Dragon Knight's Medallion (33 page)

There will come a time in your life, and I pray it will be so, that you will have children. On that day, you will empathize.

I do not know where your path may lead, but if you are reading this then I can only assume it was necessary for you to return to your own time.

If it is not what you want, recall Aileen that you have the power of the fae in your blood. Seek your own path and follow your destiny. There is a reason why I put Liam in charge of running the estate.

Live the life you want, Aileen.

With love,

Your father

Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. Brushing her hands over the words, she wanted to somehow absorb something from the man who wrote them. “I wish...what do I really wish?” It was a question for which Aileen already knew the answer.

“How can I seek my own path when I can’t return there? Answer me that, Dad.”

Chapter Forty-Three

“Once love is given freely and lost, death may soon follow.” ~Stephen MacKay, as told to the Guardian

The breeze was warm on the first day of June. Birdsong filled the air and flowers blanketed the ground. A young doe skittered past its mother with a playfulness that was full of innocence.

Yet, Stephen took no joy from the day or the scene in the distance. His wounds were healing, and they would soon depart for Urquhart. He had wanted to leave days ago, but Cathal insisted a few more days would serve him best. The druid had no idea his other wound would never heal. There was an emptiness within his soul he tried to seal, but it opened each day with just a simple thought.
Aileen
.

Her loss consumed him.

“Are ye ready, brother?” Duncan wandered forth, bringing their horses.

“Aye.” Heaving himself up onto his horse, he was relieved to depart. This place contained far too many memories. By chance, some distance and home would ease the ache.

“We’re ready,” bellowed Duncan in the direction of a group of druids.

Frowning and shielding his eyes, Stephen asked, “Druids?”

Duncan kept his gaze forward. “Yes, Cathal is joining us.”

Stephen saw Osgar standing apart, speaking with Ian. “If ye do not mind, I would like to say my farewells to Osgar.”

His brother nodded.

Riding over to Osgar, he saw the man look up in surprise. Dismounting carefully, he smiled at him.

“So, ye take your leave to return to Urquhart?” Osgar asked, then added, “Ye will be missed, Stephen.”

“As I shall miss ye, too, my friend. Ye gave me a home when I had none.”

“And it will always remain a place if ye should ever decide to return. I am departing with Betha and Donal to Arbroath.”

“I thought perhaps ye might.”

Osgar frowned slightly. “I fear I must now.”

“Why is that?”

“King William has put me in charge of the abbey. I cannot deny my king, especially one who helped us here.”

Stephen smirked. “Ye could have said
no
.”

“In truth, I ken it is my path. To help others find the light in both worlds—pagan and the new religion. The world is changing, Stephen. If I am used as a tool to forge a life for someone, then so be it.” Osgar glanced down at Ian and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Both paths are joined by the one true light.
Love
.”

“Peace be with ye, Brother Osgar,” said Stephen, embracing him.

“And
peace
be with ye, Stephen.”

Then Stephen knelt before Ian. “Ye ken ye are welcome at Urquhart anytime.”

Ian flung himself into Stephen’s arms. “I will miss ye the most, Sir Stephen. Promise ye will come for a visit?”

Stephen held him tight. “I promise.” Releasing him, he asked, “When will the druids come for ye?”

“On my twelfth summer,” Ian stated proudly.

“Then if I may ask, let me escort ye to them.”

“I would be honored, Sir Stephen,” beamed Ian.

Stephen stood and mounted Grian. “Be safe my friends.”

He had only gone a few paces before he heard Ian shouting at him. Halting Grian, he waited until the lad ran forth.

“What is it Ian?”

“The light ye seek is at the gate.”

Gazing into eyes that held an old soul, he frowned. “
What
?”

Ian shrugged, then scampered off.

Rubbing a hand across his bearded face, he shook his head. “Druids and their riddles. Let’s leave this place, Grian.” Giving the horse a nudge, they took off in search of Duncan.

Stephen saw him near a copse with Cathal and the look on his face was deadly. They had not even departed and trouble was brewing? Stephen clenched his jaw in frustration.

Reining his horse near the group, he blurted out, “Is there a problem, Duncan?”

Obviously there was, because Patrick MacFhearguis was on the other side, placing items on his horse. Duncan may have made peace with this one, but he still had his doubts.

“Would ye care to tell my brother what ye just told me,” growled Duncan.

Patrick sighed. “As I’ve stated before, though we have all come to an agreement regarding Lachlan, Michael is still intent on either getting a hold of the relics, Urquhart,
or both
.”

Duncan crossed his arms across his chest and glared at Patrick. “Oh, but ye have saved the best for last, and why ye did not tell me before is a question I would like answered.”

Instinctively, Stephen placed his hand on his sword. “Finish, MacFhearguis.”

Patrick held Stephen’s gaze. “My loyalty will always be with my laird, no matter how I may disagree.”

“Out with it!” snapped Stephen.

“Michael took a group of men several days after I left with Duncan. They were headed to Urquhart.”

“Bloody hell!” roared Stephen, lunging at Patrick.

Duncan interceded, blocking his path and holding him back. His eyes, which just moments before held fury, now held mirth. Stephen bit back a retort.

“No more violence, for now,” said Duncan quietly.

His brother was not telling him everything.

Duncan turned and faced Patrick. “Should we take ye hostage until we arrive at Urquhart?”

Patrick stared angrily at him. “If that is what it will take to prove my loyalty to ye, then here.” Thrusting out his hands at Duncan, he added, “I am yours.”

Silence ensued.

“I think it best ye return to your home, Patrick. I do not fear your brother, since I would never leave my wife and Urquhart unguarded.”

Patrick’s eyes narrowed. “Ye knew?”

Shaking his head, Duncan answered, “Nae. Yet, I would not leave them alone—undefended.” Grasping his shoulder, he looked into his eyes. “Go home. I ken Michael is your laird and brother, but watch him closely. Evil still lurks in his heart, and I do not know how far Lachlan’s grasp extends.”

“In truth, he had Alex with him. I made him vow to watch our brother and make sure no harm came to anyone at Urquhart.” He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Michael is seeking knowledge about Adam.”

“He still believes we might have been involved.” Duncan looked at Stephen. “I ken the feeling, so I will let the matter pass. Tell him that, for if I find he is on our land without a summons, I will not be to blame for what happens to him.”

Patrick nodded in understanding. “Will ye help us find Adam?”

“Aye. I will ask Cormac Murray and the others to start spreading the word. Yet, my first interest is finding
my
brothers.”

“As it should be,” stated Patrick. Giving a brief glance at Stephen, he turned to leave.

“Safe journey, Patrick,” spoke Cathal, and then added, “I will ask the other druids if they can lend a hand in your search of Adam. That is, if ye will allow us.”

“Any help would do. Thank ye.”

Stephen eyed him skeptically as he walked away. “Adam did not die that night?”

Duncan tensed. “Nae. His injuries were severe. Six moons after he healed, he left without a word. They feared he had sought vengeance with one of us and died.”

“’Tis madness,” spat Stephen.

“’Tis Lachlan’s doing,” muttered Cathal.

Stephen’s gut twisted at the mention of the druid. Memories of that night sliced through his mind. “Let us leave this place.”

“Aye, brother.”

****

It took them a day longer to reach Urquhart due to Stephen’s injuries. Of all the brothers, he healed the quickest, but not this time. Cathal had mentioned to Duncan that perhaps he was prolonging the pain in order not to feel the one in his heart. Duncan assured him that once he was back at Urquhart, he would regain his strength.

However, his heart was another matter.

Passing through and over the ridge, he waited until Stephen caught up. By the Gods, his brother looked like he had aged a decade. He had refused to shave, as was his normal custom, and let his hair grow. Dark hollows were under his eyes, and he had hardly eaten on their journey. Duncan did not recognize the man in front of him.

“We are home, brother,” said Duncan, giving him a smile.

“It is good,” whispered Stephen.

As soon as they passed through the portcullis, Nell came screaming forth, followed by her faithful companion, Cuchulainn. The dog never left her side.

Duncan spotted Finn trudging along. He had only been gone a month, but he swore the lad had grown another foot. Dismounting, he gathered Nell into his arms.

“Och, Father, we missed ye,” gushed Nell.

Duncan smiled. “As I did with ye, little lady.” Placing her down, he hugged Finn, ruffling his hair.

Stephen sat on Grian his mouth gaped open.

Observing the shocked expression on his brother’s face, he placed a hand on each child’s shoulder, saying, “Stephen, this is Finn and Nell. My children.”

“This is your brother,
Sir Stephen
?” exclaimed Nell.

Duncan’s smile grew wide. “Aye.”

Finn’s eyes went round. “Truth?”

The laughter that burst forth from Duncan startled Stephen. He could not remember the last time he had seen his brother laugh, or even
embrace
a child.

“
Children
?” Stephen croaked.

“Duncan!”

Duncan turned and the sight that greeted him was one he would never forget. The woman had the most untamed mass of reddish curls he had ever seen. And eyes for only him. He glanced at Stephen, whose mouth gaped open in shock. Chuckling, he said, “We have much to discuss brother,” barely getting the words out before Brigid ran into his arms.

“Damn, I’ve missed ye,” she murmured right before Duncan gave her a searing kiss.

Breaking from the kiss, Duncan caught Stephen’s gaze and noticed his brother was still on his horse. “Would ye care to dismount from that beast and greet my wife?”

Now it was Brigid’s turn to gape at Stephen. “Which one?”

Remembering some sense of dignity, Stephen got off his horse. “I am Stephen, my lady.”

Brigid’s smile warmed him. “Please, call me Brigid. Welcome home, Stephen.” She stepped forward and embraced him.

It was as if she cast a spell over him. Without realizing it, Stephen was smiling. “Thank ye. It is good to be back.”

“Finn will take care of Grian. Shall we?” Duncan waved for Stephen to go forth sensing his unease. His first visit back was filled with the last time they had left the place. Anger and fear had seeped into each of them ending in a night which changed their lives forever.

Several children ran past Stephen, and he glanced their way. “There are some who are familiar and new faces. Ye have been busy, brother.”

“Would ye like to see my family, Sir Stephen?”

He looked down at the lass. “Nell, is it?”

She beamed a smile. “Aye.”

“Call me Stephen, Nell. Your
family
?” he asked in confusion.

“Nell...” Brigid stood with her hands on her hips, her head angled. “Remember what we told you about Stephen. Let him bathe and eat, then you can take him to meet your family.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Aye, I will wait. But he has not given me an answer.” She pivoted her head up to look at him. “Will ye?”

Stephen nodded his head in agreement, though a frown marred his features.

Giving his hand a firm squeeze, she ran off.

“Family?” he replied mystified.

Brigid smiled. “Her family consists of many misfit and injured animals. She has a gift when it comes to animals, and they adore her. Duncan actually built a special enclosure for them when we returned early in the spring.”

“Ye were away?” he asked.

“We stayed with Cormac Murray at Castle Creag during the winter months. I was recovering from injuries and could not travel far.”

“Lachlan.” His voice strained.

She only nodded. Walking over to him, her frown was replaced with a smile. “I asked that the tub be brought into your room, and they’re filling it as we speak.”

Holding up his hand, he responded, “Nae, it will not be required. I will go down to the loch.”

“But it’s no trouble, since we keep it in our room...” Her words trailed off, followed by a blush staining her cheeks.

“In truth, I have never required a tub for bathing.”

Duncan coughed, and Brigid turned around. Gathering her around his waist, he brought her close to him. “Stephen has the gift of water. He can have heated water anytime,” he smirked.

Her eyes grew wide. “You can control the temperature of the water, as Duncan can do with the wind.
Fascinating
.”

“I will gather some clothing before going down to the loch.” Making his way past them, Stephen paused. Taking a step back toward Brigid, he grasped her hand and placed a kiss along her fingers. “I thank ye for the love ye have brought to my brother’s heart,” he said softly.

When he finally walked away, Duncan and Brigid stood in silence. Brigid moved and laid her head against his chest. “He is not the brother I ken.” His tone was one filled with sorrow.

She hugged him fiercely, “Is this how you were...in the beginning?”

“Aye,” he whispered.

Looking up into his face, she brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. “Oh Duncan, do you think there is a chance?”

He glanced back to where his brother had disappeared. “Cathal has informed me that his road is clouded. Aileen slipped through the veil under odd circumstances. Laws were broken by her Fenian Warrior.”