The Peacekeeper

  Merlin chuckled and went to the next room. “Found something!” shouted Tepu. He immediately started in the direction of the shout. He followed the sound to the mouth of a large tunnel heading deeper inside the earth.

  They proceeded down the tunnel turning right, then left, then straight, only to turn again. They finally came to a large cavern that held glowing white metal. He went to touch it, and felt the energy come from it. “This has to be it.”

  He said an incantation and his hands began to glow. He reached down and picked up a large bar of the glowing metal. The strong energy level that came from the bar made him almost lose his grasp. It felt alive, but surely it wasn’t.

  He turned to Tepu. “See Tepu, this place isn’t…just then a glowing net dropped from the ceiling and landed on the three of them. He immediately repeated the same incantation he’d used to protect his hands and spread it out until all three of them were surrounded by it.

  “I can’t hold this spell for long, we have to get out of here. Quickly, take my hands.” He placed the large bar inside his coat. It was heavy, but he thought he could do it. He began his incantation and as he spoke the last words they were transported outside the first cavern. He collapsed from exertion.

  “Help me,” said Tepu. “We’ll take him to the cave near the river.” Together they carried Merlin down the side of the mountain toward the cave. They placed him inside. Looking around he found a broken bowl that would still hold some water. He ran quickly to the river and returned to splash Merlin in the face. He awoke sputtering.

  “What the hell did you do that for?”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He patted his coat and felt for the metal bar that was between his coat and his shirt. Although it wasn’t touching skin or burning him, it was very warm. “I must get back. I told you the place wasn’t cursed. It just had things protecting it. Nothing more. Thank you for taking me. I’d like to come back and study it further when all is over.”

  “I’ll let you, Merlin. But only you. Thanks for showing us that there is nothing to fear from the place. We can help you down the mountain if you like.”

  “No, I can disappear,” he said standing, dripping water from his face and hair. He laughed. “You two have such a way.”

  “As if you don’t,” said Tepu, laughing.

  He shook their hands, and then disappeared.

  Chapter 35

  Two and a half months later

  Angus shook his head. It had been hell looking for The Peacekeeper. They still had no idea of who he could be. His brothers were back at Wesladus getting ready to make the sword anyway. They had the metal Merlin retrieved, from where he wouldn’t say. It lay glowing in the corner where Merlin dropped it. Merlin had given them protective gloves that he swore would protect them, but no one had been brave enough to touch it. The glow and the heat that radiated from it had them all a little on edge. They’d never seen a metal like it before. They all glanced at the strange Dhara metal often. The time was coming that they wouldn’t have a choice, it needed to be forged.

  It had taken two and a half months to find a plant they needed. Cameron didn’t recognize it and Merlin finally found it on top of a mountain in Asia, but only after seeking help from Junius. Now that they had the final plant ingredient, he was in Mystic Kingdom seeking out the Queen.

  He walked to where he knew he’d find her. Walking in unannounced as the guards were used to him by now, he found her sitting alone staring out a window. She turned to look at him. Instead of yelling at him, like she usually did, she simply stared at him. “I have come tae ask you a favor,” he said, finally.

  “That’s unusual, coming from you.”

  “The God of Dark has made a son and he is walking in Athdar’s footsteps. The only way tae stop him is by making The Godslayer longsword. The only way it can be made is by using herbs and certain species blood in the makin’ of it, but we also need the blood of a virgin, and…”

  “Okay,” interrupted the queen. “I’ll give my blood.”

  “Just like that? You’ll give your blood? No yelling, sarcastic remarks, jabs?”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you McGregors is that when you have something in your mind you don’t stop until you get what you want. It’s for a good cause, so, yes, I’ll agree to it. Simple as that.” She flashed her brown eyes at him.

  Damn but she was beautiful. He wished there was some way to melt her icy interior. He felt a throbbing hard on hit him and he moved to reposition himself. The queen looked back out the window. He didn’t know how to handle this version of her. Who stole the ice queen and replaced her?

  “What do I need to do?”

  “I have a vial that we can put some…” Suddenly there was a crash and he looked toward the door. He pulled his sword. “Get under the desk!” he shouted. Dedrick burst through the door wearing a wicked smile and leading six Kearals in his wake. “I told you I’d make you pay.”

  “You just made the biggest mistake of your life, Dedrick.”

  “Turn over the queen and she won’t get hurt.”

  “I doona think so,” he said, his voice low and deadly. His eyes spit fire and his incisors dropped as the green fae glow surrounded him. Dedrick reared back with a horrified look on his face. “What the hell are you?” he asked in a shaky voice.

  “I’m the man who is goin’ tae kill you for what you have just done.”

  He attacked like a bull gone mad. He didn’t have time for a pissin match, not with kearals heading toward the desk, he was long gone, done, with Dedrick. He’d had enough. He quickly grabbed Dedrick, and without giving any quarter, he ripped the flesh from his screaming neck. Spit it to the floor, dropped him, then he turned to the kearals. He beheaded the first, ripped out the second’s throat, fought the third with his sword, and when the last three came at him he blasted them with wind.

  Surprise gone, he knew he couldn’t take the last three by himself. He ran behind the desk where Edina huddled. “Merlin! Now would be a good time!” he shouted.

  He grabbed the Queen’s hand. “You’re coming with me it’s not safe here.” He pulled her to her feet and at the same time sending more wind at the Kearals and pushing them away.

  “Merlin, get your arse here!” He yelled.

  A portal opened and before Merlin could come through he jumped through pulling her with him. They landed in a heap in Merlin’s library. “Great,” he said, “saves me the trip back.”

  The queen pushed against him. “Get off me!” she screeched.

  “I see your back tae your old self and you’re welcome,” Angus said standing, holding out his hand to help her up. Lauren, Conall, Cameron, and Dougal looked up from the grimoire at the scene in front of them. Merlin jumped up and exclaimed, “What happened?”

  “Six Kearals just tried kidnapping the Queen. I think they were new and didn’t expect me to be there or be who and what I am. Why would they want you Queen?”

  “I…l…honestly don’t know. I’m nobody special.”

  He was still angry. “Come on, King Rulm buys you from your father, spending gods ken what to get you, marries you, doesn’t touch you when he’s kenned to violate and kill women, what am I supposed to think?” he asked, flustered.

  “I’m telling you I don’t know!” she cried and then began to sob.

  He grabbed her and held her while she broke down. “Come and sit down. Maybe we can figure this oot.”

  “Thank you, Angus, for saving me. I haven’t been easy to get along with, I know, but you haven’t either. It doesn’t excuse my behavior, but you do have a habit of bringing out the worst in me.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. What we need to concern ourselves with right now is why they want you.”

  “I will see what I can find out,” said Merlin. “But until we figure this out you are to stay here in Wesladus. No arguments. I will see to Mystic Kingdom and make sure it is safe and taken care of temporarily, until you can return.” With that Merlin opened a p
ortal and left.

  Edina looked at the brothers. “How can I help? You need my blood, take as much as you need.” She sighed.

  “Come,” said Cameron. “We need just a small amount. Enough to fill this small vial. If you sit here, I will make a small slice in your finger and that should do it.”

  After he finished he marked the vial and put it in a cold locker. “That’s all we need. The rest will be easy. We should have the sword finished soon. Ator will be bringing a gargoyle in the morning and the rest of the items on the list are here.

  “Merlin will be getting the fairy dust. We have all the rest of the species needed on site. We can’t use our blood because it’s mixed and we don’t want to take the chance of it contaminating the sword. The only thing now is finding The Peacekeeper.

  “I wish you all luck,” said Edina.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. “Let’s find you somethin’ tae eat, shall we?” He reached his hand out and grasped hers, and they walked out together.

  Conall looked at his brothers. “Are you all thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?”

  “Aye,” they said in unison and then broke out in laughter.

  “Angus just may be following in Ian’s footsteps,” said Lauren. “He…just doesn’t ken it yet.” They all laughed again.

  ****

  McGregor Keep

  Ian and Elspeth were playing with the babies. The two bairns were awake and happy at the same time. Ian laughed at his son cooing and blowing bubbles. Elspeth was nursing their daughter. Akira came running in out of breath and shouted. “There’s four dragons in the yard. Saphira and Ator and two smaller ones. Hurry come see!”

  “They must be here to see the bairns. Come Els.”

  “I bet Sorrilth and Kalon are with them.”

  When they reached them, Elspeth noticed how big Sorrilth and Kalon had grown. They were a bit bigger than half their parents size. They were beautiful.

  “We have brought you a gift for the babies,” Ator said. “It’s unusual but considering what you have done for us and what you have done for all, this will be the best gift we can give you.”

  “A gift from a dragon?” laughed Ian. “I can only guess what it could be. But, whatever it is, I’m sure it is wonderful. Come my friend, any gift from you is appreciated. This is my son Domnall,” he said, holding him up for Ator to see.

  Ator leaned down and nuzzled the top of the boy’s head and Domnall squealed. “Come Kalon and see Domnall,” said Ator.

  Kalon waddled up and sniffed the child and smiled a dragon smile. “You saved me, Ian McGregor, as Darlath was sure to kill me. Now I will do for you.” He leaned back and blew fire of blue directly at Domnall. Leaving his dragon mark on Domnall’s small chest, the child giggled. “He will always have my protection. You saved us as babies, only fair we protect yours.”

  She and Ian stood speechless.

  Saphira waddled up to Donella. She nudged her forehead and smiled her dragon smile. “She’s beautiful, Elspeth. Come Sorrilth, meet Donella.”

  Sorrilth came up and sniffed Donella, repeating her brother’s actions, leaving the replica of herself on Donella’s chest. “She will be like a sister to me and a friend. I shall watch over her forever.” Sorrilth smiled.

  “I doona ken what to say, Ator,” said Ian. That is the most wonderful gift a father could ever ask for.”

  After handing Donella to Ian, she ran and hugged Sorrilth, then Kalon wrapping her arms around their necks. “You are all my family,” she said with tears. “I doona ken how tae thank you, but I do.”

  They stayed together for most of the morning. Saphira gave Akira another ride. Ator, Kalon, and Sorrilth gave Brenna, Fiona, and Catriona their first ride, being careful and gentle with them. Moira laughed and watched her daughters with delight. Ator and Saphira nuzzled the babies whenever they could. She and Ian laughed at them and with them. The visit was wonderful and so was their gift.

  ****

  The next morning Moira was very tired and ached over her entire body. She felt drained. Domnall and Donella were her greatest joy. She noticed Ian was strangely quiet of late and worried about him.

  She tried talking to him and whenever she did, he would make an excuse to either leave the room or the castle altogether. She was walking down the stairs and listening to the cries of one of the babies, when darkness closed in on her vision.

  She made a grab for the wall but it was too late she tumbled most of the way down the stone stairs and dropped in front of a screaming Catriona.

  Ian came running to the stairs, Bradana and Elspeth following each with a bairn in their arms. Ian leaned over to pick up his unconscious mother. He carefully raised her in his arms. “I have to get her into bed. Merlin! We need you!” he shouted, and a portal opened.

  “What is it, Ian?” he asked.

  “It’s Mither, she fell down the stairs. I need you to check her. I doona think she’s healing and she’s growing old very quickly. See if she has any broken bones. Follow me.” He ascended the stairs carefully carrying his mother.

  ****

  After Ian laid her on the bed, Merlin looked over Moira and then left his body to enter hers. It was something he didn’t normally do, invade another, because to do so he’d tap their minds as well and to him that was an invasion, but this was Moira.

  He had to make sure she was all right and not suffering. He tried to avoid the rush of her memories, but they were instantaneous. He felt what she felt for Lachlan, her children, and him. He knew the pain and lengths she went to remain alive for her family. He truly admired her strength and courage.

  “Oh Moira,” he inwardly sighed, “I know your pain.” He carefully searched her bones, arteries, and blood vessels. Finding everything intact, he retreated to himself and a waiting Ian. The rest stood outside the door waiting.

  “How is she, Merlin?” Ian asked, worry etching his face.

  “Well.” Merlin sighed deeply, “her bones and vessels are intact. That is the good news. The bad news is her aging rate is intensified, but not surprising knowing she lasted as long as she did. She isn’t going to last much longer. She’s in a sleep that she won’t wake up from, Ian. You need to know. We need to have the boys come home.

  “In a few days, it is the fall equinox, the time the fairies celebrate. I must go that day to acquire some dust for a project we are working on in Wesladus. When I get back I’ll bring them here. I think Moira will last at least a week, maybe two.”

  “Two weeks? Doesn’t seem possible, och, mither,” he said gently raising her hand to his.

  “I will leave you with your mother, Ian. If you need me call.” He opened his portal and left.

  ****

  Hearing about a project at Wesladus made Ian cringe. He wanted to know more. He missed his men and his life. There was no way around it, but he wouldn’t go back on his word, not against his family who meant everything to him. He lovingly looked at his mother and sighed inwardly.

  After a while of sitting with Moira, he stood to go and relate the news to those waiting outside. He paced a bit in his grief and pulled his hand through his hair and over his face. He knew there would be a lot of crying from the girls, Bradana and even Elspeth, he hated tears from those he loved, it was hard for him to see, but it had to be done.

  Even though everyone supported Moira’s decision, he knew the devastation it would cause them, especially the girls. He opened the door to face them with the news.

  ****

  Wesladus

  Merlin stood in his library with all the McGregor boys, save Angus. He was with the Queen. Of course, Ian was also absent. When Merlin finished telling them about Moira, they sat in silence.

  Finally, Cameron spoke up. “Do we abort making the sword?”

  “No, your mother will last a couple of weeks. In three days’ time is the equinox, only twice a year this happens. This day makes the fairy dust the strongest and it is the day I will go and retrieve some.”

  Lauren spoke up. “That’s
a suicide mission, Merlin. No one is kenned tae have crossed the Scarlet Sea and through Vision Valley and live. I’ve read about Lanenia. The fairies are well guarded in so many crazy ways. You also want tae go when their magic is strongest? Why is this day so special tae them?”

  “It’s only one of two times a fairy can choose a mate. I’ve heard it takes but a kiss from both fairies to initiate the bond then mate for life, but both must feel it, if only one does then the bond doesn’t take, kiss or not.

  “It’s a full day party and the fall equinox is one of two longest days of the year with the planets aligned. Their magic is at its maximum capacity then. I must go. We need the dust and it is the only way.”

  “Merlin, you could die. We canna have that. Too many people depend on you. Let me go in your stead,” said Dougal. “I ken magic and you can tell me what I need tae do.”

  “No, you couldn’t survive Vision Valley. I have some tricks up my sleeve. I’ll go and I’ll have Ator fly me. That will help.”

  “You will not go!” bellowed the God of Light’s voice as He appeared before them surrounded by an almost blinding brilliant light. You will not survive the trip. Besides you won’t have to, if the future plays out as I see it.”

  “If I don’t and it doesn’t play out as you see it, we cannot make the sword,” said Merlin.

  “If it does not play out, as you say, I will take you there myself before dark. But I usually know when something will be as it should, and so far, it is. You will not attempt to travel there, Merlin, unless I take you. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, you are clear. I will not go without you.” Merlin snarled, “You know we need the Godslayer Longsword, speaking of which are you ready to tell us about The Peacekeeper?”