The Peacekeeper

  He sat as his mother poured mead into his tankard. “Mither, I almost lost Elspeth. The king from Mystic Mountain was ready tae violently take her, any later and…”

  “Did you kill him?”

  “I most certainly did and I’d kill him again if I could.”

  “Good. Now tell me everythin’.”

  So, he did. When he finished, he said, “Mither, Elspeth hasn’t much. I have gold stashed in my box, in my bedchamber. Please take her tae market and buy her dresses and some fancy jewelry.

  “She likes nice things, and she’s never had them. She has only a few gowns Merlin gave her, and only two nightdresses. I want her tae have whatever she wants. I love her, mither. I want her tae be happy.

  “Will you do that? I would, but I doona ken how long this war will be. I doona ken if we’ll ever get Merlin back, or if we can save King Arthur. Please take care of Els for me? I’ll talk tae her aboot it so she willna worry and will buy some nice things.”

  “I will son. I love her like a daughter. I will take her tae market. The girls have been beggin’ me tae anyway.”

  “Weel, time for Ator. I’d like tae see Els afore I leave. Speaking of which…”

  Down came the giggling girls with Elspeth laughing the loudest. He watched her as she came down. His mother touched his shoulder, “She’s bonnie, Ian.”

  “Oh, Aye, she certainly is…” He got up to meet her, and he took her in his arms and kissed her. She blushed, and the girls giggled. “Come let’s walk down tae the loch,” he said as he put his arm around her and led her out through the doors.

  They stopped at the edge of the water, silently looking out over the loch. “Els, I want you tae ken I love you. I’m goin’ tae miss you terribly. I promise as soon as we’re done with Arthur, I’ll be back tae pick you up.

  “I also want you tae ken something. I’ve worked many years and have amassed a fortune. I’m tellin’ you, because I asked mither tae take you tae market. I would do so myself, but weel you ken what we’re facing right now. Anyway, I told her tae make sure you get whatever you want.”

  “Ian, I have all I want. You.”

  “Please Els, buy some dresses, a lot of dresses, and make them fancy with some jewels, and some fine nightdresses like Merlin got you.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I want tae see you in fine things. You’re bonnie, and such a bonnie lady, should wear bonnie things. I’d like tae see you in them. If nae for you, then me. Match everythin, up. I want tae see what you pick. Please Els have fun, and don’t worry aboot the cost. I have more than enough.”

  “Aye, I will. I shall have fun and think of you every minute.” He knew she was trying hard to be brave but knew the instant she lost the battle. “Oh, bullocks,” she said, and broke out sobbing. “I see Ator coming. I doona want tae let you go,” she said, teary eyed. She reached up and kissed him, and she sobbed through their kiss. He grabbed ahold of her and crushed his lips to hers. “I love you Els…” he whispered. “Doona worry, I’ll be back.”

  “I love you, Ian McGregor.” She sobbed back, out of breath.

  “Els,” he said, pausing. “I have something for you.” He reached inside the pocket of his tartan and withdrew something. He could feel a rare boyish blush spread across his face, he couldn’t help it. He’d never told anyone about what he had carried with him since he was a boy. He held out his hand.

  She looked at him surprised and wiped her eyes. He opened his hand, in it lie a very small, crude, carved horse. “I made this as a boy. I kind of think of it as my magical stallion. He would always take me safely through battle and bring me oot alive…”

  “Ian it’s beautiful, but I can’t take that, it’s good luck for you,” she said sobbing more.

  “Hush, sweetling and dry those tears. I want you tae have it. If it meant nothing tae me, what kind of gift would it be tae you?” he said as he sighed. “I’ve ne’er shown this tae anyone, you are the first. When I was young I pretended I was as good a wizard as Merlin. I thought if I could make this magical stallion he would see to it I would always be safe.

  “I pulled plants from the ground and I have no idea what they were. I crushed them in a bowl and said some non-sense over them, then thought I had made the most magical thing ever, then I burned the leaves or plants, held the horse in the smoke, mumbled some more nonsense, and thought I created the perfect magic token.”

  He stroked her face. “I have carried the darn thing for near eight hundred years, now I want you tae have it. Think of me when you get lonely and ken I will be back. Ken, I love you, Els, please,” he said as he put it in her hand and closed her fingers over it.

  Tears streamed down her face. “I do…do…doona ken what tae say Ian. You mean more tae me than anything or anyone I have ever ken. This means more tae me than any gift I could ever get. But, I canna lose you. I just canna. Please…” she looked at him pleadingly. She paused, then quietly relented. “I swear, Ian, be quick with this battle, come back as soon as you can, whole. I need you. I mean it.”

  “I ken you do, Els. I’ll be back. I promise. Now Ator is waiting, I must go. Remember I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Ian. With all my heart,” and she desperately kissed him again. He finally let go of her and her eyes never left him as he climbed aboard Ator, and they took off. He watched her stand there while her silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and thought he had never seen anything lovelier, he watched until he couldn’t see her any longer. He sighed then, he already missed her.

  ****

  When Ian got back to Wesladus the place was in chaos. People rushing everywhere. Lysanthir was directing and his brothers were shouting at their groups.

  He walked toward the castle to have a few words with Dougal, Conall, and Cameron. He found them on the fourth floor in the wizard’s lab.

  Dougal was casting a locator spell. A map was laying on the table and he dangled a pendulum over it. Tied to it was some hair. Must be Merlin’s. He watched as the object turned around in circles.

  “Will that find Merlin?”

  “Truth? I think they have him cloaked. Unless I can find a spell to break it, I willna be able tae find Merlin. I’ve tried several times. Back tae the book, I guess. You ready for tomorrow?”

  “Aye, as ready as I’ll ever be. Weel I must pack. See you at dinner?”

  “We’ll be there,” answered Conall.

  Dinner was busy. Cameron talked about the book. “I think I may have found something aboot cloaking. We’re going to try it tomorrow. We’ll try a cloak, then try breaking it, if it works, I may be able to break the one on Merlin. It will take his hair and some blood. It’s supposed to be from Athdar’s bloodline, since he made the cloaking spell, but I may be able to try something else. The only blood relative I ken was reborn… That’s it! Athdar is reborn. Why dinna I think of that? Och! I’m so stupid!”

  “What the hell is your geggie goin’ on aboot? Are you nuts now?” Ian pushed worogild into his mouth.

  “No,” he said, obviously disappointed. “I was wrong. Never mind. Athdar wasn’t born. I’ll figure it oot.”

  He shook his head at his brother, sighed, and turned to Lysanthir. “Lysanthir you got the list of men I asked you for?”

  “Yes, right here.”

  “I’ll take it up with me and divide these men equal with the squadrons. We’ll go over maneuvers in the mornin’. Connor have you some strategies figured out?”

  “Aye, I do. I’m still flattening out some wrinkles. I’ll finish tonight and we’ll go over them in the mornin’.”

  “If we’re done I’m headin’ up, I got some things tae do. You should all turn in early. Who kens after tonight, how much rest anyone will get. See you at sun rise.”

  Chapter 24

  Ian stood at the head of the long table in the great room. The morning meal had been cleared away, and he, his brothers, and his first, stood over a map. “If they come from south of the castle we can meet them here at the woods,” he said, and put his finger on the large
map.

  Connor looked at where he pointed. “If we place one team here—” he pointed to a spot farther south, “cross the river here, we can have that team blindside them. We can have another waiting at the cliffs, here—” he said, pointing to another spot. “Then the other two can ambush from both sides out of the forest, forcing them toward the cliffs where they will be cornered. That way they will be surrounded. We can call the dragons and hopefully together we can stop it before it gets started.”

  Lysanthir spoke up. “But if they veer off and come from this direction,” he said, pointing to another spot, “coming in the back way toward the castle, we will miss them and they have free rein to attack. It leaves this opening vulnerable.”

  “Yes,” said Connor. “But this is the only route that is feasible for them to take. I agree, though, they could veer off there. Good point. Weel, we’ll have to split all the teams up and put one group here to make sure they take the first intended path, we have to get them to the cliffs. Split the one group equally on both sides of the road in the forest, the one team cross the river, and the other at the cliffs to block them in, while putting a team where Lysanthir mentioned.”

  He looked up. “Now we ken that Drakkor and Athdar have their sights on kings and their armies. We ken Merlin has been taken and in all likelihood the protection Merlin put around his kingdom is gone, leaving King Arthur vulnerable. He probably doesn’t ken. King Arthur has the largest, and he’s the most important king, we knew it would only be a matter of time afore they tried to capture him.

  “They must have made enough and think they are sending enough to do the job. We canna have him captured. We all agree on that. We have tae have a fool proof plan. What you’re saying makes sense. Good job Connor and Lysanthir. I’m glad you are my first, Lysanthir. You are proving worthy.”

  He motioned toward a piece of parchment next to the map. “I went over your list and split the men up with four in each group. Since so many came from Angus’ Axuard Squad, we’ll have tae pull some of the men from other squads. We kenned we’d have tae regroup them eventually anyway. We’ll just have tae just do it faster than we’d like. Make sure all squads are equal.”

  He looked at his brother. “Lauren, with Angus away at Mystic Kingdom, you have the Axuard Squad tae lead. Put them here at the river.

  “Connor, I want you and the Xiann squad at the cliffs. Finn, you and the Sanguine squad take the woods since that’s where we attack

  “I’ll be with you.” Ian looked at Finn. He was a good soldier, but maybe not a strong enough leader. After the incident at the longhouse, he’d worried about him.

  Ian continued, “Taryn, you will take the Qruhr Squad and wait at the point where they can veer off. Stay quiet though. If they continue on the direct path move ahead of them and meet Finn and I at the woods, if they are faster getting there, just meet up with us.

  “If by chance they do veer, attack at that point to force them back tae the road. If you need help, I’ll have Ator have a dragon ready to get Finn and I tae help. There will also be a dragon hidden with each group.

  “Ator and the rest of the dragons will be in the cliffs waiting for the fight. Remember, these new demon’s, have incredible power. We’re facing demon/fae and demon/vamp. I’m unsure what these combined powers can do but keep watch. We aren’t goin’ after something we are used tae fighting.

  “Conall, since I’ve pulled you from the upstairs, I need you tae go to King Arthur’s. Mist tae the Wattingham portal east of here and take it tae inner earth, it’s an hour travel for you, but will be a day’s ride from Wattingham Fort for the troops. The Kearal started from mystic mountain, we should have an extra day tae prepare after we get there.”

  He took a deep breath. “You can mist, but the rest of us will garner a change of horses at Wattingham Fort. The dragons will take Mystic Mountain portal, it’s their safest and most unobtrusive way tae travel. They will fly ahead of us and wait and settle in the cliffs. I talked tae Ator last night, I’ll mention the new plan this morning.

  “Conall, explain the situation tae Arthur and have him ready for battle. Get his people tae safety as much as you can. The castle would be good. Have them evacuate the inner city and make sure they get them inside the castle.

  “From where Lauren showed us the Kearals are, we have approximately a day and a half ahead of the Kearals and a day there tae get situated if we leave this morning with very few stops. The journey will be arduous, and we need tae let the men know the seriousness of this mission.

  “Athdar isn’t sending all his men, he’s smart, but we can put a dent in his army. I ken the men will hate killin’ their own kind. If we could get the ether and open those jars these Kearals would get their souls back and be like afore. But you have tae let these men ken…they aren’t dealing with their kind, they are dealing with hybrid killers, and they have tae be stopped. You each gather your squadrons then explain everythin’. I will talk tae them all afore we leave this morning.

  “Conall you can leave now for King Arthur’s. You will be there within the hour from Wattingham Fort. Dismissed. Finn stay for a moment we need tae speak.”

  When all were gone, he cleared his throat. “I ken you are havin’ trouble leading these men, not everyone was born tae do this job, it’s hard, you have tae be firm and resolved in your decisions and sometimes quick thinking.”

  He smiled at his brother and then turned serious again. “You are the baby of us boys, but you aren’t dumb, in fact your kind heart gets you in trouble sometimes. If you feel uncomfortable going it’s okay, I’ll go in your stead. But if you want tae do this, you have tae have a clear head and when you say something tae your men, mean it, and back it up with force. You’re a damn good soldier, when you fight you doona think twice. You fight like a hungry lion. Lead like a hungry lion. Now the choice is yours, but once made, it canna be changed.”

  Finn looked at his brother, first anguish flashed his face then surprise. “Ian you’re a hundred percent right. I can do this. I’m not in this to make friends. Leaders are leaders, sometimes friends happen, sometimes not. A job, an important job needs done. I’ll be damned if I quit now. I’m a McGregor, we doona shirk our responsibilities. Thank you, Ian, you just opened my eyes. I was looking at everything wrong. But, I’ll be damned if I quit now. I’m in, I’ll lead. And Ian thanks for not mentioning the other day, with the men, you ken.”

  He laughed and put his hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Let me tell you how I overcame my first time as a leader. You aren’t going tae believe my story.” He shared the story as they walked out to the training yard, both laughing all the way.

  It was chaos in the yards and Ian watched Lysanthir closely. He admired his forthrightness in organizing men. He had a detailed list and he was directing each man to stand in a particular squadron. There were four groups and he watched as men changed places quickly.

  Then he called the four best from each squadron forward. “You men that were chosen by Lysanthir are the best in your teams. I expect you tae watch oot for the men in your squad. Each of you, take on two men within your squad and stick together. Now your commanders will take their new squadrons from here. Lauren is taking the Axuard Squad as Angus is called away. Connor for the Xiann Squad. Finn, you have your Sanguine Squad, and Taryn you have the Qruhr Squad. Take over.”

  He was impressed with Lysanthir. Usually his intuition was right, maybe it had to do with knowing when someone lied or told the truth, he didn’t know, but Lysanthir was proving to be a great first.

  He heard Finn shouting at his squad and walked closer to listen. “These Kearals aren’t what you think. They aren’t your comrades, brothers, or friends. They lost everything good aboot them. Doona think twice aboot killin’ them, because they willna think twice aboot killin’ you.”

  Ian smiled. Finn would work out after all. He watched the rest of his brothers giving their speeches to the squads, then watched as Lysanthir walked up beside him, stood and paused. Ian flashed him a wide s
mile. “You did a good job Lys, quick and efficient too. I’m glad I chose you,” said Ian.

  “Thanks, sir.”

  “Call me Ian. Tell me, Lys, do you think we can take on these new demons? I mean you are demon, you ken your powers, and you ken aboot fae and vampire powers. If you were like yourself, and say mix in Waythe and Vander, think we could beat them?”

  Lysanthir snorted, “absolutely with those two…but no, I know what you mean. The combined powers of demon and fae or vampire, it’d be hard, but yes, I think we have a good chance of beating them. Especially with the help of the dragons. You want me with you on this? You didn’t mention where you wanted me.”

  “Lysanthir, you are my first, you are tae be at my side at all times unless told otherwise. I like you Lys, you have great potential, you are smart, a born leader, but most of all I trust you.

  “You see I have this gift of kenning people, when they lie I hear the truth. I have feelings aboot people and I somehow ken who they are and what they’re like. When I said you were a good mon the other day, I meant it. You are in this tae stop evil.

  “You could have done a dozen different things, but instead you offered yourself up for a position on a squadron with ones you knew would be against you from the start. I’m impressed with you, Lys.”

  “Thanks, Ian, it means a lot to me. You weren’t the only one to lose a loved one by the hands of Asurad demons. I lost my wife and unborn child by their hands. I hate them as much as you.”

  “I dinna ken, Lys. I’m verra sorry tae hear that. It must be painful. I almost lost Els. I went crazy when I saw Rulm atop her and her courtin’ a swollen bloody eye. I wanted tae bring him back tae life, just so I could kill him again. Did you get the bastard?”

  “Not yet, that’s part of the reason I’m here. I hope to see him and kill him with my bare hands.”

  “That’s what I did. Beat him to a pulp and before he could pass out I dropped my fangs. I had the most pleasure ripping oot his neck at the end. When this is over, and if you doona find him. I’ll help you locate him. I suppose you ken his name.”