Chapter Seven: Blood and Marriage
Rohan stood in the darkness next to Pyre's cave. He knew that he could never be a mystic knight again. He had exhausted all of his options. It was his destiny to unite the island and bring peace for 1000 lifetimes. But he could not do that as a warrior. He had to be a ruler. This meant he had two options. Reveal his evil past to everyone that respected him and marry Deirdre, or sign over the kingdom to her and wait for death to take him.
The young man looked into the sky, looking much older than his twenty years. He loved Deirdre. He was always in love with her. And tonight, he thought he saw the return of such feelings in her eyes. But he knew what she'd say when he revealed he was Maeve's son. Deceiver...renegade...street-rat. Traitor. She would think this had been his plan from the beginning--to marry her so he could rule Kells and Temra. She would say he was just like his mother.
Pyre growled softly, nudging his arm. Rohan knew for a while that the gentle beast could pickup on his feelings. He had just spent some time letting it all out for no one to hear but Pyre. He was thankful that the only one that knew his secret was sympathetic, as well as tight-lipped. Fondly scratching his head, he looked upon Kells once more before mounting the dragon and flying off into the night.
Either way, he figured, he needed to know how to be royalty. That was his fate. Pyre would fly him to the land in the east. When he learned enough, when he thought he was ready, he would return to take his mother's place as the King of Temra.
"OK." said Angus to Cathbad. "Explain it one more time so I can understand this."
Cathbad glared at Angus, wishing again that he was smarter than he looked.
"Let me try, Cathbad." said Ivar.
"By all means, do try to permeate that thick skull of his!"
Turning to an annoyed Angus, Ivar did just that.
"According to the ancient scroll, the reason Kells and Temra have been fighting for so long is because of bloodshed. The original ruler of Temra assassinated the King of Kells in cold blood. Because he used dark magic to do it, it came with a heavy price. The two nations would always be at war until the blood was repaid for the deed. The only way to compensate for it is by the combination of blood by marriage from the two heirs of the kingdoms, or by a ruler of Temra voluntarily giving his blood in death. Does that make better sense?"
"I'm not stupid, Ivar!" he scowled. "That part I get. What I don't understand is why Rohan thought he had to go off by himself for this. I mean, how hard can finding an heir be? We round up everyone in Temra and Kells, and use Cathbad's voodoo to see who the heir is!"
"What's to say that the heir is even on this island, Angus?" asked a dejected looking Garrett.
"Oh, I didn't think of that..."
"He must have gone across the sea to learn of a way to find the heir." supplied Ivar.
"But why did he not let any of you go with him and help him?" pondered Conchobar.
Deirdre, who was silent for these proceedings, spoke up. "Because it's his destiny. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt for something he feels he has to do. That, and who knows what lies ahead for Kells in the mean time. We don't know how long it will take Rohan. If all of us went, Kells would be unprotected and vulnerable to attack."
Everyone turned to stare at the Princess. Conchobar looked over at Garrett before turning back to Deirdre.
"Well, on the bright-side, Deirdre, Garrett has told me of his impending marriage to Princess Lynette. It seems as if your wish has come true after all!" Conchobar smiled.
Deirdre looked at her father silently before speaking. "It's more of a disappointment than a relief." she finally said.
"What?" exclaimed Garrett, "But I thought..."
"Weren't any of you paying attention!" she raved. "For Draganta to fulfill his destiny, it must happen in his lifetime! I'm in his lifetime! Do you know what that means?? I'm the heir of Kells that has to marry the spawn of that witch! I'm not relieved, I'm horrified! I'd rather marry Garrett than some monster that has no use of me except my own humiliation and torture!" she cried.
"Aw, come on Princess!" said Angus, "Garrett wasn't that bad...Ouch!" he said rubbing his head were Cathbad smacked him.
Conchobar rubbed his temples in grief. This was not the future he had planned for his daughter. "We have no choice then. No son of Maeve's would give up his life voluntarily. We all know this, unfortunately. Our entire hope rests with Rohan's search and Deirdre's...Deirdre's courage."
Turning a firm gaze to the king, Deirdre claimed, "I will do what I must for peace. I am not afraid."
Garrett rose from his chair looking quite uncomfortable. "Well, I have to return to my father to prepare for my, er...engagement." Turning his downcast eyes toward Deirdre, he sympathized, "I am so sorry, Princess..." And with that, he left.
Angus and Ivar just stared at each other. Looks like the only thing left to do is wait, and pray that Rohan knew what he was doing.
Note: Wow, looks like the Mystic Knights have quite the adventure ahead of them. Let me know what you think so far of this madness!
