Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series) (37 page)

Lady Paili was furious when Lord Faolan came to their chambers and gloated to her that General Daigh was dead. She lashed out at him and he let her get in a good punch to get out her fury. He stopped her when she grabbed a dagger. Faolan grabbed her wrist and twisted so hard she dropped it.

“You have no right to shove that in my face. What of Cadmon?” she asked.

Faolan paused for a second. “I feel he is still alive. That is all I know. He is not close enough for me to sense where he is.”

Paili breathed out a sigh. “That is a relief.”

He looked at her curious wondering who else he needed to
deal
with. “Was he another of your conquests?”

She looked at him sharply. “No. Kiara would be utterly distraught if anything happened to him. He is like a father to her.”

Faolan let out an evil chuckle. He had two forms of leverage against her. Damon and now the Seer.

“Your maternal side is showing through again Paili. You might want to look into that. Or should I just end that little issue for you like I did with the monk?”

He gave her a wicked grin. Paili’s rage rose up and she swung at Faolan. He grabbed her and kissed her roughly as she pounded her fists against his chest. She gave in kissing him back.

“You are mine tonight and always.” Faolan said leading her to bed.

The camp was overrun with injured soldiers lying in wait for healers and others limping around looking for a place to rest. Eion navigated around them and stopped in his tracks as he watched as a man cautiously approach him. The man had dark curling hair and features that were not Milesian or Danann. He made a signal for peace and stopped in front of Eion.

“Firbolg” Eion said under his breath.

“Where can I find the Druid Eion McGrath and the Lady Battle Raven’s son?”

“Why do you ask and why should I believe your sign for peace?” Eion asked looking over the man whose face seemed a bit familiar.

“I am surrounded by Danann. I could not leave without being killed if you called for it.” Cadmon said as he removed his sword and handed it to Eion.

“You have a point. I am Eion McGrath, Druid of the Light. What do you want Firbolg?”

“I have a message from the Seer Kiara. The name is Cadmon Gallaghan.” he pulled out a piece of rolled up parchment and handed it to him.

Eion had a flashback of a child who was now the man standing before him. He looked at Cadmon and took the parchment unrolling it.

“As in Lord Ailill Gallaghan?” Eion asked as he finished reading the message.

“He was my father.” Cadmon said.

“He was a good man. Come with me.” Eion said and handed back his sword.

Eion saw Devlyn step out of the healer’s tent and motioned for him to join them. He led Cadmon, along with Devlyn who looked cautiously at the Firbolg at his side to Ruark’s pavilion. They found General Ruark in the war room talking to Kedryn and Aodhan about Lara.

Eion cleared his throat and all looked his way.

“My Lords, this is Cadmon Gallaghan. He has brought a message from the Seer.”

“Kiara? What message? I swore to Doyle that I would rescue her.” Kedryn said.

Cadmon gave the young man in front of him a serious look over. This young man is the one that Kiara foresaw to make the decision of whether to help her or not? He was not sure what to think.

“I believe you should read her message out loud Eion.” Ruark said as he looked cautiously at the Firbolg in front of him.

Eion unrolled the scroll and sat down in the nearest chair.

Eion,

It is time. I am sending Cadmon, my guard and protector, to you as a guide for the descendant’s son. I have foreseen two different possibilities.
Whether he will come for me or not I do not know. What I do know is that he has not made his choice at this time. I have foreseen that Cadmon will be his guide with two others. He is loyal to me and you can trust him. If the descendant’s son has made the choice to come and save me, Cadmon will gladly lead the way. I cannot tell you much more due to time being short and I have to personally deliver this letter to Cadmon in secret before he leaves.

Peace be with you and to all of our land.

Remember. . . It is not that the dream is impossible. It is what you want of that dream.

Kiara

“How do we really know the note is from Kiara?” asked Devlyn as he skeptically looked at Cadmon.

“It is from her. No one else would know the phrase. It was something that I would always tell her when she was little.” Eion said.

“As soon as my mom is healed and the peace negotiations started. I will go and find Kiara and bring her back.” Kedryn said.

“Why not leave now? She is unattended with those butchers. Who will come with?” Cadmon asked as he looked at them disgruntled that they were not leaving right away.

“I have a feeling I know who one of them men will be. I would like for him to offer and make the choice himself. Will she be ok for a while?” Kedryn asked.

Cadmon gave in and sighed. He really didn’t have much choice in the matter anyway. His thoughts were of Lady Paili. She had grown fond of the Seer and would not let anything happen to her.

“She is treated well. I also believe that Lady Paili will not allow any harm to come to her. She and the monk took over Kiara’s training right after Lord Faolan left and Lady Paili is very protective of her.” Cadmon said.

“My brother. He is still alive? Why would Faolan or Paili let him train her still?” Eion said filled with the hope that his brother still lived.

“He had knowledge that Lady Paili did not. She knew if she observed Kiara’s training sessions with the monk. She would also gain that knowledge and had to get down on bended knee to keep Lord Faolan from performing the Blood Eagle on him.”

“I have heard it mentioned. What exactly is the Blood Eagle?” Kedryn asked.

“Are you sure you really would like to know?” Eion asked.

“Yes.”

“Cadmon. Would you do us the pleasure?” Eion asked.

“I would not consider it a pleasure. The Blood Eagle is Lord Faolan’s favorite. He shackles the man or beast to posts or places them on an altar. A very sharp and long blade is used to cut the victims ribs by the spine breaking the ribs so they resembled blood-stained wings. He slices the victim open and pulls out
their lungs. Just for kicks he sprinkles salt in the wound. He likes to hear them scream.”

Kedryn held up a hand. “Please. I think I’m going to gag. I get the picture. Unfortunately.”

Eion sensed a slight evil radiating from Cadmon. So faint he didn’t recognize it right away. His eyes were drawn to the pendant Cadmon was wearing and reached over and yanked it from his neck. It immediately started to emanate a ghastly reddish orange glow.

“You have to destroy this.” He said urgently.

“No.” Cadmon said flatly and snatched it back from Eion. “Kiara gave it to me. She is like a daughter to me and I will not throw it out. Why should I?”

“Lord Faolan has tampered with it. I cannot remove this magic. The only way it can be removed is for the symbol to be destroyed by the one it was made for or if the wearer dies.”

“What kind of magic is it?” Kedryn and Devlyn asked at the same time.

Eion looked at Cadmon “This magic shows Faolan exactly where you are. And if you are still of this earth.”

“Can he see me here?” Cadmon asked worried.

Eion closed his eyes and concentrated. “No. This one only works short range. I am assuming you never left the palace since you were Kiara’s guard. Faolan would not have needed to use a stronger spell. If you are leading a mission to save Kiara. I do not think that you would want him to know you are at his doorstep.”

Cadmon took out his double edged battle axe to destroy the carved eagle and Kedryn yelled “Wait!”

Everyone looked at him curiously while Kedryn started to pace.

“I’m not sure why. I think it may work to our advantage on the way in. After we get to Kiara we should destroy it.”

“I will think on it. Let us make that plan when we know who the other two are.” Cadmon said.

“I would offer to go with you. Sadly, I cannot and I have duties here. Is Lawler the one you were thinking of?” Devlyn asked.

“No. Someone else. I would like him to come with if he chooses to. I should go check up on my mom. After I’ll go and see how Lawler is doing.”

Aodhan watched as Kedryn turned to walk out. “I’ll come with.” He followed Kedryn out of the tent.

Eion turned to Cadmon. “I believe for now you will have to appear as our prisoner.”

“You have a good point. Lord Faolan has many spies. If one of them catch sight of me here it would have to seem that way. Especially if they are going to believe I escaped. I am thinking that is what Kedryn has in mind.” He fingered the carved eagle feeling sick that Lord Faolan made use of a gift that Kiara had given him.

General Ruark looked at his two guards by the door flap of the pavilion. He motioned to the soldiers to step forward. Each moved from their leisurely
stance to attention.

“Cadmon, these are my most trusted men, Lieutenant Kory Donnlan and Lieutenant Derrick Staffard. Kory, Derrick, you will escort this man as a prisoner however remember he is our guest. As soon you your tent is erected make an extra bunk in your quarters for him.”

“As you wish General.” Kory said and gave Ruark a quick bow.

Cadmon handed Derrick his sword and dagger. “Prisoners do not carry weapons.”

“Good point.” Derrick said and gave Cadmon an untrusting look as they led him out.

In his sleeping quarters Liam sat on his huge fur covered pallet with his head in his hands. The center flap was pushed aside and General Kayne walked in.

“Checking up on me? My head will not calm down it feels like it is raining inside of it.”

“That is a way to put it.” Kayne said as he walked over and sat down in a chair beside a small table in the corner. He reached over and lit the lantern set on it so he could see better. God Liam was a mess.

“I have to see her. I have to see if she is well.” Liam said as he rubbed his face.

Kayne looked him over. “I really do not think you are in any state of mind to head over to the Danann camp at this time. From what the message said it will take a few days but she is on the mend.”

“I have to see for myself.”

“I could not stop you if you decided to go. You will see her at the peace negotiations. I do not think you will be too welcome if you get caught in the Danann camp. Especially since you were the source of her injury. The negotiations will start the day after the funeral ceremony for Lord Blaine.”

Liam felt his stomach cramp again and got lightheaded. He let out a groan and ran to the chamber pot and throwing up. He pulled himself up onto a chair that was set next to the table Kayne was sitting.

Kayne got up and walked over to the wash basin and sloshed a scrap linen in the water. He walked over to Liam handing him the wet linen. Kayne watched with sympathy as Liam wiped his face.

“We were all fooled including your father. Do not take it all on yourself.” Kayne said looking at Liam’s bloodshot eyes and dark circles under them.

“Where is Niall? How is he?” Liam asked and turned as he heard someone enter.

“All healed and well cousin.” Niall said as he strode in and saw the look of relief on Liam’s face.

“Thank the one God.” Liam said.

“Pardon the intrusion. With your permission I would like to talk with Kedryn. I believe he has a mission that I can help him with.”

“What mission?” Kayne and Liam looked up at him and said at the same time.

“You two need to quit spending so much time together. The next thing you know you two will be finishing each other’s sentences.” Niall said.

Liam actually let out a laugh at that and rocked back in the chair he sat in. He looked at the soiled linen in his hands and threw it at the chamber pot. Liam looked at Niall who waited not hiding his impatience.

“I overheard Doyle. The one who tried to kill Kedryn ask if he would save the Seer. It seems that she is his sister and Faolan was getting in his head
making him do things. I don’t think it was ever Doyle’s intention to go after Kedryn. I would like to help on the rescue mission.”

“You certain?” Kayne asked.

“I do not know why. I feel compelled to go.” Niall said

“Go. And please make sure that Kedryn knows that I had no intention of hurting Lara, in the end.” Liam stood and offered his forearm and Niall took it. “Be safe.”

“May the one God light your way.” Niall said and looked the broken man before him and crinkled his nose. “And please take a bath Liam. You smell.”

Kayne laughed and Liam actually grinned. Niall was happy he could lighten Liam’s mood even if it was for a second. He turned and left to head out.

“I believe he is right.” Kayne said as he watched Niall leave. “I will have the servants prepare a bath for you in the other room. What of a woman? Do you have need for one?”

“No.” Liam said flatly. “I will take the bath. I have no need for a woman.”

“As you wish my Lord.” Kayne said and left the tent to talk to the servants to set up a bath for Liam and to make certain he took one.