The Peacekeeper

  “Athdar? He is the evil and he’s not from here, he’s from our world, and he’s changing our good men into evil, he’s changing your kings and soldiers into evil. If you’ve ever kenned evil, you canna fathom the hell he’ll be creatin’ for you and your kingdom.

  “You saw part of what I’m like, I’m half vampire, half fae, with many powers. I can make it rain so hard your gardens, houses, and castle would wash away, I could call the lightning tae strike you, the wind tae blow you away, get where I’m going with this?

  “But instead I protect you, your kingdom, and this world from just such things. I’m here because Athdar is after your soldiers, if he turns them, you lose. Do you understand? A bairn was sacrificed to bring him back tae life and your husband helped.”

  The queen grew quiet and slowly returned to her chair. Her face confused as she took in his words and what they meant for her kingdom.

  A groan came from Dedrick as he regained his feet. The aide immediately turned his attention toward Angus.

  Quickly he said, “this man should be executed for what he’s done.” He looked around at the moaning guards. “Guards!” He shouted. “Kill this man!”

  “Leave us Dedrick and take the guards with you.”

  “But, Edina…”

  “Edina, is it?” He laughed. “You let your men call you by your given name?”

  Edina didn’t blush, but Dedrick did. He was furious and his hatred showed. His face was beet red and spittle left his mouth. “You let this man beat your men and speak to you like this?!”

  “Leave Dedrick, before I have you taken to the dungeons.”

  He smiled, “I guess she told you!” He grinned.

  The queen became exasperated. “If you two would kindly quit with your cock fight. We have matters to discuss. I won’t say it again. Dedrick, you, the guards, out!”

  The two guards pulled the remaining unconscious guard up and out the door. Dedrick brushed past him and growled through gritted teeth, “This isn’t finished, you dirty Scott.”

  “Aye, I think you’re verra finished, you slimy Sassenach.”

  Dedrick slammed the door.

  ****

  “Let me make myself clear, Mr. Whatever your name is. I don’t like you, I don’t know who or what you are, but I do believe what you’re saying. For the sake of my people, I will listen to you.”

  “Weel, the feelin’ is mutual. I doona like you either, but make no mistake, I’m here tae do a job, and I weel do it, and no one weel stand in my way. Do I make that clear enough for you? My name is Angus McGregor and from here on oot, we go by my rules. Which, so you ken, I’ll be takin’ the King’s quarters as my own, while I’m here. It will be the best way tae protect you.”

  She looked daggers at him. “You just stay out of my way, McGregor. After you’ve told me your plans, you will see me on a need to know basis only. Do I make myself clear?”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  She didn’t know why that comment made her feel rejected, when it should have made her happy, but it didn’t. This overbearing, pig headed, insolent, despicable, and infuriatingly handsome man gave her so many mixed feelings that she literally wanted to scream in frustration, and she never screamed.

  “While I’m here there will be changes. While I’m protecting this place, I’ll be working for the people. Ian told me of the expenditures the king and you have indulged in. The gold armor and all other gold will be melted down and sold, the money given tae the people. I’ll be going over the books. I’ve noticed the people here are poor and work hard. This extravagance comes tae an end. Now. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  The queen had always felt bad about her people going without. She always tried to give to them. But that did it, she didn’t need this man rubbing salt in a wound she’d carried herself for years. “I have never taken from my people, what I have came from my father, King Aaric Guhn, from the Gealea Kingdom, who arranged my marriage to King Rulm with the promise that he never touch me or he’d die!”

  Why she raised her voice and shared that with this stranger, she didn’t know but she was tired of his accusations. “That is why I don’t know the specifics of his activities with women. I’ve only heard rumors. You can sell all his things and give it to the people, it was my intention anyway! And you, you overbearing, all assuming, pig hearted fool, know nothing about me!” She was shaking she was so upset, then she broke out in tears. “Leave! Just get out of here!” She turned away and caught a sob in her fist.

  “Look here, Queen Edina. Maybe I was a wee bit harsh on you. Kenning your husband as I did, I thought you were like him.” He walked to her and turned her around and grabbed her shoulders. Then he did the strangest thing, surprising himself. He reached down and kissed her.

  She jerked away and backed up quickly putting her fingers to her lips.

  “What do you think you’re doing? If you think I’m one of your wenches, you are dead wrong! I could have you hung for that, sirrah!”

  Angus laughed, “now, that’s better.” He turned around and walked out leaving her standing with her fingers still on her lips.

  She picked up a cup and threw it hitting the back of the door. She heard him walk away, roaring in laughter. She stood there wondering what just happened to her self-control. She’d never acted that way in her life, and in anger she told this stranger more about herself than she’d ever told anyone.

  ****

  Now Angus was curious. He walked up the stairs, went to the king’s chambers, opened the door, and looked in. “Och!” He said loudly. “Opulent arse!” He shut the door and went quickly to the Queen’s door. When he opened it, he was surprised.

  It was done tastefully in greens and blues, paintings of people, simple yet elegant things. Perhaps she wasn’t lying. He shook his head and went in search of the weasel Dedrick.

  He found him in the ledger room with another man. They looked up at him.

  Dedrick glared at him. “What the hell are you doing in here?”

  “Oot!” yelled Angus. “I’m takin’ control of the ledger room and its contents. You two weasels oot.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do!” said Dedrick.

  “I verra well can. You better go see your queen and ask her aboot it. Now run along boys, your nae tae come in here again. Your Mither’s callin’ you. Or do I need tae spank your arse again and remove you? Leave the books now!” He took a step forward. The other man figured it out right away and headed for the door. Dedrick didn’t. “You dense man, or just wish tae die?”

  “Oh, you’ll pay, Scott,” Dedrick said as he left.

  He knew before he even sat down what the books were going to look like. He sighed. It only grew worse as he went over the numbers. He felt a headache coming on. He spent the rest of the day there.

  When he left, he was hungry, and his head was pounding. So, he went in search of the kitchens. The cook was there preparing things for morning. She was a big lady, white hair pinned atop her head, tall and very round. She leaned back against the counter and looked at him. He gave her his brightest smile. “You got anything from this evenin’s meal left, my bonnie lady?”

  She grinned from ear to ear, and her face lit up. “Well what do we have here? A Scotsman! Well for you, I’m sure I could find something. She went to the fire where some stew was simmering and scooped him a trencher full, got another plate and put some fruit and cheese on it, then grabbed some small loaves of bread.

  “You got some mead tae go with that?”

  “Of course, I do. What room are you in, and I’ll have it sent to you?”

  “Weel thank ye, sweetling. I’ll be up in the king’s room.”

  The cook laughed, “You’re serious.”

  “Aye. My name is Angus McGregor and I’m here tae set it right for the people and protect the queen. You will probably hear aboot me and probably not favorably. Especially from that walloper Dedrick. What a bawless lizard that piece of dirt is.”

  Cook l
aughed. “That he is. He’s after the queen, has his eye on her, he does. He doesn’t understand she’ll never have any man.”

  “How aboot I eat right here at this fine table and you can me tell something aboot her.”

  “She was done poorly, I’m afraid her father sold her to that crazy man, king Rulm,” she said as she sat and leaned her elbows on the table. “As far as I can tell the only thing nice he did for her was make sure the king never touched her. They were both bad men, her father and the king, but Rulm the worst, I’m afraid.” She tsked. “There’s stories of what he’s done to ladies that would make your hair curl.”

  “I ken, it was my brother who killed him for trying tae take advantage of his wife tae be. He left Elspeth beat up, he did.”

  “Our Elspeth? That poor dear. I knew she wasn’t a traitor. She was our healer and a good woman, like our Queen.”

  “You sayin’ the Queens good?”

  “My yes, it wasn’t her fault she had to marry that black-hearted bastard. She never wanted to, but like I say, the king bought her. She’s always helping the people though. She sees to the sick, the old ones, and provides some tutoring for the children. She always said a smart kingdom is a happy kingdom. She needs a good man. Maybe someone like you.”

  He coughed. “Nae, not me. I’m not ready for a permanent woman.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Now if someone like you came along…”

  She laughed. “My names Galena, Angus. I’ve probably said more than I should have. How’s your meal?”

  “Mostly gone. It tasted great, you’re a damn fine cook Galena. A mon could get fat eatin’ this kind of cookin’,” he said. Then he leaned back and patted his belly.

  “I think I’ll take this pitcher and tankard with me and go up. I wish there was some way to shut down the sunshine in that room. Och, how could anybody live in the middle of that much gold?” he shook his head and stood, his head pounding. “Thank you, Galena. That was great,” he said grabbing his head.

  “You have a pain in your head?” she asked, concerned.

  “All day. I went over the numbers in the ledger room. Seems the pilfering didn’t stop with the king’s death.”

  “Dedrick,” she said, knowingly. She turned and grabbed a cup from the sideboard and put in some herbs, poured hot water on top, and handed it to him. “Drink this, tis for your head.”

  He sniffed it and cringed, the smell was terrible. He looked up at her and she tilted her head as if to say, “do it, or I will pour it down you myself.”

  “My Mither gets that same look,” he said, drinking down the foul brew. Galena laughed. “Thank you, Galena. I’ll be leavin’ now, dinner was good.”

  “You’re welcome in my kitchen any time, Scotsman. Don’t you be a stranger.”

  “I willna. You couldn’t keep me away. Goodnight.” And he walked out and up to his new room.

  When he got there, he stoked the fire, and heard sobbing coming from the other side of Edina’s door. He walked over to it. “Edina, is that you? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, “go away.”

  “Weel, goodnight, then.”

  She didn’t respond.

  He lay in that huge bed staring up at the canopy, wondering about the Queen. There was a lot to do here, he thought. He wondered how long he’d have to be here. He fell asleep thinking about his brothers and Merlin. He hoped their luck was good.

  Chapter 31

  Wesladus Veil, Pendragon castle

  The morning was bright and brisk but not cold, the yard dusty, and the sounds of swords clanged and scraped. Training was going well. Ian looked at the men and was happy at the addition of the werewolves.

  Larc stood beside him and they laughed. They were fast becoming friends. They weren’t so different. Life dealt Larc the same deal as Ian. They had similar stories, about their men, their lives, and things in general.

  Larc hadn’t mated yet and it seemed their pack had a problem with having children. He told Ian he thought it was because they mated within their own pack for so long. He was afraid they were going to have to look outward. Ian told him what it was like being half vampire and half fae.

  Larc laughed when he found out how many children were born in his family. Larc told him his family had the litter, making him laugh. The weres were good for morale and great fighters. It seemed they were the piece missing from his army all along. They were teaching the others a thing or two.

  Conall came tearing across the training yard, interrupting their laughter. His eyes were wide and his nostrils flared. He recognized the warning signs that Conall had either just spoken to a ghost or saw something not of this world.

  “What is it Conall, what did you see?”

  Larc watched him curiously.

  Conall pulled his hand through his hair, another habit while dealing with aberrations. “Merlin was just here. I was in the library looking for monasteries and he came tae me. He said tae ready the men, he would lead us tae him. He was weak and just a projection, it took a lot out of him tae come here.

  “He said he’d be back tomorrow tae show us the way. We are tae meet at outer earth, at the portal opening, early in the morning, they are there in outer earth. He said he couldn’t tell us where he’s at, he can only lead us, because it’s so well hidden and cloaked, we couldn’t get there any other way. He said there’s only one way in and that’s up through a valley. It’s on a cliff. He looks bad, Ian, we have to get tae him.”

  “Och, we will, Conall, my gods, Merlin. Larc ready your men for battle. Lysanthir!”

  “Ian? What is it?”

  “Merlin came tae Conall. He’ll meet us at the outer earth portal. I think he’s somewhere there. We’ll take the stationary portal from here tae outer earth, damn good thing it’s nae inner earth, we’d have to go tae Wattingham fort for that portal. We have tae be ready tomorrow.

  “Baws, are we ever going tae get the time we need for training? I need you tae ready our men. Gather them all, I will talk tae them. I’ll meet you in the yard in two hours. I need tae see Elspeth and my brothers at the castle. Tell them tae pack light, but warm. We’re going up a mountain. We leave at day break. Tell Lauren, Finn, and Taryn what I told you, tell Connor’s men as weel, I need him at the castle.”

  “Connor! I need ye inside now!” Connor came jogging up. “Follow me.” He walked off leaving Lysanthir and Larc shouting at their men.

  “Connor, I doona ken how many we face, I doona ken the layout of the land where we’re goin’. I need you tae think of all possible scenarios. We’re goin’ up a mountain, the only way is through a valley. A good place for them tae ambush us. We need a way tae get through there. Come up with somethin’ tae do that. That’s all I ken. I need tae see Elspeth. We’ll need her here tae care for the wounded. Bullocks!”

  He left to search for Elspeth and found her in the solarium sewing by the window, humming. He realized she enjoyed it. It warmed his heart. God’s, she was beautiful. “Hi sweetling,” he said smiling.

  “She looked up and smiled. “Hi, yourself. Och, what now, Ian?”

  “Merlin came tae Conner in a projection. It took a lot of his energy. Connor said he isn’t well and looks bad but can lead us tae him. We leave at day break tae find Athdar’s army and Merlin. I need you here, Els, for the wounded.”

  Elspeth stood, laying down her sewing, and with a concerned look, walked to Ian and put her arms around him. “Are the men ready?” She asked, looking into his eyes.

  “They are all good soldiers tae begin with. They’ve had a few days tae integrate and get tae ken each other. We doona have a choice we have tae go. With the werewolves, we have a great chance. They’re a great bunch of men. I worry aboot you.”

  “I’m fine Ian, I am here for you and the men, and I’m here for Merlin. Doona fash yourself, I’ll be fine. I just hope the men will be. Do you ken where you’re going?”

  “Only, up some mountain. Doona ken where, on outer earth though.” Ian knew her thoughts and worry weighed on h
er. “I’ll be fine. I’m thinkin’ when this is over I will retire for good. I have you and the bairn tae think aboot. I want tae raise my family and spend my days lovin’ you. I have tae go talk tae Dougal and Cameron, then talk tae the men. I’ll pack later. Then later…later…,”he said and wiggled his eyebrows.

  Elspeth laughed and slapped his arm. “You better think of later…later,” she smiled, pressed her bosom to his chest and kissed him.

  “You do that, and there’ll be nae later…later only now…now!” he kissed her back hard, and grabbed her behind and pulled her in, groaning.

  “Later, later,” she whispered, barely catching her breath.

  After he talked with Dougal, Cameron, and Conall, who had returned to Merlin’s library, he walked out to the yard.

  He stood atop the podium and looked at all the men. His brothers, Lysanthir, and Larc below, standing beside him.

  “Thanks for being here and for being part of this. Our last battle was hard, and I ken we lost a lot of good men, but now we ken better what we are dealin’ with. I want to thank Larc and his men for joining with us in this common cause. We’ve all taken a soldier’s oath tae protect both worlds and now that time has come.”

  He looked out over the men assembled and felt proud of the hard work they had put forward. “Each one of you is a good soldier, and a good mon. Now I’ve explained what these kearals are capable of, and we all ken it’s not good, but you’ve all agreed to continue on. To fight.

  “I want you tae look at your brothers next tae you. Ken each one of you has each other’s back. Today we are not just Ocrul, we are not just Crixior, we are not just Crimson Keepers, we are not just Ogourax. We are not segregated. Today we are soldiers, we are men, we are brothers.

  “We are all fighting for the same thing. We are fighting for the weak, who canna. We are fightin’ tae live in a peaceful world, where we can love, raise a family, and be safe. So you look at your brothers, because we are goin’ to war as one. A rather different one…” and they all laughed, “but a war nevertheless. We will watch each other’s backs and protect each other. I need tae reiterate, make sure you keep their hands from around your heads. That’s a power they have that we have to avoid.