Chapter 23

The next morning came late for Ian, but he’d made it to break his fast in time. Halfway through the meal he looked up and saw Lauren descending the steps. Then everyone looked up from the tables in the great room as Lauren walked down the stairs. He noticed he looked like hell and knew immediately he’d had a rough night, most likely more dreams of Merlin. “You look like a damn bull pulled you through the gates of hell,” he said with a mouthful of biscuits and jam.

“I have a lot tae tell you. Been a busy night.” Lauren rounded the corner and had to take a seat down from his usual place. He saw him look down the line of brothers at the stranger sitting in his usual spot. “Who’s that?”

“He’s my first, Lysanthir,” he replied. “Anything you got tae say, you can do so in front of him.”

“Pleased tae meet you, Lysanthir. Weel, I dreamt all night aboot Merlin, then aboot King Arthur. It went back and forth all night.”

“Were you able to contact the angels?”

“Nae, I tried at first, but my dreams went immediately to Merlin, then were busy all night. I didn’t think I’d be able to contact them anyway. My dreams usually just receive. I have on occasion reached out, but it doesn’t seem to work that way.”

The cook interrupted. “Breakfast?” She asked Lauren from a doorway.

“Please,” he replied.

“Be right there.”

“Anyway, as I was saying. I was walking a long narrow hall, all made of wood. It was dark even with a lit torch. Dark wood, polished floors, walls, and ceiling. Each side of the hall had doors. Rows of them. At the end of the hall I could go left, right, or straight up some stairs. I went left. I came tae a high gathering room.

“It made me think monastery, because it had an alter with crosses on the wall. I walked to the alter, and before it, laying on the floor, was a dead priest. I left and went back to the hall. At the right was another hallway with more doors. I heard a moan and it sounded like it was coming from the upstairs.”

The maid returned putting a trencher of food in front of Lauren. “Thank you,” he said grabbing a piece of bread, swathing it through thick gravy.

“I went up the stairs and came tae a door where I heard the moaning. I could not open it, it was locked. So, I floated through. It was a huge room. Dark like the rest of the place, eerie it was. There was Merlin tied tae a wooden chair. His hair flying in all directions. Beat up he was, and lookin’ older than usual. He was alone, but he looked up and saw me. He tried tae speak, so I went closer.

“The dream you had about my room,” he told me. “It wasn’t future, it was past. Athdar had some of my ether before your dream. He’s barely keeping me alive. He comes every day and drains my ether leaving just enough to keep me alive. It gives him power. He said he’d kill me in front of Ian and Elspeth before he killed them. Take some of my hair. Do it, before you leave. Locator sp…sp…spell. Hurry though, he wants King Arthur, and he’s using my knowledge to find him…must save…”

“Then he passed out. I have never had a dream about the past afore, so this was news tae me, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t wake up with a handful of Merlin’s hair. Doona ask me how that happened, because I couldn’t answer that, probably Merlin. Anyway, I dinna ken where he was, so I went to the window to look out. The place was in the clouds. I went downstairs and ran past the priest and ootside. It was surrounded by clouds. I ran a distance and if I hadn’t been watchin’, I’d have run off a cliff. It’s up in the clouds somewhere. I just doona ken where.”

“Did you notice anythin’ else?” he asked, putting down his knife.

“Yes, verra sad, but not important. I looked through a few doors and found dead boys. I couldn’t look through anymore, after the first couple doors.”

Everyone was quiet.

“After that my dream changed tae King Arthur. There’s Kearals and Asurads heading to Arthur’s now. Not an army, but a league of soldiers. Half Asurads and half Kearals. If it were a legion of them, we wouldn’t make it.

“I doona think Drakkor and Athdar have that many yet. There’s still time tae beat them, but we have no time for training. These men have tae go Ian. Arthur’s in danger. Trained or not they have tae go. They ken either how to get through the barrier Merlin placed or he’s so weak he can’t hold it. Arthur, his men, the kingdom, all sitting ducks, and these people doona care if it’s men, women, or children they kill. I’m tellin’ you, they’re ruthless.”

He cleared his throat and sat back. “Weel, Angus is going to Mystic Kingdom tae take care of the kingdom and queen. You have tae take his place with the army. That leaves Dougal, and Cameron here tae find out aboot Merlin. I’m taking Elspeth to Mither’s as soon as we’re done eating. I ken you probably doona like it, but I will pull no quarter aboot it,” he said, turning toward her. She didn’t respond, instead sat quiet in thought, staring down at her plate, so he continued.

“Lauren, you ready Angus’ Squadron. Connor, Finn, and Taryn the same with yours. I’m going with you, and all squadrons are goin’ ready or not. Conall I ken you are working with Dougal and Cameron, but I want you with us as weel. You may see somethin’ we doona ken aboot. Dougal and Cameron will have tae find Merlin. We canna take the chance with King Arthur being captured. We leave in the morning. Training as usual.

“Lys, with the men. Watch each Squadron in training, give your best advice, and hope tae hell they take it. Make note of the strongest and smartest. We’ll split them up evenly.” He turned once again to Elspeth. “Els, I need you tae not argue with me on this. I need tae ken your safe.” He stood and held out his hand for hers. “I canna take you with us. It’s too far, I ken you wanted to be here for the war, but this is a simple battle for King Arthur and it is far away, so doona argue. Please.” He looked at her pleadingly. He couldn’t take her, not now, not after what happened with King Rulm, it was still too damn raw.

She took his hand, a quiet understanding showing on her face, their united souls saying more than his words, and said, “I ken I said I wanted to be here for the fight, and I want tae be, but if you feel it is a simple battle, and all will be weel, I’ll go tae your Mither’s, but Ian, anything else I have tae be here for. On this I will not argue with you, so let me be clear on future battles. I doona care how far they are, I am nae going to cower from my duty as a healer, and if you have need of me on this one, I expect you tae get me right away. You have tae promise that. With that being said, I shall enjoy your Mither and sisters, I look forward to it. Let me pack and I’ll be ready.”

She was back rather quickly, he was surprised, but then again, she didn’t have much. Mental note; talk to mither.

Angus entered and was ready to go with them. He nodded to Angus. “Let me call Ator and we’ll be on our way.”

He called for the dragon, he was big enough to take three through the veils. He could drop them to outer earth at the McGregor Keep, where he could stay with Elspeth while Ator continued to inner earth to drop Angus at Mystic Kingdom.

He’d have to use the Mystic Mountain portal. Then Ator would return, pick him up and take him back to Wesladus so he would be ready to leave in the morning with his men. That would give him some time to spend with Elspeth and his family.

He grinned and wondered what Angus would look like granitized. The only portal he knew straight to inner earth was Mystic Mountain and the gargoyles. There was the stationary portal to Wesladus, but it only went to outer earth.

He wished he could take his men via this portal, but the gargoyles had only given permission for him to use it. He knew they wouldn’t let any more men through. It was pressing it just taking Angus, and he sure didn’t want to alienate his new friends in any way.

They didn’t have any other way to create a portal. He missed Merlin. Suddenly he felt very sad for him, thinking about his pain. He hoped with all he had, that the old wizard would make it.

He took Els bag and grabbed her hand and led her outside. He looked at her. “Els, I would rather be with you right now. I had planned on spending several days with you, at least ’til you were healed. Until Lauren’s dream…”

“Shush,” she said. “I love you, Ian, I understand. You need tae be with your men. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I also ken why you doona want me at this battle. I really do understand. To tell you the truth I’m not yet over my fears of what happened. I’m not sure I would be much help.”

She touched her injured eye. “Thank you for not mentioning why you doona want me tae go and for kenning why it would be hard for me tae right now. I want tae go tae your Mither’s. I think I need her right now. Besides, I’m verra fond of her and your sisters. They want to make my wedding dress. I want them tae. You’ll be back, you have tae. You’re tae marry me.” She teared up.

“Nae, stop Els. You ken I’ll make it back. Nothing can keep me from you. I love you. I’ll always love you.”

“I doona ken what’s wrong with me. I never cry and I’ve done so much of it lately.” She hurriedly wiped at her face.

He kissed her gently and wondered what his Mither would say about her eye. He’d have to tell her the story. “You’ve been through a lot sweetling. No need tae think anything of it. I mean that. I wouldn’t have let you go even if you had insisted, you ken that doona you?”

“Yes, I ken. Thank you.”

“Och, Bullocks Els, if anythin’ were tae happen tae you…”

“Shush,” she said and leaned up to kiss him.

“Ah, here’s Ator. Angus!” he shouted, “Ready?”

Ator flew straight, no sightseeing, and dropped them at the front door. Moira and the girls came running out screaming “Ian’s on a dragon! He’s so big! He’s beautiful!” Moira smiled, “Aye, I can see that.”

He noticed Ator loved the attention. He carefully lowered his wing to let him down, then turned to the young ladies. He nuzzled each, which garnered a pat, a pet, a few kisses, and a lot of squeals. Moira asked if Angus was coming down. He answered in the negative and said Ian would fill her in. Finally, he stopped the girls. “Angus has tae leave. I’ll explain.”

“Do you want tae explain Elspeth’s eye,” Moira asked sternly. “I ken you dinna do it. So how did that happen?”

“I’ll explain all when we…”

“Ian, Elspeth!” Akira came running up leaving the other girls to watch Ator fly away. “How did you get tae be friends with a dragon? Think I can ride sometime? Elspeth, what happened tae your eye? Ian, did you hit her?” She put her hands on her hips, tilted her head, and drew in a deep breath.

Elspeth laughed, “Nae your brother would never hit me. He saved me though. I’d be dead if he hadn’t.”

The other girls came running, screaming for Elspeth. They stopped dead in their tracks. “What happened tae your eye?” They all asked at once.

Akira answered. “Ian didn’t hit her! He saved her.” Fiona took one arm and Catriona took the other. They led her through the front doors. “You must tell us what happened,” Akira said right behind them. “You can see the fabrics now, Och, you canna get married with your eye swollen like that!”

“Akira!” he shouted.

She flinched. “I mean I hope your eye is better in time for the weddin’. Mither thinks summer will be nice. What do you think? That way everyone can travel here and it’s so beautiful by the loch then. A wedding. Do you think I’ll ever get married?”

Elspeth laughed, “Why of course you will. You all will, you’re all so beautiful.”

“I willna,” said Catriona. “I wish to be a warrior like my brothers.”

“Oh, Catriona there are many ways we women are warriors. The biggest challenge is taking care of the men.” Elspeth laughed, and so did the girls. Holding on to Elspeth, they led her up the stairs to the solarium.

“I have a mark mither.” He pulled down his shirt so she could see the dragon above his heart, as they walked inside. “I saved his life, and with the mark we can talk tae each other. I understand all the dragons and they me. But they doona use their mouth, it’s crazy, they speak through thought.”

“That’s wonderfully exciting Ian. The girls are thrilled. I doona ken if I want them riding a dragon though. I see that’s nae the only mark you have,” she said, smiling. “You and Elspeth. I’m happy for you. You’ve been busy saving a lot of lives lately. Your da would be so proud. You must tell me everythin’. I’ll get the mead, you sit.”

He sat as his mother poured mead into his tankard. “Mither, I almost lost Elspeth. The king from Mystic Mountain was ready tae violently take her, any later and…”

“Did you kill him?”

“I most certainly did and I’d kill him again if I could.”

“Good. Now tell me everythin’.”

So, he did. When he finished, he said, “Mither, Elspeth hasn’t much. I have gold stashed in my box, in my bedchamber. Please take her tae market and buy her dresses and some fancy jewelry.

“She likes nice things, and she’s never had them. She has only a few gowns Merlin gave her, and only two nightdresses. I want her tae have whatever she wants. I love her, mither. I want her tae be happy.

“Will you do that? I would, but I doona ken how long this war will be. I doona ken if we’ll ever get Merlin back, or if we can save King Arthur. Please take care of Els for me? I’ll talk tae her aboot it so she willna worry and will buy some nice things.”

“I will son. I love her like a daughter. I will take her tae market. The girls have been beggin’ me tae anyway.”

“Weel, time for Ator. I’d like tae see Els afore I leave. Speaking of which…”

Down came the giggling girls with Elspeth laughing the loudest. He watched her as she came down. His mother touched his shoulder, “She’s bonnie, Ian.”

“Oh, Aye, she certainly is…” He got up to meet her, and he took her in his arms and kissed her. She blushed, and the girls giggled. “Come let’s walk down tae the loch,” he said as he put his arm around her and led her out through the doors.

They stopped at the edge of the water, silently looking out over the loch. “Els, I want you tae ken I love you. I’m goin’ tae miss you terribly. I promise as soon as we’re done with Arthur, I’ll be back tae pick you up.

“I also want you tae ken something. I’ve worked many years and have amassed a fortune. I’m tellin’ you, because I asked mither tae take you tae market. I would do so myself, but weel you ken what we’re facing right now. Anyway, I told her tae make sure you get whatever you want.”

“Ian, I have all I want. You.”

“Please Els, buy some dresses, a lot of dresses, and make them fancy with some jewels, and some fine nightdresses like Merlin got you.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I want tae see you in fine things. You’re bonnie, and such a bonnie lady, should wear bonnie things. I’d like tae see you in them. If nae for you, then me. Match everythin, up. I want tae see what you pick. Please Els have fun, and don’t worry aboot the cost. I have more than enough.”

“Aye, I will. I shall have fun and think of you every minute.” He knew she was trying hard to be brave but knew the instant she lost the battle. “Oh, bullocks,” she said, and broke out sobbing. “I see Ator coming. I doona want tae let you go,” she said, teary eyed. She reached up and kissed him, and she sobbed through their kiss. He grabbed ahold of her and crushed his lips to hers. “I love you Els…” he whispered. “Doona worry, I’ll be back.”

“I love you, Ian McGregor.” She sobbed back, out of breath.

“Els,” he said, pausing. “I have something for you.” He reached inside the pocket of his tartan and withdrew something. He could feel a rare boyish blush spread across his face, he couldn’t help it. He’d never told anyone about what he had carried with him since he was a boy. He held out his hand.

She looked at him surprised and wiped her eyes. He opened his hand, in it lie a very small, crude, carved horse. “I made this as a boy. I kind of think of it as my magical stallion. He would always take me safely through battle and bring me oot alive…”

“Ian it’s beautiful, but I can’t take that, it’s good luck for you,” she said sobbing more.

“Hush, sweetling and dry those tears. I want you tae have it. If it meant nothing tae me, what kind of gift would it be tae you?” he said as he sighed. “I’ve ne’er shown this tae anyone, you are the first. When I was young I pretended I was as good a wizard as Merlin. I thought if I could make this magical stallion he would see to it I would always be safe.

“I pulled plants from the ground and I have no idea what they were. I crushed them in a bowl and said some non-sense over them, then thought I had made the most magical thing ever, then I burned the leaves or plants, held the horse in the smoke, mumbled some more nonsense, and thought I created the perfect magic token.”

He stroked her face. “I have carried the darn thing for near eight hundred years, now I want you tae have it. Think of me when you get lonely and ken I will be back. Ken, I love you, Els, please,” he said as he put it in her hand and closed her fingers over it.

Tears streamed down her face. “I do…do…doona ken what tae say Ian. You mean more tae me than anything or anyone I have ever ken. This means more tae me than any gift I could ever get. But, I canna lose you. I just canna. Please…” she looked at him pleadingly. She paused, then quietly relented. “I swear, Ian, be quick with this battle, come back as soon as you can, whole. I need you. I mean it.”

“I ken you do, Els. I’ll be back. I promise. Now Ator is waiting, I must go. Remember I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ian. With all my heart,” and she desperately kissed him again. He finally let go of her and her eyes never left him as he climbed aboard Ator, and they took off. He watched her stand there while her silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and thought he had never seen anything lovelier, he watched until he couldn’t see her any longer. He sighed then, he already missed her.

****

When Ian got back to Wesladus the place was in chaos. People rushing everywhere. Lysanthir was directing and his brothers were shouting at their groups.

He walked toward the castle to have a few words with Dougal, Conall, and Cameron. He found them on the fourth floor in the wizard’s lab.

Dougal was casting a locator spell. A map was laying on the table and he dangled a pendulum over it. Tied to it was some hair. Must be Merlin’s. He watched as the object turned around in circles.

“Will that find Merlin?”

“Truth? I think they have him cloaked. Unless I can find a spell to break it, I willna be able tae find Merlin. I’ve tried several times. Back tae the book, I guess. You ready for tomorrow?”

“Aye, as ready as I’ll ever be. Weel I must pack. See you at dinner?”

“We’ll be there,” answered Conall.

Dinner was busy. Cameron talked about the book. “I think I may have found something aboot cloaking. We’re going to try it tomorrow. We’ll try a cloak, then try breaking it, if it works, I may be able to break the one on Merlin. It will take his hair and some blood. It’s supposed to be from Athdar’s bloodline, since he made the cloaking spell, but I may be able to try something else. The only blood relative I ken was reborn… That’s it! Athdar is reborn. Why dinna I think of that? Och! I’m so stupid!”

“What the hell is your geggie goin’ on aboot? Are you nuts now?” Ian pushed worogild into his mouth.

“No,” he said, obviously disappointed. “I was wrong. Never mind. Athdar wasn’t born. I’ll figure it oot.”

He shook his head at his brother, sighed, and turned to Lysanthir. “Lysanthir you got the list of men I asked you for?”

“Yes, right here.”

“I’ll take it up with me and divide these men equal with the squadrons. We’ll go over maneuvers in the mornin’. Connor have you some strategies figured out?”

“Aye, I do. I’m still flattening out some wrinkles. I’ll finish tonight and we’ll go over them in the mornin’.”

“If we’re done I’m headin’ up, I got some things tae do. You should all turn in early. Who kens after tonight, how much rest anyone will get. See you at sun rise.”