhan stepped off a tree root and onto the ground. He looked around and felt that he was at the spot where Niall translocated.

  “Only Pooka. The creatures stay to the mountain side closer to the Firbolg. It was never that way before and is believed that Lord Faolan charmed them to do his bidding as servants and worse.”

  “Pooka. Doesn’t sound to harmful.” Kedryn chuckled.

  “Do not let the name fool you. The Pooka are creatures that change in
to many terrifying forms. From a large black horse with yellow eyes to a black goat with curling fiery horns. It is much like a shape shifter of animals and creatures. If you are familiar with that term.”

  Kedryn shivered at the mention of a shape shifter. He thought of his favorite TV show and of shape shifter’s on it. He cringed at the thought of something like that being real.

  “Shape shifter. I know the term. Can the Pooka imitate a human form to look like someone else?”

  “No. Thank the Gods it does not have that ability. Tell me about your mother and how she thinks. We have kind of skipped over that.”

  “I really don’t know what to tell you. I have never seen her fight. All I know is she’s really smart and creative. Mom teaches art classes, gives lectures and heads major archaeological digs. The digs are supported by many different museums and she also sets up charity functions. Jeeze, I sound like her walking advertisement.” Kedryn let out a little laugh at that.

  Aodhan looked at Kedryn puzzled. “Archeee ogical digs. Museums?”

  “I sometimes forget you are not from our realm.” Kedryn thought for a moment and decided on the simplest answer he could come up with.

  “Archeology is the digging up and finding of ancient, pieces of civilizations. It’s the study of different countries, races and their history. Museums are buildings where some pieces are held for people to see. Except for the larger things like temples, large statues and pyramids that are found.”

  “I believe I understand. Here we only have scrolls and books that tell our history. There are ruins around that have not yet been fully explored.” Aodhan said as he pointed down a deer path. “I believe it is time to head back now. Tell me some more.”

  “She is . . . was doing her dream job. It seems like she’s been going to school forever. Mom has been a very popular freelance archaeologist for years and has a knack for being able to find things. It’s like she’s drawn to ancient artifacts.”

  Kedryn looked up and saw the faint glow of the cave through the trees.

  He unconsciously stooped over and picked up something glinting in the moonlight. Without even thinking about it he stuck it in his pocket. Kedryn grabbed out his flat worry stone and started to roll it between his fingers.

  “I think mom has been doing it for at least ten years. Everything in the house was original. Hopefully not all of it is ruined. I know she had some pieces in the locked rooms of the carriage house.”

  He flashed back to seeing her vase and an Egyptian bust smash against the wall. He knew she saw the vase but had looked away before she saw the bust. That would have really pissed her off.

  “Honestly it is hard. I’m trying to think of other things than family and friends. I miss them all so much but there are bigger things going on here. Do you think we could ever get back?”

  “It is a possibility that you could go back. When the Harvest moon is full again.” Aodhan said.

  “Not anytime soon.” Kedryn said as he flipped up his worry stone and put it back in his pocket

  “Eion, my father, and I know how to open the portal and both of them know how to close it. I do not believe Faolan or his men ever figured it out. That is why Faolan had to follow Eion through. That the Firbolg assassins and Liam’s trackers had to follow me through it seems.” Aodhan felt a surge of emotions and realized that he would hate to see them go. Even after knowing them for such a short period of time.

  Kedryn felt his muscles stiffen as Aodhan led him up the winding trail to the cave. “What is going to happen? Is my mom going to become some sort of a warrior princess? I guess I could picture it. You should see the look she gives me when she disapproves of something I’ve done. I know when I’m in trouble that’s for sure. For a mom, she’s pretty cool.”

  “What about your father? What is he like?” Aodhan turned as he noticed Kedryn suddenly stand still. He realized he shouldn’t have asked the question. Kedryn said through clenched teeth. “He’s not around. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  Aodhan nodded to him, turned and started walking again. It sounded to him like Kedryn’s father needed a good kick in the arse and then some.

  After scanning the area Aodhan decided to take the direct route to the cave instead of the windy trail. Even if it was a bit rougher going he was tired and wanted to get there sooner than later to get some sleep. He felt dead tired and hadn’t really slept soundly since he stepped through into Lara’s realm. After a couple of minutes of silence Kedryn spoke up again.

  “I have an awesome family and my grandpa and my two uncles are pretty cool role models. I’ll really miss hanging out with them and watching the games.” He smiled to himself and whispered Wilson and grinned to himself at the inside joke.

  “What about your aunt?”

  “Especially Aunt Teagan and Grandma mom was closest to them. I think the not knowing is what will be hard for all of them. Kind of like you and your dad I hope nothing bad happened.”

  “I hope the same.”

  As they reached the mouth of the cave Aodhan showed Kedryn where the wood was stacked outside and both grabbed an armful. Just as Lara said there was a nice and shiny fire in the pit and as Kedryn had said she was fast asleep. Eion looked up as they walked in and put his finger to his lips.

  “It is done. Get some sleep both of you.” Eion said.

  “We don’t have to whisper. Right now mom would sleep through an explosion.” Kedryn said as he set the wood in his arms down. He walked over to the fire and grabbed his frame pack and pulled out his blanket and pillow stretching out on the ground by the fire.

  Aodhan lay down and looked to Eion. “Wake me in a couple of hours to keep watch. You should not have to do it all yourself tonight.”

  “We all need some rest and I put a charm on the front of the cave. It is a Druids cave after all. As long as I am in it we are safe and hidden for the night at least. Get some rest you deserve it.”

  Chapter 8

  Lara woke stiff, groggy and most of all very hungry. She stretched and thought to herself that she better get up and make sure the workers are up. It all started coming back and she stared up at the cave ceiling realizing this was not a dig. The blood, running and where she was came crashing down on her.

  As her eyes started to adjust to the light she rubbed her face and removed the strands of hair sticking to it. Lara rolled over to her side and turned right into Aodhan with their faces inches apart. He had a smug smile on his face not even trying to look innocent. She looked at him for a second pushed off his chest and sat up.

  “You have the whole cave to sleep in.” she said as she swung her arm wide in a circle.

  He changed his look from smug to absolute innocence. “None of those places are as warm.” he said and gave her a lop sided grin.

  “Ugh, men!” Lara said as she reached over to shake Kedryn awake. “Time to get up. I’ll get the pack and pull out some breakfast.”

  Kedryn shook off her hand irritated that she woke him up so early. He pulled the blanket over his head and she heard a muffled. “Too early.” He sat up knowing that if he didn’t get up when she asked his mom would pull the blanket off of him and wake him up anyway.

  Lara reached over and pulled her frame pack close shoving her blanket and pillow inside. “I looked last night and we have plenty left over since we didn’t use much at the dig.”

  Kedryn rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stood up. He walked over to the pile of wood and picked up an armful. “Since they provided all of that lovely bland flavorless food. You should have offered up your spices.”

  “And offend the cook? I don’t think so. You might have ended up with spit in your food. She was like the lunch Nazis you have at your school.”

  Kedryn laughed and set the logs by the fire. Lara looked around for Eion and saw him sitting at the edge of the cave.

  “Didn’t you get any rest?” she asked as she pulled most of her hair up into a couple of hair pins. Ugh, why did I get layers? Oh yes, my sis said it’s the ne
w sexy.

  Eion stood up and walked over taking a seat by Aodhan amused with her hair struggles. “I believe I have had enough rest over the past few years. Tonight we will split the shifts in threes. Kedryn can stay up with Aodhan and he can show him what to look for. It is much different than scouting the ground.”

  Lara pulled out some bars and dried fruit along with the coffee kettle and rack. “Can you set up the tri-pod and start up the coffee?”

  “Sure. Use the good stuff?” Kedryn asked

  Lara thought about it for a second. “Why not.”

  As she was looking in the pack she noticed Kedryn’s blanket and travel pillow on the ground by Aodhan’s feet as he stood up.

  “Hey, could you throw me the blanket and pillow by you so I can pack it up?”

  “Anything you wish my Lady Battle Raven.” He said as he made a mock bow and balled them up and tossed them to her.

  Annoyed Lara gave him a sharp look and grabbed the blanket and pillow and stuffed them in the gear pack. Aodhan got a devious look on his face and leaned over to Kedryn. He whispered just loud enough for Lara to hear.

  “Was that the look?”

  “Yep.” Kedryn said grinning at his mother.

  Lara rolled her eyes and watched as Kedryn picked up everything she had taken out to get the coffee started and set it up over the fire. One more time she thanked God that she hadn’t gone back out to bring in the frame packs from the jeep. Luck of the Irish she grinned to herself. Then frowned thinking about the past and what lie ahead.

  Eion studied both Aodhan and Lara and shook his head. Lara’s shift in mood made him wonder if it was Aodhan that was doing it or this whole situation. “This should be interesting.” Eion said under his breath and said out loud. “After we break camp and get going, I think that following alongside the Idad Forest road and stopping in the afternoon is the best plan. I would like to avoid the towns and estates on the way. I don’t want Lara or Kedryn’s presence known until we hit the Duir plain or Tralee at least.”