years.” “I do not want to pressure you Devon. You know how I feel, but eventually your heart has to decide.” As Loanna walked away, she told him she would search for Igus deeper into the forest. Devon felt alone. Making sense of anything would have to wait. Igus was missing.
Devon could not decide where to begin. Igus was always there. He thought back to last year when they saved Gareth, how Igus communicated with him. He recalled how he was physically moved by Igus’ mind. He thought of the crystals. Though he did not understand it all, it did give him a thought. Devon climbed onto the Great Rock and sat down. He picked up a white crystal that Igus always meditated with, he could not have expected what happened next! Though he was not alarmed by the initial tingling, the crystal started to vibrate within his hands! He could feel his arms and legs get very warm, suddenly, Igus was with him!
“I knew you would figure it out!” Igus exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Devon. “What do you mean, ‘figure it out?’” Devon asked, stunned and relieved at the same time. “Over the past two years I have communicated with you many times, without words. This was just a little test to see if you had learned how you might find me if you had to,” Igus said, releasing him and gliding down to the forest floor. Now Devon was angry.
“Do you know how upset your test has made Loanna!? She has searched high and low for you. She was afraid you might be hurt!” Devon finished, looking at Igus, whose head was down. “I am sorry Devon, I should have told her.” “She said she was going to search deeper in the forest for you, I have got to go find her.” “Devon,” Igus said, smiling now, “You need not move an inch.” “What do you mean…” Devon’s voice trailed off. “Take the white crystal and try to concentrate on Loanna, you can tell her to come here! Go ahead, try!” Igus directed.
Devon closed his eyes and relaxed, the tingling and warmth came again this time though, more...controlled. Loanna was about two miles from them. She had searched the caves and had decided to try an area near the lake.
“Loanna!” Loanna stopped in her tracks as her eyes went blank, “Devon? Is that you?” “Yes Loanna, I have found Igus.” “Where are you hiding Devon?” She asked, thinking he was playing a game with her. “I am in the clearing with Igus. Please come here.” Loanna’s eyes fluttered and she smiled, now realizing what was going on, and started back. As she came to the clearing, she could see Devon sitting on the Great Rock and Igus standing beside it. She ran into Igus’ open arms.
“I was so worried. Where were you? Why did you not come when I called!?” After Igus explained, Loanna became angry. “Do not do that again, ever!” She shouted, stomping her foot as to bring the point home. “Once again, I am very sorry. But it did accomplish something, did it not?” Igus finished, smiling at Devon. Loanna’s eyes met Devon’s.
They sat at the table as they had for the first celebration, except that now, Melanie was seated to Katryn's immediate left. Katryn rose and lifted her glass. “To my son on his sixteenth birthday!” A cheer erupted from all the guests, as it quieted, Katryn continued, “You have given me nothing but joy and love. Now I expect the time is growing near, you will give me something….More?” Katryn said, glancing at Melanie. All the guests caught the meaning and laughed. Gareth’s cheeks went red, while Melanie just smiled sheepishly.
At every celebration, Gareth was given a special gift. This year, Ian suggested that Katryn give Gareth something very special indeed. Katryn continued after the guests again quieted.
“My son becomes Lord of Cashell on this day!” She announced. All the guests applauded and shouted their approval. As the cheering subsided, Katryn continued, “In honor of Gareth’s assent to Lord Cashell, I could think of only one thing to give him. Sir Ian, please bring the case to me.” Ian stood and set a finely carved box in front of Katryn. She then turned to her son.
“Gareth, you have trained harder than any knight could. Not only do I turn over control of Cashell’s forces to you, I give you this,” Katryn now bent to open the box as the guests strained to see what it was, “My son, your father’s sword.” Gareth removed his own sword from its sheath and handed it to Ian. He took his father’s sword in his hands, then held it up for all the guests to see.
“I will carry this with great pride and honor!” Gareth declared. He then placed the sword in his sheath, and put his arms around Katryn, “Thank you mother, there could not have been a better present.” All the guests applauded and cheered. Almost all, Robert Timlon only walked away.
As Katryn walked around thanking each guest for coming, Ian suggested that it was time that Gareth should be properly addressed, after all, he was now Lord Cashell.
“Gareth is loved by the people of Cashell, they have come to know him as Gareth, what would you have me do?” Katryn asked. Ian smiled at Katryn, “You will not mind if I call him, my lord, will you, Lady Katryn.” “Ian, you have been a friend of this family for longer than I can remember, if you chose to call him son, I think I would not be upset. Now let us continue.”
Richard Timlon bowed as Katryn approached, “My lady, as always I appreciate your invitation, but for a change, could we fore go the niceties. You do not like me and I do not care. You have invited me these last years just to keep an eye on me. I do not believe it will be necessary to invite me again.” Ian immediately grabbed Richard by the scruff of his neck, “You filthy little swine…” “Release him Ian!” Katryn commanded. Gareth saw the commotion and came running as the other guests also ran to see what the matter was.
“What goes on Ian!?” Gareth demanded. “This idiot has insulted Lady Katryn!” Ian exclaimed. Gareth put his hand on the hilt of his sword but Katryn stopped him. “No my son! This is a celebration! Ian, Please release him,” Katryn now said calmly. Ian looked at Katryn then at Gareth. Gareth nodded his head and Ian complied.
“I do not pretend to understand your outburst sir, but I believe you have over-stayed your welcome,” Katryn said, then turned to Ian, “Please escort Lord Timlon to his mount,” She said with a smile. As she turned her back on Timlon, she could see Martin with Bernard Chapman and walked up to them.
“What was that all about Katryn?” Martin asked. “It seems that Timlon was not enjoying himself,” She replied dryly. “I am sure you remember Bernard Chapman,” Martin now said. Katryn looked at the ugly little man and suddenly lost all sense of diplomacy, “Oh yes, I do remember, he would be just one more of the traitors that ravished this land.” Katryn had indeed finished with all the niceties, “Ian, take Lord Chapman with you also!” Katryn shouted over her shoulder. Katryn then turned to the other guests, “Come my friends, let us continue with the celebration!” A cheer went up and they all returned to the festivities.
After the guests left, Katryn summoned Ian to the study. “I think you realize your words were too harsh,” Ian said, as he sat down. “Perhaps, but as we walked up to Chapman, I remembered the other celebrations. Do you remember going around with me as we thanked the guests?" Ian raised a brow as in deep thought, suddenly his bearded face took on a look of surprise, “Yes! Yes my lady, Martin and Chapman have always seemed to have something to talk about.” “I remember wondering about it, but kept dismissing it as diplomacy,” Katryn reflected, “Ian, I do not like thinking that such a dear friend of the family could betray us, but I will not take any chances. Timlon seemed too cocky today.” “I understand my lady, I will check around to see what I can learn.” “Thank you Ian, I hope my suspicions are unfounded.”
“The gall of that witch! Who does she think she is!” Bernard exclaimed, after being told to leave Cashell. “Who cares? She only invited us so she could look down her nose at us,” Richard answered. “Do you not think I know that. But she made us look like fools!” “It does not matter Bernard, it will not be long until I annex the north land.” “How can you be so sure?” Bernard asked. “I sent Anthony to Welshire two weeks ago, it seems that the Harrison survivors have died in a fire,” Richard seethed as an evil smile crossed his lips.
Robert was drinking tea
when Richard walked into the drawing room at Timlon. “Do you think that nobody saw you slink away from the party like the mouse you are!?” Richard shouted, “Do you know how foolish that made you look!” “But father, I…” Richard interrupted Robert with a backhand across his face that sent Robert reeling, “Do not call me father! How many times do I have to say it!” “Yes…sir, I am sorry,” Robert said, getting back on his feet. “You are sorry all right, so sorry you have not even been able to find a wife. You will take a wife soon or be disowned, do you understand?!” “I want to marry but the girl I care for will not even look at me,” Robert replied, staying out of his father’s reach. “Who is she that would have nothing to do with you?” Richard demanded. “Melanie Landon would be my choice.” “What do you see in that little girl?” Richard asked, glaring at his son. “Melanie is almost sixteen, hardly a little girl and she is beautiful,” Robert said, almost sighing as he thought of her face. “So, what stops you from courting her?” Richard asked. “Everybody knows she is going to marry Gareth…” Robert was cut off as Richard’s man at arms, Jonathan, rushed into the study.
“Since when