by Candace Sams
The soft look he sent Kathy was priceless. She was madly, deeply in love with this green Adonis. Contrary to what she'd once thought, Kathy actually began to regret that he hadn't kidnapped her much earlier. She was about to tell him so when a loud pounding sounded on the door downstairs. Shouts for him to come to the door could be heard from the forest.
Tearach carefully handed the baby back to Kathy and pulled on his pants and boots. “Wait here, love. Whatever is happening sounds pretty urgent."
Kathy's eyebrows knit together in worry. She quickly put the baby back in her cradle and tucked her in. Then she pulled on her own brown leather pants, boots and a dark green, long-sleeved jerkin. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Cairna and Rome were standing on the stoop with other men and women. Tearach turned to her and there was a look of anxious trepidation on his face. “What's wrong?"
"There's a bad fire at the Loft, Kathy. I have to go. Clove is bringing some of the children here while their parents try to put it out. Cairna and you will stay as well."
Simultaneously, Cairna and Kathy protested being left behind.
"I don't have time for arguments, ladies. Stay put and watch after the children.” Tearach moved quickly out the door with Rome and some of the other people.
Cairna and Kathy were left standing there. Kathy stared at the girl for a few moments before she asked, “Is it that bad?"
Cairna nodded. “Someone said there was a horrible explosion and part of the building was demolished. There are workers there who stayed late with Gawain. They may be trapped inside."
The girl's horrified expression told Kathy as much as the words themselves. “Cairna, do you think you and Clove can see to the children by yourselves?"
"Kathy, you can't go. Tearach wants us to stay here."
Before she could voice an argument, Clove appeared with five other women. They each shepherded a number of toddlers and children toward the cottage. “It looks to me like there are plenty of people to watch after the little ones. But they don't have anyone who knows how to fight a fire like that. I do. I have to go, Cairna!"
Cairna glanced at the approaching crowd. “They'll have plenty of caretakers for the babies. I'm coming with you."
When Clove, the children, and some of the other adults were in the cottage. It took just a few short minutes to get everyone situated and comfortable. Anxious about what was happening, Kathy announced she was leaving for the Loft. Without waiting for a response, she turned to Clove. “Tearyn is upstairs in her crib. I'm leaving her in your care."
Clove placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Don't worry, Kathy. That baby will be as safe as one of my own. I promise."
From the look of absolute determination in the woman's eyes, Kathy knew what Clove said was true.
Any fears she might have had regarding the baby's safety immediately fled. These people would cherish and care for all the children or die trying.
Timmon stepped forward. “I'm her protector,” he said as he bravely thrust a tiny thumb into his chest. “Nothin’ happens to baby Tearyn."
Kathy knelt down to him. “You promise, Timmon?"
He gravely nodded and put his fists on his hips.
She ruffled his hair and walked out the door with Cairna. They loped toward the Loft, and as soon as they smelled smoke, they ran. Heavy dark clouds of it hung in the air like smog. Kathy winced and coughed as the acrid stuff displaced almost all of the oxygen. It even seemed to block out the morning sun.
"We've still got some distance to go, Kathy. If the smoke is this bad here, the fire must be horrendous. The building is so large that it'll burn for a long time."
"Let's pick up the pace then. There are bound to be people hurt.” She ran like the devil was on her heels. Cairna trailed her by only a few yards. Even if she didn't know the way, the billowing smoke would lead her. And if Tearach was in the middle of a fire, she was damned well going to find a way to protect his magnificent, green carcass. He had no right ordering her to stay behind, no matter his motives. This was her home, too, and she knew a bloody sight more about protecting people in a fire than he did.
When they rounded a final curve in the path, the heat from the blaze almost knocked them both down. Kathy looked, in horror, at a building almost entirely engulfed in flames. The western end seemed the only part the fire hadn't consumed. But it was moving that way rapidly. The roof hadn't collapsed yet, but Kathy knew it would. Anyone trapped inside would die instantly, if the smoke hadn't already killed them.
People were filling buckets of water from a well, and she shook her head in disbelief and shock. “Cairna, someone has to call the fire department. You can't put out fire with buckets full of water."
"There was an automatic sprinkler in the building, Kathy. Obviously, it couldn't do the job. But even if the fire department could get into these woods with their equipment, the Sorceress would never allow it. They'd see too much."
Kathy watched the younger woman get in line with the others and fight the fire using a method that predated those used at the turn of the twentieth century. “This isn't right,” she muttered to herself. Looking around to see what else might be done, Kathy grabbed a pile of blankets someone had placed in the back of one of the delivery vans. She dunked these in the well and began to hand them out. When the others saw her beating at fires which erupted around the building, they followed her example. The structure was a total loss, but the woods stood a very good chance of catching fire. Although Kathy could respect the Sorceress’ decision not to call the fire department, the whole countryside would know if these woods caught fire. Not to mention how many people would be unable to hide themselves due to the loss of forested land.
She handed her blanket off to a younger girl and looked back at the building. There was no sign of Tearach or Rome. She prayed they were safe. A commotion caught her attention. People gathered around several men who were trying to drag air into their lungs.
"They're still inside,” one man gasped. Then he coughed and tried to breathe normally. “We tried to get to them, but a support beam came down between us and we just couldn't go any farther. The flames and smoke made it impossible."
Kathy ran to him. “Who's inside?” When the man simply looked at her, she grabbed the front of his leather jerkin and shook him. “Who is in that damned building?"
"The Goblin Leader, one of his men, and Gawain O'Malley. They were trying to get to some workers at this end of the building, but a beam fell between us and we couldn't get to them,” he repeated.
Kathy slowly turned back toward the burning, massive frame. Smoke billowed from the western end where she now knew Tearach, Rome and Gawain were trapped. The lower floors would be engulfed with smoke. If they couldn't get to a window or find a room where oxygen wouldn't pull the flames toward them, they'd die. The way the fire was burning, their only choice was to head toward the roof. Kathy's heart turned to ice. She'd watched as the same thing happened to Steven and her father. She moved toward the building until the heat forced her back. Strong hands gripped her upper arms and dragged her even farther away. When she turned, she saw Shayla in front of her. Owen was the one who had grabbed her, and he immediately tightened his grip.
"You couldn't be thinking of trying to get in there?” He adamantly shook his head.
She looked at Shayla. “Tearach, Rome and Gawain are in there, maybe others."
Shayla stared at the building. “My staff is composed of some of the strongest Druids. We'll summon the rain, but it could take time to call enough to douse this blaze, girl. If they're still alive, they'll fight their way out. I know it.” She raised her hands and clouds gathered overhead. Others soon joined her and beckoned toward the sky.
Kathy watched the billowing clouds turn dark and ominous. She now understood why no fire department was necessary. What the sprinkler system failed to control, Shayla and the Druids might compensate for, but would it be too late? To her trained eye, the flames had probably erupted as soon as the explosion had occur
red. Shayla and her people had responded quickly, but the wood was old and burning fast.
The lower floors on the western end were fully engulfed now. As she had predicted, any survivors would have to make their way up. She tilted her head toward the roof and strained to see through the smoky air. The clouds continued to grow darker, and the air should have been bitterly cold, but the heat from the building was far too intense. That meant it was being fueled by a great many sources from inside. Unless the artisans used only natural materials, the fumes would be toxic.
"I need your help, Kathy,” Owen cried out. “We've got people here who've taken in too much smoke, some burns and other injuries."
She slowly turned to look at him. Then she glanced once more over her shoulder. “Please, Tearach, don't die,” she softly murmured.
Then she followed Owen and rolled up her sleeves. In her heart, she knew this was what Tearach would want her to do. Without a self-contained breathing apparatus, full turnout gear, and a compliment of trained firefighters with equipment, there was nothing she could do to fight the fire. She had never felt so helpless. She moved a short distance into the woods. The wind blew the smoke away from the spot Owen had wisely chosen to use as a triage area. He busily cut clothing away from burns and tended to what injuries he could. At the moment, there weren't enough men and women to pull from the forest fires to take the injured to the castle, so they'd have to make do. Kathy grabbed a first-aid kit and set to work with a vengeance, but her eyes frequently drifted back to the top of the building. The upper floors were now smoking. Tears filled her eyes and her chest hurt. If Tearach and the others were still alive, they should have made it up to the roof by now. Her hands shook and she desperately wanted to ask someone if they might have seen Tearach elsewhere, but she was afraid of the answer they might give.
A horrifying groan of timber resounded through the forest. Everyone moved back as centuries-old wood gave way and the ancient building began to collapse. The roof caved in, the outer walls crumbled under the weight of debris, and the entire structure fell, in a huge flaming mass. Kathy covered her face with her hands, and fell to her knees. “No!” she screamed in anguish.
Owen grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her body. “We have to keep going, Kathy. Tearach wouldn't want us to stop helping the others. They need you."
She looked at him in shock. His voice didn't quite seem to make it to the logical part of her brain.
"There are many who are hurt. They need you,” Owen repeated. “I can't do this without help. Other than me, you've got the most experience here. Help us, Kathy.” He gently shook her.
Like an automaton, Kathy stood and did as he asked. She dressed wounds and wrapped sprains, but she couldn't respond to any questions or conversation. The day turned into night. Finally, the rain came. It started slowly and then picked up. Gusts of cold wind and air beat the flames down in the forest. The building, however, would take days to burn out, even if it rained for some time. The embers, coals and burning shards of wood glowed an eerie, horrible orange. Kathy imagined that was exactly how hell looked. The image would remain in her mind forever.
When Owen approached her sometime later, Kathy heard him say something about getting the injured out of the elements. He also mentioned something about how the flames would have been seen by the rest of the countryside, despite Shayla's sorcery, and that some lie would have to be told to account for the fire. He mentioned other points of concern, but most of it just didn't sink in. She silently followed him back to the castle. Men and women carried litters with the injured safely secured to them. Her mind tried to stick to their plight, but it drifted back to the memories of that early morning.
The love she and Tearach shared was timeless. Nothing could ever take that away. And she had their daughter to comfort her in the years to come. But with each step she took, her anger grew. People shouldn't have to hide and live like criminals just because they were different. They shouldn't have to hope medical help could get to them in time, or do without a fire department or an ambulance. What kind of world was it when humanity forced these loving, kind people into hiding and let monsters walk the streets? It made no sense.
As soon as they were inside the castle, the Sorceress began issuing commands and placing the injured in various rooms where her staff could tend them. Kathy sneaked away, found a quiet place, and screamed out her pain and anger. Suddenly, she remembered Cairna. The last she'd seen of her, the girl had moved into the woods to help with the fires there. Surely she was safe. But did she know about Rome? If he was the man who was with Tearach and Gawain, he was dead too. She had to find Cairna. The girl was family and another link to Tearach. They could console each other. Kathy rose and made her way back into the foyer. She found Cairna sitting on the main stairway, silently staring at the floor.
"They're dead, aren't they?” she quietly asked. Then she brought her gaze up to meet Kathy's. The girl's dark eyes were full of misery and pain.
"Yes,” Kathy choked out.
"What will we do?” Cairna's voice broke, and she wrapped her arms around herself.
Kathy sat beside her and pulled the girl into her embrace. “We go on, baby. That's all that's left."
They sat in silence for some time. Neither of them heard their names being called nor would they have cared if they had. Their world was gone.
"Where have the two of you been? We've been looking everywhere.” Shayla waved a hand as she walked from a side hallway. “If you two want to talk to those men of yours, you'd better get a move on. They're being sedated."
Kathy slowly looked up and stared blankly at the Sorceress. Cairna didn't even respond with a glance.
"What's the matter with the both of you?” Shayla pursed her lips and clasped her hands. “Didn't you know they'd been brought here?"
Kathy swallowed hard, stood up and dragged Cairna up with her. “They're not dead?"
"Of course not. Tearach and Rome pulled Gawain out from under some burning timbers, and then they all jumped out a third story window in the back of the building.” She stared at them for a long moment. “I sent a man to tell you as soon as I learned of it. Obviously, he didn't find you. Come along, I'll explain as we go. They're down in the basement infirmary."
"They're alive, Kathy?” Cairna whispered.
"Come along, child,” Shayla urged. “Rome has been asking for you."
With Cairna still clinging to her, Kathy followed the Sorceress toward the basement.
"Pull yourselves together. Both of you,” Shayla softly suggested. Then she proceeded to explain. “When I learned of the explosion, I had my staff call in some of our physicians. Two got here about the same time the rain began. Because Gawain was bleeding so badly, he was brought straight to the castle. Those who saw them jump from the window decided, and rightly so, to bring in Rome and Tearach at the same time. Our physicians here have had their hands full with tending to Gawain, Tearach and Rome. As I said, we tried to find the two of you."
Kathy's heart beat faster with each step. She wanted to run ahead and find Tearach, but her whole body was shaking so badly it was all she could do to walk. She and Cairna were both openly sobbing by the time they got to the infirmary.
"There, there, you two,” Shayla comforted. “Rome has a nasty burn on his leg and a broken right arm. Tearach has a few broken ribs and a broken left leg. They both have some nasty bruises and a few wounds. Gawain, however, was very near the explosion. Owen and the other physicians are trying to help him now. And, I believe they might need you to assist, Kathy. Go to Tearach first. I'll send someone when you're needed."
When Shayla pointed to a door at the end of the hall, Kathy moved quickly toward it. Cairna followed her into the large room. Tearach and Rome were lying in hospital beds some distance from each other. The two women went to their respective men.
Tearach took one look at Kathy's face and knew she had believed the worst. Her lovely eyes were filled with tears as she stood at the end of his bed. The morphine
he'd been given was taking its toll. “Come to me, love."
Kathy went to his open arms like nothing else in the world mattered. “I-I thought ... you never came out.” She sobbed against his shoulder, never wanting to leave that warm, safe place.
"There now, love. Don't cry so. Hush. Please, Kathy. I'm sorry you saw the building go down. It must have been horrible for you to relive what your father and fiancé went through.” He held her close and thrust his hands into her hair. The soft, golden strands were covered in soot and ash. “I knew the moment I ordered you to stay home that it was pointless. I shouldn't have wasted the air.” He glanced at his niece and saw that she was in much the same physical state.
"You know I don't like being told what to do,” Kathy reminded as she took several deep breaths.
When she lifted her head and he could look into her face, Tearach knew he'd forgive her anything. Nothing mattered but that they were safely back together. “Where is Tearyn?"
"She's with Clove. I know she's safe.” Kathy's hands were still shaking so badly Tearach must surely feel it. As if to confirm her thoughts, he pulled her back against his chest and held her. She finally pushed herself away to look him over. “Whatever made you think you could go running into a fire with Rome and Gawain? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. None of you knows a damned thing about firefighting,” she gently chided and then kissed him to take away the sting in her words.
"We went in to get Gawain out. There were six others trapped in a room, and Gawain wouldn't leave until he'd reached them. He was very near the explosion and was so badly torn up that we had to force him to leave. He just wouldn't go without those people. You see, it wasn't as if we had a choice."
She gently kissed him again. “And jumping out the window? That sounds like your idea."
"It was. We didn't have any other way out. By the time we made sure everyone was gone, there was no place left to go except out the window. Luckily some dense bushes broke our fall and Gawain sort of landed on Rome and me."