Book III

The Prophecy

Chapter Four

By Lady Faelyn Rose

   Shana stood beside a fountain in the center of Ravenswood’s garden. Beyond the lush foliage of the roof top oasis, a large crescent moon hung over snow capped mountains.  A whisper of music, from the birthday feast on the first floor, drifted up through the open door of the stairwell.

   “Thank you, Michael,” Shana told her young escort “for taking time to show me this wonderful garden.” She wandered to the ramparts on the south side of the fortress and looked out across the forest below.

   “I am glad that you are enjoying yourself, Lady Shana” Michael replied in a distracted tone. Shana noticed that he kept glancing towards the stairwell on the northern side of the roof “If you look above the trees to the south you can see the lights of Britain.”

   Shana scanned the horizon to the south and was surprised to see that Michael was right. The golden glow of lights from the large city shown brightly above the distant trees.

   A gust of wind blew down from the mountains, bringing a sudden chill to the air. Shana crossed her arms with a shiver “Perhaps we should go back inside, Michael. I did not bring a cloak.” Shana said, still gazing at the view.

   The wind rustled the leaves of the many trees and flowering plants around Shana, but Michael did not answer. Turning her head, Shana found that Michael was nowhere in sight.

   “Michael?” she called and began to retrace her steps back to the fountain. Shana strained her eyes in the dim light, searching for her companion. The sound of footsteps on the stone stairway drew Shana’s attention. In the muted light of a lantern, Shana saw the silhouette of a tall man emerging from the stairwell.

   “There you are” she smiled “I am sorry, Michael, but if we are to remain in the garden much longer I will need a cloak.”

   The man stood motionless on the threshold of the stairway. Although Shana could not see his face, she could almost feel him staring intently at her across the garden. The wind gusted again, fluttering the thin silk of Shana’s yellow gown against her and causing a shiver to run up her spine. She ran her hands up and down her arms as she started towards the stairs “Is that a cloak?” she asked, motioning towards what appeared to be a bundle in the man’s hand.

   “Aye” a deep, familiar voice answered “Perhaps you should keep it this time, my lady.”

   Shana stopped. It was not Michael who slowly approached her.

   “Dominic?”  Shana squeaked.

   “Forgive the intrusion, Shana.” Dominic growled, advancing towards her like a panther stalking its prey.

   The moonlight revealed an expression of anger on Dominic’s face. Her mind raced, trying to imagine the cause of his displeasure. Was he unhappy that she had accepted his mother’s invitation? Had he followed her to the roof to tell her so?

   “Dominic,” she retreated a step “what is wrong?”

    “Where is Michael?” Dominic demanded, with a scowl.

    “I do not know.” Shana’s heart was pounding so hard that she thought Dominic must surely hear it.

    “He left you here alone?” he questioned, frowning in disbelief.

   “So it would appear.”

    She studied his handsome face in the moonlight. It was a face which she had thought about often; dreamed of every night for the past week. But tonight she could see the dangerous warrior behind the disarming visage.

   “Michael is either a fool or…..” Dominic stopped mid sentence. It suddenly occurred to him that Michael had been speaking with Regina just before he had approached Shana. Could his sister have convinced Michael to escort Shana here just to see how Dominic would react?  “…or perhaps I am the fool.” he finished, thoughtfully.

   “Are you angry with me?” her voice a frightened whisper in the darkness.

    Dominic heard the underlying fear in Shana’s voice and realized that he had startled her with his aggressive behavior. He had very little experience with sensitive young maidens; having spent his life in training or on the battle field with other hardened warriors like himself. He stood perfectly still for a moment, allowing the tension leave his body “I am angry with myself.” he answered gently “Never with you, my lady.”

   Shana watched as Dominic unfurl his black woolen cape and cross the garden towards her. The wind ruffled his dark hair and tugged at the cape in his hand as he drew near.

   “This battle worn cape kept you warm once before” Dominic said, his face relaxing into a half smile “Will you wear it again, Shana Rose?”

    “Aye” she answered, slightly dazed by the sudden change in his demeanor. At this point the warrior’s looming presence caused her to shiver more than the cool night air.

    Dominic wrapped his cape around Shana in one fluid motion; adjusting it at her throat and smoothing the woolen material over her shoulders. Then his hands trailed slowly down the length of her arms until they captured her trembling fingers. He cradled her small hands in his calloused palms, silently watching for her reaction.

   “Dominic” she said, looking down at their joined hands “I never thanked you for helping me to escape from Jack.”

   “There is no need to thank me, Shana.” Dominic ran his thumbs across the smooth skin of her knuckles as he spoke. He knew, now, that it had been more than his usual heroics which had caused him to keep vigil outside the tower of Lord Jack. Without a doubt, Dominic wanted Shana Rose.

   Seeing Shana tonight at his father’s birthday feast had come as a shock to Dominic. At first he had been angry with his family for trying to force him to make contact with the young woman. But after Shana returned his cape, Dominic had begun to regret his decision to keep his distance from her. The cape had conjured up vivid memories of a warm moment in the snow.  The thick woolen garment had been cleaned, but retained the faint, sweet scent of Shana’s perfume, causing Dominic to keep the cape near him throughout the evening; unable to part with it.

   He had watched her from the bar as she dined with her family. Dressed in an elegant yellow gown, with her glorious hair piled in ringlets atop her head; it was difficult for Dominic to remember why he had ever thought that Shana was too young for him.

    When Michael led Shana up the stairway to the moonlit garden on the roof, Dominic had been enraged. He had been as angry with himself, for not claiming Shana first, as he had been with his cousin. And within minutes he had succumb to his urge to follow the pair.

    But instead of finding the couple in a romantic interlude, Shana had been standing beside the fountain, alone. As he watched her now, Dominic knew that he would not make the same mistake twice. He would not leave this garden without Shana by his side.

    “I shall never forget how you fought Jack’s men to save me.” Shana confessed.

    Dominic slowly pulled Shana into his embrace “I have my own fond memories of that night, Shana.”

    Shana held her breath as Dominic placed a feather soft kiss upon her lips.

    She gazed up at him in wonder. Perhaps Dominic had consumed too much ale and did not realize what he was doing, Shana thought. Perhaps this was all a dream. But at that moment Shana didn’t care whether it was magic or madness which had brought Dominic to her. He was here, holding her in his arms and that was all that mattered.

    “Dominic” she breathed his name as the warrior gathered her close. He rocked his warm lips against her mouth in a kiss that cleared her mind of all logical thought. When Dominic lifted his head he saw his own feelings mirrored in Shana’s eyes.

    “It is rare that I admit defeat” Dominic smiled, thinking of Regina’s ploy to reunite him with Shana “But in this battle I must yield. It seems that I am out numbered and out maneuvered.”

     Brushing a gentle kiss upon her forehead, Dominic admitted “And a little drunk.”

    “I am not sure what you are talking about.” she answered, softly “I can only hope that you are sober enough to remember me tomorrow.”      

    Dominic laughed and captured her chin with his hand; tilting her face upward so that he could look into her eyes “I shall remember, Shana Rose, of that you can be sure.”

    Suddenly Shana gasped “But what about Regina?”

   Dominic smiled down at Shana “I suppose I should thank my sister.  No doubt, it was Regina who convinced Michael to take you to the garden in hopes that I would follow…”

“Your sister!” Shana exclaimed “Regina is your sister? I thought she was…..”

   Dominic noted the confusion on Shana’s face. “You did not know that Regina is my sister?” Shana looked quite guilty and could not meet is eyes “What did you think, Shana?” his voice was rich with humor “That Regina was my lover?”

   At Shana’s blushing nod, Dominic murmured “Silly lass” against her lips before giving her another warm, intoxicating kiss. Shana forgot the misery which she had suffered in the past week as her arms encircled Dominic’s neck.

   But the sound of someone clearing their throat startled the couple; ending their kiss. Turning towards the stairwell, they saw Seamus standing at the top of the steps.  He glared at Dominic until the warrior reluctantly released Shana and stepped away.

            “Are you alright, Shana?” Seamus asked in a gruff voice.

            “Aye, Seamus. There is no need for you to worry…” Shana began.

    “Your sister is the one who is worried.” Seamus interrupted “Amanda saw the young man who escorted you up here return to the feast alone.”

    Shana heard Dominic chuckle and realized that his suspicions about Michael and Regina’s ploy had been correct.

   “Do not linger in the garden too long, lass” Seamus told Shana, but he threw a meaningful look at Dominic “Bring your young man to sit at our table. There is room for him to join us.” he ordered. Then turning on his heel, Seamus descended the stairs; leaving Dominic and Shana alone.

    The couple stared after Seamus for a moment and then Dominic offered his arm to Shana “Forgive me, my lady. I have kept you from the feast long enough.”

    Shana took his arm with happiness shining in her eyes. “You are forgiven, my lord.”

     “Come with me, lovely Shana, and I will introduce you to my family.” Dominic smiled “Properly this time.” He led Shana across the moonlit garden to the stairwell.

   “Regina is truly your sister?” Shana asked in amazement.

Dominic laughed as he guided Shana down the narrow stairs leading to the dining hall “Aye. Regina is my very clever sister.”

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    Lady Loria stared at the giant who stood beside her beloved daughter, Regina. The man was an obvious half breed; with pitch black eyes and pointed ears. The black haired stranger towered above every other man at Ravenswood. And as he looked back at Loria with eyes seemingly devoid of all human emotion, she knew the true meaning of fear.

    The Tarot cards had foretold of his coming. The prophecy was being fulfilled tonight at the birthday feast of her husband, Lord Augustus. The dark stranger who would change her daughter’s life forever was standing right in front of Lady Loria. And there was nothing she could do. She felt helpless as she heard her husband whisper into her ear “Torren is our guest, my love. We shall discuss this later.”  That said, Augustus had patted her hand; bringing the subject to a close.

    Trying her best to mask the fear in her heart, Loria smiled and nodded as she was introduced to the giant. Then she turned her wavering smile on Regina. Her daughter had apparently overheard Loria’s comment about the dark stranger. And now the young woman was staring at her mother with a questioning look upon her face.

    “Welcome to Ravenswood Castle” Lord Augustus was saying to Torren “My man, Roscoe, will show you to the armory first thing in the morning. But for tonight, you must join us at our table for dinner.”

“Thank you, my lord” Torren said, bowing his head in respect.

     Regina took Torren’s hand and seated him in a chair at the end of Lord Augustus’ table. Then she signaled a servant to bring a plate of roast pig and potatoes to him. Regina poured ale into a large pewter mug and placed a plate heaping with bread, cheese and fruit within Torren’s reach.

   Once Regina was satisfied that all of Torren’s needs had been met, she settled into the chair beside him with a smile. She leaned over to Torren and said “Let everyone here see that you are one of us now. All at Ravenswood shall know you after tonight.”

   Torren chewed his food and surveyed the other guests in the hall, but said nothing. He had grown accustom to the curious stares of those around him. The woman was right. Let them gawk and gossip behind their hands now, while they were all gathered in one place. The sooner Regina’s clansmen became comfortable with Torren’s unusual appearance, the easier it would be for him to move among them, unnoticed.

   He glanced at Regina’s profile as she sat forward in the chair next to his. She was as intelligent as she was beautiful. Torren almost smiled when he thought of how she had championed his cause; first with her father and now with her own clansmen. It was a shame that he would only be blacksmith at Ravenswood Castle for a short time.

   In truth, Torren was here for one reason and one reason only; to persuade Regina to help him fulfill the prophecy of the Golden Skye.

    Torren’s grim thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Regina’s laughter. She was leaning forward, as she looked at something across the room. A dimpled smile lit her face and her eyes danced with happiness.  Following her gaze, Torren saw that Regina was watching her brother, Dominic, and a young woman descend a narrow stairway in the corner of the hall.

            “Mother, look!” Regina called to Lady Loria.

    Loria turned her head to see her son entering the hall with his lady by his side. The older woman flashed Regina a brilliant smile “How wonderful!” she laughed.

    Dominic’s face radiated his pride for the young woman on his arm. And the red haired beauty blushed with happiness as she gazed up at him.

    Deep inside, Torren felt the painful emptiness of one who has never known affection of any kind. Dominic and his kin could not know how the bond of love, which they shared, seemed like an unattainable treasure to Torren.

     Ashamed of Torren’s deformities, his father had given him away to strangers when he was a small boy. And, in doing so, he had sentenced Torren to a childhood of hardship. For the man who raised Torren had used him like a slave. His young life had been an endless regiment of back breaking labor in Kahan’s blacksmith shop. It had been a life without laughter and without affection.

    He could not even recall his own mother’s face. Torren’s only memory of her was the sound of a woman crying; crying and calling his name.

   Torren turned away from the bright aura of Dominic and Shana’s love; focusing his thoughts, instead, on finding a way to complete the crucial mission for which he had been born.

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    Dominic held Shana’s hand as they approached the table where his parents were seated.

   “Well, well” Lord Augustus pronounced with a wide grin “I see that you have returned with the loveliest rose in Ravenswood’s garden.”

   “Were it not for the efforts of a very persistent gardener” Dominic said, with a nod of acknowledgment to his sister “I may never have gone in search of this flower.”

    Regina laughed “I would say that the results of my gardening are well worth the effort.”

   Dominic turned to the woman on his arm “Shana, I would like to introduce my sister, Regina.”

   “Regina and I have met once before.” Shana smiled warmly “It is good to see you again, Regina.”

   “I hope that your troublesome brother in law took heed of my warning.” Regina replied, referring to her encounter with Lord Jack.

   Shana laughed, remembering how Regina had sent Jack scurrying back to his tower “Aye, he has not bothered me since that day. I never thanked you for your help, Regina.”

   “The pleasure, I assure you, was all mine.” Regina smiled.

    “Regina, you did not tell me that you had met Shana before.” Dominic said, suspiciously “And I do not recall any mention of that scoundrel, Jack.”

    Regina gave Dominic a most innocent look “Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?” she shrugged her shoulders and smiled “I will gladly share every detail with you tomorrow, brother. But for tonight, let us enjoy the feast.”

    Dominic stared at his sister for a moment, a frown creasing his brow. He was about to delve deeper into the subject of Lord Jack’s latest activities, when he glanced down at Shana’s smiling face. Again he realized that if not for Regina, he would still be hiding in the shadows to catch a glimpse of his lady. A smile slowly curved his lips and he said nothing more.

    After a short visit with Dominic’s family and an introduction to the new blacksmith, Torren; Shana proceeded to follow Seamus’ orders by bringing her young man to sit at his table.  Several ales and countless tales later; Seamus had been completely won over by the young warrior who was so obviously smitten with Shana.

   Michael approached their table towards the end of the night. He grinned at Shana and said “Did I not tell you, Lady Shana, that you would find my tour most interesting?”

    Shana laughed “Aye, Michael. It was a tour which I am not likely to forget.”

    Dominic placed his arm around Shana’s shoulders and smiled “You were very wise to remove yourself from the garden before I arrived, cousin.”

  “My timing is always perfect” Michael boasted. He glanced over at the Ravenswood musicians. They were playing the first notes of an energetic tune “as is my dancing.”

    Michael bowed to Shana “Allow me to demonstrate another of my many talents, Lady Shana.”

    Dominic gave a short bark of laughter “Guard your toes well, my lady.” he warned “Michael dances with all the grace of a drunken swamp dragon!”

    Ignoring his cousin’s good natured teasing, Michael extended his hand to Shana “Dominic is merely jealous of my amazing skill.”

   Shana looked to Dominic for an approving nod before taking Michael’s hand. The young warrior tugged Shana across the room and joined the line of dancers who circled the hall. Dominic watched as Shana danced and laughed along with the other guests of Ravenswood Castle. She would be a fine addition to his clan; he thought with a smile.

    Dominic glanced over at his parents and found his father’s gaze upon him. Lord Augustus raised his mug in a silent salute to his son.

   “He is already picking out names for his grandchildren” Dominic chuckled to himself, as he lifted his own tankard, returning his father’s salute.

    As Dominic took a swallow of ale, Seamus lowered his voice and said “From now on, when you go to see Shana Rose, I expect you to knock on the door, instead of lurking around in the shrubbery.”

    At Seamus’ remark, Dominic choked on a mouth full of Ravenswood’s finest brew. Seamus clapped the warrior on the back, attempting to ease the coughing and sputtering that his poorly timed comment had caused

   When Dominic’s breathing returned to normal, he looked at Seamus in surprise “Does nothing escape your notice?”

   “Nay, I do not miss much.” Seamus said “Especially when it concerns my family. I saw you near the Inn one evening; watching the lass from the trees.” Seamus bluntly told Dominic “So I made a few inquires and discovered that you were the man who rescued Shana from my brother, Lord Jack. I have also heard that you managed to drive that scoundrel and his minions from every dungeon in Felucca. The rumor mongers say that you did it to punish Jack for his mistreatment of a woman.” Seamus flashed Dominic a knowing smile. “A young and beautiful, red haired woman, they say.”

    “You are very well informed, my lord.” Dominic replied. He was completely unaware of the rumor circulating about his vigilantist attacks on Jack.

    Seamus’ smile faded and a serious tone deepened his voice “You would do well to follow my example, lad. Find out as much as you can about strangers who come too close to those under your protection. It is best to know exactly who you are dealing with before letting your guard down.”

    Seamus leaned into Dominic, so that none at the table could hear their discussion. “Take that man for instance” he continued in a low voice, gesturing with his mug of ale towards the table where Regina and Torren were seated “I am almost certain that your new blacksmith is the heir to the cursed kingdom of Fairwynds.”

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    The creature emerged from the blackness of a tunnel deep beneath the ground. With amazing speed, it traveled up a steep incline and into the basement of an ancient stone tower. Its malevolent presence caused the rats to squeal with terror and the snakes to slither back into their slimy holes. The monster’s thick leather armor creaked with each long stride as it climbed the stairs leading into the tower’s first floor.

     The time was right for the creature to feed and restore his energy. Night had fallen and he could now hunt in the land of the living. For despite all of his power, he was unable to tolerate the sunlight.

   Passing through the splintered wooden door, which had long ago separated the basement from the living quarters of the tower’s inhabitants, the creature surveyed his surroundings through slanted, pitch black eyes.

    The once magnificent furnishings of his ancestral home had fallen into decay. Giant spiders spun their webs in the dining room where lavish feasts had so often been held. The winding staircase, leading to the upper floors of the tower, was damaged beyond repair. Shards of glass from the shattered windows were strewn across the rotting carpet and the front doors of the tower were missing completely.

    But there was no need for doors, no need to shut out intruders; none would enter this unholy place. Not if they valued their lives.

   Images from the past flashed before his mind’s eye as he stood upon the threshold of the tower entrance. His memories were not always clear; not since he had joined the ranks of the undead. But seeing his human home sometimes caused him to recall the life which he had been forced to leave behind; forced by the curse of his own greed.

    He had once been a young man; ambitious and full of dreams. He had taken a wife and she had bore him a son. These things he did vaguely remember.

   What had happened to his family he did not know.  Perhaps they had fled; perhaps he, himself, had murdered them. The dried blood on the walls and floor of this building gave evidence of the extreme violence which had occurred here.

    But he was not sure.

    He only knew that now he existed in the darkness of the underworld. His needs were simple; to kill, to feed and to serve the Dark Fathers.

   The Shadow Lord used the skill of stealth to hide himself. And as he traveled the road unseen, in search of a life force to feed upon, he remembered his human name again.

Lord Daegan of Fairwynds.