Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) (22 page)

Lara walked over to Eion and kissed him on the cheek “Feeling left out?”

“No my dear. The woman I feel in love with I let slip through my fingers.” Eion said and looked at Lara’s puzzled look.

“I must not be myself I have said too much. Good night.” Eion said and walked out.

Lara crossed her arms and turned to Aodhan. “Do you know?”

“I believe we should get some rest.” he said avoiding the question taking her arm as he led her through the house.

As they stepped through the main doors Lara stopped Aodhan on the porch. “Are you going to tell me or just leave me hanging?”

“The past is past.” he said and raised an eyebrow at her.

Lara poked him in the side and gave him her best pout. “Please.”

“I will tell you this much. Eion made his choice to leave and train as a Druid and left all he loved behind. She married his best friend.”

Lara pulled him to her and stared looking into his eyes. “Truly? Did they stay friends?”

Aodhan gave her a sad look. “Until the end.”

Lara slid her arm around his waist. “Who was she?“

He let out a sigh. “You will not stop until I tell you. Will you?”

Lara crossed her arms. “Nope.”

“I will tell you but just keep it to yourself. I would not exist if Eion choose differently.” He pulled the pins out of her hair and watched it fall.

“Orla? Your mother.” Lara said and felt Aodhan’s hand slip over her mouth.

His other went behind her head as he ran his fingers through her hair. “Do you remember the maze on Shanhold?”

Lara ran a finger down his chest and gave him a devious look. “Now that is the most ridiculous question.”

He let out a laugh. “Yes I suppose so. That is where Eion told mother about choosing the Druid path over her.” Aodhan said started walking her on the small path to the cottage.

“Now it makes sense how he was acting when we were there.” Lara said and turned to him as they stopped at the cottage door. “As soon as Kedryn returns we should do a little expedition. Just the three of us to this Yule place. Maybe your mother could stay in the cottage here while we are gone. It probably would do no good for her to stay all alone right now when she has friends here.”

“I will mention it to Shanna and mother when Kedryn returns.” Aodhan opened the door for her.

“Eion might enjoy her company too.” Lara gave him a devious grin.

Aodhan shook his head “Do not get any ideas. Eion choose his path and so did mother. Eion would never think of mother than more than a dear friend. He would never disgrace my father that way.”

Lara gave him a stubborn look. “But . . .”

Aodhan kissed Lara to quiet her and moved her inside the cottage. “Good night my heart.”

Lara moved even closer to him. She put her hands on his chest and slowly slid them to his waist. Pressing herself against him she leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “Are you sure you want to wait.”

Aodhan croaked out. “Yes.” and fled out the door.

In the throne room Lord Faolan listened to the Firbolg assassin’s report of what happened at Pergamon. As the man groveled at his feet the assassin dared to look at him as he stood up from the throne. Faolan stepped down from the platform and the assassin quickly diverted his eyes to Faolan’s feet as they appeared on the step before him.

“My lord. They were too much for us. We were too few in numbers.” the man shifted and Faolan stomped him down.

“I did not say move you filth.” Faolan looked to at General Tynan who was pacing at the front of the stairs below him.

“My Lord. You should have allowed me to oversee this mission. These men may have been the best however, their plan was not thought through. If only I was there.” Tynan stopped when Faolan lifted his hand for quiet.

“I had more important tasks for you at the time. We have a grand army and even though the assassins failed. The army will not.”

“I would not have failed.” Tynan said and then quickly corrected himself when he saw Faolan’s eyes narrow at him. “Yes my Lord. Are we to give up on the assassination of the Battle Raven and her son? What of the Druid?”

Faolan reached up and rubbed his beard. “It seems Eion and I will meet in battle as foretold.”

“As foretold?” Tynan asked as he placed a foot on the back of the assassin who was attempting to inch away again.

“There was a seer who foresaw that Eion and I would meet in a great battle. Also that the Battle Raven would be there. I tried to stop the vision. It seems even though I believe we create our own destiny this vision will come to pass.”

“This I did not know.” Tynan said as he glanced down at the assassin who was soon to be drawing his last breath.

“The seer reached un unfortunate demise before she could tell anyone.” Lord Faolan said as he stroked his beard.

“Why concentrate on the descendant knowing about the vision?” Tynan asked.

“Visions are like ripples in water. If one knows what is going to happen you can change the waters course. Eion traveled through the portal to protect her and I traveled through to kill her.” He walked down the few steps from the platform and kicked the assassin in the head. “It seems I am surrounded by filth. Take him beyond.”

Two guards walked over and picked up the assassin and drug him through to the torture chamber. Tynan looked to Lord Faolan concerned and started to pace.

Lord Faolan sat back on the throne. “Is there something else you wish to discuss General.”

“Yes.” Tynan said and paused to choose his words carefully. “Your activities of late have increased tenfold. Please do not take offense but since the servants have all but expired you have moved onto the troops.”

“And?” Lord Faolan said giving Tynan a piercing glare.

Tynan did not waiver at the glare. “We need as many men as possible. Your activities are lessening our numbers.”

Faolan leaned to the side put his head on his hand. Tynan did not know what he should do and had never seen Lord Faolan look vulnerable. He patiently waited for his Lord to speak.

“I will stop. It would be what Paili wanted.” he reached over and picked up the blood red ruby necklace off of the arm of the throne. “She was not fond of human torture. Please relax general.”

Tynan relaxed his stance. “It was a proper service that you performed for Lady Paili. Aalia said that you truly did love her and showed it by honoring her memory.”

Faolan let out a long breath and stood. “Your wife is correct. I will always love Paili. My one regret is that I never told her and I will have my revenge.” he realized how vulnerable he made himself look in front of his general and straightened up.

Tynan stood pretending not to notice. “There is something else I would like to ask my Lord.”

“Another request? Careful General I give out very few.”

Tynan lowered his head. “Yes my lord. Aalia has been grief

stricken ever since Lady Paili has passed on. With your permission I would like for her to be able to cease with the healing duties. Until the battle starts, of course. I would like to send her to spend some time with her sister and newborn niece.”

Faolan looked at Tynan and his eyes grew black. “Permission granted general. She may visit her sister as long as she returns when she is needed.”

Tynan gave him a deep bow. “Thank you my Lord. She will return within six weeks time.” he straightened back up.

Faolan stood and filled his heart with hatred. He would never show his weakness again. “You also have my word that I will take no more of your troops. The assassin and a few nobles will satisfy me until the impending battle. I should have started with them in the first place and it will keep them in line. When will the troops be fully ready to strike?”

“In full force. Eight weeks time my lord.”

“You may take your leave. Give my greetings to your wife and son.”

“I will. Thank you, my Lord.” Tynan said and strode out of the room.

Torches flickered in the passageway as he shut the door. Tynan let out a long breath that he did not realize he was holding in. He nodded at the guards outside the door and noticed Firnir who was glancing around the corner.

“You may go in now Firnir.” Tynan said and walked away.

Firnir lowered his gaze and shuffled past the guards and through the door. Once the door was shut he straightened and walked to the steps just below where Lord Faolan was lounging on the throne fingering a ruby necklace.

Faolan looked up. “You were listening I presume.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Firnir said as he knelt before Faolan.

“Rise. Follow me to my chambers.” Faolan stood.

Firnir followed him out of the throne room and looked sadly at the rose carved doors as they passed.

As Lord Faolan stepped to his chamber he motioned with his hand and door to flung open. Faolan walked to a table piled with food and sat. He looked to Firnir who kept glancing at the roast on the table.

“Are you certain letting Lady Aalia travel to visit her sister is a

good idea?” Firnir looked at the table as his mouth started to water. He silently cursed himself for not eating earlier.

Taking a sip of wine Faolan smiled. The wine was dry, bitter and

warm. Just the way he liked it. “She will return. I paid her a visit before Tynan arrived and if she does not return to the palace in six weeks time the child will die.”

“How did you?” Firnir asked and Faolan gave him a devilish grin. “I see. Does the general know this?”

“If he did. Do you truly believe he would still be here? Please Firnir, there is plenty for two. Join me.”

“Thank you my Lord.” Firnir sat down and quickly helped himself.

A knock sounded at the door and Firnir jumped up and ran to the door. He listened to what the guard had to say and shook his head no. An angry woman’s voice sounded and was muffled out as he closed the door. Firnir turned and looked at Faolan amused. He walked back to the table and continued with his meal.

With a full mouth and a crooked grin he looked to his Lord. “She will not stop you know.”

Faolan slammed his knife down. “No woman can replace Paili.”

“Of course not, my Lord. However, it may be good for you to at least take a woman from one of the higher houses. Lady Cyri is no Paili but she is ruthless and shares your love of torture. She almost bested Lady Paili for you and from what I hear knows the seductive arts of . . .”

Faolan held his hand up. “No more. I will not hear another word of Lady Cyri, not for tonight.” Faolan pushed his plate away. “If you are finished I believe I will retire for the night.”

Firnir took a quick sip of his wine. “I will retire to my room. I will have your morning meal prepared at the usual time.” He said and gave a deep bow and walked out.

Faolan sat in his seat for a moment and stood. He looked around the room casting an isolation spell and walked over to the bed. He sat down reaching under his pillow pulling out a crimson shawl. Bending over he placed the shawl over his face taking in a deep breath. It still smelled like her. When he sat back up he looked at the shawl that was wet with tears. Disgusted with himself withdrew the spell and threw the shawl aside. Faolan strode to his door and the guards gave him a deep bow.

“Yes my Lord.” They both said.

“I am going to have my way with the assassin. After I wish for Lady Cyri to be brought to me.” Faolan turned on his heels and walked back in. The first thing he looked to was the scarlet scarf on his bed. As he walked over to the bed he scooped up the ruby necklace off of the table. He picked up the scarf and put it to his face one last time, inhaled and then carefully folded it. Faolan walked over to a long black marble top dresser and placed them into a drawer and sealed it with a spell.

“Farewell, my love.”

Lord Faolan turned and walked through the torture chamber door. There was the silent sound of the door shutting, a loud click of the lock and then a terrible scream.

The shimmer of the barrier surrounding Pergamon changed from the deep crimson and orange of the setting sun to being filled with moonlight and stars. Everyone was seated next to the fire pit and watched as the last of the embers burnt out.

Kedryn stood and stretched and looked to Cadmon. “Do we need to keep watch tonight?”

“There is no need the magic holds. If there is any change I will feel it.” Cadmon said as he kicked some dirt into the pit.

Bevin let out a yawn. “Time for bed.”

“Agreed.” Kiara said as she gave Damon a quick pat on the back and led Bevin into the house.

The men turned to watch them leave. Cadmon poured some dirt onto the pit smothering the fire.

“We should catch some sleep too.” Kedryn said and he started to head to the door with Damon following him.

“Wait.” Lawler said.

Kedryn turned around and stopped Damon from walking through the door.

The men turned to Lawler waiting for what he had to say. Lawler didn’t know where to start. He looked around and his eyes stopped on Damon.