The Peacekeeper

  “Nae, just the blade cut to his side,” said Angus. “Unless he was hit and we didn’t see where. But he needs blood, please heal him Elspeth, then I will give him that.”

  Elspeth raised her hands above the wound and chanted with all she had to give. Instantly a greenish white light surrounded her and flowed from her hands through Ian. Within seconds his wound stitched tight and the bleeding stopped.

  She felt something in the healing light and her connection with him opened something that had a residual, black oily feel to it. The something not right was there in his mind, she felt it, then she heard it. Echo’s, the echoes of what the voice had told him. Suddenly she understood it all. She chanted louder, deeper, and called on more gods. She knew what she had to do to heal him, and she did it. The gods heard her call and came en masse. Through the green light appeared a white ray that went in his head causing his face to glow. When she felt the heat dissipate she removed her hands. She turned to look at Angus and fainted.

  Angus immediately grabbed her and lay her down next to Ian. “Get some water,” he said.

  Connor grabbed a glass from the table and handed it to Angus. Angus splashed some on Elspeth’s face and she sputtered then opened her eyes. “What did you do that for?”

  “You fainted, I was worried, that is what you do to people who faint,” he said smiling.

  Suddenly everything came back to her. “You need to give Ian blood. Wake him. We need to talk. I ken what happened.” Angus and Connor were both stunned speechless. Angus finally spoke, “You are an amazin’ woman Elspeth, it’s no wonder our Ian loves you.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “Now he needs blood.”

  Ian slowly awoke and looked at Elspeth. “I’m sorry, Els. Can you forgive me? I didn’t mean tae hurt you. You were right. I was feelin’ sorry for myself. I’ll take that blood now Angus, Connor. If you want tae leave, Els…”

  “Nae, I’m not leaving…you doona remember do you?”

  “Remember what?” he asked.

  “Let’s get some blood in you, and we’ll all talk. I ken what happened tae you, Ian,” she said looking up at his brothers. She went to the edge of the bed and sat down beside him. Angus went to the other side of Ian and held out his arm. Ian’s fangs came down and he latched on.

  She watched in fascination as Ian took the nourishment he needed. Angus stopped him from taking too much, then Connor stepped up to give him more.

  “He’ll need more later today tae heal fully,” said Angus. “It was a severe wound, and he refused nourishment or any help. We had tae wait for him tae pass oot before we could bandage him. He took them off for a while but became too weak to fight us. I’m glad you’re here, sister. Thank you for talking some sense into him.”

  Connor bent down and kissed her cheek. The men stood to leave but Connor paused, “Welcome home brother. I’ll leave and let Elspeth help you with a bath.”

  ****

  Later downstairs, Ian sat and listened intently to Elspeth sitting at the end of the long table holding his hand. The great meeting room was eerily quiet as all the brothers, Larc, and Lysanthir listened intently at what she was saying. When she finished, Ian cleared his throat.

  “I doona remember,” he said. “These kearals are more dangerous than I thought. We will have to be extra careful. We must tell all the men about this ability they have. I want to say thank you all for not giving up on me, thank you Els for healing me, even after I refused it. You must ken that was not me.” Everyone around the table agreed and a few relieved sighs were heard.

  “Well that explains a lot. How do you feel now?” asked Larc with a worried look.

  “I actually feel great. Really great to be honest. If Elspeth could bottle whatever she shot me with, we could heal the entire planet of people.”

  “I had extra help,” she said. “A few extra gods stepped up.”

  He wondered about that, but he felt revitalized, like a new man. It was time he acted like the man he knew he was. This wouldn’t happen again, but neither would he take things for granted. If he needed help with something, he’d by god ask for it. His pride got shaved, and he supposed he had that coming. He wasn’t going to lose Elspeth.

  After his brothers left, and he and Elspeth were once again alone in the bedroom, he looked at Elspeth and wiggled his eyebrows. She in turn laughed. “I ken that look Ian, and no it willna happen. You aren’t completely healed. I will help you get ready for bed, and then it is to sleep for you.”

  After he was undressed and he lay upon the bed, he pulled Elspeth down beside him where she sat. He was tired and he was still a little weak. “I suppose you are right, I haven’t the energy tae make proper love tae you, but I can think aboot it. You make my blood run hot, and all I can think aboot is how I’d like tae take you down and make love tae you until the sun comes up. I’ve missed you Els, when I was gone, you are all I thought aboot. Come,” he said, “and lay beside me. Let me hold you.”

  She smiled at him, crawled in beside him, and he pulled her close. He put his face in her hair, inhaled deeply and fell asleep.

  ****

  The next day Elspeth waited as the brothers took turns giving Ian blood. She kept her morning sickness from him and after the nooning lunch she managed to break away once more when she became ill. It seemed the sickness was slacking off some and had hoped when she healed him it had healed her sickness, but it wasn’t the case.

  It seemed it only worked for the short time she was healing him. She sighed, she guessed some things were meant to be, she couldn’t deny nature. It was evening and Ian was up and around feeling much better. When she went to check on him he was building a fire in the fireplace.

  “Good you are here. I thought we might have dinner up here tonight, just the two of us.”

  “That sounds wonderful, I’ll go…”

  “Nae, let me. You’ve been takin’ care of me. I’ll go and get us dinner. I’ll be back,” he said as he opened the door, then turned to smile at her. “You make yourself comfortable.”

  After he left, she was glad he wanted to eat together, alone. It was the perfect time to tell him. She wanted to look nice for him, beautiful for him. She’d left one nightdress here and a day dress she could wear tomorrow. She was glad she had something to change in to because everything else was at the McGregor Keep. She retrieved the white night-rail she’d left behind. It wasn’t her favorite blue one but it would do. Now she wished she had her new things. Soon, she thought. She put it on and the feel of the soft material brushing her breasts made them peak. She felt beautiful. She rushed to brush her hair then stood in front of the low fire so her silhouette showed through.

  Ian came up with food and stumbled with the tray when he saw her. She smiled at him and she saw his control slip even more. “Damn woman! Now the only thing I want tae eat is you.” He sat the food down and reached for her. Pulling her close to him, he ran his hands slowly over her, touching her through the fabric.

  “You have tae wait a bit, Ian. I need tae eat, and we need tae talk.” Ian instantly had a worried look on his face. She laughed. “Doona look so worried, it isn’t bad.”

  “Okay…but you’ll drive me wild wearing that. You are so bonnie, Els.” They sat at the small table and ate.

  She was so hungry and it smelled so good. She was ravenous. The days of being ill had left her hungry. Maybe since she was with Ian and no longer worried, it would abate. Between them they cleaned the trenchers of food. Then he got up and stoked the fire, throwing on some logs.

  “Come luv, sit on my lap and we’ll enjoy this mighty fire.” She went and sat, putting her arms around his neck.

  She kissed him softly. “There’s somethin’ I need tae tell you, Ian.” Her stomach rolled. Gods not now. Too late. She shouldn’t have eaten so much. She jumped up and ran behind the screen barely making it before she retched and lost the contents of her stomach into the pail. She gagged and retched again and again.

  Ian jumped up. “What’s wrong Els? Why are
you sick?” He ran to the table where the bowl of water sat. He wet the cloth and ran to her. “What is it, sweetling?” he asked concerned. She couldn’t talk as the waves of nausea rolled over her.

  He leaned over and pulled her hair back. “What can I do? Please Els, your scaring me. Did you eat something bad, are you poisoned?” She tried to catch her breath. Her stomach heaved again.

  “I canna tal…” her words were cut off as she threw up again. “Ian, I…I och, goddesses. I’m sick.”

  “I ken. I’m here. Did I make you sick, because I’m so sorry about earlier.”

  She laughed in between bouts of sickness. “Nae, not earlier, weel earlier, earlier…” She laughed then sobbed. She couldn’t get anything right. She wanted to tell him while sitting on his lap in front of the fire. Not like this.

  He held her and washed her face, and waited a bit to ask, “Better?”

  “Aye, nae, och, I doona ken, Ian.” He picked her up and carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. “Here drink this.” He poured a glass of water from the pitcher and picked her head up so she could drink. After a few sips, she lay her head back down, silently crying, tears rolling from her eyes.

  “I wanted it tae be a surprise. I was goin’ to wait tae tell you, but for as sick as I am, all the time, you’d figure it oot, and I wanted tae tell you, but not like this.”

  He got up rinsed the cloth and came right back. “Tell me what?” he asked gently wiping the corners of her mouth. “Have you got a sickness? Should I call for a healer?” he kissed her forehead. “Look at me dearling. What is it?”

  She just blurted out, “We’re going tae have a bairn.” She sobbed and…waited. “Och, Ian, say somethin’.”

  He stared at her, apparently at a loss for words. “Did you just say we’re goin’ tae have a bairn?” Tears filled his eyes. “You…and me?”

  “No, me and a goat,” she said grinning. “Of course, you and me.”

  “We’re tae have a bairn? Och, Els. That’s the greatest gift a mon could have from the woman he loves. Are you certain?”

  “Verra. Your Mither told me. I’m certain of it now. I got sick the first day at your Mither’s. Bradana brought me breakfast and the smell made me sick. At first it was just mornings. Now it seems every time I eat, I get sick. Are you happy Ian?” She asked, scared of how he might feel.

  “My bonnie, bonnie wife tae be. How could you ask? Aye, I could nae be happier.” He teared up again and put his face on her belly. “I’ve always wanted a woman tae love, and her tae love me. I’ve always wanted bairns. Lots of them. A love like my Ma and Da’s. Are you happy, Els?”

  She sobbed. “Ian, I love you so. When I first got back here and saw you, you scared me. I felt my world crumble. I thought I lost you. My heart broke, Ian.”

  “I ken Els, regardless of what happened to me, I still didn’t like the fact so many were lost. And with that mind meld thing that kearal did on me, I forgot who I was for a bit. It still doesn’t change the fact that I’m tired of the bloodshed and the death of losing good men. Men with families. When my pride got in the way of asking for help from ones who are strong enough tae kill the Kearals, I felt responsible for those deaths, regardless of what the kearal did to me. That guilt I will always carry.

  “But you were right about everythin’ you said. I willna give up this fight, because if I do the consequences would be devastatin’. These men need a leader, so first light tomorrow, I’m goin’ tae speak tae Larc about he and his men joinin’ us.”

  Chapter 27

  Ugalhar Monastery, Atop Mount Zomm

  Athdar was furious. “Do you know how long it took to get those men! We were just starting to increase our numbers! With Arthur and his men, we would have had enough to go to war! So close! Now we must find more fae and vampire to change and we still have to get Arthur and his army. We can’t win this war without them!”

  “Don’t just blame me. I told you the McGregors were hard to kill, and it was your choice not to change Rulm and his army yet, all because of some damn promise about your sister!”

  “She’s not my sister! I owed King Rulm. He helped me kill Elspeth’s parents and took me in so I’d have a good place to use my magic. He always wanted Elspeth and he was waiting until she was ripe for his games. I never cared what happened to the little healer.

  “That is why I brought her back from the monastery. He wanted to keep her and play with her. I promised him, and I keep my word that he wouldn’t be changed until it was time for war. I didn’t think we’d need them right away. Our numbers were up.

  “It’s a small setback. We will get there again. But, make no mistake, I will kill Merlin, only after I’ve tortured and killed that damn Ian McGregor and my so called, little sister, while he watches. I will suck enough ether from Merlin so he won’t be able to lift a finger, let alone use his magic. They will pay and I know just how we’re going to do it.”

  He grabbed his book, The Grimoire to the Dark, and slammed it to the table. “Bring me wine Drakkor, we have work to do.”

  “Sir, excuse me we have a problem,” interrupted Damon from the doorway.

  “What is the meaning of this, Damon? Do not disturb me, means do not disturb me! Can’t you see I’m busy? What the hell is it?!”

  “There’s unrest with the men, sir. There’s talk of a revolt, after what happened. They are organizing and there is already a faction. One of them betrayed the others by coming to tell me.”

  His voice grew shaky showing nerves. “A…group left in the middle of the night. The group calls themselves the Curce. They have a leader, but I don’t know who it is. They…”

  “Bring me the man who told you this. Now!” he said, through gritted teeth. Enraged he pulled on his long dark blond hair, eyes blazing, trying to control his temper, but failing miserably. He grabbed his cup of wine and threw it against the wall, knocking off a painting of a group of angels overlooking children playing in a garden.

  Red wine splattered the walls and ran down. He picked up a chair and busted it in pieces against the table, gripping a broken leg, sharp at one end, he pointed it at Damon, “Now!” then threw it, impaling the wall near his head.

  “Right away, sir,” said Damon in a wobbly voice, and hurried from the room.

  “I thought you had control of all these Kearals, Athdar. Didn’t you say they were bespelled as well as changed?” asked Drakkor.

  “Yes,” he gritted. “I thought they were. I don’t know what they’re thinking of doing by themselves, but with so much evil in them, they must lack fear of me. Big mistake, as they will find out. I would use the dungeon at the castle, but our cover is blown.

  “The big question is how many men Ian and his brothers have. I think when I’m done with this man, I’ll pay Merlin another visit and question him. In the meantime, we’ll find out how many men left, then organize a search party according to the number. They can’t get far, it’s cold and this mountain is steep. There’s only one path they can follow. We’ll get them.”

  A knock sounded at the door. “Enter,” he shouted.

  Damon walked in with a tall, thin, shaggy dark haired and bearded man, with a face that looked like it collided with charging elephant. The man had little eyes and reminded Athdar of a skinny little weasel. His first thought was to kill him. Maybe he would after he got the needed information. “Come in here, my good man, and give me your name,” he said with a forced smile.

  “My name is Der,” he said in a thin voice.

  “Explain to me, Der, who the instigator of this revolt is, and how many men left with him in the middle of the night.”

  “His name is Juppar Heiwynn. I’m not sure the number of men went with him exactly, but I would say near a hundred.”

  “How the hell could I not know about a hundred men leaving here!” he shouted. “What direction did they take? Why do you just come now to me? Speak up you damn troll, why?” he grabbed him around his throat.

  Der tried to breathe and couldn’t talk
. Finally, he released him.

  “Because.” He coughed putting his hand instinctively around his sore throat. “When Juppar found out I wasn’t going with them he put a spell on me and left me in the cave.”

  “A what on you? What cave? Make sense damn you!” He was beyond patience.

  “When we all joined you, it was with the promise of wealth and taking over this veil and the two earths. We are all alike in your army. Except for Juppar. He thinks he can do a better job of things than you can. All who follow him have promises better than yours.

  “He is different than all of us because he is a mage. You didn’t know because he didn’t want you to. He put a sleep spell on all the men before he left. When he saw that I hesitated in following, he put a spell on me. After that, I know nothing, but I do know he opened a portal. I’ve never seen it done before. Where it opened to I don’t know, but the men went through it. He is a powerful mage.”

  “He’s nothing compared to me!” He grabbed Der around the throat with one hand and choked him. He angrily said an incantation and Der turned red, his blood literally boiling, his eyes and ears bleeding until he died and turned to ash.

  “We are going to the cave and I am going to see if I can do a locator spell. I’m not sure how, but we are going to find those men. I don’t know what they have planned, but we are damn sure going to stop it. Then we are going to talk to our army.

  “Drakkor, look in on Merlin make sure he still breathes. Come back and we’ll leave by portal. I’m going to check a spell in the book. Make it quick!” Drakkor left and he opened the grimoire.