Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
T he alter-world seemed very familiar, the purplish sky, two suns shining brightly, even the hazy horizon looked familiar. The tall imposing grey stone keep with large wooden doorways and slim long arrow slits beckoned him in. Once inside, he became lost again, not sure who the men inside were, the location of his chamber a mystery, as was the reason for the large main room’s light, with no torches visible.
Liam, the man who’d transported him back, spoke with barely concealed disdain. “I suppose introductions are in order.” The two other men exchanged puzzled looks, but did not speak.
“This is Niall MacTavish.” Liam indicated a large man with black hair whose grey eyes met his with concern. “This is Padriag Clarre, our resident wizard,” Liam introduced a red-haired young man next, who grinned widely at him.
“Whoa,” Padriag exclaimed, shaking his hand. “You got amnesia? That sucks.” Then he swung toward Niall. “Maybe you can fix him.”
Niall nodded, but remained quiet, his somber eyes studying him. Gavin gathered the man rarely spoke. Not sure what else to do, he sat at a large table.
“Tristan explained to me the reason for our enchantment and that it is possible for us to be freed. What can you tell me about my life here?” He asked.
Again, the exchange of looks. Finally, Liam cleared his throat. “I think we should concentrate on your memory loss. Rehashing the past will do little good.”
“You and Liam hate each other,” Padriag told him, his eyes going between him and Liam. “Always fighting and arguing. Not sure why, but I think he’s jealous because you’re better looking, and he’s used to being the best looking in the room.”
“Shut up, Paddy,” Liam snapped. “You should have been born a woman. You talk too much.”
“Struck a nerve did I?” Padriag’s amused look made Gavin like the young man. He must have kept them entertained through the years.
“Paddy, why don’t you search in those spell books of yours for a memory spell.” Niall told Padriag and then spoke to him. “I will place my hands on your head. Try to remain still.”
The man’s large hands cupped his head. Warmth seeped through them, calmness came with it, and Gavin closed his eyes enjoying the sensations. In his mind, pictures flashed by, sword fights, large flying beasts, followed by brightly covered beds, scenes of lovemaking, him and several women.
He didn’t know how long it took before Niall removed his hands. When he opened his eyes, Niall was sitting, pale, drinking heavily from a mug.
“Healing depletes you,” Gavin said. “I apologize.”
Niall only shrugged. Padriag looked at him, full of expectation, his eyes bright. “Remember anything?”
“Nay, I saw many images. Battles we must have fought, flying beasts, and other things, but nothing that stood out as a memory.”
“Do you remember us?” Liam asked, eyes narrowed, brow crinkled. “Do you remember me?”
Gavin studied each of their faces, finding familiarity. They were not strangers to him, but he didn’t remember anything specific about them. He told them as much.
“Okay,” Padriag said, “Let me try this quick spell, it’s a memory spell for when someone forgets one specific thing. Maybe it will bring an important memory back.”
“No,” Liam said. “I do not think that is a good idea. You need to find a spell for total memory loss.”
“I think he should try,” Niall proposed. “What harm could come of it?”
“I agree,” Gavin told them, his gaze tracking Padriag, who was walking toward him, a large book in one hand, his face serious.
Padriag stood over him and began to chant, reminding him of John’s chant, a language he didn’t understand. Padriag stopped chanting and gave him an annoyed look. “Close your eyes, and concentrate.”
The ‘quick’ spell seemed to go on and on. This time Gavin did not see anything and struggled not to fall asleep. “Fine. Open your eyes,” Padriag told him impatiently. “From your yawns, I can tell it’s not working.”
“I’d like to go to my chamber.” Gavin stood and began heading out of the room.
“Wrong way,” Padriag told him, an eyebrow cocked. “You really don’t remember shit do you?”
Gavin bit back the urge to curse. Why did he remember that room, but not the people here?
Torn between relief and sadness, Liam watched Gavin climb the stairs behind Niall. How he hated the feelings that still tore through him each time those amber eyes landed on him, the pitch in his stomach competing against the bile in his throat over how the man once treated him.
In order to keep his word and return for Sabrina, he tried to leap back to the other realm, but couldn’t. He had overextended his powers to the brink when bringing Gavin back.
Liam stared at the ceiling until Padriag nudged him. “Hey, look at this. Do you think this is a bring back memory spell, or a spell to improve memory?”
Looking at the gibberish on the page, Liam couldn’t tell, so he just gave Padriag a blank stare. “I need you to go back and bring Gavin’s enchantress.”
“Nah, you go. I have a spell to figure out.” Padriag replied.
“I’ve tried leaping to the other realm several times but cannot after bringing Gavin back.” Liam revealed.
Padriag blew out an annoyed breath. “We don’t think I can do it. I can try, maybe later. I have to work on his memory. I think that’s more important right now.”
Liam bit back the urge to growl. “I promised them that I would return immediately and bring her here. She is the only person Campbell remembers.”
“I get it,” Padriag replied. “Well, I’m not going anywhere tonight. Unlike you, I have to go out there.” He pointed toward the doorway. “I can try at sunrise and see. I’m not sure I can will myself to wherever Sabrina is.”
It made sense. Centaurs and other creatures could see at night. Liam had not considered it. “Perhaps it is for the best. Gavin could possibly regain his memory after some time with Niall.”
Either way, Liam would try again in the morning; it was time for him to start seeking the way to end his own enchantment. Unfortunately, he didn’t see an enchantress in his future. He’d never felt a pull to return to England. Whenever he had gone to the other realm, he’d always gone to northern Scotland, a city called Carlisle, where his family had owned lands.
John Stewart was a witch, a person who could cast spells. And, Liam was certain, someone who preferred men. There had been something in the way the man had looked at him. The interest in his gaze had been more than just curiosity.
Perhaps this man was the answer to his freedom. It could be there was a glimmer of hope.
It had been a restless night of images whirling in Gavin’s mind. So many pictures of people and places, strange beings and battles. He had awakened many times throughout the night confused and exhausted.
When the light of dawn finally came through the window, he rubbed his dry eyes and studied the surroundings. The room hadn’t changed, he remained in the alter-world. In his last dream, once again, he’d been with Sabrina. Her presence had been so vivid he’d expected to wake and find her there.
Irritated and feeling groggy, he got up, dressed and went downstairs.
As he descended the stairs, the sight before him gave him pause. The great room was littered with books and papers. The young knight, Padriag, slept, his face on an open book, his soft snores the only sound except for the crackling of wood coming from the fireplace.
Not sure if he should wake him, Gavin paced the room. Its familiarity told he’d been in that room. It felt like home. But no specific memories came. Frustrated, he threw his head back and stared at the ceiling. Why couldn’t he remember anything?
According to Niall, the wizard, Meliot, used all types of weapons against them. This weapon seemed formidable, insurmountable. If he could not remember, how could he be freed and help save the others?
He tapped on Padriag’s shoulder. The young man bolted upright and stared up at him. “What?”
“Where is Sabrina?”
“Scotland,” Padriag replied, his eyes half closed. “Liam couldn’t go get her. He tried. I have to wait until sunrise.” He scratched his head and yawned. “Is it sunrise?”
“I believe so,” Gavin said sliding a look at the dim sky outside the window.