Chapter 2
"We will need to be leaving tomorrow." Millie said as she walked up to stand next to Michael. The ceremony for Ian had just ended, those few in attendance had left only Michael, Valerie, Tera and Millie remained.
Valerie was standing at the entrance to the burial mound, Tera at her side, as she said a final goodbye to her Uncle.
"I haven't made my decision yet."
Millie was surprised by his response but instead of commenting she simply stood with him. They watched silently as dark clouds roiled in the sky, a precursor to a coming deluge that was more a matter of when than if.
Shaking his head, Michael cast a sideways glance at Millie.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't add to the burdens you already have concerning this, especially not today. The last three days have turned my life upside down. I swing from easy acknowledgement to absolute denial on what seems a minute by minute basis." Michael said, giving Millie's arm a light squeeze.
"I understand Michael. Nothing in your past could have prepared you for the revelations of the past few days. As we have talked, the choice is yours, there is always free will." Millie's straightforward manor put Michael at ease.
Movement in the direction of the crypt caught his eye as Valerie and Tera made their way toward him.
"I'll be going to see Aoife again once I get Valerie and Tera settled. I have to talk with them...try and explain this. Try and find a way to convey the meaning and danger involved in taking up the mantle. I can't ask them to follow this path with me unless they understand and knowingly commit." Michael's tone was lifeless as he turned from Millie. A forced smile finding its way to his lips as his women approached.
"They will surprise you Michael." Millie whispered before Tera and Valerie came within earshot.
"Ready?" Michael asked as he pulled Valerie into a tight embrace.
Smiling up at him through clear but puffy eyes she nodded as the four of them fell into step. They followed the well-worn path out of the valley back toward the castle. Behind them the clouds finally gave up their struggle to contain the rain. It fell in thick gray sheets, the crypt and stone monoliths that stood silent sentinel to it, lost to the growing storm.
Their pace was quick returning to the castle. The walk passed in silence as they each found themselves lost to their own thoughts.
' A kings burial.' Tera thought. She had been moved by the simple yet powerful ceremony that released Ian to the ages. 'Would that I could hope to be treated as honorably when my time comes.' Tera thought half wistfully, half with the tone of a prayer.
Michael walked with heavy steps. His decision made, talking with Valerie and Tera was merely a formality. This bothered him. He took neither of them lightly, loved and cared for them with a passion so deep that it sometimes took his breath away. However, in this there could be no turning back. No moving away from the path laid before him. He felt the rightness of it to his very core. He believed that taking up the mantle of the clan would cost him one if not both of the women he loved so deeply.
Valerie felt Michael's hand squeeze hers just a bit more tightly. She looked at his face and was surprised to find fear and resignation there. Michael was the bravest man she had ever encountered. To see him burdened by such things shook Valerie to her core. Michael loved and lived without limits, it was his natural state. She worried for what could weigh so heavily upon him.
Valerie missed Ian's presence, his easy wit and quiet strength. Now, walking between Michael and Tera, she also understood that the ceremony had provided closure for her feelings of loss. Yes Ian was gone, but she was not alone, never would she be again. And this fact filled her with peace that provided an easy flow to her steps as she walked toward the future with those that she loved.
Millie walked alone, a few steps ahead of Michael and the girls. Rounding the bend she sighed seeing the castle come into view. Once Michael took leadership of the clan Ian would truly be at peace. With that, Millie could move forward, helping and guiding Michael along the path that was now set.
Picking up her pace as they entered the grounds of the castle proper she smiled as a break in the clouds allowed warm sunlight to bathe the old pathway to the house.
"I love you Ian," she whispered as the easy warmth enveloped her for a moment, almost capturing the feeling of Ian's arms around her. Turning she smiled at the three lovers.
"I am going to rest for a bit. Michael, if you could find me this afternoon there are several things we need to discuss." Millie said giving Michael a meaningful look before turning and disappearing inside the castle.
Michael moved in front of Valerie and Tera, his free hand finding Tera's. "Lets go upstairs, there are some things I need to talk with you both about." Michael said with a sorrowful look in his eye that both Valerie and Tera noted as he turned and lead them through the side entrance.
In the shadowed entryway Michael looked up the stairs before him. He could still smell the stench left from the attack yesterday morning, eyes closing of their own volition he found himself back in that moment, the fear of losing his lovers overwhelming in both that instant, and in this moment.
...............
Choking black smoke met Michael as he reached the ground floor. Disoriented, he groped along the wall in a crouch holding his shirt over his face. Turning a corner he found himself in the kitchen.
The smoke was not as bad, although the explosion had knocked many things off the numerous shelves, giving the place a surreal feel, as if the world had been tilted on its axis. Gaining his bearings he ran toward the back of the house. His thoughts whirling, a maelstrom of fear for Valerie and Tera and rage against Nicholas, who was undoubtedly behind this latest attack.
Michael ran into the room, finding it in turmoil. Shattered glass from the windows and French doors littered the floor, flames could be seen dancing through the jagged holes left behind. He didn't see Valerie or Tera his fear left him as his rage against those who would harm them consumed him. Stalking toward the shattered windows he looked to find those who had beckoned their own destruction.
Valerie and Tera had come downstairs about fifteen minutes before. The women had spent a restless night without Michael and had awoken early with the intention of tracking down their wayward mate. They were just saying hello to Elise when the attack began.
Valerie, Tera and Elise were knocked to the ground by the first blast as the time hardened foundations shook under the explosion.
"Stay low, both of you. Try to get out of this room." Tera said as she pulled her P226 from the small of her back, moving fast toward the now shattered glass doors that lead to the terrace.
"Everyone stay down!" Nigel yelled to those in the room.
Keying his com he began barking orders. "Team Two and Three set up a perimeter at the back. Team One split up take a side and sweep the rest of the exterior. Team Four stay here, if the opposition makes it through you're the last line. Now GO!"
The first explosion had hit just as Nigel and Sims made their way into the castle for breakfast. Nigel had left Millie only moments before, stopping by the barracks to get a situation report from Sims. Nigel had found Sims and Elise in her room. A stern look from Nigel ended their conversation.
"Why don't you go over to the main house, I'll meet you there in a few minutes." Sims said with a smile to Elise then followed Nigel to the control room.
Sims had broken into a low fast run as soon as the explosion shook the castle. With cautious intention he moved into the large room at the back of the house. Debris littered the area from the force of the recent detonation.
"Elise!" Sims yelled as he ran into the room. Visibility was low. Sims dropped to a low crouch hearing a moan from the back of the room he made his way toward it.
Keying his com Sims looked over the bleeding body of a Team One member.
"Nigel we need a medic, I've got a man down near the explosion, looks like the blast caught him in the face and torso." Sims said as his eyes scanned the room.
"Understood, they are on the way, E.T.A. 3 minutes." Nigel's voice crackled in response.
