Dragon Knight's Sword (5 page)

Unpinning her cloak and tossing it on the bench beside the chair Duncan pulled out, Matilda looked to Cormac, saying, “Finn is tending my horse and I’ve sent him to the kitchens for his meal. I told him I would see to ye straightway. He already has a stubborn streak, one I could only assume he would get from his laird, whom he worships.”

“Humph,” grumbled Cormac, as he pulled a chair out and poured some ale into two mugs. “I sent Finn to fetch ye for the purpose of finding the old druid.” Cormac held her steady gaze, and she slowly turned to face Duncan.

“Have ye not heard from your brothers, Duncan?” whispered Matilda.

Duncan shook his head no, and with bitterness in his words replied, “I cannae go back to my home, Matilda. I have destroyed all of their lives. It is best they never see me again.” Pounding his fist against his chest, Duncan spat out, “It should have been me who died that night. For to see my brothers now would be a reminder of what I did. I killed our sister and destroyed our entire family in one blow.” The blaze of his words etched across his face.

Trepidation crept through her voice. “Then why do ye seek the druid?”

Duncan stood and went to stand by the fire, a chill spreading through his being, though he knew it was time. He would do anything to reverse the curse, even sell his soul. His plan was simple and damn anyone who got in his way. He turned to her and in a steely voice uttered, “I seek the Old One to undo the curse.”

Matilda gasped, “Och Duncan, do not mock the gods and goddesses. There was a reason ye were cursed. Ye and your brothers are all guilty. Ye sought blood vengeance and then took it to holy ground.”

“This is the only way.” His eyes daring her to challenge him.

Placing her hand on his heart, and looking up into his eyes, she spoke softly. “Ye cannae undo what is done. Margaret is gone. Ye and your brothers
are
cursed. However, there may be a way to find peace and to renew your name among your clan.”

“
Peace
?” Duncan roared, pushing her hand aside. “I will not have peace in this life, or in the next!” Slamming his cup down, he stormed out of the hall.

Frowning, she looked at Cormac, who sat with arms crossed against his chest, staring at her. “He needs to seek the Old One, but not for the reasons he wants. ’Tis time he journeys on his quest. Only then, will he find peace. If he continues to battle with his demons, I fear he will become one.”

“Aye, Matilda, I do understand. I will see him safely to the druid. Tell me though, how do his brothers fare?”

Sadness swept over Matilda’s features.

“Och, Cormac, ’tis a sorry plight they are all in. Divided and tossed across the land, that is how they are. Angus has deserted Urquhart and is fighting in tournaments. Stephen has fled to a monastery, and Alastair has taken up with the Norse men, raiding the seas.”

“It is worse than I feared.” Cormac frowned. “Ye speak of this quest, Matilda. What of it?”

“Aye, Cormac. I will tell ye how to find the Old One, but tread carefully. Duncan must remember what the Guardian foretold. Therein lies his quest for redemption. Her words were a message for
all
of them.”

“
If
what ye say is true, Matilda, what can be done? Can the Old One bring back Meg? Will the Order be restored to the Mackays? I honor the ancient ways, but even this is beyond my comprehension.”

“Tsk, tsk, Cormac, ye should ken better. Besides, I feel in my bones time is running out.” As she walked over to Cormac, she jabbed a finger at his chest, “Travel quickly and be on guard. There are enemies not only of men, but the magic they possess too!

“Now, Cormac Murray, I am weary. Would there be a place to put my head this night?”

Grabbing her cloak off the bench, Cormac went over and placed it across her shoulders. Confusion still battled within him. Knowing there might be a possibility to heal his friend and his brothers gave him...
hope
.

The question was would Duncan be ready and willing, or was his soul already damned forever?

Chapter 5

“A warrior often walks alone in battle, though he may have many around him.”

“Well, it’s about time, Brigid! Where have you been? Oh, let me guess, to Scotland and back?” Lisa was at the register taking out the day’s receipts.

“I’m sorry, Lisa.” Dropping her backpack, coat, and hat unceremoniously on the counter, Brigid went and gave Lisa a hug. She almost felt as if she had been to Scotland and back again, with all the researching she had done today.

Lisa kept on organizing the receipts, harrumphing at Brigid through the hug. “As if a hug is the cure-all. Well, you’re just lucky this was a slow day. I was only peeved for a few minutes anyway, mostly I was worried.” Lisa stopped what she was doing, giving Brigid a concerned look.

Brigid cringed. “I brought you a mushroom burger and sweet potato fries from O’Malley’s.” She held the bag in front as an offering of good will.

“Humph! Your apology comes at a cheap price.” She took the bag, giving her a partial smirk. “You could have called.”

“I have
so
much to tell you about the sword.” Looking around she noticed the sword was not on the counter and visibly out of sight. “Where is it?” A look of panic took hold of Brigid.

“Settle down, Bree. I couldn’t have an ancient claymore just lying on top of the counter. I placed it in the storeroom, and let me tell you, it’s not a lightweight sword.”

Rubbing her forehead and realizing Lisa would guard the sword at all costs, Brigid nodded. “Thanks, and again, I’m sorry. I do have so much to tell you, but I think we should sit down.”

Lisa angled her head to the side, eyebrows raised in question.

They both went upstairs to the living room. Sitting down on the large sofa, Brigid began her story, starting at the university.

For the better part of an hour, Brigid unfolded the tale of the Order of the Dragon Knights, telling Lisa what she and the professor had found out in their research, ending with her visit to O’Malley’s. Keeping her hands clasped firmly in her lap, Brigid waited for a response from Lisa.

“Do you hear yourself? That’s crap!” Jumping up, Lisa threw up her hands and continued her rant. “Now mind you, Bree”—pointing a finger at her—“there might and I mean
might
have existed an order, but I don’t believe they were part of some faery beings.” Brigid winced and started to interject, but Lisa held up her hand halting whatever she was going to say. “Let me finish. They were probably an order, say on the same grounds as Uther the Pendragon. You know how stories were told in those days. They were highly embellished and overexaggerated.”

Brigid shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “I believe some legends are true.”

Lisa started to laugh. “Really, Bree? So what you’re telling me is the Loch Ness monster, which by the way does
not
exist, is really a
dragon
?” Now Lisa was laughing uncontrollably, and Brigid started tapping her foot to prevent an angry assault of words at her friend.

“You’ve spent all day listening to faery tales. Sheesh, Bree, I want a day off like that, too.” Lisa just shook her head with a look of nonbelief.

“Finished with your ranting, Lisa? Are you going to continue to lash out at what I consider some heavy information? I
do
believe in faery tales, legends,
and
the Loch Ness monster!”

“Since when? I thought they were just stories for you, considering your heritage.You know I love to listen and read them, too...but this?” Lisa started waving her hands again. “It’s just nonsense. Hell, you don’t even know who sent this. It could have been some crackpot idiot! Did Professor McKibbon agree with this theory of yours?”

“As a matter of fact, he did. And, he’s the one who told me I needed to return it.”

“What—
where
?”

“Scotland, where else?”

“
Right
.” Shaking her head, Lisa looked at Brigid as if she had lost all marbles and any sense of logic just flew out the window.

Fury over her friend’s outburst was evident in Brigid’s green eyes, which were blazing. She expected Lisa to think her story incredible, but not on this level. Yet, the more Lisa ranted, the more Brigid was realizing it
was
the right thing to do.

If she was ever going to win Lisa over to her side , she needed to tame her temper.
Breathe, Bree; one, two, three, four, that’s it. Damn! Unclench your hands—five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

“Listen, Lisa, I honestly think I have to return it to Scotland. I can’t really explain it. It’s something I believe was entrusted to me to do.”

Lisa gave her a skeptical look, but kept her mouth shut.

“Yes, it
does
sound crazy, and I have to admit at first, I thought it was a joke. But Lisa, I
saw
the sword in several very old books. It is an ancient sword belonging to the MacAoidh clan. Detail by detail down to the dragon emblem.”

“Bree, where in Scotland are you taking the sword? And once there, what are you planning on doing with it?”

And therein was the problem. She had no idea where to take the sword,
or
to which branch of the Mackays. “I don’t know,” she sighed.

“Exactly my point. Insanity,” clipped out Lisa, as she stormed out of the room.

****

“Are you prepared for your destiny, Brigid?”
The mists swirled around them both, the dew of the grass glistening at their feet.

“Will you let your heart guide you to him?”

She heard the sweet music of harps and drums in the distance. The air was warm and smelled of flowers. She never felt as alive as she was at this moment.

“Will you stand beside him, though death may come to you both?”

She could hear the tinkling of water flowing in the distance, and she knew she was safe.

“Yes,” Brigid answered softly. “I am ready.”

“Take my hands, Brigid.”

Brigid heard a bird’s caw overhead, and then gazed at the woman beside her, placing her hands in hers. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her. Her hair cascaded down her back in black waves, and her eyes were luminous. The light from their surroundings reflected in them.

“Do not fear me, little one,”
as she brushed her hand against Brigid’s cheek.

The woman spoke in a strange language she had never heard, but could fully understand. It was full of melody and the air shimmered, making it impossible to see.

“You are ready, my child. Seek out the standing stones of Tulare, near Urquhart Castle. There your destiny waits.”

She continued speaking in her beautiful language, and Brigid had the sensation of floating.

****

Brigid awoke immensely better than the night before. The sun was streaming in through her bedroom window and for once, she was glad it was not raining. Sitting up, she remembered the strange dream she had. She could still smell the scent of flowers, and the beauty of the place. Then she remembered the most important thing about the dream.

A huge smile came over her face. “I know exactly where to take you.”

Any doubts she had yesterday were now gone. She didn’t know what was at the end of her journey, only realizing she had to return the sword back home. It wouldn’t make sense to anyone else. Even her logical side did not understand. However, her heart, no, her soul, cried out that it was her destiny.

“I may not be able to erase a curse from centuries past, but I can bring closure by returning the sword to its clan.”

It was still early in the morning, but Brigid got up. Pulling out her suitcase, she started packing. Keeping it lightweight was the only option, since she would be bringing the sword.

Going to her computer, she checked flights to Scotland. Her only possible flight was one in the afternoon leaving Seattle, with a stop in Chicago, before departing to Glasgow. It would be a long flight, but she didn’t care.

She pulled out her passport, grateful she still had a few years left on it. Then digging out one of the books she brought back from Professor McKibbon’s library, she placed it in the suitcase. The book contained the legend of the Dragon Knights and further information regarding the clan. She wanted to know as much as possible about them before she stepped on Scottish soil.

There was only more item to take care of. She had to tell Lisa she was actually going. This was the hardest part of all of this, fearing her friend would freak, considering she was doing this alone. Then there was their store. Yes, Lisa could manage the store by herself, but they were partners. Therefore, Brigid sent an email to the professor asking if he knew anyone who could pitch in and help Lisa out, say, as a part-time assistant. She also informed him of her decision to take the sword to Scotland. Of anyone, she reasoned he would back her up and keep an eye out for Lisa.

Before Brigid realized it, a few hours had passed. Stepping out of her bedroom, she saw Lisa’s bedroom door was open, and hoped to find her in the kitchen.

Heading downstairs, she decided to look at the sword. A sword, which had only been in her possession a few days, yet she felt had been hers all along.

Walking into the room, she saw the sword lying on one of the back tables. As she stood in front of the table, Brigid brushed her hand along the leather pouch, absorbing the feel against her fingers. Lifting the flap, she pulled out the sword halfway. Taking the hilt, she turned it over to look at the back and noticed strange markings—
ogham
writing. “Damn! How did I miss these? If only I had seen these yesterday.” She realized it was too late for Archie to help her translate the writings, making a mental note to tell him later.

Gliding her fingers over the writing she muttered, “Are you the sword of Duncan Mackay?” Goosebumps traveled up her arm, and slowly she placed it back inside.

Heading back toward the kitchen, she noted all the lights were off and Lisa nowhere in sight. Then she recalled that today was Tuesday, and she was probably at the gym teaching a yoga class.

“Of all days to make quick decisions,” she remarked, or as Lisa would say,
rash and insane
.

“My decision...my fate.”