Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series) (40 page)

Lara’s talk and visit did wake Liam up and in more ways than one. He decided he would stay up a while since he was all riled up from Lara’s visit.

He would get cleaned up first, take care of a couple of things and actually get some sleep. In the morning he will be starting the rest of his life as the leader Lara had said he was meant to be. He needed to prove to himself and everyone else that he could do it.

In the Milesian camp the guard Liam had sent on a little mission finally found a woman heading through camp with a bucket of water. He bellowed at her to stop and told her that she was to meet with Lord Liam O’Cuinn. He led her to the huge pavilion in the center of the camp, lifted up the door flap and brought her in the little entrance area.

“Wait here.” he said as she gave him an annoyed look.

He yelled into the tent. “My Lord. I have brought a woman.”

“I will be right out. Take her to the sitting area will you. After you may take your leave and Lawrence make certain no one. I mean nobody is to
interrupt.” They heard him shout.

In his bath area Liam heard a muffled “Yes Sir.” as he finished washing up.

Lawrence led the woman into Liam’s sitting area and looked over the various seating. Not quite sure where to sit her. She answered it for him as she stepped up to a table covered with papers with some chairs scattered around. He walked over to where she was standing and pulled out a chair for her. She smiled her thanks to him and sat down. He turned and stepped out of the tent.

Already seriously annoyed about being asked to go and get some water to boil in the very very early morning. Now she was just purely perturbed by being summoned by Liam too. She couldn’t say no to a request from
Lord Liam Solo O’Cuinn
. Her annoyance faded away as she started to study the papers on the table to pass the time. While looking at the documents in front of her the woman ended up being engrossed with what she was reading and did not notice Liam step into the sitting area.

Liam was startled to see a woman sitting at the table looking over the documents General Ruark had previously sent by messenger for him to review. He expected to find her lounging on the large cushioned makeshift bench in the corner. Liam reached up and rubbed his head. He recalled seeing her before and couldn’t place where. He examined her as she intently looking over the plans. Her dark black hair had hints of red in it and her nose crinkled slightly as she concentrated on the papers. He was a bit amused and annoyed with his guard.

Liam cleared his throat. She looked up at him startled and set the papers down and immediately standing and gave him a slight courtesy.

“Lord O’Cuinn. What may I do for you that is so urgent your guard had to summon me at this early hour? And …” distracted she picked up one of the papers and waved it before him “may I make a suggestion?”

He was utterly mystified by the woman at her forwardness and sudden change of subject.

“Make your suggestion.”

Liam had a memory jolt and mentally cringed at where he remembered where he knew her from. She was one of Bevin’s ladies. This is not going to sit well at all. She is going to throw a fit and something at him. He had talked with Dillon but still had not smoothed things over with Bevin. The woman spoke interrupting his thoughts.

“This plan with the serfs who farm the land.” she set the piece of paper back down before her and picked up another and looked at it. “It is not feasible if you would like everyone happy.”

“Why is that?” Liam asked as he walked up to the table and sat down. “Please be seated and explain ummm…”

She finished his sentence “Brenna, my Lord.”

“Please continue.” he said and watched as she sat and lifted a hand to hide a stifled yawn and shifted in the hard wooden seat.

“These plans make the serfs no more than slaves who are farming the land for the nobleman who own it. Why not go back before the time of the wars?
The first wars. Let them rent the parcel of land they farm. Give them a percentage of what they farm or raise or however else they make a living. The rest will go to the Barons for rent of their land and to taxes for the realm. I am thinking it was sixty, thirty, ten. The Barons may resist at first. When they are shown to still be receiving a sizeable profit they may step back.”

Liam looked at her impressed. “Is that all?”

Brenna yawned again and picked up another set of papers. “No. It seemed the rent worked well in the past and would put a tight rein on the nobles who abuse and take advantage of the serfs. Also, the nobles should get rid of the hobble they live in. I have personally seen what the serfs family lives are like. They need a home not a hut. That is one thing about the three lands that has always irritated me.”

“I have heard that Bevin let her ladies be educated. I would have to say that you have most likely exceeded even her expectations.”

He glanced up towards the front of his pavilion as he heard a man and a woman arguing outside. He watched for Brenna’s reaction and she seemed to ignore the fact that Bevin was outside screaming. She was too busy studying the documents in front of her.

“I am the best in my class Lord O’Cuinn.” she said flatly as she finally looked away from what was in front of her and at him. Brenna placed the paper she was still holding in her hands back onto the table.

Liam leaned back in his chair. “When I asked my guard to bring a woman to me. I was expecting to take an unintelligent wench to my bed.”

Brenna decided not to take offense and gave him a stern look. “I am not the least bit of unintelligent. If you call me a wench I will take my leave. As for taking me to bed, no man has touched me and will not. Not until I wed.”

Liam found her fascinating and for a couple of minutes he even quit thinking of Lara. He looked at her curious as she picked up another piece of paper.

“I respect Bevin enough to not take one of her ladies to bed.”

“Am I allowed to leave?” Brenna hesitantly asked.

“Yes, my Lady.” He stood and walked around the table to her chair.

He pulled it out for her and Brenna stood. Liam took her hand and kissed the top of it. He led her to the front of the pavilion and stopped before stepping outside. He turned to her.

“You may take your leave. On one condition, my Lady.” he said.

She frowned at him. “What condition?”

“That you come here late afternoon after both of us get some rest. I would like your opinion on the rest of peace treaty. Tell Bevin no more chores for you. That is an Order, my Lady. If Bevin has a problem with it she can come to me.”

“I would be most honored, my Lord. I believe you will not have a problem. She will be occupied this late afternoon I will not be needed.” she looked at him perplexed when she realized he said this late afternoon.

“You are not attending the funeral ceremony, my Lord?”

“No.” Liam said flatly. “It would upset Aodhan and I do not wish to cause any more harm. I shall pay my respects in my own way. Let us step outside. It is time to set Bevin’s mind at ease and she sounded mightily upset.”

“Thank you, my Lord.” she said and crinkled her nose at the thought of dealing with Bevin’s outrage.

He took her hand and glanced sideways at her. The way she crinkled her little nose when she got serious or concentrated it was kind of amusing. Lara was right and he needed to open his eyes. If he did find the right woman, perhaps he would open his heart.

“I have to start somewhere.” He said out loud as they stepped outside.

“Yes Lord O’Cuinn. The peace negotiations have to start somewhere.”

Liam didn’t realize he had said that out loud and laughed that she hadn’t a clue of what he was really talking about. He dropped her hand and gave her a slight bow.

“Please. No formalities are needed unless we are in court.” he said.

Liam watched as she smiled, turned and walked away. Liam looked at his guard and saw that his face was trying to mask an outward cringe. He supposed being berated by Bevin was punishment enough.

“Thank you Lawrence.” Liam said with only a little sarcasm in his voice.

Lawrence looked seriously embarrassed. He wringed his hands as he looked at his Lord.

“Would you like for me to find another? I did not realize who she was until after Lady Bevin came by looking for her. She was very put out that neither Bryor or I would not let her in your tent.”

“Brenna or Bevin had nothing to worry about. I believe that strong willed woman.” he gestured to Brenna as she hurriedly walked past the soldiers tents to where Bevin’s pavilion was set up. “Can take care of herself.”

Liam looked up at the sky and saw that dawn was close to approaching.

“I would like to get some rest now. Please see to it that I am not disturbed until mid afternoon.” Liam said and watched as both Lawrence and Bryor saluted him and stood at attention.

Aodhan woke assuming it was just after the noon meal. He had asked a guard to wake them in a couple of hours before the funeral ceremony. They needed the rest and neither had slept at all that night. He carefully scooted off the pallet and walked to the front of the pavilion. Stepping outside he blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight. Aodhan turned to the guard standing out front and informed him he need not wake them.

He walked back into Lara’s sleeping area and over to where her armor was piled. Quietly as he could Aodhan picked up each piece to put them next to the small rectangular table. Lara slowly woke and watched as he tip toed around her. She stretched and felt her muscles strain and winced. She slowly pushed herself up and walked over to him.

“Can you show me the proper way to clean it?” she asked.

“Already asked me that last night.” He laughed as he looked at her confused expression.

“I don’t remember that.” she said rubbing her eyes.

“You woke up around dawn and asked me about it and I told you to go back to sleep and you did.” Aodhan said as he placed her chest armor on the table.

He took out a can of what looked to Lara like wax and a few strips of cloth. Aodhan walked over to the chair in the corner of her tent and pulled it up next to the table.

“It would have been more humorous if I would not have been seriously exhausted.”

She leaned over and kissed him and sat down beside him. “Dawn? What time is it?”

“It’s just after the noon meal. Turns out both of us needed some good rest.”

“No wonder I’m hungry. I think I still have some bars and a couple of bottled waters in my pack.”

“There will be an evening meal after the funeral.” he replied and his face grew serious as he underwent the task of showing Lara how to clean her armor into a shine where she could see her own face in it. He explained that he was taking a few shortcuts and would properly show her when they had more time. Aodhan handed her the clothes that she had also wore into battle.

“I will step out of the room while you wash and change. Let me know when you are done and I will help you with your armor.”

“Thank you.” Lara said as she picked up the clothing that she wore under the armor. Thankfully Bevin saw that those were properly cleaned also. Even Gobnait must have gotten her hands on them seeing as all of the cuts and tears were sewed up to where a person couldn’t even tell they were in a battle.

She stuck her head though the flap when finished. After Aodhan helped her with the fastenings of her armor they hurriedly ate. Lara pulled out Badb’s bracers, necklace and hairpins.

Aodhan raised his eyebrow. “There is something appealing about a woman in armor.”

“You don’t look half bad in armor yourself.” she said running a finger down his chest.

“Speaking of armor. Would you help me with mine? Eion is with mother and there are some buckles I can’t reach.”

“I would be honored, Lord Aodhan Mahon MacCionaoith.” She bowed to him and he picked her up as she screeched. To Lara’s horror and his amusement Aodhan carried her all the way to his pavilion armor and all.

After Lara helped Aodhan with his armor he looked heartbreakingly miserable. More so than she had ever seen him. He looked into her eyes and felt some of the sadness wash away. He knew it would come back in full force as they headed to the funeral ceremony.

Aodhan reached down and grabbed her hand and led her to where the funeral was to be held. Lara noticed that the soldier’s tents had now been set up at the edge of the Duir Plain. Where they had previously stood was now a huge funeral pyre in the center. She felt her heart hurt thinking of all of the fallen and of Kedryn who lay to rest his friend while she was still lying on her pallet injured.

Soldiers and villagers formed a circle surrounding the funeral pyre. Kedryn walked up to Lara and Aodhan.

“Kedryn you may join us if you wish.” Aodhan said.

“I would be honored, my Lord.” He said and gave Aodhan a deep bow. Kedryn put his arm around his mom’s shoulders as they followed Aodhan as he made his way through the crowd.

Lara caught sight of a handful of people directly in front of the pyre. Lady Orla, Eion, General Ruark, and other familiar faces. Even General Kayne was there and she nodded to him wondering where Liam was. It may be too soon or he may have felt he would disgrace the funeral if he attended. No matter what his reasons she really wished he would have come.

As she looked straight ahead she studied the funeral pyre. The archeologist in her came to life. She was witnessing a funeral close to an ancient Roman Funeral Pyre. Only slightly different. Instead of four tiers this one only had two. The bottom had a golden drapery that hung around it with a black embroidered Griffon on it similar to what the Romans had used. The top tier formed a pedestal that held Lord Blaine MacCionaoith in full armor. His arms were crossed with his hands holding his sword. There was a lit torch on each corner.

Aodhan squeezed her hand and she berated herself for taking interest in the archeological aspect of the funeral. Not of the emotional impact it had on the man she loved. General Ruark made his way and stood just in front of the funeral pyre facing the small group in front of him. He projected his voice so that all could hear.

“I would like to read a passage that Lord Blaine MacCionaoith wished for me to read.”

Everyone grew quiet and waited for him to speak.

“Do not grieve for me. For now I rest in God’s hands. I heard his call and I left as a warrior to rest at the side of my forefathers. Although my life may have been cut short it was full of love. I had made a life with the woman I love. I have seen my son find his true love. To my family and friends you all filled my life with joy. I love you all and farewell.”

Ruark joined the group and watched as Eion hugged Orla and grasped Aodhan’s forearm. He walked to the spot where General Ruark had stood. Lara glanced over at Lady Orla with Tara at her side. Tears were streaming down their cheeks and Orla leaned against Tara for support. Lara felt her pain and a tear slid down her cheek. Kedryn noticed and put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

Eion stood as musicians took up a sorrowful song. When the song hit its last surrendering note he looked around at everyone.

“Please. Join me in prayer for our dearly departed Lord Blaine Henry MacCionaoith.”

Lara and Kedryn glanced at each other and looked around at everyone’s bowed heads. They looked at each other puzzled as Eion recited Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer. Lara repeated the words with him as she got over her shock.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

When Eion finished he walked over and stood beside Lara. Mental note to ask Eion about that later. She moved her attention to Aodhan as he walked away from her. Aodhan and his mother both walked up to the funeral pyre each taking a torch. They lit the wood and stood back as the flames engulfed the fallen Lords body.

Lara walked up to Aodhan and put her arms around his waist as she rested her head on his shoulder. He put his arms around both of the women who meant the world to him. Kissed his mother on the cheek, turned to Lara gently kissing her on the lips. Tomorrow was the start of the peace negotiations. General Kayne had informed him that Liam would indeed be there. He knew he would have to face Liam sooner or later and was relieved that he had not shown up.

“Let us go and get something to eat.” Aodhan said sadly to them and gently led Lara and Orla away to General Ruark’s pavilion.

It was one of the shortest funerals that Lara had attended. As her father always said
The shortest and sweetest sermons are the best.
The funeral had ended at sunset and as Lara glanced back at the funeral pyre. It was surrounded by the brilliant oranges, blues and pinks of the sunset. She looked over at Aodhan and saw that his brow was furrowed as he was deep in thought.

Aodhan was hoping the peace negotiations did not last too long. He wanted to get both his mother and Lara back to Quenith and was going to have a talk with Kedryn’s little group too. He thought that before they take their little side excursion that they should at least come to Quenith and participate in a morning celebration game. He hoped and prayed Kedryn along with the others
he was going with would come back alive. For Lara’s and all their sakes.

While Kedryn was gone he would also have all of that time to work on Lara. Maybe, just maybe, she would decide that she and Kedryn would stay with him in this realm. Or at least figure out a compromise. That was something to think about later, much, much later.