Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) (2 page)

“Healers! I need the healers NOW!”

It was only seconds but seemed like an eternity when one of the guards finally ran in her quarters. He rushed back out when he understood what she was screaming.

Paili could feel her power start to fade and drain her completely. She would die if the healers did not arrive at her chambers soon. Outside

her door she heard running of footsteps. Her head begun to feel like lead and her vision started to fade. Through a haze she glanced over as two healers shoved their way in past the guards she released her power.

“Rainia, Aalia, please save my brother.” Paili barely whispered out as they ran over to his side.

Aalia caught Paili before she toppled over. The other healer examined Damon as the reddish orange light faded. Rainia placed her hands over the wound and closed her eyes as she concentrated. The fading glow became brighter as she spoke a few whispered words over him. She called for the guards and asked them to bring a stretcher to move him to his chambers.

Rainia scooted over to Aalia and helped her move Paili to a chair. She reached over and pulled the healers bag that was dropped by Damon. Pulling out a tiny vile Aalia poured Paili a glass of wine and mixed a draft into it.

“Please, my Lady. Drink this.” Rainia said and watched as Paili sipped from the goblet she held for her.

“Thank you. Will he live?” Paili asked as she leaned back heavily in the chair.

“He will live and will sleep for some time.” Rainia said as she moved back to Damon’s side and placed a on his forehead.

“Is there anything else I can get for you? Would you like help to your bed?” Aalia asked with a worried look on her face.

“No. Thank you. Please see to my brother.” Paili said as she leaned her head on the cushioned back of the chair and drifted off into a troubled sleep.

A loud thud was heard as the guards brought in a stretcher. Under close observation by the healers they placed Damon carefully onto it. Aalia and Rainia followed them out of the room and when Aalia made certain Damon was safe with Rainia she made her way to the throne room.

Hours passed and Lady Paili jerked out of a deep sleep. Her whole body felt numb. She relaxed her tense muscles and sunk down further into the down mattress underneath her. Pulling the satin sheets tucked in around her tighter she let out a sigh. As her head cleared she realized that someone had moved her from the chair to the bed. A fire was lit and the chill in the air from earlier had disappeared.

Hearing a creak she forced open her eyes and turned her head. Slowly Lord Faolan’s face came into focus. He was lounging in a cushioned chair facing her. Surprisingly Paili saw a look of concern on his face that he quickly hid when he saw that she was awake. He stood and walked over to her and kissed her on the forehead.

“You had a number of people worried, my lady. The healers informed me you almost drained all your life force. I am pleased to see that you are recovered.”

Lord Faolan straightened up, reached over to a side table and held out a goblet of water. He watched as she struggled to sit up to take a sip and moved to the edge of the bed. Faolan used one arm to steady her and held the goblet up helping her take a drink.

“Thank you. Where is my brother?” she asked as she took another sip from the goblet. She nodded when she was done and watched as he set it back down.

“He is in his quarters. The healer Aalia came to the throne room in quite a huff. You need to inform your healer to hold her tongue lest I take it from her. Only because she is dear to you is why she is still alive.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You were correct not to. I will have a talk with her. What of Damon?”

“It will take time for him to be completely whole again. The healers must concentrate on the soldiers. Not Damon.” Faolan said as he stroked his beard and gave her an irritated look. “It is unknown whether or not he completed his mission. I believe my scouts will find out soon enough.”

Paili’s eyes flashed and her returning rage gave her a burst of energy . She gave Lord Faolan the best slap she could manage and slumped back against her pillows. Her eyes turned a steel gray as she glared at him trying to keep them open.

“Mission? It must not have been a raid. What did you do?” Paili tried to sit up and sighed when she couldn’t.

“We will talk about it after you have regained all of your strength. All of that rage will only drain you.” Faolan pulled the covers to her chin.

Knowing he was right she shifted and sunk into the silken fluffy pillows. Paili stretched out as she looked him over. Her mind was racing with concern for her brother, anger towards Faolan, and confusion when she saw that he actually cared. Faolan hid it well but she knew what she saw.

Paili took in slow breaths to calm herself. “I do have a request with regards to the next raid.”

“Request?” Faolan brushed her hair behind her ear.

“The healers do not have the time or energy to completely tend to my brother. I have duties myself where I can not look in on him all hours.

I only ask that a woman be brought back from the next raid in order to care for him fully.” She looked at his skeptical face.

“Are you confident you can trust a woman that is captured to care for your bother?”

“No. That is why a guard will be in the room at all times watching her every move. It is also my request that Kiara keep an eye on the woman to give the guards a rest.” Paili let out a sigh trying to keep herself from falling back asleep.

“All I ask is that your new General send out an order to keep at least three women alive. I will choose one or all that are suitable. The ones that are not, you can do with them as you please.” she turned her head and her eyes fluttered shut.

“As you wish, sleep. The healers informed me that it will take time for your energy to return. Do not use your power on Damon he will heal in time.”

“Thank you.” Paili whispered and let herself fall asleep.

Faolan bent over and kissed her forehead. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled. At that moment he realized how much he needed her. He would not admit to Paili that the possibility of the loss of her gave him a tremendous scare. He would not make that same mistake again.

The morning of the Peace Negotiations had arrived. The sun shown bright and servants bustled to prepare the pavilion where the Milesian and Danann lords would discuss the treaty.

The negotiations were being held in a large pavilion in the middle of the Duir Plain. On one side facing where the Milesian army had been was the color of bright red and the other side a slight golden color representing the Danann. The two other sides were left white and were rolled up to let light in. Flags of Lord Liam and Lord Aodhan’s family crests waved in the breeze.

In the center of the pavilion sat a square wooden table with high backed black leather cushioned chairs surrounding it. Set out on the table in front of each chair was a place setting of a white porcelain plate, bowl, golden goblet and white cloth that was formed into a triangle. On each side of the pavilion were two side tables with a stool.

An ancient centerpiece representing the Danann, Milesian and Firbolg lands was set in the center of the table. Aodhan had found it in his father’s possessions when Lord Blaine MacCionaoith’s pavilion was taken down. In the hopes of peace negotiations starting before the battle Blaine had brought it with him. It was made of bronze and had a large Griffin, Dragon and Wolf representing each land. Three tall snow white candle sticks were placed into holders on each side of the symbols.

Outside of the pavilion everyone involved stood patiently. General Ruark and General Kayne each agreed that Kedryn would be placed at the entrance to question each person, even Lara, as to their intent with the peace negotiations. Kedryn felt like a body guard at an exclusive club, without the clipboard of names. When he was satisfied that no one was going to cause problems he backed away to the table in the corner. General Kayne stood at the table opposite of Kedryn keeping watch.

The men were dressed in thin leather doublets with the crest of their family embroidered on them. Gobnait had crafted a doublet for Kedryn and dress for Lara for the special occasion. Lara teased Gobnait by mentioning that she must whip their outfits out of thin air. Kedryn’s doublet was black with a red and silver embroidered Phoenix along with black leather pants.

Lara’s dress was a cream colored velvet with slits on the side that showed a dark violet silk underskirt through the slits. Braided violet ribbons were sewn on the top of her scoop neck bodice and down the long flaring sleeves. A golden raven was embroidered onto the bodice. Lara had at first objected to the cream color. Gobnait waved her protests aside and insisted. She assured Lara that the colors were proper for the peace negotiations.

Guards were placed at each entrance of the pavilion more for show than protection. Two for the Milesian side and two for the Danann side. Kedryn glanced over at the hand picked soldiers. It did not surprise him to see that General Ruark had chosen Lieutenant Kory Donnlan and Lieutenant Derrick Staffard to stand at attention on the Danann side.

Kedryn brought his attention back to the table and watched as Lord Liam rubbed his head nervously. Liam’s uneasiness around Lara was showing through. When no one but Liam was looking, Kedryn made a show of a huge yawn and rolling of his eyes. Liam belted out a quick laugh and watched as Lara looked back at Kedryn sharply. She then focused her attention to Liam whose face was composed. She could still see the laughter in his eyes which was a good sign that he was doing better.

Glancing around Lara saw that everyone was seated and she took Aodhan’s hand and squeezed. He was engrossed in a conversation with Eion who sat at his other side. Lara was happy to see that Aodhan did not notice the interaction between Liam or Kedryn. He most certainly would have taken offence.

General Ruark, Lord Aodhan, Eion, Kedryn and Lara sat representing the Danann side. Representing the Milesian side were Lord Liam, General Kayne, Dillon, Niall and Brenna. Lara looked at Brenna curiously wondering why Bevin’s handmaiden was there.

General Ruark was the first to speak. “Lord O’Cuinn, your messenger brought the revised peace plans. This is very interesting. And none like I have seen in my time. Would anyone like to give their opinion on any part?”

Everyone grew silent. Lara almost raised her hand and shook her head smiling at herself. She looked around to make sure no one else was going to speak.

“I most certainly do.” Lara said seriously and saw the worried look on Brenna’s face. Lara winked at her and watched as a slow smile spread across Brenna’s face.

“To let the serf’s or farmers, as we call them in my realm, rent the parcel of land they farm is a brilliant idea. It gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment in what they do.” Lara said as she brushed a flyaway hair out of her face. “Also, by giving them a percentage of what they farm or raise makes them self sufficient. Not having to depend on their land owners to provide food and shelter.”

Aodhan squeezed her hand. “Well said, my lady in my opinion I believe the cut is also equally fair. The nobles will rent land out with a split of sixty, thirty, ten and it will still make them wealthy. It is an excellent idea that a moderate family home, that they can rent out, should also be provided. Lord O’Cuinn I would like to be interested in your thoughts. The nobility should be encouraged to start immediately. To show all that we are serious. The additions to the treaty were brilliantly planned out.”

“The credit goes to Lady Brenna. She subtly suggested most of the changes.” Liam said as he looked Brenna’s way.

Brenna actually blushed. Aodhan looked from Liam to Brenna and let out a small Huh that only Lara heard. “I believe we should decide on this matter. Please make a show of hands of who agree to the section with regards to the nobles and serfs.” Aodhan looked around to see everyone’s hands raised.

General Ruark signaled to the servants. “Now that the matter is agreed upon. Let us eat and we will discuss more after we have had our fill.”

Aodhan’s eyes strayed to the center piece. Thoughts of his father distracted him and he started thinking about the battle. He felt a rage start to boil up in him and his control start to slip as he looked at Liam.

Lara watched Aodhan and Liam enter into a “boys will be boys” stare down. She felt her stomach growl and as if on cue the servants placed a light noon meal in front of her. They offered to fill up everyone’s goblets with either water, wine or ale. Lara looked at her plate and studied the meat and cheese stacked in a biscuit. There was

also some fruit placed to the side along with bowls filled with what looked to be stew.

Just like home, she thought, sort of. They had to make and serve their own meals back home. Lara’s mother always teased her because their diet consisted of almost always, sandwiches, fruit, frozen veggies and anything microwaveable. Minus the ale and wine of course. Take that back, minus the occasional wine for herself. Lara looked behind her. Kedryn sat on a stool at the table in the corner eating. Her eyes moved over to General Kayne and he was doing the same. She realized that General Kayne must have given up his seat at the main table to Brenna. Chivalry is definitely not dead in this realm.

Eion looked up from his plate and noticed the tension between Liam and Aodhan as they sat staring down each other. He decided to take charge and put a damper on the tension. Taking a drink of his ale he looked again at their unwavering stares and shook his head.