Caught Between Brothers

Chapter 15

Early the next morning, Kevan woke to a ruckus in the castle. Servants scrambled down the halls, searching for something, or someone. Grumbling under his breath, he threw a shirt over his head and left his room to find out what was happening. Catching the first servant he could get is hands on, he questioned her. “Wha’ in da ‘ell is goin on ‘ere?” Her eyes widened and she dipped her head in respect and perhaps fear. With a small, quiet voice, she answered him. “Lord Aedan is missin’, m’lord.” She swallowed and looked up at him. “So is da Lady. Lord and Lady Callaghan are worried somethin’ terrible ‘appened ter them in da storm.” Kevan gave her a confused look. “Storm?” He must have slept straight through it. “Aye, m’lord. Last nigh’, it nearly destroyed da stables.”

Straightening his back, he dismissed the girl and began to aid in the search. Who knows where his brother had run off to, but more importantly, he needed to find Elle. She was probably alone out there and scared.

--

Elle shivered, hugging her knees to her chest. The room had been pitch black the entire night, while she sat alone in the dark. The only time the door had opened, she wished it hadn’t. Aedan wasn’t in his right mind. He came down with a crazed look in his eyes and kept mumbling about leaving his son. She tried to tell him his son was dead and he had turned on her. He hit her in the face, only to apologize profusely. He told her he loved her and never wanted to leave her but his father had made him. Elle did not understand him but tried to comfort him nonetheless. She squeezed her eyes shut at the memory of him taking her in the damp room. She had tried to resist him but he was too strong for her. He had not been gentle or loving in the act. He was rough and heartless, just like the first few months of their marriage.

The storm had rage around them, but the real storm had been in the room with her. Once he had finished with her, he climbed back up the stairs. She was alone in the dark for the rest of the night. It wasn’t until early morning that she heard the storm quiet down. She hadn’t heard anything out of Aedan and wasn’t entirely certain he was still there. He could have left her in the tiny room where no one could find her. Panic raced through her heart, but she could only find strength enough to whimper.

--

Kevan had searched nearly every room in the castle and finally decided to rest before continuing his search. It was already early afternoon and he hadn’t eaten anything. The same servant he had question in the morning tried to offer him a piece of bread and meat but he declined. Elle probably hadn’t eaten either. He would wait until he found her. The girl frowned but took the food away.

After sitting for ten or so minutes, he stood and headed outside. Stepping out the front door, he stopped and surveyed the damage from the storm. Trees were snapped in the middle, falling over each other and some of the small buildings that surrounded the grounds. Some of the servants lived in those buildings. Several men were moving bricks and limbs to unearth the damage. Another servant passed in front of Kevan and he reached out a hand to stop him.

The man dipped his head. “M’lord.”

“Any families whose ‘omes were destroyed can ‘ave a place in da castle. Be sure ter arrange it.”

“Many thanks, m’lord.” The man dipped his head again and scurried off to do his bidding.

Continuing on his path, the youngest Lord Callaghan passed what seemed to be the only untouched building on the grounds, save the castle itself. Something seemed to draw him to it. He walked slowly towards the small shed, wondering how it had survived. It’s boards were weathered and weak, with holes and patches. No sound came from the building but still, Kevan felt a pull towards it. He walked faster, almost at a run. Pulling the heavy door open, it groaned against its own weight. The light poured into the room. Scanning the room quickly, his eyes fell upon his brother. “Aedan!” he shouted, worried that something had happened to him. The elder man’s eyes shot open and he groaned. “Stop wit all yer yellin’. Me ‘ead is poundin in me skull.” Kevan glared at his brother. “ ‘ere yer are hungover and groaning when yer wife is out there somewhere alone.” At his words, Aedan’s eyes shot up at him with an almost guilty look before glancing back down at the floor. It served him right to be guilty. “Yer should be out there wit yer men lookin for her.”