Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) (14 page)

“Yes.” Lara looked away from him.

“Are you so eager to be rid of me?” he said crossing his arms as he raised an eyebrow.

“It is not that.” Lara turned to him and hit him in the arm. “That is for the scare.”

He let out of laugh and rubbed his arm. “Still. You should have seen your face.”

“If you must know I was curious about the name of the castle. Lia Fail, the stone of destiny, is a standing stone in Ireland on a hill called the Hill of Tara. In my realm it is rumored that the stone was placed there by the Danann.”

“I am beginning to see your interest and know where we should start.” he gave her a short bow. “Follow me my lady.”

Lara took his hand and let him lead her out of the room.

Cadmon pulled out a piece of paper and charcoal and started to draw a rough map of the caves. “I will take the path through with you until it forks off. There is a crevice in the floor that you will go down and take the direct path to the castle. It leads beneath the water fall and under the castle. You will take a short tunnel that leads straight to a trap door opens to a hidden corridor just outside of Kiara’s chambers. If you get lost just keep heading up.” he finished the drawing and handed it to Kedryn.

“Very reassuring. Again tell me why should we trust a Firbolg?” Lawler said as he threw a stick into the fire.

“What is your problem? I can understand your hatred when it comes to Faolan. Cadmon is another story.” Kedryn said.

“I do not want to talk about it.” Lawler turned from the fire.

“We will have to deal with this sooner or later.” Kedryn said.

“Understood.” Lawler said as he stood and walked over to where his pack was.

Niall stood and scanned the cave for a look out. “It will be a rough journey through the cavern. I suggest we rest tonight.”

Cadmon looked around avoiding Lawler’s glare. “We made good time. I will take first watch.” Cadmon stood and walked over to a rock formation where he could see the front of the cave and start of the cavern. He climbed up as the others grabbed their blankets to settle in for the night.

Niall jumped back. “Kedryn! Watch out for the snake!” he said and watched as Kedryn jumped back.

“Where? Where is it?” Kedryn said as he frantically looked around. He turned to Niall who was laughing hysterically. Lawler was trying to hold it in and finally let out a laugh.

“Funny, real funny. I hate snakes.” Kedryn said as he sat and rolled up into his blanket.

A shriek sounded from where Niall was. Kedryn rolled over trying to jump up. The blanket caught on his foot and he fell over. As Kedryn thudded to the floor Niall had his dagger out and was pointing it at a tiny snake that was slithering away. Lawler started laughing harder as Niall sheathed his dagger and shrugged at Kedryn. They all were laughing when a growl echoed though the cave.

In one motion Cadmon leapt off of the rock and ran to the back of the cave pulling his sword from it’s sheath. The creatures were on him in an instant and Pooka jumped out from all sides with their long hairy arms clawing and fangs snapping. As Kedryn was running to join the fight he heard a roar sound from behind him. A large black horse with glowing yellow eyes ran past him. He turned ready to fight but the horse bowled over the creatures. The pooka backed off and ran growling and squealing back into the cave.

Niall helped Cadmon to his feet as Lawler stood ready at the entrance of the cavern. Everyone watched the entrance ready if any of the monsters decided to come back. After a few minutes Kedryn turned and looking cautiously at the horse that shimmered into a wolf. Kedryn swore it smirked at him and it trotted back out of the cave.

Kedryn fingered the amulet and turned to Cadmon. “It seems our little follower is pretty useful. How are you?”

“I will have more bumps and bruises than what I received from cut throat.” Cadmon said as he dabbed at a cut on his arm.

“Your capture will be more believable to Lord Faolan. I have bandages in my pack.” Niall said.

“Leave them. If I was a captive I would have escaped without bandages.”

“Good point. The question now is do we sleep or move on?” Niall said.

Their heads turned as the wolf trotted in dropping a pheasant at Kedryn’s feet. It shimmered into the large black horse and kneeled down.

“Thank you.” Kedryn said and started when he heard a voice in his head.

“Sleep all of you. None will return while I am here.”

Lawler grabbed his head as the words echoed in his mind and looked at the others who were just as confused as he was.

“A pooka speaking is very rare indeed. Should we trust it?” Niall asked.

“Sleep human. You will be safe.” The pooka lay the rest of the way down with its head turned looking into the darkness of the cavern.

Kedryn grabbed his blanket and sat down. “It saved Cadmon and that is proof enough to me.”

“Agreed, we should get some sleep.” Cadmon said as he carefully lay down and looked to the horse. “Thank you.”

Kedryn was the first to wake and he turned to see the horse still as stone keeping watch. He stood and walked over the pooka who turned it’s head to him. Kedryn sat down and took the falcon amulet off of his necklace.

“It seems we should discuss this.” Kedryn said as he started to flip the falcon through his fingers.

“You do not need to speak out loud let the others sleep. As for the amulet what would you have me do? I am bound by the magic’s placed on it by the first. The lady spared me by placing the falcon into her brother’s hands.”

“Damon. Who is the first?” Kedryn asked and then tried to keep from speaking and concentrated on his thoughts as he looked at the falcon.

“The one of evil that is seeping into this land. The next was decent but still ordered. You the third has not asked of me. You have given without being asked and that is why I helped with the others.”

Kedryn looked the horse in it’s glowing yellow eyes. “How is it that they did not attack?”

“I am one of the line that descends from the Lord of all Pooka. The evil one captured me while I was defending my own and bound me to the amulet.”

“You appeared as a wolf cub the first time I saw you. Why not just stay the form of the horse?” Kedryn quit moving the pendant through his fingers.

“Men will try to catch and tame the horse. I find it easier to move about as a wolf cub.”

“What can I do to release you?” Kedryn asked as he put the falcon amulet back on.

“You would release me human?” The horse gave him a curious look.

“I would.”

“The second tried to release me by destroying the amulet. He did not succeed.”

Kedryn leaned forward. “I thought you only came when called. How is it that you were so close?”

“Curiosity, I suppose.”

“Thank you. I should wake the others.” Kedryn stood up and patted some dust off his pants.

The horse shimmered and the wolf appeared. “ I will take my leave. The others will not interfere with your journey through the caverns. There are other dangers that are of the natural kind. I will not be able to help you in such matters.”

“You will not come with?”

“There is a taint on me. The evil one with sense my presence and use his magic to pull me to him.” The pooka walked past Kedryn and out of the cave.

Kedryn shivered and for the first time on their journey he felt uncertain about the trip through the mountain. He knew about the dangers of exploring caves but this was a whole new realm. Who knows what hazards lie within the mountain.

Cadmon stirred and rolled over rubbing a hand across his eyes. He reached over and shook Niall awake as Lawler sat up and looked around. Kedryn reached over to his pack and pulled out some dried meat and bread for them to eat and grabbed for his water. He had a couple of bottled waters but decided to keep them for an emergency situation. As his mom would say You never know. He sighed at the thought of his mother. Kedryn missed her and knew she was safe but probably worrying herself sick over him. The sooner they got back the better.

Pulling out a pen and leather notebook out of his pack Kedryn turned to Cadmon. “How about we go over the plans again.” He handed Cadmon the pencil and book. “Could you re-draw the map in this?”

He held up the map that was nothing but a smear of charcoal. Cadmon smirked and shook his head as he took the pen and book from Kedryn. “What is this?” He asked as he held up the pen.

“Without going into detail. It’s a container of ink.”

“A very small container of ink. When we branch off the main path I will be taking an underground tunnel that leads to a small village just outside of the castle.” Cadmon said as he re-drew the map.

“Sounds easy enough for you. What lies in store for us?” Lawler asked.

“Stick to the path. It will lead you to three separate tunnels. Take the one straight ahead and do not veer off. It will lead you to what I call an underground forest. Across the cavern you will find a tunnel that leads to the trap door. I suggest you get some sleep there because there will be no rest after we rescue the seer.”

“If we rest wouldn’t that waste time?” Kedryn asked.

“No. It will give me time to get back into Faolan’s graces and see if the castles defenses are the same as when I left. Your journey will be at least two more days than mine. I suggest you stop and rest twice. Time will mean nothing while you are down in the cavern. Do not venture away from the path it could be very dangerous if you do.”

“Dangerous?” Niall asked.

“There are loose rocks on the ground mixed in with ice and snow at times. Watch your feet for deeps holes that you could fall into. There is a short drop where we split up. You will squeeze through, slide down a rope and into a small cave. The mud at the bottom does not run deep and from there you have only one way to go.”

“Are you sure you remember the way? How is it that you know exactly where to go?” Kedryn asked.

“I was curious as a child and mapped out the caves before Faolan came to Rule.” Cadmon said and started to draw again.

“Does he have these maps?” Kedryn asked.

“No. Some areas have been discovered by him and some have not.”

“That is good.” Niall said.

“Do Not stray into any side caves no matter how tempting.” To make his point Cadmon looked at each one in the eye. “Also, do not touch any of the cones hanging from the ceiling or protruding up from the floor.”

“My grandfather told me once that sometimes the elements are deadlier than any man or animal out there.” Lawler said.

“He is very wise. I have carved steps and hand holds into the wall. It is not very high and the height of two men. You will find an overhead latched stone and that is where you should rest for a second time.”

“The passage is beyond there?” Niall asked as he glanced at Lawler.

“Yes. It is in the middle of the hidden passage just outside the seer’s door. Once you are in the passageway look for the symbol of the phoenix. Press on the right wing tip and a door will open. If all goes to plan I will be waiting outside the door.” Cadmon fingered his amulet and place it under his shirt.

Kedryn stood and picked up his pack and took the map. “Sounds simple enough. Follow the path and do not wander off.”

“What are we waiting around here for? Let’s go.” Niall said and shouldered his pack.

“Lead the way.” Kedryn said as he gave Cadmon a nod.

They followed Cadmon into the cavern. All Kedryn could think of was razor-sharp rocks and deadly crevasses. The ground crunched underneath his feet and he began to see his breath in front of him. They all lit torches to save the lamps. Cadmon stopped and they looked down at a crack in the floor.

“This is where we part.” Cadmon said as he unwound some rope he had around his waist. “If you happen to turn the wrong way on the path turn around. Do not linger long. There are chambers in the mountain where the temperature alone can have a deathly chill or searing heat.”

Kedryn helped Cadmon stake the rope and gave an end to Cadmon. Lawler gave Cadmon an untrusting look.

“The drop is only the length of two men. I will drop the rope when I see your torches are lit. May the one God be with you.”

“See you on the flip side.” Kedryn said and put out his torch before he slid down.

When they heard his shout Lawler slid down followed by Niall. They each re-lit their torches and the rope dropped and they looped the rope around themselves. Kedryn picked his foot out of the mud and it made a sickening sucking sound.

“I hate enclosed spaces. It feels like the walls are going to close in on me.” Lawler said as he looked around.

The walls gave off an eerie shine of crimson. Walking out of the small cave they headed out in single file on the only path laid out before them. Kedryn looked up at the spikes or as his mom would correct him stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Some were lightly dripping onto the floor making a clear almost ice like surface making them slip a few times catching each other with the rope.

A double column appeared ahead that seemed to block their path. The closer they got it seemed that the columns were spread apart enough for one person to squeeze through. The torches reflected off of the pillars that were a snowy alabaster and rose to the ceiling in spirals. Kedryn glanced back at everyone and turned almost running into a ghostly white pillar.