“Aye lad, ah huv ye speaking me tongue in no time.” Lazarus laughed.
“Come on, my tall friend, I’m starving.” Lukar headed for the castle kitchen. “The cook always keeps something for me when I’ve had a falling out with my father. I’m sure there will be enough for two.”
“Will ye da be glunchy?” Lukar gave him a look that said, I haven’t a clue what you just said. “Bad tempered.” After years at the University, Lazarus could speak English if he slowed down and concentrated. Only Gaelic was spoken in and around his home, he didn’t get to practice speaking English very often.
“Yes,” Lukar hooted. “He will definitely be glunchy.”
They entered the kitchen where there was a flurry of activity. The head cook, Hadda, a short, plump woman, her hands on her hips, scowled at the Prince and his dirty attire. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the seven-foot tall Scot, dressed in a kilt, standing next to him.
Prince Lukar started to introduce his new friend, when Hadda stopped him in his tracks.
“Haud yer wheesht. I’m gawn ta skelp yer wee bahooky.” She shook her fist at him.
“Wee bahooky!” Lazarus roared with laughter.
“You understood everything she said, didn’t you?”
“Ah did, lad. She wants to paddle yer behind. Ah no see ye stuck.” Lazarus bowed to the cook. “She’s a bonnie lassie with a sharp tongue.” Lazarus introduced himself and explained to Hadda it was his fault the Prince was in the state he was in. Lukar didn’t understand a thing.
“Hadda, since you can communicate with him better than I can, could you please tell him I will be back as soon as I get dressed. I owe him a meal.”
“You’ll not be going off and leaving him here. Yer father wants you to join him for dinner. You can take the giant Scot with you. He’s not some peasant to eat in the scullery. Off with the two of you, he needs to clean up too.” She turned to Lazarus. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Laird MacEachthighearna.”
“The pleasure was mine.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Yer a fine lassie.” Hadda blushed and scurried off to the kitchen.
Luke stood there with his mouth open.
“What is it, lad?’
“Oh, you just happened to remember how to speak perfect English when there’s a bonnie lassie aboot. He tried to imitate the Scott. Come with me, I expect there will be a place set for you at our table.” Lazarus chuckled and followed the Prince into the royal castle.
“This is a palace lad, not a castle. Ah live in a castle. It’s cold and drafty. This is luxury.” Lazarus looked around as they walked. Beautiful tapestries hung on the walls, as well as portraits of prior Kings and Queens. “Are these your ancestors, lad?”
“Afraid so. My father wants me to start taking on more of the duties, so I’ll be prepared to become the King. I told him I don’t want it. My younger brother can take over.”
“It’s the duty of the oldest son to be the next King, is it not? You are next in line.”
Lukar nodded. “It is, but my father also wants me to marry. Tell me Lazarus, does your kind have a destined mate? The one true mate?”
“Aye, laddie. The lass he wants you to wed isn’t your mate. Is she a shifter?”
“No, she is not, and I won’t be forced into a marriage to please my father and no one else.”
“What of the lass?”
“She claimed we could learn to love each other. I refuse to do it. I will leave here forever if I must. I’ll go to America. My brother will make a fine King, he’s smarter than I am, and he doesn’t fight with our father.”
“America. It is next on me list to visit. Ah must return to me home in Scotland. Ah been gawn awhile.”
“When do you plan to go back?”
“Ah be lea the morn’s morn.” He looked at Luke. “Sorry, on the morrow. At the cockcrow.”
“At dawn. I’ll make sure Hadda has something prepared for you before you leave.”
“Ach nay, it’s noo necessary. If ye ever travel ta Scotland, ye welcome at me kessel. Just get ye to Durness, near Cape Wrath, an ask for Kessel Thighearn.” Luke was staring at him. “Sorry, Castle Thighearn. Anyone will point ye in the right direction.” Lazarus finished washing up.
“I’ll do that. Castle Thighearn near Cape Wrath.”
“Aye, it’s on the crag,” talking made Lazarus tired. “On the cliffs, ye cannae miss it.” Just then, a servant knocked on the door to Lukar’s chambers.
“What is it?” Lukar asked.
“Sorry, your highness,” the servant bowed. “Dinner is about to be served. The King wants to know if you will attend?”
“Yes, tell him I’ll be there and bringing a guest, Laird MacEachthighearna will be joining us for dinner.”
“Very good, your highness.” He looked at Lazarus, bowed again and left.
Lazarus laughed. “Well done, lad. Ye think he’ll be able to pronounce it to ye da?”
“Not a chance.” He replied with a chuckle. “Come on, we can’t keep my father waiting.”
“Aye lad.” They talked as they continued toward the dining room. “Ah have a favor to ask. You cannae tell what I am. It’s bad enough the hunters saw me, but ah think the locals will think them daft.” Lazarus stopped in the hall and waited for a reply. “Three young lives might depend on it.”
“Might?”
“Aye. When my family was killed by marauders, five hundred years ago, ah ner found the bodies of my wee bairns. They could still be alive, and no one must know that I live.”
“Wait, what! Lazarus, how old are you?” He whispered, he didn’t want any prying ears to hear them talking. Being a shifter was a secret to most people.
“Near seven hundred.” He whispered back. “Don’t worry, lad. I can tell if anyone is near enough to hear. There is a servant on the other side of the wall.” He pointed to the wall beside them. “He is trying to hide around the next corner without us knowing, so he might hear us.”
“The wall is three feet of solid stone. You can see through it?”
“Aye, not so much see, but feel. Ye’ll learn ah have talents that must never be revealed, lad.”
Lukar stopped when he came to the end of the corridor. Instead of turning right toward the dining room, he turned left and found one of his father’s counselors hiding around the corner.
“I’m sorry, Prince Lukar. I heard you coming down the hall and I didn’t want to run into you as I came around the corner. If you’ll excuse me, your father is waiting for me.” The man hurried off toward the dining room.
“I am so tired of my father constantly spying on me. I may come to visit you sooner than you think.”
Lazarus laughed. “Ye more than welcome, lad. Anytime. Should you ever come and I’m away, ask for Mr. MacGregor. He’ll know to let you in.”
“Thank you.” They entered the dining room and the counselor announced them.
Chapter 3
Dinner at the palace was a major event. Laird MacEachthighearna was presented like a dignitary, announced as he came into the room. Prince Lukar introduced him to his father. The King was polite and welcomed Lazarus as a guest in his home. Lukar introduced him to his mother, Queen Nellianna, and then his younger brother Leland and sister Julianna.
There were a few other guests, local politicians and their wives. Everyone was extremely interested in the tall Scot in the kilt. Luckily, they were unaware his attire was not formal wear. Lazarus spoke very carefully when he was asked a question.
Being the guest of the future King, Lazarus was seated next to Lukar’s mother, the Queen, and across the table from Lukar.
“Have you known my son for a long time, Lord MacEachth….” She struggled with his name.
“Please, MacEachen will do. I had to shorten the Gaelic version of the family name while I attended the University of Inverness.” He took a drink of water.
She started again. “Lord MacEachen, have you known my son long?”
“No, your Majesty, we’ve just m
et this morn.”
“Really.” She was surprised her son would bring someone home as a guest when they hardly knew each other.
“Excuse me, mother.” He knew exactly what his mother was thinking. “Lord MacEachen helped to free me from a trap I unfortunately fell into. Had he not come along when he did, I’m afraid you would have been in mourning and not enjoying this fine meal with me this evening. He saved my life. I caused him to lose a fine fish and owed him a meal.”
The comment instantly got the attention of his father, who was having a conversation with the mayor of the local town.
“What is this? Lukar, what are you saying.” He started to get huffy. “You never use good judgment when you leave here in anger. One day it will be the end of you.”
“Not here, father. We can discuss this after dinner.” Not all the dinner guests were aware of shifters.
“Lord MacEachen, you must tell me how I can repay you, if what my son says is true.”
“There is no need, your Majesty. It was a minor thing. He had a miss-step and got caught in a snare. I’m sure he could have got loose eventually.” Lazarus was quick to pick up on the tension in the room. He wasn’t about to betray his new friend. He could see the King liked to be in control of his family as well as his subjects. He looked across the table to see Lukar looking back.
Lukar gave Lazarus a slight nod. He knew he had at least one ally in the room.
The rest of the meal was polite. The Queen asked Lazarus about his home. She informed him she had visited Glasgow and didn’t like the weather. It rained every day.
“There is an old Scottish saying, “If ye can see the hills, it’s going to rain and if ye can’t, it’s raining.” That made everyone laugh and lightened the mood. The conversation flowed freely for the rest of the meal.
The Queen continued to question Lazarus about his home and family. He told her he lived alone in a cold, drafty castle in northern Scotland. He was the only remaining member of his family. He told her his parents and siblings had all died in a tragic accident and didn’t elaborate.
The meal finally came to an end. The guests left, except for Lazarus. The Queen wished everyone good night and retired to her chambers. She informed Lord MacEachen a room had been prepared for him before she left. Lukar’s younger brother and sister had vanished shortly after dinner.
“Lord MacEachen, did I hear you correctly, you are leaving for home in the morning.” The King asked.
“Aye, at the cockcrow.”
The King chuckled. “I haven’t heard anyone use that term in years, not since my grandfather. It has been a pleasure to meet you. I hope you will come and stay with us if you should return.”
“I thank you, sir. I shall take you up on that if I come this way again.” He gave him a slight bow.
“Now, if you would excuse us, I will bid you good night. I need to have a private word with my son.”
One of the servants showed Lazarus to his room. After the servant left, he decided to do some exploring, now he knew where his room was. The palace was enormous. He made his way back to the dining room and could hear Lukar and his father shouting at each other.
“You will marry the girl and be satisfied. The future king must show the people he is settled and no longer acting out like a spoiled child,” the King yelled. “You will do as you are told and that is final.”
“No father, it is not final. I will not marry the woman you have chosen for me and I refuse to be your puppet on the throne. I will leave here and never return, if that is what it is going to take to make you realize, I DON’T WANT IT.” Lukar screamed at his father and stormed out of the room.
Lazarus quickly moved away so he wouldn’t be seen and watched Lukar return to his chambers. Lazarus waited the appropriate amount of time before knocking on his door.
Lukar yanked the door open and was about to yell, thinking it was his father, “No, I won’t do…” and stopped short. “Sorry, I thought it was my father coming to yell some more.”
Lazarus laughed. “Aye lad, ye seem to be doing yer fair share. I cannae help but hear ye both. Ye go agin ye da?”
“Yes, Laz. I am going against my father. I apologize for bringing you into this. You are welcome to stay until morning, but I will leave as soon as I’m done packing. It would be more convenient if my clothes would shift with me. Why is it you can keep your clothes when you shift?”
“Dragons have been around for thousands of years. Clothes eventually evolved with us. Ye need time to cool down, lad. Fair fa’ ye ta join me for a while.”
“Come with you.”
“Aye lad, with one condition. Ye speak ta ye mum. She would worry so, not knowin where ye be off to. Yer mum is yer da’s true mate, I can tell. She wants the same for ye, she’ll understand. Don’t break her heart any more than ye must.”
“Thanks Lazarus. Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Lukar quietly went to his mother’s chambers. They talked for some time. His mother understood. She would miss him terribly, but he promised to keep in touch with her through Hadda, the head cook. He kissed his mother’s cheek and bid her farewell. He didn’t look back. He knew if he did, he would change his mind. He didn’t know it then, but he would not see his mother again for twenty-five years.
*****
When Lukar returned to his room, he found Lazarus going through his things. “What are you doing, my tall friend?”
“Ye will need to dress extra warm. It will be unbelievably cold for you during our travel. Wear several layers of clothing and it will solve the problem of packing. Anything else you want to take, put it in one bag and ye can tie it behind ye. Be sure to have gloves and something to keep ye heid warm.”
“You were so sure I wouldn’t change my mind.”
“Aye, lad. I could tell ye mind was made up. Let’s no dawdle, we ne ta leave afore the cockcrow. Ye da will have someone watching if we wait, we best go as soon as ye are ready.”
There was a soft knock on the door. Lazarus stepped aside out of sight when Lukar answered the door. It was Hadda from the kitchen.
“Hadda, what are you doing here?” He whispered and hurried her into the room and closed the door.
“The Queen told me ye were leaving, and don’t ye worry, no one else knows. I brought ye and the Laird something to take with you, just some bread and cheese.” She handed him a cloth sack. She had tears in her eyes. “You stay safe and get word to us as often as you can.”
“I will.” He hugged the old cook. Lukar had known Hadda all his life. “You had better go before my father’s spies find you here.” She gave him a hug back and a kiss on the cheek.
She turned to Lazarus. “Don’t you let anything happen to my lad.”
“I’ll do my best while we’re together.” Hadda gave him a nod and went to the door. She quietly opened the door, looked out and left, closing the door softly behind her.
Lukar had everything he needed. He put the sack Hadda had brought them in his bag for later. They left the castle the same way they came in, through the kitchen. Once outside, they headed for the trees, so Lazarus could shift and Lukar could climb aboard. With his bag secured behind him, Lukar gave the go ahead and the dragon launched them into the night air.
“If ye get too cold or tired, let me know and we can set down somewhere.”
“I will. For now, I just want to get away from here.”
They headed west. Lazarus was right about the cold. Lukar thought he would freeze to death flying high above mountains.
They finally set down shortly after the dawn. Lukar dismounted a bit more slowly than the first time. He was cold, stiff and could barely move. Lazarus quickly started a small fire for Luke to warm himself.
“I was good until it was time to get down. I feel like I’ve been trampled by a herd of horses.” He untied his bag and retrieved the sack Hadda had given them. He divided the bread and cheese between them. Hadda had even included a flask of fine wine.
“Thank ye, lad. Sorry for going so long, but
there was no good place to set down before this.” He took the food and they ate in silence. After a while, Lukar’s curiosity got the best of him.
“What happened to your family?”
“It was a long time ago, lad.” Lazarus lamented sadly.
“Were they all killed?”
Lazarus shook his head. “I can see ye won’t be satisfied till ye know.”
Chapter 4
Lukar offered Lazarus the flask of wine. He took a long drink, handed it back and wiped his mouth.
“Five hundred years ago, Scotland was fighting for home and country. Outlaws and Vikings roamed the northern territories, trying to take over. Robbery and murder was common place. Homes were burned, livestock killed and wasted, husband’s murdered and wives raped and murdered. Their children stolen.”
“They were stolen? Why.” Lukar didn’t even want to think about the answer.
“To be put in service, kept as slaves, any number of things, lad, and nothing pleasant. They cook, serve and warm their beds. If they don’t do well, they are treated worse than gutter rats. Fed scraps of foul food and thinly clothed. If the outlaws don’t kill them, the elements finish them off.”
“And your family?” Lukar asked.
“Outlaws came from the Viking isles north of Scotland. They came ashore in the night and killed farmers in their beds. My parents and our farmers got very little warning. They outnumbered us. Many were killed, including my mother and father, but we fought them off. When those of us who were left were finally able to take count, my two brothers and sister were gone. I not only let my parents get killed, I let them down and lost my bairns.”
“And there was no trace of them. You believe they are still alive.”
“Aye, lad, ah can only hope. Ah was only near two hundred when they were taken. They were younger. My sister was a wee babe. I can only hope one day I will find them and kill the one who has them.”
When they were done, Lukar went to a nearby stream and washed before settling down to rest.
“It’s been a long night, I need to rest before we can go on.” Lazarus told him. “We’ll rest here for a while and then go further until it gets dark.”
Last of His Kind Page 2
