Awakening Her Soul to Destiny

by Deborah R Stigall

  Finally, the prisoner’s fear of Etain’s continued torture overcame his fear of evil Laird Ravon. Drawing a deep raggedy breath after the release of Etain’s last compression, his thin lips curled to an evil grin as he croaked out the name, “Laird Ravon of Clan Rheged!” Finally hearing the confession she had been seeking, Etain immediately unsheathed her own dhundare and cleanly removed the intruder’s heart from his chest.

  Allowing the lifeless body to fall to the ground alongside the shriveled black heart, Etain’s face was set in a grim expression of satisfaction. Pointing a long slender finger at the lifeless form before her, a sharp whirlwind immediately rose to her call. Surrounding the body of the evil fiend, it cleanly transformed the carnage into a pile of blowing dust. In another moment the dust was dispersed and not a trace was left of the intruder; no trace except for the still bleeding body of Macvorn.

  Kaitla witnessed all of this, her mouth slightly open in amazement. She sat stunned on the ground where Macvorn had thrown her, unable to believe that someone had just made an attempt on her life. Jared and Etain had tried to warn her, but she’d never really realized what all their warnings entailed until now. Watching Etain’s powerful display, had only deepened her misgivings. Her stomach churning unsteadily, Kaitla sickly wondered, “What had she gotten herself into?”

  Macvorn’s faint moans jerking her out of her stupor, she fumbled along the blood-soaked carpet to his side. Still in shock from all she had just witnessed, Kaitla didn’t trust her trembling legs enough to stand. Alarmed at the amount of blood surrounding his body, Kaitla tried in vain to staunch the flow with the folds of her skirt. Pale and clammy from so much blood loss, she feared Macvorn wouldn’t survive this last great act of valor.

  Stirring at the pressure on his chest, Macvorn struggled to open his eyes. “Mistress Kaitla, ye’ll ruin yer lovely gown,” he coughed, drops of blood spraying from his lips. With a weak smile, he attempted to pat her hand but didn’t have the strength and let it fall limply back to the ground.

  Joining Kaitla at Macvorn’s side, Etain observed the bloody scene grimly. Meeting Kaitla’s inquiring gaze, she arched her eyebrows at Kaitla’s distraught expression.

  “Will it work this time, Etain?” Kaitla silently asked her, remembering painfully her futile efforts to save poor Tobias.

  “I dinna know, lass, but ye must try. Ye canna chose his fate for him,” Etain answered Kaitla aloud to warn the others of what was about to happen. She had no idea if Kaitla would be able to save Macvorn or not…it was up to destiny now.

  Frowning down at the weakening body of Macvorn, the pull on her heart clearly told her that she must at least try. Biting her lip in consternation, Kaitla struggled to gather the now unconscious Macvorn to her breast as though he was a sleeping child. Clutching his bleeding chest to hers, she braced his head to her shoulder and pressed her cheek tightly against his. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms about him even tighter and concentrated on healing the near lifeless body.

  A strong wind quickly rose within the tent, howling as it surrounded the two of them and lifted them off the ground. Kaitla’s heart pounded as they rose higher, drowning out the sound of the roaring wind within her ears. Her breathing grew shallow and she tried to swallow her fear as she felt her body glow tingling white as it had once before upon her entrance into the portal between the realms. Dimly, she became aware of a second heartbeat pounding in sync with her own. The wind grew steadily fiercer, lifting the two even higher above the floor, suspending them over the awe-stricken crowd watching silently below. The white aura surrounding them was blinding...the pressure and tingling of the healing forces vibrating every cell of her body. Kaitla felt as though her very soul was about to shatter. Unable to bear the roaring pressure any longer, Kaitla finally sobbed, “Stop!” Throwing her head back in search of release; Kaitla forced her eyes open, as she and Macvorn gently returned to the ground.

  Breathless with exhaustion, Kaitla risked a glance at Macvorn, half-fearing to look at the man she still clutched in her arms. Stirring slightly in her lap, the hazel green eyes slowly opened to meet hers. “Ye own my very soul now, Kaitla,” Macvorn whispered hoarsely. “We are connected now and forever.” Amazement filling his face, Macvorn slowly sat up, feeling his chest for the non-existent wound. Awed whispers and murmuring swept through the crowd as Macvorn slowly stood then gallantly reached out to take Kaitla’s hand, helping her to her feet.

  Drained and weak from the ordeal of the healing, Kaitla swayed perilously close to landing back on the floor. A familiar pair of strong arms immediately wrapped around her, steadying her protectively against his sturdy broad chest. “Are ye all right, lass?” Jared urgently whispered, turning her face up to frantically search her eyes with his own.

  “I th-think so,” Kaitla stammered, as she struggled to recover. Looking up into Jared’s concerned face, she wrinkled her brow in confusion as she found his strong jaw clenched in anger.

  “She’ll be fine, Jared. She’s simply a bit weakened from the power of her gifts,” Macvorn explained, as he gently placed a hand to Kaitla’s cheek and smiled affectionately into her eyes.

  Arms tightening possessively around Kaitla, Jared’s eyes narrowed, his handsome face darkening at Macvorn’s affectionate gesture. Watching Macvorn’s healing had twisted Jared’s heart sickly within his chest. The bonding of the two within the aura had been almost more then he could bear, knowing that Kaitla would now forever have a connection with Macvorn unlike any that Jared could ever attain.

  Uncomfortable in the center of this power struggle, Kaitla pushed herself unsteadily from Jared’s arms. Latching onto one of the huge padded chairs nearby, she struggled to maintain her composure. Glancing about in her giddiness, she vaguely noticed Etain studying Jared and Macvorn carefully. Laird Caymber also seemed to be sizing up the situation, hand to his chin, as he stroked his grizzled beard thoughtfully.

  Pursing his lips tightly as he finally arrived at a decision, Laird Caymber broke free of his musings to help his daughter to her seat. In a tender fatherly gesture, Laird Caymber gently kissed Kaitla on the forehead, as he smoothed a stray tendril of hair away from her cheek. Turning to face the restless guests, he clapped his hands sharply, as he announced in his deep booming voice, “My friends, we have witnessed a great miracle. Let us now rejoice in all we have had restored to us.”

  The crowd agreed with applause and cheers, as servants seemed to appear out of thin air to pass out glasses of bulana.

  Still standing in front of Kaitla, Laird Caymber gently asked her, “Are ye well now, lass?” He studied her face carefully, still amazed at the powers possessed by his own child. He had heard of the prophecy since before she was born…but he’d never realized how gifted the child of this promise would be.

  Still a bit shaken, Kaitla drew a deep breath, “I’m better now. Just a little flustered.” Her heart had finally slowed to a regular rhythm and the trembling of her body was barely noticeable. Looking up into her father’s concerned face, she attempted a shaky smile to reassure him. At a commotion of servants at the other end of the room, she jumped noticeably in her seat. Her eyes darted nervously around the room, warily scanning for more intruders bent on threatening her life.

  Patting her hand reassuringly, Laird Caymber seated himself beside her, “Ravon willna’ try another attempt tonight,” he assured her, silently wondering how Ravon had engineered tonight’s nearly successful attack. “He’s nay so stupid as I’d like for him ta’ be.” Leaning across Kaitla, Laird Caymber grasped Macvorn’s hand firmly, “I thank ye brave lad for savin’ m’daughter. I’m in your debt, Macvorn.”

  Bowing his head humbly, Macvorn replied quickly, “Nay, Laird Caymber, I’m the one indebted. Mistress Kaitla saved my life and took me to a spiritual level I’ve never been able to attain. I had no idea of the magnitude of the healing powers, even my spilled blood was caught up and restored ta’ me.” Macvorn spoke gently, his voice tinged with awe. Seated beside Kaitla, Macvorn cau
ght her hand and clasped it fervently to his chest, “I fear I can never repay ye, Mistress,” he whispered, gazing intently into her eyes.

  Blushing under Macvorn’s powerful gaze, Kaitla smiled shyly, “You risked your life to save mine,” she replied politely. Kaitla was uncomfortable at the center of so much attention. She consciously ignored the urge to glance at Jared’s face, knowing his agitation was mounting at Macvorn’s attentiveness toward her.

  Noticing the strained quiet that had fallen over the room, Laird Caymber called to a thin man standing to the side of the tent, “Angus! Play for us, man and ease the chill of this hall!” At this request, the thin gangly Angus suddenly became animated, magically producing a violin upon which he began to play a lilting tune. The violin seemed to come alive in the hands of the talented Angus. Gawky and uncoordinated without his instrument, Angus became vibrant and bouncing with the first magical note. Everyone in the main chamber began to relax, breaking off into small groups milling about and discussing the unusual events of the evening.

  Small elfin girls gracefully flitted through the crowd, offering refills of bulana to everyone. One tiny blonde sprite giggled shyly as she offered Kaitla a glass of the sparkling ruby liquid. “Bless ye, Mistress Healer,” she quickly whispered with a curtsy, before bounding off to serve another guest.

  Surprised, but touched at this tiny gesture, Kaitla called a quick, “Thank you!” to the disappearing creature. Raising the glass to her lips, Kaitla suspiciously sniffed the shimmering liquid within the goblet. A strong fruity aroma wafted from the glass, tingling her nose enough to warn her of the strong alcoholic promise of the beverage. Arching her brows warily, Kaitla stared down into the goblet as though trying to analyze the contents by sight alone. She’d never been much on alcohol, the effects of drink making it too difficult to maintain complete control of her emotions.

  “Try it, child,” Laird Caymber urged, watching Kaitla with a slight smile. Words couldn’t describe the joy he felt in his old heart right now. He’d been waiting forever for the child to return home. Fascinated at her every move, Laird Caymber couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

  Eyeing her father over the rim of the goblet, Kaitla gingerly sipped at the fragrant liquid. Searing heat raced behind the drops of bulana flowing down her throat, ending in a burning pool deep in the pit of her stomach. Alcoholic fumes wafting through her nose, Kaitla’s eyes began to water as she inhaled noisily in an attempt to douse the liquid flame.

  “Whew!” Kaitla sputtered as she carefully placed the goblet on the floor beside her chair. “Water!” she coughed, fanning her reddened face.

  Laughing, Laird Caymber quickly motioned for an elfin girl to fill Kaitla’s request. Kaitla cleansed her throat with the icy spring water appearing at her elbow, thankful to have the fire extinguished. Setting his own glass down, Macvorn bowed before Kaitla, “Might I invite ye to a dance, Mistress?” he asked as he gazed adoringly up into her eyes.

  “Well, uh, I r-really don’t know,” Kaitla stammered, risking a glance at Jared’s glowering face. He’d been silently pleading with her to be wary of Macvorn ever since the hall had calmed down from the healing. Kaitla thought to him silently in frustration, “Jared, you have got to trust me!” Turning once more to Macvorn, she smiled politely, “It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m afraid I just don’t know how,” she whispered to him in embarrassment. Kaitla wasn’t interested in Macvorn’s play for her affection but she had no desire to hurt the young man’s feelings.

  Taking her hand and pulling her gently to her feet, Macvorn grasped Kaitla firmly by the elbow and led her purposely to the floor. “Just relax in my arms, m’lady. ‘Twill be easy, I promise ye.” Kaitla sighed in resignation as she joined him in the middle of the room. Obviously, Macvorn was not going to accept “no” for an answer.

  Struggling to be polite, Kaitla took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the haunting music flowing from the violin. Macvorn’s arms were strong and welcoming, gently guiding Kaitla easily through the dance. As the lilting music slowly enchanted her, Kaitla closed her eyes and relaxed into the steps, studiously closing out Jared’s simmering jealousy banging at the doorways of her mind.

  From his seat beside Etain, Jared glowered darkly at Kaitla swaying so easily in Macvorn’s arms. Jaw clenched and eyes narrowed; he curled his hands into tight fists, imagining the pleasure of landing each of them squarely across Macvorn’s jawbone. He would request an audience with Caymber tonight to ask him for his daughter’s oath. There was no reason for them to wait until they’d defeated Ravon to wed…especially not since Macvorn had decided to show such an interest in the woman he loved. He and Kaitla had just recently worked through the first rift in their relationship; granted he had caused it by his lies, but they had finally been able to resolve the breach and had become even closer in the process. The separation from Kaitla had nearly killed him; he’d not risk losing her again.

  Wallowing in the prison of his jealously, Jared failed to notice Laird Caymber watching him closely. Unable to read minds as the gifted ones could; the old chieftain had learned long ago to watch people, reading them and knowing them by their movements and gestures better then by their words. Reading Jared’s feelings for Kaitla quite clearly, Laird Caymber was not pleased with what he observed. Kaitla’s feelings toward Jared had also not escaped his notice. The child obviously had no idea what was best for her. Turning to rest his eyes once more upon his daughter, Laird Caymber silently formulated a plan to guarantee Kaitla a better future.

  Quietly summoning Etain to his side, Laird Caymber leaned close, whispering to her inclined head. At his words, Etain’s eyes widened as she shook her head in vigorous disagreement. Sternly glaring at Etain, Laird Caymber curtly nodded his head but once, settling the decision without further argument. Bowing her head in acceptance, Etain returned quietly to her seat, eyeing Jared sadly.

  Returning to her seat from the dance, Kaitla noticed the strain on Jared’s face and silently pleaded with him to stop feeling threatened by Macvorn. However, as she studied his furrowed brow closer, she realized this wasn’t jealousy playing across his features, but another emotion she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  Trying to read the troubled gray eyes, she clearly heard him say, “I must talk with ye outside. Please come with me, lass.”

  Squeezing her father’s hand affectionately, Kaitla smiled and whispered into his ear, “I’ll be right back, Father…I’ve got to go outside for a moment.” The word father felt strange upon her tongue, but it came easily to her as she looked into Laird Caymber’s kind face.

  Nodding at her with a smile, Laird Caymber watched Kaitla weave her way out of the room, closely followed by Jared.

  “She will be verra angry, my Laird,” Etain observed mildly, quietly appearing beside Laird Caymber’s chair.

  “She will get over it, Etain,” Laird Caymber replied, never taking his eyes off the retreating form of his daughter. “It’s important they be separated. I have greater plans for my daughter then ta’ be joined with a descendent of Ravon’s.” Caymber spoke quietly, his tone cold and laced with finality.

  “Jared is also my descendant, my Laird.” Etain lifted her chin with pride, challenging Laird Caymber to comment.

  “Aye, that’s true. But it isna’ your blood in the lad’s veins that I dinna want mixed with my daughter’s.” Caymber spoke gently. Etain had been loyal to him for centuries and he had no wish to hurt her. “But I willna’ allow my grandchildren to have a single drop of Ravon’s evil flowing through their veins. Kaitla will wed Macvorn. I’m sure he’ll be asking for her oath. In time, the lass will grow to love him and forget her tryst with young Jared.”

  “Ye havena’ known Kaitla long, my Caymber. Ye may be surprised at the child’s willfulness.” Frowning at Laird Caymber’s smug expression, she continued, “She’s a great deal like her father,” Etain remarked sarcastically as she turned and left the tent. Frowning at her last statement, Laird Caymber reassured himse
lf that he was still doing what was best for his daughter. Someday, Kaitla would understand and thank him…he was quite sure of it.

  As soon as they were out of the tent, Jared crushed Kaitla to his chest, holding her as though he’d never let her go. Gasping for breath at his tight embrace, Kaitla squeaked fervently, “Jared, what’s wrong! Please don’t be jealous of Macvorn.”

  “The Laird is sending me to Cuchailard Keep,” he blurted, loosening his grip on her enough to stare forlornly into her eyes.

  “Well, what’s wrong with that?” Kaitla asked in exasperation, “We’re going there anyway.” Confused at Jared’s distraught face, Kaitla struggled to understand why he was so upset.

  “Ye dinna understand, lass,” he snapped as he shook her shoulders gently, “He has ordered Etain to transport me there tonight…alone. I’m to defend the Keep until Macvorn arrives with ye in seven days.” He searched her face for understanding, silently pleading with her to listen to what he was telling her.

  “Until Macvorn arrives with me?” Kaitla repeated slowly, “Why Macvorn? - - And where’s everyone else going?” She set her jaw firmly as she waited for Jared’s reply.

  “The Laird says he must meet with the Auld Ones before he returns to Cuchailard. That’s a three-day journey in the opposite direction,” Jared explained wearily. “He also said he must have Etain stand with him before the council. You and Macvorn will have to travel alone.” Jared paused as he waited for this information to sink in; “Laird Caymber feels Macvorn can protect ye much better then I, since his gifts are so much greater. He also feels ye should take the long way to Cuchailard, to properly acquaint yourself with the land.”

  A cold gnawing feeling was beginning to grow in the pit of Kaitla’s stomach. With every word from Jared’s mouth, her father’s plan unfolded clearly before her eyes. “How stupid does he think I am!” She snapped, whirling to storm into the tent and confront the Laird as he sat comfortably in front of his guests.