Chapter 13

Arthur’s group entered Grimwood forest. Angus listened intently for any noise that seemed out of place. He was rather uneasy, and since he was in charge of this expedition, it lay on his shoulders to see to King Arthur’s safety. He had always been the one to back up Ian, even when Eogahan was alive. Eoghan was a good man, but not the fighter or leader that he and Ian turned out to be. If ever there was a question, Ian sought out Angus for help instead of his twin.

So, it was an unsaid truth, that if anything were to happen to Ian, Angus would take his place. Always to be in charge when Ian wasn’t there, he once again listened for any trouble. It was a rather dark lush forest with small rays of light filtering through. It was still cold and small thinning patches of snow gave way to last year’s coat of leaves. Where the sun hit, frost glittered.

The horses pranced and crunched through snow and twigs, snorting cloudy mists. They were tired and so were the men. Here they would camp. Angus rode up beside Arthur. “We’ve made good time Arthur, but we still have another day’s journey tae Mystic Mountain. Do you still wish tae continue on?” Angus was hoping for some answers, but so far Arthur was tight lipped. “Arthur how long have we been friends? Why are you lookin’ for this lady? Is she the only reason you’re makin’ this trip?”

“Angus, we’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. It’s extremely important that I find this woman. Please as a friend, don’t ask me why. I won’t tell you or anyone else. Just trust me that it is imperative that I do. I will just say that I know she is in a lot of trouble.”

“All right Arthur, you ken best, and we will help you the best we can. You ken that.”

With that Angus rode ahead to his brothers. “Connor, will you scout for a place to camp. With luck, we can camp early and maybe hunt a worogild for dinner. We have some rations, but something hot sounds good for the cold bones. It will lift the spirits of the men.”

“Sure, I’ll split off now. Finn! With me! We’re tae find us a good place tae camp. You look east, I’ll go west.”

****

Connor kicked the sides of his horse and took off. It wasn’t long and he came to a small clearing with a creek running through it. He jumped off his stallion and tied the reins to a tree. He went to the creek and bent down, cupping his hands, he splashed the cold water over his face then drank deep.

Glancing up he searched the edge of the forest to make sure it was safe. While contemplating the campsite, he was tapped on the shoulder. Without thinking he pulled his sword out as he jumped to his feet. He almost took the man’s head off, but stopped just in time. “Merlin, you lavvy heid! I almost carved a smile in your neck! Doona you ever do that again! I could’ve killed you! I dinna see your portal or hear you. What are you doin’ here?”

“Checking on you boys and Arthur. Why are you here? You are close to Mystic Kingdom. What are you and your brothers thinking letting him come here? Where’s Angus?”

“Weel we have a problem, and you ken how stubborn Arthur can be. He’s got a stick up his arse over some lady he’s really angry at, and he willna tell us why. We’ve tried tae talk him out of lookin’ for this Elspeth McLellan who’s wanted for treason, but he insists on takin’ the law in his own hands. So, we figure we’ll help catch her and get back to his castle as quickly as possible. At least he can concentrate on her punishment and stay outta trouble focused on that.”

Merlin stroked his beard the entire time Connor was talking. “No, Connor, now there’s a problem. You see Elspeth McLellan is innocent. She is also a healer who happened to catch King Rulm assaulting and killing a young lady. He wants her dead because of it. We need her. She’s an integral part of our forces against this evil we face. She’s the only healer we have. She is also going to be the wife of your brother Ian.”

“What! What did you just say?” He ran his hands back through his blond hair, then down over his face. “Merlin, being a traitor isn’t the only reason King Arthur wants her, maybe not even the main one. He’s verra preoccupied with whatever she’s done tae anger him, and he’s nae tellin’ anyone what that is. He’s adamant aboot getting her. We tried keeping him at the palace, but he is not bein’ swayed. Tell me Merlin, what the hell is goin’ on?”

With a furrowed brow and frown Merlin filled him in on what had happened. When he finished, he sat on a log staring at the creek. Connor sat down beside him. For a moment, they were silent, and the bubbling creek was the only sound.

After a bit, he broke out laughing. Merlin turned to him with a scowl. “What the hell is so damn funny?”

Between snorts and trying to catch his breath he got out. “Ian…” hahaha, Ian and a friggin’ dragon?” With more uncontrollable laughter he doubled over. “Wait ’til the rest of the boys hear the story.”

Merlin grinned. “Now stop. We have more important things to consider, so you better pull it together. Seriously Connor. You must keep Arthur away from Mystic Kingdom for at least a few days. Ian and Elspeth are going to get inside the castle to find out what they can about Drakkor. Ian needs time to find out as much as he can. Somehow, we have to keep Arthur from Elspeth. They must stay separated. Let’s go see Arthur and I’ll talk to him.”

****

Angus was talking with Arthur when Connor returned with Merlin in tow. Arthur was frustrated and it showed clearly on his face. When he saw Merlin, his expression changed to joy. “Merlin so good to see you. You, old goat! To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I’ve come for a visit.”

Arthur laughed. “Checking up on me is more like it. If you’re here trouble follows. So, let’s make camp and you can tell me what that trouble is. Fair?”

“Toads,” Merlin mumbled, frowning. “Between you and Ian I’m going to end up turning you both in to toads. Old goat my ass.”

“That’s old too, old man.”

Merlin broke out in laughter. Arthur jumped down from his horse and hugged him. “Welcome, Merlin. I haven’t feasted my eyes on you in ages, and you haven’t changed a bit. Looks like life’s been good to you. How fair you?”

“Good, good. Connor found a good place to lay camp. Why don’t we do that and we can talk. Sounds li…” Suddenly a ball of fire flew past Merlin’s ear and stopped him dead in the middle of his sentence. “Damn! Kearals! The new and improved demons! Angus, you’re the one in charge! I’ve got Arthur.”

Suddenly they were surrounded. Kearals stood with hands full of fire balls. One stepped forward. “We want the king and his men and they’ll live. Fight and you all die.”

He looked at Merlin. Merlin tilted his head. Angus understood and gave the McGregor war cry and hoped Merlin could keep Arthur safe. No longer noticing where Merlin was going with Arthur, Angus jumped in the fray swinging his sword.

His brothers followed giving their own war cry and Arthur’s soldiers quickly joined in the battle. The horses scattered in fear. With fae power, he threw up his arms and called upon the rain. Icy sheets pounded down around them, making seeing almost non-existent. The Kearals balls of fire fizzled out before they hit. He stopped the rain, then the brothers charged the Kearals. There was a group of three and Finn brought forth lightning upon them. They burst to flame and then turned to dust.

Connor yelled, “Angus behind you!”

Angus sliced off one Kearals head, pivoted and sliced off the two behind him without breaking stride. One of the Kearals called on the earth and the ground beneath rumbled. Dust spewed in geysers making it hard to see. Taryn brought forth gale winds blowing dust and dirt away. All the while the McGregors fought on.

Arthur’s soldiers did their best, but Arthur had brought only a small convoy. They were falling fast.

Angus, Connor, Taryn, and Finn were eating through the Kearals quickly. Suddenly there were only three Keral left standing. Seeing that they were alone without support the Keral showed their fear by fleeing.

He looked around for Arthur and Merlin and did not see them. He was not surprised. Arthur’s twelve soldiers were dead. He did not know how many Kearal there were, because dust piles where blown or washed away. He knew some escaped. Not good. They stood in silence. Everyone was cut up and bleeding from battle, but their wounds were already healing.

He took a deep breath and then spoke. “They were our brothers. The Ocrul, Crimson Keepers…fae and vampire. This madness has to be stopped!” He turned and looked at his brothers breathing heavily, bloodied, their swords tilted toward the ground, slumped shoulders. They all felt it, their brethren, dead. Arthur’s soldiers all dead. Angus looked up. “Merlin!” A portal opened and out stepped Merlin.

With a glance around, Merlin said, “Come. We’re going to Pendragon, Arthur’s there.”

He followed his brothers through the portal.