Child of the Kindred, page 98
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“By the Maker! So what happened? Did you have Imagin take the children out of the room?” Caleb inquired, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Imagin was not there that day. No, I took Marina by the hand and had her sit by the fire, and then I brought the little urchins into the sitting room with Mother and Father. It took me almost an hour to calm Marina down, she was devastated that all her work had been ruined. I explained that there was no hurry and I would bring her to Welstone after you returned to buy her another blank book to copy in. Of course, that did not help, so I went to Wendell and asked him if he had an extra one lying about. Thankfully, he had several and had her pick the one she liked the best. I then talked with Orrie and told her if she ever did that again I would punish her for it. She begins to cry again saying it was not her fault until I told her it most certainly was, and she had better go and tell Marina she was sorry for being so careless and selfish. At that point she knew she was not going to get away with it, so she stops fussing and talks to Marina. By the end of the evening, they were fine,” Aiden rolled his eyes again, taking another drink of tea.
“May I relate to Caleb, the sleep-over adventure?” Owain asked, his eyes dancing.
“Oh, by all means, please do. I am exhausted,” Aiden retorted, shaking his head again.
“Really, there is more?” Caleb asked in disbelief.
“Oh yes, this happened the two nights ago. Ione decides it would be fun to have all the children sleep at their house with her, Kerrie and Imagin. And by all the children, I mean four of Cinnie and Quinlan’s, my two cousins, Orrie and Jamison, Aoife, with Ione and Kerrie’s brothers. It all went well for a time. But Ione lets them eat too many sweets before dinner, and little Aoife gets sick all over Ione’s magnificent table. Then Heather and Lilly get sick as a result of seeing him get sick. So, Tulla and I are already at the Lodge, and we pitch in to help with this. Finally, everyone has settled down again, we are all outside playing in the garden with them, catching glow moths. Jamison is holding a Sprite Dragon and brings it into the house. Well, Edin and the puppies are there as well, and chaos once again ensues. Edin is trying to eat the dragon, Jamison is trying to catch Edin, the puppies are just running amok, and children are yelling and screaming everywhere,” Owain amusedly retold, grinning even broader as Caleb could only shake his head at hearing all that went on.
“Marina and I were called in, Mother and Father refused to leave their room. By the time we get down there, Jamison is a ruin because Edin ate the dragon. The fat, hairy bastard’s lips are glowing blue because of this, and he is just sitting there humming and grinning from ear to ear,” Aiden said dryly, which caused Caleb and the others to laugh again loudly. “Needless to say, children become sick again over all the trauma. At this point Kerrie and Imagin are crying, as Ione is just sitting at her table, muttering to herself, looking around dazed and dejected. The maids cleaning the kitchen, very graciously offer to help clean everything up, which, in turn, makes Ione cry in gratitude. All the little ones are crying for their mothers, and I am finally able to convince them it is too late, and offer to read a story. Marina and Tulla have sleeping mats brought in and we all camp out in the front room. I finally read to everyone as they drift off. Orrie, before falling asleep thanks me, but tells me I still do not read it as well as Daidi. So, with all that has happened, I will no longer trade out patrol assignments. I refuse to stay in that house with all those insane people if you are not there,” Aiden concluded, as everyone laughed heartedly, and even a few applauded.
Caleb sat thoughtfully for a moment, just smiling and taking in all that had been related to him.
“Perhaps we could all just spend one more night here at the camp,” Caleb suggested, half seriously.
“No, that will not work. They will just send reinforcements to drag us back,” Aiden replied, in a cynical tone.
“Any other events I should be made aware of,” Caleb asked, hoping there was not.
“Hmm…no, no I do not think so. Oh, wait yes, Eavan is pregnant,” Aiden suddenly recalled to Caleb’s surprise.
“I do not think we were supposed to tell that,” Owain spoke up warily.
“Oh…that is right. I found out by accident and was told not to tell anyone. So, do not tell anyone. Cahir is not even aware yet, so act surprised,” Aiden instructed, to which Caleb shook his head at him.
By late afternoon they had arrived at the Lodge, the children gleefully calling out “Daidi” in unison. Caleb crouched down, taking them in his arms, embracing each of them warmly.
“We missed you Daidi,” Jamison said, in a bright, happy voice.
“Did you? It sounds as if you did not have time to miss me,” Caleb laughed lightly.
“We had time to miss you, Daidi. Did you bring us home presents?” Oriel asked in a giddy voice.
“I did. They are in my saddle bags, in the corridor. Why do you not bring them in the front room?” Caleb directed with a broad grin, as the children hurried excitedly out into the corridor.
Caleb then warmly looked over at Laurel who was smiling at him, standing with Marina, Imagin and Tulla. Walking over, Caleb took Laurel into his embrace, kissing the top of her head as she leant into his chest.
“So, did you have time to miss me?” Caleb asked in a warm voice.
“I most certainly did, Sire. I was not expecting you home so early,” Laurel replied, looking up and smiling lovingly at him.
“I know, it was something I was hoping to do, then after arriving in Gwenlais, I simply made up my mind to do it,” Caleb remarked, both turning to the sound of the children laughing and dragging the heavy saddlebags into the front room.
Imagin walked over laughing at them, helping to bring the bags over to the large couch. The three of them sat down while Imagin unbuckled the saddlebags and began to remove the contents. Taking out first the silver brush, much to Oriel’s delight. Caleb kissed Laurel warmly on the lips and then made his way over to the couch, placing Jamison on his lap as he took out packages.
“This one is for you, Orrie. Now be careful, open the top very slowly,” Caleb instructed, handing her the oval wooden case.
Opening it, she discovered sparkling glass beads, of several different sizes, painted with flowers of white or rose-hued.
“Oh, thank you, Daidi! Look Imagin we can use these to make bracelets,” Oriel said in an excited voice, showing Imagin the box.
“They are lovely, we shall have to make one this evening,” Imagin enthused.
Caleb smiled at the two of them, then reached in and took out another wrapped parcel and gave it to Jamison. He smiled and with trembling fingers unwrapped the package to unveil a beautifully carved wooden dragon, of deep green and blue.
“I felt you needed a dragon for your Sentinels to defend the Lodge against,” Caleb remarked, watching Jamison’s bright eyes as he looked over the dragon carving carefully.
“No, Daidi. This is the dragon that helps the Sentinels fight raiders. You know, the dragons that live in Loch Tay. The ones the Rabkins told us about,” Jamison reminded Caleb of a legend that Elder Dyfri had told them of, through Caleb, during their last visit.
“Oh, yes of course. My mistake,” Caleb replied, looking up and winking over at Laurel and Marina who giggled at him. “And what to we have here?” Caleb asked in mock bemusement, as he handed a small wooden box to Imagin, grinning at her genuine surprise.
Imagin giggled, as she untied the satin ribbon and opened the small box, to reveal a lovely carved silver rope bracelet, with a small grey stone in the centre, no longer than her pinky finger.
“Touch the stone mo daor,” Caleb said softly, smiling again at Imagin’s expression.
Imagin gingerly touched the stone, her breath catching, as colours swirled for a few moments, stopping until the stone became a dark blue with graceful lines of forest green and gold. Imagin placed the bracelet on her wrist, staring at it in wonder, still not believing that Caleb had gotten her a bracelet she had wanted since seeing the wondrous stone on Laurel’s matrimony necklace.
“Oh, Caleb,” she sniffed tearfully. “Thank you so much,” she softly whimpered, as she placed her arms around his neck, hugging him.
“You are most welcome, dearest,” Caleb replied, hugging her back.
“Well show the rest of us, silly hen” Owain said to her, attempting to help Imagin with her being overcome with emotion.
After a relaxing dinner with the family, and helping the children to bed, Caleb had changed and walked over to the bed where Laurel lay waiting.
“Close your eyes,” Caleb instructed with a sly grin, as he stood in front of the bed.
“Why?” Laurel giggled impishly.
“Because I asked you to,” Caleb answered back, in an ardent tone, his smile wider.
Laurel conceded to his request, giggling as she heard him open his saddle bag once again then felt him sit on the side of the bed.
“Now open your eyes,” he said in low, deep voice.
Laurel opened her eyes to see a lovely, blown glass animal resembling a horse, with a flowing mane and a single graceful horn coming from the front of its head, dangling in front of her from a thin silver chain.
“Caleb, it so lovely. Thank you, my Prince. I have never seen anything like it before,” Laurel remarked in a soft voice, reaching over and touching it gingerly, watching it sparkle in the candlelight.
“It is called an anadharch. It is a creature of myth, who are attracted to those of a pure heart. When I saw it at one of the artisans stalls, all I could think of was, mo chailin milis. For you have the purest heart I have ever known,” Caleb whispered, as he leant down and kissed her deeply. “I missed you so much my darling,” Caleb said taking Laurel into his arms as he lay down next to her.
“I missed you too. I am so happy you came home sooner. I must admit, I am beginning to feel a bit more uncomfortable. I feel I do not have much longer to wait,” Laurel sighed, as she slowly glided her hand over her very swollen belly.
“I am happy I did as well, mo stor. My heart was unsettled with being so far away from you. I am also satisfied with all that is being put in place in Gwenlais. I feel you will be very encouraged when you return to your kingdom, my Queen” Caleb remarked, smiling at her laughing at his calling her that.
“I do feel a bit guilty about being so bold to the Physician. We scared them all witless,” Laurel giggled mischievously.
“They all deserved it. And I am proud of you for standing up for yourself, there is no need to feel guilty. They will all have to accept and respect you for who you are, my love. I will expect no less from any of them,” Caleb told her in a passionate and emphatic tone.
“Who do you mean, Sire?” Laurel asked in bemusement, at his tone and demeanour, reaching up to caress his face.
Caleb smiled at her warmly, realising he was showing his anger at the lies that had been spread in Gwenlais about her fear of him and his abusing her.
How could they believe I would ever treat her that way, he asked himself, then quickly dismissed it. Realising that most did not believe it, and she would return and show them she was indeed a force to be reckoned with.
“No one in particular, my love. They will all see as I do, what a magnificent queen you will be,” Caleb replied, smiling once again at her laughter, as he took her in his arms.
Tramaine shivered as he pulled his cloak tighter against him, the coldness of the drizzling, chilling rain, clawing its way into his bones. Looking about warily as he, Sari and the Falconer, made their way into the dreaded salt marsh.
“How much farther?” Tramaine’s voice croaked, coughing with the damp mustiness of the air.
“Not much further, now. We are to meet them, by the ancient alder tree,” the Falconer turned and replied, his voice not hiding his annoyance with Tramaine’s complaining for the last hour.
“Why is it again that we had to meet these ‘associates’, in this accursed marsh?” Tramaine growled out.
Sari stopped her horse for a moment and turned around to sharply glare at him.
“It has already been explained, the reason for meeting them here will be revealed upon our arrival. Now stop your infernal complaining. Be grateful, after your dismal failure with the siege, our associates still wish to work with you,” Sari hissed out seethingly.
Tramaine was taken aback by the aggression and malevolence in her eyes and voice. He looked at her for a moment with injured pride, then lowered his gaze, mumbling something inaudible, as they once again rode slowly and painstakingly through the dense marshy undergrowth. A short time later they were at the specified location, as the marsh seemed to thin out slightly. The massive, ancient alder tree stood before them, as if a lone sentry from forgotten times, still diligent at its lonely vigil. They had just dismounted when the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard. Tramaine turned, his eyes going wide with both fear and astonishment at the sight of the figures coming towards them. The two Naphtalie assassins, followed closely by seven towering Rabkin warriors, from the east.
“Greetings, Timgad and Bashan. I see our friends are ready to acquaint themselves with the Rabkins of Gwenlais,” the Falconer stated in a distant but amicable voice.
“Yes, they know what is expected of them. You will guide them through the marsh, then you will separate and go your own ways,” Timgad answered in a low, menacing tone, looking over at the Rabkins with disdain.
“I must ask you,” Tramaine suddenly spoke up, with obvious trepidation. “How will these Rabkins be able to help us with our plan? Will not the others from this region, fight against them? How do we know the Rabkins here, are not watching us now?” he asked, looking about warily.
“We met at this place because our informants told us the Rabkins from here do not go into the salt marsh, as they believe it is cursed. Our Rabkins from the east, have been told by the Master they are to convince their kin here, that they came to make peace and help to guard the Ollam and her child,” Sari explained with a cold, mocking demeanour.
“How will they be able to do this, especially after the last incident?” Tramaine further inquired, looking even more fearful as the Rabkins walked closer.
“The Master has been able to do something that no one else has yet been capable of doing. Teaching the Rabkins to lie. If they wish for their people to be free once again of the Master’s commanding presence, then they have learned to do what they must, for this to take place. His objective to reclaim what was lost to him after the Great Battle of olden times, will not be contested or stopped. The young Ollam and the child she carries will bring the peoples of the region together, as never before. This cannot take place. The Kingdoms must not heal, they must not be unified. If that were to happen, it would make the invasion that much more difficult. It will all start with a deceitful whisper, and end in their crying and mourning, as they blame each other for the Ollam’s death, and that of her unborn child. It will tear them apart without hope of reconciling, conquered more by their own hate and mistrust of each other. When that happens, the Master will arrive like a slow-moving storm until they are completely overtaken. Soon, all of Rinefield will be his, and those of us that are his loyal subjects will be rewarded,” Sari expressed with a sly, seductive smile.
The week passed quickly, and the Patrol Company had returned home. Quinlan only stayed at the Lodge long enough to inform Caleb the mission had gone well. The villages had acknowledged him as the new Captain, and the scouting trip had begun. He then returned to the stable to his waiting horse, eager to see his beloved Cinnie and his jolly bunch. Cahir also gave a brief report, then made his way quickly down the corridor. Upon entering the house, he was concerned when told Eavan was resting in bed.
“Are you ill, mo chroi?” Cahir asked with concern, as he walked over to the bed, leaning down and kissing her forehead.
Eavan had not been feeling well the last week before he had left for patrol duty.
“Only a bit, in the morning. I just need to rest for the next month or so, as advised by Laurel and Master Elphin,” Eavan replied with a knowing smile, caressing his face.
“A month or so? Really? Why would Laurel and Master Elphin advice that?” Cahir asked, looking at her in confusion as she only smiled at him in answer.
Then it dawned on him the reason, as he smiled at her in elation.
“Really? Are you sure of this? Are you feeling alright?” he asked in rapid succession.
“Yes, I am fine. They both feel I just need a time of bed rest to ensure that all will be well. I…I feel wonderful. Not at all like the first time, when I was always uncertain, feeling twinges of pain almost constantly. I do not have that at this time. I am only a bit nauseous and tired, but that will pass,” Eavan answered haltingly with happy tears in her eyes.
“And that is what you shall do my darling. You will be the princess of the house, and I shall ensure everything is done to make you happy and comfortable. Are you hungry, do you need anything?” Cahir asked excitedly, smiling broadly.
“No, I am fine. I just had some tea and dry toast only a short time ago,” Eavan answered, laughing at his eagerness.
“Flowers, you need more flowers. I shall have those arranged right away. Oh, and I will go the Library and gather a few books for you. And yarn, yes, I will also see to getting you some yarn so you can begin your knitting once more. I will return in just a few moments, mo chroi,” Cahir said as he stood up and excitedly left the room, with Eavan staring after him in amusement.
Suddenly Cahir came rushing back into the room, sitting on the bed and gathering Eavan in his arms, kissing her passionately.
