Celtic Rose (13 page)

“
No. I have been well taken care of.”

“
Then what is that on your arm?” he countered as the rage filled his eyes again.

“
There were some soldiers in the forest; they knocked me off of Reverend and started attacking me. I fought them off as best I could. Reverend was able to get us out of there eventually, but not before he and I each received a good blow from their swords.” He examined the wound as she spoke.

“
Where is Reverend?” Gabriel and Kalan asked in unison. Gabriel shot Kalan a harsh glance. Kalan kept his head high, but grimaced at the scolding look.

“
He’s back at the village, in the stables. I didn’t have time to grab him before leaving.” Kallisto bowed her head, readying herself for the question she knew Gabriel would ask next.

“
And why did you need to leave in such a hurry?” He waited for an answer, although he threw a knowing glance at Talus.

“
I was not sure whether Talus had come to take me away or not; I didn’t want to find out. He’s a very good tracker though. I used every trick you taught me and he still found me. I hadn’t realized that he had come back around until he was there,” Kallisto said, smiling fondly at Talus. Gabriel looked at Talus with respect then, but there was still a hint of distrust in Gabriel’s sapphire eyes.

“
How were you able to track her so well? The tricks she would have used should’ve lost even the most able bodied tracker.” Gabriel looked at Kallisto with skepticism as he spoke. “Are you sure you didn’t want to get caught? Maybe you went easy on him so he could catch you.”

“
At the time, I thought he was out to get me. No, Gabriel, I certainly did not mean to get caught. I even fought him after he did catch me.” Kallisto was insulted that he would think she’d make herself that easy to catch.

“
Gabriel, sir, I promise you, she was not easy to track. I mostly went on instinct and sound. She tried her best not to make a sound, but my ancestors left me with very keen senses, just as the princess’s ancestors left her with certain abilities.” Talus looked at Kallisto knowingly when she jerked her head up to look in his eyes. She had never told him about her ability to tell the truth from a lie. Gabriel seemed intrigued by this new knowledge.

“
What types of abilities do you have?” Gabriel said, smiling, sheathing his sword.

“
My senses are heightened to the point where I can hear a heart beating if I focus enough. Her heart was pounding nearly as fast as a rabbit’s. I knew it was her by her scent. I tracked her scent to the pub and I used both to track her through the forest.” Talus smiled humorously. He looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“
I wondered how you could tell that was her in the pub.” Gabriel’s eyes widened.

“
You were there?” Kallisto looked at him in shock as the truth dawned on her. “The hooded stranger in the tavern that started the fight, that was you? How Gabriel? How were you able to be there without me sensing you?” She couldn’t believe that he could get past her senses. She’d always been able to sense those that she’d been around her whole life. She had felt something familiar about him, but it wasn’t as intense as it should have been.

“
I told you there were those who could trick your abilities. But it wasn’t perfect–there towards the end you did see me, and even though you didn’t know it was me, you still felt something. Did you not?” Gabriel was grinning now.

“
I sensed a like soul in you, but that’s all,” Kallisto said with mock hostility.

“
But that is still something. Maybe we can work on honing that ability so that you can sense even those who have the ability to fool you,” Gabriel turned back to Talus. “Now…tell me more about your abilities.” Gabriel clapped him on the back and they walked off toward the village talking, motioning for the others to follow. Kalan and Ramina came up behind Kallisto. They stood there for a moment, staring in awe at the sight of Gabriel befriending a Scotsman so quickly. Finally, they grabbed their swords and shoes and started following them.

“
Kallisto?” Kalan said her name softly.

“
Yes Brother?” She looked at him, confused. He seemed distracted and thoughtful.

“
How were you able to lie to me about the shark? We’ve never been able to lie to one another, but you lied to me easily about the shark. I really believed that it was a shark and not a dolphin,” he said , concerned and hurt by the alien experience. There was pain in his eyes and his brow was crumpled. Kallisto froze for a moment as she realized what she’d done.

“
Surely not, Brother. Maybe you were just too distracted by Ramina to see the lie in our words.” She clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. He sneered playfully back.

“
That would be a good excuse, Sister, if I hadn’t been so in tune with you. I can tell the lie in you now. You don’t believe that excuse any more than I do.” He put his free arm around her. Ramina looked ahead as though she was trying not to pay attention to their conversation.

“
You’re right. I don’t believe it, but you heard Gabriel. Maybe I just fooled you like he did me, without realizing it.” Kallisto beamed arrogantly. Kalan smirked mischievously.

“
Now Sister, I do not think you are powerful enough to do that. What I feel you will always feel, as I will your feelings until the day we die. It was probably just a onetime occurrence. There’s no telling what could have caused it.” He looked ahead at Gabriel and Talus but he didn’t fool Kallisto. She could feel his doubt but she didn’t say anymore on the subject.

By the time they returned to the village Talus and Gabriel had shared several tracking techniques. Talus had a technique to track every move Gabriel had taught Kallisto, such as not disturbing the terrain too much, bobbing and weaving instead of running in a straight line, and being aware of the surroundings so they could find places to hide. Gabriel seemed very impressed by Talus, as shown by his laughter and camaraderie, but Kallisto knew Gabriel had an ulterior motive. He’d want to learn all he could from Talus so he could find a counter for them all. He may have started developing a bond with Talus, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t pump him for as much information as he could; he’d do the same to anyone, including family and friends, if it served his purpose. Talus seemed to have an agenda of his own as well; a person has to give information to get information. Kallisto could tell Talus was gaining just as much information from their bonding experience as Gabriel was, but it seemed Talus truly wanted Gabriel to like him. Kallisto could only hope that Gabriel truly would like Talus so he could put a good word in to her father about him. That might be the only way her father would agree to the union.

“
What are you thinking so hard about?” Talus brushed his thumb across the lines on Kallisto’s forehead, trying to smooth them out. She hadn’t even realized that he’d walked back to where she was. He laughed when her eyes finally came into focus on his. “You weren’t even here, were you? Where did you go?” He cradled her face between his hands. Gabriel watched with suspicious eyes; it would be quite a while before he would trust Talus.

“
I was just thinking about what my father’s reaction would be to all of this.” Kallisto stared into Talus’ beautiful blue-green eyes and was no longer sure that she’d care about that anymore. Talus smiled, as if he could tell what she was thinking.

“
Whatever your father may say, I promise you that I will not be going anywhere. I want to stay with you no matter the consequences. Even if your father doesn’t approve, we’ll find a way to be together.” He leaned close to her, pausing for only a moment to judge her reaction. When she didn’t move or act hesitant in any way, he proceeded. Kallisto’s eyes fluttered shut as their lips met, and she concentrated on the feel of his lips bound to hers, moving with them like two dancers perfectly matched. The kiss was gentle and loving, his lips so soft as they pressed against hers. She lost herself in the movement of their lips, forgetting that they were not alone. She locked her arms around his neck as his lips parted invitingly. Her heart fluttered like a butterfly trapped in her chest. She’d never been kissed like that before; there had never been anyone for her to kiss like that. It made her feel free and alive. She felt like she was floating on air, and she couldn’t feel the ground under her feet. The only feeling was the feel of him in her arms.

Someone cleared their throat, reminding them that they weren’t alone. They pulled apart and found that it’d been Gabriel. He was looking around at the sky, at the ground, in the distance, anywhere but at them in their intimate moment. Kalan and Ramina were complacent in each other’s arms.

“
All right you two. If we’re going to bring this to the attention of your father, then I believe we need to go. I’ll try to keep you from the wrath of the king, but I have to say, my hope is not high. Your father has already promised you to a Scotsman. It will be hard to make him understand after the event on the ship.” Gabriel thought for a moment. “There’s a possibility that this will work, but we’ll have to keep our Scottish guests hidden until the opportune moment.” They all gaped in shock as Gabriel conspired against the king’s wishes.

“
What? I may be the king’s dog but he doesn’t have complete control over every aspect of my life. I have some secrets that are my own,” he said with a grin and a wink.

“
How are we going to hide them with soldiers at every gate?” Kallisto asked, slightly discouraged.

Gabriel’s grin widened. “You were able to leave without the guards knowing, were you not?” Gabriel seemed to get more confident as the conversation went on. He started rocking back and forth from his heels to the tips of his toes. It made him seem somewhat child like with enthusiasm.

“
Yes, but that was only because Kalan distracted the guards so that I could, and Kalan only got out because he had the excuse that he was going to find me. I have every confidence that we can get back in by saying that you found me and are bringing me home, but I don’t believe that they’ll allow two strangers in with us, even if you have an excuse.” Although she couldn’t help but smirk at his childlike enthusiasm, Kallisto was still skeptical.

“
Now Princess, here I thought you could be as devious as me.” He bore his eyes into hers, grinning. He was sending her an unspoken signal that the dreamer’s eyes couldn’t understand, but Kallisto gave back a knowing and mischievous grin.

“
Gabriel, that just might work.” She was ablaze with confidence and determination. Gabriel beamed at her proudly. Kalan smirked knowingly but said nothing. Talus and Ramina stared from Gabriel to Kallisto and back in confusion. She turned to Talus. “Ever think of being a peasant?” Talus’ confusion turned to realization.

“
We’ll need the clothes to look the part,” Talus said with a wink. Ramina grinned as the realization dawned on her as well. They grabbed each other’s hand and walked the rest of the way to the village and on into the stable with their plan confirmed and in motion. They acquired Reverend from the stable as Kalan went to get his horse out of the forest. Ramina, Talus, and Gabriel’s horses were in the stable with Kallisto’s. Kallisto couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed Gabriel’s horse there.

After retrieving the horses they went to the only shop in the village to get some peasant attire. Talus and Ramina changed at the store, just in case they happened across anyone from the castle on the way back. They placed their clothes into a couple of satchels that they purchased along with the clothes. The old woman in the shop was very glad for the purchases. Kallisto could tell that she never expected to sell much. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she stared at the gold and silver coins Kallisto held out to her. She took the money happily and wished for their return one day.

After they’d effectively disguised Ramina and Talus as peasants, they started their journey back to the castle. The cloaks Talus and Ramina wore were tattered and hooded, perfect for their disguised stations and for hiding their faces in case they happened by someone who’d seen their faces before. Talus and Ramina had both shown their faces on the ship when they first met and Kallisto was sure a few of the soldiers would’ve memorized their faces, so they could be on the lookout for them.

Peeking through the trees of the forest Kallisto could see the tower, which held the healer’s lab, standing tall in the sky. The sun was low in the sky, giving the castle an orangey-red tint when during the day it looked white or light tan. The forest started to break and they could see the walls surrounding the castle; the gate lay just a few
troighid–Irish for feet–from where they emerged.

“
We are almost to the castle–you two need to stay quiet. We don’t need your Scottish accents to give us away. Pretend that you’re mute.” Gabriel gave a pointed glance at Talus and Ramina. Ramina nodded in response.

“
Would that not be obvious? You just happened upon two peasant mutes? That would seem a little suspicious to me,” Talus whispered as they drew closer to the guards.

“
My soldiers better not question me,” Gabriel spat. Talus nodded in respect. They came up to the gate then. The gate was several feet high, with large replicas of the lord and savior’s crosses on each side of the large opening. They could see the wrought iron gate peeking out and the sharp spikes from the bottom of it. In times of war those came in handy to kill enemies that tried to come through the open gate. It also served to give the gate a firm foundation into the ground so it would take massive amounts of force to break it down. Kallisto glared at the offending spikes at the ends as she thought of their purpose with Talus almost ready to go under them. It made her extremely nervous.

One of the soldiers stepped in front of them. “Maor Gabriel, you have found the princess; the king will be pleased. Who are the two peasants with you?” The soldier went to Ramina’s side, trying to look under her hood. (Maor was what they called the head of the guard; it meant captain, the highest honor besides the king).