Authors: Delaney Rhodes
Kyra was exhausted.
Every bone in my body aches, even my teeth hurt. If I never place my backside on another horse, I shall be most grateful.
Nearly seven days had passed since she left the clan, and she was back already.
To deliver a one line message. What a waste of effort and horse flesh.
As she sank down into the warm water that filled the wooden tub she wondered if she would be able to hold her head above the water long enough to properly wash. The warm bath was perfect and Minea had added bath salts and lavender oil and it smelled divine.
“Minea, I can’t thank you enough for drawing my bath. I am sure I smell like a soggy war horse right about now.” Minea chuckled and stole a glance towards Kyra’s bed, which had become home to her muddy chain mail, cloak and undergarments.
“Do you wish that I should burn these Kyra? I fear they shall never come clean again,” she said as she held them up in her right hand while pinching her nose with her left.
“Please do – I’ve no desire to ever see them again. And – I shall thrash my brother Kean the very next time I see him for getting himself hurt and making me journey all the way to MacCahan keep.”
“Now Kyra, I’m sure that Kean did not have you in mind when he fell from the dock. He simply got his foot caught in the ropes and ended up on his arse on the pier. Or – so I am told.”
“Minea – it is no secret that he was simply looking for a way to stay home with his young wife. A broken foot indeed; I’ll believe it when I see it. Kean has spent the whole of his life searching for ways to have others do his bidding. I got wrangled into this one because it was his plan.”
“Kyra, will you be taking a meal in your chambers? If so, I better head to the kitchens before the soldiers eat up all the remnants from this eve.”
“Yes, please – and also – please see that I am not disturbed. I wish to sleep past sunrise in the morn, and I have no intention of breaking my fast with the others. Father has not returned and there is no one else that should have need of me.”
Kyra reached across the top of the steaming tub of water to reach the soap and cleansing linens. She didn’t think she could get all the grime out of her hair by herself, but she meant to try.
Thank the stars my hair is not long. One bar of soap might not be enough.
“If that is all Kyra, I will make my way to the kitchens.”
“Thank you so much Minea, could you see that some extra wood for the fire is brought up before I retire? I don’t wish to wake up too cold.”
“Very well – I will see to it,” replied Minea as she headed out the door.
Kyra patiently ran her fingers through her matted hair which was stuck to the sides of her head. She had no idea what she looked like, but she could guess.
I’m sure I’m a sight. Now would not be a good time to venture outside of my chamber, I’m sure I would frighten six lives off of any tom cat around.
Kyra finally succeeded in breaking apart the last pieces of matted hair and sunk deeper into the water, covering her head, her cheeks and finally her nose when she heard a loud ruckus coming from outside her chamber doors.
“I WILL see her Minea; just you try and stop me!”
By the stars, Darina knows I am here. I don’t need this right now, I just need to sleep.
She continued to hold her breath as if she could force time to stand still around her.
She heard the door creaking behind her and could sense someone in her room. She wasn’t sure if Darina knew she was there in the tub until she felt someone grabbing her arm and pulling her straight up out of the water.
“Kyra, you’ll drown yourself. Did you know you were asleep?” Darina flailed her hand about sending water flying everywhere.
Kyra inhaled deeply hoping to catch her breath but only succeeded in choking herself. Soon she was leaning over the side of the tub, heaving and hoping not to wretch. When her coughing and hacking finally subsided, she turned towards Darina.
“Darina, I wasn’t trying to drown myself, if that is what concerns you.”
“Of course not, I just assumed you were tired and that you had fallen asleep. You knew I couldn’t wait until morning. You must tell me everything.”
Darina must it be now? I really have nothing to tell you that you don’t already know.
Darina reached to the peg on the side of the hearth and grabbed the drying linen for Kyra.
“Here, you’ll catch your death if you don’t get into some dry clothes soon. Minea is bringing up your dinner and I brought your favorite ale.” Darina reached into her boot and brought out a small skin of ale.
“I’ll let you get dressed, then we will talk Kyra,” and with that, Kyra left.
***
Patrick said his last goodbyes to friends and family and gathered the final chests which held he and Braeden’s belongings to be loaded onto the wagons. He had just settled Braeden down in the back of the wagon and covered him with a blanket when he heard the sound of a woman shouting.
“Patrick, Patrick! Wait,” shouted Mavis. “Laird MacCahan says I am to accompany you. I had to get my things.” Patrick looked up to see Mavis struggling with a large satchel which was obviously overstuffed as she climbed up the muddy path towards the castle gates.
By the time she crested the small hill, Mavis was out of breath and about to drop her satchel in the mud. Patrick quickly tied off the horses and rose to meet her on the hill.
“Mavis, let m-m-me have that,” Patrick said as he pointed towards her bag. “What is this about you coming w-w-wi-ith us?”
“Laird MacCahan says I am to accompany you. I am Braeden’s nurse after all and I came from O’Malley lands. He thinks it’s time for me to return since that is where Braeden and you will be. I’m sure I can be of some use to you during the journey, don’t you think?” she inquired as she glanced towards the back of the wagon where Braeden lay sleeping.
“I’m sure you will”, chuckled Patrick.
Thank you father.
“
Here – take off your muddy sh-shoes and I will put you in the w-w-wa-wagon with Braeden.”
“Nay – I’d much prefer to ride up front if you don’t mind as I am in no mood to share a bed with Braeden - the way he snores.” Mavis shared a knowing look with Patrick and stepped into the front of the wagon to sit next to him on the bench.
“Do you mind if I ride with you? I haven’t a horse of my own.”
“Not at all - j-ju-just as long as you don’t snore.”
Patrick grabbed the reins and signaled to Carbry that they were ready to go. Lightening flashed across the sky and a thunder clap followed.
There will be no reprieve for our journey, I fear.
He handed his cloak to Mavis and gestured for her to cover her head as Braeden tussled about in the back but quickly fell back to sleep.“Tis a good thing he sleeps,” said Mavis. “Such a journey can be quite hard on a child.”
Patrick nodded his agreement and the group traveled out of the castle gates and onto the path heading southeast towards O’Malley lands. It would indeed be a long journey. One that Patrick hoped they would survive without incident.
Burke Lands
Cynbel Burke had grown inpatient waiting on his sister Odetta, to arrive. She had a knack for trying his resolve and he was sure she did it on purpose. He paced back and forth in the front of the altar of the monastery that Odetta had claimed as her own when she ran off the monks.
Odetta had turned the main chapel area into her own meeting hall and the remaining chambers and sitting rooms were now her private home. She resided in the only second story chamber while her “clerics” resided below on the first floor and saw to her every need.
“She will come. She insisted we meet her here and she will remain true to her word, my Laird.” Easal McAllister was not only the one true friend of Cynbel Burke, but also captain of his soldiers. “I’ve no reason to believe she will not keep her word. I just wish I understood what all of this is about,” remarked Easal.
“When did she say should we be here?” Cynbel asked Naelyn, her high cleric and personal servant.
“As I’ve already said my Laird; the noon hour. She indicated the noon hour. The meal is ready and will be served shortly. Just have a seat and she will come when she is ready.”
“Naelyn, do you know? Where did she go?” questioned Easal.
“She went for herbs and roots, as is her custom on sunny days such as this. She is replenishing her stores for the great service.”
“Ah - by the stars! The great service. You cannot mean to tell me that she still intends to go through with it? What utter nonsense. She has called me here to involve me in one of her ridiculous rituals,” stated Cynbel as he threw his hands up in disgust over having his time wasted.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to call it nonsense my brother. Would you Easal?” questioned Odetta as she strode into the hall.
Odetta Burke was a most conspicuous looking woman. Attractive - in the broadest sense of the word. She was tall and slender, with waste length onyx black hair and eyes of the darkest night. She held herself as royalty and commanded attention with her mere presence. She appeared much younger than her thirty-eight summers and had no want for male companionship. In fact, she had taken many of her clerics to her chamber and had what was rumored to be an insatiable appetite for love making.
“Easal, what did you say?” she queried. “I said, of course not. Of course not. It’s not nonsense. Your special talents have meant much to the Burke clan.”
“Oh hush, won’t you Easal? You only say that because you wish to share her bed,” exclaimed Cynbel.
Which I’m sure you have already and on many occasions.
“Odetta, what do you need with me?” asked Cynbel. “I have many other, more important matters to attend to.”
“More important than the expansion of Burke lands?” asked Odetta. “More important than the size of your realm? More important than the people over whom you rule? More important than our dominion? More important than the great service?”
“Odetta, for many years I have over looked your religious dabbling’s. I have turned my head when you orchestrated and manipulated situations with your craft. I even indulged your desire to run off the monks and let you take their monastery – while the villagers watched with dismay.”
“Stop it!” shouted Odetta and threw her fist against the altar. “Hear me now, my brother. You do not wish to cross me. If it were not for me, you would not be Laird of Burke lands. As it stands, I have more respect from the people and more power than you ever will. Do not tempt me to replace you too,” she smiled as she gestured a glance towards Easal.
“Easal would make a fine husband and if I marry, my husband would no doubt be Laird in your absence. That is - if you should meet with some unfortunate occurrence. Lest you forget what happened to our sister,” said Odetta.
“Odetta! Enough already!” shouted Cynbel. “What is it you want from me?”
“Laird O’Malley has passed and his wife as well.” stated Odetta.
“How do you know this?” asked Easal.
“I have my ways Easal. I know of all of the goings on in the O’Malley clan. What we need to concentrate on now. is how to overtake the clan and make O’Malley port a part of the Burke lands.”
“And just why would I want to do that?” asked Cynbel.
“Because you are just as opportunistic as I am; because you want to expand your reach and because it will bring us great wealth. Combining what’s left of the O’Malley clan with the Burkes would make us the most significant power in all of Ireland.”
“Because - we would be unstoppable,” chimed in Easal.
“Tell me what you are thinking. What is going on in the beautiful head of yours Odetta?” asked Easal as he approached Odetta and laid a hand on either side of her cheeks.
Odetta smiled. She smiled because she knew she could make Easal do whatever she wanted; because she knew her brother didn’t stand a chance at denying her what she wanted. It hadn’t worked for her sister and it wouldn’t work for Cynbel.
Soon it would all be hers.
***
Kyra awoke at the knock on her door. She knew who it was and there was no escaping it. Darina had questions, and she somehow, would have to offer her answers.
“Thanks for seeing me, Kyra. I realize you are tired, but you must understand my concerns. I have not a clue what is happening. Your father ignored my pleas for information and you both took off to MacCahan castle in such a rush, that I feared the worst. Please tell me, won’t you, what is going on?”
Darina crossed the threshold of Kyra’s chambers and sat beside her on the bed. She grabbed the comb on the chest next to her and began to comb through Kyra’s wet, tangled hair.
“Honestly, Darina. I don’t know much at all. When your father passed, I was asked to fetch Lucian. They told me to make sure he brought the clan registry.”
“The registry? What on earth would they need that for?”
“Well I’m sure they needed to record the deaths of your parents, Darina. But there was something more.”
“Tell me.”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure, I mean, I think I know but I’m not really positive.”
“Oh by the stars – just spit it out Kyra.”
“It appeared to be a manuscript. Perhaps a dictate issued by your father - that looked to have been sealed for many years.”
“His will perhaps?” asked Darina.
“I don’t think so. You and I both went over his testament with Father MacArtrey after his death. This was definitely not the same manuscript.”
“I see. What then?” asked Darina.
“I’m not sure. All I know is that I was asked to ride to MacCahan castle to announce the arrival of father and his men and to return at once.”
“But, you took a message. Did you not?”
“Yes I did.”
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Well – what did it say Kyra?”
“It said, ‘It is time’,” answered Kyra with a reluctant sigh.
“It is time? It is time? That’s all it said? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I have no idea Darina. I really wish I could tell you something that might make some sense of all of this. But I can’t. I haven’t any idea what all of this is about. And I’m halfway sure it has nothing, at all, to do with your upcoming wedding.”