Stone Heart (15 page)

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

best qualities. "She thinks I'm
wonderful
," he addressed Hugh and Shayla.

They laughed at the smug expression on his little face.

Karen knelt to Pluck's level. "Isn't he
adorable
, Angus?"

"She thinks I'm adorable, too. What do you think of that?"

Pluck put his hands on his hips and glared at Angus, challenging the large Druid to say something.

Elves and Druids usually only tolerated each other. The small woodland denizens were considered a pain in the arse as far as most of his kind were concerned. In years past, Angus would have had some scathing remark to make. Now he simply held his tongue and gave the vexing creature a dirty look. That earned him a reproachful glance from Karen.

Clearly, she was besotted with the little man. A predicament Angus hadn't bargained for. He assumed she'd be frightened by the appearance of such a presence. Again, her heart reflected her spunk. She was smiling and her eyes glittered brightly with mirth.

"We can be friends can't we, Pluck?" she asked. "You don't mind me being an outsider, do you?"

Shayla held her breath. Pluck wasn't known for his tactfulness. But as tactless as he could be, Karen was that direct. Shayla watched as Pluck tilted his small head and considered the matter.

"We all have to be
something
." Pluck shrugged. "I'm an Elf, you're an outsider who's very pretty ... and
he's
never going to be anything but a big oaf!" Pluck directed a thumb in Angus' direction.

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Hugh and Shayla were trying hard not to laugh at Pluck's obvious attempts to annoy Angus. That was the Elfin way. As far as Pluck's race was concerned, the bigger and more dangerous looking the adversary, the more annoying the Elf would act.

Angus glared at Pluck. "You'd do well to distance yourself from this creature and his ilk, Karen. If they are no' causing trouble for themselves, they frequently relish causing it for others."

Pluck addressed Karen, completely ignoring Angus. "You're an American, aren't you? I caught the accent."

"Yes. And you have a wonderful brogue. I've always loved the Irish. They have such a great history."

Pluck boldly took Karen's hand and began to lead her slowly away as he spoke.

"Don't wander far," Angus warned her.

"She's with me,
witless
. I'll see she comes to no harm,"

Pluck snarled back. "The Sorceress has allowed her here at any rate. That means she's safe."

Heedless of Angus' concern, Karen continued walking away with Pluck. Angus turned to Hugh and Shayla only to see them grinning. "Karen should stay near me. Anything could befall her here."

"Pluck will take care of her," Hugh promised. "His word is his bond."

"Why am I no'
assured
?" Angus groused as he watched Karen walk farther away.

Shayla watched Angus' expression of fear and concern turn to ... could it be ...
jealousy
? Her own smile faded as she 130

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by Candace Sams

realized how connected Angus was to the girl. How would he deal with her eventual death? The man had nothing to look forward to but heartache. Though he'd caused much of his own unhappiness as an adult, he'd had nothing but sorrow in his early life. Would he even know how to be happy without Karen's presence?

"Pluck!" Shayla called, "Find Lore, Gryphon and Tearach.

Have them go to the large clearing at sunset. For now, we should find a place for Angus and Karen to rest. They've had a long journey."

Pluck nodded to Shayla, doffed his cap to Karen and dashed into the forest. Like all of his kind, his movements were efficient and fleet.

Despite Karen's smile, Shayla sensed the girl's weariness.

She raised her hand, indicating they should stop.

Angus sensed Karen's lethargy as well. He quickly took her to a moss-covered log and lifted her onto it. "You shouldn't tire yourself too much," he admonished.

Karen leaned against his chest and smiled up at him.

"When can I meet more of the people here?"

"Tomorrow," Shayla replied for him. "For now, the both of you need rest. There's a cottage near here. It's across a meadow on the other side of the glade. You'll see it. Supplies have been provided. Hugh and I will see you both in the morning. If you need anything, Angus will know how to find us."

Hugh nodded his farewell and followed Shayla into the forest.

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To Karen, it seemed the green of the shrubbery swallowed them despite the fact they were wearing white robes. The kind anyone would expect a well-dressed Druid to wear. She grinned thinking about what a TV fashion commentator might say about the
dapper
Druids and
effervescent
Elves ...
What
would they wear for the Fall season
? It was a silly thought, but she was tired and a bit giddy. When Karen started to jump down from the log, Angus picked her up in his arms and carried her toward the cottage. "I can walk," she protested.

"Hush, you. Rest. 'Tis but a short distance and you've had a long journey."

She must have been more exhausted than she realized.

The next thing she knew, Angus was lowering her to a small bed beside a fireplace. She wondered how they had gotten to the cottage so soon. She tried to sit up, but he gently pushed her back down and covered her with a blanket. With a slight move of his hand, the fire lit up and quickly warmed the room.

"We'll eat later. For now, sleep," he told her. It was still early in the afternoon but Karen was exhausted. He waited until he was sure she slept peacefully, then he took his own rest in a bed across the small room. In his joy at being released, he hadn't slept much. The lack of it was catching up with him. No matter what his physical condition might be, he resolved to keep the door to the cottage barred and adapted his senses for beings who weren't friendly. Karen's safety was his responsibility. Certainly not that annoying Elf's.

* * * *

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

Karen awoke just as darkness was falling. A fire warmed the little, white-walled room and smoke from the fireplace curled up a small chimney. She'd taken two of her remaining tablets and had kept her movements discreet while doing so.

Angus watched her like a bodyguard. While it warmed her soul to know she'd have a friend, it made her apprehensive about his future when she was gone. In short, the man had to get a life. Hers was waning. But she'd promised the beautiful woman who called herself
Sorceress
that the backdoor she'd opened into the Order's secret computer files would be closed. For the sake of all the creatures inhabiting this strange place, and to make sure Angus could live a semi-normal life, she'd survive long enough to do so. Again, she'd made a promise which she intended to keep. The last thing she wanted to be remembered for was leaving someone a way to hurt these seemingly gentle people. What would happen to all the little Plucks and others here if the world knew about them? She pondered the subject and came to the conclusion that the world rarely got along with its own kind, never mind a forest full of refugees from Camelot.

"What concerns you so?"

She looked up as Angus' baritone voice reverberated from across the room. She turned to see him smiling and rising from his own bed. "I'm just thinking about how to make the Order's computer system as rock-solid as I can. I don't want someone doing what I did and finding bewitched men like you standing all over the countryside."

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"Little chance of that." He laughed. "I'm probably the only one. But tell me again. What is this computer of which you and Shayla speak?"

Karen ran her hands through her hair and thought for a moment. How did a person go about describing the most meaningful invention of the last century to a man several centuries old? "Well, it's a way to communicate with the rest of the world, and store and search for information to be used later. It's kind of like having many books stored in a box. And the box has a way to help you contact anyone in the world in just a few seconds. And those other people may have different books stored in their boxes or computers. That's how information gets passed along." Not a very accurate description, but it was the best she could do.

He tilted his head and came to sit before her. "Such things are possible?"

"When the Sorceress takes me to someplace where I can show you, you'll see what I'm talking about. You'll be able to learn all about the past centuries just by pushing some buttons. I'll show you how and you can explore the world whenever you want."

He saw her eyes light with enthusiasm. Here was something which held much interest for her. In truth, he was interested himself. "Could I find out what happened to people in the past? Or about places?"

"That's very possible, as long as the information is on a database somewhere or someone has entered the information telling you where to go get it. Is there something particular you want to know?"

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"'Twas just a question," he lied. "But if such a device exists, how could the Sorceress have wanted information about the Order placed where anyone could find it?"

She shrugged. "Like I said, storing information can open a way of communicating instantly with one another. Or maybe she's archiving data for future use. I'll find out and try to make it more secure for her. And trust me, If anyone can do that
I
can. I shouldn't brag, but I'm very good with the latest technology. Computer work isn't all that physically draining, so it was something I got good at."

"I canna' imagine being able to speak with someone across the Earth in a matter of seconds. It took days to go from Glen Darach to the next village. Weather permitting."

"Well, big guy, you're gonna' love this!" She put a hand to his cheek and smiled.

Angus loved speaking to her thus. Despite her failing body, her mind was as sharp as any he'd ever known. He could learn much from her. It occurred to him this was the first time he could recall having such a thought about another being, especially a woman. In his previous life, they were only to be used. Not beings capable of
teaching
. His own Sorceress had even been a subject of scorn.

He rose and threw another log on the fire. "Are you hungry? I am about to starve to death. Let us see what the Sorceress has rationed."

After several minutes of rummaging through enough foodstuffs to last for weeks, Angus decided on warming a cold roast chicken found within something Karen called a refrigerator. He made her sit before the fire with a mug of hot 135

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herbal tea while he worked. She smiled at him often and tucked her legs underneath her while warming her hands around the crockery mug. The entire scene was one of tranquil domesticity and he loved it. Someone needed and trusted him for the first time in his life. He felt so very protective of her, but he would not let his mind wander to the inevitable. It was not as if she would let him think on it anyway. She was as full of questions about the Order as he was about the present century and its machinery.

He had to let her work a can opener for him, but the potatoes he could peel for himself. He finally had some boiling in a kettle over the fire when a knock sounded on the door.

"Stop, Karen!" he warned when she would have risen and unbarred the door. "Always be sure who is there first.

Because this is an enchanted place does no' make it safe. No'

everyone here is as harmless or friendly as Pluck."

He moved toward the small kitchen area, and Karen was alarmed to see him pick up a large butcher knife. "You're not going to use that on someone?" she choked out. When he didn't reply, she moved to the safety of the farthest corner.

Like a large, graceful cat, he silently glided to a window and looked out. She saw him release a sigh of relief mixed with obvious irritation. Then, he put the knife on a nearby table before opening the door. She didn't realize she'd been holding her breath the entire time.

Angus immediately turned to her and offered a sincere apology. "Sorry I am to have frightened you, Karen. 'Tis just a plague at the door."

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Pluck walked into the cottage. "I've brought your luggage.

Your transportation will be taken back to the rental company tomorrow." Pluck grinned as Karen came forward. "And Shayla says you're to wear this and drink this." He handed two bundles to her as he spoke.

"Hello, Pluck," Karen said. "Won't you come in and join us?

We're about ready to have some dinner."

The Elf watched Angus' darkening expression, saw the large man cross his arms over his chest and decided he'd goaded the giant enough for one day. "No, thank you, Karen.

I've already eaten. But I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be here bright and early to lead you to the large clearing. Everyone is anxious to meet
you
." He ended the statement with a sneering look at Angus, tipped his hat to Karen, then ran into the woods.

Angus dragged her luggage into the room, slammed the door and re-secured it.

"What is it with you two?" she asked with a laugh.

"If you recall, I did nothing to provoke his behavior,"

Angus said, defending himself.

"That's true, you didn't. But why doesn't he like you?"

He shrugged as if the matter were of little concern. "Elves are intimidated by size. The larger someone is, the more they feel the necessity to prove themselves unafraid."

"And his attitude annoys you?" She grinned.

He returned her smile. "It should not, I know. But the little blackguard is attracted to you and I am jealous."

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She knew he was teasing. But it made her day to hear the poster man for worldwide bodybuilders say such a thing. She felt a thrill of elation, but quickly changed subjects.