Realms Gate

by Juliet Anderson

  “Hey, Sasha, what’s up?” He answered after a while.

  “Weren’t we supposed to be meeting up for a ride today?”

  A brief silence hung in the air. “Oh, crap, yes, I’m so sorry. Something came up,” he tried to bluff his way out.

  “You forgot, didn’t you?” She tried not to sound too upset.

  “No. I just got side-tracked.”

  In the background, Sasha could quite clearly hear a woman’s voice. She felt humiliated. “Well, no worries, perhaps another time.” She hung up and tried to fight off the tears.

  She rode back to the house feeling totally miserable. Robert was an even bigger dick than her brother. She was starting to tire of his wavering interest.

  The text she received from Erin as she arrived back home put a smile of her face. She was not only a good friend, but a reliable one.

  Erin was curled in the study in front of the fire when Birdie popped her head around the door.

  “Are you up for a visit to the Realms’ Gate?”

  “Now?” Erin’s eyes lit up.

  “Yes. Magnus has an errand to run in Lokranor so it would be a perfect opportunity for you to see someone actually go through the Gate.”

  Erin dropped the heavy book on the side table. “Do I need my Talmar?”

  “No,” Birdie chuckled. “Vasmaarians and their creatures almost never attack during daylight. They also do not use the main gate.”

  “There are other gates?”

  “Yes. Kind of like back doors. Unfortunately, we’ve never been able to find them.”

  Erin grabbed her coat and headed outside with Birdie. Magnus was already in the LandRover.

  “What do you need to do in Lokranor?” Erin was curious.

  “Exercise my incredible diplomatic skills.”

  Erin rolled her eyes. “It must be something to do with a woman.”

  “You’re partially right. But not in the way you think.”

  “How far is it to the Gate?”

  “Not far, it’s just beyond the Estate.”

  Erin watched in fascination as they left the estate and turned almost directly off the main road onto a small, unmarked dirt road. A short distance later, the heavy foliage opened up to reveal a beautiful stone ruin. It looked a bit like a Roman version of Stonehenge, with nine stone pillar standing in almost a full circle. At the top end was one large vaulted archway, with two smaller ones either side.

  Magnus parked up and jumped out, with Erin close behind. As they did, a figure emerged from one of the smaller arches.

  “This is Tom,” Magnus explained. “He’s one of the guards for the Gate.”

  The elderly man made his way over to them. “This must be the young lady that has us all on tender hooks.” He took her hand in both of his. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss McLomard.”

  “Thank you, Tom.” Erin stared at the stone ruin before her. It was still in incredible condition, a wonderful testament to the original builders. “So how does this Gate work?”

  “You go through the centre arch,” Tom explained.

  “What are the two smaller arches for?”

  “They are just regular arches, leading into the ruin.” He indicated for her to follow.

  Erin hurried after him and entered the ruin by the right hand archway. Inside was just more stonework and a large patch of super soft, green grass. She looked back through the central archway and could see Magnus and Birdie.

  “I’ll see you in a day or so, Erin,” Magnus spoke up. “Try and stay out of trouble.”

  As he took a few steps towards the arch, Birdie stopped him. “Car keys, Magnus. I don’t want to have to walk back again.”

  He laughed and threw her the keys before walking towards Erin. He was looking right at her on the other side of the archway as he walked through it; he vanished before reaching the other side. Erin’s mouth dropped open, he had quite literally disappeared before her own eyes.

  “Holy shit,” she swore. “That was freaky.” She glanced at Tom. “What happens if I go through the arch from this side?”

  “Strangely enough, nothing. It only works from the front.”

  Erin stepped through it towards Birdie. “When do I get to go through?”

  “When you reach your eighteenth birthday, and not before.”

  She opened her mouth to object then thought better of it. “Do many people go through by accident? Like tourists?”

  “No,” Tom re-joined them. “That is why we have a guard here at times.”

  “What about animals?”

  “Rabbits often go through,” Tom laughed. “And once I had to go and retrieve Mrs Anderson’s cat. Poor creature was in a state of shock.”

  “It must be really creepy here at night.”

  “The whole area is lit with torches so it’s not too bad. If there is going to be any activity, it’s at night. But as there are guards on the other side too, it is a rare occurrence.”

  “What happens when something comes through that shouldn’t?” Erin was so curious.

  “I notify a member of the Circle. I’m far too old to be fighting supernatural creatures.”

  Birdie touched her arm lightly. “We need to go Erin. I have an appointment shortly.”

  “Sure.” Erin turned back towards Tom. “I look forward to seeing you again.”

  “”You’re always welcome, Miss McLomard,” he smiled kindly.

  Birdie did not speak again until they were inside the LandRover. “Has that satisfied your curiosity?”

  “Actually, it’s made it worse. I really want to see what’s on the other side now.”

  Birdie shook her head. “There is no pleasing the younger generation.”

  “You’re learning quickly,” Erin laughed.

  Magnus really was not looking forward to his audience with Olav. Volunteering had seemed like a good idea at the time, but in the cold light of day, it was a very dangerous mission. The King might not take the news too well and the bearer of the bad news might have a close encounter with the King’s sword. But he had Erin’s wellbeing at heart, he had grown very attached to her. He might have been watching her back for a good few years, but the last few weeks had been a revelation. She wasn’t just a child, she was a brave and courageous young woman. And she certainly did not deserve the future that was expected of her.

  The Great Hall was as noisy and crowded as usual. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Ingrid. She looked as flawless as ever, her golden hair tied back into a neat plait. He turned and nodded. She responded with the faintest of smiles. He threw caution to the wind and strode over to her. He knew it would only cause him pain, but he wanted to talk to her, perhaps for the last time.

  “You look well, Magnus.” Her voice was very soft. “The First Realm must suit you.”

  “It is a good place to live. You should join me.”

  Ingrid smiled shyly. “You know that is not possible.”

  “You are a widow now, you should be able to govern your own life.”

  She looked away from him. “I am still the King’s niece. He will decide my future.”

  “Come away with me to the First Realm. I will look after you.” There was almost a pleading in his voice.

  “Lokranor is my home, Magnus. Much as I want to be with you, I could not disgrace my family.”

  “And being with me would bring shame on your good family name?” His tone had become harsh.

  “No. Going against my King’s wishes would. This is your home too, Magnus. You should not forget that.”

  “The First Realm is a lot more forgiving. There a son does not have to bear their father’s shame.”

  “Lokranor will change, you need to give it time.”

  Before Magnus could respond, a guard appeared. “Selvig. The King has called you to his chambers.”

  He turned from Ingrid and left the Great Hall with his armed escort. The King had summoned him to his private chamber. This meeting was to be discreet. Which meant it could a
lso get very heated.

  “Magnus, come in.” Olav waved him into his study and thrust a goblet of wine into his hand. “I trust you have no objections if Wilhelm joins us?”

  “No, Sire,” Magnus responded dutifully. Not that it really mattered whether he objected or not. He glanced over at the King’s son. He was a couple of years younger than himself, but could do with growing up. He was hot headed and fiery. And very much in need of a lesson in how to act like the heir to the throne.

  “What news do you bring us from Muirhead?”

  “Erin is still four weeks off her birthday but her skills are gradually appearing.”

  “How is she with a sword?” Olav asked.

  “She has always been excellent. But now she is using the Talmar.”

  Olav raised an eyebrow “It has accepted her before her eighteenth birthday? The girl must be strong indeed.”

  “Her physical strength is good but she is having trouble coming to terms with the two Realms. It is not something her brain is wired to accept easily. Despite having come face to face with a Holskund and Skodrin.”

  “Single handed?”

  “Yes.” Magnus tried to stop smiling as he recalled the sight of Erin in her purple pyjama bottoms blazoned with white hearts and those incredible bunny slippers. It was a memory that would always make him smile.

  “Does she still need convincing of our existence?”

  “No, but she is not ready to accept her destiny. She was not brought up here, she has plans of her own. She wants to continue studying for another three years, see many places in her world she has not yet visited. She has no desire to visit a world that is not hers.”

  “She will be the High Priestess of Lokranor, she has no choice but to return,” Olav stated bluntly.

  Time for diplomacy, Magnus thought. “She is a child of two Realms. She believes has the right to choose which one she lives in. And she has not yet decided to embrace Lokranor.”

  “I don’t give a damn what she wants, her place is here.” Wilhelm spoke up.

  “She will disagree. Her father died because of our Realm. She has no interest to come here yet.”

  “In that case, I will go to Muirhead and drag the ungrateful child back myself,” barked Wilhelm. “No one defies an order from the King.”

  Magnus bit his lip, the desire to laugh in Wilhelm’s face was overwhelming. He had every belief that if Wilhelm turned up on Erin’s doorstep, he would probably meet the same fate as the Vasmaarian did. And that was a sight he would dearly love to see, Wilhelm getting his ass handed to him by a woman wearing bunny slippers.

  “King Olav is not her sovereign, she has been brought up with another,” Magnus responded delicately.

  Olav held up his hand to silence Wilhelm. “We still have some weeks before her birthday. I would be most grateful if you could tutor the child in all things relating to Lokranor, Magnus. Perhaps we might persuade her to change her mind.”

  “I will do what I can.” Magnus bowed graciously in Olav’s direction and slipped out the room. He had just about got through it unscathed.

  CHAPTER 12

  “Are you going to be at the fair later, Birdie?” Erin asked as she slipped on her jacket.

  “I might,” Birdie smiled affectionately at her niece. “I have some errands to run first. You’re meeting up with Angus, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. And Sasha.” The last thing she wanted was Birdie getting any ideas. She had only just let Angus off the hook for acting like a complete twat when she first met him. She picked her bike keys off the stand in the hall.

  “Drive carefully,” Birdie kissed her cheek. “And watch the weather, I think there’s a storm brewing.”

  Erin felt strange riding her bike into Muirhead. It was so rare she was actually allowed out on her own. She glanced behind her to see if Magnus was following. He’d been absent for a day or two and she kind of missed him. Knowing Magnus, he was probably with a woman.

  It didn’t take long to drive into Muirhead and out the other side where the fair was taking place. It was her first highland fair, well the first she could remember anyway. It seemed the whole of Muirhead had converged on the field. She glanced up at the sky, dark clouds were staring to amass. She hoped the rain would hold off. She parked up and headed over to the ever popular beer tent where Angus agreed to meet her.

  “Fetching outfit,” she teased. He was in a t-shirt shirt and kilt.

  “Hey, it’s a highland event, legs have to be exposed,” he grinned.

  “And blood given to mosquitos.” She was pleased she had on a long sleeve shirt and jeans. Mosquitos loved her particular vintage of blood. “So what exactly happens at this fair?”

  “The local men are put through various trials to test their strength and stamina, all in order to impress the ladies.”

  “And does it work?”

  “Ask me afterwards,” his eyes twinkled. “Now to impress you from the start, I shall fight my way to the front of the queue to get you a drink. What will it be?”

  “Just a diet Coke, please.”

  Sasha appeared whilst she was waiting for Angus to return.

  “What’s up?” Erin asked. She could see Sasha’s eyes were a tad puffy.

  “Nothing?” she sniffed.

  “Come on. Tell. That’s what friends do.”

  Sasha’s bottom lip wobbled ever so slightly. “It’s Robert. He forgot our riding date. Then he couldn’t make it to the fair.”

  “What was his excuse?”

  “He just said something had come up. But I think he’s seeing someone else.” Sasha looked so miserable.

  “Well, the guy is acting like a complete idiot, Sasha. I know you really like him, but he’s just not worth the trouble,” Erin responded a little hotly.

  “But he can be so damn nice,” Sasha moaned.

  “When he can be bothered. I hate to say it, but if he was really in to you, he wouldn’t mess you about. He’s doing this for his own amusement. For your own sanity, you need to move on.”

  “Easier said when there’s very little choice around here.”

  “That’s still no reason to settle for less.” Erin slipped her arm through Sasha’s. “Stay with Angus and me this afternoon, we’ll cheer you up.”

  “You’re a good friend,” Sasha sniffed.

  Angus appeared and was less than happy to see his younger sister. Erin didn’t care, friendship came first in her eyes.

  “So what brave feat are you going to perform first?” Erin asked.

  “We’re about to start tossing the caber,” Angus responded. “Now, over to the field to watch my heroics.”

  Erin and Sasha stood on the side lines with the other spectators as a group of men tried to toss what looked like a large tree trunk the furthest.

  “And why should tossing a tree impress us?” Erin whispered to Sasha.

  “It shows their strength.”

  Angus was tall and with an excellent body build, but he was no match for some of the muscle-bound highlanders present.

  “Who’s the cute blond, who keeps looking your way?”

  “That’s Tobias, he does search and rescue for the highlands. He’s into climbing and stuff.”

  “He’s certainly very easy on the eye. Smile back. Give him some reason to throw that ridiculous log.”

  Sasha giggled despite herself. “You’re mad.”

  “Not an altogether feeble effort,” Erin conceded as Angus approached them.

  “I’m glad I didn’t embarrass myself totally,” Angus grimaced.

  “What’s next on the list? Haggis eating?” Erin teased.

  Angus threw her a look. “Make fun of us if you will, but Scottish blood runs in your veins too.”

  “Well, the excitement is killing me.”

  “It’s the endurance exercise next. We have to carry seven large sacks of potatoes from one end of the field to the other. The quickest wins.”

  “You certainly know how to show a girl a good time.” Erin rolled h
er eyes. She wasn’t over-excited by blatant displays of strength. Now if they had a decent sword fight, that would thrill her.