Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) (25 page)

“You seem to keep loosing this.” he said as he wrapped the shawl around her. He noticed the tear and placed his hand on her cheek wiping it away. “Your brother died with honor.”

Kiara gave Kedryn a fierce hug and let go. She returned back to the fire where Bevin was looking over the pork and sat down beside her.

Clapping Kedryn on the back Niall walked up to Scanlon and held out his arm. Scanlon clasped his arm. “Good to see you again. Liam will be happy to receive word that you are alive and well.” he looked around at the pond and the camp. “It seems Bevin’s bottle of wine didn’t muddle my head up too much. I told Eion and Aodhan that I would bring word of all of you. I shall take my leave and return now.”

Bevin looked up from the fire. “You are not staying?”

“No. Stop at Carrick’s estate that is where everyone but Orla is staying.” he looked to Kedryn “The sooner your mother hears you are on your way the better. The road is clear. I scouted around while you were setting up camp. Safe journey and I will see you on the morrow.” he looked to Bevin and winked. “I hope that was not your last bottle of wine.”

They watched as Scanlon dawned his dark green cloak and disappeared into the night.

The rutted road to Carrick’s estate appeared and Kedryn let out a relieved sigh. He felt a weight lift off of him as the house came into view. A grin spread across his face when he saw Lara running his way. He jumped off his horse and took the reigns.

Lara ran straight into him almost knocking him over. Letting out a sob she pulled back taking Kedryn’s face in her hands. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you alive and well.”

“It’s good to be alive and well. How have you been?” Kedryn said as he took the reigns to his horse in one hand and his mothers arm with the other.

“Much better now that you are here.” Lara said hugging him again.

“I heard a rumor that you might have found another portal?”

She stopped as he tied the horse to a railing. “Yes. I believe so. I wanted to leave right away as soon as you got back. Aodhan talked me out of it.”

“A little rest in between would be nice.” Kedryn said as he turned to see Eion stride up to Kiara and give her a fierce hug.

Lara pulled him up the steps. “Shanna has prepared a feast to celebrate everyone’s return.”

At that Kedryn placed a hand over his stomach as it growled. “Thank God. Right now she is my favorite person, besides you of course.” he put his arm around his mother’s shoulders and led her inside.

Aodhan and Carrick stood by the fire place and walked up to them as soon as they entered. They clasped arms with Kedryn and Aodhan looked to the rest of the group that entered. When he saw Bevin he walked up to her and she hugged him.

“I am saddened to hear about Dillon.” Aodhan whispered in her ear.

“Thank you.” Bevin said.

Kiara walked up to Carrick and he gave her a bear hug and released her. “You have grown.”

“Has word been sent to my father?” Kiara asked.

“The moment we heard. He will be overjoyed when he hears you are alive and is in Quenith.” Carrick said.

“Whether or not he will stay put is the question.” Kiara said knowing that her father would head out as soon as he received the message.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Kiara said and gave him a slight curtsey.

Aodhan crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow at Kedryn. “Scanlon tells me you picked up a stray.”

Kedryn looked to Damon and Bevin “How about we eat first and explanations after?”

“I’ve been waiting most of the day to eat.” Aodhan said and walked into the kitchen to the dining area where Shanna was setting a platter of meat on the table.

Annie was jumping up and down asking her mother to help when she saw Kedryn. She ran up to him and hugged his leg. “They were all soooo worried about you!”

He leaned down. “No need to worry my lady. I came back in one piece.”

Giving him a huge grin she bowed to him. “Thank you, my lord.”

Kedryn let out a laugh and felt someone squeeze his shoulder. He turned to see Eion standing behind him.

“I believe we are a bit in a jam.”

Kedryn looked behind him and saw that he and Annie were blocking the doorway. “It seems you are.” he said and moved to sit down at the table.

Shanna looked around as everyone talked and turned to Carrick. Carrick’s voice boomed out so everyone could hear. “If everyone is ready. Let’s eat.”

The dining room immediately became quiet except for the sound of chairs scooting back and everyone sitting down.

Carrick remained standing and Shanna walked around filling everyone’s glass with wine. Kedryn looked at his mother and she shrugged. She mouthed to him “It’s ok. When in Rome.”

Making a face Kedryn gave her his wine and pulled the cup of water to him.

After Shanna took her place by Carrick both of them sat down and she looked to Kedryn. “Would you like to give the blessing? Eion says that you have one that has been passed down through your family. It would be lovely to hear.”

“Of course.” Kedryn said and got a little red around the ears with the spotlight on him. He bowed his head.

“Heavenly father. Thank you for this food, bless it to the nourishment of our bodies. This we ask in Jesus name. A-men.”

“A-men.” they all said and took a drink of wine. All except Kedryn who passed it up for water and gave his mother a lop sided grin.

“I would like to hear more about the caves.” Lara said

“If I told you I would finish my meal by tomorrow.” Kedryn took a bite.

She nodded. “Eat up.”

As they ate quite glares and curious glances shot in Damon’s direction. He kept his eyes down at the plate picking at his food.

“Damon eat.” Shanna said

He looked up startled. “Yes, my lady.”

Shanna gave him a reassuring grin and stood up clearing the plates away. Lara stood to help but quickly sat as Shanna shook her finger to sit. Shanna and Annie removed the plates and started to prepare dessert. Another woman’s voice came from the kitchen and Orla appeared.

Aodhan quickly stood and greeted her. “I thought you were not going to make it tonight.”

“Your father would wish me surrounded by people I love.” Orla said and looked around the room. Her eyes stopped at Kedryn who nodded at her and smiled.

Lara stood and walked over to Orla and hugged her. “It is good to see you here.”

Orla squeezed her and turned to Aodhan who took her arm. “Have you eaten?“

“Yes dear.” Orla’s eyes roamed the room and stopped on Bevin. She lost all sense of propriety and let out a small shout. Orla ran over to Bevin and embraced her. “My dear we thought you dead.”

Tears ran down both of their faces. Bevin pulled away from her and Orla handed her a kerchief. “It it so good to be home.”

Eion pulled out a chair in front of Orla. “You made it in time just for desert.” he said and sat down in the seat beside her.

Bevin sat down and Aodhan took the seat next to his mother as Shanna and Annie served dessert. Lara looked at Annie when a cup of hot chocolate was set in front of her. “I’m surprised you have some left.”

Annie giggled. “Silly. I told you I would save it.” she skipped away and sat down by her mother.

“One of the reasons I came tonight was to ask when you are leaving to look for the portal.” Orla said as she looked at Lara.

Putting his hand over his mothers Aodhan squeezed. “In two days time.” he turned to her “You should stay in the cottage here.”

Shanna put down the bite she was about to put in her mouth. “You would be most welcome.”

“Thank you. I would love the company.” Orla looked to Damon. “I heard from Scanlon that you were with the group. What are we going to do about you young man? It seems some things have changed.”

Damon lowered his eyes to the table. “Whatever the men decide will be my fate.”

Orla picked at the strawberry tart in front of her and looked at him with her eyebrow raised “If you have any of your father in you young man you will make the right choices. Blaine told me of you and your sister’s fate and I believe any man here would have done the same.” She narrowed her eyes at Aodhan daring him to contradict her. “Come ladies. Let us take our tarts and drink to the sitting area and leave the men to talk.”

Reluctantly Bevin stood and followed the rest out of the dining room. She gave Damon a worried look and he shrugged.

Aodhan narrowed his eyes at Damon and looked to Carrick. “General I believe you should take over this little meeting.”

Carrick leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Damon, I believe you should go first. Start from the beginning and make it short. I am most interested in what happened to your family and why you ended up where you did.”

Looking up from his plate Damon looked around the table. “It all started when the struggle for power began. My father and Cadmon’s father were the highest on the list of the council to rule after Faolan’s father passed on. Lord Shiloh had wiped Faolan’s name from the list years after he had witnessed the cruelty his son was capable of. He tried

many times to make Faolan change his ways. None knew of the conspiracy until it was too late.”

Taking in a shuttering breath he looked down at his plate. “Faolan conspired and killed my parents. He forced my sister into a tournament to compete for both of our lives. She won and became consort to him. As long as she did his bidding I was allowed to live. When I became old enough he used the same threat with me.”

Cadmon put a hand on his shoulder. “All of our families were affected by Faolan. At least one of your own did not betray your whole family.” he looked to Carrick. “Lady Paili was killed in the struggle to rescue Kiara inadvertently by Lord Faolan himself. Cyri has now taken her place.”

Lawler let out a low hiss and they all looked his way. “Someday she will get what she deserves. A shallow grave.”

Aodhan leaned forward in his chair. “Why are you here?”

“Kedryn saved me.” Damon looked to Kedryn.

Eion took a sip of wine. “Why?”

Kedryn ran his hands though his hair. “I saw that if I did not spare his life Lawler would not be here with us.”

“He has proven himself and I believe that the past is past now.” Niall said and nodded to Damon.

Damon looked down at his hands. “Thank you.”

Eion shifted in his seat. “There may be more to this story but I think we get the point. Carrick what do you think.”

Carrick appraised the young man he once knew as a child. “I knew your father well and he was a good man.” he looked to Cadmon “Same goes for you. You two will stay in the barracks here and train with the men. Fight with us during final battle.”

“It would be an honor to fight for you.” Damon said.

“There is another thing.” Kedryn said as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and slid it across the table to Carrick. “The Firbolg army is immense. I did a quick sketch and I’m thinking you will need to change your strategy.”

Carrick let out a low whistle. “Aodhan, how long do you think your little side excursion will be?”

“Two weeks at the most.” Aodhan strained to see the paper.

“Good. That will give us time to send out a summons to Liam and for them to gather for an emergency council meeting in Quenith. We will need to discuss a new strategy.”

“If I might make a suggestion.” Kedryn said and watched as the paper was passed from Eion to Aodhan. Each mans face getting grimmer by the minute.

“Of course.” Carrick said

Kedryn stretched and leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “My mom has studied many different strategies of famous generals of all nations in my realm. She may be able to help come up with a plan.”

Carrick stood. “We will discuss this tomorrow before you three leave. For now. I believe we should meet with the ladies and talk no more of war for the night.”

In the sitting area they found the women quietly talking.

Orla stood up from the loveseat. “We have decided to spend the rest of the day in Tralee and stay the night at the manor house. I know the perfect little place to get a fine meal and browse the shops.”

“I really think I should stay here.” Lara said looking at Kedryn.

Orla raised her eyebrow and gave Lara an annoyed look. “Nonsense. Why would you even suggest such a thing.”

Lara tried not to look embarrassed. “I would like to spend some time with Kedryn. Besides I have no money to pay with.”

“Oh dear. You are, or will be, family. What is Aodhan’s is yours. You will be spending plenty of time with your son on your trip to find the portal.”

“Go ahead mom she is right.” Kedryn said.

Lara walked up to Aodhan holding out her hand giving him a devious grin. “Remember that. Your mother specifically said what is yours is mine.”

Aodhan rolled his eyes. He took out a coin pouch and handed it to Lara. “Enjoy, my heart.”

Lara pretended to weigh the pouch in her hand. “I’ll try not to spend it all in one place.”