Semi-Invited Guest
This is a series of posts written by the player of Kehrin Nomansson and myself. If anyone has a contact point for Kehrin's player it was be greatly appreciated.
The character called Kydwyn is a Highlander style immortal. Her first death occured during the war between the Romans and Celts.
I do not claim any rights to Highlander films or the TV series.
If you wish to post a comment, please post it here
Kehrin stepped up the path to the manor house with no small amount of trepidation. The night was still, near-silent; the woodlands by the castle and manor seemed to hold shadows far too dark for mere evening. He clutched his coat closer about himself, shivering as a faint breeze tossed his stark white locks into his eyes.
"Nothing t' be afraid of," he muttered under his breath, gaze searching the grass restlessly for any sign of....well, anything. "Aren't ya an assassin, trained f' stealth and fearless in the face of d--" The word caught in his throat, and he let it go in a formless breath; no sense worrying about that just yet. After all, had hope not presented itself before him?
Moving steadily toward the manor, his sharp eyes took in all the details available in the slight moonlight. A huge house, with a bit of light glimmering in some of the windows; a wall enclosing tangles of shadow--the rose garden, he wondered, fingering the tattoo on his wrist--the thin spear of a chapel stabbing at the sky; and the trees all around. Big trees, too. They made him nervous; he knew that if he ever stepped into the forest, he'd never find his way back out. It always seemed to happen like that.
Boots scuffing lightly on the steps, Kehrin ascended to the front door. He raised one hand to the knocker and hesitated, then caught it up and thumped it on the door. Stepping back to wait, he straightened his coat self-consciously, shaking a off thorny twig from his last woodland foray.
He took a deep breath as the door shifted open, and spoke immediately, trying to keep his voice from trembling. "M'name's Kehrin Nomansson an' Collie said she was gonna let me stay here fer a bit 'cos of some--ah--troubles I'm about t' have so she said t' come here an' you must be Vicki right?"
Vicky swept a few stray blonde hairs back from her face and smiled at Kehrin. "Indeed.. I am she. Her Grace told me you might be arriving and I'm most pleased to meet you. I have a room ready for you on the third floor. That way the thunder on the stairs as we refer to it," she chuckled softly, "won't awaken you.."
Vicky gave Kehrin an appraising look and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Follow me.. and we can get you settled in." The young English woman lead Kehrin up the sweeping staircase to the second floor turning right and heading down a long hallway... "There are stairs on either end of the hall, but this will be closer to your room."
Kehrin seemed a bit overwelmed by the gracious old manor house that Collie calmly referred to as "home." He followed Vicky into a spacious bedroom that would flood with light in the morning through a picture window and sheer lace curtains with heavy drapes to the side.
The bed was made of oak and was adorned with a handmade quilt bearing Collies own embroidery signature in the corner. Several large pillows were laid at the top. Vicky pointed out the closet on the right wall and the bathroom on the left. She turned toward the door wanting to allow Kehrin to settle in.
"Dinner is at seven, sir, if you are hungry or need anything before then... please let one of the staff know if you can't find me." A graceful hand gestured toward the grandfather clock in the hall. " I have my duties to attend to." Vicky gave another quick glance about the room and headed downstairs to see to the shopping list.
Kehrin watched the door click shut, then turned his gaze to the rest of the room. It was *big*...it made his old room look smaller than a broom closet. "Which, around here," he murmured with a faint smile, "it prolly is."
He shrugged off his coat, dropping it over the back of the overstuffed chair as he moved toward the window. A few small things clinked in the pockets, but the breakables and flammables were all packed carefully, so he ignored them. The window was floorlength, three-paneled....the two panes on the outside had latches, hinged to swing outward like doors. Beyond was a small balcony, and below that the wild dark tangle of another rose garden. "Got a much better view than the apartment," he told the windowpane conversationally, looking through into the darkness. "Hell's bells, I can even see stars!"
Turning back, he glanced over the rest of the room. Lace curtains--"what d'they think I am, a girl?"--chair and ottoman, dresser, mirror. He looked away from his reflection quickly, gaze skating across the room to the bed--"ol' Grandma style, hmm?"--then back to the chair and his coat. Scooping up the coat, with a scowl for the frayed bottom edge, he dropped lightly into the chair, shifting unconsciously to fling one leg over the side.
He tugged a blade of grass from the zipper on his boot, brushing thin, scarred fingers along the form of the stiletto blade hidden under the leather. "Prolly not 'bring y'own knife' in a place like this, so..." The ottoman was soon covered with blades: long, short, thin, curved, serrated, notched and engraved. Kehrin set one heel on the ottoman, pushing aside a knife no thicker than a knitting needle, and let his eyes slide closed.
They snapped open a second later, wild. He sprang up from the chair, blades scattering off the ottoman as he kicked it aside. Raking errant strands of spiky hair out of his face, he pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes and cursed softly. "Don't start gettin' like this...it's not th' end of the world yet...just another thing y'not gonna think about. We've gone over this before..." He dragged his palms down his face, the thin leather of the right glove rasping across the scar on his cheek.
"Find somethin' else t' do...thinkin's no good fer now."
Haggard green eyes lit upon the balcony, and brightened. "Maybe...check the security?"
*****
"Sir?" Vicky tapped on the door lightly before pushing it open. The room was empty, one of the glass doors onto the balcony wide open. It swung lazily in the warm night breeze. "Sir? It's time for dinner, didn't you hear the clock?" Her eyes darted around, edged with nervousness. She took a step inside the room.
A black blur dropped down onto the balcony, landing with the smooth grace of a hunting cat. Vicky gasped and backed up against the door as the figure rose and strode through the open window. "Sir?"
Kehrin slipped into the light, grinning cheerfully, his white hair wind-tumbled. "It's a nice place, but the security's not so hot....y'got wards up 'r aught, I hope. Dinnertime? Well..." He made a shooing motion at her, the catsclaws in his hands glinting slightly. "Step along, I'll be with ya in a moment."
Vicky chuckled softly hearing Kehrin's assessment of the security. "Sir.. I think you'll find we have many a man about the place and her ladyship has never seemed to worry about security.. perhaps that's a matter best discussed with her or the young earl."
Kehrin looked at Vicky a little confused, "The earl? Who is that?" Vicky quirked a brow.. " Why Lord Ian... the eldest son residing here... You'll meet him at dinner with the others. Please follow me." Vicky lead Kehrin down the main stairs and at the bottom turned left leading him into a large but informal dining room. The back wall with doors leading into a grand hall and ballroom.
The chandelier on the ceiling dazzled the light around through the tear drop crystals reflected prismatically of the walls adding a touch of elegance to the other wise homey room. The table was rectanglar made of mahagony and in Queene Anne style. There were seats enough for fourteen people including the two arm chairs at either end of the long table.
Facing into the room from the the hall at the center of the right hand wall stood a marble fireplace. A small clock rested on the mantle and ticked away the minutes and hours that were lived in this place. The left wall was two sets of French doors leading out to a patio.
Vicky showed Kehrin to his place on one side of the table. He would be sitting at Collies left the right side reserved for her eldest daughter and the place at the far end at present for Ian.
The table was carefully set with china and Waterford crystal. An Irish lace table cloth was laid gracefully over the highly varnished wood. The silver was carefully polished and laid out at each place setting. All places were set to perfection even those that would apparently not be used.
"Please sit... we will be serving shortly and the children will be coming in. You can rest on the patio a moment if you prefer.." As Vicky stepped out the door to signal the kitchen staff the sounds of several pairs of feet thundered down the stairs.
The dazzle of light off of chandeliers and crystal overwhelmed him, forcing him to squint green-hazel eyes at the diningroom. He had never seen a room so bright!--except through a window once when he was preparing a break-in. The noble family had been entertaining guests, all shining with gilt and rings and pins from the fingertips to the bootheels. Chatting and carrying on in lavish indecency, they never saw his charcoal-blackened face in their window. That night had been a good one.
Kehrin felt distinctly out of place. His black tunic was rather scruffy, a patch worn so thin at one elbow that it showed closer to grey; grass stains still lingered on the knees of his breeches, though they were only barely visible. He glanced down at the floor to make sure he hadn't tracked mud or soot or something onto the carpet. Seeing his pale shadow curled up around his feet, he fought down the urge to blow out a candle or two. "I can live with this," he told himself quietly.
Then his eyes lit on the silverware.
They widened imperceptibly; he tilted his head slightly to glance down the length of the table, then back to the head of it. Fourteen sets of pure silver utensils... He clasped his hands behind his back like a patient soldier, looking away from the glow of candlelight on argent. It would be a -very- bad, very -stupid- thing to go and pinch the silverware in a friend's house. "Damn, but why does everyone else have t' be so -rich-..." he murmured. "I could deal wi' bronze..."
He set back on his heels with a sigh, concentrating his gaze on the prisms of the chandelier. At the beginnings of a rumble, he glanced over in the direction of the stairway. Was it just his imagination, or were the steps actually shaking? As the rumble progressed to a full-fledged stampede, he straightened the collar of his shirt and turned to meet whatever wild beasts would fling themselves down upon him. "Must be the kids Collie warned me about...."
The much talked about children began to enter the room some checking their appearance in the mirror above the fireplace before seating themselves at the place especially set for them. Smaller silverware was set at four of the places indicating young children would be there. Kehrin stood off to the side for a moment awaiting the stampede to end.
Ian, wearing blue jeans and a short sleeved shirt, was the first to enter double checking that all was set in order for at least five guests at the table. Vicky followed him in smiling and nodding. "M'lord." Ian even at eighteen couldn't get used to that. A soft smile grew on his face as Vicky spoke.. "The O'Mara family has arrived, sir, as your mother requested." "Ah, the ones with the new bairn." Ian had no discernible accent, but had picked up a smattering of Gaelic from his mother. The family of four was shown into the dining room and a cradle was brought for the tiny infant being carried in her mother's arms. One of the visiting children, a boy was seated near the smaller place settings. "I bid you welcome." Ian spoke in a warm voice to the entering family and congratulated them on the birth of the new baby. "My mother will join us shortly." Ian turned to Kehrin and smiled warmly extending his hand to him. "And you must by mother's friend. I'm Ian MacLeod, welcome to our home." Kehrin nodded," Thanks." Ian chuckled a bit sensing a bit of nervousness in their house guest. "Mom, will be here soon.. please have a seat and I'll introduce you.." Ian indicated a seat to what would be Collie's left as Vicky had shown him earlier. The six foot teenager had shoulder length black hair pulled back into a leather thong. His crystal sky blue eyes stood out against his pale features. Kehrin stood at his place awaiting the introductions.
Two maids began setting a very fresh garden salad at each of the fourteen places and Kehrin introduced Eileen and Seamus O'Mara to Kehrin. The bairn's name was Catherine and the young lad of about five was Thomas.
Chrisy approached the guests calmly suggesting a certain dignity about her befitting her station, but yet a playful expression in her blue eyes reminiscent of the trouble maker she had always been. Her long hair was like her mother's; chestnut, the touches of hell cat red evidence of her flash temper. She introduced herself as Lady Christina feeling a certain formality about welcoming a new life to Navarra. Chrisy was dressed in a baby blue skirt with a white blouse. She took her place at what would be her mother's right side.
All heads turned toward the door as Colleen entered with a bright smile on her face. Rhiannon leaped into her mother's arms giggling. Colleen gave a mock stern expression to her youngest and spoke softly, "M'lady Brock? Dinnae think ya should be on yer good manners seein' we have guests this evenin'?" Rhi lowered her head and pouted a bit. Collie smiled, " 'Tis all right my bonny lass.. I'll ne'er grow tired o' bein' hugged." The dark haired four year old smooched her mother's cheek and laughed merrily. Her laughter was like that of enchanted fairies. Collie put Rhi down and headed toward Kehrin. Rhiannon followed behind and peered up at Kehrin, "Rhi knows you!! You're one of da big people from Mrs. Prins place!" Kehrin arched a brow in wonder and Collie explained that was what Rhi called the Golden Ivy. He laughed and smiled at Rhi. "That's me all right." Rhi's dark blue eyes sparkled with mischief. She took her seat next to young Thomas.
As some of the other children introduced themselves Collie took Ian aside a moment a made a small request of her eldest. He nodded smiling, "I'd be happy to!" Ian left his normal place at the opposite end of the table from Collie's open taking the seat to it's right just in case.
Will stood about five foot ten with broad shoulders, his brown hair constantly fell into his ice blue eyes, the picture of his father, Will Striker, less about six inches in height. Alpha had his father's eyes, but the reddish hair of his mother, cut short. He was two inches taller than his twin. Collie gave Kehrin a glance that only he would understand as he was being introduced to her second and third sons.
After greeting Seamus and Eileen, Colleen smiled gently and moved to peek at Katie O'Mara, who was awakening from her nap. The smile on her lips grew watching the movements of the tiny infant. Eileen nodded her permission for her daughter to be picked up. Collie nodded a thanks lifting the young lass up carefully into her arms and cooing softly. Nicole dashed over to see the baby, but Garrick shied away having more interest in meeting the adult stranger. The six yer old meandered over to Kehrin and
gazed at him curiously with deep blue eyes. "I'm Garrick Brock." A dark haired lad of six was looking up at Kay warily. The man looked at the lad before him. "I'm Kehrin, a friend of your mother's."
Nicky was busy fussing over Katie as Collie knelt to give her daughter a closer look at the week old babe in her arms. Nicole's green eyes glistened with delight and she kept pushing her unruly auburn hair out of her eyes. Kehrin watched quietly seeing Collie in a different light. This was a side to her he'd never seen before, that of lady of the manor, but most importantly that of mother. She flashed a brilliant smile at Kehrin and moved her hand indicating it was time for all to be seated. She stood quietly rocking the baby in her arms as the main course was being readied. The crystal glasses would be filled with red wine or milk depending on who was seated in the place.
As the maids went about filling the glasses and readying to continue with serving when ready conversations from "What did you learn today" to "I've got ten acres to plant" floated across the table. Kehrin seemed a little more at ease with the conversation flying about.
Collie simply watched with young Miss O'Mara in her arms as the chattering continued.
Collie laid the little girl carefully in the cradle near her mother and headed to her seat at the table. The children out of habit quieted immediately. She stood at the end of the table raising her glass in toast to those assembled. "Slainte." Ian spoke a grace of sorts over the group and food. Simple and straight foreword that had always been her way especially among those closest to her. She took a deep breath and took a healthy gulp of the crimson wine in her glass. She sat quietly and began to eat the salad in front of her. Her thoughts were obviously elsewhere and not on the dining room.
Dinner was brought out on serving carts.. a lovely repast of beef roast with au jus, mashed potatoes buried in gravy for those the wished it. Baby corn and carrots added a touch of vibrant color to the meal. Freshly baked bread and butter was set out as well to tantalizes the taste buds. The plates were cleared and desert served meticulously to avoid any squishing of the Black Forest cake, a delight from Germany on earth.
Kehrin resisted the urge to defend his plate with his knife and fork any time someone's arm came too close. Old habits were hard to deny, but, after all, it wasn't like anyone was going to steal his food. There was so much on the table! He was faintly surprised the wood hadn't buckled yet under the weight.
*At least I know what to do with the knife and fork...* he thought, wisely keeping his words to himself. He used the utensils a bit awkwardly, but it had been only a few months since he was taught how in the first place. An occasional fleck of potato went skittering off his plate, to his utter mortification; he could barely help the flush of embarassment and prayed that not -everyone- was looking.
"...but I'll never get used to living around rich people.* The beef could have killed him with shock when it was first brought out. The scent of it set off a tally in his mind, like the ring of coins; he mentally calculated that just a slice of it would have cost him three weeks' wages back home.
*Back home....* Lamplight flickered in his memory, and the sooty smell of lantern oil and grease and lifeless leafy vegetables momentarily infringed upon the present. He gripped the fork tightly, willing himself back. The past was not something he wanted to see anymore.
As his gaze turned back outward, he noticed the cake. If he hadn't had a strong heart, he might really have died that time. The mental tally clicked on and started ringing up the price, and he whistled in definate appreciation.
Collie glanced toward Kehrin hearing the whistle and smiled gently. "Glad ya li' the food, Kay." Kehrin returned the smile and went back to having his second helping of cake.
Colleen's attention was drawn to the empty chair at the far end of the table. One of the gate guards entered the dining room and stood quietly behind Colleen. The men were under strict orders that if any messages were delivered from certain parties that no matter what they were to be delivered. Ian saw the nervous young man standing behind his mother, cleared his throat and inclined his head toward the guard. Collie turned toward the guard and blinked at the return address. "Excuse me" she murmured to the crowd and stood taking the letter with her. Ian thanked and quietly dismissed the guard. Colleen left the dining room and moved quietly to the privacy of her bedroom to read the letter from Draven.
Meanwhile in the dining room Ian was trying to find out what sorts of things Kehrin enjoyed doing and told him he would be meeting Kydwyn in a few days. Kydwyn was the friend Collie had mentioned that would be helping find out what was wrong.
Kehrin shifted nervously in his chair and gave the young man--Ian?--a smile. He didn't feel quite that cheery, despite the dinner. Collie had gone with what looked to be a guard, and he was left alone with a roomful of strangers...and Rhiannon, of course. After all, who hadn't met Rhiannon?
Ian was shooting questions at him, something he never liked. When the query of what he enjoyed doing rolled around, he started to speak, a faint devilish glint in his eyes; what he had in mind would certainly quiet Ian for a moment. He had just opened his mouth when he remembered Collie's *look* from before, and shut himself up fast.
Shrugging off Ian's odd look, he thought hard for a moment. *Neutral topic....that nixes profession, hobby, family, religion...maybe...ah!*
"I'm a bit of a musician. Not all that good, but," he smiled faintly in reminiscence, "enough to get by. And it's fun. Oh....and I do a lot of climbing."
"Mountain climbing?" Ian suggested, trying to coax something more concrete from the visitor. Kehrin smirked slightly.
"Oh, I suppose I could, if I ever got to a mountain, but usually just whatever's in my way at the time. So...tell me about this Kydwyn."
Ian smiled at Kehrin. "Kydwyn? Umm.. she's about 5'4" honey blonde hair... blue eyes.. has a temper but nowhere near as bad as Mom's. She was Dr. Dones' research assistant back at GateWay when Nicole was sick. The way I understand it... she's going to help run some tests on you for whatever."
Ian stood up quietly as the younger children were being ushered out of the dining room by their nanny, Gillian. "Kehrin.. Kydwyn will be here in the morning meantime.. Don't you and Mom have a wedding to get to?" Kay blinked suddenly and ran up the stairs.
As Kay headed up the stairs to change Collie emerged from her room in a blue sapphire satin halter dress. The knee length full skirt swirling as she turned about to model it for Chrisy. It was a favorite outfit for occassions like this. Comfortable and quite elegant the dress stood the test of time.. Colleen had bought it ages ago on a shopping trip to Paris.. the dress was a Chanel made by Coco herself. White sweetheart roses were worked into her long hair, the red gold highlights sparkling.
She headed outside to the white horsedrawn carriage awaiting her. The footman opened the door and as was custom he offered his hand to her palm up. Collie lightly rested her hand on his and stepped up into the coach. Kehrin came out and joined her.. They road off together to attend Luthien and Iains wedding.
The ceremony was lovely and in Gaelic. Bride and groom.. delightful.. The reception was at the Golden Ivy, Gnort as usual putting on a splendid affair. Then Rad walked in dripping with blood and smeared with dirt. Collie and Kay hauled him out to get him away from the wedding festivities. They ended up in her living room trying to figure out what had gored his side open.
Kehrin made sure Rad got safely to his room, then drifted into his own, shutting the door firmly behind him. His face was drawn into a scowl. "You wouldn't happen t' know anythin' about this, would y'?" he queried what seemed to be the thin air beside the bed.
A light, hissing sigh issued from the bedside, then a voice, muted as if heard through a thin wall. "Don't ask me, I'm not the resident expert on all things strange...." As the words broke into being, a faint outline began to appear, lounging against the bedpost in an attitude of unconcern.
"But you -are- the resident wiseacre, aren't you," Kehrin said, tone colored with exasperation. The apparition shrugged and polished transparent nails on his coat, coming slowly into focus. "It was funny."
"She felt you!"
"Oh, and who was looking my way the whole damn time, chiabak? Hmm?"
"Just shut up already, Enoch...." Generally disgusted, Kehrin collapsed into the chair by his scattered weaponry, kicking off his boots. His formal blacks were rumpled, his dyed locks tumbling aimlessly over his closed eyes. "What with y' and Draven, I coulda killed someone."
Enoch chuckled softly. "He was being a bit of a bastard, wasn't he."
" 'He'?" Kehrin muttered. "Y' should say 'we'."
"Hellfires and brimstone, 'bak, I've never been as bad as that."
"I wouldn't know. Y're a bit before m' time."
"What, you don't remember all those ballads?"
"I'm trying to forget."
"That's no way to think of my exploits, now...." the apparition scolded. He stepped away from the bed to loom over Kehrin, the faintest hint of tan entering his desert robe, ponytail and goatee turning opaque as they shifted toward black. The young assassin could still see through his visitor here and there; the bedposts were clearly visible through Enoch's pale eyes. "It's a perfectly good way t' think of y' exploits, Longstride...after all, they were all faked an' talked up." Kehrin kicked his
heels up on the ottoman and gazed up mildly, scowl fading under a mask of innocence.
Enoch growled, baring his teeth slightly. "Only like any other legend is, chiabak. Remember that. And remember they'll never sing about you when you're gone."
As Kehrin drew a knife from concealment, eyes slitted murderously, Enoch clicked his tongue chidingly. "You know as well as I do that you can't hit me, while I can still hit you, so just sit back down." Defiantly, the assassin whipped the knife at the spectre; it buried itself into the floor a few feet behind him, unornamented hilt glinting dully in the light.
"If y' gonna be petty, jus' leave me alone already." Dropping back into the chair, Kehrin draped his arm across his face to blot out the sight of the triumphant ghost. His other hand was clenched white-knuckled on the arm of the chair with the effort of controlling his temper. "Jus' go."
"Alright..." Enoch's low baritone rumbled in amusement, sounding nearly real for a moment before it began to fade. "I'll be around, though...whether you want it or not." With a whisper of a laugh, the faint chill of presence disappeared.
Kehrin forced his fingers to relax their grip and slumped down into the cushions, rubbing at his throbbing temples. A faint flicker of a ballad ran through his head monotonously, and his grimace deepened with each repetition.
~Hey-hey Longstride, why're you always leaving?
Hey-hey Longstride, off to catch the sun...
Don't you know that luck's not forever?
Can't you understand some wars can't be won....~
Collie had had several days with both Rad and Kehrin rooming in on the third floor. Something seemed to be bothering Kehrin.. an uneasiness that Collie never noticed before. Sometimes it was as though a cold wind was following him perhaps a presence.
Rad was staying in the room across the hall from Kay. A werebat of all things.. she had watched some creature called Moon Fang enter the Arena and attack a barmaid. He had taken a swipe at her as well. A closer look revealed a pair of familiar soft grey eyes that tugged at her heart. She had suspected it had been Rad, but the eyes that belonged to a man she once loved sitting in that hideous creatures face just about pulled her apart. She got him fresh food.. wasn't much else she could do.. She couldn't let him die.
Kydwyn had been due back a few days ago.. but had been held up.
The character called Kydwyn is a Highlander style immortal. Her first death occured during the war between the Romans and Celts.
I do not claim any rights to Highlander films or the TV series.
If you wish to post a comment, please post it here
Kehrin stepped up the path to the manor house with no small amount of trepidation. The night was still, near-silent; the woodlands by the castle and manor seemed to hold shadows far too dark for mere evening. He clutched his coat closer about himself, shivering as a faint breeze tossed his stark white locks into his eyes.
"Nothing t' be afraid of," he muttered under his breath, gaze searching the grass restlessly for any sign of....well, anything. "Aren't ya an assassin, trained f' stealth and fearless in the face of d--" The word caught in his throat, and he let it go in a formless breath; no sense worrying about that just yet. After all, had hope not presented itself before him?
Moving steadily toward the manor, his sharp eyes took in all the details available in the slight moonlight. A huge house, with a bit of light glimmering in some of the windows; a wall enclosing tangles of shadow--the rose garden, he wondered, fingering the tattoo on his wrist--the thin spear of a chapel stabbing at the sky; and the trees all around. Big trees, too. They made him nervous; he knew that if he ever stepped into the forest, he'd never find his way back out. It always seemed to happen like that.
Boots scuffing lightly on the steps, Kehrin ascended to the front door. He raised one hand to the knocker and hesitated, then caught it up and thumped it on the door. Stepping back to wait, he straightened his coat self-consciously, shaking a off thorny twig from his last woodland foray.
He took a deep breath as the door shifted open, and spoke immediately, trying to keep his voice from trembling. "M'name's Kehrin Nomansson an' Collie said she was gonna let me stay here fer a bit 'cos of some--ah--troubles I'm about t' have so she said t' come here an' you must be Vicki right?"
Vicky swept a few stray blonde hairs back from her face and smiled at Kehrin. "Indeed.. I am she. Her Grace told me you might be arriving and I'm most pleased to meet you. I have a room ready for you on the third floor. That way the thunder on the stairs as we refer to it," she chuckled softly, "won't awaken you.."
Vicky gave Kehrin an appraising look and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Follow me.. and we can get you settled in." The young English woman lead Kehrin up the sweeping staircase to the second floor turning right and heading down a long hallway... "There are stairs on either end of the hall, but this will be closer to your room."
Kehrin seemed a bit overwelmed by the gracious old manor house that Collie calmly referred to as "home." He followed Vicky into a spacious bedroom that would flood with light in the morning through a picture window and sheer lace curtains with heavy drapes to the side.
The bed was made of oak and was adorned with a handmade quilt bearing Collies own embroidery signature in the corner. Several large pillows were laid at the top. Vicky pointed out the closet on the right wall and the bathroom on the left. She turned toward the door wanting to allow Kehrin to settle in.
"Dinner is at seven, sir, if you are hungry or need anything before then... please let one of the staff know if you can't find me." A graceful hand gestured toward the grandfather clock in the hall. " I have my duties to attend to." Vicky gave another quick glance about the room and headed downstairs to see to the shopping list.
Kehrin watched the door click shut, then turned his gaze to the rest of the room. It was *big*...it made his old room look smaller than a broom closet. "Which, around here," he murmured with a faint smile, "it prolly is."
He shrugged off his coat, dropping it over the back of the overstuffed chair as he moved toward the window. A few small things clinked in the pockets, but the breakables and flammables were all packed carefully, so he ignored them. The window was floorlength, three-paneled....the two panes on the outside had latches, hinged to swing outward like doors. Beyond was a small balcony, and below that the wild dark tangle of another rose garden. "Got a much better view than the apartment," he told the windowpane conversationally, looking through into the darkness. "Hell's bells, I can even see stars!"
Turning back, he glanced over the rest of the room. Lace curtains--"what d'they think I am, a girl?"--chair and ottoman, dresser, mirror. He looked away from his reflection quickly, gaze skating across the room to the bed--"ol' Grandma style, hmm?"--then back to the chair and his coat. Scooping up the coat, with a scowl for the frayed bottom edge, he dropped lightly into the chair, shifting unconsciously to fling one leg over the side.
He tugged a blade of grass from the zipper on his boot, brushing thin, scarred fingers along the form of the stiletto blade hidden under the leather. "Prolly not 'bring y'own knife' in a place like this, so..." The ottoman was soon covered with blades: long, short, thin, curved, serrated, notched and engraved. Kehrin set one heel on the ottoman, pushing aside a knife no thicker than a knitting needle, and let his eyes slide closed.
They snapped open a second later, wild. He sprang up from the chair, blades scattering off the ottoman as he kicked it aside. Raking errant strands of spiky hair out of his face, he pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes and cursed softly. "Don't start gettin' like this...it's not th' end of the world yet...just another thing y'not gonna think about. We've gone over this before..." He dragged his palms down his face, the thin leather of the right glove rasping across the scar on his cheek.
"Find somethin' else t' do...thinkin's no good fer now."
Haggard green eyes lit upon the balcony, and brightened. "Maybe...check the security?"
*****
"Sir?" Vicky tapped on the door lightly before pushing it open. The room was empty, one of the glass doors onto the balcony wide open. It swung lazily in the warm night breeze. "Sir? It's time for dinner, didn't you hear the clock?" Her eyes darted around, edged with nervousness. She took a step inside the room.
A black blur dropped down onto the balcony, landing with the smooth grace of a hunting cat. Vicky gasped and backed up against the door as the figure rose and strode through the open window. "Sir?"
Kehrin slipped into the light, grinning cheerfully, his white hair wind-tumbled. "It's a nice place, but the security's not so hot....y'got wards up 'r aught, I hope. Dinnertime? Well..." He made a shooing motion at her, the catsclaws in his hands glinting slightly. "Step along, I'll be with ya in a moment."
Vicky chuckled softly hearing Kehrin's assessment of the security. "Sir.. I think you'll find we have many a man about the place and her ladyship has never seemed to worry about security.. perhaps that's a matter best discussed with her or the young earl."
Kehrin looked at Vicky a little confused, "The earl? Who is that?" Vicky quirked a brow.. " Why Lord Ian... the eldest son residing here... You'll meet him at dinner with the others. Please follow me." Vicky lead Kehrin down the main stairs and at the bottom turned left leading him into a large but informal dining room. The back wall with doors leading into a grand hall and ballroom.
The chandelier on the ceiling dazzled the light around through the tear drop crystals reflected prismatically of the walls adding a touch of elegance to the other wise homey room. The table was rectanglar made of mahagony and in Queene Anne style. There were seats enough for fourteen people including the two arm chairs at either end of the long table.
Facing into the room from the the hall at the center of the right hand wall stood a marble fireplace. A small clock rested on the mantle and ticked away the minutes and hours that were lived in this place. The left wall was two sets of French doors leading out to a patio.
Vicky showed Kehrin to his place on one side of the table. He would be sitting at Collies left the right side reserved for her eldest daughter and the place at the far end at present for Ian.
The table was carefully set with china and Waterford crystal. An Irish lace table cloth was laid gracefully over the highly varnished wood. The silver was carefully polished and laid out at each place setting. All places were set to perfection even those that would apparently not be used.
"Please sit... we will be serving shortly and the children will be coming in. You can rest on the patio a moment if you prefer.." As Vicky stepped out the door to signal the kitchen staff the sounds of several pairs of feet thundered down the stairs.
The dazzle of light off of chandeliers and crystal overwhelmed him, forcing him to squint green-hazel eyes at the diningroom. He had never seen a room so bright!--except through a window once when he was preparing a break-in. The noble family had been entertaining guests, all shining with gilt and rings and pins from the fingertips to the bootheels. Chatting and carrying on in lavish indecency, they never saw his charcoal-blackened face in their window. That night had been a good one.
Kehrin felt distinctly out of place. His black tunic was rather scruffy, a patch worn so thin at one elbow that it showed closer to grey; grass stains still lingered on the knees of his breeches, though they were only barely visible. He glanced down at the floor to make sure he hadn't tracked mud or soot or something onto the carpet. Seeing his pale shadow curled up around his feet, he fought down the urge to blow out a candle or two. "I can live with this," he told himself quietly.
Then his eyes lit on the silverware.
They widened imperceptibly; he tilted his head slightly to glance down the length of the table, then back to the head of it. Fourteen sets of pure silver utensils... He clasped his hands behind his back like a patient soldier, looking away from the glow of candlelight on argent. It would be a -very- bad, very -stupid- thing to go and pinch the silverware in a friend's house. "Damn, but why does everyone else have t' be so -rich-..." he murmured. "I could deal wi' bronze..."
He set back on his heels with a sigh, concentrating his gaze on the prisms of the chandelier. At the beginnings of a rumble, he glanced over in the direction of the stairway. Was it just his imagination, or were the steps actually shaking? As the rumble progressed to a full-fledged stampede, he straightened the collar of his shirt and turned to meet whatever wild beasts would fling themselves down upon him. "Must be the kids Collie warned me about...."
The much talked about children began to enter the room some checking their appearance in the mirror above the fireplace before seating themselves at the place especially set for them. Smaller silverware was set at four of the places indicating young children would be there. Kehrin stood off to the side for a moment awaiting the stampede to end.
Ian, wearing blue jeans and a short sleeved shirt, was the first to enter double checking that all was set in order for at least five guests at the table. Vicky followed him in smiling and nodding. "M'lord." Ian even at eighteen couldn't get used to that. A soft smile grew on his face as Vicky spoke.. "The O'Mara family has arrived, sir, as your mother requested." "Ah, the ones with the new bairn." Ian had no discernible accent, but had picked up a smattering of Gaelic from his mother. The family of four was shown into the dining room and a cradle was brought for the tiny infant being carried in her mother's arms. One of the visiting children, a boy was seated near the smaller place settings. "I bid you welcome." Ian spoke in a warm voice to the entering family and congratulated them on the birth of the new baby. "My mother will join us shortly." Ian turned to Kehrin and smiled warmly extending his hand to him. "And you must by mother's friend. I'm Ian MacLeod, welcome to our home." Kehrin nodded," Thanks." Ian chuckled a bit sensing a bit of nervousness in their house guest. "Mom, will be here soon.. please have a seat and I'll introduce you.." Ian indicated a seat to what would be Collie's left as Vicky had shown him earlier. The six foot teenager had shoulder length black hair pulled back into a leather thong. His crystal sky blue eyes stood out against his pale features. Kehrin stood at his place awaiting the introductions.
Two maids began setting a very fresh garden salad at each of the fourteen places and Kehrin introduced Eileen and Seamus O'Mara to Kehrin. The bairn's name was Catherine and the young lad of about five was Thomas.
Chrisy approached the guests calmly suggesting a certain dignity about her befitting her station, but yet a playful expression in her blue eyes reminiscent of the trouble maker she had always been. Her long hair was like her mother's; chestnut, the touches of hell cat red evidence of her flash temper. She introduced herself as Lady Christina feeling a certain formality about welcoming a new life to Navarra. Chrisy was dressed in a baby blue skirt with a white blouse. She took her place at what would be her mother's right side.
All heads turned toward the door as Colleen entered with a bright smile on her face. Rhiannon leaped into her mother's arms giggling. Colleen gave a mock stern expression to her youngest and spoke softly, "M'lady Brock? Dinnae think ya should be on yer good manners seein' we have guests this evenin'?" Rhi lowered her head and pouted a bit. Collie smiled, " 'Tis all right my bonny lass.. I'll ne'er grow tired o' bein' hugged." The dark haired four year old smooched her mother's cheek and laughed merrily. Her laughter was like that of enchanted fairies. Collie put Rhi down and headed toward Kehrin. Rhiannon followed behind and peered up at Kehrin, "Rhi knows you!! You're one of da big people from Mrs. Prins place!" Kehrin arched a brow in wonder and Collie explained that was what Rhi called the Golden Ivy. He laughed and smiled at Rhi. "That's me all right." Rhi's dark blue eyes sparkled with mischief. She took her seat next to young Thomas.
As some of the other children introduced themselves Collie took Ian aside a moment a made a small request of her eldest. He nodded smiling, "I'd be happy to!" Ian left his normal place at the opposite end of the table from Collie's open taking the seat to it's right just in case.
Will stood about five foot ten with broad shoulders, his brown hair constantly fell into his ice blue eyes, the picture of his father, Will Striker, less about six inches in height. Alpha had his father's eyes, but the reddish hair of his mother, cut short. He was two inches taller than his twin. Collie gave Kehrin a glance that only he would understand as he was being introduced to her second and third sons.
After greeting Seamus and Eileen, Colleen smiled gently and moved to peek at Katie O'Mara, who was awakening from her nap. The smile on her lips grew watching the movements of the tiny infant. Eileen nodded her permission for her daughter to be picked up. Collie nodded a thanks lifting the young lass up carefully into her arms and cooing softly. Nicole dashed over to see the baby, but Garrick shied away having more interest in meeting the adult stranger. The six yer old meandered over to Kehrin and
gazed at him curiously with deep blue eyes. "I'm Garrick Brock." A dark haired lad of six was looking up at Kay warily. The man looked at the lad before him. "I'm Kehrin, a friend of your mother's."
Nicky was busy fussing over Katie as Collie knelt to give her daughter a closer look at the week old babe in her arms. Nicole's green eyes glistened with delight and she kept pushing her unruly auburn hair out of her eyes. Kehrin watched quietly seeing Collie in a different light. This was a side to her he'd never seen before, that of lady of the manor, but most importantly that of mother. She flashed a brilliant smile at Kehrin and moved her hand indicating it was time for all to be seated. She stood quietly rocking the baby in her arms as the main course was being readied. The crystal glasses would be filled with red wine or milk depending on who was seated in the place.
As the maids went about filling the glasses and readying to continue with serving when ready conversations from "What did you learn today" to "I've got ten acres to plant" floated across the table. Kehrin seemed a little more at ease with the conversation flying about.
Collie simply watched with young Miss O'Mara in her arms as the chattering continued.
Collie laid the little girl carefully in the cradle near her mother and headed to her seat at the table. The children out of habit quieted immediately. She stood at the end of the table raising her glass in toast to those assembled. "Slainte." Ian spoke a grace of sorts over the group and food. Simple and straight foreword that had always been her way especially among those closest to her. She took a deep breath and took a healthy gulp of the crimson wine in her glass. She sat quietly and began to eat the salad in front of her. Her thoughts were obviously elsewhere and not on the dining room.
Dinner was brought out on serving carts.. a lovely repast of beef roast with au jus, mashed potatoes buried in gravy for those the wished it. Baby corn and carrots added a touch of vibrant color to the meal. Freshly baked bread and butter was set out as well to tantalizes the taste buds. The plates were cleared and desert served meticulously to avoid any squishing of the Black Forest cake, a delight from Germany on earth.
Kehrin resisted the urge to defend his plate with his knife and fork any time someone's arm came too close. Old habits were hard to deny, but, after all, it wasn't like anyone was going to steal his food. There was so much on the table! He was faintly surprised the wood hadn't buckled yet under the weight.
*At least I know what to do with the knife and fork...* he thought, wisely keeping his words to himself. He used the utensils a bit awkwardly, but it had been only a few months since he was taught how in the first place. An occasional fleck of potato went skittering off his plate, to his utter mortification; he could barely help the flush of embarassment and prayed that not -everyone- was looking.
"...but I'll never get used to living around rich people.* The beef could have killed him with shock when it was first brought out. The scent of it set off a tally in his mind, like the ring of coins; he mentally calculated that just a slice of it would have cost him three weeks' wages back home.
*Back home....* Lamplight flickered in his memory, and the sooty smell of lantern oil and grease and lifeless leafy vegetables momentarily infringed upon the present. He gripped the fork tightly, willing himself back. The past was not something he wanted to see anymore.
As his gaze turned back outward, he noticed the cake. If he hadn't had a strong heart, he might really have died that time. The mental tally clicked on and started ringing up the price, and he whistled in definate appreciation.
Collie glanced toward Kehrin hearing the whistle and smiled gently. "Glad ya li' the food, Kay." Kehrin returned the smile and went back to having his second helping of cake.
Colleen's attention was drawn to the empty chair at the far end of the table. One of the gate guards entered the dining room and stood quietly behind Colleen. The men were under strict orders that if any messages were delivered from certain parties that no matter what they were to be delivered. Ian saw the nervous young man standing behind his mother, cleared his throat and inclined his head toward the guard. Collie turned toward the guard and blinked at the return address. "Excuse me" she murmured to the crowd and stood taking the letter with her. Ian thanked and quietly dismissed the guard. Colleen left the dining room and moved quietly to the privacy of her bedroom to read the letter from Draven.
Meanwhile in the dining room Ian was trying to find out what sorts of things Kehrin enjoyed doing and told him he would be meeting Kydwyn in a few days. Kydwyn was the friend Collie had mentioned that would be helping find out what was wrong.
Kehrin shifted nervously in his chair and gave the young man--Ian?--a smile. He didn't feel quite that cheery, despite the dinner. Collie had gone with what looked to be a guard, and he was left alone with a roomful of strangers...and Rhiannon, of course. After all, who hadn't met Rhiannon?
Ian was shooting questions at him, something he never liked. When the query of what he enjoyed doing rolled around, he started to speak, a faint devilish glint in his eyes; what he had in mind would certainly quiet Ian for a moment. He had just opened his mouth when he remembered Collie's *look* from before, and shut himself up fast.
Shrugging off Ian's odd look, he thought hard for a moment. *Neutral topic....that nixes profession, hobby, family, religion...maybe...ah!*
"I'm a bit of a musician. Not all that good, but," he smiled faintly in reminiscence, "enough to get by. And it's fun. Oh....and I do a lot of climbing."
"Mountain climbing?" Ian suggested, trying to coax something more concrete from the visitor. Kehrin smirked slightly.
"Oh, I suppose I could, if I ever got to a mountain, but usually just whatever's in my way at the time. So...tell me about this Kydwyn."
Ian smiled at Kehrin. "Kydwyn? Umm.. she's about 5'4" honey blonde hair... blue eyes.. has a temper but nowhere near as bad as Mom's. She was Dr. Dones' research assistant back at GateWay when Nicole was sick. The way I understand it... she's going to help run some tests on you for whatever."
Ian stood up quietly as the younger children were being ushered out of the dining room by their nanny, Gillian. "Kehrin.. Kydwyn will be here in the morning meantime.. Don't you and Mom have a wedding to get to?" Kay blinked suddenly and ran up the stairs.
As Kay headed up the stairs to change Collie emerged from her room in a blue sapphire satin halter dress. The knee length full skirt swirling as she turned about to model it for Chrisy. It was a favorite outfit for occassions like this. Comfortable and quite elegant the dress stood the test of time.. Colleen had bought it ages ago on a shopping trip to Paris.. the dress was a Chanel made by Coco herself. White sweetheart roses were worked into her long hair, the red gold highlights sparkling.
She headed outside to the white horsedrawn carriage awaiting her. The footman opened the door and as was custom he offered his hand to her palm up. Collie lightly rested her hand on his and stepped up into the coach. Kehrin came out and joined her.. They road off together to attend Luthien and Iains wedding.
The ceremony was lovely and in Gaelic. Bride and groom.. delightful.. The reception was at the Golden Ivy, Gnort as usual putting on a splendid affair. Then Rad walked in dripping with blood and smeared with dirt. Collie and Kay hauled him out to get him away from the wedding festivities. They ended up in her living room trying to figure out what had gored his side open.
Kehrin made sure Rad got safely to his room, then drifted into his own, shutting the door firmly behind him. His face was drawn into a scowl. "You wouldn't happen t' know anythin' about this, would y'?" he queried what seemed to be the thin air beside the bed.
A light, hissing sigh issued from the bedside, then a voice, muted as if heard through a thin wall. "Don't ask me, I'm not the resident expert on all things strange...." As the words broke into being, a faint outline began to appear, lounging against the bedpost in an attitude of unconcern.
"But you -are- the resident wiseacre, aren't you," Kehrin said, tone colored with exasperation. The apparition shrugged and polished transparent nails on his coat, coming slowly into focus. "It was funny."
"She felt you!"
"Oh, and who was looking my way the whole damn time, chiabak? Hmm?"
"Just shut up already, Enoch...." Generally disgusted, Kehrin collapsed into the chair by his scattered weaponry, kicking off his boots. His formal blacks were rumpled, his dyed locks tumbling aimlessly over his closed eyes. "What with y' and Draven, I coulda killed someone."
Enoch chuckled softly. "He was being a bit of a bastard, wasn't he."
" 'He'?" Kehrin muttered. "Y' should say 'we'."
"Hellfires and brimstone, 'bak, I've never been as bad as that."
"I wouldn't know. Y're a bit before m' time."
"What, you don't remember all those ballads?"
"I'm trying to forget."
"That's no way to think of my exploits, now...." the apparition scolded. He stepped away from the bed to loom over Kehrin, the faintest hint of tan entering his desert robe, ponytail and goatee turning opaque as they shifted toward black. The young assassin could still see through his visitor here and there; the bedposts were clearly visible through Enoch's pale eyes. "It's a perfectly good way t' think of y' exploits, Longstride...after all, they were all faked an' talked up." Kehrin kicked his
heels up on the ottoman and gazed up mildly, scowl fading under a mask of innocence.
Enoch growled, baring his teeth slightly. "Only like any other legend is, chiabak. Remember that. And remember they'll never sing about you when you're gone."
As Kehrin drew a knife from concealment, eyes slitted murderously, Enoch clicked his tongue chidingly. "You know as well as I do that you can't hit me, while I can still hit you, so just sit back down." Defiantly, the assassin whipped the knife at the spectre; it buried itself into the floor a few feet behind him, unornamented hilt glinting dully in the light.
"If y' gonna be petty, jus' leave me alone already." Dropping back into the chair, Kehrin draped his arm across his face to blot out the sight of the triumphant ghost. His other hand was clenched white-knuckled on the arm of the chair with the effort of controlling his temper. "Jus' go."
"Alright..." Enoch's low baritone rumbled in amusement, sounding nearly real for a moment before it began to fade. "I'll be around, though...whether you want it or not." With a whisper of a laugh, the faint chill of presence disappeared.
Kehrin forced his fingers to relax their grip and slumped down into the cushions, rubbing at his throbbing temples. A faint flicker of a ballad ran through his head monotonously, and his grimace deepened with each repetition.
~Hey-hey Longstride, why're you always leaving?
Hey-hey Longstride, off to catch the sun...
Don't you know that luck's not forever?
Can't you understand some wars can't be won....~
Collie had had several days with both Rad and Kehrin rooming in on the third floor. Something seemed to be bothering Kehrin.. an uneasiness that Collie never noticed before. Sometimes it was as though a cold wind was following him perhaps a presence.
Rad was staying in the room across the hall from Kay. A werebat of all things.. she had watched some creature called Moon Fang enter the Arena and attack a barmaid. He had taken a swipe at her as well. A closer look revealed a pair of familiar soft grey eyes that tugged at her heart. She had suspected it had been Rad, but the eyes that belonged to a man she once loved sitting in that hideous creatures face just about pulled her apart. She got him fresh food.. wasn't much else she could do.. She couldn't let him die.
Kydwyn had been due back a few days ago.. but had been held up.