A Warrior's Perception (36 page)

“
If I swear it, will ye release me from my oath?
”
Kagan watched her carefully as she considered his request.

“
I will.
”

“
Then I swear I will return,
”
he whispered.

“
Kiss me like the brave strong warrior ye are. Kiss me like I am yers to claim.
”

Kagan's heart jumped and his chest pounded. His hands trembled as he tried to read her thoughts. The lion roared as he claimed the lips of his woman and devoured her heart.

Thunder rolled as Andra mounted the warhorse and pivoted to turn to the mighty gates of McKregan Keep. She had had enough. Kagan had been gone far too long and still no news had come. Her worries were mounting and she would not rest until she knew what had transpired in Fendenbriar.

She looked to the sky and pulled her cloak tightly about her shoulders and slid the hood over her head. She caressed the sword that dangled at her side and prayed no one would see past her disguise. She was covered in black trousers, a black shirt, and she wore buck skin gloves to hide her soft hands. A black scarf hid her face from the bridge of her nose to her neckline.

Lightning flashed and the gates were lit up as if it were day. From the second floor of the keep, Haley watched as Andra galloped from the keep. She smiled and a small giggle escaped her lips. Andra's disguise was nearly perfect, except for the swell of large breasts against her shirt. She turned, snuffed out the candle, and climbed into her bed wishing Andra the best of luck.

The night's ride was hellish, to say the least. The farther she rode, the harder it rained. The faster she went, the louder the thunder grew in her ears. She urged the horse onward as he tried to break away from the storm and find shelter in the hillside. Andra whispered and petted his neck and he went against his judgment to satisfy his ardent rider.

Andra cursed under her breath as coin sized hail rained down on top of her head. Her steed snorted and reared under the onslaught, but kept going. They rode like two messengers from hell for what seemed to be half of the night. Her shoulders ached as she pulled him to a stop and hit the ground with both feet. She guided the addled horse into a small cave to let the storm pass. She looked to the sky and shivered as the black clouds lit up and purged the earth with waterfalls of ice.

No matter, she would rest for now and begin anew in the early light of the morning.

Andra's teeth chattered as she pulled the blanket tighter about her frame. She had awoken to see the highlands covered in a thick blanket of brilliant snow. It was too early for such weather, but here it was. She thanked Fae that she had been smart enough to put a blanket over the warhorse’s back and one in the saddle bag as well. A single line of smoke rose from over the hill as the pair struggled to emerge from the cave.

The snow was deep, at least a foot, and the horse was not taking too kind to the bitter chill at his feet. Andra urged him onward to the line of smoke and prayed it belonged to a friendly face or at least one that would allow her to get warm.

As she edged closer, she could make out a large circle of stone pillars. Neatly engraved images danced around the smooth surfaces like nymphs playing in waterfalls. In the distance, she spotted the cabin where the smoke originated from.

Andra hesitated as she looked from the cabin to the large circle of stones.

A
Druid temple in its full glory.

The stones were twenty one feet tall, etched with ancient symbols and riddled with battle scars. They circled a large flat granite alter that was riddled with deep veins that streamed from its interior. Oddly, the snow had not fallen inside of the stones and the grass waved gently in the wind as snow kissed Andra's eyebrows. Andra jumped, caught off guard, by a deep flavorful male voice from behind her.

“
From what great brow have you sprung?
”

Andra turned and carefully maneuvered the warhorse to get a better view of the man. She tried not to look impressed by the dark skinned foreigner. His head was neatly shaved and he had no facial hair what-so-ever. His eyes were as dark as his skin, a brown the color of cocoa beans, and his attire was strange. A set of heavy broadswords crisscrossed on his back and gold hooped earrings dangled from his ears.

His face was strikingly beautiful, not handsome like Kagan's, but beautiful. His nose was straight and slightly pointed with almond shaped eyes with black lashes. He was tall and well defined, not thick with muscle, but very
well-toned
from the cords in his neck to the stretched length of his legs.

He wore a strange kilt that was more like short pants that were baggy in the crotch. His arms were covered in gold bracelets and his fingers were adorned with gold as well. Andra studied his face as he took a step to his left.

His right eyebrow was pierced and four small hoops dangled from the black slope. His perfect nose was also pierced on the right and four hoops dangled there as well. His bottom full lip twisted and Andra saw his snow white teeth, they were as perfect as his nose. He smiled and took a deep bow.

“
I fell from King Tanferi's bow, whence do you fall?
”

“
Do ye ask where I came from?
”
Andra tried to muffle her voice,
“
Ye speak strange in the country of highlanders.
”

“
Ah, I am not from this land, but I see that you are. I merely ask from what house were you born.
”
His voice was charming and held no accent.

“
I come from the Duncan clan.
”

“
I see that you are cold. I hope that you can entrust yourself to me while you obtain warmth from my fire and sustenance from my hearth.
”
He turned and went to his cabin, opening the door and bowing.

Andra hid behind her disguise and dismounted her horse. A man would gladly take his offer and have no fear. She followed as the horse sauntered off to the stone circle, to green grass and warmth. Andra entered the cabin and instantly her stomach rumbled from the smell of fresh cooking meat.

“
Please, sit down and I will cure the rumble in the pit of your stomach,
”
he said as he pointed to a large pallet of cushions and furs.

Andra sat down, acting her part, and sprawled out on the cushions,
“
What country do ye come from stranger?
”

“
The land of the kings. It is far from here and you must cross many lands to get there.
”
His answer seemed almost like he was skirting around his birth place.

“
I ha'e ne'er heard of ye land of the kings. Does it go by another name?
”

“
Indeed it does. Necropolis, the city of the dead, was where I was born.
”
His reply was given as he handed her a bowl of the sweetest smelling stew.
“
You may want to remove your mask before you partake of my kindness.
”

Andra gave him a narrowed look and he grinned,
“
Fear not, I know you are a woman hiding in men's clothing.
”

Andra frowned as she slid the scarf down to her neck,
“
What is ye name?
”

“
Jahfar,
”
he answered as he sat down opposite her,
“
And yours?
”

“
Ell'andra,
”
she mumbled as she sipped the stew. It flooded her mouth and she smiled as she swallowed it,
“
This is good. What is it?
”

“
My own recipe. Here, take this, it is chocolate.
”
He grinned as he handed her a flat slim piece of dark brown velvet.

She nibbled on the edge and took a deep breath,
“
Oh my! Ye choc...choc o lat is good.
”

“
Then eat, I have plenty more.
”
And she ate as her appetite demanded.

“
Are ye a warrior of some kind?
”

Jahfar stood as he offered his hand to her. She took it and he pulled her to her feet,
“
I am many things.
”

“
Ye ha'e swords on ye back as if ye were a warrior but there is more about ye than meets my eye.
”
She edged to the door to look to her horse. He was grazing happily in the grass.

“
I am many things. I am a priest, I am a warrior, I am a prince, I am a man, I am a humble servant of Ra, and together it makes me Jahfar.
”

He opened a large trunk and threw her a heavy fur lined cloak and covered his shoulders with another one. He dug farther into the trunk and pulled out a wad of long glove like ribbons. Andra was soothed by the sound of his bracelets chiming together.

“
Is Ra ye god?
”
Andra asked as they stepped out into the snow.

“
He is. What name does ye god go by?
”
He inspected the four fur stockings in his hand and looked at her horse.

“
My god is Fae, but the god of the highlands is Dagma.
”
She answered as they reached her horse.
“
Is Ra male or female?
”

He lifted her horse's hoof and slid the moccasin onto his leg,
“
He is male, but I also believe in many other gods, both male and female.
”
He continued to repeat his process with the rest of the horse's legs.

“
Thank ye for ye kindness. I must be on my way,
”
she smiled as he offered to assist her in mounting the tall warhorse.

“
Perhaps I will join you later on your journey,
”
he stated as he hoisted her small foot upwards with his hands.

Andra cracked a large grin,
“
But I ha'e na told ye where I am goin'
“

“
Your trail leads to the city where the war is raging and I long to see battle again.
”
His eyes grew larger with the thought of sword play.