Trial of a Warrior Read online

  “Us,” he corrected.

  After taking his hand, Abela took a deep breath in and released it slowly. The air warmed, and they vanished in a blur of light—arriving near the edge of a forest.

  Abela dashed ahead, scanning the area. “Are we near Moot Hill?”

  “Nowhere near,” he replied in the frosty air.

  When the first snowflake landed on his cheek, Liam judged it wise to take control of their current predicament. If snow was falling, they required shelter. Even a Fae could suffer from the elements. Since he was unable to transport them through the Veil of Ages, he needed to seek out other traveling arrangements.

  He knelt on one knee. Placing his fist upon the ground, he called out to the animal kingdom. Rabbits skittered into their burrows as an eagle cried overhead. Liam sent out the message for any horses in the surrounding area and prayed at least one would respond.

  “What are you doing?” asked Abela coming alongside him.

  “Snowfall is here. We need to remove ourselves from the harsh elements. I’m seeking traveling companions.” Liam stood and scanned the area. “We shall keep to the trees for protection until aid arrives.”

  “No. I shall attempt to take us to Castle Dunkelp.”

  “Absolutely not! You have proven to be unskilled when moving through the Veil,” he challenged.

  She darted him a look that would have frozen any hardened warrior. “Can you blame me? It was my first attempt.”

  “Nevertheless, I deem it unwise to move forward until we can judge the year.” He gestured her onward into the forest.

  Abela hesitated and then nodded.

  He kept stride with her steps, listening to any news from the animal kingdom. Without a sense of place, year, or his Fenian powers, Liam had to squash the growing fear that he alone was now responsible for the princess of the Fae realm. One who was headstrong, obstinate, and stubborn. He could handle those irritating qualities about Abela. Yet, there was another concern that plagued him. She tempted him beyond reason. When Liam entered the Brotherhood, he assumed his feelings were only those of a young man.

  However, the instant she removed her hood, those lustful emotions slammed back into Liam. The woman who walked beside him was one who had grown into a vision of beauty. Why had she entered the Temple of Mother Danu? Did she not want to marry? Her brother Conn had relinquished his right as prince when he entered the Brotherhood. So what would make Abela renounce the throne?

  Enough! To open the door on their past lives would only encourage an attraction. And Liam wanted nothing to do with her. Onward they traveled, and his mind continued to plague him with the past.

  “You’re thinking too much,” she scoffed, stepping over a fallen log.

  “I’m sorting out our situation,” he lied.

  She cast him a skeptical glance. “Remember, I can always tell when you’re lying.”

  Liam ducked under a branch, refusing to offer any more comments. The woman was infuriating. “Do share.”

  “Why? Then you’d try and correct the problem.”

  “If you cannot divulge your observations, then I must presume you’re the one lying.”

  Abela halted and pushed against his chest. “You know me better than that.”

  Liam fisted his hands. “And you presume too much. We are no longer in our youthful years. The decades have changed us both.” He noted the hurt reflected in her eyes, but refused to soften his tone or approach. “I could say the same about you. Always making false assumptions.”

  “You, you ba—”

  “You’ve already stated I was a bastard. And for the record I did have two, loving parents. Though I’m curious why you are using a human curse word.”

  Abela drew the hood of her cloak over her head and turned away from him.

  Stepping back, Liam scanned the sky. Smoke billowed in the frosty air high above the treetops. As he closed his eyes, he searched outward with his Fae senses. After several minutes, he detected one human life within a stone structure.

  He opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder. “We shall proceed north. There is human life.”

  She kept her back to him. “How far?”

  “Ten kilometers.”

  Turning around Abela held out her gloved hand. “I can take us there. Permit me to try again.”

  For a moment, he considered traveling on foot. The exercise in the frigid air might help deplete both of their tempers.

  “Trust me,” she pleaded.

  Letting out a groan, he complied and grasped her hand.

  The scenery blurred in muted colors, and they arrived tucked behind a grove of oaks.

  “Nicely done,” he acknowledged, and leaned against one of the trees. Noticing the Ogham markings, Liam traced his finger over the grooves in the bark.

  “Druid,” she pronounced and moved away from the protection of the trees.

  “Agreed.” He strode forth and stood alongside her in front of the stone cottage.

  “What now?” Abela asked.

  “We wait for him to acknowledge us. He already senses us.”

  “Powerful?”

  “One of the most commanding druids you shall ever meet in the human world.”

  “You know him?” Her question was one of surprise.

  “Yes.”

  The door opened to reveal a tall, elderly man. His gray beard was neatly trimmed, but his eyes were as bright as the day Liam first met the druid. In addition, he gathered the time was nowhere near the ninth century, confirming his suspicion and cementing his reasons why Abela was an untrained traveler. She should have never tampered with going through the Veil of Ages. They were most likely in the thirteenth century and years after the great battle had been fought.

  The druid inclined his head. “Greetings. What brings ye to my door, Fenian Warrior?”

  “We seek a favor. Do you have any horses we can borrow?”

  The man slowly turned his attention to Abela. “Great Goddess! Why do ye travel with royalty?”

  Abela gasped. She quickly composed herself and stepped near the druid. “How do you know?”

  He chuckled softly. “Ye have the look of another. Your brother, Prince Conn.”

  “Prince?” echoed Liam. “What is the year?”

  The druid frowned in concentration. “I will only answer your one question, Liam MacGregor. ’Tis obvious ye are without your powers. Aye, I have a horse to lend to ye”

  “You dare to defy me?”

  Abela held up her hand to halt Liam’s words. “I deem you are correct, druid. Do not answer the Fenian Warrior. We are traveling together to undo an unjust judgment.” She dipped her head in courtesy. “You were correct. I am royalty. My name is Princess Abela. And you are?”

  Liam gestured toward the druid. “Let me introduce you to Cathal, druid to the Dragon Knights and brother to the once evil druid, Lachlan.”

  Chapter Three

  “The first kiss broke the innocence.”

  ~Diary of Princess Abela

  The cry of a black falcon heralded the arrival of a lone horse, and Abela smiled. Praise Mother Danu. All we require is another. We shall not depart with one horse. Never will I put my arms around Liam MacGregor again. “Can we trouble you for some water and food, Cathal?”

  “I would be honored to have ye join me.” The druid extended his arm to her, and Abela accepted it with a smile.

  “I suggest we continue on our journey. The land will sustain us,” argued Liam.

  She gave him a skeptical look and proceeded to enter the druid’s cottage.

  “Grant an old man an hour of your time,” Cathal spoke over his shoulder.

  Liam grunted a curse, but complied.

  Abela removed her cloak and went to the hearth. She wished to know more about this human who was revered in the realm. Many of the Fae bards spoke eloquently of his mighty deeds in assisting the Dragon Knights and offering his wisdom to the Fenian Warriors.

  Whatever was cooking in the pot over the flames
caused her stomach to rumble, and she inhaled deeply. “Smells divine, Cathal. What tempting fare have you prepared?”

  The druid ambled about, collecting plates and cups from a shelf. After setting everything down, he went to a cupboard and brought forth an earthenware bottle. “A mixture of kale, onions, and wild mushrooms. Though I fear ’tis a meager fare for ye, Princess. The winter can be harsh here in the glen.”

  “I favor the hearty meal,” she replied. Smiling inwardly, she waved a hand over the pot, increasing its contents.

  “Wine?” asked Cathal.

  “Most definitely.” She beamed and made her way to sit at the small table.

  Cathal poured some into their cups. “Let me also bring ye some bread. ’Tis wondrous that I made several loaves yesterday.”

  “Thank you.”

  Liam stood by the entrance, rigid as a stone pillar. How she longed to bring a smile to his features. What had happened to him? Had she expected gratitude for helping him escape his doom? Yes. But that wasn’t what bothered her. When she removed her hood, he appeared horrified to see her. Furthermore, his verbal assaults were the worst. Gone was the Fae of laughter, poetry, and song. In his place stood a hardened warrior. And then Abela recalled seeing her brother Conn for the first time in many years. He appeared to possess the same demeanor. What did these warriors witness for them to lead such cynical lives? Abela could not fathom and her heart wept at the thought.

  There had to be a way to crack the exterior of this warrior. Abela smiled and patted the chair next to her. “Please come sit, Liam. We shall not tarry long.” She swallowed, hating the lie she was about to tell. “I have not eaten in over a day, and I find my strength ebbing.”

  His features softened, and he nodded. As he took a seat beside her, he stole a quick glance at her.

  Abela frowned. “Is something amiss?”

  “You should not be wearing trews,” he whispered, taking a sip of his wine.

  She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing. So he did notice her female form. Interesting. She waited to respond until after Cathal placed the bread on the table and departed to the hearth. “It would not have been proper dashing about in gauzy gowns.” Abela lifted her cup and added, “I would have been forced to rip the material to my thighs.”

  Liam choked on his wine, and she turned her head away to shutter her features.

  Cathal returned with bowls of soup for each and took a seat across from them. Bowing his head, he offered a prayer of thanks.

  “Yes, all praise to Mother Danu for providing food and shelter,” echoed Abela. She tore a piece of bread from the loaf and dipped it into her soup. Closing her eyes, she savored the flavors.

  “Ye favor the broth?” asked Cathal.

  Abela opened her eyes and smiled at the man. “I must commend your use of thyme with the other ingredients.”

  “You flatter me, princess.”

  “And you honor us by sharing. Where is this place?” asked Abela, reaching for her cup of wine.

  Cathal settled his gaze on Liam, but continued to eat his soup.

  “The Great Glen. Specifically Urquhart land and the home of the Dragon Knights,” replied Liam.

  Abela sipped her wine, letting the warmth spread throughout her limbs. The stories of the Dragon Knights were legendary as well. Then she recalled all the stories, especially those of Cathal and deduced they were not in the ninth century. She would not misjudge the next time they went through the Veil.

  Cathal settled back in his chair. “Is this your first time in the world of humans, Princess?”

  “Yes.” She swirled the wine in the cup, praying the druid would ask no more questions. Let him keep his interest on Liam.

  “And ye journey with a Fenian Warrior without a chaperon?”

  Smiling sweetly, Abela finished her wine and placed the cup down. “There are different rules within our realm. Women are treated as equals and do not need to have supervision.”

  “Truly?”

  Liam grumbled a protest. “The Princess was in error not to bring along her attendants.”

  Her hands twisted within her lap, longing to rip out his tongue. “And as a princess, I have the right to travel with only one guard.”

  “Is this a new rule in the kingdom?” Liam challenged as he reached for the jug of wine and filled his cup to the brim.

  She fidgeted within her chair. “You forget your absence has been lengthy. Or has the time of solitude addled your brain?”

  Cathal leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. “If I may ask Liam, what happened at your trial? When we last went our separate ways several years ago, ye were in shackles.”

  Abela noted the dark fury rising in Liam’s features and body. She never knew the precise time he entered his confinement within the Room of Reflection. The whispers had reached her deep within the temple many moons after she had met with her brother. She had shared too much and now had no wish to bring shame to him in front of the druid.

  “Liam has chosen to escort me on a journey of knowledge. It is part of his time spent in serving the royal household. The trial has been delayed.”

  Cathal rubbed a hand through his beard. “Interesting.”

  “How are the Dragon Knights?” Liam asked, before drinking deeply from his cup.

  The druid eyed them both with curiosity. “They are almost done with the building of Aonach Castle and will make the move from Urquhart to their new home come late summer.”

  “Perchance one day—”

  “No!” Liam cut her off with a wave of his hand.

  Why must he continue to spare words with me? She directed her attention to Cathal. “As I was saying, I pray one day the Dragon Knights all find peace in their new home.”

  “There shall always be conflict, Princess. But ye are kind to offer your prayers. Surely, Mother Danu listens to ye more than the others.”

  Surprised by his last declaration, Abela said, “The Great Mother listens to all equally.”

  “Agreed,” he acknowledged.

  Liam stood. “Thank you for your hospitality, Cathal.”

  “Ye may find my horse in a shelter behind the cottage. Her name is Epona.”

  “A Roman name? I am surprised you named her thus,” replied Abela, standing.

  Cathal chuckled softly. “She was a gift from another druid and it suits her.”

  Liam inclined his head. “We shall return her after our travels here in this time.” He grabbed his cloak and handed Abela her own.

  Abela watched as Liam strode quickly out of the cottage.

  “’Tis a dangerous path ye are on, Princess.”

  She met their host's searching gaze, but refused to divulge their true purpose for being here. The druid was inquisitive. “All journeys are fraught with danger, Cathal.”

  “This one can lead to both your deaths.”

  A tremor of unease skirted across her skin. His scrutiny was unnerving. “I can assure you no one shall die.”

  “A priestess outside the temple—unheard of. What would ye call this path you are on? A pleasant journey in the human world?”

  The food in her stomach soured. “I appreciate your concern, but it is not warranted. It is obvious the years have passed here in your world, and you have come upon this knowledge of me as a priestess in the temple from my brother. I have recently left the order and now seek to obtain information.”

  He dipped a slight bow. “My apologies. When ye return, give my regards to Prince Conn.”

  If he ever speaks to me again. “Of course. It was an honor to meet you. The stories told in my kingdom speak highly of you.”

  Cathal gestured her forward. “Ye flatter me once again.”

  As they stepped outside the warmth of the cottage, Abela smiled. Not only would they have the use of Epona, but also the stray horse that stood munching on some tuffs of grass between the frozen parts of the ground.

  “’Tis good ye have called another animal. And one in fine form,” remarked Cath
al.

  She lifted her hand in front of the horse. “We shall return him to his master once we are done.”

  “Safe journey, Princess, and heed my words.”

  “You are very kind, Cathal.” Clicking her fingers, the horse followed her down the path.

  ****

  The bitter cold wind slashed across Abela’s face. How she yearned to return to the cottage. What possessed her to think she could travel with the same endurance as a warrior during the harshness of the human’s wintertime? Yes, she was trained in the art of blades and arrows, but she had not the stamina needed for now or in battle. In addition, what made all her sensibilities flee whenever she was around Liam? Had not her time serving Mother Danu help to temper her tongue and quiet her mind?

  All her training, wisdom, and purpose were tossed aside when she drew near him. Never in her life did anyone rile her good judgment like this man. She spouted human curses, stomped her foot in agitation, and dared to push or poke him in the chest.

  I am a princess—a priestess! Quiet the mind, still the beating heart, listen to the words of truth.

  Abela straightened her back, inhaled the frigid air, and sought to bring warmth into her body and soul. She settled her gaze on Liam’s back. He kept a steady pace as they galloped across the land. Did he not understand why she risked everything for him? “Foolish thought,” she murmured. How could he empathize?

  Liam was correct. The years had changed them both. Nevertheless, her heart had maintained a vigil all those moons. What had occurred over a century ago meant nothing to him, but she was unable to banish her feelings. Only when she entered the temple of Mother Danu was she able to seal the chains of emotions she felt for the Fae warrior. At least she believed it to be so. When the whispers of his predicament brushed against her cheeks one autumn day, the force of the words knocked her to the ground. She never knew who sent her the message, but death was not an option for the man who dared to give her a first kiss.

  Abela lifted her gown and dipped her toes into the sparkling stream. She let out a sigh. The water was warm, soothing, and eased the strain from her limbs. The exercise with her tutor this morning was rigorous. She insisted on training Abela in her gown. When she tripped for the umpteenth time on the material, her tutor suggested the healing waters of the stream.