“I will find a good spot to train and camp. An area close to water would be good too.” Aodhan said.
“When you find the stream I think Kedryn and I will try a spot of fishing. After I will se to Kedryn’s training.”
Eion looked at the coffee pot and took a good whiff. “That smells delicious. Like a morning drink we have here except a bit different.”
Lara inhaled the sweet Hazelnut coffee fumes and started to feel herself wake up a little bit more.
Aodhan sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders and playfully squeezed. “Yes very good.”
“It is hazelnut flavored coffee. Enjoy it while it lasts boys. I like to bring some of civilization while I’m on digs. I only have one more can of the good stuff left.”
She made a show of removing Aodhan’s arm from around her and took out some plastic cups. She poured each of them a cup of coffee and handed out some breakfast. Aodhan reached over her and looked into the pack that was sitting in front of her.
“You do not happen to have anything else fun in that pack?” he asked.
“I also have some flavored hot chocolate that I think I will save for a special occasion. Just because I have to rough it doesn’t mean I have to leave some of my favorites behind.”
“Chocolate that is hot I do know about. Anything else?” Eion asked.
“Of course, I’m full of surprises.” she said as she tried to look into her pack past Aodhan’s arm. He was leaning over her rummage through it.
“Don’t you have any respect for others personal space?”
Lara shouldered Aodhan away pulling his arm out of her pack. She pulled out her cell phone. It was burnt black and looked like the battery had blown out the back.
“What is that?” Aodhan asked taking it from her.
“My cell phone. Looks like no reception here the whole phone is blown.” she heard Eion curse and glanced his way.
“That must have been the smell of smoke and pop that I heard going through the portal.” he said
“My phone was so deep in the pack the sound it must have been muffled.” she said.
“I’ll tell you a story about that sometime. There is not anything else in there of your realm technology wise anyway?” Eion asked.
“My laptop is at home. There is just the usual camping gear, blankets, matches, and flashlight. Look at this it blew too. Check out the batteries.”
“Apologies. It was my mistake. I should have known better. What more is in there?” Aodhan asked as he leaned over to look in again.
“I also have some pans, plastic plates, and some other things. The food should last us until we get to where we are going. That is if we ration it right. You said four days right?”
Aodhan looked at her to answer her question and he noticed that some of her hair had fallen out. He reached over and let his fingers linger on her hair then realized what he was doing. He pushed the strands of hair behind her ear quickly pulling his hand back.
Eion noticed and looked at them amused. This will be really interesting he thought to himself and cleared his throat.
“We do not have to worry about food. There are plenty of springs and animals around here. I can teach Kedryn how to hunt on the way. If you have enough in there we will not have to and it would save on time.”
Lara decided to change the subject. Hunting wasn’t exactly her favorite thing to talk about.
“I’ve been curious. How is it possible that there are rumors here about the sisters turning into banshees in your realm?”
Eion took a sip of coffee. “After her sisters were turned Badb had to figure out how to configure closing the portal herself. It seems while it was still open a couple of Danann snuck back through to rejoin the small group that stayed behind.”
“The myth in my realm is that all of the Danann left with the sisters was not true?” Lara asked.
“May I give a little history Eion?” Aodhan asked and Eion gestured for him to go ahead.
“After the war a counsel was formed of the three lands. A treaty was agreed upon with the Danann and split the provinces in order to maintain peace. There weren’t enough Danann left for them to cause trouble so it worked out well. The Milesian king and queen overlooked the Lords of the Danann and Firbolg alike.”
“If there was a king how did the Milesian ended up with only a Lord?” Kedryn asked.
“I was just getting to that. As time went on the Danann named a true Lord of their race. The king allowed the Lord to rule over the Danann with the exception that he would answer to the king if need be. Eventually the king died with no heir to the Milesian throne. The blood line had ended and the Milesian decided that it would be better to follow the Danann example and elected a Lord. The counsel grew in power, elected by the people with Danann, Milesian and even Firbolg council members. Until Faolan took over.”
“What of the Firbolg? Where do they come from?” Kedryn asked.
“The Firbolg is a race that came from across the sea and landed on the Danann side. A battle was fought as their plan was to conquer the Danann and move from there to the Milesian. When they failed the Firbolg burned their remaining ships and were banished to the other side of the mountain where they remain to this day.” Eion said.
Aodhan reached over, refilled his cup and took a sip scalding his tongue and cringed. Lara noticed and laughed as he gave her a non-convincing glare.
“That was brilliant. No one here knew anything about what happened after Badb closed the portal. For instance that she had descendants until Kiara started having visions. At that time we did not know that you and Kedryn were part Milesian also. It was assumed she had conceived you after she was on the other side.”
Eion set his cup down. “When I knew Kiara she was already a powerful Seer. Is she still a captive of Faolan?”
“We believe so. Father did send a couple of trackers and scouts to rescue her however none have returned.”
“It is my hope Lady Paili still saw fit for her to stay in the quarters she was in after Lord Faolan had followed me through. If she is smart she will keep Kiara as an asset and train her. This is a very frightening thought.”
When breakfast was finished Lara wiped the cups clean and Kedryn helped her pack up the rest of the gear. Lara shook out the last coffee cup.
“You said we are stopping by a stream right?” Lara asked.
“With any luck. Why do you ask?” Eion asked.
“Someone has to do the dishes around here.”
“A woman after my own heart.” Aodhan said as he slightly turned put his hand over his heart and gave her a mocking grin while walking backwards out of the cave.
As Lara and Kedryn shrugged on their packs she turned to Kedryn and handed him her dagger. He tried to hand it back to her since he’d seen it before.
“Push the spot under the hilt.”
Kedryn pushed where Lara showed him and the blades slid apart. He looked at the two separated blades and gave her a look. “When do I get a sword?”
“When you are older.” She said and slid the blades back together.
They stopped after a few steps out and took in the scene before them. The only part of the realm that Lara had seen was the outside lit by the bright orange Harvest moon. Now a shining sun rose sending colors of orange, yellow and purple streaking across the sky.
Lara looked out over the land and she saw that the cave was set deep into the side of a hill surrounded by bushes and trees to the front and side. No correct that not a hill. She turned and looked up at the snow covered peaks of a mountain range glinting in the sunlight. Lara turned to get a better view and it extended out on both sides of the cave as far as the eye could see. Cascades of small waterfalls were quietly streaming down the mountain.
Kedryn came up to her side and crossed his arms. “Why are there always mountains?”
“What do you mean?” Lara asked as she closed her eyes feeling the sun shine on her face and light breeze.
“Every movie we’
ve seen that has some sort of fantasy world. Mountains.” Kedryn gestured to the surrounding landscape.
Lara opened her eyes are looked at him. “Have you ever expected to be in one for real?”
Aodhan walked up a small path to them. “Time to go.”
They were led single file down a small winding game trail. Further down the mountain the pine trees thinned out and the trail widened turning onto a sloped hill. The hill led down to rocky foothills with a mixture of different sizes and colors of granite and limestone boulders. Aodhan stopped for a second, hopped onto several different sized rocks that led to a large boulder. He looked around and gave the signal for everyone to move on.
The rocky land turned into grassy slopes that merged into a strip of thick meadow with a colorful mixture of wildflowers and berry bushes. Beyond the meadow lie a colorful forest with green, yellow orange and even a touch of purple and pink in the trees.
While they were walking through the tall grass Lara turned and looked to make sure Kedryn was still behind her. The grass was so thick it muffled the sound of their footsteps. Kedryn stepped up beside her and pointed over to something to their side.
A fawn jumped through the grass heading to the trees line where a doe patiently waited. As Lara watched the fawn she ran into Eion as he stood there waiting for them to catch up.
“Sorry.” She said and looked back at the tree line where the fawn and doe were nowhere to be seen.
“You can enjoy the scenery later. Keep up please.” Eion said.
Lara looked to Aodhan who was waiting by the tree line. The path he stood by looked to be large enough for her jeep.
“Where does this lead?” Kedryn asked as he stepped onto the rutted dirt road.
“To the Duir Plain. Up the road it forks off to Quenith. There are also some winding lanes that lead either to farms, estates or tiny villages. The area is sparsely settled until you reach the coast although we may run into a few hovels on the Idad road.”
Eion looked from Lara to Kedryn. “If either of you need a break speak up. It is a long journey to the Duir Plain.”
“I’m good.” Kedryn said as he looked at his mother.
“Lead the way.” Lara said as she shrugged her pack into a more comfortable position.
Aodhan led them to a small overrun trail off to the side through dense underbrush and berry bushes. After walking most of the morning Kedryn began shrugging at his pack. Eion offered to take Kedryn’s pack and seeing that Aodhan held out his hand for Lara’s. She shrugged her pack off and gave it to him.
“Once again. You have shown me that Chivalry isn’t dead.” she said and watched as Aodhan grinned and put the pack.
“Why? Did it die in your realm? I am always prepared to help a damsel in distress. Do you need to rest for a bit? This is heavier than I thought.”
“I’m good. Would you like to give it back?” Lara asked.
He gave her an exasperated look. Lara’s eyes were drawn away from him when she glanced over as Kedryn struggled to pull his pant leg out of a thorn riddled bush.
“Why are we going this way again?” Kedryn asked as he carefully avoided another bush. He decided to walk directly behind Aodhan so he would avoid any further problems.
“This way is a little rougher going but we did not wish to risk it by taking the road. We would be too much in the open. Like I said before I do not want it known of Lara’s or your whereabouts.” Eion said.
“If Faolan did make it back through the portal he might send others after us. I will spot anyone who is following us.” Aodhan confidently said.
Lara raised her eyebrows at him. “One of the skills of a tracker?”
He gave her what he considered his girl wooing lopsided grin. “I am that good.”
Lara let out a short laugh and shook her head as she stopped next to Eion. He was examining the position of the sun.
“I believe it is about mid day. Do you want to scout ahead and find a place for us to stop? We should get in some training before the sun sets.”
Aodhan glanced at the sky. “Kedryn do you want to come with?” he handed the pack back to Lara.
“You bet.” Kedryn said as he handed his pack to Eion.
Aodhan ran ahead of him with Kedryn sprinting after him. Lara watched Kedryn and hoped he didn’t hit a tree root as he was running. She put her pack on and started walking next to Eion in the general direction Kedryn and Aodhan ran off.
“What’s the story about my cell phone? Why did it blow?” Lara asked as she adjusted her pack.
“It seems that if one tries to bring what you call electronic or explosive material through the portal it does not turn out so well.”
“I’m glad I forgot my laptop. How do you know what would have happened?” she said thinking about her phone and flashlight
“When Faolan’s grandfather Murphy who was also a Druid of the light had discovered how to get through the portal. I believe I mentioned him the other night about your question about the languages.”
“I remember.”
“He ran into a bit of trouble coming back through.” Eion said.
“Why wasn’t there anything here showing how to get through?”
“He did give me a copy of his work. Unfortunately it was not complete. Apparently after he stepped through the portal he became fascinated with your realm and tried to bring something explosive through. He didn’t get to finish writing down his work and what he discovered.”
Lara steeped up on and hopped over a large tree root. “I take it that wasn’t a good thing.”
“It was not. It exploded while he stepped through. His assistant who was waiting on the other side of the portal heard the explosion. He went through the portal and found him back on the other side. The damage to Murphy had already been done when he was pulled through.”
“I take it he didn’t live?”
“He was mortally wounded and told his assistant of what had happened. He tried to bring something called gum powder through.”
“Not to correct you but that would be gun powder and most likely the gun it was in.” Lara thought about her gun and was glad she left that behind. She reached into one of her pockets and pulled something out and she handed him a piece of gum.
“What is this?” Eion asked examining the wrapper giving her a skeptical look.
“This is gum. You take the wrapper off and chew. Don’t swallow.” she said showing him and unwrapped a piece for herself.
Eion stuck it in his mouth anyway and started to chew it. “Not bad.”
“Did he bring anything else through? Or should I say, survived the blast.” she asked
“The books I mentioned among others. A few books on medicine to study and something for the mouth he called a toothbrush.” Eion said as he smiled his almost pearly whites at her.
Lara smiled back showing hers off and nearly tripped over one of her boot laces and stopped. She bent down to re-lace her boot and adjust a buckle at the top. Lara looked over her scuffed boots and thought about everything her boots have been through and survived. Her sister Teagan always gave her such a hard time when it came to the boots. Lara could hear her clearly chide her by saying You spent over three hundred for those DKNY Women's "Combat" Tall Leather Boots and you wear them on digs.
Lara smiled to herself and looked over her boots fondly. They were the most comfortable and expensive thing she had ever worn. Not to mention protected her from her feet to knees from the elements and the biting insects and animals on digs. The boots had waterproofed leather and lining, laces up to the top, complete with an inside zipper and leather and rubber soles. She loved them so much that she had another pair sitting in her closet for when the ones she had on wore out.
Lara brushed some dirt off of her pants and straightened back up. She was going to hold onto all the good memories of family and friends to keep from sinking.
“How is it that Faolan knew enough to have what you needed to open the portal?”
“Murphy’s assistant
must have left the original or a copy in his library and gave a piece of the puzzle. A scroll with ruin inscriptions to help solve the rest of the puzzle was left with his high priest. That’s the only way I can think of that Faolan ended up being able to decipher the first part and know what was needed for the rest.”
Eion started walking again and she fell in step beside him “I did not think about you having anything. It is a good thing you did not carry anything more explosive. That would have been a huge mistake on my part if you did.”
“Neither did Aodhan. It is nothing to dwell on.”
“Thank you, my Lady.” Eion said as he gave her a grin and a slight bow.
Eion heard some crashing through the bushes a good distance ahead of them. He grabbed Lara’s arm and pulled her behind a tree.
“What is it?” she whispered as she heard thudding footsteps grow louder and closer to where they were.
He concentrated and shook his head. Eion saw Aodhan and Kedryn as he stepped out in their path with crossed arms. He looked back at Lara and motioned for her to come out from behind the tree.
“It is nothing. Just a couple of boy’s playing.” he yelled out. “You two are making quite a ruckus.”
She walked out from behind the tree and saw Kedryn and Aodhan running at top speed jumping over logs, stepping over stones and not paying any attention to anything around them.
“Oh boys. They are racing.”
Kedryn skidded to a stop in front of her, almost knocking her down as he stopped in his tracks. Kedryn looked at Aodhan as he stopped by their side.
“Tie!” Kedryn said and slapped him on the back.
“You got me there kid.” Aodhan said as he held his arm out for Lara’s pack and she gave it to him.
“Come on. We found a small clearing where we can set up camp with a stream not too far off. Kedryn and I looked around a little further and there also is a clearing near it for us to train.”
“Lead the way.” Eion said eager to get in a spot of fishing.
Kedryn and Aodhan turned and headed back the way they came finding a less difficult path as Lara and Eion followed them. It winded around and led them in the same direction through sticker and gooseberry bushes. They stopped on the edge of a small grassy area surrounded by tall bushes and a few willow trees. Eion walked over to Kedryn and Aodhan.
Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series) Page 10
