“Noah,” he said, falling to his knees, pulling the boy to his chest. “Are you all right?”
“Aye, I’m fine,” said Noah, still playing with his wand.
“Where is Lord Irwin?” Orrick got up quickly, running over and picking up the torch. Immediately he felt the power of the Eternal Flame go through him. He was once again the Keeper of the Flame. “I cannot believe Irwin would drop the flame and leave,” said Orrick, holding the fire high, trying to see through the tight passageway.
“He didn’t leave,” said the boy.
“He didn’t?” Orrick turned around to look at Noah. “What do you mean?”
“I turned him into a frog with my magic wand.”
“Noah, I don’t have time for your stories,” said Orrick. “Now tell me –” Orrick stopped in midsentence as he heard the croak of a frog. He looked down at his feet to see the biggest bullfrog he’d ever seen in his life. Could Noah have been telling the truth? Orrick suddenly wondered.
“Noah?” asked Orrick. “Do you . . . do you have . . . magic?”
“Aye,” said the boy. “I have always had magic but you didn’t believe me.”
“Do you mean to say you had magic even before I gave you the wand?”
“Aye,” he said again.
Suddenly everything became clear to Orrick. “Did you by any chance keep changing me into the old sorcerer when I didn’t know it?”
“I wanted you to be old again so you would teach me, and read to me. I don’t like you young because you ignore me.”
“Noah,” he said with a chuckle, ruffling the boy’s hair. “I thought I was losing my power to shapeshift and hold the form. I had no idea you could do that.”
“I can do more things, like open up your locked door with a wave of my hand. But I want you to teach me to do what you do.”
Curious, Orrick had to ask him. “Did you happen to read the title out loud of the Eternal Flame book, too?”
“I did. I read for Lady Hope. She was going to teach me to read the whole book.”
“That’s how she was able to read it,” he said, having thought Hope was the one with magic at first. He never thought little Noah was the one who held all the power.
“If that frog is Lord Irwin, I think you’d better change him back.”
“Why?” asked the boy. “He is evil.”
“I know that. And that is why he needs to be punished.”
“I can’t leave him as a toad?” Noah looked up with wide, blue eyes, making Orrick want to agree. At least in this shape, Irwin wasn’t a threat to anyone.
“Orrick? Noah? Where are you?” came Lord Corbett’s voice from the cave.
“Orrick, are you all right?” shouted Hope who was there now as well.
“I think we’ll have too hard of a time explaining to the others what happened to Lord Irwin. How about if you change him back and it’ll be our little secret?”
“All right,” agreed the boy, waving his wand at the frog. In a cloud of dust, the shape of Lord Irwin started to emerge.
“We’re fine. We’re in here,” Orrick called out to the others.
Lord Corbett and Hope appeared at the craggy entrance just as Lord Irwin finished transforming, looking dazed and confused while lying on the ground.
“Noah, thank God you are all right,” said Corbett, drawing his sword. He reached down with one hand and dragged Irwin to his feet. “It’s the dungeon for you, Irwin, until we can decide what to do with you.” He turned and headed away.
Irwin was so shaken, he didn’t even put up a fight. “What happened? What happened to me?” he kept asking as he left with Corbett.
“Thank goodness you two are all right,” said Hope, reaching over to give Orrick a quick kiss and then pulling Noah into her arms in a big hug. “Noah, how about if we go back to the castle and get you a nice cherry tart to eat?”
“All right,” said the boy, taking her hand. “Do you think you can read to me like you promised?”
“Of course I can,” she answered happily.
“Don’t go reading any of my books unless I agree to it,” called out Orrick, following them, still holding on to the flame. Once again, he was the Keeper. And while he was happy the flame was retrieved, he felt a sinking sensation within him that being immortal once again was only going to make him relive the pain of the past. He had to find a new Keeper, because the last thing he wanted was to watch Hope grow old and die while he lived on forever. Ironic how his lessons in life kept coming back to haunt him. Well, Orrick learned his lesson and now he had to figure out a way that he could marry Hope and live with her, but not as an immortal. He needed to be mortal once again and he wasn’t going to give up hope – or Lady Hope either.
Chapter 19
Three days later, Hope sat in Orrick’s solar with him, trying to convince him to marry her. Little Noah lay on Orrick’s bed sleeping. The boy had fallen asleep after Hope had finished reading him the entire book on the Eternal Flame, by Orrick’s permission of course. The little boy had been spending every moment with Orrick since they’d returned from the cave. Hope hadn’t had a minute alone with Orrick so she decided she would speak to him now since the boy was sleeping.
“Orrick, I don’t understand why we can’t be married,” said Hope. “After all, Lord Irwin has been sent back to my father’s dungeon and the betrothal is broken. I am no longer promised to anyone.”
“I know that,” said Orrick, pacing the floor like a caged wildcat. He was still in the shapeshifting form of Sir Rick, but now everyone in the castle knew the truth, so she could call him Orrick in front of them. “I cannot marry you unless I’m mortal. I love you, Hope, but it’s not fair to either of us.”
“I don’t care if I grow old and you don’t, if that is what you’re worried about.”
“That’s not it.”
“All right,” she said. “Well, I know as Keeper of the Flame you’ll never be able to father children. I’m all right with that, too, as long as we’re together.”
“Sweetheart,” he said, stopping and taking her hands in his. “You don’t understand. I can change my appearance to grow old with you, that’s not the problem. The part that I cannot live through again is seeing someone I love suffer and die when I feel no physical pain and will continue to live forever. My pain is in here,” he said, touching his head. “And here,” he added, thumping his hand over his heart.
“I’m sorry,” she said, letting out a sigh. “I suppose I’m being selfish and not thinking how hard this is for you.”
“Immortality, I’ve discovered, is naught but a curse.”
“Then mayhap you and I can trade off as being the Keeper of the Flame. I don’t mind, if it will give us more time together.”
“Nay. I would never allow that,” he told her, dropping her hands. “You have no magic. You would suffer, and I don’t even know what would happen to you since the Eternal Flame is not meant for one without magic.”
“Then let me be Keeper,” said little Noah, sitting up in the bed, having overheard their entire conversation. “I have magic,” he said.
“Nay, Noah. You are too young,” Orrick told him. “The Keeper has to be at least ten years of age and you are only six. Besides, the flame needs to be returned to the person who was chosen for it.”
“Is there a way to find out who that is?” asked Hope.
“I’m afraid not.” Orrick hung his head. “I made a bad mistake years ago and the last Keeper died before he could tell me the names of the others.”
“Use your gazing crystal,” said Noah excitedly, jumping off the bed. “Look inside and see those names. Do it, do it!”
“Orrick?” asked Hope, looking over to him curiously. “Do you think that would work?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “Probably not.”
“Just try it,” begged the boy.
“Please?” asked Hope, taking hold of his arm. “What can it hurt?”
Orrick released a deep breath. “Fine,” he said
, throwing his hands in the air. “I have no other idea, so why not?” Walking over to the shelf, he retrieved his gazing crystal and set it in the center of the table. He sat down and so did Hope. Noah was too excited to sit, and stood right next to Orrick.
“Put your hands on it,” urged Noah.
“Settle down,” Orrick told the boy, putting his hands on the crystal. “These things take time. Now, I need silence in order to try to see the names that are only found on another realm in the Akashic Records.”
Orrick concentrated on the crystal, seeing it cloud over.
“Something’s happening,” whispered the boy.
“What?” whispered Hope. “I can’t see anything in the orb.”
“Only those with magic are able to scry,” Orrick told her.
He continued for a few minutes, thinking about the book of records, hoping he’d be able to conjure up the pages and see the names of the future Keepers. After a little while, it almost seemed to him as if the outline of a book was appearing.
“I see a book,” whispered Noah.
“Aye. I see it, too,” said Orrick.
“Do you think it’s what we’re looking for?” asked Hope anxiously.
“I’m not sure,” said Orrick, feeling frustrated. “I can see the outline of the book, but it’s too foggy to read the names on the page.”
Noah reached out and gently laid his hands on the globe as well. “Let me help.”
Orrick was about to reprimand him when, all of a sudden, the fog cleared and he could see everything.
“I see it,” said Orrick excitedly. “It is the Akashic Records and I can see the name of the next Keeper of the Flame.”
“What does it say?” asked Hope. “Who is it?”
Orrick’s hands stilled and his head turned slowly. His eyes met the smiling eyes of the little boy. “It says . . . Noah,” he answered, getting the biggest smile from the boy that he’d ever seen in his life.
Chapter 20
A sennight later, Blake Castle was bustling with activity at the wedding of Orrick and Hope. They had been married that morning and had just finished a feast of roasted lamb with pear sauce, venison in rich brown gravy, and a variety of cheeses, fish and sweetmeats. Lord Corbett had even had his cooks prepare a peacock with all the feathers reattached. It was a feast like no other. After consuming glazed peaches, seed cake, and berry tarts, Hope couldn’t eat another bite.
Hope’s father had been called away overseas to campaign for the king along with Hope’s brothers, so they weren’t able to attend the wedding. However, her father was pleased by the fact his daughter had married Orrick. It seemed he never really liked Lord Irwin, but wanted Hope to be married to a nobleman. No one had actually told her father yet that Orrick was anything but a knight, but they decided it didn’t matter. He’d find out in time, but Hope had a feeling it wasn’t going to be soon.
Orrick stayed in the form of his younger self now, and that is the way Hope liked it.
“Well, Wife, how does it feel to be married?” asked Orrick, pulling Hope into his arms and kissing her passionately in front of everyone. Since no one from Hope’s side of the family was there to help celebrate besides her sister, Grace, and Orrick had no family, Lord Corbett took it upon himself to invite some of the members of his immediate family.
“I think I’m going to like being married,” said Hope, feeling happier than she ever had before. “You do realize that Noah is probably the happiest of all since we decided to live here at Blake Castle.”
“I think we’re doing the right thing,” said Orrick. “The boy needs me to train him and prepare him for being the next Keeper of the Flame as soon as he turns ten.”
“Aye, but that’s four years away yet,” said Hope, feeling as if she couldn’t wait that long.
“It’s four years too long that I’m going to have to be Keeper,” Orrick reminded her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to risk giving the boy the flame before he’s ten.”
“Well, what if someone else could hold the flame? Just for a few years.”
“If a mortal held the flame, it would make them mad,” said Orrick.
“I see,” said Hope. “I was just in a hurry to start a family with you, Orrick. I’m sorry I was being selfish again. Four years is fine. I don’t mind waiting.”
“I’m sorry, Hope. I just wouldn’t want anyone to go mad being the Keeper if they were mortal.”
“True,” she said. “Although they’d be immortal.”
“Did I hear ye two talkin’ about being immortal?” A really old Scotsman walked up with Lord Corbett.
“Lady Hope, I’d like you to meet Old Callum MacKeefe,” said Lord Corbett. “Callum is the grandfather of my sister Wren’s husband, Storm. He’s also the owner of the Horn and Hoof Tavern in Glasgow and one of the oldest people on the planet.”
“So nice to meet you,” said Hope as the old Scot picked up a tankard and handed it to her.
“Here, taste my Mountain Magic, lassie,” said the old man with a chuckle. He had a long, wiry beard and a small, crooked body, but life shone in his eyes stronger than anyone.
“All right,” she said, having no idea what was in the tankard, but brought the cup to her mouth.
“Nay!” both Corbett and Orrick said together. Orrick pulled the tankard out of her hand.
“What’s the matter?” she asked innocently.
“Callum brews a Scottish whisky that is so strong it’ll knock out a Scotsman for days if he drinks too much,” said Corbett.
“Och, ye Sassenachs are all a bunch of milksops,” spat Callum, waving his hand through the air in a disgusted manner.
“I just didn’t want my wife to be killed off on our wedding night from your potent brew,” said Orrick with a chuckle.
“That potent brew is the recipe for immortality,” said Callum. “After all, I’ve been drinkin’ it all my life and look at me.” He held out his hands and smiled.
“Either that or being pegged as a madman,” said Corbett under his breath. Both Orrick and Corbett burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” asked Hope. “I don’t understand.”
“Honey,” said Orrick, leaning over and whispering into her ear. “Everyone knows that Callum is older than dirt and crazier than a loon.”
“Really,” said Hope, having an idea. “Callum, how would you like to be immortal, for real, for the next four years?”
“Immortal?” said the man. “Of course I would. Canna ye see how old I am? I’ve already outlived all my friends and most of their children and grandchildren as well.”
“Does this have anything to do with that Eternal Flame?” asked Corbett. “Because if so, I think it’s a great idea.”
“Me, too. Bring on the flame!” Callum let out a loud whoop and thrust his tankard in the air, not even knowing what they meant and not caring at all. Mountain Magic dripped down his arm and he reached out with his tongue to lick it up. Then he put the tankard on top of his head. He held it with one hand and danced some kind of a jig, kicking up his legs so high that the men laughed and the women squealed when they could all see underneath his Highland plaid.
“See what I mean about already being mad?” asked Orrick under his breath.
“Do you really think he’ll do it?” asked Hope.
“Oh, I’m sure he will,” said Corbett. “Even if he has no damned idea of what we’re talking about.”
“I don’t know,” said Orrick, thinking it might not be such a good idea. “The Eternal Flame ended up being a curse for me. I wouldn’t want to put that on anyone, especially a mortal.”
“It’ll give us a head start on that family we want to start.” Hope looked up to Orrick with pleading eyes.
“What can it hurt?” asked Corbett with a shrug. “The old coot is already mad. And if he’s immortal, it’ll save him from being killed every time he throws someone out of his tavern for no other reason than they weren’t drinking enough.”
The men both laughed. “He d
oes do that,” agreed Orrick. “And I suppose if Old Callum lives another four years at his age, it’ll be a blessing to be the Keeper instead of a curse.”
“Plus, he’s already agreed to it,” Corbett pointed out.
“Aye, but do you think he really knows what he’s agreeing to?” asked Orrick.
“Probably not,” said Corbett. “But we’ll fill him in later. He won’t care either way.”
“Mayhap, but I still don’t know,” said Orrick, needing more convincing.
Callum stopped dancing and bent over to talk to little Noah who was showing him his wand. Grace was standing there as well, and bent over to talk to Noah, exposing her cleavage to the old man. Callum grabbed the wand and dragged it down Grace’s cleavage, making her cry out.
“You dirty old man!” Grace threw her drink in Callum’s face and he just smiled and licked his lips before using the wand to poke another woman’s rump. When she turned around to swat him, he gave the wand back to Noah and took off at a run across the great hall, laughing like a madman all the while.
“Well, now are you convinced that he’s already mad and that it won’t even matter?” asked Corbett.
“Aye,” said Orrick. “I suppose you’re right. Although, I don’t know if the ladies will appreciate four more years of Old Callum’s behavior.”
“Husband?” Hope reached up and kissed him passionately on the lips. “We could give him the flame tonight and get started on making babies right away. If I’m pregnant, you can take the flame back from Callum and only give it to him when you need to be mortal to make more babies. At least until you can pass the flame to Noah.”
“I suppose so,” said Orrick pulling her closer, rubbing his hands down her back. Hope didn’t miss the hardness of his excitement poking at her through his clothes. “Callum can be more of a surrogate Keeper just when I need to fulfill my husbandly duties. I mean . . . in four years’ time, we could already have at least two or three babies, right?”
Keeper of the Flame: Second in Command Series - Orrick Page 18