Bridging the Storm Page 4

  And now here was this man, this… Kate peered out from between the balustrades like a child trying to catch a glimpse of her first ball. Oh, but he was good looking, despite, or maybe because of, his bright red hair.

  He was built well. Broad shoulders narrowed to a slender waist. Long legs carried him with a confident stride. Oh, my. Kate’s heart fluttered within her chest. She let out the smallest of gasps, but even then, he turned. Oh goodness, he turned! Before he could raise his eyes to search her out in the shadows, Kate quickly ducked back, hiding in the dark.

  Seeing nothing, he continued on, following Aunt Vallentyn into the library. Her aunt, luckily, had been oblivious to Kate’s presence, too concerned with her guest and what he might be able to do to help her cure her children.

  Kate scrambled as quietly as she could to her feet, slipping up the stairs to the nursery as quickly and silently as she could. The door gave a little click as she pressed it closed.

  “Where were you?” Jamie’s hoarse little voice called out from his bed.

  Kate rushed over to her little cousin. “You should be asleep!”

  “I was, but I woke up,” he said before a coughing fit overtook his frail little body. “I thought you would be here with me.”

  “I am. I just needed to go to my room for a book.” She showed him the volume in her hand.

  “Oh. But it took you a long time.” Jamie wasn’t normally a whining child. He must be feeling out of sorts because of the fever, Kate realized.

  She picked the cloth out of the bowl of water on his bedside table and wrung it out well. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

  “No. I’m hot,” he said, settling back and closing his eyes as she pressed the cloth to his burning forehead. She slid it down to cool his neck and the top of his chest.

  “A man has arrived,” she told him, hardly able to keep the news to herself.

  Jamie’s eyes popped open. “A man?”

  She nodded. “Your mama said that he has knowledge she might be able to use to cure you, your brother and Caroline.”

  “Really?” The boy perked up.

  “She’s hoping so.”

  “I hope so, too.” Jamie closed his eyes again as Kate pressed the cool cloth to his forehead. “What’s he like?”

  Kate shrugged, but then realized her cousin couldn’t see her with his eyes closed. “He’s handsome. Tall with bright red hair.”

  Jamie laughed. “I don’t think he can cure me by being good looking.” He opened one eye. “Can he?”

  Kate giggled. “No. I don’t think so, but you asked.”

  “I didn’t mean what does he look like,” the boy said, laughing along with her. It was like music to Kate’s ears.

  “Oh, well, I don’t know what sort of person he is. I haven’t spoken to him. I just saw him down in the hall. He just arrived. Your mama was taking him into the library, and I happened to see them pass by.” She paused, thinking about how she was going to get to know this man. If she would. “As soon as I meet him, I’ll tell you more.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  Kate nodded. “I’ll do my best to find out for you tomorrow.”

  That seemed to satisfy the little minx, for he sighed and settled back to sleep, leaving Kate to think about the following day. She wondered if she would get a chance to meet the fascinating, enticingly handsome man her aunt had invited to Vallentyn.

  Chapter Five

  DAGONET LEANED BACK to allow the footman to refill his cup with the steaming hot, bitter coffee he’d grown used to over the past few years.

  “Ah, you must be Sir Dagonet,” a voice startled him into nearly bumping the arm of the footman.

  Dagonet stood to face his accuser. The man was tall, slender and dark, but Dagonet could see the deceptive strength not only in the man’s muscles, but also in his polite demeanor. This was most certainly the lord of the manor.

  “Lord Vallentyn.” Dagonet held out his hand to the gentleman whose home he had all but invaded in the middle of the night.

  “Pleased to meet you. My wife informed me that you had arrived.” He headed for the buffet, gesturing for Dagonet to sit back down.

  “Yes. I do beg your pardon for my late arrival…”

  “No, no. Not at all. When Tatiana wants something, you can be sure she usually gets it.” He chuckled as he loaded his plate with meat and eggs.

  Dagonet couldn’t help but laugh as well. “Yes, she was rather insistent, and her letter sounded most urgent.”

  “Not surprised. She thinks you can help her find a way to cure our children.” His lordship took his seat at the head of the table as the footman poured his tea.

  “I’m not certain what I can do,” Dagonet began. And truly, he didn’t see how he could help Lady Vallentyn. His strength lay with people—dealing with people, making friends and connections.

  It was odd, but throughout his first lifetime, as he liked to think of his time before the Children of Avalon had come into his life, he’d thought himself a rather weak Vallen. He didn’t realize what he could do beyond put on and take off his own armor. But once he’d reached out into the world, once he began traveling and exploring, he’d realized his strength. He could connect with people, knew just how to deal with others in a non–threatening way. He didn’t know if this was magic or just his way, but he was certain this wasn’t the sort of skill that could help Lady Vallentyn.

  “You’re not associated with Fire?” Lord Vallentyn asked

  Dagonet glanced at the footman standing against the wall. Was this a thoroughly Vallen home where one could speak of magic openly?

  Lord Vallentyn waved a negligent hand. “Have no fear. We’re all either Vallen here or aware of what goes on. No one can speak of what happens in this house to anyone outside of it.”

  Dagonet nodded. All under a suggestion, he supposed. He shook his head in wonder. What a way to live. It was at once freeing and slightly unnerving to think that all the people who lived and worked under this roof were so restrained. “No,” he said, in answer to his lordship’s question. “I’m of the Earth, actually. People are my skill.”

  “People? Earths don’t usually have that talent.”

  “No. More of a Water thing, but…” he shrugged. “Suppose I’ve got some of that in me, too. I’ve got a knack for dealing with people, putting them at their ease, although I have a suspicion I’ve yet to do the same for you, my lord.” Dagonet gave his host an apologetic smile.

  Lord Vallentyn chuckled. “I’m afraid that is my strength. I cut through the magic of others. I can negate it or stop it all together. It’s nothing personal, I assure Just the way I am. The magic of others has no affect on me.”

  Dagonet sat up a bit. “That is most interesting! I’ve never met anyone who could do that.”

  “Very handy when it comes to dealing with Tatiana, I can assure you,” the man laughed.

  Dagonet thought about that and had to agree. “Yes. She is quite strong.”

  “And she has a tendency to use her magic at inappropriate times. It’s a failing of hers she’s somehow never overcome. I’m her balance.”

  Dagonet smiled and lifted his fork, heavy with sausage and a piece of apple. “She’s lucky to have found you, in that case.”

  “Yes. It has worked out well for both of us. But you are very good, Sir Dagonet, very good,” Lord Vallentyn laughed. “With or without magic, you have shifted me from my initial interrogation.” He put down the teacup in his hand as his face lost its smile. “Was it only my wife’s plea for help which brought you running? While I’m certain my wife can be convincing, I think there must be another reason you decided to come beyond simply appeasing the high priestess.”

  Sir Dagonet stopped spreading butter onto his toast and burst out laughing. “It seems to me, my lord, that you have the same knack I have—an intuition to see beyond the obvious.”

  Lord Vallentyn gave him a wink and a smile. “I have, on occasion, had the ability. Just don’t let Tatiana know.”

&nb
sp; Dagonet gave a nod as he considered whether he should mention his personal reason for being here. If Lord Vallentyn could negate magic, might he be the one who could help him get rid of Merlin’s “gift”?

  Dagonet sent out a thin tendril of magic to gauge his host’s intentions, his feelings toward him. But it was like trying to find a crack in a solid wall. He could not reach him, nor read him. Lord Vallentyn had completely closed himself off while he waited for Dagonet to answer his initial question.

  Before Dagonet could answer him, however, his lordship jumped in. “From your evasion, I assume that I am correct. What is it, then? What do you want?” He took the bite of food that had been sitting on his fork while he waited for Dagonet to respond.

  “I assure you, I will not bother your wife with my problems until I see to hers, er, yours. Then, perhaps, I might speak to you on the matter. You, in fact, might be the very person I need, rather than the priestess. But, as I say, until I have done everything I can to help your children, I will not speak of this matter again.”

  “You think I might be able to help you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tatiana is much more powerful,” his host reminded him.

  “I understand, but I believe it is you who I need…”

  “You should ask Tatiana first.”

  Dagonet nodded, understanding the political message Lord Vallentyn sent. It wouldn’t be wise to go around the high priestess if there was powerful magic needed, even if her husband had the ability to solve the problem and not her. Best to ask her and then have her suggest that he speak with Lord Vallentyn. He understood how these things worked. “I will do that, thank you, but first I only wish I knew how to cure your children.”

  Lord Vallentyn put down his own fork at that. His voice quieted. “I don’t know either. Tatiana must have something in mind, something she thinks you’ll be able to teach her. But you say you don’t know any healing magic?”

  “None.”

  His lordship shook his head and picked up his fork again. “Then I don’t know either.” Before he resumed eating, his lordship looked long and hard at Dagonet. Whatever had blocked Dagonet's magic earlier was dropped allowing him to know exactly what Lord Vallentyn was feeling.

  He was frightened. Frightened for his children. Frightened for his wife’s health and the toll this whole ordeal would take on her and his unborn child. But most of all, just at this moment, he didn’t like Dagonet being there. If he had something positive to offer, Vallentyn was willing to put up with his presence. The fact that Dagonet couldn’t help the situation made him want Dagonet gone so they could deal with their crisis in private.

  Dagonet understood this and didn’t blame his host. It would be so much easier for all of them if he just left. But Lady Vallentyn had asked him to come and share whatever knowledge he could with her. She’d asked him to help, and so he would. He would stay and do anything and everything he could.

  This certainly would be an adventure—of a very different type from what Dagonet was used to—but an adventure nonetheless.

  “GOOD MORNING, SIR DAGONET,” Lady Vallentyn said as she came into the library where he was scanning the book titles.

  “It’s Sir Arthur, now. Or just Dagonet,” he corrected her. It had taken a while to get used to the name change, but now that he had, it was odd hearing anything else.

  “Oh, yes, of course. I beg your pardon.” Lady Vallentyn came into the room, her eyes sweeping the shelves. “I hope you slept well? Ate well?”

  “Yes, thank you, madam.” He gave his flat stomach a pat, appreciating its size now that he was young again. It would take quite a few years before he gained his girth back, and that would be just fine. “Had the pleasure of Lord Vallentyn’s company at breakfast.”

  She raised her eyebrows at that, but either couldn’t or didn’t hide the smile that came to her lips at the mention of her husband. “Good. I’m glad. I told him last night that you’d arrived.” She sat down in one of the wingback leather chairs in front of the fireplace where they had sat the evening before, and indicated for him to take the other. “I believe he’s of the same mind as you when it comes to what you might be able to do to help us.”

  Dagonet chuckled as he took the proffered chair. “Yes, we did speak of that. But he said if you were determined to learn something from me, then you most certainly would. I can only hope that I am able to give you what you need.”

  “As do I. As do I.” she sighed.

  Dagonet sat back in the chair, his hands on the arms, and mentally prepared himself to answer even the most difficult questions she might ask.

  Indeed, she stepped right in and fulfilled his expectations immediately. He almost laughed. No beating around the bush with this one!

  “I wonder if you might tell me a little of Bridget, Scai and Dylan…” she said. “If it wouldn’t pain you too much? They are fascinating to those of us who have come after them, you know.”

  Dagonet sighed. He supposed he couldn’t blame her for her curiosity. “What is it you wish to know, my lady?”

  “To begin with, what were they like?”

  He rested his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. In his mind’s eye, he could see the three of them, the Children of Avalon, although they had not been children when he’d known them. They were young, it was true, but they were still adults trying to find their way and discover who they were. Adults whose very lives had led to great accomplishments in a few short months and on whose shoulders the Vallen world now stood. No, it was not at all surprising that Lady Vallentyn should ask about them.

  “Scai was a sweet thing. As bright as the sun. Clever and curious. Not very good in battle, but could think her way through just about anything and was such a trusting soul. Dylan was a tortured young man who desperately wanted to do the right thing. To be a true knight. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, don’t you know. And yet, being an empath he felt everything keenly, poor thing. Bridget was as fiery as her element, argumentative and determined, but a true leader. Being so young, she was unsure of herself at first, but there lay her sweetness, her humility.”

  “They sound like lovely people,” Lady Vallentyn said, her eyes softening at the picture he painted.

  “Yes, they were. Oh, they had their faults as we all do, but on the whole, they were very special.” He paused. “I miss them still.”

  “I can imagine that you do.” She seemed to snap herself back to the task at hand. “What could they do? Magically. I know Scai was associated with Air, Dylan with Water and Bridget with Fire. I imagine they were very strong.”

  “Oh, ho!” Dagonet laughed. “Very strong doesn’t cover the half of it. Scai could turn into a bird, Dylan a fish. Bridget didn’t have such a power, associated with Fire, but could do some amazing things!”

  Lady Vallentyn shook her head in disbelief. “I believe we have lost such abilities, to turn into other beings.”

  “Oh, no. I imagine there are some… well, there will be some able to do that once the Seventh comes along.”

  Lady Vallentyn rubbed a hand around her distended belly. She practically glowed. “Yes. Once my Morgan is born, we shall have such magnificent power once more. I have every confidence she’ll be incredibly powerful and, naturally, she’ll share that with the rest of us. It will be a difficult time until she grows up and takes on the mantle of the high priestess and the Seventh—a time of learning—for both of us, I imagine. I will teach her what I know and she will in turn astound me with her abilities.”

  “Morgan, is it?” he said with a chuckle.

  His hostess shared his laughter. “Yes. I am naming her for the great Morgan le Fey, my ancestor, whom you knew, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes. She was…”Dagonet closed his eyes. There was a sharp pain in his heart as he recalled the woman he had loved from afar for so many years. But even now—across so much time and physical distance—he could feel her warmth and kindness. It was actually quite nice to remember the origin
al high priestess of the Vallen, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she still lived on her fair isle. “Fair, beautiful, with the palest blue eyes and blonde hair. Lithe and strong and smart. My goodness, but that woman could out–think any man I ever knew or will ever know.” He opened his eyes again and winked at Lady Vallentyn. “Even Arthur.”

  “King Arthur?” she asked on a breath.

  “Yes. She was even more clever than the king. Bested him more than once,” Dagonet laughed.

  “My daughter will be well named then. She will be strong and clever as well, I’m certain of it.”

  Dagonet smiled at Lady Vallentyn’s enthusiastic dreams. Something niggled in the back of his mind. He worried that perhaps her dreams might be too high, too fantastic, but he was certainly not one to ruin a woman’s wonderful imaginings of her unborn child.

  “Was there anything else the Children of Avalon were capable of? I want to be able to teach my Morgan everything,” Lady Vallentyn asked, bringing the conversation back.

  “Well, we don’t know yet what your daughter will be able to do, or not do, but when they were on Avalon, Merlin taught each of the trio one very special power. Scai could run with the wind. A few other priestesses of Avalon could do that, but not many. Dylan used emotions as a sort of weapon, making people feel strong emotional events they’d had in their past—only knew of one other priestess with that ability. And Bridget could meld both bone to heal, and metal to make swords in much the same way that Nimuë forged Excalibur. Quite amazing talents that were very useful, all of them, I can tell you.”

  Lady Vallentyn’s eyes widened at each of these incredible abilities. “We have lost so much!”

  “Well, as I say, they were special powers granted to only a few, don’t you know?”

  “Yes, but still…” She leaned forward a little. “What of Lady Nimuë? What could she do?”

  Dagonet gave a scoffing chuckle. “What couldn’t she do?”