He nodded and then continued, “While some faeries like to taunt and tease people, the fae typically stay hidden. My mother told us they watch over our land to ensure evil never overtakes good. Sometimes they have to step in and offer tools to help guide us along. The fae have what she called chosen ones, people they empower with gifts others don’t have.”
He paused, watching his great-granddaughter absorb this information. Dyna was more aware of uncanny things than most because she had been given the gift of sight.
“Evil, good, chosen ones… What does it all mean, Grandsire?”
“Mama told Brenna and me to be aware of the cast in the land. ’Tis a feeling, an unnatural aura created by a surge of evil.”
A strange look came over Dyna’s face. “I’ve been dreaming about storms and rain and…darkness, Grandsire. Is that what you mean?”
“Aye, it can manifest as storms.”
“Is evil here now?” she asked, her expression intent.
“I’m afraid so, and someone must stop it.”
“When did you feel it before?”
“When Gregor Ramsay was a wee bairn. It nearly killed him. But the fae came to Avelina Ramsay and granted her a powerful sword to fight off evil.”
“The sapphire sword?” Her eyes widened at the mention of the special weapon. Even if she hadn’t heard this particular story, all in the Highlands had heard of the sapphire sword.
“Aye. The fae came to Avelina Ramsay and told her what to do. She vanquished the evil force.” Alex Grant closed his eyes, saying a quick prayer to bring them through this turbulent time safely. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at his great-granddaughter. “The sword was hidden long ago. The cast is back, though, and Maddie has visited me again in my dreams. She tells me the time has come for the sword to be retrieved from its hiding place. Avelina is on her way, with Logan Ramsay, and we must find the new owner of the sapphire sword.”
Chapter Six
Chrissa gets her grandsire’s support to travel with the group off to assist King Robert.
Chrissa sat in on the meeting of Grants and Ramsays in the solar. The messenger had finally arrived, and she was excited to find out what action would be taken.
Would she be allowed to go or would she be forced to stay at home? Grandsire was present, of course, and so were Uncle Jamie, Uncle Connor and Aunt Sela, plus her mother and father, Dyna and Derric, and Alick. The small Ramsay contingent was also present. It was a lucky thing Grandsire had expanded the solar before passing the lairdship on to his sons.
Uncle Connor started the meeting. “Jamie, now that there are no listening ears, please tell everyone what you learned from the messenger from King Robert.”
Uncle Jamie leaned back in his chair, balancing on the back two legs for a few moments before he banged back down with a jolt. “He’ll face Edward head on. He’s training his forces to fight in groups. Though he hasn’t made his strategies known,I’m sure he’ll use schiltrons. He’ll also have some mailed knights with cavalry, and he’s attempting to collect as many archers as possible. You know that has been a weak spot for him in the past.”
“Because the English have strong archers,” Molly said. “He gave me a formal request to gather as many archers as possible, male or female.” Chrissa wished to let out a wee yip of happiness but decided it wasn’t quite the right group for that.
Uncle Jamie said, “We’ve also received a request for foot warriors, horses not necessary. That puzzled me.”
Maggie laughed. “Oh, he’ll take all your mounted warriors, but he’s eager enough to have Highland forces, he’ll take them without. The English fear the savage Highlanders so much, he’d take us even if we insisted on fighting nude like in the times of old.”
Maggie’s comment sent the group into gales of laughter. They’d all heard the stories, although it wasn’t a method any of them had ever used.
“Duly noted,” Grandsire said. “What does he want from us now? Or does he wish to wait until we are closer to Midsummer’s Day?”
“He requested ten of our finest to meet with him. Some may be used to train his people, and others may be sent out on patrol.” Uncle Jamie glanced across the solar. “He specifically requested Derric and Dyna be among the group. Said he could use your special skills.”
“How soon?”
“As soon as possible.”
Grandsire said, “Since we’re all here, I’ll add that he has asked for the Highland Swords group to gather. Alasdair, Emmalin, Els, and Joya are on their way.”
“Has he told you how he plans to use us?” Dyna asked. She was a member of the group.
How Chrissa wished she could be part of that group, but it was mostly chosen and managed by Grandsire. He believed it had something to do with the three cousins being born on the same night. And even though Dyna was younger, she was an active part of the group. It was what happened whenever the group fought together that truly determined who was involved.
That and Grandsire’s dreams.
