Chapter 7

The next morning Rhiannon and Duncan went back to the throne room. Rhiannon had told him she needed to prepare for her time in the Sanctuary. She knelt in front of the throne and opened a compartment at the base; she reached in and retrieved an enormous book with beautiful engraving on the cover. Rhiannon settled down on the throne and opened the book. She needed to find her mother and this book would help her to open her mind enough for her mother to be able to visit her for a while. Rhiannon explained to Duncan that there was still much her mother needed to teach her and that this was the only way.

"Promise you will not ask her to return to Life, Rhiannon." Astarte said from the upper level of the room. She had remained in the former Queen's body, claiming she had been away from her people too long.

Rhiannon looked up from her preparations. "I cannot make that promise Astarte." Her face revealed no emotion at all.

Astarte came down and knelt down in front from Rhiannon and took her hands. "I feel your pain Child. You must remember it was your mother's choice to leave, asking her to Live again after she found peace in Death will leave your mother with a very painful decision to make. It is not easy to Live after Death."

Duncan watched the two from a distance, Astarte's words reminded him of Methos. He'd been Death, how difficult it must have been to leave that behind and Live again. Duncan smiled to himself; the ideas these people had were starting to rub off on him.

Astarte noticed his smile, "Try to keep an open mind Highlander, you might find us and our ideas very interesting. Interesting enough to live by our ideals." She stood up and walked to the throne room doors. "I will leave you to say goodbye."

Rhiannon proceeded with her preparations, not looking at Duncan.

He walked up to her, "Is it something I said?"

She shook her head, remaining silent.

Duncan knelt down, reached out and lifted her head, when he saw the pain in Rhiannon's eyes he pulled her into an embrace. "It's okay." He whispered in her ear.

Rhiannon shook her head. "No. I must not cry. I am Queen. I cannot waste time longing for something that will never be." She pulled out of his embrace and started to pace. "My people are in pain Duncan, I must relieve that pain. I must! Thy have suffered under mother's reign too long, I have failed them once already, I will not fail them again!" She reached the center of the throne room and looked up at Duncan, who was still kneeling in front of the throne. "My people come first. They are the only reason I Live." She ran up the steps leading to the throne and retrieved the book she'd been working on and ran out of the room.

Duncan rushed after her but was stopped before he could leave the throne room.

A middle-aged man stood in the door opening shaking his head. "Let her go." He said.

Duncan wanted so shove the man out of the way, but something about him made him change his mind. "Rennin?" He asked.

The man gave Duncan a surprised look. "You know my name?" Then it occurred to him, "Ah, yes. Young Rhiannon shared a memory with you. So," Rennin extended his hand, "we meet at last."

Duncan shook his hand. "You knew about me?"

Rennin laughed. "I did not know her Warrior would be you, Duncan McLeod of the clan McLeod, but I knew she would make a fine choice in the matter." He took a step back. "Are you hungry?"

Duncan realized he hadn't eaten since the night before and nodded.

"Follow me." Rennin turned and walked out of the throne room. "You now have free access to the castle, but I must ask you not to leave it without a guide, it is very easy for strangers to become lost in our realm." They halted in front of an open door; various delicious smells filled the air. "Here we are, just tell Cook your desire and she will get it for you."

Duncan looked around and smiled, no matter how different this world was; a kitchen was still a kitchen. People scurried about, many pots and pans filled with various things were opened and closed, children crept under the preparation tables, hoping to snatch a delicious treat from them. To a stranger the room may seem to be in chaos, but Duncan saw it was an organized chaos, everyone knew what their task was and no one got in each other's way. He looked around for the cook and found her at the far end of the kitchen. She was clad in a simple light blue dress and a small cap tried to hold her blond hair out of her face. She was instructing her staff waving her arms and making grand gestures. Carefully he made his way to her.

"You! Stir that soup, and make sure it doesn't burn. Cally! Oh, where is that girl. Cally!" Cook turned and saw Duncan standing in front of her. "And what have we here?" She looked him up and down. "Haven't I seen you before?"

Rennin sneaked up behind her and said in her ear, "This is Queen Rhiannon's Warrior."

Cook yelped and turned to slap Rennin, "You scoundrel! What are you doing in my kitchen? Out! Out I say!" She waved her hands at him.

Rennin ducked out of the way, picked her up and swirled her around.

Duncan watched the two in amusement.

Cook saw his smile and blushed. "Look what you've made me do Rennin! I'm forgetting my manners." She curtseyed. "Welcome Warrior. Tell me your desires and I will do my best to fulfill them." She said, batting her lashes.

Rennin chuckled, "Better watch your bed Warrior, Cook is known for her persistence."

Duncan bowed elegantly and took her hand. "Alas, my duties prevent me from indulging my more... intimate desires. If Life had deemed otherwise I would be honored by your interest in my... capabilities."

Cook blushed and Rennin chuckled. Some of the kitchen-helpers and servants came closer, not wanting to miss a thing.

Duncan looked around saw noticed the interested looks and said; "I am Duncan, Queen Rhiannon's Warrior. Now that the introductions are finished," he took Cook's hand, "delight me with your cuisine."

Cook ushered him to a table and put her staff to work, "Do your best. Show this Warrior our skills."

Rennin sat down next to Duncan. "You handle yourself well, better than I had expected."

Duncan smiled. "I noticed the amused expression on your face when you told me to find her." He laughed, "I'm beginning to see where Rhiannon got her sense of humor."

Rennin's smile faded. "Alas, I am not her father." He sighed. "I could not love her more if she were my daughter. She has always been more a daughter to me than a mere student. Not because she would be Queen someday, but because... she is Rhiannon." He took a deep breath. "No more sadness today! Our Queen has returned and we are celebrating. After our meal I will show you the rest of the castle."

"Sounds good."

Suddenly a little girl came running by, closely followed by Cook. "You'll never catch me!" She shouted over her shoulder.

"Cally! Come back here!" Cook ran after her.

Duncan looked at Rennin, who shrugged. "Cally is Cook's adopted daughter, she's always in trouble."

"What happened to her parents?" Queried Duncan.

"They left for the Human world a few years ago, they decided it would be too dangerous to take Cally with them so Cook volunteered to take care of Cally. When they didn't return when they should have we sent out a search party, but we couldn't find a trace of them. Cook adopted Cally to give her a more permanent home." Rennin chuckled. "Cook may be many things, but I have never thought her to be a Mother. I must admit though, she is the best thing that ever happened to Cally."

A servant brought two bowls of soup and a lump of bread.

"Eat." Rennin retrieved two spoons from a trunk and they dug in.



After a hearty meal Duncan decided to explore the castle a little further, and maybe find out where this place was. Rennin had told him that there was no way he could get into the temple while Rhiannon was still inside, looking for her mother. He'd declined Rennin's offer to find him a guide for the castle, saying he needed time to himself. Leaving the kitchen Duncan wandered aimlessly through the castle, looking left and right for a sign signaling him he was getting closer to the room he and Rhiannon shared. After turning a few corners Duncan got the feeling he was being followed. He increased his pace and looked for a place to hide, he found an open door and hid behind it. He didn't have to wait long for his pursuer to pass the door, Duncan leaped forward and grabbed whoever it was.

"Hey! Let go!" A small form wriggled and turned in his grasp.

"Not until you tell me why you are following me." Duncan held her up and gave her a stern look.

Cally fell silent. "I heard you are from the Human world."

Duncan saw the hope in her eyes and felt sorry for this child. "I'm sorry Cally, but the Human world is very big. I don't know where your parents are." Upon seeing the hope fading he said; "Listen, when I go back I will ask a friend to look for your parents. Now, I don't know if he'll find them, but I will make sure he will try everything to find them, okay?"

Cally nodded and smiled, "Promise?"

"I promise." Duncan bent over and put her down. "I want to explore the castle, would you be my guide? I'm sure you know more about it than Rennin or Cook."

Cally beamed. "I'll show you everything. This way." She took off.

Duncan followed her with a smile on his face; he was truly beginning to like this place.

Cally and Duncan explored most of the castle, they covered the wing in which the throne room and Duncan's room was, she showed him the shortest way to the kitchen and stole a pie for them to munch on while they ventured out into the courtyard. There they first went to the stables and Duncan admired the stallions stalled there. Cally introduced him to the smith, a man who seemed to smile all the time, and she and Duncan watched him at work for a while. When Cally got bored she dragged Duncan out of the smith's shop. They made their way to the gates and Cally amused him by telling him about the people who came through. The guards came up to them, wanting to see the Warrior for themselves. Duncan answered most questions and received a few in return. The captain was a friendly man, but Duncan could see that in time of war this would be a man to recon with. When the guards changed, Duncan and Cally strolled up to the market. The traders in the market were honored that a Warrior came to see them. They offered many items to Duncan, who asked Cally to explain what some of them were.

"Look, you open this and then you put this inside." Cally held a strange kind of pot. "Then you shake it and...." The pot started to emit a bright light.

Duncan took it from her and examined it. "I see. It's a little like a lamp." He gave it back to the shopkeeper. "Come on Cally, it's getting late and you need a good nights sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us." He took her by the hand and together they went back into the castle.

Once inside Duncan halted and looked down. "Where are your quarters?"

Cally pointed in the direction of the kitchen and made a face, "Over there, but I don't want to go to bed, I'm not tired at all."

Duncan laughed and said, "Off you go. Come to my room in the morning and we'll proceed with our exploration first thing." He shooed her away and headed to his room.



Chapter 8

"Warrior! Wake up!"

Duncan slowly opened his eyes.

"Warrior! Open the door! Let me in!"

Grumbling Duncan stood up, put on his new pants and walked to the door. "Cally. It's still dark outside, what are you doing here?" He asked as he opened the door.

Cally rushed in. "Quick! Close it!" She started pushing the door.

"Are you in trouble?" Duncan saw the impish grin on her face and took that as a 'yes'. He closed the door and leaned against it. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." Seeing Duncan's disbelieving look she placed her hand on her chest, "I swear. I did nothing wrong." She giggled. "I just happened to stumble across a delicious pie, you want some?" Cally reached under her tunic and retrieved an impressive looking piece of pie.

"How did you manage to hide that under there?" Duncan asked.

"Practice." Cally hopped on Rhiannon's bed, broke off a piece and held it out to Duncan.

"No thank you. Save me some for later." He went to the window and opened the shutters. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon; Duncan could hear people in the courtyard below. "Seems you're not the only early bird."

Cally giggled. "I'm a bird?" She jumped off the bed and ran to Duncan, "Let's go into the forest today. I want to show you something." She jumped up and down with enthusiasm.

Duncan smiled and ruffled her hair, "Okay. Let me get dressed first. I'll see you in the kitchen."

"No, we'll meet at the gates." She gave him an impish grin; "Cook will have my hide if I show my face anytime soon." Cally hugged Duncan's legs, not being able to reach higher, and took off.

Duncan opened the doorway to the cavern and went for a swim. When he returned from a refreshing swim he found another new set of clothes on his bed, he looked around for the clothes he wore the day before but couldn't find them. He went back into the cavern to retrieve the pants he'd left there, but they had vanished as well. Puzzled he put on the new clothes and headed for the gates, maybe Cally knew what happened to his clothes. The new clothes were very similar to the other ones, except from the embroidery on the vest. This time it had a sword and a shield on the front and two intertwining circles on the back.

On his way to the gates Duncan saw a lot of people scurrying about, a welcome change to the silence of the day before. Some noticed him and came closer as they saw the embroidery on his vest. Most invited him for a drink or a meal, but some backed away with a frightened expression. Duncan asked them why they were afraid of him, as far as he knew he hadn't done a thing to provoke such a reaction, but they hurried away as if being chased by a monster. All in all it took Duncan more time than he'd anticipated to reach the gates.

"Sorry I'm late." He said walking up to Cally; she was sitting on a pile of wood.

"Don't worry. You're here now, come on let's go." She jumped off and took his hand. "Don't let go until I say so." She led him through the gates.

As soon as they set foot outside the gates, the landscape disappeared making place for a dark and eerie tunnel.

"Where are we?" Duncan looked around, still holding Cally's hand.

"This is The Road. It leads wherever you want to go." Cally answered, peering into the darkness. "We need to go that way." She pointed in the direction they just came from.

"But...." Duncan turned, expecting to see the gates, and saw nothing.

"Don't worry Warrior. Soon you will learn to use The Road as well." Cally started walking, leading them further and further into the darkness.

Duncan had no idea how long they'd been walking when Cally suddenly halted.

"This is it." She looked up. "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" Duncan wanted to ask but as soon as he opened his mouth he felt something pull at him and the next moment he was standing in a clearing in a forest. "Wow! How'd you do that?" He looked around for an opening leading back to The Road but couldn't find one.

"I don't know really, I just do it. You should ask Rennin or Cook if they'll teach you." Cally let go of his hand. "Come, this way."

"Cally?" Duncan realized something. "Yesterday when I looked at the gates I could see people behind them, waiting to be let in."

"Yes. And?" She kept walking.

"Well, we took one step through the gates and ended up on 'The Road'. How could I have seen those people when they were on 'The Road' too? I mean, I couldn't see the gates, so...."

Cally stopped and thought about it, then shrugged. "I don't know. Does it matter?"

Duncan sighed. "I guess not. Now, what is it you wanted me to see?"

"This way!"

She led him to a small clearing. In the middle stood a lone tree.

"This is it." Cally ran up to the tree and started to climb it.

Duncan followed her, "What is so special about this tree?"

"Come up and I'll show you."

He started to climb the thick branches, on his way up Duncan noticed that there were various nests and lairs in the three's trunk. Most were empty though. He reached Cally's level and settled himself on a branch. "Okay, I'm here."

Cally leaned forward and put her finger on his lips. "Shhh, listen." She put her head against the stem and closed her eyes, after a few seconds a blissful smile appeared on her face.

Duncan shrugged and followed her example.

***

"What is this? A new one?" The voice was soft and gentle. "No, not new... something is familiar. Tell me young one, who are you?"

"I, I... where am I?"

"Hush. No harm will be done to you. I am curious. You are not little Cally. You are not naughty Rennin. You are not scared Rhiannon. You are not known to me. Who are you?"

"I am Duncan."

"Such a strong name. You will need all the strength you can gather."

"Why?" Duncan tried to open his eyes.

"Sadness in your future. No sadness now though, only confusion." A soft laughter filled his world. "Confusion is good. You will question everything. Do not change Child, never change."

***

Duncan opened his eyes and looked straight into Cally's sparkling eyes.

"What did she say? Did she like you? She is kind, isn't she?"

Duncan tried to regain his bearings. "She?"

"The tree!" Cally rolled her eyes. "Who else would talk to you out here?"

"Yeah, who else?" Duncan looked at the tree, "Wait a minute! You mean this tree was the one who spoke to me?" At Cally's excited nod he rubbed his face. "I'm too old for this." He grabbed his head, "What's that?"

***

Darkness.

Silence.

"Mama?"

Darkness.

Silence.

"Mama, can you hear me?"

Darkness.

Silence.

"Mama please. I need you."

Darkness.

"Child?"

"Mama! I am here!"

Darkness.

"I cannot...."

"Take my hand mama! Come to me... please."

A shimmering light.

"Too weak...."

"Use my strength. Come to me mama."

***

"Warrior? Warrior?"

Something cold and wet touched his face. He raised a hand to wipe it away.

"Warrior! Astarte be thanked!"

Duncan opened one eye. "What happened now?" He was getting a little tired of this.

"I don't know Warrior. One moment you were fine and then 'poof!', you fell out of the tree." Cally's face revealed her relief. "The sound you made when you hit the ground didn't sound too healthy. Are you all right?"

"Yes." Duncan got to his knees and looked up. "How long was I unconscious?" The sun hadn't moved, but he had the feeling he'd been out for quite a while.

"Not long, I climbed down as fast as I could and when I saw you were unconscious I went to get some water." She held up a soaked piece of cloth. "I had just put it on your forehead when you woke up." She tilted her head. "What happened?"

Duncan stood up, "I don't know. It was dark and silent, then a voice...." He stopped. "Rhiannon! That was Rhiannon's voice!" He looked down at Cally. "I heard Rhiannon and someone... her mother," he couldn't help shivering, "they were talking."

Cally looked at him as if he'd grown horns, "You could hear them?"

Duncan nodded. "Hmmm, maybe this has something to do with the Bond. No one explained to me what it would entail. Come on, I want to talk to Tyra about this."

"Tyra? Why Tyra? She is no longer a Shield, how can she help you?"

"She knows what it's like to be Bonded."

Cally thought about this then nodded, "All right, this way Warrior." She led him back to the clearing they'd entered earlier. "Hold on." She held out her hand.

Duncan grabbed it and braced himself.

The Road was as eerie and quiet as before, but this time they encountered other travelers. Most were obviously merchants on their way to the market in the castle. Duncan and Cally stepped in line and waited until they could leave The Road. Suddenly a faint sound rang in the distance, gaining intensity rapidly.

Duncan peered into the dark. "What is that?"

Cally tilted her head. "Sounds like a heralding-beast. Oh!" She clapped her hands, "You'll like this! Come." Cally took him by the hand and led him away from the line. "This is a good place, look!" She pointed.

Duncan squinted his eyes trying to see what was coming their way, but it was still too far away. After a few seconds he could faintly make out a form in the darkness, the sound it make was a little like a purring cat. It was closing fast.

Duncan looked at Cally; she was tugging at his vest. "What is it?"

"Lift me up. I want to see who sent it." She held out her hands.

Duncan bent over and picked her up, he sat her on his shoulder.

Cally giggled, "This is high Warrior. Hi-hi, look at me!" She leaned forward and looked Duncan in the eye.

"Cally! Be careful or we'll both fall." Duncan said, trying to keep his balance.

She sat back up and peered at the heralding-beast. "Oh! I don't believe it! How dare he!" Cally balled her fists.

"What? Who?"

"Let me down Warrior, we must get inside the castle now!"

Duncan put her down and together they made their way to the front of the line, apologizing left and right. One of the merchants saw them coming and placed his wagon directly in their path.

"Out of the way Merchant!" Cally said.

The merchant looked down at her. "Know your place child. Wait your turn." He resumed his conversation with his companion.

Cally stomped her feet. "This is Queen Rhiannon's Warrior and he has urgent business in the castle! Let us through!"

The merchant looked Duncan up and down, noticing the embroidery. "So, this is the new Warrior? Hmph."

Cally took a deep breath, ready to take on the merchant when Duncan took a step forward, "I am Duncan McLeod of the clan McLeod. And you are?" He raised one eyebrow.

"I am not impressed, 'Warrior'." The merchant laid as much poison in the last word as he could.

Suddenly the merchant's wagon began tipping over. His servants tried their best to keep it from tipping over, to no avail. The cargo spread over The Road and into the darkness.

Duncan saw Cally standing on the other side with a mischievous grin; he shook his head and motioned her to follow him.

"I didn't do a thing." Cally put on her most innocent face. They'd just left The Road and were now heading for the throne room where they would probably find Astarte.

"Uh-huh." Duncan sighed; he was beginning to see he would have his work cut out if he were to stay here. Cally needed someone to keep her in line. "Just don't do it again. We'll talk about it later, right now we need to find Astarte. You haven't told me why yet though."

"I haven't?"

"No." Duncan opened a small door leading to the hallway leading up to the throne room.

"Oh. Well, you'll just have to wait until I tell Astarte, no need in telling the same thing twice now is there?" She increased her pace. "We have to hurry though, the merchant's damaged wagon won't stop the heralding beast for long."

She hurried to the throne room, Duncan following her closely. They saw Tyra standing in the hall in front of the throne room; she was looking at the doors, mumbling something under her breath.

"Tyra!" Cally called out.

Tyra turned around fast as a cat, sword drawn. When she saw whom it was she relaxed a little. "Cally! You silly girl, I could have hurt you. Do not ever do that again." She looked at Duncan, gave him a nod and sheathed her sword. "Warrior, what brings you here?"

"Cally will tell us. Is Astarte in there?"

Tyra's face darkened. "Yes." She sighed. "I must admit it is strange having her amongst us again, after all these years."

Cally was trying to open the heavy doors. "Warrior, a little help would be nice."

Duncan and Tyra rushed to her aide.

"Thank you." Cally slipped inside.

Duncan looked at Tyra, trying to stifle a laugh and saw she was trying to do the same. "Come on, let's hear what our little rascal has to say."