by Ria Cantrell
“But this is different. I have loved before; my family and you and all my people. But loving him is different. It is unlike anything I have ever felt before.”
“Aye. That is the way it should be. All will be well, then, my girl. Love the man as your heart tells you.”
“And the evil?”
“There will always be evil in the world. It has existed side by side with all the Ancient gifts throughout all of time. Love always conquers evil, lass. That is the way of things. Even in death, evil cannot steal the goodness.”
Andarra thought back on her days learning the many things her beloved cousin had taught her. She wished she could speak to her now so that she could impart her gifts to Rhianna. Andarra was old, but Morag, last she heard, was still living; something the Ancients had given her as a part of her Gift was long life. Andarra thought that she shared in that longevity as well for she had seen much in her life walking the mortal plains. She was grateful for that gift and she spoke a silent prayer of thanks for it.
Andarra remembered that Morag had been touched by evil throughout her life; rather it had been always there on the edges, trying to thwart the goodness that she was so capable of, but she had never succumbed to it. Dear old Morag had always opened her heart and poured out her love and wisdom to all. With these thoughts on her beloved kin, Andarra had a brief vision of another. This person was connected to her own ancient clan. The person’s thread would be forever woven into the fabric of her precious Rhianna’s tapestry.
Bronwyn! Andarra heard the name whispered on her heart when she had scried with her precious stones. The name came to her and she knew that somehow this girl would either strengthen or loosen the bond between Erik and Rhianna. That person loomed on the horizon and she could possibly put a terrible wedge between Erik and Rhianna. Still Andarra felt that instead, the thread that linked her and her clanswoman would take a different path; one perhaps with the one who guarded Erik’s back. Andarra envisioned the sacred thread in her mind and time and again, it seemed to coil about Sir Drew. Still, there was much that could happen and so she would not burden Rhianna with that now, for she felt no threat as yet. Strange how the Ancients wove their webs.
With a tremulous grin, she said, “Do you want to know something else I have seen in the stones this morn?”
Rhianna nodded with anticipation. The way Andarra had said it, Rhianna knew that it was some good portent.
“You will conceive on your wedding night…and though I do not need to tell you, for you will know it upon its hap and stance, the morning after your marriage ceremony, Erik’s babe will be growing within you.”
“Truly,” Rhianna said, barely able to contain her joy.
“Truly.”
Andarra did not want to say that she felt warning at that news as well. Perhaps she should not have told Rhianna about conceiving Erik’s child. Even saying the words brought a sense of foreboding into her heart. Ah what’s done is done, for the words have been spoken. She had so many portents of danger when she cast her stones this time; more than any other. Andarra knew the reason for that was because when true love took hold, the evil adversary would seek to destroy it. Rhianna and Erik had found such a love; and evil lurked to extinguish it.
Rhianna unclasped the hold on Andarra’s hands and she hugged the old woman who had been so much like a mother to her. Tears of joy welled in her eyes. When she broke from the hug Rhianna said, “Oh Andarra, when I dreamed of my parents’ demise, I dreamed I too was drowning with them. But then, there was a golden man who had come to save me. In the dream, I thought him to be a merman or some mythical creature created in my mind. I know now that man was Erik. He has told me that he dreamed of that night many times as well. I don’t always understand these things but I know I can trust them to be so.”
“Aye. It is a gift and a curse at times. He is the one, my lassie. He is the one.”
Rhianna hugged her old chatelaine and friend again. Then, after she had tasted her joy at Andarra’s news, she said, “There is one other thing. Sir Drew…I am fond of him, of course not like I love Erik, believe me. But I have decided to help him for you see, he is like us. He has the Sight. He does not know how to hone his gift. Will you help me to help him?”
Andarra grinned. “Of course. I thought as much when I looked into his eyes.” That would explain why the Fates had chosen him to be threaded with one of the daughters of her clansman. Smiling absently, Andarra said, “Aye, we can aid him to embrace that which the Ancients bestow.”
“Good. Now, can we do a ward of protection; at least until the wedding is over?”
Andarra nodded. She took Rhianna’s hands into hers again and she murmured, “Close your eyes. Surround yourself in white light. Feel it radiate over you and me. Imagine the light growing outward. Feel its warmth. Feel its heat.”
“Yes, I can feel it.”
“Let it grow, Rhianna. Fill it with the love in your heart; the love you have for Erik and the child you will bear. Let its heat grow, for it will not burn you.”
Rhianna sensed what Andarra described. “Yes, it is so.”
Rhianna could feel the bubble of white light surrounding her and she could almost see it behind her closed eyes. She could feel its heat but Andarra was right, it did not burn her. Andarra continued, “Feel the love of all those who have gone before you…of all those who love you still, feel their presence and the love of the One Great Light. Let the light fill you and radiate from you, protecting all you hold dear. No harm shall come to you; as long as the light and love resides within you.”
Rhianna struggled to not blink for she knew if she opened her eyes, she would be blinded by the power and brightness of the Light. Rhianna then heard the soft murmured chanting from Andarra and the sound soothed her. She remembered her mother doing the same thing many times when she was just a little girl and Rhianna succumbed to the simple power of it. She felt the love of the Ancients and the love of those who had gone before her. She heard her mother’s voice mingled with Andarra’s and it seemed if she reached out, she would be able to touch her. She whispered, “Mother, I am about to marry…how I wish you were here, to meet my betrothed.”
Rhianna was sure she heard, “I am here, my child…I am always with you” as clearly as if it was spoken out loud. She could still hear Andarra’s voice chanting and her mother’s voice rose above it. She heard her say, “I approve of him, my daughter. He is your true mate.”
Rhianna wanted to embrace her mother but all too soon it was gone and the light dimmed. Opening her eyes, Rhianna said a little shakily, “I heard my mother.”
“Aye, she was here. She is always with you. You have made her so proud.”
“I wish I can see her.…”
“She is always here, my wee lassie. You need not ever doubt it. Now, the ward is in place so enjoy this special time. Your wedding day is fast approaching. The magic that you will experience is saved for this day. Do not waste any more time worrying now. The Ancients have been called and they will protect you…so long as you do not doubt in the power of love, you will always be safe.”
“Thank you, Andarra. I feel Erik is protected as well, now.”
Andarra nodded and did not speak the warning, only until you doubt him…then nothing can protect him…can protect either of you. Instead, she just smiled and watched as her acolyte left to do the final preparations for the wedding celebration.
~Chapter Thirty-Seven~
In the very early morning of the day of the wedding, Erik was filled with restless energy. The keep was already bustling with anticipation of the festivities that were to come. He had said his goodnights to Rhianna just after the evening meal and he was not permitted to see her again until he was to speak his vows to her. He pondered how he had come to this place that even with a few hours apart; his heart yearned to see her. He smiled to himself at his sudden change from a warrior into a romantic and love-sick swain.
While he knew that there were to be tournaments and games he would be re
quired to compete in after the wedding ceremony, Erik felt the need to work his muscles and limbs in the list field. He threw on his mail hauberk over the padded gambeson and grabbed his sword to expend some of the restlessness that a night without Rhianna brought upon him.
As he approached the lists, Erik saw his future brother through marriage already there, working his sword against a pell with fierce aggression. Erik hailed him and said, “Nervous before the wedding, too, Randall?”
With a slow grin, he answered, “A bit. I take it you are too?”
“Just restless. I had not thought anyone else would be in the list at this time.”
He looked up and saw the silvery moon casting a glow on the list field and he stated, “It is still some hours before dawn, I guess.”
“Yes, I would think that if anyone knew we were out here, they would charge us both to go back to bed, but I have no more want of sleep at the moment.”
“Nor do I. Would you like to spar a little? I promise to go easy on you,” Erik said with a wink.
“You do not need to go easy on me. Have at it, then.”
Randall bowed low with mocking reverence.
“Well, I dare say, I do not wish to injure my bride’s brother.”
“I am not so sure I can offer you the same courtesy. I have long wished to defend my sister’s honor.”
“Her honor needs no defending.”
Randall raised an eyebrow and said, “Doubtful.”
“And so, since Janelle’s brother is not here to defend her honor, I shall play his role, then.”
The banter led both men toward the middle of the lists and as they circled each other warily, they assessed each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It was Randall who struck first, calling, “Take this first blow for dishonoring my sister.”
Erik caught the blow with his sword and countered, “As you have dishonored Janelle.…” and he struck a blow with the flat of his sword against Randall’s hip. Wincing, Randall arced his sword above Erik, who ducked to parry the edge of Randall’s weapon, which struck across Erik’s middle. When he saw Erik bend at the blow, Randall went in to catch him across his ribs, only Erik stood up to his full height and his sword clanged against Randall’s which sent shock waves coursing through his sword arm.
With a few more thrusts and parries, both men were seeing that their opponent was an equal match to his own skill level. Both were growing tired from their exertions and from the lack of sleep. Erik skirted a few more blows, but he was feeling the bruising across his stomach even through his chainmail. He was not to be bested by his betrothed’s brother and so he focused his strength and dared a thrust toward Randall. He caught the surcoat over Randall’s mail and Randall gasped as the tip of Erik’s sword bit into the flesh of his arm. A thin hair of blood trickled through the tear in Randall’s surcoat and Erik said, “Mate, I am sorry, I did not mean to.…”
“It is only a scratch. Lay on,” he prompted. Erik turned over his shoulder in a dancelike movement and once again guarded against a strike with his sword. As sparks flew when metal struck upon metal, both men felt the weight of the blow ring through their aching arms.
Randall mustered his strength and brought down the pummel of his sword against Erik’s shoulder. Erik butted him away, causing Randall to stumble in the slick mud beneath the straw of the list. As he fell, Erik offered Randall his hand but Randall grasped it, only to pull Erik down with him. With both swords lost in the dirt, the two men seemed to fight in earnest. Randall said, “You ever lay a hand on my sister again in a way that is not of love, I will pound you to the dust.”
What was he talking about? He could not mean the little spanking Erik had given her, could he? He would never strike a woman in violence, let alone a woman that he loved. He dodged a blow to his face, as Randall threw a punch with a closed fist. Rolling out from under Randall, Erik said, “What are you on about? I would never harm your sister.”
“Just so you know not to. I will not have you hurting her.”
“I’ve no intention of hurting her. In case you did not know it, I love your sister.”
“I know it. I am just warning you.”
Erik stumbled to his feet. He once again offered Randall his hand, but found himself sprawled back in the dirt. Shock registered on Erik’s face at the less than chivalrous move against him. Erik was stunned as once again he diverted a blow to his face and he heard Randall laugh and say, “Your softness could cost you your life, if it were in true battle. I do not think my sister is safe in your hands.”
Erik raised his knee and thought about emasculating this braggart, but instead he threw Randall off. He straddled him and was going to show him how unchivalrous he could also be when he felt a staff pressed between his shoulder blades. He heard Randall howl in pain and say, “Woman, get off of my arm.”
As Erik turned his head to see who was pinning him, he saw the grim face of Andarra peering over his shoulder. He looked down and saw she had her foot planted firmly on Randall’s forearm. She looked furious.
“Just what do ye’ two simpletons think ye’ are doing?”
Erik twisted off of Randall and stood up. He brushed off the dirt from his surcoat and pushed his hair out of his eyes. Randall followed suit and stood next to Erik, looking like two boys caught in a scuffle. With a sheepish grin, Randall said, “We were working through some tension.”
“Hmph, tension. Two grown men acting like wayward little boys! And what do you think yer’ brides will do when they see you all battered and bruised? Surely there will be marks to prove yer’ folly.”
Both men looked abashed and as they glanced at each other, Erik brushed a hand over his bruised side.
“Uhm, Andarra, would you have something for the bruising?”
“I should let ye’ both suffer, but I will give ye’ some salves. Rhianna would have better remedies, but I do not want to be troubling her on her wedding day to worry about ye’ two dolts. Follow me, and do not make another peep about it.”
Both men hung their heads like reprimanded children and they followed Andarra up to her chambers. Before she made it up the stairs, flanked by the two wayward grooms, she ordered for a bath to be brought up to the solar. When the bath had been set, Andarra commanded the two stalwart men to strip out of their soiled clothes and to bathe the grime from their hair and bodies. Since Erik’s arrival, he had never seen Andarra angry. She, in fact, had been much more amiable than Rhianna many times, but she was stewing at the moment and he supposed she was right. They had been acting like children.
As both men climbed into the steaming waters of the vat that had been prepared, they both groaned with the aches they had inflicted upon each other. Once they had bathed and dried themselves, Andarra assisted them with application of salves to stave off the deep bruising. She expressed her displeasure over and over as she saw some of the marks from their sword play. She treated the cut in Randall’s arm and pinned them both with a disapproving glare.
Her silence was much worse than her admonishment and both men seemed well chastised at the moment. With a wagging finger in both their faces, she finally spoke, saying, “Mark me, I had better not hear about this sort of thing again. Ye’ will be brothers after today. I dunna’ know what the spat was about, but I could see it was more than just working out tension with sword play. The two of ye’ were out for blood.”
“I…I was defending my sister’s honor.”
“Honor, indeed. Ye’ were just looking for a reason to fight. Save yer’ fightin’ for the foes that plague ye’,” she said. “Yer’ sister’s honor needed no defending. She is a woman in love…as is yer’ Janelle. Honor!”
Randall tried not to smile. When Andarra was riled up, she slipped back into the accent of her youth. He had not heard the Scottish inflection for some time. He glanced over at Erik and saw a distasteful snarl of his lips and he wondered at it. It was as if hearing Andarra’s burr made Erik suddenly revile the woman. How odd. Randall suspected that Sir Erik bore some sort of
ill-will toward people of Andarra’s heritage. It was not uncommon. Lots of people were of the same mind, but Randall had grown up under Andarra’s tutelage and he had no qualms about people from her lands.
As the men grabbed their clothes, Andarra scolded, “Oh no. Those filthy things are not going back on yer’ clean hides. It will serve ye’ right if ye’ are found with nothing covering yer’ arses. Take the drying cloths with ye’ and go back to yer’ chambers. I will have yer’ tunics laundered and your mail picked up to be cleaned by yer’ squires. Now go.”
Both men stood wrapped in the drying cloths but they left little to the imagination. As Andarra left the solar, the two men faced each other and offered their hands in a truce. “Mighty good parry, mate,” Randall said. “You almost had me.”
Shaking his head and grinning, “Nay, I was finished, man. When you pulled me down the second time, I knew I was going to lose that fight.”
“I suspect that given the chance, Andarra would best both of us.”
Erik now laughed. “Yes, I think you may be right about that.”
When they felt that they were clear to leave the solar, they hastily made it back to their respective chambers. Erik flopped down on the bed and thought about the next few hours. Suddenly, he could not wait to be a married man. That thought consoled him and he drifted off for some needed sleep. It was still very early and a few more hours in bed would be welcomed after his brief but tiring bout in the lists.
~~~~~
The mist swirling around his legs as he braced himself on the banks of the churning river gave Erik pause. He could not see the earth beneath him and felt the danger of being plunged into the icy waters stirring at his feet. He could sense the need to see past the mist. He needed to see into the depths of the river. She was there, and he had to save her. His eyes caught sight of the ebony locks that beckoned like a banner and without thinking he dived in.