Chapter Twenty-Six
“Of all the lessons in my life, Abela’s gift of love was the most valuable.”
~Chronicles of Liam MacGregor
As he waited by the gilded doors leading into the chambers of the council, Liam brushed his fingers along the etchings on his armband. Words from long ago echoed within his mind. His father had spoken them to Liam and Rory before he presented the family heirlooms—one for each of them.
“Courage, honor, strength, protector, warrior, truth.” They were carved by the ancient warriors on Taralyn. They were your ancestors. Wear them proudly as a sign of whom you each stand for in the realm.
“Forgive me father,” uttered Liam softly, casting his gaze to where his brother stood speaking with another Fenian Warrior.
Rory paused and looked at him. After giving the warrior a curt nod, he crossed to Liam’s side. “We are waiting for several other warriors to join us.”
Liam shifted his stance, uneasy to learn there were others attending. “I am not comfortable with this. It is my trial, not theirs.”
“They are coming as a sign of solidarity. You are not alone.”
His brother was wrong. He was alone without Abela in his life. “I have another request.”
“Remove you from this place?”
Liam noticed a smile tugging on the corners of his brother’s mouth. “I thought I was the humorous one in the family.”
His brother nudged him. “Your character flaws have rubbed off on me.” Then in a more somber tone added, “What is it you want me to do?”
Pointing to his armband, he replied, “Before I depart from this realm, remove my armband. You should have it in your possession after I die.”
Rory’s jaw clenched, and he touched his own. “I have no intention of seeing to your death. Nevertheless, if the time presents itself, I will be honored to retrieve the family relic.”
“Thank you.”
Ronan and Taran appeared, steadily making their way toward them.
“We shall stand by your side during your trial,” professed Ronan. “The other Fenian Warriors are positioned around the corridors.”
Liam shifted his stance. “I am honored, but there is no need.”
“We can think of no other place we’d rather be than here.”
“Agreed,” affirmed Taran, placing a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “The Brotherhood stands as a united front per Prince Conn’s orders. Though none of us had to be ordered.”
“Even with his sister’s death?” Liam struggled for words, his grief too raw to speak her name.
Taran nodded slowly. “We all grieve, but this trial is insanity, given what has recently happened.”
Before Liam could ask who the traitor was, the doors to the chambers opened. He straightened and glanced at those gathered. Taking a fist to his chest, he looked at each of his fellow warriors. “It has been an honor.”
After each warrior gave him a salute, Liam entered. Walking across the expanse of the room, he stood directly in front of the council members. He clasped his hands behind his back, and swept his gaze to each Fae member. He noted the cool regard from some. Yet, others gave him a brief nod of acknowledgment.
Seneca stood. “This is not a trial for spectators. You are not welcome here at these proceedings.”
Rory stepped forward. “We are here upon the request of Prince Conn’s orders.”
“The Prince has no authority here,” she argued.
“You are correct, Lady Seneca.” Another Fae emerged in a flash of light. “Yet, this one order you cannot rescind. It comes from King Ansgar, as well.”
“Is there a reason why you are here giving me this news, Loran, and not the king?”
Loran slowly made his way toward Liam’s side. “As you are aware, the king and queen are in mourning over the death of their daughter, Princess Abela.”
Seneca sighed. “As is the entire kingdom. Are you here as counsel to the warrior?”
“No. I am here in support of his actions.”
An audible gasp came forth from some of the members, and Seneca pursed her lips in obvious disapproval. “Noted, Elder Loran.”
Liam smiled at his friend. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“As I was not permitted at the trial of my friend, Aidan, I vowed to be at yours.”
Snapping her fingers, a golden leaflet appeared within Seneca’s hand. “Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor, you are aware of the reason for this trial?”
Did she attempt to mock him? “Yes. But I request you state the full violation and then announce judgment.”
Shock flitted briefly in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. “You have no desire to state for the council why you did the crime?”
“I believe I was just in doing so and have no cause to profess for the members why I took a great noble Fenian Warrior—”
“Aidan Kerrigan was stripped of his status and immortality,” interrupted Seneca tersely.
Ignoring her outburst, Liam continued, “As I was saying, a Fenian Warrior through the Veil of Ages to assist his daughter. The warrior had been stripped of his powers, but he was one of us. I see no crime in what I did.”
“You warriors always twist the laws to meet your specific deeds,” snapped Tulare.
“I concur,” stated council member, Bonee. “However, I am willing to hear his reasons.”
Tulare pointed a finger at Liam, but kept his gaze on the other members. “Why must they be above the laws? His death should have been swift after we were alerted of his crime.”
Bonee settled back in his chair. “In this, I disagree. Does not our own law dictate that each Fae has a right to give their full account?”
Tulare glared at Liam. “The Fae refuses to give his account.” He darted a glance at Seneca. “Pronounce his judgment and let us rid ourselves of this travesty.”
“Travesty?” echoed Liam and unclasped his hands. “What you did to Aidan Kerrigan was a travesty.” He pounded his chest. “He was my friend, mentor, and one of the greatest Fae warriors of our kingdom. He was banished from his own world, a world he had protected, loved, and treasured for a millennium.”
“He impregnated a human,” spat out Tulare in disgust.
“Enough!” Seneca ordered, glaring at the Fae. “You have gone too far, Tulare. Might I remind you that we now have humans living here in the realm?”
Tulare remained silent, but he cast daggers at Liam.
She returned her attention to Liam. “Regardless of what has occurred, I can see no other action for what is just by the rules in our kingdom. You disregarded a primary law within the Brotherhood. If you refuse to give your account, I am hereby ordered—”
The gilded doors opened, and the leaflet Seneca was holding fluttered onto the table. Liam glanced over his shoulder at the intrusion.
Queen Nuala entered, followed by Conn. Liam noted her poise, her set of chin, so like Abela’s.
He immediately knelt on one knee. How could he ever cast his sight on the mother of his beloved? His heart pounded erratically, and he fought the wave of sorrow and shame covering him. In her darkest moment over the loss of her daughter, she came to set him free from the oath he had made so many moons ago.
She approached in front of him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Rise, my warrior.”
He shook, trying to compose his emotions. “I am not worthy.”
“Do not ask me to beg or drop down in front of you, Liam MacGregor.”
Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly and stood. Great sorrow reflected within her eyes. He had no words to give her at the moment. Instead, he dipped his head. “My queen.”
“I release you from your oath, my warrior.”
Liam nodded slowly, understanding the meaning of her statement.
Queen Nuala turned her attention to the council, who had all now stood. “It is time for the truth to be revealed.”
“I am confused by your…presence,” stammered Seneca.
The queen clasped her hands in front of her. “It is simple. Liam MacGregor could not account for his reasoning, since he swore an oath of silence to me.”
“Continue, please.”
“When my brother, Aidan, approached me one day many eons ago—”
“He was banished from the kingdom! Who brought him here?” demanded Tulare, glaring at everyone.
“I did,” acknowledged Liam. “Please let our queen continue with her account.”
“Agreed,” stated Seneca. “There will be no further outbursts from anyone while the queen is speaking.”
Queen Nuala gave a brief smile. “My brother requested my approval to journey back in time through the Veil of Ages to find his daughter, Aileen. Since she was part Fae and not aware of her gifts, she had stepped through a portal at Arbroath Abbey and landed in the 13th century. Although this was her destiny, her father feared for her safety. As a mother and queen, I understood his emotions and logic. After hearing his appeal, I granted him passage with Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor. If all went according to plan, Aidan was duly prepared to return and profess his account. He was willing to forfeit his life in order to spare Liam’s. However, their plan did not go well, and Aidan died as a result of his wounds in a battle. I am here to set the record in accordance and exonerate this Fenian Warrior.”
“Is the king aware of your interference?” asked Tulare.
“Yes,” responded the queen, coolly. “But the decision was mine.”
Seneca retrieved the leaflet from the table. She stared at the council members. “I hereby amend the judgment on Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor. Are we all in agreement?”
All but one accepted her final decree. Tulare shook his head. “I cannot in good faith accept this account in order to remove the death sentence from this Fae. Only the king has the power to interfere with the Brotherhood and even so, it is limited.” He gestured outward. “This is unacceptable.”
Conn stepped forward. “Since Seneca is our leader of the council, she has the right to overturn your objection.”
Tulare looked down in contempt at Conn. “This is a mockery of a trial. You have no right or any of the other warriors to be present. Again, you manipulate the laws for your purpose. I propose we disband the Brotherhood and create a new order.”
A chill swept through the room, and Loran tugged on Liam’s tunic. “Step back,” he ordered in a low voice.
Confused by the elder’s tone, he whispered, “What is happening?” He noted the other warriors had gathered around Conn.
The queen stood regally in the center as Liam followed the elder to the side of the room. “You are without your powers,” muttered Loran. “Remain by my side.”
Stunned into silence, Liam watched the scene unfold before them.
Conn flexed his hands. “I, Prince Conn, leader of the Fenian Warriors, hereby order your dismissal from the Fae council. You will be escorted to the king’s prison—”
“How dare you!” shrieked Tulare. “This is an outrage! You have no power here. Leave at once.”
Seneca looked cautiously at the other members. “I am appalled at this demonstration of power within these elite chambers. Explain yourself, Prince Conn.”
“Tulare, Royal house of Meeghan is under arrest for crimes against the kingdom.”
“Liar!” His face was a mask of rage. “If you do not leave now, I will call upon the guards to remove you and these warriors from the chambers.”
Seneca lifted her hand. “Hold your words, council member, Tulare.”
Conn kept his gaze fixed on Seneca. “Tulare is charged with treason against the Fae people, the kingdom, and our king. He has conspired with the humans and an enemy from long ago—the Milesians. Tulare was instrumental in the kidnapping of Liam and Princess Abela. If not for him, she would still be alive.”
Tulare brought forth a ball of glowing energy and flung it outward at Conn. The prince swiftly deflected the energy, crushing it within his hand. Many of the council members gasped in stunned horror and a few stumbled away from Tulare. The council guards stormed into the chambers, but Queen Nuala halted their progress with a warning flash of power.
“Your power is great, but mine is from the king. I am here with his full support.” Conn snapped his fingers and a pair of crystal cuffs appeared. “I have procured these from Peter O’Malley, who was forthcoming in his account on how he acquired these cuffs after I presented him bound and gagged to his clan and brother. You might recognize them as the ones you used on Liam MacGregor.”
Tulare shook his fist in the air, his eyes blazing with hatred.
Smacking the table with her fist, Seneca regarded the council member with disdain. “Does the prince speak the truth? Have you turned traitor against your own people?”
His lip curled in disgust. “Yes!”
“Why?” she demanded. “This is betrayal of the worst kind.”
In a gesture of defiance, he ripped his regal robe in half, flinging it across the room. “I have no desire to live in a realm where humans have ingrained themselves within. The Fae lineage is now sullied with human blood. We were once a noble and proud people. Now look at us!” He leveled a finger at Conn. “It is your father’s fault for allowing your human female to live. The king has grown weak, allowing you and the other warriors to have free reign over this realm and the mortal world. You might be surprised there are those in the Milesian world who have argued against an alliance. You think to have your revenge, but this will not end with me.”
“The Fae people are not above or below the other kingdoms. The seers have seen another path in the future. We cannot permit those who thwart our journey with evil, discrimination, and hatred to live here, regardless if they are human, Fae, or Milesian.” Conn took a step forward. “And the King of the Milesians agrees.”
“You know nothing about him,” Tulare snarled, spittle flying everywhere.
“And you are the fool. He is meeting with our king as we debate this issue here.”
The blood visibly drained from Tulare’s face, and he staggered back. “No, no,” he mumbled.
Liam started forward, but Loran firmly held him back. His hands clenched and unclenched, aching to wrap them around the traitorous Fae’s neck. Fury swirled in a tempest around him, and he struggled to control his emotions. I should rip your heart from your chest and let you watch as I turn it into ashes. “Allow me to bind him,” he suggested in a hoarse voice.
Conn beckoned him forward with a wave of his hand. After Liam approached by his side, Conn handed him the cuffs. Deep sadness reflected in his eyes. “For Abela,” he whispered.
He gave him a curt nod and made his way slowly to Tulare.
The Fae thrust his hands outward at Liam in surrender. “I suppose you take great delight in subjecting me to this dishonor in front of my peers.”
“On the contrary, I find this entire affair distasteful. You have brought dishonor upon yourself, Tulare.” Liam snapped the cuffs in place. “You are not worthy to be among our people.”
A vein throbbed at his temple, but Tulare remained silent. Conn gestured to the other Fenian warriors. “Escort him to the King’s prison and alert the guards there that our mission has been fulfilled.”
Taran and Ronan crossed the room. Each took a stance on either side of Tulare and in a shard of light vanished from the chambers. Some of the council members slumped into their chairs and others remained standing, speaking in hushed tones.
Seneca made her way to the queen. Bowing before her, she said, “I mourn with you in the loss of the princess.”
“Thank you,” responded the queen softly and walked to her son. She gave him a weak smile and vanished in a soft blur of lights.
Rory wandered to Liam’s side. “You kept your vow, even if it meant your death.”
Liam sighed heavily. “Aidan fully intended to present himself at my trial, along with the queen. When he died, I was bound by my honor to her to remain silent. I never knew the conversation she had with Aidan, or how he persuaded her to go along with his plan. She made me swear not to divulge anything before Aidan and I departed.”
Chuckling softly, Rory replied, “It’s simple. Family. Aidan was her brother—a bond more powerful than royalty. I would have done the same for you, as well.”
Liam shrugged. “I suppose, but the royal family is honor-bound by their own set of rules and edicts.”
“Did Abela know?”
“No.” Liam glanced at Conn. “Will he ever forgive me?”
“He has only mentioned attaining your freedom. There has been no reference of Abela from him.”
Liam returned his attention to his brother. “I have no desire to return to the Brotherhood.”
“Your grief is raw, Brother. Take some time to heal.”
Despite Rory’s words, Liam had no intention of ever stepping back inside the Brotherhood. His life was finished there. His future bleak.
His beloved dead.