The signs had been clearer, and this was more than she’d seen before. As he watched, her eyes rolled back and she rocked from side to side, raising her arms toward the sky. The words of an ancient prayer flowed through her, and she whispered it into the air around them. Even he could feel the amount of power flowing in this area, from Yester. Some was good, some evil, but all of it fed and strengthened her power to decipher the prophecy and find the location.
“We must be ready. We travel north, across the water north of Edinburgh. Into the lands to the northeast of Scotland. That is where the first circle lies.” A frantic nervousness filled her then, and she began to shake. Dropping her arms as her eyes cleared, she cried out, “He knows! He has been there!”
“Aislinn!” Marcus took hold of her and held her by her shoulders as she watched something in the air or in her thoughts pass before her eyes.
“Blood had been spilled at the circle. The evil one pushing her power across the barrier meant to keep her in exile,” she whispered, shaking her head. “So many centuries of waiting and it has begun.”
“Aislinn, breathe now,” he said, shaking her.
She clutched her hands over her ears, as though trying to block out some sounds. Aislinn could not help the warriors of destiny who would face the ancient one if she did not gain control over these visions, much as the warriors had to control the powers in their blood. He’d taught her such control, and together they prayed to the ancient six to aid her in her task. Finally, the shaking calmed and she faced him.
“Better, lass?” he asked, stroking her cheek.
She’d fallen to the ground, and now the rest of the priests surrounded them, drawn to the power of her prophecy. The horror in their gazes revealed what they’d witnessed. Aislinn tried to stand, but her legs would not support her yet.
“Give yourself a moment or two,” he urged, even as he steadied her and helped her up.
“We must head north, Marcus, everyone.” Those gathered looked to Marcus, who nodded.
“Pack and ready yourselves for the journey north,” he said, pointing to a few of them. Then he spoke to the rest of them. “A Warrior seeks the truth.That is the first bloodline mentioned in the prophecy, and I believe we must wait for Sir William. He will lead us north.”
They were neither worldly nor human warriors and would need someone with experience in fighting and planning to lead them. Though he still questioned their history and his part in this, William’s blood had risen. The huge, blue-skinned, single-minded warrior who’d crashed into their camp when he thought the fireblood in danger would be their protector—andhers. In spite of their attempts to teach him, it was his own self-doubt that held his powers at bay.
“Aye, Marcus. William will lead us once he comes to us. Be prepared to do what he tells you to do,” Aislinn confirmed.
The others scattered to do as she and Marcus bade them, and she stared off at the castle in the distance. In spite of some spell keeping it muted, it was no doubt the center of the evil one’s power. It would begin there and spread out, evil trying to snuff out that which opposed it. He sent up prayers that they would all be strong enough to carry out their parts in this quest.
It began now, and by the time it was finished, the world could be brought to its end.
Gods have mercy.
William watchedas the very large group began its trek out of Yester Castle. He counted more than three score soldiers escorting the lord’s wife and daughter on their journey back to their lands in France.
“So many?” Roger asked from over his shoulder. “Do they travel through some hostile area I know not?”
“My thoughts as well,” he said. “Return to the camp. Send a man to follow them.” William turned to Roger. “Not to be seen.”
Roger nodded and left.
“Gautier and Armand, you both remain here until the castle is returned to its usual condition and then make your way back.”
“Will . . .” Gautier began to argue.
“I plan to follow. We must get word to the king about the weapons cache even if I do not know its purpose yet. And I want you both well away from here.”
The strangeness increased with the dawn. A rumbling kind of sound, which he could feel around and within him, had woken him. He could feel it in his chest and with every breath. From the ashen faces of those around him, he was not alone in the experience.
“Get everyone ready to leave.”
“And go to . . .?” Gautier asked.
Will shrugged. “Just be at the ready. Arms and armor,” he added.
It took some time for the large group to travel out of the yard, over the bridge and through the gates. As the carts, horses, and men on foot trickled out, William saw Gavin and the boy who’d kissed Brienne being led in by several guards. Tempted to follow, he stopped when Gavin met his gaze and shook his head slightly.
Bringing Gavin and the boy here, to the family’s residence from their path, meant only one possible thing, and it was not good. He knew how men like Hugh controlled—through fear and pain. Pawns to be played. Was Brienne resisting Lord Hugh’s plans, then?
A servant approached with a summons to meet with Lord Hugh, and William knew he would find out more. With a nod, he released Gautier and Armand, who would leave as soon as they could.
