The End is Near

Chapter 34

19 July 2045 – Banff

Gwydd arrived in the sitting room to collect them a little before nightfall. He had returned Laila to Shio and left them reading scrolls in the library. He had then chosen to spend the rest of the day alone.

I need to clear my mind and meditate on all the things that had happened in the last few days and what the potentials are for the future. He chose not to scry - with an event of such magnitude looming, the future would be unclear.

I don't know how it happened but she is the one for me. This is what it must have been like for da and granda.

Did I find her only to lose her? She is so delicate to wield such might. To channel that much power will likely destroy her. Yet she strides into this battle with no thought for her well-being, for her survival. Laila's fear is well-placed, but Keira has chosen to look away from even that warning.

He sighed deeply, gazing sightlessly over the vista of cloud-topped trees.

Would that I could continue to ignore this fire in my veins. But is that fair to me? To her? Embrace it or avoid it?

He had counseled Laila against her fear. To be ruled by fear himself would be sheered hypocrisy.

When he returned to the sitting room to collect them, his shoulders were straighter and his pulse steady. If all I have is this time, then I know where I need to be. I've never had the discipline and calm of my ancestors who held this role. I've always known my path was meant to be different. I choose her – even if I cannot tell her yet. She is the star to my moon.

Shio and Laila were sitting together on one of the sofas, speaking softly. She laughed at something he said and Gwydd smiled. His current frame of mind was partly due to the two of them, for they had decided to seize every moment of happiness before they faced this enemy. Love is important, even if it might not last.

Mickael and Kiera were standing at the table and speaking also, neither of them paying attention to the food. Gwydd studied Kiera carefully. Her face was serene, only a tiny frown at her brow as she listened to her brother. I wish I knew what she really feels right now. Is that calm only skin-deep?

She smiled when she caught sight of him, "Finally! I thought we were going to have to rely on Mickael to get to the clearing. Where have you been?"

"I had some preparations to make. Shall we?" He turned as Shio and Laila stood before leading them through the room and then to the portal that led to the clearing.

King Mullac and Lord Lilon were not yet present and the clearing was silent in the twilight. The circle of water was crystal that waited to reflect a moon that had not yet risen. Gwydd went over the vision in his mind, focusing on the piece of it which they expected to pertain to tonight.

Kiera held the sceptre and stood on one side of the circle of water, while King Mullac, Lord Lilon and Athena stood opposite. Athena held the device in her hand and the King and Lord joined hands with hers.

There was a blinding glow, until the device was turned into a crystal. The crystal was joined to the sceptre and then Kiera charged the other crystals.

"Thank you all for being here with me," said Kiera as she turned her back on the water and faced them. "As we have all seen though, tonight is for the crystals and your effort will not be required. Please, be at your ease."

Gwydd had been prepared for this moment and led the others a little way back from where Kiera stood, before manifesting a large woolen blanket complete with picnic basket and pitchers of water and fruit juice.