by D. E. Morris
“What kind of masks?” Killian asked.
“It were made of bone and feathers...maybe scales. It looked like the skull of a dragon. They kept saying they were there to cleanse the land of Gaelic blood.” Fresh tears pooled in her eyes and her shoulders shook. “Oh, Giver...please don't let them kill my family. Please help me!”
Killian put a hand on her shoulder, careful not to get in the way of the older man as he worked to ease her physical pain. “Cirilla, I will find your family, but I have a few more questions before I can do that. How is it that you got away?”
“I don't know,” she sobbed. “My husband, he's Gaelic, and my children got it from him. I don't have a lick of Gael in me. I tried to fight them and one of them hit me over the head with the hilt of his weapon. When I came to and saw them all gone, I didn't know what else to do but to come here. It's already been too long!”
“All right. Stay here.”
“Are you going to help me?”
“Just stay here and let this man look after you. Can you do that for me?” She nodded meekly, and Killian slipped back in through the door. He told the guards to keep an eye on the woman, but had nothing else to say to them before hurrying back across the castle grounds. If he was surprised to see Ashlynn and Cavalon still outside waiting for him with Gianara hanging back in the doorway behind them, his expression gave nothing away. There was no time for any of them to ask what was happening; Killian gave them the full report without prompting.
“Cleanse the land?” Ashlynn fumed. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means we need to act fast,” Cavalon rumbled. Of Killian, he asked. “Are you going to go out looking for them?”
“With Her Majesty's permission, yes.”
“You more than have my permission. I want these men found and brought back here.” She glanced at Cavalon. “Alive.”
“They'll be alive. I just can't promise if they'll be able to walk.”
“I would like to go as well,” said Gianara as she came forward. There was a cold fury that radiated off her body. “Two dragons in the air searching will be better than an entire army on horseback.”
Killian looked to Ashlynn, who gave a slight nod of her head.
“I will gather my fastest riders and we will be away at once. My Queen, I must insist that you stay inside with the others until these men are caught. It is my duty to protect you and if I am not here, your safest place would be inside the castle with Cailin and the others.”
Ashlynn nodded again and turned for the open doorway, but paused to give Cavalon one more look of warning. “Alive.”
He cracked his neck and his knuckles in response.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D.E. began writing at the age of fourteen. During her freshman year of high school she participated in a nation-wide writing contest for racial diversity, and ended up wining a special recognition for her short story. She's since had a poem published in a compilation book and has continued to look toward Richard Adams, Melanie Rawn, and Marion Zimmer Bradley, some of her favorite authors, for inspiration as she continues working on the next books in her Age of Valor series, as well as other writing projects.
She currently lives in New Hampshire with her cat Gallifrey, but longs to one day find her home in Scotland. Until then she is heavily involved at her church and with the ministry of Celebrate Recovery.
Connect with D. E. Morris by following her on Twitter (phasingirl), liking the official Age of Valor Facebook page (facebook.com/ageofvalor), or emailing her directly at [email protected].
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