Child of the Loch (Child of the Loch Series) (6 page)

He made the deception more believable by using his gift to skew what people saw. As the wall dropped, I saw his true-self. He was tall and fat with light pink skin. His round face was covered in dark warts and his almond eyes were black like tar. James’s bulbous, misshapen nose looked like another wart and his mouth was slimy like a toads. He was truly half something but Ogre wasn’t it.

Shocked and awed by what I was seeing, I could not respond. The vice grip on my arm continued to tighten as he stared angrily into my eyes. His eyes widened and darkened further with malice when he knew that I had seen behind his glamour.

James was poised to strike me with the hilt of his sword high about his head, but the Prince dropped from a tree landing on his feet with a thud and pulled me gently from James’s grasp. His threatening stance, deep rumbling growl and bared teeth were an unmistakable challenge to James, who turned and ran the other direction before vanishing all together. There was no trail that I could see.

However, the Prince gulped deeply and started after James elated by the thought of a chase. Surprising myself, I stopped him with a hand on his wrist. He dragged me a few feet before he registered my hand on his arm.

I dusted off and I called for my father, who came running through the underbrush. His sword was drawn and I could see the protective warrior in my father. He raised the sword to end the Prince but was stopped when I drew my own sword. The two swords clinked loudly and sent birds flying further up into the trees.

“Why did you stop me from slaying the Ogre and where is James?” He asked when he saw no sign of him.

The Prince wouldn’t stay with us. He slipped his wrist from my grasp and kissed my palm. He nodded to us both and said, “Good bye Grand Queen and noble Master, this is where we part.”

He backed into the forest with a pointy-toothed smile and gave chase to James. My father and I were left alone. I told him about James’s betrayal and my strange connection to the Prince of Ogres. My father peered at me thoughtfully but said nothing. He was even careful not to think.

I wondered why but didn’t question him. I knew we were of the same thought on everything. We were sure that we had not seen the last of the Prince of Ogres or the last of James. Independently, I thought to myself that I could not trust my connections, because for a moment I was James’s.

5

We made plodded back to the orange meadow silently and continued forward. The trail was marked by a break in the wheat. It had been cut by a scythe so that the wheat was short and easy to walk through. We hiked for hours with no events to note.

My father would stop and name the different things we saw and deemed them safe or unsafe to eat. I was delighted with the new dynamics of the journey and the learning experiences that awaited me.

My father bent to show me a healing root, when an orange-
maned
lion blocked our path. The lion hissed like a snake and jumped at us, using its great venomous claws as weapons. Prepared to fight, we both drew our swords but before we could cut the lion to shreds or be torn asunder ourselves. Long arrows hummed past us. The lion landed a
few
feet from us and twitched its last movements before dying. The Prince of Ogres and three very large, shirtless men clad in pants of green buckskin came running up to retrieve their arrows. Each man carried a basket of different sizes woven from thin tree branches.

When they were closer, I felt the Prince reach out and stroke my mind. It was almost a caress without touching me. Each man bowed to one knee when they were five feet from us. The Prince spoke in deep, melodic tones, “Grand Queen of the Loch, I am Sean, the youngest of the King of Ogres' 10 sons. I have brought with me my men, Sheen, his twin, Kane, and their cousin, Tine. We have come to serve you. We bring gifts of the forest for her majesty and the best regards from her ally
Chian
, Sovereign of the Ogres.”

In turn, each man moved his hair to expose his neck with his eyes down cast. Unsure what to do I looked to my father for direction. My father directed me to touch each basket and then order each man to rise in order of rank. The Ogres were showing their submission to my will.

“Sean, Sheen, Kane and Tine rise.”

I touched each of their shoulders, with the tip of my sword. The first basket held many blue tipped arrows, the second held dried meats, the third held bladders of water and the last one held two scrolls with unbroken seals. We would have enough food and water for the remainder of the journey.

I was curious about the scrolls. Not waiting for the Ogre, I took the first scroll weighing it in my hand and studying the emblem in the wax. It was similar to the one on the scroll that James brought but there was something missing from that seal.

I recognized it. My father had one tattoo, more of a brand really, on his shoulder. I had the same brand but it was on the back of my shoulder so I rarely gave it any notice. Our mark was an ancient coat of arms. Our symbol had jewels upon the crown and the one up on the other scroll did not.

My father nodded and realized that in his grief he made a grave mistake. This was the real and true seal of the McDonnell. I broke the seal and read the words, written in shaky script that did not match the neat scrawl from James’s scroll. The scroll read:

“I have squandered many years on things that cannot be changed. I lie here now without my son,
Jacoh
, by my side. These last days bring much reflection. My son and his chosen wife were forgiven long ago. I have loved them all from the moment that I heard of the Halfling child’s birth, even before then. I have robbed us of many years in my stubbornness.

Now I am an old man. I go to see my beloved, Sabina, and it is too late. But now it is not age that takes me. It is the belief of my personal physician that I am being poisoned.

I know in my heart that it is James
McCuen
. He wanted my death for his clan, even though I took him into my court as representative of the
Turlinds
in peace. With no proof, I cannot accuse him without war. I am safeguarding my last will and testament with my most trusted ally,
Chian
, Sovereign of the Ogres.

It is my will that my grand-daughter choose her own love, but is it my hope that she chooses from among the sons of
Chian
. I recommend Sean, youngest son of the 10, above all others. He is young, strong and loyal. I have watched him since he was a mere
oafling
. I know that he will defend her to death and perhaps someday love her.

Chian
and I have spoken of this union many times and
Jacoh
did pledge them, but she must make her own choices and her own pledges. The pledge of
Jacoh
is annulled by order of King
Misha
McDonnell the Second.

As for my kingdom, my son will be acting steward with all the powers and rights of the McDonnell name, so that he may guide the Princess as she learns what it means to be Queen.”

The scroll ended with the true seal and signature of my grandfather. I caressed the scroll. It was the only thing I had from my grandfather, besides a crown I had yet to wear.

My father was shaking with anger, sparks flew from his fingers. He finally knew the true last will of the King. He had been deceived and robbed of his father. James had tried to steal everything my father held dear including his father, his birthright and his child.

He turned to me, poured water on his glowing hands and stroked my cheek, but said nothing. I knew he was cursing James, his line and his father for putting me in this situation. He hated James and the
McCuens
with a renewed passion for betraying us all and killing
Misha
McDonnell the Second. Each of the men seemed to share my father’s reaction. I sobbed for them all and hated the mess that I had stepped into.

Kane held out the other scroll in his large paw. His nails were retracted… I knew it was because as bearer of the seals he couldn’t scratch me or damage the scroll, which bore the seal of
Chian
, King of the Ogres of the Eastern Wood. It read:

“Take my men, Sheen, Kane and Tine as a gift to you. They will protect you on your journey and serve you from hereafter. Sean will be with you until you no longer have need of him then he can return home. Know that my sword and my council belong to you as it belonged to the Grand King of the Loch,
Misha
McDonnell II. ”

It was nice to see that I was not targeted by the whole of the Loch and I smiled in spite of myself. I could tell that I was going to like
Chian
, King of the Ogres.

With the news of the scrolls I turned to the three large men, who were to be my protectors. Surprised at my boldness, I placed one hand on Sean’s heart without permission. His broad chest was glistening in the sunlight and his heart beat faster. I placed my other hand on each of the men’s hearts. Sheen and Kane looked on with interest, wondering about my familiarity with the Prince and the touch of my hand but Tine simply looked at me with some boredom. Each man had a gift that would serve me well in the future and they were fiercely loyal.

Sheen and Kane seemed to be identical in every way except for their gifts. Sheen’s gift was fortune; he could see some of the future which changed with the decisions made and could be changed with the tide. It was unreliable at times but at others would be the difference between life and death. Kane’s gift was a warrior’s gift; he had an almost infallible sense for strategy in battle. Tine, the third of their trio, could share memories and invoke mercy and sympathy; he would be the voice of reason when tempers flared.

“Sheen, Kane, and Tine do you and your wives accept me as your sovereign? I will not force you to follow me. Will you be my men? People of my inner circle, my brothers. Will you follow me as you followed
Chian
, Sovereign of the Ogres of the Western Wood?” I asked.

Each of the men bowed to their knees again and exposed their necks. I ordered each one to rise and said, “Brothers, when I call for you, you will hear me. Your gifts will be used in my court alone. There will be few above you in my kingdom.” The words were not my own but something ancient and deep inside my blood uttered them.

Sheen, Kane spoke in side by side, velvety voices saying, “Grand Queen, my sword and gifts are yours. Ask what you will of me and it will be done. We have no mates but when we do they will swear oaths unto you, as well.” As they spoke, I saw further into their bond as brothers and twins. They were of two bodies and separate but very much of one mind.

Tine said in a soft voice, “I can only speak the truth. My mate is not here with me but if she were we would both swear ourselves to you. For now, you only have my sword and my gifts for your service.” I heard and felt the sadness in his voice; the despair at being separated from his beloved was nearly unbearable for us both.

Following their vows of allegiance, I turned to Sean. I stood on my tiptoes and placed my forehead against his as I had with Hank. I wondered why I did such a strange thing but it felt like the thing to do.

“Our connection is more than that of ceremony or that of allied kingdoms. From this day forward, I am pleased to call you friend.” Deep in my heart I whispered, maybe more someday, son of
Chian
.

With ceremonies done, it was time to set up camp. The men went digging hole in the ground and placed large stones around it. Then they burned the body of the poisonous dead beast. I surprised them by gathering things from the baskets to eat and wheat for my new allies’ beds. A true born and bred queen of the Loch would have allowed herself to be served, while an ogre 10th in line to rule would serve the others higher up in the hierarchy. They didn’t know that I didn’t feel the entitlement of a queen. I was only JJ from a small Midwestern town, who happened to be heir apparent to a throne.

At dusk, my father and I pitched our tents. I loved camping and I fussed as the Ogres trying to help snapped me with a tent rod. While my bruise cleared, we built a fire for light and warmth, careful not to ignite the wheat. Like friends on a camping trip we ate, drank and told jokes. We shared the stories of our lives and of our lands.

Sean stayed silent staring into the fire so that his eyes took on an aura. The twins regaled us with their tales of training and Tine shared his gift. He took my hand and showed me the paths to the beautiful kingdom of
Chian
and the loveliness of his mate, Ella, that he left behind. I could already read his thoughts but we both sought familiar comfort. Sean huffed at our intertwined hands but I soothed him with a gentle thought. I had only offered Tine the support and friendship of a sister while he yearned for his mate.

When the blue moon was high and full, the Ogres laid down on the thick beds of wheat around the fire. Sean’s bed, so close to my tent that if I reached to touch the nylon sides I would come in contact with a muscular shoulder.

I laughed to myself at his protective gesture. I listened silently into the night. I heard the twins grumble deep in their heads, that they much preferred the tree and Tine’s heart was breaking more moment by moment.