Note: I've recently received the VHS of MK. Oh, how the memories came.
Chapter Four:
I'm not sick, but I'm not well.
"King Fin Varra was not expecting Christine," said Ivar. "He seemed…for lack of a better word, surprised. I don't think I've ever really seen him so unnerved," he added, looking at Rohan.
Rohan nodded. "I noticed that, too. Yer majesty," he said, turning to King Conchobar. "Even though Maeve has been banished, do ye think she could still have some kind of power left within her?"
"It would not be possible," said the king as he leaned against the mantel of the fireplace. He furrowed his brow in thought. "When she left, it was certain that her powers were all used up. No. I just don't think she would waste her energy, if indeed she still intended to recapture Kells for her own."
"Besides," said Deidre, stepping forward, "I think we should be more concerned about Numaine and that beast of hers Lughad. It is only a matter of time before Kells will be under a major threat."
"If I may be so bold as to pose a question, milord," said Christine from behind Deidre, "Why would I be dragged into this universe where I don't belong? I mean, I suppose I can intimidate people but I'm not much of a threat…or a warrior."
The king glanced her over once and then smiled. "A warrior ye may not be but there have been far a greater man who has lacked the sensibility you possess. Take Angus fer example: he shows no great wit but his skills as a warrior are an asset to this kingdom."
Angus was beaming as he thought the king himself was rendering a compliment; however, his face fell and annoyed he became. Leaning over to Rohan, he asked, "Was what he just said a good thing or a bad thing?"
Rohan chuckled. "I think Angus has just proven yer point, yer majesty."
The king nodded. Then, he turned back to Christine. Her face was bright, curious, beseeching him for answers he did not have. It then occurred to him that she was more of the victim here than they were. There was no real threat she could pose to them, of that he was certain and he chided himself for feeling a base of doubt in the back of his mind. "I think the best we can all hope for is that something turns up soon. I am sorry that you have been taken away from your home Christine but one can only hope that that will all change for the good."
Christine bit the inside of her cheek. Unsure of how to respond, she did what came to her first and bowed her head. "Thank you, King Conchobar. Oh, I hope I'm pronouncing it right. My Gaelic's not what it used to be," she said with a quirky smile.
The king leaned down and pat her on the arm. "Ye did all right, milady."
Christine smiled and said no more, feeling the embarrassment flood to her face.
"Ah, Angus," he said, turning around to face the other knights. "What news have you on my villagers?"
Angus seemed to forget where he was. He shook himself. "What? Oh, right. Uh, yeah, I spoke with some o' the guards and they said it was a ghost but then I talked with this farmer by the name of Seamus. He told me to tell you that it's been nothin' but a bunch of poachers roamin' the farms. He says it's nothin' to worry about." Angus sniffed and crossed his arms.
The king raised his brow. "Oh," he said. "Well, that takes care of that…if you will please find these poachers the next time you go in the village, Angus," he added.
Angus's jaw dropped. "Yer Highness, I'm a Mystic Knight! Can't we get some o' the guards to do it? It's not like it's a real serious job."
"And your duty's to the kingdom of Kells, not just the castle, master of rudeness!" snapped Conchobar. "Which includes the people and all of their problems, no matter how mundane it may seem to you. Now, I expect this matter will be resolved within the week?"
"Yes, yer highness," grumbled Angus, casting beaten eyes to the ground.
As soon as they were out of the throne room, the four Mystic Knights led Christine the way around the castle, showing her the rock wall they often climbed. Rohan secured his knot around his waist and yanked, checking to make sure it did not fall loose. "Have ye ever climbed before, Christine?" he asked.
Yanking her rope, as well, Christine nodded. "Of course I have. It doesn't mean I'm very good at it, but I've had practice," she said.
"Well, then, allow me to show ye how to do it right," Angus said, swinging on his rope. "You'll be a natural in no time."
Christine shook her head. "I sincerely doubt that. I'm more inclined to trust the Princess on rock wall climbing than you any day, Angus but," she added as she placed her right foot on a small jutting rock, grabbing a hold simultaneously. "If I ever need one of Cathbad's potions, I'll be sure to look for you." She cocked her head to the side, grinned and then, proceeded to the climb the wall.
Angus snorted. However, he felt like someone had slapped him in the face. He was her favorite Mystic Knight, she had said. Above the others he had been chosen for once and yet there was something ironic in the way she acted towards him when the others were near. It was all just an act, then. The gears grinded in his mind and he wondered if what she had said to him was an act as well for when Deidre had been in the room, Christine was sharp as a blade. But when Deidre had left, Christine was stripped of her armor, it seemed, and broke down easily in front of him.
Unknowingly, Angus's temper was flaring. He stumbled on his first few steps but after a few minutes he had a firm hold to the wall. In the meantime, there was a slue of obscenities he considered using once he had caught up with her.
However, none were going to be used as soon as he looked up…right under her. He stared, mouth agape at the complexity wrapping her in a tight cocoon of blue heaven and felt his heart thumping faster to keep up with the blood attempting to keep a flow to the brain as his other parts heated up. He shook his head furiously and unfortunately did not realize the close proximity with which his face was to the jagged rock wall. He scraped his nose and yelped. A hand slipped loose from its grasp and he almost lost his footing.
Christine whipped around as soon as she heard him cry out. "Are you all right down there?"
"Of course I am," he lied, holding his nose with one hand and fumbling with his footing. "Don't ye think I know what I'm doing here? On second thought, don't answer that. I've had enough lectures from you today already, Miss-Perfect."
Christine shrugged visibly, "Fine. Be that way." However, as she turned back to continue her climb, she felt a tug in her chest and it wanted to fight back, yell at him and lash out irrationally…but there was another rope, one that was shorter and caused much friction between her and the wall building up her resolve, holding her back. She scratched her fingers against the rock, attempting to forget her childish outcries and focus on the climb. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, Christine kept going forward and didn't turn back around again.
Once at the top, everyone had untied themselves and plopped on the ground, exhausted. Taking this opportunity of rest, Christine viewed the landscape with a silent awe. Her face was rigid and her hands were locked together across her bent knees. She lowered her head into her arms and revealed only her eyes to the rest of the world.
Angus watched her. It was his habit to study people, a cathartic hobby he had developed since those days as a young boy pick-pocketing. The person had to have some wealth strapped to his belt and had to be oblivious to how he maintained a watch on that wealth. Those were the people Angus looked out for because he always managed to walk more than ten paces away with the stolen treasure before the victim had even noticed it was gone in the first place. He had no qualms about stealing. The world had robbed him of a family or even a chance to rise above his station…that is, until he became a Mystic Knight. That was when stealing was no longer an obscenity. Fame was his newest flame and it flared up every time Rohan or one of the other knights was rewarded with cheers and recognition. As much as he tried to avoid his envy, he could not ignore it at times. Then, he would revert back to watching people. He would watch those people who flocked to Rohan, observed the way in which they all cried his name in thanks. It grew within him to feel like an unknown entity, a stranger unto himself.
But watching Christine stare out at the world alone made him think he was observing his own reflection. He shuddered at the thought.
"Ye forget yerself?" asked Rohan, tossing his rope to the ground.
"Oh, ha, ha," Angus said. "I'm just…annoyed," he muttered.
Rohan looked confused. "Why?"
Angus leaned over and lowered his voice so they wouldn't be over heard. "There's a word…for people like her. I just can't think of it and it's bugging me." Deidre had walked up to Christine and they had struck up a conversation. Ivar was still untying his own rope nearby, though he could hear what Angus was saying.
"Who? People like Deidre?" Rohan asked.
"No, Christine," Angus said. "I can sum up the princess in one word…easy. Let's see, 'rich,' 'bossy,' 'negative,' not to mention…."
Rohan stopped him there. "Watch it, friend," he said, glaring down at Angus with cold eyes. "To you she's just the princess."
"Oh, right. Sorry lover boy," Angus teased. "I forget how mad ye are sometimes around her."
"And like you're not mad yourself?" asked Ivar, leaning in between them.
"What? Me? Over who?" Angus asked.
"Who else but the very one you discuss?" Ivar said. Angus frowned. "You're obsessed, Angus," Ivar said. "Since we first met Christine, all you've been doing is staring at her, not-to-mention setting yourself up for one faux pas after the next."
"I've been what?" said Angus, feeling indignant.
"I think ye have to dumb it down a bit," Rohan said. "He's not getting it."
"Not getting what?" Angus asked. "So, okay," he relented. "I watch her. But what's not to watch? Easy on the eyes, she is and that's all," he said with his hands in exaggeration. "Even you should be agreeing with me on that one, Ivar."
Ivar blinked and shrugged. "I am not denying that I don't find Christine in the least bit attractive. However, from what I can tell, the future has become more or less obsessed with pointing out those factors in women…a habit quite similar to the one you have, Angus."
Angus smirked. "What's not to love about the future if it's full of women dressed like that?"
"It's shallow," said Rohan. "At least, that's what I think Ivar is trying to get at."
Ivar nodded. "Indeed."
"So…ye think I'm shallow? Me? Shallow?" Angus paused. "What have I ever done to you, huh?" he said to Rohan.
"Oh, here he goes," Rohan muttered.
"No, I'm serious. What have I done to you to make you so resentful of me judgment in women?"
"Shall I give ye a list of all of the maidens in the village of Kells alone?" Rohan asked. He glanced at the girls. They were laughing and occasionally looking back at the boys to see if they were being overheard. "I think the fresh air's cleared out yer mind, my friend," he said to Angus. "And I think I know why yer annoyed."
"Oh, ye do, do ye?" Angus asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He stared at Christine without realizing he was doing so.
Rohan walked behind Angus and clapped him on the shoulder. "Just keepin' ye on yer toes, mate," he said.
Angus rolled his eyes and continued staring. Then, a word came to him and oddly enough, it fit his thinking: confusion. "Yeah, she's confusing all right," he muttered.
"So what d'you think the boys are talking about?" asked Christine as soon as Deidre had sat down next to her.
"Us, probably," she said.
Christine smirked. "Funny. I was going to say battle strategies."
Deidre sighed. "Yeah right. Ivar may make a suggestion to Rohan but if Angus is there with them, he's more likely to go off about Rohan and me." She suddenly went silent.
Casting a sidelong glance, Christine said, "It's obvious. You two, and I mean this sincerely, should just get a room and have at it. I mean, seriously, I think you've both played the friend game for a long time. Who cares what your father thinks? And besides, Rohan's the prince of Temra. Grant it, it's not the best kingdom to rule…but at least it's legal. You're not…afraid are you?" she added.
"No," Deidre snapped. "Of course I'm not afraid! He's just…Rohan's my best friend. I don't want anything to interfere with that."
Christine blinked. "Okay, maybe I'm just being weird but if he's your 'bestest friend in the whole wide world,' why not take it a step further? You guys are all about taking risks."
"But this is different," Deidre said. "We could end up hurting each other and I don't want to risk that."
"Nothing in life worth living for is risk-free, Deidre. You know this, I know you do."
"Why are ye so determined to see Rohan and me together?"
Christine sighed. "I'm just a sucker for medieval romances…and you guys are just making us single people jealous, what and with all that flirting you do. And don't deny it," said Christine with a mischievous grin. Deidre's mouth was agape in shock. "If you were any more obvious, my grandmother would have noticed…and she was blind, for Pete's sake. Hey, that was good," Christine added. "I should write that one down."
Deidre shook her head. "You sound just like Angus."
"Oh, don't go there, princess," Christine said.
"And why on Earth not? You've had yer fun, now I have mine."
Christine rolled her eyes. "All right," she sighed. "I'll bite. Have you anything you want to say about me and Angus?"
"No," said Deidre. "But now that you mention it," she added. "You seem to have had an unusual effect on him."
"Would you be surprised to know that's not the first time I've heard that?"
Deidre paused. "This isn't the first time Angus has seen a pretty face and I highly doubt you will be the last to turn his head. I don't mean any offense, Christine, because we've only just met; however, you seem to think of us as only the people who were portrayed by actors. That's not to say Angus is a bad guy. He's just…well, he's…."
"A womanizer. Believe me, I'm well aware," Christine said with a Cheshire grin.
"I'm just giving ye a warning…as a friend," said Deidre.
"Well, as a friend, I thank you. But as woman to woman…what do you think?" she asked, glancing over shoulder. "You think I could tame him?"
Deidre sighed. "All I've got to say is the best of luck to ye…Lugh knows why yer trying at all."
"I always fall for the comedian. I won't lie," said Christine. "Besides," she shrugged, "There's no harm in trying at all. I haven't much to risk, have I?"
"You do have a point," said Deidre. "But, if I may add, don't do anything that would leave him scarred. He is my friend, after all."
There was a long pause, as they had nothing else to say to each other until Christine thought of something, which made her laugh. " 'I'm not even supposed to be here today.'"
"So, ladies," said Angus quite suddenly from behind them. Rohan and Ivar were on either side of him. "Are ye ready fer the real climb because ye do know that that back there was just a practice run, right?"
Christine looked up at him and laughed. "Practice…sure. And I suppose grinding your nose on the rock wall was just a rehearsal for an even bigger fall, then?"
"It was just a scratch," he said, unconsciously rubbing the bridge of his nose where there was dry blood.
"Ah, we'll have Cathbad fix that right up fer ye, Angus, as soon as we get back to the castle," said Rohan.
"We should be heading back," said Deidre, standing up and dusting herself off. "It'll be dark by the time we get to the castle."
"And I'll be starved," said Angus.
Christine rolled her eyes at him and then turned to look once more at the landscape.
Deidre led the way towards the edge of the cliffs and grabbed up her rope. Rohan and Ivar followed and as Ivar anticipated, Angus strayed behind. His hand gripped the handle of his mace as he had always done in the past. Looking out at the horizon, his head felt somewhat clearer. 'I guess Rohan was right about that fresh air,' he thought. He sighed and looked down at Christine. "Need a hand?"
She had been spacing out, wondering if this would be the last she would see of Kells, if by some chance a random wizard would whisk her back to her home and tell her he had grabbed her by mistake. It was a lame thought but lately, as Christine saw it, everything she had been doing around the Mystic Knights was nothing short of groveling. When he suddenly spoke to her, she stirred out of her reverie. "What?" she said and turned around. She saw his hand stretched out down to her, waiting. She got butterflies. Just then, she felt as though the dirt on her hands would not rub off as she dusted them on her pants. She took his hand and he hoisted her up. "Thanks," she said, looking away.
"Anything fer a fan," he said, tilting his head.
P.S. note: I think it's funny how no one reads my stories and yet I'm still making notes in my chapters.
P.P.S. Stealing, as much as it is a crime, not so much against humanity as it is against one's conscience, is an art…and Angus has perfected this art so well, he is the Monet of criminal activities. It's just an after thought…for all you fans out there.
