Age of Valor: Blood Purge

by D. E. Morris

  Pausing at a cross section where the halls split, Jaryn bent to kiss his wife. “It is good to remember things like that where there is so much darkness around us. I will see you outside in a little while.”

  Despite knowing there was nothing she could have done to keep her ladies safe, there was a certain level of guilt that started off small and only grew the closer she moved to their designated quarters. It hardly mattered whether she could have prevented injury or not, they were her responsibility in the end. Losing Zarra so many years ago left a wound to her spirit that opened all too easily when it came to those in her charge. She knew there was nothing she could have done to save her youngest lady that night, but her heart stored all of the accusations she thrust upon herself when she lost not only Zarra, but her unborn child as well.

  Approaching footsteps made Ashlynn pull herself from her thoughts to focus on the path ahead. Niam was coming her way and bowed his head when he was close enough. “Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you for all of your help today, Niam. You have been a great asset.”

  “If there is anything else I can do, name it.”

  She gave him a fleeting, humorless smile. “You may regret that offer before the day is done. My husband has a job for you. He is with the children at the moment, but will soon be joining the others outside. I take it you have met Prince Connor McKane?”

  “We met outside the kitchen just a little while ago, actually. I was not aware that Lady Rowan was his sister. Apparently, he is rather protective of her and didn't like us talking. I was only asking after Lady Mairead. It was mentioned that she was in a great deal of discomfort and I had an idea of how to help. Prince Connor joined us in time to hear me ask where Lady Mairead was and misconstrued my question to have some hidden lecherous meaning, I suppose.”

  Nodding, Ashlynn linked her hands together before her. “We are all on rather high alert at the moment.”

  “I don't hold his mistrust against him. I'm the same way with my sisters. It's what brothers are supposed to do.”

  “Perhaps you will be able to explain yourself better,” Ashlynn offered, smiling gently. “You and Connor have been tasked with working together this afternoon.”

  Niam dipped his head. “As I said, anything I can do.” Lifting his gaze, he glanced in the direction from which he had come. “I made sure to get Lady Rowan enough of the elixir to get through the night, as well as clean bandages just to be safe. I also gave her a sachet to put under Lady Mairead's pillow. It isn't anything fancy, just lavender and cedar wood.” Ashlynn tilted her head in question and Niam shrugged. “I have trouble sleeping. Sometimes I have pain from old injuries, sometimes I just can't get my brain to turn off. The sachet helps.”

  “And what will you use in the meantime?”

  “I doubt very much that I will be seeking sleep anytime soon, Your Majesty.”

  “Fair point. Well I thank you for taking such good care of Mairead, and of Rowan earlier.”

  “Of course.” With one more bow of respect, he stepped aside to let Ashlynn pass before both continued on their way to their destinations.

  Chapter Six

  When it came to enacting a plan that involved a large group of people, it was rare that things went as expected, rarer still when most involved were compliant and there was minimal grumbling. As the six remaining nations broke into different sections of the village in an effort to organize and keep track of one another, it was a pleasant surprise to watch it all unfold so smoothly. Though Jaryn only thought of the Celts and had forgotten there were many from other countries in attendance as well, men and women stepped up to claim leadership for their own regional groups as the evening wore on. Ships had been led into the bay on the other side of the mountain range that the village was nestled into, and caravans of people were led through the pass, nation by nation, to be carried back home. It would take working through the night, given how many people were still there, but the village would surely be empty before sunset the next day.

  Sturdy pallets were made for the injured that needed to be moved for easy transport. Knowing it would take too long for a litter to pass through the mountains, Cailin and Niam shifted to their dragon forms and lifted every individual by the ropes tied around each wooden bed. They flew slowly so as not to blow anyone away, and they always went together for safety.

  “They're brave to do that right now,” said Jaryn. He watched Kenayde and Elas hold up armfuls of rope for Cailin to take in her talons. “Smart and brave.”

  Killian, standing beside him, nodded. “Badru is keeping watch as they fly, making sure they are safe. It was a good plan. Moving all of the injured one by one through the mountains would have taken far too long.”

  “Whose idea was it?”

  “Niam and Cailin came up with it together.”

  Jaryn chewed on his cheek and watched the two Gaels fly away from the village, each carrying a loaded pallet. “I don't like this, Killian. I don't like this one bit.”

  “Which part?”

  “Any of it. We were supposed to help bring peace to the nations. We were going to heal what had been broken among us and make it so that everyone could feel safe in their own skin again. Instead, we started something so much bigger than it was to begin with. By killing Tadhg, we somehow unleashed this monster within Merrik and his reach is far greater than Tadhg's was. Worse still, his is sometimes invisible until it is upon you.”

  Killian glanced at Jaryn and shook his head. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, you give yourselves too much credit. There is no way of knowing Merrik's state when Tadhg was still on the throne, or whether he was in control of Tadhg all along or not. The world has changed since you were crowned, certainly, but it is not any worse, only different. It may seem darker on days like these, but your reign has been one of change already, and it is still so new in the grand scheme of things.”

  Looking down, Jaryn gave a small, humble smile to himself. “Thank you, Killian. You are one of the very few who can say something like that with a genuineness I don't have to question. I forget that I need that sometimes.” Killian said nothing, only nodded and kept his eyes on the moving streams of people. “I'm glad I have you in my corner. Though we did not start out as fast friends, there is no one I trust among my men more than you.”

  The statement caused the older man's attentive gaze to wander. He glanced at Jaryn as though to be certain he wasn't being teased. When he seemed satisfied by the lack of humor on Jaryn's face, he nodded once more, his eyes downcast as though he wasn't sure where to look. “Thank you, my king. That means a great deal to me.”

  Jaryn rolled his head, half of his mouth curving into a smirk. “I'd add Cailin into that very select group as well, but she's known Ashlynn longer than me. I know she'd take her side over mine in an argument.”

  Breaking his stony demeanor, Killian gave a quiet laugh. “That is probably rather true.”

  They were quiet again for several long moments, overseeing the slow and steady procession of departures. It was only when Cailin and Niam could be seen flying back toward the village with empty pallets did Jaryn cross his arms and incline his chin upward. “What do you know of young Master Ainslie?”

  Killian watched the pair descend as well. There were no more ships available at the moment for any of the injured who were left, allowing them to shift back into their human forms. As Elas and Kenayde dragged the rope and pallets away, Niam and Cailin held a quick conversation that couldn't be heard from so far away They then split off from one another to be useful elsewhere.

  “I know little apart from what everyone else knows of him,” Killian admitted at length. “He is exceptionally strong and is a dedicated, hard worker. He takes direction well. When I wished to speak with Lady Mairead after the explosions he tried to dissuade me, telling me it was ill-advised for her to be speaking. When she began coughing, he was right there to try to ease her. That speaks a great deal to his loyalty and protectiveness. Aside from that, I know he has apprentice
d with a blacksmith in the past and has chosen to make his living that way as opposed to taking anything from his father.”

  “Prideful young buck,” Jaryn muttered.

  “Though not so young as to be too prideful,” Killian added. “I believe he is twenty-four.” Jaryn nodded and said nothing, making Killian glance at him. “Have you a plan for him?”

  “I don't know yet. Whether it's a gut feeling or the Spirit - perhaps both if they are not one and the same - I feel Niam may be an invaluable asset in the days to come.”

  “Where is your queen?”

  Sparing Jaryn from having to explain his cryptic musings, both men turned to see Fionn coming up the path toward them. Sometime in between the closing of the meeting in the kitchen and the beginning of the various assemblies, it looked like he had taken the time to not only change, but bathe as well. This, as well as the informal demand, set Jaryn's jaw to clench. He kept himself from replying out of irritation and made himself give as congenial a smile as he could muster.

  “Aren't you looking well refreshed?”

  Fionn glanced over Jaryn. He stepped as close to him as he dared, his nose crinkled. “I was covered in blood and dirt after helping so many people in the market this morning.”

  “Aye, so are we all.” Jaryn wet his lips. “What can I help you with, Your Majesty?”

  “I wish to speak with your wife. She is Gaelic and an Elemental. Are you also a Gael?”

  “No.”

  “Then it is she with whom I wish to speak.”

  “My wife is otherwise engaged elsewhere, likely still assembling our people to offer them a strong front in the face of what we all have endured today while they await safe passage home. Now I recognize the look of disappointment on your face at having to deal with second best – I see it far too often – but let's try and put our heads together, you and me, and see what can be done about whatever it is you need.”

  Fionn turned a disapproving eye on Killian. Unflinching, Killian held the Ibayish man's gaze and gave no indication of leaving. When the two men looked as though they would have a stare-down until one finally turned away, Jaryn sighed through his nose. “What can I help you with, Fionn?”

  The use of his first name made the man tear his gaze from Killian to turn it angrily upon Jaryn. “We need to take inventory.”

  “Inventory?”

  “Yes. We need to know who the Gaels are within our own countries, where they live, what their parent element is...things like that.”

  Killian narrowed his eyes. “You mean a registry.”

  Fionn's brows shot up and he nodded. “Yes, exactly.”

  “Absolutely not,” said Jaryn.

  Fionn scowled at him. “Why not? It would help us keep them safe if they are accounted for.”

  “It would do exactly the opposite of that,” Killian pushed, not bothering to wait for permission to speak. “I have worked within the castles of two high kingdoms and I know how easily information is leaked and shared. To have such information on every Gael within your country would most certainly be putting their names on a hit list.”

  “Excuse me, guard, but you know nothing about the way I run my people.”

  “In all fairness to you, Your Majesty, you are correct in that. But in fairness to me, you do not know how easily a desperate man can fall prey to the right promises or a sufficiently heavy purse.” Killian glanced at Jaryn for support and to show he meant his words for both of them. “A Gaelic registry is as good as a death certificate.”

  “I agree with my Captain,” said Jaryn, clapping Killian on the shoulder as he stressed the title. The exchange was drawing attention from people the three of them didn't even know were watching. Connor and Lilia approached from behind Fionn, the younger man's face flushed.

  “Did he tell you?” Connor asked. “Did he tell you how he's going to go home and make every Gael come forward and declare themselves so he can 'keep them safe'?” Fionn spun and looked down at the boy, but Connor was too angry to be bothered. He took a step closer to Fionn, shrugging off Lilia's grasp on his arm to try to keep him back. “You'll be the first one to fold, you greedy gobshite.”

  Jaryn uncrossed his arms and held out a hand to Connor in warning. “Easy, lad.”

  “I should have fought you for the crown,” Connor spat, ignoring Jaryn. “Alanna never wanted it to begin with but you...you wanted to go where the money was.”

  “There was no money in Ibays!” Fionn's fists clenched at his sides as he towered over Connor. “I was the one who started turning things around for her. Her people were starving with you as their high king. I was the one who brought trade back to our kingdom. I was the one who brought back hope.”

  “False hope! What you call trade, most others would call whoring yourself out!”

  “Connor!” Lilia gasped.

  More people were turning to see what the commotion was about. Cavalon, Nuala, and Ashlynn were hurrying toward the group, and Kenayde and Elas were watching from afar. “I think we've had enough excitement for today,” Jaryn tried to reason, but Connor took another step closer to Fionn so that they were almost chest to chest, neither of them backing down.

  “Did you sell the location of the darkness dragon clutch?” Connor asked, his soft question icy. “You remember, the one Gia and I found in the mountains at King's Crown? The one you specifically told me you would make sure wouldn't be found by the wrong people?” Fionn's eyes went wide, making Connor nod in acknowledgment of his correct assumption. “Yeah, I just found out. Turns out not everyone at court is as deep in your pocket as you'd think. I've got friends there too.”

  “Listen, you abhorrent little lizard-herder-”

  Connor's fist slammed into the side of Fionn's face before he could get the rest of his insult out. Before anyone could react or even get a full grasp on what was happening, the two men were rolling on the ground. They swung fists at each other and kicked up a cloud of dust around them. Cavalon sped forward with several of the core group seemingly coming from nowhere to be right behind him. While Killian pulled Connor off of Fionn, Cavalon wrapped his arms around Fionn's middle and hauled him to his feet.

  “That's enough!” he barked, his golden eyes lit with anger. “You two are brothers!”

  “He is not my brother!” Connor challenged, wresting himself free from Killian. “He's been selling the locations of dragons and their nests all over Ibays. Why else do you think he wants this registry? So he can make even more money off the bodies that will pile up in the wake of his greed!”

  “You lie!” Fionn roared, stabbing a finger in Connor's direction.

  “I think it is time for you to find your own ship home.” Venom dripped from Nuala's suggestion, her usually calm demeanor given way to anger that made heat radiate off of her body.

  Fionn looked her over, a vein throbbing in his forehead. He opened his mouth with an irate comment at the ready, but Cavalon still had a grip on him and squeezed him just a bit tighter. In Fionn's ear, he rumbled, “You might want to think very carefully about what you're going to say to my wife.” He let Fionn go and gave him a little shove toward the line of people waiting to be led through the mountains for their ships. “Go home, Fionn.”

  His clean skin was dirty and bruised and his jerkin askew. Fionn ran a hand over his curls, indignant. “You cannot tell me to leave. You are as much a guest here as I am.”

  “Perhaps they cannot,” said Tasarin, coming up behind him, “but I can. I do not take kindly to one who would willingly put another living creature in peril, especially ones so helpless as a clutch of unborn dragons. When those dragons happen to fall under the element of my bride, I take double offense to that. Thank you for your attendance at both the games and the summit, High King Mac Branain, but I fear you have outstayed your welcome in my country and it is time for you to take your leave.”

  “Go,” Connor repeated. Fionn grabbed the bottom of his jerkin and tugged it forcefully, trying to give himself some semblance of still being put t
ogether. “Enjoy your time on the throne while it lasts, Fionn, because I'm coming for you.”

  Cavalon pointed at the boy. “Enough.”

  With a low growl, Fionn turned around and stalked off. As soon as he was out of sight, Connor rounded on Jaryn, still not quite rid of his rage. “You're just going to let him go?”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “He's letting people kill dragons in Ibays, Jaryn! By doing nothing, you're all but condoning his actions.”

  “That is absolutely not true,” Ashlynn argued.

  “And you! How can you just stand there when you know he's going to leave with my sister and likely beat her when they get back to Lerranyth, if she's even lucky to make it that far?”

  Cavalon took only two steps to close the distance between himself and Connor, grabbing the younger man by his tunic collar. “You need to take a walk and cool yourself off before I do it for you.”

  “Get off of me!” Connor shoved at Cavalon but only succeeded in pushing himself back. “You all have so much power and yet you do nothing with it.”

  “We offered her a way out,” Nuala told him calmly. “She refused to take it.”

  “Great,” Connor drawled. “That's helpful. Thank you.” With a disgusted shake of his head, he turned around and walked away. Lilia was left standing there, uncertainty on her face when she looked to Ashlynn for direction.

  “Go,” she said quietly. “Make sure he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else.”

  “That boy is a hot-head,” Cavalon grumbled as Lilia scurried away.

  “He is passionate,” said Tasarin pointedly. “I will give him that.”

  “And loyal,” Jaryn agreed. “He only wants to protect the dragons and his sister.”

  Ashlynn waved Elas and Kenayde over, inviting them to join the group. “He is right, to an extent. We can't just sit back and do nothing. If he's aiding in the hunting of dragons, it's only a matter of time before he adds Gaels into the mix.” She shook her head and swore quietly. “He stood right on that stage with us as we declared our kingdoms safe. Everyone within earshot will have heard Connor's accusations and they will spread like wildfire, disputing the validity of all of us.”