Chapter Twenty-Eight #6
“Hellfire, you hand me such bullshite after all these years? You didn’t know it until after we snuck away. You would never have allowed me or anyone to steal one of your sisters away. I’m not daft yet, Grant.”
“I cannot argue with that fact. You got by our defenses, but it didn’t happen again.
And look what good she did for your brother.
I did find out about the situation in the morn, and once I knew the circumstances, I decided to allow it.
But ten men were following you through the woods.
” He cast a serious look at him. “And I don’t regret it. ”
Logan nodded. “Brenna healed more than Quade in our clan.” He stared out over the trees, ignoring all that took place in the bustling courtyard beneath them.
“Aye, she helped Lily and Torrian, too.”
“She healed more than those three, but you know that, old man.”
Alex looked at Logan and nodded. “I do.” Logan had struggled to handle the sickness of his beloved niece and nephew.
“I was there when you took a knee to vow you’d trade your life for hers.
Others didn’t understand the implications, but I did.
That same day we made the best alliance ever for Clan Grant. ”
Logan glanced over at him, a small smile on his face. “I agree. Too bad we always bested you at the annual Ramsay festival.” The gleam in his eye told Alex exactly what he was after, but he ignored his friend’s plea for competitiveness.
“Do you think the festivals will continue after we’re gone?”
Logan nodded. “I believe Mama and Papa, and Quade are there every year. They’ll go on for centuries.”
They said nothing for a while, just enjoying the view and the company. Then Logan said, “Do you still dream about Maddie?”
“Aye. About twice a moon. She comes from heaven to deliver messages. She’s never able to linger, but I cherish every moment. Every memory. Why do you ask?”
“My Gwynie weakens. She’s not what she used to be.”
“None of us are, you old goat. She’s still better looking than you.”
“Aye,” he said, grinning. “I cannot argue that point.” He looked down at the view for a moment, collecting himself, then said, “But I think her time is near…”
He reached over and clasped Logan’s shoulder. “Fear not. When it happens, you’ll see her again.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The sapphire sword is passed on…
The many groups of warriors moved out of the hall, preparing for their journeys. There were only a few left, among them Father Dowall, who was reading his Bible by the hearth. Logan searched out Alex, Avelina behind him.
Alex could see them making their way across the hall. When Logan reached him, he said in an undertone, as if he didn’t wish anyone else to overhear them. “Lina and I must speak with you.”
Alex knew exactly what they wanted. He looked across the hall and called out, “John, help me to the solar, please.”
John hurried across the hall, eager to help his grandsire as he always was. “I wish I could travel with them, Grandsire. How old must I be? Papa asked me to stay here while they search for Chrissa, but he said I could go to Stirling with him after they return.”
Alex wouldn’t tell the lad that it was his fault he was still here.
Once they were settled in the solar, Logan said, “Avelina has a story to tell you, John.”
John turned to her without speaking, his expression open and intent. He’d become a good listener, John. He wasn’t the sort to jump in with questions until he had a sense of what was going on. An unusual trait in one so young.
Alex nodded to her. “Go ahead, Avelina.”
“This is probably verra new information for you, so please listen and ask questions at the end. Many years ago, the Queen of the Fae visited me. She told me an evil force had captured the sapphire sword and was intent on using it to overtake the land. My mission was to find the sword and take it back. I was successful, although once the sword was in my power, I had to marry within two moons to preserve its power.” She smiled.
“I was fortunate to have already met the man I wished to marry. Once I defeated the man who’d stolen the sword, Queen Erena bid me to hide it.
She said we wouldn’t have a need for it for decades.
But she came to me a short while ago and told me the time had come to pass it on to someone else. ”
John was totally enraptured by the tale.
His eyes widened when Alex opened a drawer, taking out a package wrapped in a Ramsay plaid and setting it on the desk.
He nodded to Avelina, indicating she should be the one to reveal it, and she unwrapped the plaid and pulling out the sword, its gemstones glittering.
Alex and Logan watched, spellbound, as Avelina set the sword down closer to John. “Erena instructed me to pass the sword along to your grandsire. She said he would choose my successor, and he has chosen you, John.”
John lifted the sword, rubbing his fingers over the fine gemstones, then glanced up at his grandsire with wide eyes. “’Tis a most fine beauty anyone would be honored to hold. But why me?”
Alex said, “I chose you because you are young and you will protect it well. You have the constitution to think carefully before using it, to always consider what is best for our clan, our people.”
John, clearly humbled, set down the weapon. “I hope to make you proud, Seanair.”
“There is one other point we must make,” Avelina explained. “If you were older, you would have been given two months to find a mate, but I’ve learned you’ve already chosen your mate?”
“Aye,” he said without hesitation. “Coira.”
A knock sounded at the door. Alex smiled at John. “I was certain you’d say that, so I sent for her.” Speaking more loudly, he said, “Enter.”
The door opened and Coira stepped inside, her golden hair falling to her waist, unplaited but tied loosely back. She’d become a lovely lass at one and ten, but she was still shy unless she was around John.
“Coira, sit down, please,” Alex said.
John held up the sword for Coira to see, and she gasped. “Oh, John. ’Tis small but quite beautiful. What is its purpose?”
Avelina gave her a quick explanation, then finished by saying, “Alex has chosen John to be the bearer of the sapphire sword. Legend has it he must marry within two moons, but since he is so young, he cannot do so.”
“But could we not become betrothed, Seanair?” John suggested. “Would that not complete the legend, make it intact? I’ll want no other lass but Coira.”
Coira blushed and smiled, clearly pleased by the thought.
Logan jumped to his feet and said, “Works for all of Scotland. Coira, do you agree to marry John when you are eight and ten?”
John smiled and reached for her hand. She clasped it and nodded. “Of course. Naught would make me happier.”
“’Tis done, Grant,” Logan declared. “John Alexander Grant is the protector of the sapphire sword. You must never let it fall into another’s hands, John.
You’re to use it to eliminate whatever evil is plaguing our land, and once your duty is done, you must hide it and protect it with your life. Do you accept this charge?”
“And you must marry Coira when the time is right,” Avelina added.
“I am honored to accept.” He tilted his head. “But how will I recognize the Queen of the Fae if she appears to me as she has to you?”
“You’ll not miss her,” Logan said. “It’s a rare lass who appears within a swarm of butterflies.
” He clapped John on the back. “Now go off and find Chrissa and Drostan with your sire and the guards waiting outside. Be sure to kill any evil along the way. There’s something bad out there. I can feel it.”
John glanced at Alex, seeking verification of what Logan had said.
“There are guards awaiting you. They’ll bring you to your sire. You’ll be riding with the Highland Swords, lad.”
“You must use it this day,” Avelina said, her voice harsher and more urgent than usual.
“In fact, I would urge you not to hesitate. I can feel the rage inside of the sword. ’Tis reacting to evil around us.
You’ll know what to do when the time comes.
John, I’ve heard of your past success with the spectral power used by the Highland Swords.
It has been dormant for a while now. Am I correct, Alex? ”
“Not exactly dormant. We had no need for it for a long time. Dyna thinks it will return when necessary. I have to trust her instincts.”
“It may be because you needed the last piece, this sword. My guess is your niece and nephews were given their ability to protect John and the sapphire sword. Please consider that, John. The two powers are likely connected. They create the same storm surges. Use the sword well because together, their power could be even stronger.”
John, clearly humbled by what Avelina said, squeezed Coira’s hand and nodded. “I vow to do my best to protect the sapphire sword, guard it well, and only use it to protect our clans and all of Scotland.”
“One last thing,” Avelina said. “John, as bearer of the sapphire sword, I suspect you may have some powers of sight. You may get the inkling that something evil is near, that something feels wrong. Trust your gut. You’ll learn over time when ’tis real and when ’tis false, but until then, trust all that you feel.
I also found that the closer I was to the evil force, the more the sword heated. ”
“Heated?”
“Aye, the hilt will warm to your touch, much like the spectral swords. Another reason why I believe they are connected.”
“I shall do my best,” John nodded emphatically.
Avelina gave them each a swift hug, then said, “If you ever have questions, you’re always welcome on Menzie land. Both of you. And if you ever feel you’re in a bind, please call out to Erena. She will help you.”
John nodded before he left, Coira followed, and the door closed behind them.
“I think you chose well, Alex,” Avelina said. “I’m glad to turn it over to someone new.”
“Now he needs to find the bastard who’s out to get half of Scotland,” Logan said. “My belly won’t rest until he does.
Chapter Twenty-Eight