Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series)

by Isabelle Stewart

  “That’s a very wise decision my Lady. The plain chocolate first.” Brenna said.

  Lara’s eyebrows rose. Apparently we aren’t all equals here. She motioned to Kaylee.” It really is not that difficult.”

  Kaylee intently watched as Lara evenly distributed the hot chocolate in the goblets and poured in the hot water. Lara picked up a spoon that was set on the tray next to the goblets. She examined the filigreed and jewel encrusted ends and shook her head. They stuck a spoon in each goblet and swirled the drinks around and Kaylee picked up the serving tray. “Please Lara sit. I can serve the drinks.”

  Lara nodded to her. “If you insist.”

  Kaylee sat a goblet in front of Bevin. “The water is still hot, my lady. Would you like us to pass around the food? That would give them a little time to cool.”

  “Yes. Thank you.” Bevin said as she twirled the spoon in her goblet.

  “Ugh, I burnt my tongue.” Doireann said as she set her goblet back down on the table and rubbed her tongue with her fingers.

  “You should have known better” Kaylee said shaking a finger playfully at her.

  Doireann stuck out her burnt tongue. “Just a little impatient I suppose.”

  When the women were finished passing around the food Bevin studied Lara and decided to get what she believed out in the open.

  “I see how you look at my Aodhan. Do you fancy him?”

  “Way to make a guest feel welcome Bevin.” Gobnait said and if eyes could shoot daggers Gobnait would have been riddled with them.

  Bevin was not pleased how things were progressing at her little lunch gathering. “It is a reasonable question.”

  “Who wouldn’t fancy him? He’s a Lord after all. Lord Aodhan Mahon MacCionaoith” Fand said.

  “Aodhan, a Lord?” Lara asked shaken by the thought. She only considered him as an outdoorsy type and couldn’t even picture him in a Lord of the Manor setting.

  “He is not a Lord. Not until, heaven forbid, his father passes away.” Doireann said.

  Lara decided to break the obvious tension between Gobnait and Bevin. Gobnait looked like she could jump over the table to pound Bevin, although . . . nope can’t think that. Lara looked at Bevin and nudged Gobnait who gave her a look.

  “Are we through with the cattiness ladies?” Lara asked and looked at Gobnait who stuck her tongue out at Lara. “Very ladylike”

  “I believe I asked you a question.” Bevin said not hiding her annoyance.

  Lara felt the urge to stand up and walk out but resisted. “To answer your question Aodhan and I have been through a lot the past few days. He was a complete stranger when he shoved his way into my home and completely disrupted my life. Of course I care for him.”

  Bevin tried to calm her insides as she looked into Lara’s piercing green eyes. It was as if her eyes were seeing right through her. Lara looked away from her and took a drink from her goblet.

  “It seems a bit more than that.” Bevin said as she swirled her spoon in the hot chocolate. She took a drink and looked at Lara over the rim of her cup.

  “Even if it is. You two getting married kind of puts a damper on any feelings I would have for him. I would never be the other woman in any relationship. I don’t share.” Lara gave her a piecing stare.

  Bevin set her spoon down a little too hard and it made a sharp ring against her plate. She said with frost in her voice. “If I marry him.”

  Doireann interrupted. “Ladies, please. There are more fish in the sea and either one of you would have many to pick from.”

  Gobnait felt her head get muddled and gave Lara’s wrist a squeeze to calm her down. “Why are you here Bevin? Just like you noticed Lara and Aodhan. The whole camp knows about Dillon and you. It is not a secret he followed you here.”

  Bevin closed her eyes and put her head in her hands. She looked as if all of the weight in the world was resting on her head. Lara tried to see both sides and actually felt sorry for her.

  “If it’s something you don’t want to talk about. You don’t have to.” Lara said.

  Bevin looked up at Lara her eyes were swimming with tears. “It is something you should know. I love Dillon and cannot imagine marrying anyone else. Dillon is a good fit for me. Aodhan is like a brother to me that is all.”

  Doireann put her hand on Bevin’s arm to comfort her. Bevin looked at her hands that were folded on the table.

  “What Gobnait said is true. Dillon followed me here. The reason I left is because I saw something that Liam did not want to believe. For the longest time I too had believed that the Danann were causing all of the trouble. All of the evidence pointed to it. That was until my father was killed.” Bevin said as her features softened more than Lara had ever seen.

  “You don’t believe that it was Blaine’s General either?” Gobnait asked.

  “Not only do not I believe. I saw the true assassin dart away after running my father through with a sword. I am thinking that father caught the assassin in the act but he never woke to speak of it.” she made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Who am I but a mere distraught woman who was seeing things? That’s what Liam told me.”

  “You decided to come here.” Lara said

  “I could not talk any sense in Liam. We got into a huge fight and I ran off. Dillon caught up to me and came with. He loves me and believed me.”

  “Did no one else believe you?” asked Lara

  “General Kayne was ever faithful to Tormey and now is to his son.”

  “Enough sadness for today. Lara, tell me a little bit more about your realm. Any similarities to this one?” Doireann asked.

  Lara was grateful for the change in subject “In my realm there is a town very similar to Tralee. The town is called Dublin. There is more unspoiled beauty in this realm but the men sure act the same though. It must not just be a realm thing.” Lara said and heard them all murmured in agreement at that point.

  Lara looked to Fand. “Fand you have been awfully quiet.”

  “She may seem quiet but you have to watch what you say. She absorbs and she remembers.” Brenna said as she playfully leaned against Fand and sat back up and reached for her cup.

  “Since we are being blunt. Fand, how do you feel about Devlyn?” Lara asked.

  Brenna’s drink sprayed out of her mouth as she tried not to laugh and swallow at the same time. As Fand giggled she picked up her napkin and wiped her arm off.

  “Devlyn? He is the handsome muscular blonde with dimples. He does seem to be a mite clumsy.” She put her napkin daintily down. “It makes me wonder how is it that he is known as a great warrior.”

  Lara almost choked on her drink herself. “You really don’t know do you?”

  “She’s oblivious.” Doireann answered with a mouth full of food.

  Fand had a flustered look on her face. “Oblivious to what?”

  “Oblivious to the fact that he’s head over heels for you. The only time I’ve seen him clumsy like that is when you are around. He loses all sense and I had to jab him today to tell him to breathe.” Lara said.

  “He’s not like that training on the battle field at all. You should see him” Kaylee sighed “He’s so brutally beautiful.”

  “Just don’t let him see you during the battle or else he will be stumbling over the enemy.” Lara said making them all giggle.

  Fand looked at her thoughtfully. “Devlyn. Who would have thought?”

  “Apparently all of us.” Doireann said.

  Lara turned to Gobnait. “Seriously, you are so lucky you have Christian and not worry about finding the right person.”

  “Couldn’t ask for anyone better. Personally, I’m glad he decided to come over to the Danann side. It took some convincing though since he was Liam’s chief armorer.”

  Bevin decided to take control of the conversation again. This was her lunch party after all and shifted back into her hardened attitude that she had when Lara had first met her.

  “Lara, are you going to attend supper at the Bonfire ton
ight? I am sure it will be unlike anything you have seen. There will be music, dance and food. General Ruark and Lord Blaine thought it would boost the morale of the soldiers.”

  “Of course.” Lara answered and noticed the frosty edge come back into Bevin’s voice.

  Bevin looked her up and down. “Do you have the proper dress to wear?”

  “Yes. It is wrinkled and has been in my pack since we left Tralee with all of my other dirty clothes. I’m actually not quite sure what to do with them.”

  “No worries there Lara.” Gobnait said as she gave Bevin a sharp look. “I’ve been working on one for you ever since I finished your other clothes. I figured that you would need one for tonight. We will head over so you can see if it fits after we are done here.”

  Lara looked at Bevin in the eyes. “Yes. I do have a dress.” She turned to Gobnait. “Is there anything you don’t think of? You are the best! If I have to wear a dress….will you?”

  “I will. I don’t mind dressing like a woman every once in a while. Who is ready for dessert?” Gobnait asked.

  Kaylee and Brenna got up to get the dessert. Brenna set a hand on Lara’s shoulder as she started to get out of her chair.

  “Do not get up my lady we can handle it.” Kaylee said as she picked up the bag that held the rest of hot chocolate. “I remember how you made the hot chocolate.”

  Brenna served each of them a strawberry tart and Kaylee handed out the raspberry hot chocolate.

  “Where did you get the strawberries?” Lara asked.

  “I have a cousin in Tralee and she had sent a servant with the strawberries today. It was quite good timing.” Fand said.

  “Bless your cousin. Where are the healers? I would think there would be many considering.”

  “Here of course.” Bevin said gesturing to the women beside her.

  Doireann shifted in her seat. “There are only a handful of healers born every few generations. I am one and so is Kaylee and Fand.” “Some of the women from all around the land will be here to help us though. We can’t heal everyone and only lightly use our powers unless the wound is deep. Even then usually the soldier is left with a scar. If we use up to much it could kill us. We don’t just rely on our power. Doireann, Kaylee and I are all also skilled in the art of medicine.” Fand said.

  “Brenna is skilled in the art of everything. You truly need to find a man, my dear.” Kaylee teased as she watched Brenna roll her eyes.

  After the dessert was gone and all of the goblets empty Gobnait grabbed Lara’s arm. “Ladies I am stealing Lara away from you and take her to finish that dress.”

  The women stood as Lara and Gobnait got up and said their goodbyes. Bevin stopped Lara a few feet away from the opening. “Aodhan and I would like to invite you and Kedryn to sit at our table tonight.”

  Lara glanced at Gobnait “What about Christian and Gobnait?”

  “Do not worry about me. Christian and I are sitting with Shanna and Carrick.” Gobnait said as she lifted the door flap ignoring the fact that Bevin was still standing by Lara.

  “Shanna and Carrick are coming here?”

  “Of course. Carrick wouldn’t miss the bonfire. Shanna and Annie are in Tralee he thinks that the Estate would not be safe after tonight.” Gobnait said and started to lead Lara the rest of the way out of the tent.

  Lara realized that she got distracted by the news of Shanna and Carrick and turned to Bevin who was about to tap on her shoulder. Lara gave Bevin a look of apology.

  “Sorry, of course we will join you. Do you mind if Lawler and Doyle are there also? Kedryn would probably like it if they joined us.”

  “You are not a sorry person. Apologies are good enough. They may join us. I will have two extra seats set up. Scanlon and his wife will also be joining us. I will see you at that time.” Bevin said dismissively and she turned to rejoin the other women.

  Lara followed Gobnait the rest of the way out of the tent and let out a breath. “Thanks for that and honestly I never really thought of it that way when I used the word Sorry.”

  “I just figured it meant something different in your realm. Apologies I should have mentioned it when you first said it. No one must have thought much of it. She was just trying to find something to pick at.”

  “Seriously, I think I would rather be in the war room or training than gossiping with the girls. I couldn’t even count how many times the subject was switched to avoid cattiness or a fight.” Lara said kicking a couple of rocks as they walked.

  “And what was with Bevin? She’s always been snooty but never have I seen her panties in such a bunch!” Gobnait said

  “I really think it’s the whole situation with Aodhan and Dillon. With her father being killed and Liam not believing her. It is a lot to take in but it’s nice to have some girl time every once in a while. Catty or not.”

  “What can I say? Except Bevin sometimes loves drama.” she gave Lara a mischievous grin.

  “What’s the deal with Kaylee and Brenna?” Lara asked.

  “They are Bevin’s ladies in waiting. Both of their fathers are Nobles hoping to have their daughters married off to knights. Bevin is their charge until she chooses a suitable knight to marry them off to.”

  “Why aren’t they married yet?”

  “The one thing I do like about Bevin is that she believes in love. She will not allow just any knight to marry them. She is a romantic and that’s why she threw a fit when she found out her father betrothed her to Aodhan. Speaking of matches have you seen the way Kaylee looks at Lawler? It’s too bad things will have to be put on a standstill until after the battle. Kind of like you and Aodhan.”

  “And Brenna?” Lara asked ignoring the fact Gobnait brought up Aodhan.

  “Not sure. I have not seen her show anyone favor. She is a logical and bright girl. Speaks her mind and is the best in all of her classes. I am sure she will not just settle for any knight. He has to be intelligent too.”

  “Not looking for a dumb brute?” Lara smiled at Gobnait and she laughed.

  “Nope. Not a dumb brute. As for Doireann you might as well find a man for her from your realm. I think she’s obsessed. Here we are.” Gobnait led Lara into the forge and as they hurried past Gobnait blew him as kiss. They stepped through the door flap and into the sewing area.

  “Let’s take a look at the dress.” Gobnait said as she grabbed a deep maroon colored dress with an intricate design of a black orchid on the front. Long sleeves that flared at the end and a flowing skirt with slits on the side that showed an emerald green underskirt.

  “I’ll give you some privacy so you can try it on.” She started to step out and Lara stopped her.

  “Wait, I haven’t quite the arms for the laces of the bodice.”

  “Right.” Gobnait stepped over to her and said in her most snobbish voice. “Being fashionable is such a pain in the arse.”

  Gobnait helped with the laces at the back of Lara’s leather bodice and stepped out. Lara pulled the bodice the rest of the way off, then her shirt and slipped the dress on.

  “I’m good.” Lara said and Gobnait stepped back in.

  “That was quick.” She looked at Lara confused and saw the leather pants and her boots that showed below the hem of the dress.

  “It will go well with the boots. I forgot the others at Shanna’s. These will go well with this dress, right?” Lara said as she showed off her boots.

  Gobnait walked over to a chest and pulled out a pair of soft black leather boots and handed them to Lara.

  “And the leather pants.” she looked at Lara amused. “Will these fit? Your feet look about my size.”

  Lara sat down on the bunk to try the boots on. She unbuckled and unlaced her boots, pulled them off and slipped the others on.

  “Just a tad big but they fit well enough. Thank you.” Lara studied the design on the dress. “How did you know about the orchid?”

  “Shanna mentioned it. Something about Aodhan, a clearing and an orchid?”

  Lara turned bright
pink. “There were orchids in a clearing that we stopped to train at. Aodhan put one behind my ear.” She unconsciously put her hand up to the ear where he had put the orchid. “I still have it.”

  “Who knew Lord Aodhan had a romantic bone in him.” Gobnait said and let out a small laugh. She squatted down and picked up the hem of the dress.

  “I have a few last stitches in the hem and you can take the dress. I forgot to give you a couple of sleeping gowns. I can’t imagine you’ve had anything else but your trousers to sleep in. Not to comfortable. I’m sure.”

  Lara looked at her new found friend and came to a decision and pulled a delicate silver chain from around her neck.

  “I don’t have anything to pay you with for everything that you have done for me. Don’t shake your head.” Lara said as Gobnait tried to wave it off.

  “I want you to have this. As a token of our friendship and my appreciation.” Lara took Gobnait’s hand and placed the necklace in it.

  Gobnait held up the cross in the light and looked at the delicate silver and gold Celtic cross with a flawless emerald set in the center.

  “It is beautiful. I cannot accept this Aodhan took care of everything.” she tried to hand it back and Lara wouldn’t take it.

  “You can. You rescued me from become part of the gossip squad and consider it a thanks for being a friend.” Gobnait slipped the chain over her head and hugged her.

  “I will treasure it.”

  Lara lifted her hand to her mouth and stifled a yawn. “I should get ready myself.”

  Gobnait studied her. “Early morning?”

  Lara turned pink. “Aodhan woke me.”

  She tisked and shook her head with fake irritation. “He has no sense around you. It’s a few hours before the bonfire starts you should get some rest. Is there something that you want to tell me? You look like you need to talk.”

  “Hmmm, let’s see. Other than the fact that I’ve completely fallen for Aodhan. The leader of the other army looks just like the man I was in love with. My family and friends think I’m dead. And the fact that I am scared as hell that Kedryn or someone I love and care for might get killed tomorrow. I think I’m good.”