Child of the Kindred, page 81
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“But…but I like Shannon. She is so bright and eager,” Laurel sobbed into Caleb’s chest.
Caleb sighed once again, smiling and closing his eyes for a moment, no longer frustrated, realising she could not help herself. He recalled what Quinlan had told him earlier this evening, about the frailties of a very pregnant woman’s temperament.
“I am not telling you not to have her come to visit. I simply do not wish for you to begin any formal lessons until after the baby is born. There has been far too much going on, and you will become more exhausted. Can we reach a compromise?” he asked, lifting her chin to look at him.
“Alright. No more lessons until after the baby. May I still have my herb garden?” Laurel entreated, her eyes still teary and emotional.
“Of course you can dearest. I just do not want you walking up and down the stairs more than once a day,” Caleb explained, trying to sound reasonable.
“May Shannon still come and help me in the garden twice a week?” Laurel asked, sitting up and wiping her eyes.
“Hmm, that sounds like lessons to me,” Caleb said, smiling drolly at her.
“Well…well no, not really. She will be helping me plant herbs, and trimming them and such. We will, of course, talk about them, but that is not really lessons,” Laurel replied, her eyes now brighter and no longer tearful.
Caleb smiled at her in amusement, tucking her hair behind her ear and caressing her cheek.
“Very well, mo stor. I wish for you to remain upstairs for the next two days. If your ankles are still swollen in the morning, you will be staying in bed. Your tears will not change my mind, I do not care if you think I am mean,” Caleb said smiling, and kissing her lips tenderly.
“I do not think you are mean, Sire,” Laurel rejoined, smiling coyly at him.
“That is not what you said this morning,” he laughed, then began kissing her neck.
“That is because you were mean, this morning,” Laurel giggled, as Caleb nibbled her neck and earlobe.
“No, I told you to stop obsessing over silly details about dinner. You were becoming quite frazzled and ill-tempered,” Caleb argued back, laying them back against the pillows facing each other.
“They were not silly details, and you were very mean and boorish,” Laurel teased back, giggling at his expression.
“Oh, boorish was I? You have gotten away with quite a bit of sass since you have been pregnant. Do not think it will always be this way,” Caleb remarked with a roguish grin, pulling her closer.
“Of course it will be, silly,” Laurel replied, now laughing at Caleb’s smile as his eyes were showing he was enjoying this little game.
“Well, be prepared to be disappointed, Your Highness. Remember that little lesson I taught you when I returned from patrol? I feel I shall have to do so once again,” Caleb smiled wickedly, as he kissed her passionately.
“No, I do not think so, my Prince. I shall be a bit busy a few weeks after the baby arrives,” Laurel giggled, gliding her fingers through his hair.
“I know. It shall not be until you are feeling fully recovered and stronger, of course,” Caleb replied with a mocking grin.
“Oh, well that is most kind of you, Sire,” Laurel giggled, drawing her hands across his back as he pulled her closer.
“Yes, I really think I shall make a whole day of it,” Caleb said, laughing back at Laurel’s reaction of wide-eyed surprise and laughing out loud.
“A whole day? That is a bit much, do you not think?” Laurel enquired, still laughing.
“No, not at all. I actually am quite looking forward to it,” Caleb countered back, laughing quietly at Laurel’s shrill hilarity.
“Can we not reach a compromise?” Laurel asked coyly, this time it was Caleb’s turn to laugh out loud.
“Fine. Here is the compromise. I teach you a lesson, then I have my way with you, for at least an hour or so,” he said in a deep and seductive voice, drawing his finger slowly down her face.
“Hmm, I suppose that is fair,” she answered, with an impish smile.
Caleb laughed softly, then took her mouth in a possessive kiss.
“You are my weakness, and you know this,” he whispered huskily, kissing her neck hungrily.
“Yes, I do Sire. And you are mine,” Laurel whispered back, in a trembling voice.
Caleb smiled at her adoringly, gently removing her nightgown, and having her lay on her side. He tenderly began kissing her shoulders and back, as he softly caressed her hip, smiling at hearing her whimper with emotion.
“How does this make you feel, mo stor?” Caleb asked in a low, deep voice resuming his sensual affections.
“I…I feel beautiful, Caleb,” Laurel sighed in contentment.
“Because you are, my sweet Laurel. You are the most beautiful and precious thing in my life, and you always shall be. That is why you must let me take care of you,” Caleb whispered back, kissing her shoulder again before turning her to face him. “Do you understand, my darling? You must let me do this. I will be arranging things differently for us, very soon, here at the Lodge. You must not argue with me, just trust me, I will make you happy. You will be very pleased with what I have arranged for you, for us. Will you trust me? Will you let me do this?” Caleb asked in the rich, deep tone, Laurel found irresistible.
She looked at him questioningly for a moment, then smiled at his expression. There was nothing but love, and a quiet entreaty in his eyes, as she reached up to glide her hand through his hair.
“Yes, my Prince. Of course, I trust you. I shall concede to your request, Sire,” Laurel said quietly, smiling back at him lovingly.
“Thank you, mo ghra. Now, how else shall I make you feel beautiful, tonight?” Caleb asked, with a charming smile.
“I shall leave that to your discretion,” Laurel replied, laughing again at his expression.
“How delightful. I can think of several ways,” Caleb whispered, kissing her face, and softly gliding his hand down her body, smiling at her breath catching.
The two young men continued to struggle through the marsh, their legs leadened from exhaustion. It had taken them many days to get this far, after their escape from the mine hidden deep in the ravine, in the secret valley known as Shuppim. A race called the Golan lived there, who resembled giant, ant-like beings. They too had been enslaved and were used extensively in the mine. The Golans were kind and helped them as much as they were able. One of them, Kaveh, who could speak common travelled with them. He too struggling in the wet marsh, though not as bad, helping the two young men to walk. The young men, two brothers, were almost overcome with fear, pain, thirst and hunger. The three companions had been lost for over a fortnight, in their efforts to return home to Gwenlais. The Golan, Kaveh, was not familiar with the area that lay to the west of the great river Caldune. At least not above ground, though they had endless tunnels that went as far as the chasm in Heathwin. They had only found two farms, and one homestead the entire journey, and only one farmer had offered them shelter, but Kaveh had to remain hidden in the dense brush surrounding the farm. The others when hearing of their remarkable but terrifying experience, thought them mad and ran them off. Recognising the marsh, from being forced to go through it after their capture, gave them the courage and strength to continue. They all collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, the youngest of the two brothers, beginning to cough uncontrollably.
“Hang on Malley. We shall be home soon,” he said, forcing himself to smile, patting his brother’s shoulder.
“I…do not think I will make it Padric. Tell our parents…I am sorry,” Malley replied in tearful exhaustion.
“Come on, lad. We are not finished yet. You heard those savage bastards, as they dragged us along. They were afraid the Sentinels would see us as we got closer to the marsh. We are most likely to run into someone soon. The trees are thickening up, we will find a roadway soon, and they will bring us home, Malley. Come on lad, just a bit farther. Then we will rest in the forest, but not here in the marsh. Think of Mother, and of how happy she will be to see us. And poor Daidi, how hard he fought to free us. Think of Nigel and the others. They are counting on us, Malley. I will wager your first pint of ale, we are home by tomorrow night, or at least in the city,” the young man entreated, forcing himself to smile as tears filled his eyes upon hearing his young brother’s laboured breathing.
“My first pint, is it? Fine, then I shall bet yours, we meet the Sentinels on the road tonight,” he replied in a raspy voice, his dried, cracked lips bleeding as he smiled wearily.
“A fair wager it is. Come now, give me your hand, let us get out of this cursed marsh,” Padric said, helping his brother to stand, though he could barely walk steadily himself.
“What is this ale, you speak of?” Kaveh asked, standing between the two brothers helping them to walk, though now nearly exhausted himself as he continued to assist them along.
“It is a drink, with a beautiful dark, golden colour and it tastes bitter but still very pleasant,” Padric explained with a laugh.
“And if you have a pint or two it makes you feel very pleasant,” Malley added, laughing until he began coughing.
“But have too much, and then you become very sick,” Padric remarked, looking over at his brother with concern.
“Hmm, it does not sound all that pleasant my friends,” Kaveh noted, feeling confused why the two brothers laughed at him.
They walked for what seemed hours, until they came to a moss-covered patch at the edge of the forest, as the sun began to show that it was late afternoon. They lay down on the refreshing, soft moss and fell into an exhausted sleep. If not for a chilling light rain, they would have slept longer. Standing up, they continued to make their way westward following the tree line. Just as the sun was beginning to set, they heard the sound of horses, they looked at each other in disbelief and then tried to hurry towards the sound. Malley was no longer able to walk and collapsed.
“I cannot go another step Padric. Go…go, find them, please,” he pleaded with his brother tearfully.
“I promise I will be back Malley. I will be back soon with help,” Padric replied, crying as well, kissing his brother’s forehead then stood up and hobbled away, yelling for help. “Kaveh, please stay with him. It will be alright, I know where we are now. I will be back as soon as I can,” he called out, as he hobbled away as quickly as his bruised and tired legs could carry him.
“Did you hear that?” Cian asked, as he turned and looked towards the forest.
“Here what?” Angus asked, turning to see where Cian was looking.
“Listen, there it is again. It sounds like someone yelling for help,” Cian dismounted, walking closer to the forest edge.
Angus let out a sharp whistle, causing the other Sentinels and Guards to stop on the road, and turn around.
“Angus, someone is indeed in the forest yelling for help,” Cian called out, as he made his way into the tree line.
“I hear it too. I will join you in a moment,” Angus told him. He then turned to the waiting group on the roadway. “Someone is calling for help in the forest! Be on your guard and stay alerted, ready your weapons!” Angus warned them, as they turned and rushed back in their direction. He motioned for half the group to remain on the road with the horses while the rest dismounted.
Cian and Angus entered the forest with the group of a dozen Sentinels and Guards right behind them. The cries for help grew closer and more desperate, as suddenly, the stumbling figure of a bedraggled young man came into view. He fell, then unable to rise, looked up stretching out his hand, crying out for help once more. Cian, Angus and a young female attendant were the first to reach him.
“Please, please help us,” Padric sobbed, as Angus helped him to sit up, leaning him against a tree.
“It is alright my friend, just relax, and let Tara see to your injuries. Where do you come from?” Angus inquired, placing his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“I…I come from York. Please, please you must help my brother, I will show you where he is,” Padric frantically entreated.
“What is your name, friend?” Angus asked, in a calm, warm voice.
“My…my name is Padric, sir. My…my younger brother is Malley. We escaped from the mines. We have been lost for more than a fortnight. Please help him,” Padric cried, now close to hysterics.
“You must calm down, Padric. Shh, here now, take a sip of water so you can tell us where your brother is,” Tara said in a soft voice, smiling kindly, holding the water skin up to his lips.
Padric took a drink, then sighed deeply, still breathless. Tara placed her hand on the side of the young man’s face, her soft hazel green eyes lovely and warm, as she spoke to the traumatised youth. Tara was a newly instated Ollam and had volunteered to be the first female medical attendant, for the newly formed Gwenlais Patrol, consisting of Sentinels and recently commissioned Gwenlais Guards.
“Now, tell us where we may find your brother, Padric. Is he badly injured as well?” Tara asked in the same kind voice, smiling warmly at him.
“Yes…yes, my lady, he is. He is much worse off than me. He is lying against a fallen tree, just over that rise,” Padric explained, raising his arm weakly to show the direction.
“Cian take a squad of five men and go to find the boy. Liam, Duncan, return to the Gwenlais Lodge and inform Captain Logan what has occurred, and tell the Ollams we will be bringing in two patients,” Angus directed as the men stood and went off to do as instructed.
“No, wait please, there is something you must know,” Padric called out as the group ran ahead and out of sight.
Angus then knelt back down, next to Padric, as Tara began to clean the open wounds the shackles had caused. “Now my young friend, take a breath, and tell me your story,” Angus said in a low voice, to the now calmer Padric.
The group ran up the small hill, but they all stopped in shock when they came to the top, at what stood before them.
“By the Maker! What is that!?” a young Guard called out, raising his crossbow.
“No! No, wait!” Malley cried in a weak voice, putting up his hand.
Kaveh crouched down in front of him, bowing his head and raising his four thin arms, “No harm! No harm!” he voiced in his strange, high pitched voice.
The young Guard, in his shock and fear that Malley was being attacked by the strange creature, shot at the Golan only to have the arrow ricochet off his armoured, shell-like body.
“No! Please…wait! He is my friend, he will not harm you. He…he saved my brother and me from the mine. Please! We only want to go home,” Malley pleaded, as Kaveh moved closer to him, sheltering him with his own body while offering him comfort by placing a clawed hand gently on his head, looking back at the group with sad, blinking eyes.
“Hold your fire!” Cian commanded placing his hand up, then walking cautiously towards Malley and Kaveh with sword drawn.
Just then another Guard came up the hill calling out.
“The creature is not dangerous. He is with them!” the Guard announced, reaching the top of the hill.
The group all looked in stunned silence as Cian continued to move forward, Kaveh now helping Malley to stand up. Cian gestured, and two others stepped forward to be on either side of Malley, helping him to walk.
“Oh…thank the Maker, you are Gwenlais Guard’s?” Malley queried as they came up to him.
“Yes,” Cian answered the young man. “I am Cian, of the Gwenlais Guard and the newly formed Gwenlais Army. We will take you to your brother, and our Ollam attendant for some treatment, then back to the city with us.
“What about me too, please?” asked the Golan in his odd voice.
“Well, come along…you too,” Cian directed Kaveh, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the Golan’s presence.
“I am Kaveh,” the Golan responded almost sounding cheerful.
“Ah…well, yes fine. Come with us please, Kaveh,” Cian directed, leading the now much calmer Golan, down the hill to the main roadway.
Deaglan and Logan stood looking with amazed faces as Kaveh was escorted into the Gwenlais Lodge. Word had been sent ahead as to what to expect, but that still did not adequately convey what to anticipate.
“Commander Deaglan, Captain Logan, may I introduce Kaveh, of the Golan,” Cian remarked with a knowing grin, noting the expressions on everyone’s faces as the other Sentinels and Guards walked closer.
Kaveh looked about nervously, drawing the cloak he had been given by Angus to hide his appearance, closer to his small form. Deaglan noticed his vulnerable demeanour and stepped forward, putting out his hand in greeting.
“I am most pleased to meet you, Kaveh, I am Commander Deaglan. You have my thanks for saving the lives of two of our citizens,” Deaglan said in a warm and friendly voice.
“Much thanks to you Deaglan. Are you the King?” Kaveh asked in a small, nervous tone, glancing at Deaglan’s hand but not extending his own.
Chuckles and grins then came from the group in the Lodge, Deaglan joining them.
“No, my friend. But I do know him and his sons. Walk with me, let us show you our hospitality and perhaps share a story or two,” Deaglan replied, showing him to the back of the Lodge.
Two hours later, Angus made his way through the Lodge, being greeted by several Sentinels and Guards who were just sitting down to the evening meal. A small, old cottage that had once served as the Guard House had been destroyed during the siege. King Fergus had mandated before his departure, to have the Gwenlais Lodge now operate as the headquarters for both the Sentinels and Gwenlais Guards, as they were now working so closely together, as never before. Angus entered the spacious study room where Deaglan and Logan sat waiting for him. After giving a full report and explaining what had taken place, they were both concerned and intrigued.
“Would it be possible for the two young brothers to show us where this valley is?” Deaglan asked, though already fairly sure of the answer.
“It is highly unlikely Commander. They were exhausted and near hysterics when we found them. As mentioned, they were lost for more than a fortnight. The Ollam Tara said they showed signs of being malnourished and beaten. They had been kept shackled and were suffering from respiratory distress, especially the younger brother, Malley. I looked in on them before coming here, and they were both unconscious, passed out from sheer exhaustion once treated for their injuries and given something to eat. I will be sending two Guards from our Patrol to Village-York in the morning, to inform their parents they are in Gwenlais and safe,” Angus explained with a sad smile.
