The Peacekeeper

  “I’d never forget it or him. He had me frozen watching him kill my wife. I’ll never forget her face as she said good-bye to me. I will never forget his pure look of evil or his laughter and smile. He enjoyed it Ian. The bastard enjoyed it. Zoflauc, is his name, I hope to annihilate him and his name along with it.”

  “We’ll get him, you have my word. Come let’s go to Pendragon castle and get food for the journey. Dried meat and hard bread, dried fruits, bare minimum but we’ll survive. The cooks been puttin’ it together all mornin’.” They walked in silence to the castle. After collecting the food, they went out to call Ator. He was there in seconds.

  “Ator change in plans. Lys found a bit of a problem in our plan, I need you to have another dragon watching at a small path about a mile from the forest for back up. One of the teams will be watching from the forest so they can keep them from veering off the road. They will only attack if they leave the main path. So, have your dragon stay as far back as he can and watch for any trouble, if the team attacks there, I need your dragon’s help.

  “If things go as planned, my men will then move forward to the forest and he can return to the cliffs. If there’s trouble he needs to come and get us, so we can help.”

  “No problem Ian. We are ready to leave, at your word.”

  “You can leave now, and thanks, Ator, for all you’ve done in helping us.”

  “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Saphira wouldn’t be here without Elspeth. How is she?”

  “At Mither’s until this is over. She’s healing. She’s a fighter. I’m proud of her.” He smiled thinking about their time at the beach.

  “I’ll ready my dragons,” said Ator, bringing him back to the present. “Then we’ll be off. Good luck Ian. See you there.” Ator dipped his head in a nod toward Lysanthir, backed up and spread his wings and took off in flight.

  He gave a short support speech and reiterated what their commanders had said earlier. His brothers were good so he didn’t have to say much. He wished everyone luck then dismissed them.

  The trip to the stationary portal that would take them to Wattingham Fort was hectic. The men talked a lot. Ian figured after a while they would slow down, but they didn’t. They were talking and laughing the whole way there.

  Once they reached the fort, a change of horses was gathered, saddled, and packed. Food had been split up between squadrons and the carriers were packing it on the new mounts. Surprisingly the job was finished quickly. All mounted, they started their trek to King Arthurs.

  ****

  Conall was fast as well. He appeared directly in the throne room stepping through Merlin’s stationary portal. Arthur was surprised to see him appearing in the middle of court with all looking on. He knew whatever was happening Conall didn’t have time for secrecy. The place went instantly quiet.

  “Conall to what do I owe this visit,” he asked, interrupting a man stating his complaint.

  “Please, King Arthur, clear the courts. I have important news that canna wait.”

  Knowing the McGregors as he did he quickly ordered the court cleared. Once all were gone, but the two knights by his side, Conall began to speak.

  “Arthur, it is imperative that the kingdom be evacuated and the people brought inside the castle. A league of Kearals and Asurads are on their way here. They will kill men, women, and children tae get you and your army. They are two tae three days away. Ian and the squadrons are on their way. There’s things you doona understand.”

  “Merlin explained everything. All about Athdar, or Seamus, whoever he really is, and Drakkor and everything they’ve done and are planning. That’s why we are cloaked. We don’t need protection.”

  “Athdar has Merlin. He’s in bad shape and you are no longer cloaked.”

  He felt himself pale. He pulled his hand over his face. “Oh, my Gods…” He sat down, still trying to process the sudden news.

  “You’re right I have to evacuate. How can you and l fight the Asurads and Kearals? There’s not much that can stop them if Merlin is right. Even with demons working in your squadrons there isn’t enough single power.”

  “We do have a secret weapon…hordes of dragons are on the way to help.”

  “Help? They’d likely eat us!”

  “Nae, Ian saved the life of the dragon king. He wears the mark and they communicate. Ator, the dragon, has his dragons flying in now to settle in Haersley Cliffs. They are waiting on Ian and his orders. We stand a good chance with their help.”

  He put his fingers to his lips. “I must ready my army. With all of you, us, and the dragons we could win this.”

  Conall held up his hand to get his attention. “Lauren’s dream showed Athdar didn’t send all the Kearals, just half of his army, but the league is about half Kearals and half Asurads. Athdar has maybe a few hundred altogether.

  “We can fight Asurads easily, but we willna ken who is what. I mean we can get an idea, because fae, vampire, and demons smell different from each other, but I’m not sure what the Kearals will smell like. We have tae hurry.”

  He turned to his knights. “You! Call my general have him see me now. You! Send my men out too evacuate the city and return to me. I want all men, women, and children in the castle at once and take help with you. Let it be known that no one is to be left behind. Even if you must carry them here. Now go.”

  Chapter 25

  Ian walked his horse briskly, bringing up the rear of the troops. The air was chilly, but the sun shone brightly. The dirt road was dusty from lack of rain, but the green hillsides and valleys they passed were dotted with blue, red, and yellow spring flowers.

  The trees were budding with small leaves a flutter, showing that spring was here. The birds were busy singing and building nests, and some critters were chattering in the nearby woods. The old trees stood proud and tall interspersed along their ride.

  He thought how Elspeth would love it. He would bring her down this road one day if he lived long enough. He enjoyed what he could of the ride, but his thoughts kept straying from the battle to Elspeth.

  He turned his mind back to the present, they could maybe make the campsite on the King’s land before nightfall. They needed tomorrow to get ready. He hoped Conall made it and they were now evacuating the people who lived in the kingdom. He had faith in Conall and the rest of his brothers.

  He prayed their plan worked and the dragons would provide the force they needed. Hopefully they would do the trick. Lysanthir slowed his horse and pulled up next to Ian. The squadrons had quieted down but talking between them remained.

  They seemed to understand the severity of the situation. He looked at his men and knew some wouldn’t survive. It was just the nature of battle. He hoped they got more of the Kearals and Asurads than they did of them.

  Demons can’t burn alive, but fire from the dragons could make them wish they were dead. Lightning can kill. Lightning had killed some kearals when they tried to get Arthur the first time. But one sure way to kill demons was by removing their head. Or a blood sword, which Ian always carried. All his men carried them. They were forged by mages with a spell and blood from demon, fae, and vampire. Merlin had made sure that the swords were forged and ready when he first told Ian of the plans for the Army.

  He thought he should have asked the werewolves for support, but it wasn’t their war, his kind weren’t involved, so he didn’t. However, a werewolf bite would kill a vampire, demon, or fae. A bite would kill him. He thought maybe he should have gone to the wolf king, Larc, of the Bhak tribe of the Ogourax weres.

  The largest tribe of Ogourax, and the largest of the werewolves. Turned, they were as large as a pony, double set of teeth, meaner than hell when they wanted to be, and the only thing lethal to all species.

  They mostly stayed alone, lived in the woods and forests, hunting at night. No one messed with the werewolves, no one. Mixing with other species was forbidden to them. So, he didn’t go to them for help. They wouldn’t fight their war anyway. He was almost positive.<
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  He’d had dealings with Larc before with Merlin. When Merlin introduced him to Larc he was very cordial. All the species would do anything for Merlin. He had a funny feeling he should have asked for that help. Too late now.

  “The men have calmed down.” He nodded to Lysanthir. “I think it’s finally settling in the dangers that they face.”

  “They’ll get quieter as we get closer. Each man is thinking about fighting and possibly dying. It’s hard to do battle, it’s harder to fight a war. If one has never been in a war, they don’t understand it. They glamorize it. But men that live through it, lose a piece of themselves every time they take a life. They are basically going in to kill their own. It will be hard on them.”

  “Och, I wish when I found the ether that I had ken all I had tae do was remove the caps. I could have at least saved a few. I dinna have time tae really do anythin’ afore they captured me.” He laughed. “You should’ve seen the crowds when Ator and the dragons bowed down afore me. And when I flew over the crowd on his back, they cheered. Baws, if it was nae a sight tae see. I think Ator is a ham at heart.”

  “I wish I could’ve been there to see it. I really would have enjoyed that spectacle. That will probably never happen again.”

  “Ator told me there hasn’t been one tae carry the mark in over a thousand years. Now there is two of us.”

  “Do you know who the other is?”

  “Yes, Elspeth, she saved Ator’s mate Saphira’s life and her bairns. So, my Elspeth carries the dragon above her heart as weel. It is a complete replica of Saphira, just as mine is of Ator.”

  “May I see it? I find it fascinating.”

  “Sure.” He pulled his tartan off his shoulder baring the mark.

  “It looks so real, like the sun is shining off his scales like tiny rainbows. It’s incredible, how did you get it?”

  He laughed. “I thought he was goin’ tae fry me. He leaned back like they do tae blow fire, and aye, he blew fire all right, but the flames were blue. It seared my chest, but didn’t hurt, and the result is this. You can only get it if you save a dragon’s life.”

  “Perhaps we may be saving some at the battle, but more likely they will be saving us. I’d like to have my very own dragon and fly on one.”

  “I can arrange you a flight for sure, but I’m stuck on savin’ one for you. You’ll have tae do that yourself.”

  “Well with that, I’m going to ride ahead and check the men. If you need me shout. I’ll be up ahead a bit. I think I should keep up with the front while your back here. Nothing will probably happen, but with this crazy bunch you never know.”

  “Agreed.” When he left, his thoughts went once again to Elspeth. He couldn’t keep her out of his mind. He tried to think about the men and battle, but the next thing he knew his thoughts were of his fire haired beauty. Sometimes with clothes on and sometimes with them off. Mostly with them off. He kicked his horse and caught up with the men.

  “We’ll camp and eat here,” he said a few hours later. There’s a creek over beyond those trees for those who wish to freshen up. Tie the horses tae the trees and bring down several packs of food. We’ll build a fire and camp. We’ll be up and leaving at day break. Enjoy yourselves now, tomorrow will be hectic. You’re released for the night.” He went upstream to bathe. He couldn’t help thinking of Elspeth in the river the first time he saw her, or in the tub bent over pretending to look for that damn cloth, or their swim in the ocean.

  “Och, I have it bad for this woman,” he said shaking his head and chuckling. He heard other men swimming and talking down river. Good to enjoy themselves now, he thought, then shuddered at what they were going to face tomorrow or the next day.

  When he joined the rest of the men the fire was already blazing and rows of men surrounded it. Cheerfully sharing battle stories. They’d eaten and it was dark. Clouds covered the sky bringing the possibility of rain. The ground needed it, but Ian didn’t.

  He lay looking up at the black sky overhead hoping it wasn’t a bad omen for the near future. He put his arms behind his head and sighed. He wasn’t tired and didn’t think he would get much sleep. He closed his eyes, at least he could rest, his mind filled with the image of finding Elspeth with the king. The memory of her sad smile broke his heart.

  He wanted desperately to protect her, to be there for her. He wanted a family, a large one like he came from. In his eight hundred years, he’d wanted that, but never found the right woman, until now. He couldn’t quit thinking of her, although he knew without a doubt when the battle commenced he’d be there in body and mind.

  He had a switch he could push and become all business. He was sharp and on his toes, always fighting a good fight. He was an excellent warrior, but he wasn’t conceited, he knew his limitations and the fact he could be killed.

  But he figured since he was fighting for good, for the people he protected, that the gods…the universe…protected him. It was those thoughts that got him though the worst times.

  Now he just wanted to be with Elspeth. He missed her. Her laughing, humming, singing, and simply being made his heart sing. This must be what it felt like to be in love because he sure was feeling it. He was sure he wouldn’t sleep this night. His mind wandered over many intimate moments with Elspeth. It was during one of these thoughts he somehow fell asleep, he wasn’t sure which thought it was, when he did, but he did, and deeply.

  Morning came and everyone was up at dawn, it was windy and chilly. It hadn’t rained but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t. The sky was heavy with dark clouds and it was gloomy. The men were all quiet. The only sound was that of packing up camp and readying the horses. They had about a quarter to a half day’s journey yet. Lysanthir came up to him while he was saddling his horse.

  “Looks like we are in for a downpour. The men aren’t looking forward to this trip. Their energy level is low.”

  “They will be all right once we get goin’. They have a lot on their minds. Best tae let them think aboot what’s ahead and how they are goin’ tae deal with it individually. It willna hurt for them tae do a little soul searching this late in the game. I do it myself before battle. Lysanthir are you ready for this?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be, I expect. I’m packed and ready to go and so are the men. So, at your ready we’ll be on our way.”

  “Mount up men!” he shouted, “we still have some ridin’ tae do. Let’s head oot!”

  About two thirds of the way to their destination for the day, the skies opened and drenched the men, it was a veritable deluge. It was windy and the rain icy. Even the horses were sluggish as they traipsed through the mud. The only sounds were the sucking noises their hoofs made every time they came up from the road. Lys was right, the energy level was low.

  After another hour of travel, they reached the point of where the Kearals and Asurads might veer off. Ian halted everyone. “Taryn divide your men up, three in each group, hide around the trees and watch for the dark demons to approach. Do not be seen unless they leave this road. We will continue tae our destinations.”

  “I’ve sent the messages tae Ator via thought that we’re here and tae send a dragon. Watch for him. Remember if they continue the road you need tae come tae Finn and me. If you continue tae the road near the river split your men in half and each group tae each side of the road inside the forest. We’ll begin our attack there. Then we’ll move them from the forest toward the river, where Lauren’s squad will also attack, heading them toward the cliffs, where Connor and the dragons await.

  “I need a volunteer tae go tae the castle and let Conall and King Arthur ken we are here. Tell him tae join us at the cliffs with his army. I doona want him earlier than that for fear of his capture. Who wants tae go?” A tall fae with blonde hair and blue eyes came forward. “Your name?”

  “Marth, sir.”

  “Weel Marth, follow this road. You’ll see the castle. Go there, tell them I sent you. You need tae see King Arthur and Conall. Tell the King we are here. Tell him tae hold the
ir army until they see the dragons fly from the cliffs. Make sure Conall kens tae wait for the dragons. Kenning King Arthur, he’d leave right away. It’s imperative he hold back until they see the dragons. You got that?”

  “Yes sir. I will be quick.”

  “After you get there you can ride with King Arthur’s army. Doona double back, you could get yourself killed. Understand?”

  “Yes sir. I’ll be on my way.”

  “Good luck soldier.” Marth tilted his head, and after kneeing his horse, he took off in a run.

  “Let’s continue on,” he said. Pretty soon they came to the forest. “Finn and I stay here. Lauren, you ken where the river is. Go ahead and find your spot.” He looked up and saw Ator. The dragon flew to the woods taking his place in a clearing. He waited there for the other groups to get settled. Good, he thought, the watch dragons are showing up. “Connor get your men tae the cliffs. Good luck men.” Then he whispered, “We’re goin’ tae need it.”

  He and Finn divided the men in to two groups. Each group finding hiding spots in the woods that lined both sides of the road. They settled in despite their nerves. Despite waiting the rest of the day there was no sign of anyone.

  He had thought this might happen. It would probably be tomorrow before they encountered anyone. There would be no fire tonight, food yes, fire no. Ian was glad it had stopped raining. The breeze picked up and his clothing dried.

  His men felt better. It was going to be a long night. He and Finn would take turns on the watch. Ian first. He sat against a tree where he could see a sliver of road, but no one could see him.

  Just before the sun was to come up, Finn woke him. Riders could be heard in the distance. They went to the edge of the forest and watched. They couldn’t tell who it was until the group split up. He heard an owl cry. When it repeated two more times he knew it was Taryn. He turned to Finn. “Wake the men, the Kearals and Asurads must be on the road.” He went to Taryn. “Split your men, either side of the road and make ready. How far are they?”