The Peacekeeper

  “About twenty minutes,” answered Taryn, “barely enough time.” He looked at his men. “Take your places. Half tae one side and half tae the other. Let’s move!” Thirty minutes later the soldiers came trotting toward the ambush. “Hold it…hold it… Now!” He gave the McGregor war cry followed by Finn and Taryn. The two squadrons mimicked their cries and came out from both sides of the road.

  At first the Kearals and Asurads were surprised, but quickly pulled together. Horses reared and some riders were dumped to the ground. He wasted no time, before they could collect themselves, he severed four heads.

  Suddenly the ground beneath them moved. He wasn’t sure which side was causing it, but it was spooking everyone’s horses. The movement quickly stopped before horses were lost. The demons threw fire balls. Luckily it had rained and the forest didn’t go up in flames.

  The demons nearest him pulled swords and charged. He was doing a lot of damage. He hoped his men were too. “Press on!” He shouted, meaning to push them toward the river. Together, his men surrounded the Kearals and Asurads and managed to drive them in the desired direction.

  But he was losing men. Kearals were ripping out throats. The Asurad’s fireballs were taking out others. Suddenly the earth cracked open releasing a horde of deadly insects. They hovered over his men. “Ator!”

  The dragon rose over the tops of the trees and blew a straight line of fire over the insects, while attempting to destroy the enemy demons.

  Ator used his fire to push them back toward the river. Ian glanced at the demon army. They needed them on the ground so they had better control of forcing them in the direction they wanted them to go. He made the earth roll and the horses spooked, rearing, whinnying and prancing. This time it had the affect he wanted. Almost all were unseated. The horses fled heading toward the forest.

  Swords clashed around him and he smelled the scent of blood. The fae demons brought wind so harsh they had to fight to even walk. He put up his hand and shouted, stopping the wind.

  Lysanthir was fighting alongside him and doing a good amount of damage. They were heading in the right direction, but not fast enough. “Push harder!” he yelled, and the men fought harder. Soon they were close to the river and Lauren gave the war cry, as he and his men moved in to join the fight.

  They were pushing the enemy faster now, but their own men were dropping. Vampires could heal, but it could take time depending on their wounds. Fae didn’t have that luxury. They were stabbed and could die from their wounds. All they had were their power to conjure elements.

  The kearal leader shouted something he didn’t understand. Suddenly there was a ring of fire around them and the demons quickly approached. He called rain to put out the fire. “Onward!” Somehow the men got a second wind and attacked full force. Ator flew around in circles overhead roaring his frustration at not being able to help for fear of harming those he was charged with protecting.

  Finally, they had the enemy backed toward the cliffs. Realizing their mistake, the Asurads and Kearals changed tactics and tried to flee. As soon as they hit the clearing in front of the cliffs the dragons flew out. Suddenly bows and arrows appeared in the Kearals hands. “Och…my Gods, they are going to kill the dragons. Ator tell your dragons to retreat. Now!”

  A resounding, “No!” Roared through his mind.

  The dragons caught a group of Kearals together and one by one took turns blowing fire on them. They were down and crispy but not dead. His men were dropping yet the Kearals and Asurads didn’t seem to tire. He was even tiring. A few dragons dropped.

  Suddenly King Arthur and his army appeared. Coming in fresh, they had the energy to gain ground and take heads. The king’s archers slowed down the enemy archers and bought the dragons some time. It seemed the tables were turning in their favor.

  Then the skies flashed brightly, and lightning rained down on his and Arthur’s men. He turned from the fight to use his powers to stop the lightning. He saw more arrows take flight and hit Ator. The dragon lost control and landed some distance away. His heart was in his throat and screamed, “Nae!” His anger gave him an increased sense of energy and he attacked with fervor.

  He was severing heads left and right parrying along the way. Still he was afraid for the dragons and his falling men. “What the hell do you doaty dobbers take? Something that never tires you oot? Pansy waisted sissies!” He tried to bait them, but they didn’t respond. “Bloody hell,” he mumbled. They were like zombies and just kept coming. Some were missing arms and others were covered in embedded arrows.

  If things weren’t so serious Ian would laugh at the sight. The dragons were trying to individually blow fire at the dark demons, picking them off one by one.

  He had to do something. He paused his fighting to call upon animals to come help him. He was concentrating so strongly he blocked out the sounds of the battle. Suddenly he felt someone or something grab both sides of his head from behind.

  Instantly his mind was transported to a dark space. It was if his eyes were open but he could only see blackness. Then he heard the rumbling voice.

  “You are terrible Ian McGregor. You have failed your men. They are dying all around you and it is your fault.”

  “My fault,” he mumbled.

  “You must let your life go because of your failure. You aren’t fit to live. If you are mated you no longer care. You will die and let her go to suffer the consequences you created,” said the melodic voice taking over his mind.

  “I must die,” stated Ian, stoically.

  “You will not try to heal. You will not take blood. You will shun your men and work to turn them away from us. You must do this to save future men. Tell me what you must do.”

  “I must turn my men away to save them. I must die,” he said.

  “Good,” said the voice. “In that you will become the hero.” He was suddenly free and confused, not able to stop the Kearal from slashing his side. Ian’s head felt like fireworks had gone off in it. He grabbed it, not feeling the deep puncture wound to his side, and he fell to his knees. His thoughts cleared to the point he knew he was calling all animals. He had to hang on to bring them to help. What was wrong with him? He fought to think clearly.

  He was passing out, but just before he closed his eyes he heard the growls. The werewolves! He felt pain in his side and grabbed it as he slowly pulled himself upright. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Hundreds of Ogourax came snarling into the mix. Biting Asurads and Kearals alike, killing them immediately. In twenty minutes, it was over. He looked around in a daze. The weres transformed back to men. Larc stood in front of him.

  “You should have called us sooner. In fact, you should have come to me a long time ago. Merlin visited with me and explained what was happening. I knew it was only a matter of time before they came for Arthur. Why didn’t you seek me out and include me in your army? I have men who would gladly join your army.”

  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the fog. “Larc, it wasn’t your fight. Didn’t think you’d want tae joi…” Ian felt himself slipping and everything went black. Larc grabbed him before he fell. King Arthur came running up as well as Lauren, Connor, Finn and Taryn. They all had cuts and burns but were already healing. He opened his eyes remembering Ator. “Ator…hit…find him…please.” He felt things beginning to go dark again. He needed blood and soon.

  King Arthur started shouting orders. He was still mounted as were most of his men. “Get Ian to the castle, put him in the room next to mine. General Alexander get your men to take care of the fallen dragons. Get a few of the healers from the castle to help them. Find the injured and bring them to the castle. I think the Kearals and Asurads are all dead thanks to Larc and his pack. Larc join me at the castle with your men. Lauren, you, your brothers, and men to the castle. My army will search for wounded and bring them in.”

  “King, the fight started at the woods, there’s Kearals and Asurads maybe still alive, the river too,” explained Lauren.

  “Alexander have your men se
arch the woods and river for survivors. Larc can you send some of your men to kill any remaining Kearals and Asurads?”

  Larc turned to his men. “Berric see to the men, have them clear the woods and river of those dark demons. Take wolf form and sniff out any hidden danger. Make sure the dark ones are dead. Then meet us at the castle.”

  King Arthur had Ian laid over a horse he led himself. His brothers following close behind. Soldiers were pulling the wounded on the horses with them and leaving the dead demons to turn to ash.

  Larc rode up beside the King. “I heard Ian’s call. He should have come to me earlier, to hell it isn’t my problem. Those things are trying to take both earths thanks to Merlin’s brother. And that damn Drakkor always has hands dripping in evil. He’s a damn sore in my side. I know Ian will eventually heal, I just don’t know how long it will take. Do you think we got them all?”

  “The ones that came, probably, but Athdar and Drakkor only sent half of the Kearals, with equal Asurads. Asurads are plentiful, those we’ve dealt with before, but these Kearals. They have no conscience, they have incredible power and stamina.

  “We need you and your pack, Larc. Ian needs you on his team, in his army. He lost quite a few men today. Good men. And I know him, he’s going to beat himself up over it. I watched him and his men fight, they’re good, damn good, but I fear they can’t beat these new creatures.”

  Chapter 26

  Bradana showed Elspeth where Ian’s room was and she walked through his door happy. The fire in the fireplace had died down, but there was enough light peeking in around the tapestry covered windows to see things. She added a few more logs to the fire before retiring. She looked around the room. Different sized swords in rows adorned one wall and on each side of the rows were two crossed swords and a shield. The room felt very comfortable, and being in the place Ian grew up, made her feel like he was somehow with her.

  Tapestries with a lot of green and black hung at the windows. Each different, depicting knights, hunting dogs, horses, and dragons.

  A huge chest sat under one window. It was made of dark wood with iron bands around it. She walked over and lifted the lid. Kneeling down she brought up a few of the things laying on top. A rough carving of a dog reminded her of the small horse he gave her, and she smiled.

  He liked working in wood. Her knight so fierce, enjoyed working with his hands. She realized the man she loved was a complex man with many layers. She replaced the carving and closed the lid and looked around. Another shield with a green dragon adorned one wall with candles on either side. An unlit torch was affixed to each wall. Fresh large lemongrass mats covered the floor and filled the room with a clean scent.

  It was definitely a man’s room. She finished looking around, yawned then climbed into his bed. She fell asleep with him on her mind.

  The next morning, she awoke with thoughts of Ian still running through her mind, as if she hadn’t had a break in her thoughts from the night before. The room in the morning light was every bit as inviting as it was in the night with the fire. As she was imagining her life with Ian she heard a light knock. “Come in,” she called out. Bradana entered with food and wine and set it on the table next to the bed.

  “Good mornin’ my lady,” said Bradana cheerfully, as she went to pull the tapestries back to let in the light. “It’s a bonnie morning it is. Usually another maid would take care of you, but I wished tae do it myself. My daughter lives and with no scars because of you, thank you again my lady.”

  “Truly no thanks needed. I am a healer and I enjoy healing people, I’m especially fond of children, they get inside my wee heart. You understand?”

  “Aye, I do indeed! My children are my world. There will be the boys tae bring you a tub for your bath. My lady thought you could use the extra rest, so I didn’t rise you tae break your fast this morn. Please eat, the food is good. My lady has the best cook.”

  “It smells divine,” she said as she breathed in the aroma. Suddenly she felt queasy and knew she was going to be ill. She threw back the furs and hurriedly went behind the screen where a pail sat, and wretched. She wretched again and lost the contents of her stomach from last evenings meal. She couldn’t believe she was sick on top of everything else.

  “My lady are you aright?” She heard Bradana call to her and her shuffling as she grabbed a cloth and wet it from the bowl from atop the table. The maid came around the screen and leaned over to wipe her forehead and mouth. Her stomach still rolled despite it being emptied. The maid pulled back her hair and gave her an assessing stare. When she felt in control she went back to the bed and laid down. “I must have eaten something awful,” she said. “I hope no one else is sick.”

  “I doona think so.” Laughed the maid. “I’m fae, and I’ve been takin’ care of the McGregors for many, many years, my lady in particular. She knew early on when she got pregnant because she’d be sick almost instantly. I always told her it was because she had so many twins. Four sets she had. Ian and Eoghan were her first. Angus and Dougal her second set. Conall and Cameron her third, and Fiona and Catriona her fourth. The others were in between and of course Akira was the baby.”

  “Pregnant? How can that be? I haven’t known Ian that long.”

  Bradana laughed. “I can tell you how that could be, but I think you ken. I think it’s wonderful. Ian will be so happy. He’s always wanted tae have a family. He may be tough, but family has always been important. Out of all those boys, he has the kindest heart.”

  “Pregnant.” She couldn’t stop her smile. She rubbed her hand over her belly. “Ian and me, a bairn. It’s amazing. I hope he is happy about the news. You sure I haven’t caught something?”

  Bradana walked over and felt her head. “You aren’t warm with fever. How do you feel now?”

  “Weel quite normal actually,” and she got up. “I doona think I want tae eat, though.”

  “Eat the biscuits my lady. It always helped Moira. She could keep them down. It only lasts a few months and you’ll be okay.”

  “A few months? I have tae be sick every day for months? Never mind that question, tae have a bairn with Ian, I could be sick the entire time.” She laughed. A knock on the door startled her. Bradana went tae open it while she covered up. She just had on her night-rail. Two older boys brought in the tub and water. She could see the steam rise and thought a bath sounded lovely. The boys left.

  Bradana helped her up. “I’ll help you with your bath if you like.”

  “I think I’d like tae eat my biscuits and soak. You doona need tae help me, a quiet soak sounds good tae me.”

  Bradana smiled. “Weel, pull that red rope if you need me. I’ll leave you tae your bath then.” She could see the excitement of the maid’s and knew that she couldn’t wait to tell Moira the news.

  She ate the biscuits dry and swallowed the bites with water. She waited between bites feeling queasy. She finally got two down and waited to see if she’d throw up again. When her stomach felt settled, she undressed, and stepped in the warm water.

  She smiled at the size of the tub, remembering her bath with Ian. She sighed, leaned back and closed her eyes. She thought of Ian and the battle he was facing. “Mither, da, if you can hear me take care of Ian.” She lay there thinking of Ian and their time together. She had absolutely no regrets and would do it again. And again. She giggled and dunked below the water.

  When she went down the stairs Moira greeted her cheerfully and reached out to take her hands. “Come let’s talk.”

  “Where are the girls?”

  Moira laughed, “The same place they’ve been since you picked out the material for your weddin’ gown, they are in the solarium sewing. They willna let you in. They said you couldn’t see it until the day afore in case they need tae alter it. Now sit and you can tell me aboot you and Ian.” Moira grinned from ear to ear.

  “Bradana told you, didn’t she?”

  “Let me tell you aboot Bradana. If she kens anything, everyone kens it, but she has the kindest heart of any
one I ken. She does an excellent job, and ne’er means any harm tae anyone. We all love her. Do you want tae tell me?”

  “Weel, all of a sudden I got sick this mornin’. Came on after I smelled the food. After I emptied my stomach, I felt better. I managed tae eat two biscuits though, then take my bath. Thank you, Moira. It’s wonderful being here. I never had a family and always wanted one. My parents were killed when I was wee. Then I went tae the monastery where Mither Thomas raised me. She taught me aboot healing.”

  “You were ne’er taught tae run a household?”

  “Nae.”

  “I can teach you. Follow me around you’ll learn in no time. You speak our language weel, Elspeth.”

  “It was my first language. My mither and father are Scot’s. When I went tae the church Mither Thomas would hit my mouth when I spoke my language. She said it was nae proper for a young English lady.”

  “She sounds harsh.”

  “Not really. She truly believed it. After Mither died she was all I had. She taught me a lot. She died two years ago, then my broth…” She choked up but couldn’t help it, she broke down and cried. “My brother…Drakkor killed him. Ian heard the truth from his verra mouth.” She sobbed and couldn’t stop.

  Moira moved to put her arm around her and held her. “You’ve been through a lot Elspeth. I’m here, just let it oot. You’re my daughter now.”

  She drew in a shaky breath. “Call me Els, if you like. Ian calls me Els. I like it. I doona ken why I’ve been cryin’ so much lately. I never cry, but it seems that’s all I do.”

  “Els it is, then. Els, gettin’ sick isn’t the only thing that happens tae a pregnant woman. Nae, she cries a lot tae. Over nothing most of the time. But you have been through a lot. Tis only normal. Now I’ll teach you aboot being pregnant and running a household if you like.”

  She sobbed harder. “I’d love it if you’d teach me. Bein’ at the monastery, I never dealt with pregnant women, Mother Thomas never spoke of the ways. I want tae be the best wife tae Ian. I want tae make him happy!”