Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) (13 page)

“Thank the Gods. I will scout the area and maybe there will be a stream. Lawler, want to come with?” Niall asked.

Lawler jumped at the chance and left his pack on the ground. “I am right behind you!”

Kedryn shook his head as he watched them walk away from where they were to set up camp. “We will set up the fire pit.” Kedryn said as he started to clear out an area. He looked up when he saw out of the corner of his eye that Lawler had stopped and turned.

“You sure you will be ok?” Lawler said as he eyed Cadmon

Kedryn turned irritated. “Get going.”

Cadmon gathered up some sticks and placed them in the ring of rocks. “I know that many of the Firbolg are not to be trusted. Lawler seems to hold much against me. A man he knows nothing about.” Cadmon said as he broke a branch apart and threw it in the pit.

“Give him some time. There must be more to it.” Kedryn said as he watched Lawler and Niall disappear into the shadows. Kedryn took out a match and lit the fire. “I will keep watch if you would like to get some rest. I noticed a flat rock just up the hill hidden by some brush. Send Niall up when they get back. Right now you could use some rest.”

“Thank you.” Cadmon said as he wrapped himself into the blanket and rolled facing away from the fire.

Making his way up to the rock he had seen earlier Kedryn’s eyes scanned the area for any movement. The night grew long and the moon had moved across the sky with no sign of Lawler or Niall. Looking up at the stars he adjusted his leg that he was sitting on. It would do none of them any good if they were attacked and his foot was asleep.

Kedryn couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He let the others know but no one had spotted anything. He was sure if it was human that one of them would have caught sight of the man or woman. No one is that good except for maybe Scanlon. Taking another sip from his canteen Kedryn heard a rustle of brush next to him. He looked down to see a young wolf sit next to his rock and looked up at him and he noticed the eyes.

“You must be the one that has been following us.” Kedryn said as he reached over to the bag next to him and the cub flinched away.

“A bit touchy are you?”

He slowly pulled out a slice of dried jerky and held it out for the cub. It sniffed at the jerky and snatched it quickly with it’s sharp pointed teeth and placed it on the ground. Kedryn reached over to scratch its ears and the cub flinched again but did not move away. He rubbed the cubs head and sat back up. The reddish orange eyes of the cub stared up at him and it picked the jerky back up and headed out.

The pooka was so squeamish that Kedryn wondered how Damon had treated it as he fingered the falcon amulet. He decided he would have to learn more about the power in order not to misuse it. Kedryn let out a sigh and looked at the mountains reflecting in the moonlight.

“One day to reach Fairmore, one more to the mountain then through the caverns.” Kedryn whispered to himself repeating what Cadmon had told them earlier. Lost in his own thought Kedryn nearly jumped off the rock when Niall came up through the thicket.

“Planning on staying out here all night?” Niall asked as he watched Kedryn stand and stretch.

“No. It’s good you came. I was starting to get lost in thought. That is not a good thing for someone keeping watch. I also discovered our little watcher and it is a Pooka. My guess is that’s it’s the one that the amulet I’m wearing controls.”

“A Pooka? What amulet?” Niall asked.

“It’s a long story and I’m tired. I’ll tell all of you as we head out tomorrow. If you see a wolf cub leave him be. Find that stream?” Kedryn grinned.

“Nope.” Niall said.

Kedryn walked out of the thicket and back down to the camp. He grabbed his blanket out of his gear pack, rolled up in it. When Kedryn woke he saw that Cadmon had already packed up and had the horses ready to go. He quickly hopped up grabbing his blanket and sword and walked over to his horse.

“When we reach Fairmore we will store our horses there and get fresh supplies. The terrain from there gets a little rough heading to the hidden cavern. The horses would not make it through the slit anyway.” Cadmon said.

“Let’s head out.” Lawler said as he swung into the saddle and watched the rest do the same.

Kedryn looked up at the sky and felt a rain drop splash on his cheek. He pulled his jerkin tighter around him. It seemed the closer they got to the mountains the colder the weather had become. As they rode the rain started to come down heavier and Cadmon stopped them. He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a hooded hide and pulled it over his head. Kedryn dismounted and watched as Niall and Lawler pulled out similar hide cloaks.

“Well that’s just great.” He muttered under his breath.

Cadmon walked over to him. “I take it you do not have a impermeable cloak.”

“Nope.” Kedryn said.

“Here. Take mine.” Cadmon said and just as he was to pull it over his head Kedryn stopped him.

“Hang on. I think I might have something in my pack after all. Maybe not as warm as yours but it will at least keep the rain off.” Kedryn said as he searched through the inside pockets and found what he was looking for.

He unrolled a dark green rain poncho that his mom had bought him when she took him to the last Green Bay Packers game they attended. Kedryn pulled it over his head and let out a laugh at their puzzled looks. He looked it over and then at the small yellow G on the left side of his shoulder. He was very thankful that he didn’t let his mother pick out the one with the huge yellow G. Nothing like a bright yellow bull’s-eye on your back.

“Something from my realm. But not as stylish as yours.” Kedryn shrugged.

Niall laughed. “Most certainly not. But at least you will blend in with the trees.”

Cadmon mounted and looked around and pulled his cloak tighter around him as the rain drops grew bigger. “Let’s head out and take the trail to the side of the road. It seems to be more occupied than usual.

The rain began to mist on their way to Fairmore handfuls of villagers were passing by just out of sight. Lawler saw a large carriage with two men riding horses in front and recognized two brothers. They had bunked with him at Carrick’s training camp. He turned his horse around rode up to the two men.

“Jonathan. Sebastian. What in God’s name is happening? I think we passed five family’s heading away from town.”

“You have not heard?” Jonathan asked as he reigned his horse in.

“Heard what?” Kedryn asked as he came to a stop next to Lawler’s horse.

“The whole village of Dublaine was burned to the ground. Along with most of the villagers. Women, children, men all murdered in their sleep by a Firbolg raid. Lord O’Cuinn and Lord MacCionaoith have ordered anyone living close to the mountain to evacuate.” Sebastian said.

Kedryn felt uneasiness rise in the pit of his stomach. “What of survivors?”

Jonathan looked at Sebastian and then to Kedryn. “Only a handful of soldiers survived. The Lieutenant in charge was taken by surprise and slaughtered in his home along with the rest.”

“Dillon and Bevin. Gone?” Kedryn almost whispered to himself thinking of Aodhan. He heard Lawler let out an angry roar and head Cadmon’s way.

Kedryn reached out and grabbed the reigns of Lawler’s horse as it passed by. “He had nothing to do with it.”

“How do you know he is not leading us into a trap!” Lawler said as he yanked the reigns out of Kedryn’s hand.

“I trust him.” Kedryn said

“Let’s go. Is there anyplace safe where we can leave the horses and find supplies?” Niall asked the men.

“Our estate is just outside the boundaries. Lawler, you have been there before and know of the underground stables. I believe there are still supplies in the larder.” Jonathan said as he glanced back as the stopped carriage a few paces away from them.

“I remember and thank you. Also thank your father and mother for us.” Lawler said as he nodded his head to the gentleman who was peeking out of the curtained window of the carriage.

“It will be done.” Jonathan said as he turned his horse and rode to the carriage followed by his brother.

Nudging his horse to a trot Lawler rode off and the others followed. Kedryn decided to stay directly beside Cadmon just in case Lawler lost his head again. He decided to ask him about his hatred for all Firbolg. Carrick is one and he doesn’t dislike him but another matter for another time.

When they reached the edge of the estate Lawler branched off onto a dirt path. Kedryn looked in awe at the huge sprawling estate in front of him and to the large stone building just ahead. Lawler dismounted and led his horse to the building and opened one of the doors and walked in.

The others did the same and followed. Kedryn watched as Lawler walked his horse to the back of the stable and pushed on a stone. A hidden panel slid open and he led them down a ramp to a separate area where they could hide their horses. As they prepared hay and water Kedryn looked up to see little pin points of light, dirt and roots of what he assumed was grass above them.

“The horses will be safe here. There is a hidden passage that they can get out of if they need to.” Lawler said as he walked to the hidden panel and slid it open again.

Kedryn looked back at the horses and watched as the panel slid shut. “Where is the larder?”

“It is this way.” Lawler said as he led them to a small section off of the main house.

They stopped outside of a small rock covered side room to the manor house. Kedryn walked up to the door and tried it.

“Locked.” Kedryn said and turned as Niall walked up to him.

“I got this.” Niall pulled out what Kedryn could only call lock picks. After a few short moments he turned the handle and the door opened.

“Nice.” Kedryn said as he pulled the hood of his poncho down and shook the rain off of it. Niall tugged at Kedryn’s poncho.

“What is this material? What animal could possibly make something like this?”

“No animal. It’s man made and called plastic. It is good for keeping the wet off, but not the chill.”

“You have a very interesting realm.” Niall said as he tugged at the plastic to see how sturdy it really was.

Lawler shoved past them and gave Kedryn an irritated look. “Quickly now. I want to get out of here as soon as possible. I don not wish to be here if a Firbolg raid runs across this place.”

After they had sufficiently raided the larder and filled their packs Cadmon took the lead again heading to the mountain. He looked up as the rain started to go from a mist to rain.

“We should reach the cave late tonight I suggest we set up camp. I will scout ahead in the caves to make sure the way we will go has not been discovered.” Cadmon said as he pulled his hood closer.

Their pace picked up as they walked and stopped just short of the mountain. Rain soaked, cold and exhausted they decided to find a place to rest for the night. Niall left their group to scout around and shortly returned.

“There is not much for shelter here. How far away is the cave? Can we take shelter at the mouth?” Niall asked

“Long enough for us to get sufficiently soaked. I am up for it if you are.” Cadmon said and looked around at everyone who mumbled in their agreement.

“I say if we can get out of this God forsaken rain. Let’s go.” Lawler said as he shook water off his cloak.

“I agree. Let’s head to the cave.” Niall said and looked to Kedryn.

“I believe it’s agreed on then. Lead the way Cadmon.” Kedryn said.

Down in the archives of the castle Lara scanned old scrolls, books and anything about Lia Fail. She just couldn’t get it out of her head that it may mean something. Not to mention it kept her mind off of Kedryn and his mission.

She was impressed at the condition of the older section of the study. It was not how she pictured where old archives would be. She had pictured a dust and cobweb covered disorganized room in the bottom of a tower. The books were organized by centuries but nothing else. Frustrated she closed another volume and a puff of dust rose up from the book and let out a cough.

“Guess the dusty part still remains the same.” Lara said.

Standing up she walked over to the one freestanding bookshelves that separated the ancient texts from the new. As she set the book back in place a hand reached through and grabbed hers.

Lara let out a loud screech and bent over trying to calm herself. Aodhan came around the corner laughing.

“That is not funny!” Lara could barely breath out.

“Quite to the contrary, my lady. You should have seen your face.” Aodhan said still laughing. “What exactly are you looking for?”

“Anything linking my realm to yours. I am finding out so many things in Ireland relate to here. Not to mention it keeps my mind off of other things.” she said and picked up a book and then set it down. She brushed some hair behind her ear and sighed.

“Like Kedryn.” Aodhan said as he picked up a book and looked at it. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, like Kedryn.” Lara readjusted her hair.

“I can help. You really have not discussed with anyone what you are looking for. Mother thinks you come here to read but I know better. You are looking for another way home.”