Etain placed her teacup on the table. Eyeing Kaitla circumspectly, she slowly circled her, thoughtfully examining her from head to toe. “Ye must abandon the styles of earth and clothe yourself as befits a lass in Cuchailard.”
Kaitla eyed Etain doubtfully. Etain’s gown was lovely but Kaitla didn’t relish the idea of struggling around in clothing from medieval eras. She had always been something of a tomboy, preferring jeans to a dress any time.
Reading her clearly, Etain sighed, “Ye need not dress in gowns while we travel. But for my own sake, I do beg ye to let me gown ye when I present ye to yer father!”
“Deal!” Kaitla replied, grateful for the temporary reprieve. She began rummaging through the dresser drawers to find a decent pair of jeans for traveling.
“Kaitla! Be still, lass!” Etain scolded as she slowly began circling her. Eyes closed, she moved gracefully with her hands raised over her head. A sudden whirlwind seemed to surround Kaitla’s body from top to bottom and she barely managed to keep her footing. Over almost as quickly as it had begun, Kaitla struggled to maintain her balance as the supporting wind released her body. Looking up into the tall dressing mirror, she immediately froze, staring in open-mouthed disbelief.
Etain had chosen to clothe her in black from head to toe. The silk blouse had full sleeves ending in cuffs fastened with moonstones. The buttons were the same, the top one coming to just below her breasts, resulting in a rather deep v-neck. Although the sleeves ballooned, the bodice fit as snug as a second skin. The breeches were split leather, soft as rabbit’s fur and equally snug, outlining every curve she had. The high-topped leather boots came halfway up her thighs, a three-inch cuff at the top. The wide leather belt was fastened with a gold buckle also adorned with a large moonstone in the center. Kaitla’s dhundare was securely tucked into the belt; the handle faced to the front, ready to be unsheathed in an instant. Etain had even taken the liberty of capturing her wild hair. Another brilliant moonstone rested in the center of Kaitla’s forehead, surrounded by gold cording winding carefully through the reddish gold tresses, weaving in and out of the elaborate braid that now hung down her back. Kaitla slowly turned to face Etain and Jared, waiting for a reaction.
Etain smiled delightedly, “Wonderful, lass! If I do say so m’self!” They both directed their gaze to Jared, who’s open-mouthed stare and eyes filled with desire told Kaitla everything she needed to know.
Turning to the closet to retrieve her suitcases, Kaitla’s voice was slightly muffled as she fished for the elusive bags, “Etain, how will we travel? Will I be able to take everything?”
Shaking her head slowly at Kaitla’s bent body, Etain raised her voice to be heard above the falling suitcases, “Why no, child! Ye’ll not be able to take anything with ye from this realm, save little Tobias here.” She fondly rubbed the furry little head, immediately rewarded with thankful purring.
Abruptly pulling her head from the closet, Kaitla stared at Etain in bewilderment. “But what about all my, uh,…stuff?” She wasn’t exactly a materialistic person by nature…financially; she couldn’t afford to be. But Kaitla did have a few things she’d rather not part with.
Etain again shook her head in disbelief, “Kaitla, ye dinna seem to understand. Ye’re beginning an entirely different life, in a completely different world. Nothing of this world belongs in Cuchailard. Everything ye’ll need is already there awaitin’ ye.” Arms crossed, tiny foot impatiently tapping, Etain waited for her words to sink in.
“Ye’ll find everything ye need there and more, Kaitla,” Jared added quietly. He was rather enjoying the interplay between Etain and Kaitla, for once; he wasn’t the one guilty of exasperating Etain to the point of tapping her foot.
Kaitla weakly sat on the edge of the bed, the realization of the situation hitting her head on. She had vaguely understood the magnitude of what lay ahead but when it came to actually taking the first step into this destiny, the enormity of the situation seemed to knock the wind out of her.
“So, what you’re telling me is I’m just going to completely disappear from earth, leaving everything except Tobias.” Kaitla looked from Jared to Etain, both confirming this statement by nodding their heads in unison.
“We’ll leave at midnight tonight. The moon will be full, making the passing much easier.” Etain opened the bedroom door to leave; “Laird Caymber will be most pleased with ye, Kaitla; as well as the clans. Ye’re everything they’ve hoped for ---and more.” With a final smile, Etain was through the door and gone before Kaitla could utter another word.
~*~
Wheedling Hobart into giving her another ride into town hadn’t been easy, but she’d finally managed to convince him that it wouldn’t be right leaving Nettie wondering why she had suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth.
Jared had insisted upon coming along, gently reminding her that Ravon would be even more dangerous now that he was injured. She had looked about the estate for the huge black dog, but unable to find him, she’d finally given up, figuring he’d decided to go home. She hadn’t understood the look of amusement on Jared’s face as she searched for the dog, but as he pulled her into his arms for a searing kiss, the question quickly left her mind.
Not wishing to shock the inhabitants of Edinburgh, Kaitla had carefully changed into earth clothes, saving her Cuchailard attire for her journey tonight. Now, as they bumped along the rode into town, she stared silently out the window as she mentally rehearsed exactly what she was going to tell Nettie.
“She’ll never believe that,” Jared replied aloud, glancing sideways at her with a grin.
“Will you stop that!” Kaitla scolded with a mock frown. She kept forgetting about Jared’s ability to so easily read her mind and this habit of his still slightly perturbed her.
“I canna help it, lass,” Jared said, pulling her closer, “Ye fascinate me and I canna get enough of ye.”
Tucking her head against his shoulder, Kaitla snuggled against him. Looking up at him with a mischievous grin, she asked, “Do you always know the right thing to say to bale yourself out of trouble?”
Smoothing back her hair, he gently kissed her forehead, “Not always, but I do believe I’m improving somewhat,” he honestly replied.
The car came to a stop and Hobart unnecessarily announced, “Here we are.” Emerging from the car stiffly, the wizened old man circled to Kaitla’s side of the car, opening the door for her with a flourish. Apparently, in light of her new relationship with his godson, Hobart had finally decided to accept her.
As Kaitla and Jared climbed out of the car, Kaitla noticed the quaint little bed and breakfast seemed strangely still. It had never actually been a hub of activity, but during the time Kaitla had stayed there; it had seemed as though there was always someone about the huge old house. Entering the main lobby, Kaitla looked about for signs of Mr. Lochlan, but he was apparently nowhere to be found. The ringing of the bell upon the desk went unanswered; as Kaitla noticed all the keys to each of the five bedrooms were hung neatly upon their pegs.
“Where do you suppose he is?” she asked, turning to Jared with a worried look.
Dismissing her question with a wave of his hand, Jared pulled the phone over to her, “I’m sure Mr. Lochlan is fine. Here’s the phone for ye ta’ make yer wee call.” Untangling the winding cord with frustration, he added, “I’ve never been able ta’ see why the people of this realm put up with such things. Can they no’ figure out a better way ta’ speak ta’ one another?”
“Well, what would you suggest, Jared. Telepathy?” Kaitla inquired sardonically.
“Aye. That would be one way…much more reliable and not subject ta’ anyone’s tariffs!” he retorted, nodding his head curtly.
Retrieving the phone from Jared, Kaitla began punching in the numbers, “Well, that would be great if everyone were capable of that…Overseas operator, please…But I’m afraid everyone of this realm is not quite as gifted as you.”
Finally connecting with Nettie’s number, Kaitla
tapped her fingers nervously on the desk, as she waited for Nettie to pick up. Once again, the answering machine kicked in, Nettie’s flippant voice instructing her to leave a message. Somewhat relieved, Kaitla settled for telling Nettie that no matter what she heard, she must realize that Kaitla was all right. She ended the message by reciting her bank account numbers and formally announcing that all her worldly possessions were now the sole property of Nettie Armstrong.
Replacing the receiver back in its cradle, Kaitla rested her hand on the phone, thoughtfully. Glancing up at Jared, she slowly shook her head seriously, “You know she’s going to think I’ve committed suicide or something.”
Placing his hand over hers, Jared softly answered, “She wouldna’ believe the truth. So the message ye left was yer only choice.”
Squeezing his hand in silent thanks, Kaitla sighed, “I know…its just that Nettie’s about the closest I ever came to having a real friend and I don’t like worrying her.”
Putting Nettie from her mind, Kaitla searched the desk for a piece of paper to write a note to Mr. Lochlan. As she sat at the desk writing out the note, she still couldn’t help but wonder where the kindly old man was. During her six-month stay while waiting for Tobias to clear quarantine, Kaitla had formed a comfortable relationship with the old man. She’d enjoyed visiting with him, and had looked forward to their long talks in the evenings.
“I wish I could tell him good-bye in person” Kaitla said regretfully, as she folded the note to stand against the telephone.
Shaking his head with exasperation, Jared pulled one of the over-stuffed stools over to sit beside Kaitla’s chair. Taking her hands in his, “Kaitla, while ye were staying here, did ye ever notice anything unusual about Mr. Lochlan?”
Frowning with concentration, Kaitla shook her head slowly, “Unusual? No…I don’t think so…why?”
“Ye didna’ notice how he always seemed to be around, no matter where ye might be?” Jared asked patiently.
Thinking back over the long months of her stay, Kaitla slowly began to remember instances of “accidentally” bumping into Mr. Lochlan all over town. As she thought about it, she also remembered the vague feeling of constantly being watched but had tried to ignore the feeling, attributing it at the time to being in a strange country where she didn’t know anyone.
“What are you trying to tell me, Jared?” Kaitla asked slowly.
“In order to watch over ye and get ta’ know ye better,” Jared spoke carefully, “Someone had ta’ be able ta’ be close to ye in a form ye wouldna’ fear.”
“Who?” Kaitla demanded, her curiosity eating her up by this time.
“Etain,” Jared replied with a grin. “I canna shape shift, but Etain can assume any form she wishes.” Reaching over to retrieve the note propped against the phone, Jared slowly folded it into small squares, as he continued, “She had ta’ choose the form of someone that ye wouldna’ be afraid ta’ get to know. An animal couldna’ have learned as much about ye as the form of a kindly old man.”
Slightly disgruntled at the deception, Kaitla folded her arms across her chest as she rocked back in the desk chair. “Why couldn’t she just be herself?” she asked, sullenly.
“Until she got ta’ know ye and until Ravon revealed himself, ‘twas better for her to keep her true identity a secret.” Tossing the folded paper into the wire wastebasket, Jared extended his hand to Kaitla, “Dinna be angry, Love. ‘Twas important that ye be watched over and protected from Ravon until we could reveal yer ways to ye.”
Thinking carefully over the past few days, Kaitla realized that Jared was right. Ignoring his outstretched hand, she stood and put her arms around his neck, “I’m not angry…but promise me…no more tricks and that you’ll always be honest. Okay?”
Pulling her close against him, he buried his face in her hair, “Aye, lass…I promise.”
Chapter VI
They gathered in the moonlight beneath the giant oak at the back of the estate. The rain had passed, leaving the trees smelling fresh and clean. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves overhead creating background music for all the songs of the night creatures. Crickets serenaded each other, while bullfrogs provided the bass and percussion. In the distance, a faint hoot of an owl announced the nightly hunt had begun. The night sky was cloudless, the moon and stars shining almost as brightly as their daytime counterpart. Anticipation electrified the air. Poor Tobias rebelled with a loud, “meowrrrrr!” as Kaitla nervously squeezed him just a little too tightly. “I’m sorry, Tobias,” she whispered.
“Why are ye whispering, lass?” asked Jared, grinning in the moonlight and seeming even more vibrant then usual. He wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulders, gently hugging her to his chest. “D’ye see yon hill?” He pointed ahead to a small rocky outcrop standing out in sharp detail in the clear moonlight.
Kaitla silently nodded, following his extended arm with her eyes.
“Come, then. There is no reason to wait longer.” Hugging her once more, he gently kissed her cheek. Hobart and Etain brought up the rear of the entourage. Hobart moving with ease despite the uneven ground. It seemed as though he was actually becoming more agile, as they neared the gateway to Clas Myrddin. Etain even seemed lighthearted, finally nearing the point in her long quest where something would finally be done. The thirty-five year wait had been almost a punishment, watching the suffering loneliness of her Laird, knowing nothing could be accomplished before the proper time.
They walked slowly up the grassy incline, carefully picking their way through the haphazardly strewn rocks and boulders. Upon reaching the summit, Kaitla turned to look back one last time, forever stamping in her memory the world that had never quite seemed like home.
Uncertainty engulfing her like a shroud, Kaitla was suddenly not so sure she wanted to go through with the unknown passage to an unknown world. “What about the estate, Etain?” she interjected, grasping for excuses to forestall the inevitable.
Smiling with understanding, Etain gently pressed Kaitla toward the unseen gateway, “The estate is but an illusion, child. Look for yerself.”
Looking back across the grounds they had just passed through, Kaitla gasped, as she saw nothing but an empty meadow where the elaborate estate had been but a few moments ago. “But how?” she whispered in awe.
“Illusion is one of my greatest strengths, lass,” Etain replied quietly. “We all must find that which we are best at,” she added with a smile.
Shaking her head in amazement, Kaitla made one last feeble attempt to convince the group to wait. “What about that poor stray dog? We can’t just leave him here to starve.”
Shoulders shaking with silent laughter, Jared nodded to Etain with a smile, “Perhaps ye’d best confess, Etain. We’ll never get the lass through the passage at this rate.”
Sighing with exasperation, Etain lightly touched Jared’s shoulder, immediately transforming him into the friendly black dog.
Eyes narrowing with accusation, Kaitla glared at the canine at her feet. “I thought you said you couldn’t transform yourself into anything!” she snorted.
Patting her softly on the arm, Etain attempted to smooth Kaitla’s feelings, “He can’t, child. He can only assume the form of something else if I change him. He doesna’ have the gift of shape-shifting.”
As Jared grew back into his normal shape, Kaitla finally realized there were no other excuses she could think of to delay the passage any longer. Voice quivering with emotion, she finally gave up, “I guess I’m ready, then,” she said, glancing nervously at the faerie mound before her.
Patting her on the back with his gnarled old hand, Hobart anxiously urged, “Go ahead Miss Kaitla, open yon doorway.” The weathered face beamed at her, eyes crinkling with goodwill.
Widening her eyes and shrugging her shoulders as though lost, Kaitla stared at the ground, dumbfounded. “I don’t know how,” she answered, looking to Etain for directions.
“Ye are the strongest among us, child. Therefore, it must be
yerself that opens the passage. Close yer eyes, listen to yer heart and feel the realm’s call,” Etain instructed quietly.
Kaitla handed Tobias to Jared, silently imploring him to protect the little beast. A grin and a curt nod assured her the little cat would be safe. The anxious group turned toward Kaitla expectantly.
As instructed, Kaitla closed her eyes. Blocking the random thoughts and fears ricocheting through her mind, she concentrated on listening to the wind, the night sounds and the very earth around her. Instinctively, her hands rose above her head, where she soon felt the wind caressing her fingers. Kaitla slowly became aware of a hot glow in the pit of her stomach. It reminded her of the burning warmth after swallowing a shot of whiskey. Inhaling deeply, the glow slowly spread throughout her body, coursing to her extremities. Her fingertips felt as though flames were sparking from them. Her entire being felt as though it were electrified, tingling and pulsing with energy. Forcing open her eyes, Kaitla discovered her body glowing white. The light of the aura was so blinding; her companions were completely obliterated from view. The ground before her shook slightly, as the faerie mound slowly opened. The sound of rushing wind somehow beckoned Kaitla forward. With some hesitation, she reached out to grasp the elusive wind and was immediately pulled into the passage as though the hillside had inhaled. The strong current blinding her, she cried out in fear...unable to turn back because of the violent pull of the portal.
“We’re here, child. It will be but a little longer, dinna be afraid,” Etain’s soothing voice steadied Kaitla’s mind, enabling her to once again gain control. Suddenly, the fierce gale ceased as quickly as it had begun. Kaitla found herself lying crumpled on a patch of dried scratchy moss, disoriented and shaken.
Kneeling at her side, Jared gently placed Tobias in her arms as she slowly sat up, “Ye see, my own, the wee cat is just fine. Ye’ll soon feel better as well. The first time in the passage can be verra overwhelming.” Kaitla hugged Tobias, which he tolerated for a brief moment, pulling away to rapidly lick his coat as though she had soiled him. Laughing at the haughty cat, she scratched his ears and underneath his chin. Hitting all of his favorite spots, Tobias would clearly tolerate this attention for as long as she cared to do it.
Awakening Her Soul to Destiny Page 9