The Peacekeeper

  “The blood needed to complete the final step can only come from this one man who always exists. It says he incarnates over and over bringing peace to the worlds. The man’s soul is titled the Peacekeeper and he was started from a spark, from the One Great God Himself.

  “The Grimoire doesn’t tell us who that person is or how to get the Peacekeeper’s blood to put on the sword, yet he is the only one who can wield it and its magic. We can make it, if we can find the metal, but how do we find the Peacekeeper? How do we get fairy dust? Where do we get the metal for the sword?”

  Merlin frowned. “I can ask the angels, maybe Junius would have some answers. You boys get what ingredients you can to make this sword and I will scour around and ask questions.” Merlin opened his portal and turned to the boys. “Don’t dally, this one is dangerous.”

  The boys looked at each other after Merlin left. “How do we stop a dark god?” asked Finn.

  “Even a better question, how do we find the Peacekeeper?” asked Taryn.

  “We better make the sword,” said Conall. “What all do we need?”

  Cameron looked back at the book, “Several herbs to burn in with the Dharan metal. The metal canna be held by human hands. Only the Dharans have used it. I’ll have tae research more. I doona ken what it is, or even where it is. Most all the other ingredients we’ve got. Hmmm, there’s another one I’ve never heard of afore. Some weird weed. I must ask Merlin about it. The dreaded fairy dust. Blood from fae, vampire, werewolf, gargoyles, dragons, and from a virgin for purity.”

  “I know where I can get the virgin blood,” said Angus. “If she lets me anywhere near her,” he mumbled. “I’ll leave now and get it. I need to check on her anyway.”

  “Nae, you should wait, Angus, until we have all the herbs. We will need fresh blood.”

  “The Queen?” asked Lauren. “Are you sure she’s a virgin?”

  “No one can be as cold as that woman, and not be. Besides, King Rulm bought her, and the only way her father gave her up was with the express purpose that he would never touch her or he would die.”

  “Sounds a little crazy to me,” said Cameron. “What father wouldn’t want their child to know the joys of lovemaking?”

  “Moreover,” said Angus, “What kind of father would sell their daughter to King Rulm in the first place. What price did Rulm pay to have her and why?” Angus scratched at his beard with a frown.

  “Och, shite,” said Cameron. “How the hell do we get fairy dust. Ancient fae? Different types of fairies? I can’t wrap my head around that piece of information.”

  “If Merlin canna get the fairy dust, we’re in trouble,” said Lauren grabbing the book. “Wait here’s information about the fairy realm. Wow. It says there are no portals to Lanenia, Land of the Fairy and Merlin can’t open one. One would have to travel over the Scarlet Sea and through Vision Valley to get there. If the Scarlet sea doesn’t eat ye alive, visions from Vision Valley would turn you mad. We have tae speak aboot this tae Merlin. I think fairy dust is oot of the question.”

  ****

  Merlin at the Light Angel’s Court

  “I cannot answer you, Merlin. I know not who the Peacekeeper is, only the God of Light knows, and the One Great God. I don’t think either is going to say,” stated Junius.

  “Doesn’t the God of Light know about Juppar Heiwynn?” asked Merlin.

  “He does know,” came a bellowing voice as the God of Light appeared. “I’ve known since his conception, he exists.”

  Junius bowed his head to the floor. “My God, what brings you?”

  “I’ve come in answer to Merlin’s plea, but I will not tell you who the Peacekeeper is. In due time, all will be known, if the future is as I predict.”

  “What if it is not?” asked Merlin. “Future can change. If Juppar wins, it could be devastating for the worlds. Are you willing to take that risk?”

  “For the Peacekeeper, yes.”

  “How can we find him?”

  “He will find you,” said the God of Light. “For the Dhara metal, see Tepu.” The God of Light disappeared.

  “Well that was certainly helpful,” Merlin said sarcastically.

  “I’m just sorry I couldn’t help,” replied Junius with a frown.

  “I guess it’s back to the drawing board then.” Merlin opened his portal and stepped through.

  ****

  McGregor Keep

  Ian couldn’t concentrate on fishing, lately he had trouble concentrating on anything. He thought constantly about the men in training, and his brothers. He knew he should be happy with the new-found peace and it was great for a while, but now he kept thinking about Wesladus and Pendragon, and the men…his men.

  But he couldn’t change his mind, he promised his wife peace, for her and the bairns. He also promised his Mither he would control McGregor Keep, and Ian never went back on his word. Ever. He sat in his boat and let the waves move him about when Bradana came running out.

  “My Lord! The bairns are coming. Moira and Elspeth need you, hurry.”

  That brought him out of his reverie and he quickly rowed to shore. Throwing the small boat on the bank he went running through the castle and up the stairs. He ran through the door to their room and knelt at her side.

  Moira smiled. “It will be awhile yet, Ian. It always is the first time, but her water came, and the pains are coming on time. She asked for you.”

  “I’m here, dearling. Do you need anythin’?”

  “Just you.” She smiled. “I thought you should ken you are goin’ tae be a father today.”

  He kissed her hand then her forehead. “I will be right here with you, Els. We’ll do this together. Mither what do we need?”

  “Bradana is bringin’ hot water and cloths. She’ll need tae have her brow and face wiped often. Can you handle that job, Ian?” Moira smiled at the two lovebirds. “I remember the day you and Eoghan were born. Lachlan was in worse shape than me. I thought he’d pass oot and I’d have tae take care of him. You are not going tae pass oot are you?”

  “I doona think so,” he replied chagrined.

  Bradana entered all smiles, placing the water and cloths on the table near the bed. “Isn’t this wonderful! Bairns today. It’s been years since this place has heard the cries of bairns.”

  “Yes,” said Moira. “It’s very excitin’. You may want tae keep it down a little so Els can concentrate. Remember what it was like for you?”

  “Goddesses yes, I thought the pains would never cease.”

  “Bradana! I think you need tae check on things for dinner.”

  “Och, aye, I see. I just…need tae…check on things for dinner,” she said hurriedly. “You ken where tae find me.” She sauntered out the door.

  Elspeth let out a yelp and grabbed her sides. “I need tae move.”

  “Ian,” said Moira. “I think she needs tae walk a bit. If you can squat it will help the bairns tae come quicker. Help her, son, tae walk some.”

  ****

  Bradana stood at the foot of the stairs listening to Elspeth’s screams. She sent up a silent prayer that the bairns would come soon. It had been all day, and night was quickly coming. She took up food, but no one ate. Ian was sweating as much as Elspeth. Bradana wanted to wipe his head. She smiled and went to turn away when she heard the first cry. She ran up the stairs and up to Ian holding his first born, a son with very dark black hair, and lots of it. The bairn was wailing and Moira was encouraging Elspeth to push.

  Elspeth let out another loud scream and bore down. A red-headed bairn showed its head then come flying out, landing in Moira’s hands. “It’s a girl!” she shouted. I thought for sure it would be a boy after the first one. Bradana take her and clean her up while I work with the after birth.

  ****

  Elspeth watched Ian with their son as he walked over to peer at their daughter. “She’s beautiful Els,” he said in his husky voice. He walked over and handed Elspeth their son to nurse. He latched right on and Ian bent to kiss them both. />
  “We did good dinna we Ian?” Elspeth asked her glowing husband.

  “Yes, we certainly did.” A feeling of protection for his children surged through him. He heard a voice, “Remember who you are.” He recalled hearing the same voice at the cave and again at the wedding. He pushed a hand through his hair as if that would help. “I must be goin’ crazy,” he said out loud not meaning to.

  “What?” asked Elspeth then she cried out. The after birth came out and she fell back suddenly, exhausted after the long birth. Moira picked up their son and Bradana gave Elspeth their daughter to nurse.

  “Have ye picked their names?” asked Moira.

  “Yes,” he said. “Our son’s name is Domnall, it means ruler of the world. Our daughter’s name means the same, Donella. We thought it fitting for such young ones who saved their mother’s life at such a young age.”

  “Hmm,” said Moira. “Donella and Domnall. I like their names, yes very fitting. I’m so happy for you!” she said. With tears, she hugged him.

  She then took the quiet Donella from her sleeping mother and Ian took his son and they walked together down the long staircase. When they reached the bottom, a portal opened and out walked Merlin and all his brothers. The girls came screeching down the stairs and he stood proud.

  He held up his son. “Domnall our son!” and everyone clapped.

  “Let us see your other son!” said Conall.

  Moira held up their daughter and shouted, “Donella their daughter!”

  Everyone cheered. “May I hold her, Mither, please?” asked Akira.

  Donella cried out and her face got red. Domnall was quiet now after eating. Moira pointed to a chair. “Be careful her tiny head.”

  Akira beamed as she sat and cooed to the tiny one. He hung onto his son as the men came close to see him, while the girls gathered around Donella.

  Moira looked at her family, “I wish your father could be here.” He smiled at her but his attention quickly returned to his children. He heard his mother excuse herself and thought that she was tiring more easily now.

  Bradana came to help with the bairns. Finally, he thanked everyone for coming but insisted he return to Elspeth. Merlin left with his reluctant brothers and his sisters headed to bed. Bradana helped him take the babies back upstairs, where they found Elspeth awake and waiting.

  He put their daughter to breast because she was fussy and he laid his son in the cradle for the first time as he slept. He covered him and made sure the fire in the room was warm, leaving the door open so they could listen in. When he could, he lay with his wife during the night, but couldn’t sleep.

  Something in the back of his mind nagged him and he couldn’t relax. He spent most of the night carrying bairns to Elspeth or returning them to their cradles.

  Bradana showed them how to change diapers and he did most of that as Elspeth was worn out. At one point both bairns lay asleep in their cradles and he took turns watching them sleep.

  He finally lay down next to Elspeth early in the morning and dozed off, when Bradana came in cheerfully with breakfast. He quickly covered his head and groaned, then both bairns awoke with a wail.

  Elspeth got up and moved slowly to the nursery. Bradana followed. Each carrying a baby, Elspeth settled back in bed and learned the fine art of how to hold two crying bairns to nurse them at the same time. One cradled in each arm she leaned back and watched them with an amazed look. He watched her and smiled.

  “I love you, my bonnie wife,” he said.

  “I love you, my handsome husband, Ian McGregor.”

  Chapter 34

  Mystic Mountain

  Merlin stood at the edge of Mystic Mountain, waiting for Tepu and Hermaditt to come down to him. As soon as he touched the edge of the mountain from the valley, he knew they would come awake, noticing his presence. He looked up, “ah here they come now,” he said as he watched them flying down toward him.

  “Merlin,” said Tepu in greeting. “What brings you to our mountain?”

  “The God of Light said to see you about a metal we need to make the Godslayer Sword.”

  Tepu looked at Hermaditt with a shocked look on his face, then back to Merlin quickly. “Sorry, can’t help you.”

  “What do you mean, can’t help me, or won’t?” asked Merlin.

  “Either one, take your pick,” answered Tepu. “We are busy, we must leave.”

  “Doing what?” asked Merlin. “From what I could tell you were doing nothing but standing there in stone. You didn’t look busy to me.”

  “We think a lot,” answered Hermaditt.

  “That’s the damn, dumbest answer, I have ever heard,” he said, exasperated. “Look, the God of Dark now has a son. We got rid of Athdar and Drakkor, but this Juppar Heiwynn, this son of the God of Dark, has taken over. Now the only way to fight this madman, God, or whatever you want to call this flame-eyed creature, is by using the Godslayer sword. The only way to make the sword is with the strongest metal ever created, Dhara metal. The only one who can wield it is the Peacekeeper. Without the metal there is no sword, the God of Light said see you, and I’m not leaving here without it. If you don’t want me to turn you both into toads I suggest you help. Gods I do not have time for this! Do I make myself clear?”

  Tepu narrowed his eyes, put his arms around his chest, and said, “I’m not afraid of you Merlin. The Dhara ruins I’m scared shitless of. Turn me into a toad. I’d rather that than face those ruins.”

  “Why are you scared of the ruins?”

  “They are cursed. We guard them here on Mystic Mountain, but we never go near them. Some have ventured close never to return. There are spells about the place, howls from tortured souls sound from its depths. It’s downright scary. How do you think you can get any of their metal?

  “Besides the ruins are far beneath the earth, and I only know of one way in. It’s one of the many secrets kept by the mountain. The civilization is the oldest known civilization to man. It’s supposed to be a secret, if people find out, this place will be overrun. Even with the threat of being turned to stone. We can barely keep the secret of the berries. Now you want to go digging around in the Dhara ruins? No.”

  “Maybe you should understand something, Tepu. If Juppar Heiwynn takes control of both earths no one will have to worry what the ruins might do. He will do much worse and he will do it to everyone. Now, the God of Light said see you. He wouldn’t say that if he didn’t expect you to help us. Do you get my drift? Me turning you into toads is nothing compared to what he might do to you. Are you willing to take that chance?”

  Tepu put his hand on his chin and rubbed, contemplating what he’d said. “Hummm,” he said. He looked at Hermaditt. “What do you think?”

  “I think we should help him.”

  “You what?”

  “You heard me. He’s right. If the God of Darks son is on the loose it can’t be good. If the God of Light wants our help how can we refuse?”

  Tepu looked at Hermaditt for a second, then slowly nodded his head. “Well,” he said. “I guess we take a hike to the Dhara ruins.” He shuddered. “Gods help us all.”

  “Precisely,” said Merlin. “I’m ready, if you are.”

  “Never,” said Tepu, “but let’s go.”

  He followed the low flying gargoyles up the mountain. They trekked through the forest, down a river, through a cave, and to a spot where a large cavern surrounded the way down deep inside the mountain. He stood at the edge looking into the dark abyss below, then up at Tepu.

  “I don’t know how you’re going to get down, but we’ll fly,” said Tepu. “Do we need to go with you?”

  Merlin squinted at him and he quickly got the point.

  “Looks like we’ll meet you at the bottom?” asked Tepu.

  “Yes, I can disappear and reappear at the bottom. I’ll create a light when we get in. Just then a screeching howl came from the cavern mouth. “Is that what you thought was screaming?” he asked Tepu.

  “Yes, did you hear that? They are
screaming!”

  “That’s wind,” he said, laughing.

  Tepu’s face turned red. “You sure?”

  “I’m sure. Meet you at the bottom. Tepu and Hermaditt flew down inside the mouth of the cavern, Tepu screeching the whole way.

  He disappeared and appeared again at the bottom. When his feet touched down, a dim light appeared all around him. He looked around and his mouth fell open. Crazy machinery and gadgets everywhere.

  They stood in a round tub full of holes drainage for rain from the opening he figured. He had no idea what anything was or what it was for. There were nobs, buttons, levers and funny shaped glass caps on metal bodies. Funny designs that looked like some kind of Sanskrit writings.

  He walked over and touched one, causing buttons to light up and whirring sounds to come from it. From the ceiling protruded some sort of metal tubes. The metal had a golden glow to it.

  At the opening of the tubes were crystals that fit in perfectly. He was fascinated. This had to be the type of metal they were looking for. He leaned against a lever, while still looking overhead, and when it moved light came from the tubes. It glowed like sunshine. He instantly squinted and had to look away. Only a few lit up, and he wondered why the others hadn’t. He soon found out, when he moved another lever.

  That lever caused another whirring sound, and doors surrounding the room, opened and the other lights came on shining in through the doorways. He was fascinated by the technology, he had never seen anything like it. Sure, the future had unexplainable stuff, but this was now, and this from a species that was extinct? He had some rethinking to do.

  Tepu and Hermaditt stood shaking with their mouths open. Whooshing sounds surrounded them as the several doors opened around them. “Don’t touch anything,” he said.

  “No need to worry there,” said Tepu.

  He walked toward one of the doors motioning for the gargoyles to follow. They entered a large room with wood all around it and with more tubes and light. “Sure saves on candles,” he mumbled.

  He looked around in awe, “Amazing. But I need to stay focused. We must find the metal. Spread out, look in every room you see. Tepu and Hermaditt took off and he gave one last glance at the room with a very nice wooden long table, a fire pit with a hole above to let the smoke out. Cabinets, chairs, and another funny machine. Gathering himself he quickly left. When he got out the door, he heard a screech from Hermaditt. The gargoyle quickly called out, “I’m okay. I just scared myself.”