The First Spell Weaver of Airendell: Book Two of the Airendell Chronicles (57 page)

Mordir looks at Kylor in shock.  “You mind walked through your own mother’s mind?”

“Yes, how do you know about mind walking?”  Kylor asks.

“I have studied with many who studied with Bellona.  I was going to ask to be allowed to do that to you to make sure you are trustworthy.  But if you have been in the Lady Morna’s mind, I am not sure I should go into your… I don’t want to invade Morna’s mind, even indirectly.  Oh gee… I am speechless.” Mordir struggles for the right words.

Morna laughs.  “I never thought I would see Mordir speechless, or hear him say ‘Oh gee’.  Son, we have flapped the unflappable.  Forgive me Mordir, I am not making fun of you.”

“I know that Madam.” says Mordir with a grin.  “I do have a sense of humor, believe it or not.  And I am confident that you would not make fun of someone.  You might taunt an enemy, but you wouldn’t laugh at the expense of anyone else.”

Morna looks at Kylor, “Well kiddo?  What do you say?”

“How could I refuse?”  Kylor says casually.  “I don’t have anything to hide.  I want my family and our allies to be certain of that.  We are facing deadly challenges.  I applaud these men for taking these steps.”

Mordir clears his throat.  “I am not sure I can do this on someone who knows how to do it.  How can I trust that what I am seeing has not been manipulated?  I am not very practiced at it.”

Elias says, “Get Breena in here.  She can keep a reading on his emotions.”

“The only way that would work is if I were to tell her what I am seeing, in order that she might tell me if his feelings syncs up with what I am seeing.  That would be very invasive to Kylor.  Two or more people would know the deepest recesses of his mind.” Mordir says.  “I am not sure that it would be ethical.”

Kylor looks at Morna.  “Mother, I want you to know you can trust me.  I am willing to do it.”

“Kylor, I know you are my son.  I don’t expect you to do this.  As far as I am concerned, it simply isn‘t necessary.”  Morna strokes his face lovingly.

“Turnabout is fair play.  I did it to you without asking.  I really broke a cardinal rule by doing that, but I didn’t think that you would have allowed me to do it.”  Kylor says.

“I probably would not have done so.  I had no way of knowing that I would be aware of what you were able to see.”  Morna admits.

“Lady Morna, you were aware of him being there?  Walking through your mind?”  Mordir asks skeptically.

Kylor chuckles.  “She even kept me from entering much of her mind.”

“I can’t believe that is even possible.  Lady Morna when things calm down around here, you and I have to work on that project we discussed.  I believe your reincarnations are partly responsible for your increasing powers.  It is almost like your abilities have expanded with each incarnation.” Mordir says, getting excited about the possibilities of this proposed course of study.

Luca returns with Micah in tow.  “I don’t think you need to walk through my son’s mind.  DNA tests show he is definitely Morna’s son.  Unfortunately, I am physically unable to contribute a sample.  If I even have DNA now, it has been completely altered.  Morna’s however, is mostly intact.  And Aiden‘s mitochondrial DNA matches Kylor‘s exactly.”

“Father, I am still willing to allow it.  In fact, now that the seeds of doubt has been planted, I believe we should proceed. I want everyone to be able to trust me.” Kylor says.

Morna and Luca turn their heads in unison toward the room next door.  They both take off in a split second.  Kylor, Micah, and Elias follow quickly on their heels.  They have entered Nora‘s room.  Morna is holding the crying Nora on her lap.  Luca is sitting next to them, gently rubbing the child‘s back.  “Mother, what is wrong with Nora?”

Breena comes up behind him.  “Something has scared her.  Probably a vision.”

“Mom, a man who looks like Daddy tried to kill Kylor and Daddy.  You helped them, but you get hurt.  A bad man cuts off your thumb.”  Nora says between sobs.

“Does everyone walk away from it?”  Morna asks.

“Yes,” Nora sobs.  “Mama I am scared.”

“It is okay love.  I bet Daddy healed my thumb didn’t he?”  Morna asks softly.

“He kissed it,” Nora hiccups.

“Okay, see.  It is going to be fine.  Mom gets an owie and Daddy fixes it.”  Morna cradles Nora and hums softly until she goes back to sleep.  She tucks Nora into her bed and indicates everyone should exit the room.

Morna looks at Luca, “I am considering dampening her visions.  No child should ever have to see her parents battle for their lives.”  Morna shifts her gaze to her son, “I assume that Luca resembles his Grandfather?”

“Yes, you would be correct in that assumption Mother.” Kylor answers.

Morna laughs, “Well at least we know that we will have to fight Mars.”

“It could also mean we fight Quirinus, he is Mars’ son.” Kylor says quietly.  “He looks almost identical to Father.”

“I am going back to bed.  I’ll fight whoever I have to; tomorrow.  I will most likely hear everything you people discuss, but for now, I want to sleep.”  Morna says this in frustration.  She reenters their suite and picks up the cup of blood off the coffee table and strides into her bedroom.  She comes back and says, “Stick around, Breena.  I think these guys may need your help.” She literally spins around and strides into her bedroom again.  Luca laughs when he hears the bathroom door slam.

Luca looks at the others with a smile on his face.  He shrugs and says, “All of our discussions are trying her patience.  Plus, she doesn’t like going in to face Mars virtually blind.”  Luca rubs his chin and says, “I will be right back.” And he disappears from the room.

Breena chuckles, “In thirty minutes or more I bet.  What do you guys need me for?”

Mordir succinctly explains the process, and how she might be able to help.  Breena looks at Kylor and demands, “You did that to Morna?”

Kylor nods.  “You know what I healed.  You and Rinda could not take it away.”

Breena nods.  “She told you about that?”

“No.”

“I thought not.  I am not sure how you knew, but…” said Breena.  “Well, I am surprised she didn’t boot you out of her head and then kick your backside for you.  You may be her son and a powerful grown man, but she will take you to the mat anytime she sees fit.  I can promise you that.  If your poor judgment or deliberate actions ever threaten anyone she loves, or the Guild, or any innocent, for that matter, she will make you answer for it.”

“I know that.  I suspected it before, but I know it for certain now.”  Kylor says calmly.  “I hope I never exercise poor judgment that harms anyone.  I know I will never deliberately do anything to harm anyone who isn’t trying to harm me or my family or any innocent, as you put it.”

Breena looks at Elias.  “I don’t think you guys need to do this mind walking business.  I am sure he is telling the truth.”

“But he could be cursed,” offers Mordir.

Elias chuckles and says, “Mordir, you might be reaching.  But I will walk down the hall and get Agnar.  He can check.  Those Vanirs are regular little curse detectors.”  He leaves the room.  Micah remains watching Kylor thoughtfully.

Kylor looks at Breena to say; “Auntie, I really don’t mind if they do this.”

Breena gets up and hugs her nephew.  “Some homecoming, huh, kiddo?”

“It’s been a wonderful homecoming,” He says as he hugs his aunt in return. 

“Kylor, I was just a kid when Pretty Morna lost you, but I can still remember the utter grief that clouded her life for years.  I believe she has yearned for you for centuries.  She has always lived with the pain of your loss.  I think it even shadowed her mortal existences.  I pray that you are just what you seem, but you have to understand we really can’t take a chance.  We have to know for certain.  We have to protect Morna.  She‘s our friend, my Godmother, and now our First Spell Weaver,” Micah says quietly.

Breena looks at Micah in surprise.  “Micah, I don’t think I have ever heard you say that many sentences at once unless you were discussing a medical diagnosis.”

Micah laughs and says, “Well, I guess this means a lot to me.  My godmother, my Guild leader, my friend and patient certainly means the world to me.”

Kylor nods his understanding and turns his attention to the door.  Elias has returned with Agnar.  Agnar looks at Kylor with a perturbed look on his face, “You did a mind walk on your own mother without her permission?  She is very private, she won’t like you knowing everything that goes on in her head.”

Kylor laughs and says, “Believe me, I do not know exactly what goes on in Mother’s head.  She has incredible awareness and control.  She only granted me limited access.  I have never seen such strength.”

“Mo knew you were in there?”  When Kylor nods, Agnar whistles low and then laughs.  “I shouldn’t be surprised.  She is one of the hardest headed, controlling, and strongest persons I have ever had to deal with.”

“Have you known mother long?” Kylor asks.

“Since she was thirteen and Valliant brought her up for some ceremony or another.  I have fought many battles alongside her and some against her.  We have had a rocky history.  I have really been an ass to her at times.  You mean you didn’t see that in there?” Agnar says thoughtfully.

“No, I didn’t see anything negative about anyone in this group.  I think that was deliberate.”  Kylor says.  “Look, I will not discuss anything that I saw in there.  Mordir, if you want to do this, let’s get it done.”

Agnar sighs and says, “Well, he’s not cursed, and he has been totally honest and open in all of his conversations with us so far tonight.  I am not sure we need to do this, but I am willing to do it.  I am actually more practiced at it than Mordir.”  Agnar says quietly.

Morna is suddenly standing beside Kylor.  “Mother, I thought you would be asleep by now.” says Kylor.

“Who can sleep with this little soap opera going on in here?”  Morna snorts.  She looks at Agnar, their eyes meet and lock.  She looks hard at Agnar for several minutes and snorts in frustration.  “Hells bells!  Whatever.  Let’s get this show on the road if Kylor is still game.  I need sleep, and everyone who is going with me to meet up with Mars needs sleep, well except for Luca.”  Morna chuckles and rubs her belly when the baby kicks.  “Wow!  That wasn’t just a flutter.  That was a kick.”

Luca is instantly by her side with his hand on her belly.  “I can feel it through the spell, but this more traditional method is more fun.  Morna, he has been kicking all day, but the spell kept you from feeling it.  I am sorry, but later when he is bigger and much stronger, the spell will protect you from him hurting you from the inside as well.  He is going to be very strong, I can tell.”

Kylor, who is still sitting, indicates her belly and says “Mother?  May I?”

“Of course Kylor.”  Morna says softly.  Kylor seems enthralled by what he is feeling and puts his face against Morna’s belly, he turns his ear to it and closes his eyes and smiles.

After a few minutes Kylor finally pulls back and says, “Mother the prophesies are correct.  He will indeed be strong.  I suspect he will indeed be able to unite all the magical realms for the good of all mankind.”

“Enough of this.  I am going to bed.  You people do whatever you feel you have to do.” Morna says with a yawn. 

Agnar stops Morna before she leaves the study and tells her telepathically, “I cannot as a Vanir healer repeat anything I learn in a mind walk.  And I would never, ever tell Aideen anything I learned there. I promise, Mo.”  Morna nods at Agnar and turns her attention back to the rest of the group.

“Bed for me, however, those of you who are going with me tomorrow, had better be well rested, too.  Elias, you and Micah need to get back to Airendell soon.  Since I have been made First Weaver, I think the Guild will become a more direct target now.”

“Yes Morna.”  Elias says with a nod.  “Sleep well, and Godspeed tomorrow.  My prayers will be with you, since you won’t allow me to come along.”

Morna walks over and kisses her favorite godson on the forehead.  “Peace Elias.  There will many opportunities for you to fight alongside me, I am afraid.  But for tomorrow, I need you and your family watching out for our Guild.”

“I know, Morna.”  Elias says evenly.  “I didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining.”

“You didn’t sound like you were complaining.  You sounded wistful to be there to help me.  I am hoping that it doesn’t come to battle, but I am determined that we are ready for whatever it does come to, and that is why I want everyone rested.  So you people do what you need to do and get some damned sleep.”  Having said that, Morna turns on her heel and leaves the room.  Luca follows her after quick good nights to his children and friends.

When Luca enters their bedchamber Morna is trying to settle comfortably in their bed.  “I wish you would use the chamber, my love.”  He says quietly.

Morna sits up and takes his hand and pulls him into the bed with her.  “You can put me in that blasted contraption after I fall asleep in your arms.”

Luca laughs and starts kissing her and pulls her tank top over her head.  He is gently cupping her breasts when she asks, “Do you think I am rushing it, letting Aideen come with us?”

“Morna you have been coaching her on the practice field, I have not.  I trust your judgment.  Besides, if she gets into trouble, we will be there to back her up as will Agnar, George and her grandfathers.”  Luca says before he takes one of her breasts into his mouth.