Free “He had two blades,” Keenan said by Editor Page B

slumber?”
    Serena shrugged. “Mari and William used to tie me down until I woke.”
    Somehow Keenan found that exceedingly funny, and laughter echoed in the small copse of trees. His laughter was infectious, and Serena began to laugh as they swung their hands back and forth.
    ****
    As they broke through the tree line opposite Loch Awe Keenan halted his horse. Rising above the clear waters sat Kylkern Castle. Its three granite towers rose majestically toward the mountain guarding its back. White spots of wool grazed along the mountainside. The castle sat on a peninsula that jutted into the loch with a small village of sturdy cottages before its walls.
    He dismounted and lowered Serena. Keenan walked to the edge of the trees and picked some needles from the pine that bordered the water. Breaking the little needles between the nails of his thumb and forefinger he held them up to his face. He inhaled the fresh pine scent and looked out over the water as the sun began to set behind the beinn. Shadows of violet and red orange reflected on the glassy water.
    “It is so beautiful,” she whispered, sounding awestruck.
    She was so beautiful. Her open admiration of his home only enhanced it.
    He breathed out long, hoping to expel the pain in his chest and turned back to the scene before them. “Aye, ¢ tis a thing of beauty,” he said and placed his other hand on top of hers.
    They stood, side by side, with the trees at their backs and Kylkern Castle before them, the prophecy before them. “Welcome to Kylkern Castle, Serena.”
    As they approached the castle on the one land route, Serena sighed. “More voices,” she whispered so low that Keenan barely heard her words caught by the wind. She rode before him, leaning back into his arms.
    Keenan frowned, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to cushion her in his arms once they reached Kylkern. The horses plodded over a small wooden bridge and among the houses of the village. The smells of home filled the air; peat smoke from chimneys, tilled earth, sheep dung. The village was modest, but the homes were sturdy and clean, with thatched roofs and mud caked sides to keep the highland winds out. The soft glow of cook fires inside gave the small dwellings a cheery look like a multitude of glowing torches over the surface of land to light their path.
    “Hail there, Keenan,” Garrett called from beside one cottage.
    “Good eve to ye, Garrett,” Keenan called back.
    Isabell Pritchard came out of the doorway and waved at him. Her two young girls peeked out from her skirts. Keenan nodded at the widow and gave the bashful girls a quick smile. Serena looked behind Keenan’s shoulder.
    “They follow.”
    “Aye, they rejoice. Their great protector has returned,” he said evenly, in an attempt to keep the edge from his words.
    A chirping melody floated on the breeze. “Chiriklò.” Serena whispered. The sparrow glided from a barely budding tree. Several people gasped as the bird alighted on her stiff shoulder. Reaching up, Serena let the bird move into the palm of her hand where she cradled it next to her cheek. The bird twittered softly.
    “Aren’t ye fearful the bird will make a meal for a hawk?” Keenan spoke near her ear as he watched the villagers emerge.
    “Chiriklò has been around since I was a little girl. He is not like a normal pet. I would be more afraid for the hawk.”
    “Another oddity,” Keenan murmured. She lowered the bird to her lap and looked back at him.
    “I have quite a few.” Serena turned back toward the castle.
    As she ran her finger down Chiriklò’s feathers, Keenan leaned back to her ear. His grin disappeared as he sought for words. He must warn her. “Ye are welcomed to Kylkern Castle, lass. The people are good souls but curious. Doona take offense.”
    “I am used to curiosity from people. I don’t look like a typical Rom.”
    Keenan brushed his chin against her hair.
    “Lass.” He hesitated. “There will be more than just normal curiosity.”