“I’m grateful for the help.”
For the next hour, the room bustled with activity. The prince came in to retrieve his clothes. Patrick stopped by to ask how she was feeling. Then Sean ventured over from the Cara to review plans for the event.
Aisling recalled her wedding in the East Kingdom. It was one of the happiest days of her life. Today is no less spectacular, she thought.
After a final rush, the crowd left.
There was a knock at the door. Ryen smiled when he saw Aisling. “You look radiant,” he said.
“Thank you, cousin.”
“The ships are positioning themselves for the best views.”
“We’ve come a long way,” she said.
They walked out of the chamber and into the light.
She reached the deck and glanced at the horizon. They were anchored in front of the Cliffs of Moher.
The charcoal rocks stood like undaunted soldiers, protecting the enclaves that unfurled beyond the windswept seas. A mist hovered over the base of the peaks, melding the deep hues of the cool waters with the unwavering crags. In the distance, cries of the sea birds echoed against immutable walls of stone.
Five of her ships formed a semi-circle around the Saoirse. The crews crowded the railings of their respective vessels.
As the ship rose and fell with the undulating waves, Aisling inhaled the crisp air.
The prince stood at the far end of the deck, dressed in his royal attire. His long black robes were highlighted with an overlay of red fabric. At the hem were panels of dragons and symbols of nature, signifying luck and longevity. His long hair was pulled back into an organized queue.
As their eyes locked, she proceeded down the aisle, on Ryen’s arm.
Her new red silk dress glistened in the sunlight, the train flowing behind her as she made her way across the ship. The deep color was complemented by a green and red bouquet of flowers. Her long white and yellow hair was swept up in an elaborate topknot. Wisps of hair framed her face.
As she moved closer to the prince, he held out his hand. “You look beautiful,” he murmured.
“And you are very regal,” she said, smiling.
They both turned to Sean.
“Today, we’re here to bless the union of Prince Drayaen and Princess Aisling. We pray that their life together will be filled with love, happiness, and harmony. Bless them on their journey, Lord, and keep them safe from all harm.”
As Aisling and the prince renewed their wedding vows, there was a reverent silence.
“And now, the final prayer,” intoned Sean. He read from the book of Corinthians. “So now, faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Aisling and the prince embraced.
A cheer reverberated across the waters.
The excitement onboard the ship surged as the fleet headed for home. The staff stowed their belongings and prepared for arrival.
Lookout crews scanned the horizon as the navigation teams headed to the deck. The galley had been closed and cleaned, and the weaponry battened down.
Later that day, Aisling and Drayaen stood against the railing. She pointed to the bluffs in the distance.
“That’s Crough Patrick,” she said. “The locals call it the Magic Mountain. For thousands of years, it’s been the site of a pilgrimage. Our estate is a few miles from there.”
“It’s quite beautiful. What is the name of that small mountain, there?”
“That’s Clare Island. It guards the entrance to the harbor.” She turned to him and smiled.
“There are so many things I want to show you.”
“What’s at the top of your list?” he asked.
“I think the house and gardens, first.”
“Will everyone have a place?”
“Of course,” she nodded. “We’ll make it work.”
“For some of our new recruits, it will be a big adjustment. There are unfamiliar people, languages, and customs,” he said, gazing at the horizon.
“What about you?’ she asked. “Do you think you can build a life here?”
He smiled and grasped her arms. “If we’re together, I’ll be happy anywhere,” he murmured. “You are my home.”
The fleet reached the bay and navigated through the maze of isles that jutted out from the sea. At last, the quay was visible. A crowd had formed, and the sailors jockeyed for views through the spyglass.
Excitement was high as the ships pulled into the port. The women and children on the dock scanned the vessels for loved ones, and shrieks of joy echoed as they were reunited at last.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
THE LUSH GARDEN
Rays from the sun illuminated the large procession as it clattered down the winding road under a canopy of soaring trees. As they drew closer to the estate, the landscape transitioned from an unfettered wilderness to a haven of sculpted trees and gardens.
The river meandered next to the road, flowing in sinuous curves. The white rapids bubbled over the rocks, creating a trickling sound that echoed across the woodlands.
As they rounded the corner, the estate came into view. The manor was an imposing structure, with sweeping views of the river and bay. Its stone façade of amber and white gleamed against a backdrop of towering trees and terraces.
Woods bordered the house on both sides. The horses’ hooves clattered as they made their way over the arched stone bridge to the sweeping, manicured lawns.
Aisling grasped Drayaen’s arm. “Here we are,” she said, beaming as she surveyed the familiar grounds.
He smiled at her sparkling eyes. “It’s beautiful, and just as you described,” he said.
She turned to face him. “I did?”
He nodded. “When I was ill, I heard you talk about the drive, and the gardens.”
She reached for his hand and moved closer. “I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.”
“Without question,” he murmured.
There was a flurry of activity as they arrived at the entrance. Lining the sides of the stone steps were members of the staff, from the cooks to the stable hands. The estate manager, Toby, hurried down the steps to greet them, flanked by Galen, the butler. After initial greetings and heartfelt condolences for the loss of her uncle, Aisling turned to the crowd.
She introduced Drayaen and the new arrivals from the East Kingdom.
As the clapping died down, Toby turned to Aisling. “Princess, we received your letters this past summer and began work on the new projects. The barracks for the soldiers has been completed. Most of the cottages are done, along with your special request.”
“Excellent.”
“We’ve prepared a large, informal dinner for everyone this evening,” said Galen. “Right now, we can get everyone settled.” He waved a few servants forward.
“That sounds like a good plan,” said Aisling.
As the prince explained the arrangements to Colonel Lex, the soldiers trekked down the path to their new residence. Hanu and Maehwa were directed to a separate cottage on the grounds.
Drayaen scanned the crowd. “Where are Ryan and Sean?” he asked.
“They’ve decided to stay at Uncle Maológ’s house. It’s a family property, a short distance from here.”
He nodded. “It looks like there’s room for everyone.”
She smiled and grasped his hand. They climbed the stairs together and entered the place they would call home.
The first rays of sun peered over the horizon. Aisling and the Prince descended the grand staircase. After the excited noise and chatter of the dinner the night before, the house was now silent, except for the clock that chimed on the quarter hour.
They made their way to the library and closed the door behind them. Aisling removed her key and inserted it into the lock. Drayaen lit a candle, and they entered the hidden chamber.
It had been almost two years since she had last inspected the room. The books and maps remained untouched. She motioned to the prince. “We need to whi
sper here. There are rooms above and below us.”
He nodded, as they climbed the stairs to the loft and sat at the table.
“What are all these maps?” he asked.
“They’re trading routes, but I’m not yet sure about some of the locations that are marked.”
“Could they be places where your father traveled?”
“It’s possible, but it seems there are too many. Now that we’re back, I plan to review all of these materials in more detail.”
“How can I help?”
“We need to solve a mystery.”
“A mystery?”
“Before Maológ died, he told me that he hid some letters, where he and his brother used to play as children.”
“Could they be in this room?”
She shook her head. “Father told no one about his powers, not even my mother.”
“What about your uncle’s house?”
“It’s possible, although he spent the better part of his youth here.”
“At this estate?”
“So it seems.”
“Well, you were planning to show me the grounds. Perhaps we can conduct a search at the same time.”
“Good idea. I’d like to take a look at the new barracks as well. I’m sure you’d like to see where your soldiers are living.”
“I’m amazed it was built before we arrived.”
“I’m pleased about that too.” As they made their way down the loft stairs, she turned and motioned to the books and papers. “Now that we’re here, we’ll have more time to comb through all of this.”
He nodded as Aisling locked the door. They headed to the terrace, leaving behind the chamber and all of its secrets.
After a whirlwind tour of the grounds and new buildings, Aisling and the prince headed into the dining room for breakfast. The room was empty except for the butler, who was busy inspecting the buffet.
“Good morning, Your Highnesses.”
“Hello, Galen. That was a wonderful dinner last night.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He motioned to the food. “Is there anything else you need?”
Aisling had a sudden thought. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I was telling the prince about Maológ, and the fact that he spent a lot of time at our manor, as a child. I know you lived here then. Is there anything you can remember?”
“Oh, yes, he and your father used to play down by the river.”
“Was there a particular place they liked to go?”
“There was,” he said, as he peered over his glasses, “but that changed after the incident.”
“What do you mean?” asked Aisling.
“They liked to explore the underground tunnels.”
Aisling inhaled a deep breath and tried to sound calm. “Yes, of course. Is it the place where we set up the school for a brief time?”
“No, the other passages, behind the wine cellar.”
“What happened there?”
“One day, the boys were exploring the deep recesses beneath the estate. Maológ fell into murky waters and was tangled in the weeds and undergrowth. Michael saved him, but after that, your grandfather forbade them to go near the place again.”
“Are the passages still accessible?”
Galen nodded. “I believe so. There were a few people aware of their existence, but most of them are no longer with us.”
“Who else knows?”
He tilted his head and paused. “There might be a few sailors from the village, and the estate manager.”
“Toby?”
“Your father sometimes stored cargo there, before a journey.”
“Thank you, Galen.”
The butler gave them a bow and turned to leave, then glanced back at her and the prince. “The passages have been sealed for a long while now. From the tales I’ve heard, they’re dangerous.”
Aisling nodded, recalling her uncle’s disclosure. “If I know Maológ and Father,” she murmured, “they were not the types to be dissuaded.”
Of all the remaining places to show Drayaen, she thought, the underground network is now at the top of my list.
The torch cast shards of light against the wall as they made their way to the shrouded recesses beneath the estate. In the wine cellar, Aisling scanned the array of scotch, burgundy, and brandy stacked in neat displays, waiting to be plucked as suitable dinner companions.
She turned to Drayaen and laughed. “At least we’ll never be thirsty.”
He smiled. “There must be an entrance nearby. Can you hold the light aloft? There,” he said. “The thickness of the shelves is all the same, with one exception.”
“Perhaps there’s a lever, or a hinge.”
They pushed and pulled to no avail. Aisling noticed some wine with her name on it. “I’ve never seen this before,” she muttered. She removed the bottles from the shelf.
“Look,” said the prince. “There’s a keyhole.”
Aisling lifted the lamp and examined the lock. She extracted her key—the same one used to open the inner chamber in the library—and jiggled the cylinder.
It opened. They exchanged glances and walked into the tunnel. “I’ll go first,” Drayaen said, grasping the lantern.
The air was stale and damp. As they hovered inside the entrance, his eyes widened. They were standing in a cavernous storage area. Stone walls soared above them, merging into a barreled ceiling. A skylight cast glimmers of sun into the space. It wasn’t one room but a series of designed structures, all interwoven.
“I’ve never been down here,” said Aisling, clutching her necklace. “It looks like this could be part of an old castle.”
“Let’s keep going,” said the prince.
There was a room that was dominated by an enormous fireplace. “It’s possible this was a kitchen at some point,” he said.
Beyond, there were more chambers. The door at the end opened onto a muddy embankment with stairs that descended to the river, where the waters were obscured by marshy overgrowth.
“This must have been where Maológ and Father had their accident.”
“It looks like a perfect escape route.” Drayaen surveyed the trail leading to the bay. “If there was threat of a siege, passengers and cargo could be transported under cloak of darkness.”
“There are more tunnels off the main corridor,” said Aisling. “I imagine it would be fun to play down here. Let’s take a look.”
They searched the surrounding areas. After exploring the inner chambers, Aisling came to a series of stone steps and an arched door. The prince pushed it open. Inside, the room mirrored the larger spaces, with the same arched ceilings. There was one major difference. The stone shelves on each side of the room were filled.
There were dozens of crates and trunks.
They exchanged glances and moved to the first container. The items inside were bound in cloth. Aisling unwrapped an object and gasped. Her grandmother’s jewels. She recognized the pearls that her mother had inherited. After searching through more of the treasures, they discovered gold, silver, pewter, and other valuables.
“Look,” she said, pointing to one of the remaining trunks. “It has Maológ’s name on it.” She lifted the lid. Hidden under some personal possessions were a few letters tied with string. They were all written on white stationary, embossed with a blue design at the top. She opened one and inhaled a deep breath.
They were the notes that her uncle had concealed from her father. The writer warned about King Floe, and a co-conspirator.
Aisling turned pale.
Perhaps there were powerful enemies who had yet to be defeated.
In an instant, the room became gloomy and oppressive.
“What is it?” asked the prince, his brow creasing.
“These are the mysterious letters to Maológ.” She put her arm out to lean against the stone surface.
“We’ve been down here long enough,” he said, clasping her hand and tucking the notes into his coat. “I think you need some fresh air.”
Later that night, after the prince fell asleep, Aisling walked to the sitting room in the adjoining chamber. She lit a candle and sat at the desk, reviewing the letters her uncle had hidden. The handwriting was unfamiliar to her, but the penmanship and word selection were from someone with an advanced level of education. It warned of an impending attack.
As Aisling read further, it seemed that the writer was not the perpetrator of the threat, but someone who wanted to caution Lord Bailey about the potential danger. “I’ll discuss this with Drayaen in the morning,” she murmured.
She opened her desk drawer and pulled out the next note from her father.
His first communication had been opened almost two years earlier, when she first learned of the secret society and her special powers. To keep her magic, she needed to conquer the dark forces in the East Kingdom.
The second mission was revealed after she and the prince were married. It issued the challenge of changing history. She took a deep breath and opened the third.
Dear Aisling,
If you are reading this, you must have completed your journey. I am so proud of your achievements. I’m confident you have done great things with your powers.
Within the next twelve months, you must find an enemy closer to home. Insidious adversaries are trying to steal our basic freedoms. Develop relationships with members of the secret society. Together, you can defeat the darker forces that threaten our way of life.
The map on my wall in the secret room includes trading routes and notations of potential alliances. This information may help you in your quest.
Stay safe, and know that you are loved.
Father
She sat by the hearth until the roaring fire reduced to burning embers. Aisling thought about her new mission. She’d changed, and was no longer uncertain about her future or her magic. There was a clear path before her, and she had the love of the prince.
With newfound determination, she returned to the bedroom and curled up next to Drayaen, grateful he was by her side.
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