Highland Magic

by Donna Grant

  "You were too young. You had to gain the knowledge as a Druid and the power to be as great as you are. Be safe, and don't do anything hasty."

  Before he could respond, she was gone. For a long time, Frang stood in the forest and thought over Rufina's words. He wasn't sure how he felt about learning they had cursed him because he had been chosen by them and not because he had done something wrong. Part of him felt glad to know the Fae had sought him, yet another part was angered that they let him believe a lie for three hundred years.

  He took the grey's reins and turned his thoughts from Rufina and the Fae and instead contemplated what he would do with Wallace.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The sun was sinking into the horizon by the time Kenna finished with Malina. Her throat hurt from the constant talking and relating of herbs. And yet, they weren't halfway done. There was so much more Kenna had to tell her.

  The only thing she thought about on her way to the caves was finding Frang and having him hold her in his arms. Yet, as she slowly made her way through the caves to the castle she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched, and every time she turned around, no one was there.

  "Hello,” she called out.

  There wasn't an answer, not that she had really expected one. She started walking again, her eyes searching every shadow and dark corner she passed.

  She now regretted her decision to go to the castle to find Frang. All day she had hoped to see him, but he hadn't returned to the stone circle.

  Just as she started to turn and retrace her steps to the stones, she heard something ahead of her. She was passing a tunnel on her left when she heard it again.

  Kenna took a deep breath and looked down the darkened tunnel. Only one of the torches remained lit and it was about fifty paces ahead of her. She reached for the torch at the entrance and lifted it from its cradle before she started down the cave.

  Every instinct she had told her to run, but something kept pulling her down the cave. An eerie silence surrounded her. The golden glow of the torch she held only added to the forbidding feel of the cave, as if evil itself waited to surround her at its first chance.

  In the few times she had walked through the caves, never once had she felt ill at ease. Until now. She inhaled a shaky breath and went to turn around when she thought she heard her name.

  She stopped and listened.

  "Kenna,” a voice whispered faintly.

  A menacing chill raced over her skin turning her blood to ice.

  "Kenna."

  This time the voice was louder, harsher ... nearer. With her knees knocking together and heart about to burst from her chest, she turned to run. Only to find Wallace standing before her.

  Kenna screamed. She dropped the torch as she tried to run and tripped on her skirts only to fall to the ground.

  The Wallace laughed, but there was no mirth in the sound. “Did I frighten you?” he asked.

  "How?” she asked, not understanding how he'd gotten into the caves.

  "You would be amazed at what I can do, Kenna,” he said. “I've come for you. You did something very naughty and took my book. I want it back."

  Kenna tried to swallow past the lump of terror in her throat, her hands gripping the rock wall behind her.

  "Bring my book tomorrow at midnight on the east side of the forest. There's a clearing. I'll be waiting."

  "Nay,” she said, suddenly finding her voice.

  He leaned over her, his anger and power radiating from him. “If you don't, you condemn this clan and the precious Druids who hide you to death.” He straightened. “I'll be waiting for you."

  Kenna gasped as he faded from her sight. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs as she lowered her face and let the tears fall.

  * * * *

  Frang breathed in the magic that pulsed through the ground and kept safe generations of MacInnes’ families. From his vantage point atop the cliff, he looked down at MacInnes castle and all its occupants. Behind and below him, the Druids kept to the stones. Two different cultures living as one.

  Out of the corner of his eye he spotted something moving off to his left. Upon closer look he saw it was the Druid Warriors he had sent to find where the Wallace and his men were hiding. For the first time all day, Frang smiled.

  He turned on his heel to meet the warriors only to find Glenna running towards him. The smile dropped at the concerned expression on her face.

  "Where is Kenna?” she asked as she stopped in front of him.

  "I don't know."

  "She's not at the castle and she's not in the stones. Malina said Kenna left her half an hour ago to come to the castle."

  Frang glanced at the warriors riding hard through the forest. They would have to wait. He had to find Kenna. “I'll look in the caves. Take a couple of Druids and look around the forest."

  He rushed passed Glenna and headed towards the entrance to the caves. He refused to believe that the Wallace had gotten past the guards Conall had posted and taken Kenna. Nor did he want to believe that Kenna might have left on her own.

  "Kenna,” he yelled as he raced through the caves. Over and over he called her name, his heart pounding with each breath that left his body.

  Fear began to take hold of him the longer he searched and didn't find her. He was running through the main cave that led to the castle bailey when he noticed one of the torches gone from a holder at the entrance to a tunnel.

  Frang skidded to a halt and unsheathed his sword. He stared down the darkened cave and spotted a torch halfway down. The torch's light only revealed more shadows and questions as to why the other torches were out.

  Everyone knew how frightened Glenna was of the caves, and because of that, the Druids kept the torches lit at all times.

  With a thought and a wave of his hand Frang lit the other torches. That's when he saw the one lying on the ground. He rushed down the cave to the torch and picked it up. He glanced down the rest of the cave to where it ended at a rock wall.

  "Kenna,” he hollered, but there wasn't an answer.

  Slowly, he stood and retraced his steps. He placed the torch back in its holder. Only then did he calm down enough to think.

  After several deep, calming breaths, he closed his eyes and pulled all his power towards him as he thought of Kenna. He was about to give up finding her when he caught a hint of fear. He concentrated harder, picturing Kenna in his mind. And that's when he found her.

  She sat in her chamber in the stones staring off into nothing, but there was no denying the fear that ran rampant through her.

  Frang's eyes snapped open and he raced towards Kenna. He berated himself for several kinds of fool for not thinking to search for her with his mind first. But he had been so frightened that it had nearly paralysed him.

  He made himself walk into the stones instead of run. He was halfway to Kenna's chamber when he saw Glenna. After a nod to Glenna that told her he had found Kenna, he took the steps down to Kenna's chamber and stopped at the doorway.

  Just as his mind had saw her, she sat on her bed, her hands clasped in her lap and her gaze straight ahead. The underlying trepidation he had felt in her filled the stone chamber.

  "You've had everyone worried,” he said softly as he walked into the chamber and sat beside her on the bed.

  She blinked and turned her head to look at him. “I was tired."

  He knew she lied, but he let her. “Tell me what you are thinking of?"

  "Nothing,” she said faintly. “My voice hurts from relaying the herbs and their uses to Malina."

  Unable to stop himself, Frang wrapped an arm around her. She crumpled against him, burying her face in his neck. Frang held her with both arms wishing he could take away the fear within her.

  "Tell me what has frightened you so,” he urged her.

  "I thought I could have a life once I left Wallace."

  "You can, and you have begun a new life."

  "He's here."

  Frang frowned
and absently smoothed the hair away from her face. “He's never left, Kenna. He's awaiting more of his men to attack. You've known that."

  "Aye."

  He sighed. “I swore I wouldn't let anything happen to you.” He made her look at him. “And I won't."

  "I know,” she said with a shaky smile.

  Her amber eyes gazed up at him. Whereas normally he could see straight into her soul, she had guarded herself. “Why don't you come with me to the castle? I know Glenna would like to see you."

  "I'd rather not tonight. I'm going to drink a Willow wood mixture to help my throat."

  Frang rose reluctantly. He could tell she wanted to be alone, and he wondered if she regretted sharing her body with him. “All right,” he said as he walked to the door.

  At the doorway he looked back to find that she had curled up on her bed. Before he changed his mind, Frang made himself walk from her chamber.

  "Is she all right?” Glenna asked.

  "I think so,” Frang answered. “Her throat aches from talking all day, so she's going to drink some of her herbs and rest."

  Glenna rubbed her arms with her hands. “Frang, she wasn't here the first time I came."

  "I know,” he said and guided her away from Kenna's doorway. All around them Druids worked to prepare for the Beltane festival the next night.

  "Something isn't right. She's not right,” he said. “I think she was in the caves, but she returned here."

  Glenna shivered. “You know how I feel about those caves."

  "Aye. We'll have to be careful tomorrow night. I have a feeling Wallace will attack then."

  Glenna's eyes snapped fire. “I'll be ready for him."

  "Tell Conall. I have some preparations of mine own. I'll see him tomorrow morning at dawn."

  He waited until Glenna had left before he silently walked out of the stone circle and into the forest where his Druid Warriors waited.

  "Did you find him?"

  "Aye,” the tallest one answered. Brock was his name. “He is on the east side of the forest near the MacInnes border. He and his men do not hide well, so you should be able to find him."

  "Good,” Frang said. “How many men are with him?"

  Sampson stepped forward. “Twenty, but we heard talk that more would arrive by tomorrow afternoon."

  "He's using more magic,” Frang murmured. “Did you hear how many would arrive?"

  "Nay,” Brock answered. “The laird, Wallace, is most always by himself facing towards MacInnes castle. We could have easily killed him."

  "I want that privilege,” Frang told them. “We cannot allow them to attack. Though they speak of attacking and everything points to tomorrow, I can't help thinking he'll do something before then."

  "If he hasn't already,” Sampson suggested.

  Frang pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Shite. That's a definite possibility. Conall's men are high in the trees as lookouts, but I need as many Druid Warriors as we can spare at the border."

  "How much magic does he have?” Brock asked.

  "I'm not sure. It may be nothing, or it may be more than we've anticipated. I don't want to chance him using anything on the clan or the Druids. I've worked too long to keep everyone safe for it to be destroyed now."

  He looked at the two Druid Warriors, both trained by Dartayous, the greatest Druid Warrior ever.

  "Conall will never forgive you if you go in without him,” Sampson said.

  Frang nodded. “He'll have to get over it. I can't take any chances."

  "How many of us do you need?” Brock asked.

  "None. I'm going at this alone.” He held up a hand when Brock would have interrupted. “I'm not without powers."

  "We know that,” Sampson said. “But you are the high priest."

  "Was,” Frang corrected them.

  Brock shook his head. “You still are. Think what will happen if the Wallace captures you."

  "Or kills you,” Sampson added.

  Frang sighed. He would rather do his deed alone, but the warriors had a point. “All right. We leave at midnight."

  * * * *

  Wallace rubbed his hands together in glee. It had been so very easy to corner Kenna. He'd had a moment of panic that the spell wouldn't work, but it had. Kenna had believed it was really him standing in front of her.

  He laughed. All his life he'd heard whispers of how powerful the Druids were, but from what he'd seen so far, he had more power in his little finger than their entire group.

  Aye, taking Kenna and the book was going to be so very easy. And once he had Kenna, killing Frang would take little effort.

  He searched his memory for a spell that he had thought he might never use, a spell that was powerful and a little frightening. Now, it appeared, he would have the chance.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Frang met Brock and Sampson at midnight and followed them to the Wallace and his men. They went on foot instead of using horses, though it would have been quicker. But Frang wanted secrecy from everyone.

  Once they arrived at the camp, he saw how easy it would be for them to kill everyone. There were no guards keeping watch and Wallace was detached from the group.

  Just as Brock stepped forward, Frang reached out and stopped him. He looked at the Warrior. “It's too easy."

  "What?” Sampson asked. “They're lazy and overconfident."

  Frang sat back and studied the camp. “Nay. He's using more magic."

  "How can we be sure?"

  Frang looked around and motioned to a rabbit that was nearing their camp. “Watch him."

  They watched as the rabbit wandered about, but every time it came close to a group of trees, it hastily turned around.

  "Shite,” Sampson murmured.

  Brock's gaze narrowed at the camp. “Then we cannot reach them."

  Frang shook his head. “There has to be a way in. I cannot be this close and unable to do something."

  Brock rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Where is he getting his magic?"

  Frang hated to lie to him, but the fewer people who knew about the book the better. “I don't know."

  "If he's protecting their camp, he's more powerful than I thought,” Sampson said ruefully.

  Frang motioned for them to leave. Once they were a safe distance away he turned to the men. “We'll have to return tomorrow night. Maybe when his new men arrive he'll let down whatever magic is protecting them."

  "Then we attack,” Sampson said with a smile.

  Frang nodded. “Then we attack."

  "Tomorrow night is Beltane,” Brock reminded them. “You've duties."

  "Aye,” Frang said. “I'll do my duties and be finished before midnight. Everyone else will be occupied, so we'll be able to sneak off."

  "Until then,” the Warriors said before drifting off into the night.

  Frang quietly made his way back to watch the camp. The Wallace had to have a weakness. And Frang intended to discover what it was.

  * * * *

  It was well past midnight when Kenna rose and stroked her fire to life. Once she bolted her door to make sure she wouldn't be disturbed, she pulled out the Book of Magic.

  For a moment, she simply stared at the beautiful book. Her finger traced the knot work along the edges. The black stone with a red centre in the middle of the book was cool to the touch, as if it waited to come alive.

  She reached to open the book but hesitated. She bit her lower lip as she thought over what Brigit had told her of the book. It was very powerful and had spells that could alter the course of time. Or so Brigit had said.

  But Brigit had also said that every time someone used a spell a piece of their soul died. It was addictive she had warned. So addictive men had murdered for the book, and even killed their own families to procure it.

  Kenna liked to think she was stronger than that, but probably most who had read from the book had that same thought.

  Frang's image formed in her mind. He had been so gentle and loving with h
er when he'd take her innocence. She hadn't missed the look of pure bliss in his eyes when he had emptied his seed inside of her.

  She thought of the Druids and Conall and his clan. All needed protection from Wallace for she knew without a doubt he would stop at nothing to destroy them if she didn't give herself and the book over to him at midnight tomorrow.

  Beltane.

  It was to be her first as a Druid, and she had looked forward to seeing the celebration as well as participating. Malina had told her that she would see a Fae.

  But it might be too late by then. The Wallace threatened death to everyone if she didn't show tomorrow night. But what if she did go to him? What if she went without the book but with a spell that could stop him?

  A smile pulled at Kenna's lips. It was her only choice. She knew if she went with the Wallace, Frang would come after her, and it was just what Wallace wanted. The thought of Frang injured or dead left her sick to her stomach. He meant too much to her for her to allow something to happen to him.

  Besides, the Druids needed him as their high priest. He had made a vow to her to protect her, but she couldn't allow him to keep that vow. If she failed to kill the Wallace as she planned, she needed to make sure Frang would never come after her.

  With a deep breath, Kenna opened the book. In big, bold letters the first page read:

  The Book of Magic

  Read at your own peril

  Kenna shivered and flipped to the next page which featured a Summoning Spell. Page after page she read seeking the spell that would answer all her prayers.

  The sun was cresting the horizon when she finally found what she wanted. Over and over she read the spell memorising every line until she could repeat it without forgetting a word.

  She closed the book and hid it once again. Only then did she ready herself to face the day and Frang, for she knew he would come to her again. She had lied the night before and he had let her.

  How many more lies would he let her speak before he realised her intent? She prayed that it was well after she had finished her task with the Wallace. Then she would ask his forgiveness for using the book.

  She touched the dagger she wore under her skirts. If the spell failed, she'd use the dagger as Frang had taught her. She would not fail. She could not fail.