Stone Heart (41 page)
Authors: Candace Sams
- "They all carry blame. They allow that putrid waste to be ma
- "Tearach, step forward," Shayla ordered. The Goblin Leader d
- Everyone became quiet. Tearach held his head up proudly and
- He circled the area and looked into the faces of those who w
- There were murmurs in the crowd. Shayla raised her hand to s
- Tearach turned to Roland. "If you used some kind of enchantm
- "I'll take my punishment, Tearach. There's no need for you t
- "The thing is done. Now, I command you," Tearach persisted.
- Roland relented. "I wanted to make very sure the outsider di
- "You took no chances," Tearach sarcastically responded.
- Shayla watched the Goblin Leader's expression. While Roland
- "No!" Roland cried out. "My aim was true. There was no way s
- Shayla turned to him. "You're a fool. In your hatred, you fo
- For a moment, Roland looked confused, then plunged his hands
- "Look at her Roland. Look into the face of the woman you wou
- Roland screamed in rage. Before anyone could stop him, he pu
- Roland looked at Tearach. The knife penetrating his back had
- Tearach ran forward and caught Roland just before he hit the
- "I-It's all right, my leader. I'll see my babes this night.
- Roland gasped hideously. His eyes rolled to one side and he
- * * * *
- "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault," Karen wept as Angus he
- "Ach, lass, dunna' fash yourself so. 'Twas Roland's own hatr
- "Angus is right, Karen. There's nothing to be done about it
- "Why did Tearach stop him. I'd have thought he would want to
- Shayla lifted a hand in denial. "I don't believe so. Not any
- "No, Shayla, I think ... I think I'd very much like to talk
- Angus spoke up. "If you don't mind, Sorceress, Karen has bee
- She considered his request. "All right. I'll have a room mad
- "No." Karen stood up and shook her head. "I can't stay insid
- "Karen, It will be all right, lass. Let me..."
- She pushed Angus' arms away. "No! I have to get out. Someone
- "There, there, child," Shayla came forward and held her. Whe
- Karen didn't know what was wrong and she began to sob. There
- As Shayla was preparing to leave with Karen, Angus tried to
- "Why, lass? We should be together." Angus was mystified over
- Shayla held up a hand in a calming gesture. "This has to be
- For a long moment, Angus gazed into Karen's eyes. "All right
- "Thank you," she whispered in response.
- "Stay here, Angus. Wait for Tearach and tell him whatever yo
- "Aye," he responded and watched them walk away. When he coul
- There was a knock on the door and Hugh walked in. "Tearach B
- "Have him come in," Angus instructed. He poured out two glas
- When the Goblin walked into the room, Hugh turned to them bo
- "Drink this and talk to me, friend. I think you will find Ka
- Tearach looked at the other man suspiciously. He placed his
- Angus noticed the man's right hand. A Goblin could throw a d
- "What could we possibly have to say to one another? One of m
- "No, that is true," Angus sighed. "But we might drink togeth
- Without smiling, Tearach took the whiskey Angus offered and
- "Nor should you," Angus agreed. "You are no' he."
- Tearach paced the length of the room several times while Ang
- "Why are you wasting my time? I have to make arrangements to
- Angus shook his head and poured the man another whiskey. It
- For a moment, Tearach looked at him. "What's your point, Dru
- Angus slowly lowered the glass he studied. "The point, you g
- "When I want your opinion, I'll..."
- Angus quickly stalked to where the man stood, picked him up
- Tearach twisted free from his grasp and pushed the larger ma
- "Aye," Angus nodded. "I have said those same, self-pitying w
- "The outside world doesn't, and never has, given a single da
- "And they murdered hundreds of your loved ones," Angus softl
- "Murdered?" Tearach began to pace again. "You have no idea w
- "Let me show you something?" Angus turned and walked to the
- "Yes." Tearach angrily nodded. "Exmoor was our most sacred p
- "You had best look at these images the Sorceress left for me
- Tearach looked at him suspiciously, then he took the sheets
- "Look at their faces, Goblin. Tell me they dinna' love their
- Tearach looked up at him, then he slowly looked over the pho
- "Karen found those images when she was doing her computer wo
- Reluctantly, Tearach looked. His throat constricted at the s
- "You know the men who did this dinna' care who they hurt. Yo
- For a very long time Tearach sat, looking at the papers and
- Angus saw the expression on the Goblin's face and knew Teara
- Tearach held out a hand to stop him. "Wait, I'd ... like to
- Angus nodded and walked back to the where the Goblin sat.
- "Is anything being done about this?" Tearach asked. "Did the
- "I know nothing more," Angus responded.
- "You might find this difficult to believe, especially after
- Angus placed a hand on his shoulder and sadly smiled. "I bel
- Tearach put aside the papers and photos. He slowly stood, wa
- "I am asking you to think long and hard on the effect of wha
- "What in the name of the Goddess would you have me do, then?
- "No. But hate the action and those who committed it if you m
- "What do you mean?"
- "She does no' want any ill will because she is present. And
- For a long moment Tearach stared at Angus. "I told you earli
- "Aye. She feels a need to be near the trees there."
- "As a Dryad, she'll protect it?"
- "Always."
- "Then she may have it. But I insist on one condition," he sa
- Angus smiled. "Thank you, Tearach, and you may name any cond
- Tearach was surprised at the trust that statement revealed,
- Angus nodded. "I think a meeting can be arranged." He watche
- Tearach looked at the other man and held out his hand. "My w
- "Hate has a way of doing that, my friend. I am an expert on
- "Maybe one day. Maybe." Tearach nodded. He thought for a mom
- Angus shook his head. "It will take a hard lesson to teach y
- * * * *
- "Do you well, Karen?" Angus asked as he took her outstretche
- Karen walked into his embrace. "I'm much better now. I'm sor
- "'Tis no' your fault, m'love. I have had some experience bei
- "I told her I'd be fine. She has much more important things
- Angus hugged her hard and smiled at the bell-like quality of
- "Watch what I can do." Karen stood, closed her eyes and conc
- "I thought it was some garment placed upon you for ... for b
- She shook her head and laughed. "No, it was a little sheer f
- "Aye," he whispered and ran his hands down the length of her
- While Karen watched, Angus took his clothing off as quickly
- "Here now, what causes you to shed tears, love?" Angus rocke
- "Happiness. I'm going to live and love you for a lifetime!"
- "Then 'tis I who should be weeping. You have taken a gargoyl
- Karen gazed deep into his dark eyes. "Oh, Angus. With everyt
- When she finally broke the kiss, he gazed back and told her
- Karen snuggled against his shoulder and soon drifted to slee
- "I promise that my first-born daughter shall be called Elspe
- * * * *
- From the secluded circle of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, S
- One from the outside must come into their realm. One who was
- But prophetic omens, however they were obtained, wouldn't sw
- "Comments?"
- "He'll absolutely refuse to do this." Hugh shook his head in
- "There simply isn't any other way. And Tearach will keep his
- "Aye. I hear you, my love. But he'll still make you beat him
- "And well I know it," she agreed as she clasped her hands be
- "Herne's balls! I'm not sure I want to be there when you giv
- She raised her eyebrows and turned back to the large alter s
- "Aye." Hugh sighed as he watched her walk into the darkness.
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