Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (19 page)

“I know I’m right.” I say with a cheeky grin and wink. “Now let’s see to Tempest.” I say as we enter the courtyard and head toward the stables.

Chapter 22

(Ashlinn)

The day passes quickly. After our little adventure outside of the keep this morning that turned up unexpected guest by way of hostages in the dungeon. Wow what a difference two weeks makes. Alaric and his men stay busy trying to not only fortify the wards around the perimeter of the outlying lands but they’re trying to make the prisoners talk. All Lexie and Jasmine seemed to be concerned with are the upcoming festivities. As soon as Jasmine sees my mate markings she literally flips out making me laugh at her excited acrobatics. I’m distracted by the events from earlier so I tell them both that we’ll talk about it later this evening. They both do what they can to take my mind off of the standoff just outside of the keep but I want answers, damn it. By midafternoon I’ve lost my patience with the whole situation in the dungeon and make my way toward my kindred. I quickly realize that if I concentrate on our bond it’s like a compass pointing me toward him and I march in that general direction. As I come upon an impressive door inside the keep located outside near the stables I see that I am going to have to talk my way in as there are two guards at attention on either side.

“Excuse me? Can either of you point me toward the dungeon?” I ask rather nonchalantly.

Both bow and say in unison, “Princess.”

“Well? You can show me in or I can find my own way. One way or the other I am going to be shown to the dungeon.” I say as I stand there with hands on my hips. Since this morning’s incident I had decided to gear up with my crossbow and weapon’s holster strapped around my waist and right thigh. Both men shift uncomfortably on their feet. I can feel Alaric thru our bond bristle as he knows that I’m close. “So?” I shoot both of them a glare. “Show me in.” I demand.

The door opens and Alaric steps thru, “Ashlinn, this is no place for a lady. I must insist that you go back…”

“To what, Alaric? Twiddling my thumbs? Planning the festivities? You really think that six horsemen come after me and I am not going to want answers? You have been in there long enough. It’s time that you let me ask some questions.” I demand. “I can feel your frustration and it is grating on my nerves. Either you allow me in or I’ll ride out to meet your uncle unattended. The choice is yours.”

“You will not ride out of this keep!” He all but shouts at me.

“Try me.” I glare back at him. “What happened with together? We do this together, isn’t that what you said?” I ask. “We need answers and if you give me a chance we may be able to get them.” I can tell he’s on the fence and trying to protect me so I say, “Give me fifteen minutes tops. If in that time I can’t get anything out of them then I’ll go back to our rooms and prepare for this evening’s events. I know that what I’m about to walk in on is not going to be pleasant. I can sense your unease but we have to try a new tactic.”

“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? They despise you and will be brutal. I don’t want to subject you to their insults.” He looks so very torn and for a moment I contemplate my request but know that I must follow thru.

“It will be but a few moments. They mean nothing to me, even less now that they have tried to harm you and Tempest just to get to me. I will protect those I care for with my life. They mean to do harm to all the realms not just me and they mean to harm the Tree of Life. I cannot stand by and allow that to happen. They can do nothing to harm me, they’re prisoners. Alaric, what I’m planning to do will be unconventional by your standards. Do you think you can follow my lead?” He pulls me in to his arms and I breathe in his scent because it calms me. Everything around us comes to a standstill as we take each other in, our bond is strong and it calms us both.

“I see a pattern here.” He says kissing the top of my head as he releases me.

I smile up at him and ask, “And that is?”

He sighs, “You getting your way. A lot.”

I snicker and I hear the guards try to contain their snorts as well. I had all but forgotten they were there. “Better get used to it. Show me the way Elf Man.” I say as I grab his hand in mine, our bond is electric and it hums thru us. It is the most amazing thing that I have ever experienced. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the realms. “I need you to hold my hand thru out this interrogation; you may be able to pick up on my thoughts, emotions, or feelings while we’re in there. I promise that afterward I will go to our chambers to prepare for the arrival of your uncle like a good little girl.”

“Ash, I must warn you that they have not been well treated and are in bad shape.” He says.

“So be it.” I say.

We walk thru the doors to the dungeon and down winding stairs. It’s cool and damp, probably because this is an island situated in the middle of a lake. The air is dank and musty and the lighting is dim. My eyes take a moment to adjust. We walk toward the only two remaining men from this morning’s attack. I assess the situation quickly and then ask, “Have they been given food or water?”

“No, my lady.” I hear from the guard.

I turn to toward the Fomorians. “Are you thirsty? Is there anything I can do to ease your discomfort?” I ask.

“Why would you want to ease our discomfort? You’re the very witch we’ve been sent to capture.” He says, suspiciously as he spits blood from his mouth in my general direction. I feel Alaric bristle next to me but I squeeze his hand in mine stilling him.

“Because no one should be subjected to things they find discomforting.” I say.

“This is a trick. I will not be easily swayed.” The prisoner says glaring at me.

“I merely offer food and water, no more than I would grant livestock.” I say and continue to hold Alaric’s hand. “You can accept my goodwill or reject it. Either way you will remain a prisoner here for as long as we deem fit. So you will either answer the questions asked of you or you will remain locked in the dungeons without food or water.”

“Why would you feed us?” the other prisoner asked and is immediately silenced by his companion.

I wasn’t sure how I would answer that question until it was asked but at that moment I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would do anything in my power to lead the Fomorians to the light, they are the dark fae in this kingdom and are being lead to destruction. Like an epiphany I knew this was part of my purpose. “Because, as long as there is light in your soul I will never give up on you, as long as you can see reason and both sides to the situation at hand you shall be treated with the respect that any individual deserves. That being said there are consequences to your actions today.” Both have been badly beaten and bloodied and both assess my words while scrutinizing me.

“You are not what we were led to believe.” The same man speaks up and is again hushed by his companion but he pays him no mind. “I may consider speaking with you but I don’t believe that you will follow through on your offer. We were led to believe that you were cold and callous. That you would come to this realm to over throw the kings and queens to become the supreme ruler, that you were our enemy.” He states as he stares me down daring me to challenge his opinion.

“I assure you that my only enemies are those that would seek to bring harm to the Tree of Life because by doing so would bring harm to all the realms. If that is your mission then you are my enemy.” I state bluntly as I stare back at him. Turning to the guards I say, “Bring them water, bread, and some cheese whatever is on hand. It doesn’t have to be fresh from the oven, day old will be fine. They will also need water to clean their wounds.” Turning back to the prisoners I ask, “Are you my enemy? Is it your mission to cause harm to the Tree of Life? Who sent you? What was your ultimate mission?” Alaric squeezes my hand as he can feel my nervous energy.

“My loyalty is pledged to The Morrígan, High Queen of the Fomorians. You are an enemy to my queen. You threaten her plan to make this realm the most powerful of all realms. I do not seek to cause harm to the Tree of Life but merely ensure that my queen has ultimate control over the Tree making her the mother of all realms and High Queen over all.” He speaks directly to me. His companion has long ago given up keeping him quiet and continues to glare at me.

“Is that all?” I asking pausing for effect, “So we should just bow down to your queen and allow her to take control of all life? Is that what you’re saying? There is a balance for a reason and your queen’s mission will upset the balance of life. If she accomplishes her goal all the realms will be adversely affected.” I pause again and then ask, “Do you have a name?”

“Garrik, my name is Garrik.”

“Well Garrik, do you have a family? If so how will all this impact them? I don’t believe that you’ve been given all the facts as to what you queen’s plan will ultimately do to all the realms. You seem like a smart guy, so I ask that you and your companion think about the histories as you know them and ponder what will happen if one person obtains that kind of power. No one should be that powerful because once the balance is tipped there will be no going back. I do not know what your queen has promised her followers but I assure you that she has her own agenda. A war is coming and you need to decide on which side you will pledge your allegiance. I vow to you and everyone in this room that I will do whatever it takes to make sure that no more harm comes to the Tree of Life. That includes making sure that your queen does not gain control over it upsetting the balance between the realms. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my lady.” Garrik says.

Turning to his cohort in crime I say, “You have been very quiet, do you have anything to add?”

“No. You are the enemy to my queen and therefore my enemy. You mean to trick us by showing us kindness. I am no fool, witch.” He snarls at me again spitting in my direction.

I look at Alaric and ask, my lips twitching as I try not to smile, “Why does this oaf keep calling me witch? Everyone knows I’m not a witch, I can be a bit of a bitch at times but I’m definitely not a witch.” He just looks at me and shakes his head. Even though I am trying to make light of these comments I can feel Alaric’s anger and unease thru our bond. I squeeze his hand and cupping his cheek as I gaze up at him sending reassuring thoughts and love thru our bond. Looking down at me he shoots me a small smile reserved just for me then he responds not to me but the man in chains in front of us with a gruff voice, “You dishonor my kindred, my mate. If it were up to me you would continue to go hungry and rot in this cell. She may be able to make light of your slurs toward her but I assure you I do not. She is a princess, the daughter to Danu, High Queen and goddess of this realm and you will respect her.”

“She is not my queen! I have no respect for the likes of her.” He growls.

I speak up before Alaric completely loses his restraint, “Think what you will, it matters not to me. I will leave you both to think about what I’ve said, what you have done here today, and what side you will choose to fight on. Make no mistake of my intentions. I will go to battle and fight to the death to protect the Tree of Life and the balance between the realms to ensure that the realms do not fall. I have nothing personal against The Morrígan but she is an enemy to the Tree and therefore my enemy. I at this moment declare myself the Tree’s champion. To go against the Tree is to go against me and my Guard. I will be back tomorrow morning. In the meantime clean your wounds, rest and get some nourishment.” I turn to Alaric, “Will you escort me out?” Turning to the guards I say sternly, “See to it that each man has a blanket. There is a chill in the air down here. I meant what I said about food and water.” I hear Alaric snort his disagreement at my side. That’s when I see TNT standing quietly in the corner with several other men that I have not yet met. Tolin steps towards us and says, “Princess, your Guard would be honored to escort you out of the dungeon.”

“I would be honored to have my Guard escort me.” I say with a smile and then look back to the two prisoners in their cell and say, “I hope to see both of you in better shape in the morning.” With that I turn to Alaric and we’re led back out of the dungeon with men in front and behind us.

As we step back into the bright afternoon light of the courtyard and as my eyes adjust I can see the three unfamiliar men from below more clearly now, all of them are dressed in brown leathers, including Alaric. Each wear a sleeveless leather vest and all are heavily armed with either swords, daggers, throwing knives, and even battle axes. Not to mention that they themselves are a lethal weapon. I look up at Alaric for introductions as he pulls me to his side wrapping his left arm around my waist and smiling down at me.

“Ashlinn, I should introduce you to the rest of your Guard.” He gestures to the left and begins to name the three men I don’t recognize. “This is Fergus, Lorcan, and Ēolieus. Men, this is my kindred, Ashlinn Ryllae Elan.” At that all five men go down on their left knee, make a fist with their right hand and place it over their hearts, and bow their heads. In unison they say, “My lady.”

Not sure what to do I look at Alaric questioningly he only nods and waits for me to act. “Please stand. I hope to get to know each of you in time. I know that my ways are different from yours but I hope that I can learn from you and you from me. You honor me and I can only hope to live up to your expectations.” I take a moment to look them over; they’re all so very different. Fergus is enormous. He stands well over six foot five inches tall not to mention that he is a tree trunk of a man with all those bulging muscles. His hair is a fiery red with a closely trimmed beard, brown eyes and tanned but freckled physique. Fergus is the only member of the guard to carry battle axes and throwing axes. Lorcan’s dark hair is shaved close to his head as is his five o’clock shadow. Friendly brown eyes look back at me. Then there is Ēolieus who reminds me of the elves from Lord of the Rings, his long straight platinum blond hair is pulled back from his face with intricate braids and the length is allowed to stream down his back, his sapphire blue colored eyes are intense but he has a friendly air about him. They’re all elves like the rest of the Guard with the exception of Nemus and I can tell that they’re all distinctly different but somehow fit together as a dynamic team.