Dragon Knight's Sword (33 page)

“Sweet Danu,
nae
!”

Duncan’s voice was as cold as steel when he spoke. “Ye ken what I must do.”

“How can this be? Why would the gods and goddesses not show me Lachlan? There can only be one answer. Lachlan has chosen the path of evil, and my visions, clouded.” His shoulders slumped. “I will come with ye.”

Duncan placed a hand on Cathal’s shoulder in compassion. “Nae, ye are not the one to do this, nor should ye be. I believe he has had a part in this from the beginning, and I must be the one to end it.”

He only nodded and Duncan squeezed gently before leaving.

“Duncan. I ask one favor.”

Half turning, Duncan asked, “What is it?”

“Bring me the heart of my brother, so I can burn the evil that is within.
Is buan gach olc
. Evil lives long,” Cathal lamented.

Duncan gave a quick nod of approval and mounted Brandubh. The wind howling at his back, he motioned for Cormac to follow.

No sooner did they leave the castle, than the MacFhearguis brothers, Alex, Patrick, and a few of their men greeted them. At once, all men unsheathed their swords, the sound of steel piercing the air. Horses snorted, their hoofs stomping the cold muddy ground.

Brandubh already sensing the battle was ready to charge onward. “Hold.” Duncan pulled hard, his sword held high.

Alex raised his hand in greeting and nudged his horse slowly forward. He was the only one not to unsheathe his sword.

The wind whipped past him, and he was uncertain if this storm was of Duncan’s making. The man looked feral and then he noticed the sword.

“By the gods! The Mackay has the sword back in his possession,” said Patrick, keeping a slow pace next to his brother.

Alex cast him a quick glance. “
Aye
. So be it then. It never was intended for our family. My only concern is to do whatever it will take to call a truce and find Adam.”

Patrick nodded in agreement and halted his horse a few paces back.

Bringing his horse to a stop, Alex held the reins tightly. “Hail, Duncan.”

The air hummed with energy around Duncan. “Ye take great risk in coming here, MacFhearguis!” he said with a snarl.

“Aye, as ye can see my sword is sheathed. I come to speak with ye.”

Duncan sliced the air with his sword, and Alex quickly raised his hand. “Hold men!”

“Ye
dare
to have an archer poised at me? Words laced with lies!” Duncan spat out. He knew Alex well; having spotted the man perched in the tree. “I have no time to deal with ye, MacFhearguis. Step aside
now
!” he growled. Duncan detected his control slipping, and if the man did not move, he would have to take him down. Time was something he did not have, chiefly for Alex.

Alex refused to move saying, “I’ve come to ask ye for help in searching for Adam. He has been missing these past six moons.”

“I will ask ye only one more time, MacFhearguis, then,
if
blood is spilled, it will not be mine,” his voice turning deadly.

Keeping his features closed, Alex gave a sharp nod. Giving way to Duncan and his men, he gave the signal to let them pass. He waited until they were out of sight to speak with Patrick, who had ridden over to him.

“That went well, brother.”

“God’s teeth, Patrick!” The rain pelted them harder.

Sean came thundering through the trees with a look Alex understood well. He brought news, and Alex prayed it was news of Adam.

“What news, Sean?”

“Bloody hell, Alex! Ye are damn lucky the Mackay did not take your head! What were ye thinking?”

Alex blanched, since he had never known Sean to question his motives.

“Sean, ye overstep.”

“Nae, Alex. Ye have not heard the news. Someone has taken the Mackay’s woman and a wee lass.”

“God’s blood, nae!” Alex rubbed a hand over his face in frustration.

“There is only one person I can think of at the moment who would dare to take her, especially on Samhain.” Patrick had spoken with dead calm.

“Michael, of course,” said Alex.

Patrick shook his head negative, a cold expression settled on his features. “Nae.”

His gut twisted as realization dawned on Alex. “It’s happening again.”

“What?” asked Sean.

“Do ye think it was
him
last Samhain?”

The grim look Patrick gave was his answer.

Sean was growing impatient. “
Who
took them and
what
is happening again?”

Alex rubbed his chin. “I ken of only one man who would gain from this, and I believe he has been using us to get what he wants.”

Sean threw his hands up in frustration.

“
Lachlan
.” Alex spat out.

Chapter 48

“When a wounded knight has found his strength, will he relinquish all that he has been taught?”

The storm was at full strength, and Duncan relished its fury, and they sped as if the wind carried them. Cormac and the select few who accompanied them rode along at a distance. This was Duncan’s final quest, but he was smart in realizing he might need his friend. They were not dealing with any ordinary man, but a powerful druid.

Again, his mind drifted back to the night with Margaret. Could it be possible Lachlan was involved, weaving evil magic? It was a thought to ponder later. This was now, and he needed to save Brigid and Nell. Bile rose just thinking they were in the grips of this black-hearted monster. Pushing Brandubh faster through the hills, pine boughs smacked his face, their biting sting giving him more strength and focus. They rode as one and spittle from his horse flew out into the air.

He rode today like a warrior.

Duncan heard a bird screech and spotted Sorcha circling in the distance. Night was descending; its blackness combined with the storm would mean that it would be difficult to see. He urged his horse faster, knowing the path to the stones well. Sending out a thought of thanks to her, he sent her on her way, realizing she knew where they were.

****

Brigid could not quell the fits of shaking from Nell. She had noticed the blue of her lips and worried she had taken a chill. They sat huddled together under a large oak tree away from the stones. Their ever-present guard was perched low on one knee on the ground, his back to them. Every now and then, he would half turn to gaze at them, causing Nell to shiver more.

The storm had abated, and Brigid could see the full moon peeking out of the dark clouds. The moonlight dusted the branches with its pale luminosity and cast a shining radiance off the stones. She took solace in the light, giving her hope.

She suspected Duncan would come for them, but what would be the price? The words of her note and those of the curse blazed forth in her mind.

“So this is where it ends,” she whispered.

Brigid’s arms were numb from being tied behind her back for so long, but it was her heart that now ached. What she wouldn’t give to have her dirk. Shaking her head in frustration, she gazed up again at the moon, saying a silent plea of protection, not only for herself and Nell, but for Duncan, too.

“
Fear not my daughter
,” a
gentle voice pierced her thoughts. Her mind recognized at once whom the voice belonged to, and her head snapped around in anticipation of seeing the great dragon.

Then she felt a warm breeze touch her cheeks and sensed Duncan nearby. Hope surged anew, and she bent over to whisper into Nell’s ear.

“Help is close by, Nell.”

Nell only nodded and huddled more against Brigid’s chest.

The air hummed with energy, and Brigid kept her focus on Thadeus. She had no idea where the evil coward Lachlan was hiding; therefore, she kept her gaze out toward the stones. The first chance she had, she would see Nell to safety, even if it meant blocking the path of the giant.

The warm breeze swept over again, and this time she smiled. “If you can hear me, Duncan, hurry, my love.” Her words infused with love were sent back on the breeze.

It was in that moment she saw Lachlan step out from across the stones. He stood directly in the middle as Duncan rode in, dismounting from Brandubh in one swift movement. He had thrown off his plaid and stood as a mighty warrior. He kept his sword across his forearms, waiting.

Brigid started to let out a cry, but held back. He knew she was alive and to distract him, but for an instant, could mean his death.

“Will it be a battle of power we shall fight?” Duncan’s tone edged with steel.

Lachlan cocked his head to the side as if studying some lower kind of prey. He then proceeded to punch the ground with his staff and lightning split the sky.

“Do not play games with me, druid.” Duncan held his sword out and with his other hand slapped the air, causing Lachlan to lose his balance as if he was the one slapped. His nostrils flared with fury.

“Enough!” snarled Lachlan. “Ye understand what I want!”

Keeping his gaze fixed on Duncan, he yelled out, “Thadeus bring out the woman, and ye ken what to do with the other. I would be careful on what ye do next, Duncan. If ye want the woman to live, ye will give me the sword.”

Duncan froze. His face a mask of fury, arms clenched with the need to seize and snap the druid’s neck. Cormac was still some distance away and he needed more time. Tapping down his rage and power, he took in deep gulps of cold air, letting them out slowly.

Thadeus went over and tossed Nell aside as if she was a rag doll, her head bumping on a nearby log.

“No!” yelled Brigid as she tried to kick the giant in vain. He held her down with one arm, slicing through the bonds at her ankles, and yanking her to her feet.

“Damn,” Duncan hissed quietly. Where
are
ye Cormac?

He turned his gaze back toward Lachlan. “Was it ye, druid, last Samhain?” his voice bitter, but controlled.

Lachlan’s laugh was sinister in its tone. “Since ye are about to die, ye might as well know. Your clan does not deserve to hold so much power. It should have been placed within a druid.” He spat out the last.

“Ye were all so easy to stir the beast in each of ye.” His smile was one of pure evil. Pointing his staff at Duncan, he sneered. “I used
your
powers against ye, so very simple to have ye at each other’s throats. I must say, it was easy to tap into your anger, Duncan, using it to control ye.” Tapping his finger against his mouth in a cruel jest he continued, “The plan was to have ye kill the MacFhearguis, but I must say Duncan, I relish your ending more.” Lachlan’s eyes lit up almost gleefully. “To kill your sister,
was brilliant
!”

The sky erupted in a thunderous clap and Duncan’s eyes turned lethal, as his sword threatened to slice through the druid’s throat. Never had he shook with so much rage to kill. It took everything he had within to hold himself back. “Ye mock the fae, druid.” he growled.

“
Nae
, they are no more, hiding below when they could wield so much power out in the open.” He flung out his arms on the last.

Duncan realized he was insane. No one would dare go against the fae.

“Ye will pay the price for this, druid.” Duncan aimed the sword at his chest. They were many feet away, but he was sure he could slice it out in two strides.

“Thadeus?”

Duncan turned slowly to see Brigid standing by the outer edge of the trees. She was ragged, and her face bruised. The man had a dirk to her throat, and a trail of blood trickled down her neck. Blind rage tore at him, wanting to rip apart these men.

He felt helpless.

Brigid gave him a small smile and mouthed the words, “I love you.”

It was all the power and strength he required.

His power was not in the relic he held. Nae, his power not only flowed through his blood, but also for the woman he loved. He loved Brigid more than life itself, and it was the most powerful weapon of all. Yes, he would give the sword to the druid, and then he would not only feel his rage, but that of the fae, as well.

Duncan lowered his sword, presenting the hilt out toward the druid. Yet, before Lachlan had a chance to reach for it, they heard a loud howling.

Thadeus never saw the animal coming, the growl piercing the night in all directions. He gave a loud roar as the wolf jumped and clamped his teeth into his thigh. Letting go of Brigid to spear the wolf, she tumbled to the ground watching in horror as the wolf tore through an artery, blood gushing everywhere.

Brigid scrambled back away from Thadeus, who was trying in a strangled effort to reach her. She tried to stand, but her feet flicked mud and leaves causing her to slip. He caught her heel, and instantly the wolf went for the kill and lunged for his neck.

Brigid screamed, and watched in horror as the wolf snarled at the man after he had killed him. Then he sauntered several paces away, sat down, and proceeded to lick his paws.

Thadeus was dead.

“That was a verra bad man. Thank ye, gray wolf.” Nell was sitting up besides the log, and her eyes held the look of one who thought justice had been served.

Stunned, Brigid tried to stand on shaky legs. “Oh, Nell.”

Immediately, she saw Cormac come up behind Nell and whisper something behind her back. Brigid watched as he cut the bonds from her arms and feet. Tears streamed down her face as Nell lunged into his arms.

Another man Brigid didn’t recognize came over and sliced through her bonds behind her back. Her shoulders sagged with the relief of freedom.

“Thank you.” Brigid flexed her hands, and rubbed at her sore wrists.

The man merely nodded, stepping aside to go stand by another man.

“Traitors!” screamed Lachlan.

“I would hold your tongue, druid,” spat Alex. “I believe our brother would be very interested to know what ye have been doing behind his back.”

Duncan still had his sword leveled at Lachlan, and then he heard Cormac give a shout that Nell and Brigid were safe.

The druid was shaking with fury, his eyes blazing.

Duncan shifted slightly. “It would seem as if ye have made new enemies this night, Lachlan, and I might add that I am still alive. I am sure
my
brothers will be interested in learning what transpired with your
evil magic
.”