Shadow Highlander

SIX

Galen would have preferred to keep to himself the rest of the day, but the need for them to earn the Druids’ trust so they could find the artifact and get the Druids to safety had him smiling and talking to all who would venture near him.

He also expected at any moment that one of the elders would make them leave. He wasn’t sure why they hadn’t, but he wasn’t going to question it.

He also wanted to read more of the markings on the stones at the entrance, but he didn’t want anyone seeing him doing it. But everyone continued to be most curious about him and Logan, so much so that he couldn’t take a step without someone watching him.

To his disappointment he never caught another glimpse of Reaghan. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing and where she had gone off to. The village wasn’t large, but the thick forest made it simple for a person to hide and remain unseen.

Galen hadn’t learned much through his questioning of the Druids. None knew how to read the markings on the columns, and though they were curious, they were guarded, even silent at times.

They feared for their very lives, which he understood. He wished he could tell them what he was, but if they didn’t trust him now, they surely wouldn’t after that.

He had caught sight of Logan throughout the day. Each time Logan was with a different woman, making her smile, making her laugh. Logan had the women lowering their guard in a way Galen never could. It was Logan’s specialty, and he was a master.

Galen looked at the sky through the thick foliage of the forest, surprised to find the setting sun had turned the sky purple and orange and the deepest red. Despite having to keep his true self from the Druids, he found he enjoyed being around them.

Their magic was soothing and helped to ease the troubles which hounded him relentlessly. Although Galen considered that it could have been the pure majesty of the loch and the forest that eased him.

He couldn’t say which he enjoyed more. He could stare at the loch all day and watch the way the wind played upon the water. The peregrine they had seen the day before must have a nest nearby because it flew over the village several times.

Galen paused to lean against a pine on the edge of the village, the loch visible between two trees. He could just make out the sun glittering on the water, and he found he wanted to see more of it.

He made his way to the water down the steep slope. He halted several paces from the water’s edge and stared, but his gaze wasn’t on the magnificent sunset. It was on Reaghan.

Her beautiful auburn locks were unbound and glowed fiery red in the sunset. The bottom of her gown was soaked as she played in the water with the boy, Braden. Her laughter was pure and musical.

He couldn’t help but smile when she chased after Braden and caught him up in her arms, making him squeal and laugh. She gave Braden a kiss on the cheek and set him down to play again. Before she ran after him a second time, she paused and turned her head to look at Galen.

A slow, sweet smile pulled at her lips, making his blood heat and his body yearn to touch what he could not dare have.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Galen turned to his left to find Mairi navigating the slope to stand beside him. “Aye, she is.”

“She is destined for great things.”

He would rather continue to watch Reaghan and Braden, but Mairi made sure she had his full attention. Galen clenched his jaw before he asked, “Why do you tell me this?”

“Because it’s important. You will leave soon. Do not give Reaghan false hope.”

“I would never do that.”

“You don’t think I see the smiles she sends you or the way you watch her? It’s evident you want her.”

Galen faced the elder and looked into her eyes. “Just because I want something does no’ mean I’ll take it.”

“We know nothing of you or Logan.”

“You allowed us inside your village.”

Mairi smiled slightly. “You have no weapons, and though we are women, it would take some doing for two men to gather all of us.”

Galen blew out a sharp breath. If only Mairi knew the truth … “What is the real reason you doona want me near Reaghan?”

“I’ve told you the truth, Galen. She is destined for great things.”

And Galen knew he was far from great. He would only harm her, and somehow Mairi saw that. He couldn’t blame the elder for wanting to keep Reaghan safe. Galen would do the same in Mairi’s situation.

“Please. I’m begging you. Keep your distance from Reaghan.”

“I will no’ ignore her.”

Mairi bowed her head. “Thank you.”

His enjoyment gone, Galen turned and walked away. He needed to find Logan anyway and see if he had learned anything new.

It was no surprise when he found Logan with another woman. This one had flaxen hair and voluptuous breasts she kept jutting toward Logan’s face.

Logan spotted Galen and nodded in greeting. He said something to the woman, gave her a quick kiss, and made his way to Galen.

“I didna mean to interrupt.”

Logan winked and smiled knowingly. “No harm done.”

Galen could only shake his head. “I’m glad one of us is making headway.”

“Come,” Logan said. “Let us walk.”

They strode side by side deeper into the forest, away from the village. Once they knew no one was near, Logan turned to him. “Did you discover anything?”

“It seems the Druids were curious enough about me to want a closer look. They spoke, and a few answered some questions. No one I talked to knew how to read the pillars,” Galen answered.

“I learned the same. I was able to get a bit more out of a couple of women. These women could do with more Warriors around. They are in desperate need.”

Galen bit back a laugh. “Just tell me what information you gleaned.”

“They are hiding something here. I gather it’s the artifact, but they doona call it by a name. They rarely speak of it, but occasionally they would mention something about the Druids protecting the object.”

“Just what the column stated.”

Logan nodded. “My thoughts exactly. I pressed for more, but the woman quickly stopped talking when she realized she had let that wee bit of information slip.”

“What else?”

“Druids have been leaving the village for some years. What you see is all that’s left. The young men were either killed by wyrran that came sniffing around, were taken by the wyrran, or left on their own accord.”

Galen leaned a shoulder against a tree. “With everyone thinking they are so safe, it will be easy for Deirdre to invade.”

“Aye. I’ve had the same thoughts. The magic here is old, but the Druids themselves have little magic. They will be no match for the wyrran.”

Galen growled at the mention of wyrran. “Unless Deirdre comes herself. She could have found another Druid and already used magic to return her form. In which case she’ll be coming here herself.”

“Shite.”

“I’d hate to return empty-handed to the castle, but unless we make some headway soon, I imagine we’ll be asked to leave.”

Logan quirked an eyebrow. “I’m surprised they have no’ already asked.”

“I expect it will come with the dawn. Mairi warned me away from Reaghan.”

Logan grunted and rolled his eyes. “I’ve noticed Mairi doesna allow Reaghan out of sight for long. I’m no’ sure what Reaghan has done to have that kind of attention, but it would make me daft.”

“Interesting. I didna realize Mairi watched her so. There is a deep bond between them that’s evident.” Galen scratched his jaw and frowned. “But when we came upon Reaghan yesterday she was alone.”

“True enough. It didna take the elders long to locate her, though.”

Galen shifted and put his entire back against the tree. “Do you think the artifact could be on Reaghan? Maybe a pendant or something?”

“I doona think so. For some reason it appears as though they treat Reaghan as if she’s the most precious thing in the world.”

“I wonder if it has anything to do with the fever they helped heal her from.”

“Could be,” Logan said. “If we doona know what the artifact is, we cannot just take it.”

Galen grimaced. “I doona think we should steal it even if we know what it is.”

“It’s Deirdre we’re talking about, Galen. If this could end it all, wouldn’t you take that chance?”

“Aye,” Galen said with a sigh. He knew Logan was right, though he hoped it didn’t come to them pilfering anything. “I hate to do that to these Druids, but they are no’ leaving us much choice.”

“Once we have the artifact, then you can have Reaghan. I have a feeling she’ll come with us if you ask her.”

As tempting as that was, Galen couldn’t chance it. “You know I cannot.”

“Then I will. She needs to get out of here and meet other Druids. To have a life. Even you should be able to see she needs that.”

“She seems happy. I’ve no’ seen them mistreat her. In fact, their attention proves how much they care for her.”

But the thought of journeying back to MacLeod Castle with her for several days left Galen burning bright with need, a hunger he feared would only grow the more he was around her.

Logan rubbed his hands together and grinned wickedly. “If I find it, I’m going to take the artifact.”

“Without asking first?”

Logan flattened his lips. “You read the pillars, Galen. It said it cannot leave. The Druids willna part with it.”

“Do these Druids know that? They cannot read the text.”

“The story could have been passed down to them. Do no’ underestimate the Druids.”

“Exactly. Take your own advice,” Galen countered. “You doona know what these Druids might try to do.”

Logan scoffed at Galen’s words. “The only one with any amount of magic is Reaghan, and I doona believe she’d do anything to you. I hear you, Galen, I do. But I’m thinking of Deirdre and the threat she poses. I’ll chance these Druids’ ire in order to do whatever it takes to end Deirdre.”

Galen nodded slowly. “Aye, my friend. I feel the same. I was just as angry as you when we learned Deirdre wasn’t dead, as we’d thought.”

“Angry doesn’t being to describe how I feel.”

Galen paused, unused to the vehemence in Logan’s voice. The Logan before him now was one Galen saw only in battle, and it just proved how deep Logan’s hatred for Deirdre went.

“We will find the artifact,” Galen promised his friend. “Everyone is counting on us, and I doona want to return without it. I willna return without it.”

“Agreed. The ones we need to focus on next are the elders. They’ll know where the artifact is.”

“That willna be easy,” Galen said. “Let me see what I can do with them first. You keep questioning the women who continue to fall into your lap. You may discover more than we could hope for.”

Logan nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. “Someone besides the elders has to know something. We just need to determine who that is.”

“I say we doona waste any more time. I’ll see if I can find Odara. She seemed the most agreeable of the three elders.”

“Good luck,” Logan said with his customary smile in place. “We’ll need it.”

Galen grinned after Logan, but stayed long after his friend had returned to the village. Something didn’t seem quite right. What disturbed him more was the warning that the artifact couldn’t be removed from the village lest Deirdre discover it. With Deirdre occupied with gaining a form once more, it was the perfect time to get the artifact out of the village and to MacLeod Castle.

Galen decided it was time to see what he could learn from Odara. He had learned which cottage was hers earlier in the day. To his delight, when he knocked, she opened the door.

“Galen? Is there something you need?”

He decided to use some of the charm Logan found so successful and smiled. “Aye. I wondered if I could have a moment of your time.”

She hesitated before inviting him inside. “Of course. Please come in. Have you eaten supper?”

“Not as of yet.”

“Then please dine with me. I do hate to eat alone.”

Galen inclined his head and took the seat she showed him. “I gather the village once had a significant number?”

“Oh, aye,” she said, and bobbed her graying head as she spooned soup into a bowl. “I do recall hearing that our group of Druids had been one of the largest in Scotland. It breaks my heart to see so few of us left now.”

“I can imagine.” He smiled when she set the bowl in front of him. Galen stirred the delicious-smelling soup as he waited for her to join him. “Have you thought about leaving and joining another group of Druids to help your numbers grow?”

She smiled forlornly as she slowly lowered herself into her chair and patted his hand. “If only it were that easy. We have been in this area since long before the Romans came to Britain.”

“Sometimes change is for the best. You have no men to protect you or to marry the women to give this clan the children it needs to continue. You are dying.”

“I know.” She sighed and put a spoonful of soup in her mouth. “Believe me, it is something on the minds of every person in this village save for little Braden.”

Galen took several bites of the soup before he said, “Have you thought of inviting men no’ of the Druid heritage into the village?”

“Our magic is already diminished to the point that if we mix again, there may be no magic to the offspring.”

“Then I think I can understand why so many have left.”

“Aye,” Odara replied softly. “If I were younger, I might contemplate it myself. I longed for children, and the daughter I was finally blessed with was taken by the wyrran many moons ago.”

Galen set down his spoon. This time he was the one to cover her hand with his own. “I’m verra sorry.”

“Deirdre has made it so that it is the way of life. You either die at her hands, or die alone.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said the MacLeods would welcome all of you. We could protect you much better than even your magic here.”

She cocked her head and studied him a long moment. “There is something you aren’t telling me. Something about yourself you think you need to keep secret?”

“I am here to help you as well as to seek the artifact that could help end Deirdre.”

“Galen, what is it you are hiding from us?”

“Nothing you need to fear. Of that I give you my word.”