by Unknown
Cain stared at Ulrick as if making a decision. "Whatever happens, stay put in your castle," he said tightly. "We need someone in the slayer's good graces with an army at the ready if it should come to that. Who kens," Cain said, turning to Gwen, "perhaps your da just wants to welcome his wee lass home."
Ulrick nodded. "Let me greet my 'guests' then. Stay here until I send for ye." Ulrick strode from the room, his emerald cloak swirling behind him.
Cain turned on Gwen. "Why would he want ye now, Gwen? Why?" he gritted out.
Gwen shook her head. "I told you, I don't know."
Cain rubbed a hand over the blonde stubble on his chin. "Could he have Julianna?"
Gwen's mouth dropped open. "I-I guess he could," she said slowly, the idea never occurring to her. "But Julianna is my mother's sister. My father wanted nothing to do with my mother's family."
"And he wanted nothing to do with ye either...until now."
"I can't imagine how he even knows I'm here."
Cain turned his back on Gwen, running his hand through his hair. His gaze darted sharply over his shoulder when a soft touch fluttered across his back.
"Um," Gwen said, not expecting Cain to look so coldly at her, "You can't come with me if my father requests me to come home with him. You have to stay away from me."
Cain raised an eyebrow. Crossing his arms over his chest, he faced her. "Really? You're going to start making demands to me after all ye've done?"
Gwen licked her lips. She couldn't believe only a few hours ago she had been in his arms, feeling so good, so right. "Please," she said softly, "don't ask why, just trust me and stay as far away from me as possible. I've made a horrible mistake being with you."
"If this is about last night-"
"-No! No, it's not about that at all. I enjoyed-." Gwen quickly cleared her throat. "I'm glad it was you who helped me," she said quietly.
Cain narrowed his eyes. "Did Ulrick say something to ye while ye were alone with him?"
"Please, you don't understand. She'll kill you," she blurted out, suddenly stopping, realizing what she had let slip.
Cain took hold of Gwen's arms and leaned down close to her face. "Who? She who?"
Gwen swallowed. "If I tell you, she'll kill us both for sure."
"Gwendolyn," he said, using her original name for the second time, "tell me."
Gwen's shoulders sagged. She had no choice. It seemed today she'd be spilling all her secrets whether she wanted to or not. "Rowena."
Cain's entire body tensed. "Where? When? Tell me everything she said to ye!"
"I-it was ten years ago, the-the night before I left you," she said blushing. "Rowena had showed herself one day to me when I was out in the fields by myself behind the keep. She told me to stay away from you, that she was your mother. She had also said if I didn't heed her words, she'd kill you, son or no...she'd kill you." Gwen covered her face with her hands as Cain's slowly dropped to his sides.
"So, ye didna just see her?" he asked with a frown.
"No!" Gwen cried. "And now, don't you see, she'll come after you for sure. You found me. I even bedded you!"
"I dinna think she'll be after me." A corner of Cain's mouth turned up. "And lass, I bedded ye."
Gwen raised her head with a look of disbelief on her face. "How can you be so sure? I broke the promise I made to her."
"I think she's dead," Cain said darkly. "I'm nay certain, but I do ken she'd show her wrath well before this if she lived and especially after ye broke your promise. Besides, she already tried to kill me." Gwen glanced up sharply. "That night I fell through your roof," Cain continued, "I had just come from a battle with her and a couple of other Immortals. Rowena tricked me into becoming human."
"You mean-," she looked up at Cain, "she really could be dead?"
He nodded. Cain watched her as he saw the stress and worry fade away from her features. "That's why ye left," he barely whispered as a realization set in.
Gwen's gaze darted back up to his. "I-." Gwen sucked down a breath as Cain walked up to her. Gwen stepped back, stopping when her backside collided with an armchair. She gripped the chair as need filled Cain's gaze.
Cain placed his hands over hers on the chair. He stared at her mouth, his lips hovering a hairbreadth away. Suddenly, he brought his hands up to both sides of her face and kissed her, holding her to him. The feelings of relief overwhelmed him. Gwen hadn't left because she had hated him. She had left to protect him. A mere slip of a girl at the time and she tried to keep him safe from his own witch of a mother.
Gwen sighed as she raised her hands to his chest. He deepened the kiss just as a throat cleared at the doorway.
"I take it ye two made up?" Cain and Gwen pulled away, only to find Ulrick standing at the threshold. Gwen noticed the brief look of hurt in his eyes, before he replaced it with a friendly smile. He walked in, closing the door behind him. "I have good news and bad news," he said, placing his hands behind his back, stepping before them.
"What's happening?" Cain asked, pulling Gwen to his side. "Is Lord Ramsey demanding Gwen?"
"Weel," Ulrick said, reaching up and loosening his neck collar, "not exactly. Lord Ramsey's right hand man is here and 'tis not Gwen they're demanding...but ye."
Cain's brow furrowed as he glanced to Gwen and back to Ulrick. "Why?"
Ulrick's mouth thinned. "Falmer. The little bastard went to Ramsey last night for the reward on your head. It appears Ramsey is hunting ye down."
"What!" Gwen demanded.
Ulrick glanced back at Cain. "I'm sorry. I'd kill the arse, but the daft, wee mon has already left. It doesna appear like Ramsey's right hand mon is any better than the devil himself. He appears to be pretty cross at the moment."
Gwen ran over and grabbed Ulrick's tunic. "You have to do something! You have an army...fight them!"
"No," Cain said, placing his hand on her shoulders, "ye had it right at the start, Gwen. We dinna want to begin a war, unless we have to. Ramsey is verra powerful-"
"-so are you!" she argued excitedly. "Use that beast inside of you!" When Cain remained silent, she said hurriedly, "then lets flee out the back. We'll all go somewhere and hide. They'll never find us!"
"There's rumor that Ramsey has a witch," Ulrick cut in. "She sees everything. I think he'd find us if he really wanted to."
Cain bit back the pain from an unexpected spasm coursing through his body. What choice did he have? If he stayed here in Ulrick's castle, or if he ran with Gwen, either she or Ulrick would end up getting hurt. Besides, he was hardly a man anymore...the monster inside was close to taking over.
"I'll go with them," Cain said quietly.
"No!" Gwen cried, "I won't let you. Cast magic so we disappear. Let's just be gone from here!"
"I have to find out why your father has a reward out for me."
Ulrick tapped his chin. "I have an idea." Ulrick looked over to Cain. "What if he wants to take your power, your magic, and give it to his witch? Ye ken, I've heard of sorcerers stealing other's powers from them."
Cain stared a moment at Ulrick. "I dinna think he could take my powers," he said darkly. "He can try, but no one truly understands what's inside of me."
Ulrick waved his comment away. "I might have something that will help ye."
Gwen turned eagerly toward Ulrick. "What is it? You have to help him if you can. My father doesn't care who he hurts."
Ulrick studied Cain for a moment, almost as if he made sure he was his friend again, that he was trust worthy once more. After a quick nod, he abruptly turned, striding toward the other end of the room where a huge cabinet sat. Ulrick waved his hands over the doors and they slowly drifted open, the magic unlocked. The shelves were filled with ornate goblets, crowns, and king and queen's jewels. On the bottom shelf, a large golden, jewel encrusted box sat.
Ulrick opened the gold box and pulled out a silver braided torque. Cain's eyes grew wide upon seeing what Ulrick held. The Mystical Torque of Aberdeen. It was said there were only three in existe
nce. One each of gold, silver, and bronze. Ulrick slowly walked back over to stand before them.
The silver torque gleaming before Cain was made up of three, rope-like braids, twisted into a collar of sorts. Small symbols from the ancient Gauls were carved along the ropes. Each torque, when created, had a powerful spell weaved into its making, a spell unique to each magical piece.
The silver one in front of him was said to make one unable to cast magic. The wearer had to willingly agree to put it on, and only the one placing it upon the wearer could remove it. Cain would not be able to cast a single spell if he agreed to wear the torque, nor could anyone take his powers from him. Another plus was that no spells could be cast upon him, either. He would truly feel like a normal human if he accepted, which he knew he had to. He didn't think there was any possible way to steal whatever dark energy consumed him, but he couldn't take the chance of letting Ramsey get hold of that type of power...if that was indeed what he was after.
Ulrick held out the torque to Cain. Cain knew accepting was the only choice he had. “I want your word that ye will take care of Gwen for me if I dinna come back," Cain said to Ulrick, ignoring Gwen's protests.
Ulrick made a small smile. "Ye have my word." Ulrick held the torque in both hands before Cain. “Kneel,” he said. Hesitantly, Cain kneeled and within moments, Ulrick placed the heavy braids over Cain’s head.
A power of helplessness unlike anything Cain had ever felt rushed through his body. The mystical torque was indeed powerful. Cain felt every bit of magic that had filled him get sucked into the torque. The symbols on the silver braids briefly glowed a bright blue, and then quickly diminished, sealing Cain's fate with the Slayer.
* * * * *
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gwen and Cain followed Ulrick through the luxurious corridor and down a circular stair, ending up in the great hall, where fifty or so of Lord Ramsey's men sat, drinking ale, and eating Ulrick's food. Two of the men, however, stood off to the side, not joining the others in consuming the fare. The pair of warriors watched their ravenous soldiers from the far end of the hall. One had his back to Ulrick, Gwen, and Cain, the other, appeared all too ready to retire from Ulrick's castle.
Ulrick walked down the three steps and loudly cleared his throat. It took a moment, but eventually, the room quieted and the obvious leader turned. It was Ramsey's right hand man.
Gwen narrowed her eyes as the two men strode forward through the aisle of soldiers.
"Ulrick," the leader said, "you're a mon of your word. We will take the prisoner and go. I will inform Ramsey of your accordance." Ulrick nodded curtly, eyeing Cain, keeping his promise to his reunited friend that he wouldn't give signal for his men to fight.
The leader's eyes brushed past Gwen to Cain, but quickly returned. "Gwendolyn?" he barely whispered. Pain flashed over the man's features for a swift moment, before returning to the usual cold glare.
Gwen studied the warrior in front of her. He appeared to be in his late forties with tan skin from long hours beneath the sun. A thick, wiry, auburn beard matched his auburn hair, which was pulled back into a black leather thong. Heavy chain mail, the color of light blue, her father's colors, covered his burly chest.
"Grimmly?" she barely spoke.
Grimmly reached out toward Gwen. Cain's hand jetted out, but Gwen instantly stilled him. Grimmly moved forward and brushed a lock of hair from Gwendolyn's face. "Ye were six the last time I saw ye," he whispered.
"You never used to have so many wrinkles," Gwen said softly, smiling.
Grimmly opened his arms and without hesitating, Gwen leaned into them. She breathed in the childhood smells of her father's home; leather, oil, sweat…blood.
Grimmly was a serious warrior with a serious sword arm, and could outfight the best of them. Yet, he had a soft side, but only Gwen ever witnessed it. He had been around Gwen since she had been a wee bairn. Oft times, Gwen had run to Grimmly for comfort after her father would scold, or punish her. Grimmly knew more about Gwen, had watched over her, and had treated her more like a daughter than, Laird Russell, "The Slayer" Ramsay, ever had.
Grimmly stepped back and held Gwen at arm's length as he regarded her. "Are ye well, then?" he asked, casting a cool glare over to Cain.
"Yes."
Grimmly's gaze returned to Gwen. "Gwendolyn Genevieve Ramsay, ye're all grown up, I believe," he said softly. Gwen smiled and hugged her childhood hero once more. "Come," he said after a moment, "I grow weary of this place." Grimmly turned to leave with Gwen in tow.
Ulrick darted in front of Grimmly. "I believe ye only came for Cain."
A hard, cold, lethal expression crossed Grimmly's face. "I didna ken ye had the laird's daughter as well. She goes with me."
"No," Cain said coldly, taking a step forward, "she stays." Ulrick and Ramsey's soldiers felt the tension in the air. Both armies unsheathed their swords, bringing their weapons to the ready.
Grimmly turned toward Cain. "Ye are my prisoner," he gritted out. "Ye have no demands. Guards, take him to the cart."
"Wait!" Gwen cried out. Placing a gentle hand on Grimmly's arm, she asked, "Please, Grimmly, he helped me when I was upon deaths door. I owe both Ulrick and Cain my life for what they have done for me. Don't hurt either one...please." Gwen glanced uneasily at Cain, noticing the ticking of his jaw, knowing he wanted her to stay as far away as possible from her father.
Grimmly eyed both men, and then glanced down at Gwen with a look of compassion. "Treat him as our guest," he told his soldiers. The guards escorted a willing Cain out of the hall, only after he gave Gwen one more wordless glance.
Grimmly nodded once more to Ulrick as one of his guards threw down a leather pouch at Ulrick's feet, coins "chinging" as they hit the floor. Ulrick gave Gwen a final fleeting look, one implying she wasn't seeing the last of him.
Upon leaving, Gwen caught sight of a hooded figure standing off in the corner of the hall. She recognized the cloaked form from the dusty road when Marsel had captured them. Gwen tensed, squeezing Grimmly's arm.
"Lass?" Grimmly asked.
"W-who is that?"
Grimmly followed Gwen's gaze. A small chuckle escaped him. "That is your father's witch. He sent her incase Ulrick or one of his men tried to use magic in preventing our capture of Cain. She is very proficient in her spells, but dinna fear her. For you're with me. I'll keep ye safe."
Gwen cautiously eyed the witch as they continued walking down the center of the room, through an aisle her father's men had made by parting for them. The witch's hood and cape covered her completely, leaving Gwen's imagination running wild with images of a hideous creature lying beneath.
Gwen had always had suspicions that her father had a witch. Gossip traveled fast after all, but Ramsey had never let her enter the dungeons and basements of the enormous Castle Dubh that was once her home. What other secrets had her father kept from her? When she returned home, she would be a child no longer, but a woman full grown. How different would it be?
* * * * *
Cain opened his eyes to a cool, damp cloth moving around on his forehead. Abruptly, he sat up and pushed the cloth away, only to find Gwen holding it, leaning over him. A look of hurt flashed across her face as she moved back, sitting on her haunches on a small, plain bed.
Cain hastily took in his surroundings and realized he lay in a bare, stone chamber with green moss growing up the inside corners of the room.
"Where are we?" he asked in a sleep ridden voice. "What happened? I only remember walking into the great hall, meeting your father, and then being trounced upon by his men." Cain glanced down, cringing as pain filled his body with every movement. Large, blue-green bruises marred his skin in numerous places.
Gwen swallowed. "I'm sorry," she barely choked out. "It seems my father gave the order to beat you soundly as soon as you arrived in the great hall. He said it was a welcoming present." Gwen swiped at the tear on her cheek. "He wanted to see if you were Immortal." Gwen dabbed at a cut on his shoulder with the damp cloth
before continuing. "We're locked in a chamber up in the tower. I begged Grimmly to let me in here to tend to your wounds after they discovered you were human." Gwen's chin trembled. "I'm so sorry!"
Cain wiped at her eyes with his thumbs. "Did your father or any of his men harm ye?"
Gwen shook her head. "Nay. It's just like when I was little. My father barely turned my way. Grimmly has been by my side since we arrived. He won't let anyone hurt me."
Cain gave her a look that said, "yeah right". "Your father's witch," Cain mumbled, remembering she had come over to him at some point and cast magic on him.
"-is badly hurt from placing a spell on you, or trying to. The torque made the magic backfire at her. Grimmly has told me he doesn't think she will live much longer."
Cain gingerly rose, kissed Gwen on her forehead, and then walked over to the sliver of an arched window. Rain pelted down on the murky castle grounds below. He stuck his hands out, cupping water within them, and splashed the cool drops on his face. Cain glanced over his shoulder at Gwen. "Why didn't ye tell me Ramsey was your father all those years ago?" he asked softly. Gwen shrugged with tears in her eyes. She rose, only to stand at the foot of the bed, clearly not knowing if she should come closer to him. As he watched her stand there, fidgeting her fingers in the folds of her gown, it reminded him of the day he first laid eyes on her.
He and Ulrick had just ended a gruesome raid that had gone wrong, and were riding with a bag of stolen coin from Marsel and dried blood on their clothes from the rest of the party that they had slain.
Excited, hungry, and tired from their victory, Ulrick and Cain followed a well-traveled road and found their way to the Lowlands, coming up on a bright, white-washed castle. The two of them were coming down from the fight and needed a woman badly to spend the rest of their adrenaline.