A Warrior's Perception

by Stevens, Spring

  Kagan's hand scratched at the bandage on his arm. The archer had been very skilled in hand to hand combat. He had moved like a snake and had the strength of a bear. Kagan slammed his fist into the wall; he had underestimated the small man that was dressed from head to toe in black. He replayed the entire fight in his mind, growling with disgust at his apparent almost inadequate skills of battle.

  Kagan's sword had failed to take the black warrior down on several attempts. The man had dodged the blade as if the very wind had aided him. Kagan had thrown his sword aside and attacked him with brute strength and still he had failed to subdue the little man. His lithe body had wormed out of every advance Kagan had made and in return, Kagan had suffered the man's strangely deployed attacks.

  Each blow had made Kagan stagger backwards. The last one had even taken his breath. Kagan's viscous smile had appeared during the battle and his determination had won. Sidestepping the man, Kagan had caught him around the throat as the little warrior kicked into the air to deliver a fatal blow to his chest. He had slammed him to the ground as a dagger appeared in the man's hand.

  Anger bubbled up Kagan’s throat as his fingers curled around the bandage on his arm.

  His mind was thrown back to the present as the door opened and the old crone and Jahfar stepped out. She softly closed the door and refused to look Kagan in the eye. He would not like the answer and she feared he would draw his sword on her if she told the truth.

  She quickly looked at Jahfar and he nodded his head and pointed to the stairs. Her old gray dress rustled as she scurried out of the laird's wraith.

  “Speak the truth of her wounds,” Kagan demanded as his hand went to the hilt of his sword.

  “She fights hard with death and refuses to leave the world of the living. The world of the dead calls to her with open arms and insist she let go of her pain.” Jahfar frowned as he continued, “If her insides do not begin to heal soon, death will claim her and you will lose two of the most important people in your existence.”

  Kagan's heart stopped and his limbs went completely numb.

  Two? Two of the most important people?

  He reached for the wall and dropped his mighty head as he sank to his knees. Jahfar came to his side and knelt before him.

  “You must be strong for their sake. She is dying and needs the medicine of her people.” Kagan eyes burned into Jahfar's as he pulled him to his feet, “It would be better to lose her to her world than lose her to death.”

  Kagan swung his fist and sent Jahfar backwards, “She stays here! She will'na be moved from this keep!”

  Jahfar stood his ground and unsheathed his broadswords as Kagan drew his blade, “She will die here. You must allow her to leave this place before it is too late.”

  “Lea'e this keep or I will kill ye where ye stand.”

  Kagan's threat was not idle and Jahfar knew he would try to kill him, but he had to protect Ell'andra and keep her alive to fulfill her destiny so that she in turn could fulfill his. He would not fail his queen even if it meant defying her beloved.

  “I will only leave with her or at her command. Prepare yourself McKregan, for I am the best of the best and you shall not win this day.” Jahfar danced with his swords and bowed slightly, “This is not for you to decide upon, she is not yours as you claim. She is Fae's successor as it was meant to be and I have been sent to ensure that you will not be the death of her in this mortal realm.”

  Kagan sensed the truth in Jahfar’s words. He had always known Andra was not of this world and had glimpsed a piece of Vacrey every time her scent filled his heart. The blackness of his eyes faded and the sky cleared as he dropped his sword. He would as soon die as to lose her to death or to Vacrey. He stepped to Jahfar and held out his hands.

  “'Fore I can allow her to be moved, ye will ha'e to kill me or cut my hands from my arms. She is mine and I will'na gi'e her back to Fae.”

  His eyes widened as a soft wind brought a multitude of pink butterflies down the hall and the man before him sparkled in a golden hue. His form vanished as Jahfar's words echoed around Kagan, “You will lose them and there is nothing you can do about it.”

  Crimm was standing at the top of the steps as Jahfar vanished. His bracelet pulsed and burned his wrist. He knew what he had to do and Kagan would not be happy with the outcome. Crimm was torn between his love for his sister, his loyalty to his friend, and his loyalty to Fae. To not save his sister was a crime that was unforgivable, but to break Kagan's heart was equally unforgivable, if not more so.

  Crimm eased down the steps as Kagan entered Andra's room. He had failed Andra once, but he would not repeat the offense a second time. He rubbed the bracelet as it vibrated against his skin. Slowly, with a heavy heart, he slipped it off and placed it in his sporran. Andra would go home with Kagan's heart and his child. Crimm would give his life for Kagan but knew this was one battle that Kagan must lose.

  As he mentally prepared for the night's betrayal, he prayed that Kagan would forgive him in time. In the same instance, he knew that Kagan was the only thing holding him to this world and now his betrayal released that hold. He was free, free to go home to Vacrey!

  Her face was stark white and her hair was dull and lifeless. The heavy bandages around her chest seemed to smother her beauty. Kagan pulled the crimson chair to her bedside and sat down as he took her hand. Death was closer than Kagan wanted to admit and he would fight him until death retreated back to the abyss from whence he came.

  He took a deep breath and whispered, “In my life, I ha'e conquered and I ha'e survived all tests that mankind had to throw my way. I ha'e followed the laws of Dagma with my sword and blood. Ne'er ha'e I feared any man, woman, or beast. I would face Dagma himself if he stood in my way, as a true warrior should. I am a warrior and I ha'e always been. My mother often told me that to be a great warrior was what I was born to be. I ha'e accomplished what she wished of me.” Kagan rubbed Andra's palm and kissed the scar that still lingered across her lifelines. “I loved my mother as I ha'e loved na other. But now, her wishes seem unimportant.”

  Kagan stood and placed her hand alongside of her body, “I ha'e lain with many. Conquered e'ery woman that I bedded and they ha'e loved me for it. I can'na remember their names and only a few of their faces appear familiar when I see them in passin'. Ye voice. ye face haunts me e'en when I am awake. Ye name lays upon my lips like honey.” He gently nestled a stray strand of her hair behind her ear as he continued, “If the Fae are listenin' then I hope that they can make ye keep livin', but I can'na allow 'em to take ye from me. I'll gi’e 'em anythin' they want as long as they donna take ye.”

  Kagan eased himself beside of her and took her hand again as he placed a kiss on her lips, “Donna lea'e me Ell'andra. Stay with me always.”

  He caught his breath as her fingers tightened around his and her dull red eyes fluttered open. He smiled as she pulled his hand to her heart. She tried to speak and her voice failed her. She urged the strength to come to her lips as he bent to her.

  “Home...” she managed to say, “The isle can heal...”

  Her breathing became ragged and she squeezed his hand. A pain ran through her chest and threatened to rip her life away. Her tears gushed as she groaned and shut her eyes.

  “Ka...gan, ...I.” Another pain slammed into her as she tried to tell him the simple words. Her heart screamed and pleaded with her mouth. Her mind refused to operate under the influence of the staggering pain.

  Kagan, I love you! Let me go home to heal and I swear I will come back to you.

  Kagan stood as a single tear appeared in his eye. His expression was bleak and his words were harsh and cold, “This is ye home.”

  Andra whimpered as Kagan spun around on his heel and stomped out. The tear slid down his stony cheek and landed on his chest. As the tear contacted his skin, his heart cracked just enough for his pain to spread like wildfire through his soul.

  He quickly descended the stairs and headed for the guard's post. He would place one i
nside Andra's bedchamber and two at her door. She would not leave the keep and he vowed to find a medicine man in the nomad’s village on the eastern border. They were very adept in keeping their people alive and he had to be sure they could save her life. He had to be!

  He hastened his pace as a sudden chill ran up his spine and kicked him hard into the gut. What if she died? How could he survive without her?

  She knew she was flying as the warm soft wind blew through her hair and kissed her cheeks. Her limbs grew limber as the color returned to her face and her lips were drizzled with life by the swarm of pink and emerald butterflies. They each, in turn, lightly landed on her cheek and relinquished the water from the lake onto her lips. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she looked up into the eyes of her brother, her savior.

  His happy carefree laughter rang out across Vacrey's shores as they sailed through the air atop Deylia's back. They climbed higher and higher as the joyous butterflies danced away. Andra cried as she looked upon Vacrey Isle. She was finally home! They descended upon the ground and Crimm cradled his precious cargo to his chest as he slid from Deylia's back.

  He walked into the calm green water of the lake and submerged Andra into its depth. Andra wilted and sank down into its healing warmth. Her pains eased and she took a deep breath. The water filled her lungs as life returned to her heart and the endless knowledge of the Fae filled her mind. She curled up and let the power of Vacrey claim her heart and soul.

  Her feet touched the bottom and she stood as her hair flowed about her body. She turned as the water bubbled and a form began to appear. She stepped back and fell to her knees as Fae appeared in her splendor. Fae smiled and pulled Andra back to her feet.

  “Do not kneel before me. You are now my equal in all things. I grant you with the power of Vacrey and bestow upon your head all the power and knowledge that I possess.”

  Andra stared at the beauty of Fae as the green mist poured from the goddess's body and surrounded hers. Fae smiled as Andra accepted the gift of immortality and laughed as Andra staggered under its awesome presence.

  “I must ask you for a small favor. Release me from this isle. Release me from this goddess duty and take this strain from my heart.”

  Andra smiled and kissed Fae's cheek, knowing all that Fae knew. Andra giggled with happiness as she nodded her head in agreement.

  “Your love of Dagma is great and has suffered far too long. Go to him and be free of the chains that bind you. You are an entity free to choose your own path now and no longer must you cower to the forces that made you as you were. The Fates can no longer harness your desires and the babe in my womb will not allow them to interfere with the lives of gods or of men.”

  Andra emerged from her ancestor's womb dripping wet. Her long hair clung to her legs and the bandage fell to reveal a perfect unwounded shapely form. Her face glowed with love and admiration for Vacrey Isle and her extended family. They greeted her as she walked to the shoreline.

  A soft white dress appeared on her naked body as she waved her hand before her breast. She touched her temple and her hair was instantly dry and a strip of crimson and gray appeared at her temple and ran the length of her hair.

  Joaquinn fell to her knees and all before Andra did as well. Andra smiled and fell to her knees in front of her aunt. She embraced her and the green and purple strip of Douglas colors disappeared from her hair. Andra pulled Joaquinn to her feet and removed the emerald encrusted crown from her head.

  “You are no longer queen. I command you to go to Flaron Douglas and never look back on Vacrey Isle. You are to watch over Haley and Darten McKregan for the rest of your life and live in happiness with the man who possesses your heart.”

  Joaquinn's tears and elated spirit was thanks enough as she ran through the crowd to Deylia's side. She waved as they lifted and disappeared into the sky. Her three daughters stared in disbelief as their level headed mother left them to find their father.

  Andra laughed as they turned to her and dropped their eyes, fearful to argue with the newly awakened goddess. To Andra, it did not matter that she was Fae's successor and it did not matter that she held the power to destroy or create life.

  She was home and she was free. She was free to live as a woman, free to live as fae, and free to choose her own path. Her happiness and awakened awareness embraced Vacrey with such a feverish pleasure that even the butterflies and fish sang with bliss.

  There was only one thing that kept her heart at bay, Kagan and the baby that was forming in her womb. She knew she would never be complete until they were together but as the Goddess of Vacrey, she had to wait until he called for her. And as the lioness, she had to wait for the lion to claim his mate.

  Chapter 23

  Kagan's nocturnal madness raged through Shinonoble Keep on the eve of Andra's disappearance. Tables and chairs went sprawling against the walls on the first floor. Windows shattered and the clang of steel echoed down the corridors. The sounds pierced the ears of the maids who hid in the kitchen with the cooks. Their fear filled eyes looked at each other as the laird's growls grew angrier.

  He stilled in his rampage and gripped the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white and his fingers ached with lack of blood. He turned to the great wooden door to the Adalie's chambers. His upper lip curled in heated anger as he grabbed the door and pulled with the might of a mountain. His muscles bulged and sweat beaded his forehead as the door was ripped from its hinges.

  The stone doorway crumbled at his feet as he threw the door to the hallway floor. He seemed a pagan god as he stood in the doorway with nostrils flaring and black eyes glaring at the man at the hearth.

  Adalie Duncan neither moved away nor offered and defensive force as Kagan made his way to him. Kagan wrapped his hand around Adalie's throat and slammed him into the wall by the hearth. Adalie groaned as the breath was wretched from his body and Kagan drew his sword.

  Adalie looked into the face of heart break as the tip of the laird's sword was placed under his chin. He silently prayed for a quick death and hoped JaQuay was there to welcome him to Valhalla's gates.

  “Where is she?”

  “Vacrey Isle.” Adalie's struggled whisper burned at Kagan's heart.

  “How do I get there?”

  “The isle is hidden from man. Only the fae can find it,” Adalie croaked softly as Kagan let him go. “Crimm takes her there to save her life.”

  Kagan gritted his teeth, “Ye lie. Crimm is as man as I and yet he took her there.”

  “He is fae, na man. He and Ell'andra share their mother's blood line.” Adalie took a deep breath and closed his eyes, “She will'na return to this world.”

  Kagan's fist balled and smashed into the wall beside of Adalie's head, “Who can take me there?”

  “Only one of the fae,” he replied as his shoulders bent to the laird's will, “or one of the winged beasts that sprang from the soil of the isle.”

  “Where is ye other son?”

  “He is'na fae. He is as mortal as I.” Adalie looked at the floor and frowned, “Haggart could take ye but he disappeared o'er a year ago and I ha'e na seen nor heard from him since.”

  Kagan growled as Adalie reached into his sporran and withdrew a small orb of light. He handed it to Kagan and whispered, “This belonged to Ell'andra's mother. It is all I ha'e left of her. She looked at it often and said that it showed her the isle. Perhaps it can help ye find my daughter.”

  Kagan instantly felt the warmth that radiated from the small sphere. He let it roll into the palm of his hand as he gazed into the light. He staggered backwards and almost dropped it as the light cleared and an image of a green lake appeared.

  “What magic is this?” His words were spoken aloud as he stared hard into the orb.

  “Fae magic.”

  Kagan watched a herd of wild horses raced across the greenest pasture he had ever saw. Grassy meadows and shimmering waterfalls blurred as the orb's light swirled and shimmered in his hand. The whirlwind of colors still
ed and a man's back appeared. He sat on top of a moss covered boulder and was speaking.

  Crimm turned his face to Kagan and spoke in a language he had never heard. Kagan's heart pounded ruthlessly in his ears as Crimm's eyes averted to his left. Kagan's knees weakened as Andra smiled at her brother.

  The gloriously claiming streak of red and gray fell from her temple and was wrapped around her fingers. Kagan turned from Adalie as tears burned his eyes. She was well, alive, and more beautiful than ever before to the man on the other side of the world. Her emerald eyes sparkled in the sunlight and her skin glowed with soft beaconing at Kagan. Her white gown fell from her breast in waterfalls and her lips were pink and full. Her legs were curled beside of her perfect bottom and her feet were bare.

  Flawless!

  As if on cue, she looked up and her bright green eyes looked into his. She could feel his presence and his pain. She reached out and suddenly dropped her hand as the butterflies whispered, “The lion needs to hunt.”

  She scowled at the swarming pests and waved them away as she turned back to Crimm. Her smile and sudden loss of interest in their conversation peeked Crimm's curiosity. She shrugged her shoulders at Crimm as she turned her face to the sun and let Kagan look upon her as if it was the first time he had ever seen her. And in a way, it truly was the first time he saw her as she was meant to be.

  Kagan curled his fingers around the orb as the vision clouded. Without a word, he turned and left Shinonoble keep as he placed the orb delicately in his sporran. His eyes dulled as he mounted Demon. For the first time in his life, he was lost and did not know what to do or where to turn. Helpless, hopeless, broken, and beaten did not quite cover the way he felt.

  They raced across the blackened highlands and his tears flowed freely down his face. He had lost her to Vacrey. His heart screamed, “but she lives!” His arms ached for want of her and his lips burned in need of her and his heart broke for love of her.