Stefan's Journey

Chapter 9

Róidh took it slow for which Moira was grateful. She was sore and tired from her captivity. A sudden rustling caused Róidh to stop so abruptly that Moira ran into him. She peered around him to see several arches standing ready with bows drawn.

Relief flooded through Moira as Stefan stepped into view. His eyes found hers and he stepped forward. Before Moira knew it, she rushed at him from behind her brother's back. Stefan caught her as she threw herself at him.

"I thought I'd lost ye," Stefan whispered in her ear as he held her close.

Moira gave him a kiss before she moved back. Stefan released his tight hold on her, but he kept his hands around her waist. His face was lined with worry and hunger. Moira could tell that Stefan hadn't fed in a while and it made her ache for him.

Moira ran a hand down his haggard face. "I'm safe now Stefan. Róidh found me."

Stefan looked past Moira to where Róidh stood at ease surrounded by Stefan's men. Stefan let go of Moira as he moved forward to speak to Róidh. He stopped a foot away from Róidh as he studied him. Stefan frowned at Róidh.

"Aren't ye the one who stole Father's prized stallion?"

Róidh gave Stefan a dimpled smile. "Aye and I still have the scar from the arrow he shot at me."

Stefan chuckled as he shook his head. "Father was mad when his horse was stolen. I've never seen him so mad."

Róidh laughed and clasped arms with Stefan in a warrior's grip. "If ye want to know the truth, I stole that horse as a gift for Moira. It was her birthday and I wanted to give her a gift that would make her glow with happiness."

Stefan looked back at Moira before he spoke to Róidh. "I'm glad it went to her."

Moira glared at Róidh with her hands on her hips. "Ye didn't tell me ye stole it from the Gordon stables."

Róidh grinned at her. "I knew how ye watched the horses and men. I thought I could get ye a horse easier than I could get ye a man."

Moira shook her head in disgust. Róidh roared in laughter while Stefan slapped him on the back.

***

Moira was sitting by the campfire when Stefan sought her out. He paused and drank in the sight of her. He was so relieve that she was safe and sound. Stefan wanted to kill Thalia and Hector for what they did, but he didn't want to restart the feud.

"Let the Gods take care of the Callahan clan."

Stefan glanced over to find Cernnunos standing against a tree watching him. Cernnunos motioned with his head to Moira. Stefan shook his head as Róidh sat down beside Moira.

"She needs to spend time with her brother."

"Moira won't wait forever."

Stefan glanced over at Cernnunos. "I know and Kerri won't wait either."

Cernnunos chuckled. "Us Gods are patient. Cerridwyn and I have danced the same dance around each other for thousands of years."

Stefan grunted as he watched Moira and Róidh. He wished that he had been as close to his siblings as Moira and Róidh were. Stefan shook himself from his past and looked back over at Cernnunos.

"What do the Gods plan on doing?"

Cernnunos laughed and it reminded Stefan of the cawing of crows. "We plan on ruining them. After we are done with them they will wish they were dead."