Free Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series) by Isabelle Stewart Page B

supposedly they didn’t know how to open the portal?” Kedryn asked puzzled.
    “You have a point. I suppose I should have checked to see if the portal was still open before I started on the runes to open it. That was an oversight on my part. Chalk it up to old age. Now we will not know if it was open or if one knew how to open it.” Eion turned around away from the portal.
    “One thing I know is true if Lady Paili truly is ruler over Laois, she is not going to be happy with Damon. She is like Lord Faolan a finish the mission or die kind of person. He better hope he has some good information to give for his own skins sake. Although, I doubt she would send her brother to the altar. In her own way she loves him and his power is too valuable.”
    Aodhan’s face turned full of hatred. “I think that we should assume that Faolan made it through the portal too. That way we are prepared.”
    Aodhan walked to the opening of the cave. He looked up at the moon and felt the mist of rain on his face. He turned to Kedryn.
    “We should head out. That way we can get back sooner than later to get some rest. It is going to be a hard journey and we all will need our strength.”

Chapter 5
    Across the mountains, in the land of Laois, there formed a castle carved into the mountain and hidden deep in a crevice on its side. The granite and limestone glowed in the moonlight reflecting of deep black with crimson red streaks throughout. Dug beyond the face of the castle keep a throne room, banquet halls and chambers had been constructed in the torch lit darkness. Many passageways led down deep into the mountain leading to the dungeons and torture chambers beneath. The only sections that were exposed on its granite face were four spiraling turrets, two balconies and a chimney protruding from each side.
    To the side of the castle keep a large waterfall carved its way down the mountain. A drawbridge set in the front of the castle lowered over the deep a natural gash formed by the waterfall. When the castle had been built, Lord Faolan’s many greats grandfather had been in charge of building the path that was cleaved into the mountain. He had also enlisted miners to carve tunnels in the mountain that had not been naturally formed by the underground streams.
    Unseen by the guards through one of the hidden passageways a foul black mist crept its way past the dungeons and up to the main part of the castle.
    In the throne room a scribe sat making a written account of the tongue lashing Lady Paili was giving Damon. She was furious that he returned alone and without his mission completed. Standing in front the marble steps that led up to an ornate and oversized golden throne she gave him a treacherous look.
    Damon took another step back behind one of the smaller thrones that were flanking the throne ready to translocate to a secret passage if she decided to send him to the altar. When his sister walked up to him giving him a kiss on the cheek he knew his life was not forfeit.
    “You are fortunate brother that you have a power that is of use to me. I believe only a flogging is what you will receive. However, I do not wish to be denied a sacrifice at the altar and have found a suitable replacement.” she released him swept her hair behind her shoulder.
    Paili snapped her fingers and a concealed side panel opened. A man flanked by two guards was brought through. Damon’s relieved look suddenly turned horrified as he recognized the man being dragged in. The guards dropped him at the foot of the steps to the throne. Blood dripped onto the floor as the General struggled to rise to his feet.
    “You cannot kill the one man who will lead our army to victory. Others do not have the tactical skills and knowledge he possesses.”
    “Silence brother. I will do as I please.” She looked at the beaten and bleeding man before her.
    “General Daigh. It was your plan that has failed in killing the descendant or to bring back word of Lord Faolan.”
    She turned