Chapter 27
1332 Words
27
We reached land and the beautiful waters of the Bay of Secrets. A crowd waited for us as we landed on the long dock. Stephanie and Darda were at the head of the people.
Cayden stepped out of the away-boat and swept Stephanie into his arms. He hugged her close and then drew them to arm’s length so he could see her belly. “Are you both well?”
She smiled and nodded. “Very well, but you-” she cupped his cheek in one hand, “-you look tired.”
He grasped her hand and pressed a light kiss to her palm. “I will be better now that I have returned to you.”
Darda moved to stand before us and bowed her head. “I am glad to see you returned, My Lord and Lady.”
I playfully rapt my knuckle on the top of her head. “It’s Miriam.”
She raised her head and smiled. “You might indulge me some formality on your return, young Miriam.”
I grinned and shook my head. “Nope.”
“Has anything occurred while we were away?” Xander asked her.
She shook her head. “No, Xander. The area has been as quiet as the bay.”
“Good, then we shall liven the beach with some gaiety tonight.” He raised his arms above his head and raised his voice. “May I have your attention!” The dock quieted and all eyes turned to him. “There shall be a celebration tonight to mark the peace. Everyone is invited and food shall be provided!”
A great cheer arose from the crowd. Xander returned his attention to Darda. “If you would-”
“-handle the affairs,” she finished for him as she bowed her head. “With pleasure.”
“This is the mainland?” Roisin’s voice spoke up behind me.
I turned around and smiled at her as I held out my hand. “This is just the start. It goes for a really long time.”
She returned my smile with one of her own as she took my hand. “Then lead me as far as you may, my friend Miriam.”
I drew her down the dock with her mother close behind us. We reached the end where the planks met the sand. The crowds parted as everyone hurried to prepare for the magnificent feast that was to being in only a few short hours.
“Caoimhe.” Our group turned in the direction of the voice. Dreail stood on the beach to the left of the dock. His wide eyes gazed at Mac Bradaigh in wonder. He took a step forward and stretched out a wrinkled, shaking hand. “Is that truly you?”
Mac Bradaigh eyebrows crashed down. She rolled up her sleeves, marched up to him, and gave a nice right hook to his left cheek. The old man stumbled back and tripped over sand. He landed with a soft thud on the beach while she towered over him with her fists on her hips.
“Is that all you’ve got to say to me after all these years? And not even asking about your daughter?” she growled.
His eyes bulged. “D-daughter.”
Mac Bradaigh half-turned and gestured to Roisin. The young dragon girl stared in wonder and curiosity at Dreail. The old man’s mouth dropped to the sand.
Roisin smiled and leaned down to offer her hand to him. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Father.”
Dreail’s mouth flopped like a gasping fish. He turned his attention to Mac Bradaigh and pointed at Roisin. “She’s. . .she’s really mine?”
Mac Bradaigh nodded. “Yes, and don’t just standing there gaping. Get up!”
Dreail swallowed the lump in his throat and returned his attention to Roisin. He stretched out his shaking hand and grasped hers. She pulled him to his feet and leapt at him, enveloping him in a tight hug.
“I am so happy to meet you, Father!” she exclaimed.
Dreail hesitated before he wrapped his arms around her. A soft smile graced his lips as he closed his eyes. “And I with you, Daughter.”
“Her name’s Roisin,” Mac Bradaigh told him.
Dreail chuckled and parted them, but left his arm draped over Roisin’s shoulders as he looked to Mac Bradaigh. “Is she? That suits her. A rose for a thorny family.”
“Who’s thorny you old crab?” Mac Bradaigh growled.
Dreail drew Roisin over to her mother so he could loop his free arm around her waist. His eyes twinkled as he studied her wizened old face. “That’s my spirited lady. Now come along with ya and tell me what you’ve been up to.” He drew them away from us, but paused and glanced over his shoulder at our group. Dreail bowed his head to Cayden. “Thank you, My Lord, for bringing me a family.”
Cayden smiled and returned the bow. “Your happiness is thanks enough.”
The old man winked. “I don’t know about that, but ya can be sure of a good feast of fish tonight, My Lord.”
The three of them walked down the beach together. Xander looped his arm around my waist and smiled down at me. “Let us now rest before the party.”
We made our way to Cayden’s chateau. The liveliness of the party preparations meant there was very little rest, but a lot of fun. Food streamed through the house and out onto the beach where the local guard, now cured of the affliction of the Dragon’s Bane, set up tables and chairs that stretched down the white sands. They staked tall, unlit torches around the area in preparation for night.
As evening arrived the residences of the other chateaus emerged with more food. A long line of the locals moved down the road from the interior laden with fruit and vegetable goods. I stood on the deck out back and saw Colin arrive with his mother and father. He waved to me. I smiled and waved back.
The commotion was wonderful. People talked and laughed. The tables groaned under the weight of the good food. Night came and the guard lit the torches, creating halos of light that cast long shadows over the smiling faces. A bonfire was erected close to the edge of the water, and people danced in time with music played by local flutists who had made their instruments from the reeds of the ocean.
I stood between Xander and Cayden some twenty feet from the bonfire. A light tap on my shoulder made me turn around. Lady Abha stood behind me. A soft smile graced her lips. “I see you have been much growing since we last met.”
I grinned and shrugged. “Just a little. I learned the Call.”
She chuckled. “Then you are a step closer to realizing who you truly are.”
I arched an eyebrow. “What do you-”
“My Lord! Lord Cayden!” a voice shouted. The music died down as Colin’s father hurried up to us. He was out of breath as he bowed his head to Cayden. “My Lord, you must help my wife and me! We cannot find our son!”
Cayden looked softly at his subject as he set a hand on the man’s shoulder. “We will all help with the search.” He swept his eyes over everyone present. “Pull the torches from the sand and form parties of ten! Search from the waves to the forest!”
There was a ruckus of organization as people placed themselves in groups as instructed. The torches were pulled up and each given to the leader of the group. Other torches were brought from the chateaus and farm houses, and soon the celebrators parted for the search.
Xander took a torch and turned to Stephanie and me. “Please search the chateaus. We will search the bay.”
I glared at him. “Why can’t we go with-” He unfurled his wings, as did the other dragons. My face fell. “Oh. That’s why.”
The dragon men flew into the sky and disappeared in the direction of the barracks. I turned to Stephanie. Her face was tense. “That poor boy. He must be so scared.”
I set my hands on her shoulders and drew her toward the large houses. “He’s probably out blowing that whistle Xander. . .gave to. . .him.”
Stephanie blinked at me. “Are you okay?”
I stopped and furrowed my brow. “I think I might know where he is.”
“Where?”
I grabbed her hand and tugged her down the beach. “Come on!”
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