Child of the Kindred

  CHILD OF THE KINDRED

  THE RIENFIELD CHRONICLES

  BOOK 2

  By

  M.T. Magee

  Text Copyright © 2017 M.T. Magee

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book is to be scanned, reproduced, or copied in any form without permission from the author, including the cover art. The characters of this book are the sole possession of the author, and not to be used or presented in any other format.

  This eBook is not to be shared unless part of an accepted lending program. If you would like to share this eBook, please purchase an additional copy, or use the accepted lending program.

  Thank you for respecting the efforts of the author, the time it took for her and her dedicated team to write and publish this book for your enjoyment.

  A Note To Readers

  Thank you, mo chairde, and welcome back to Rienfield. If this is your first visit to the mystical kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin, then I very strongly recommend you begin your journey with Book#1 The Treasure of Gwenlais, as this is a series, and these are not stand alone novels. The story is quite epic in scope and the cast of characters large and complex.

  To my darlings who have so patiently and kindly waited for the next installment, I am so very happy to share this with you. The story continues at the breathless moment where The Treasure of Gwenlais leaves off. You will notice as you begin your adventure, that the entire story has been written and edited in British English, to give you a more authentic and genuine feel and experience. So, for those of us on the other side of the pond, the spelling of some words will be uniquely different then what we would normally use.

  I am also continuing to expand my knowledge of the beautiful language of Irish Gaelic, and joyously share it with you throughout the story. I have added many elements based and inspired by Gaelic folklore and legend, and continue to use the actual names of Scottish and Irish towns and villages.

  Your old friends await you, anxious to tell their continuing stories, as well as introducing new friends. Thank you again, for joining me on this epic adventure with much more to come. Each installment will have you longing to return, to perhaps visit your favorite pub, or enjoying a festival, or a quite chat by a warm and welcoming hearth. Turas shona mo chairde, or happy journey my friends!

  Warmest wishes; M.T. Magee

  Dedications

  First off, I wish to thank my Prince, soulmate, love of my life and editor extraordinaire, F.O. Magee, aka “The Sexy Leprechaun”. I truly could not have done this without your continuous support and encouragement. You have been unwavering not only as my editor, sounding board, and character developer, but also as my dearest and closest friend and confidant. The last eighteen months since publishing my first book, has been filled with happiness, but also trials. I have gone through health issues I never thought I would undergo, and dealt with our youngest son’s many health issues as well. And through it all you kept me going. You never gave up on our joint endeavor and passion, to continue to create a fantastical world filled with beauty, wonder, and adventure. The love story of Caleb and Laurel is beautiful and intense, because our love story has inspired me so much. I literally go to sleep every night, thanking God I have you in my life, and yes, I wish everyone to know this. You have given me more strength and resilience to do all that life demands of me than I could possible express, and I look forward to continuing our story, both in Rinefield and in life together.

  To my son Tyler, I am so very proud of the man you have become, and the sacrifices and hardships you have had to endure to be where you are now. Thank you for knowing I could accomplish what I have, and showing your support and encouragement for me as a writer.

  To my son Charlie, you continue to demand and expect the best that I have to give, both as a mother and a caregiver. I thank you for that, because you have shown me how strong I am capable of being, and how important faith is. This has been a challenging eighteen months for you and I, but we got through it, and you will always continue to be my inspiration and reason to never give up.

  To all of my darlings that I have had the wonderful privilege to meet on Face Book and Twitter. You know who you all are, to list everyone would be a novel in itself. Thank you all so much for your kind friendship and encouragement. You have gotten me through some rough patches, but here we are. Because of your support, for allowing me to share moments of my life and my work, with all of you, we have made it to the next part of our journey. All of you mean more to me than I could ever adequately express. It is truly because of you and your appreciation for my work, that not only made me an award winning, bestselling author, it made feel more of a complete person. I have always been a writer and storyteller in my heart, but all of you made it a reality. Thank you for helping the little girl of ten years old, after reading The Hobbit, to say to her teacher she wanted to be a writer because she wanted to take people on an adventure. I look forward to continuing to go on that adventure with all of.

  To, The Noble Artist; Jamie Noble, thank you for your remarkable work on my covers. You have truly captured who the characters are, and I look forward to your continued brilliant imagination on each cover you do.

  Thank you; I love you all.

  Prologue

  Their world is changing and a new era has begun. Princess Laurel finds her kingdom of Gwenlais, torn and shattered from a bloody siege. Her people now looking to her to help them rise above the ruin and misery inflicted upon their once peaceful and sheltered realm. Laurel, and her beloved Prince Caleb, must find a way to unite their kingdoms as never before. The enemy from a distant land makes a bold and savage attempt to thwart the unity of the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. The odds have never been greater against the realms, or the two lovers that hold the kingdoms together. Will their people and their love survive all they have lost? Will new life rise from above the ruins?

  The award winning, epic, historical fantasy, saga continues. Enter the realm of Rinefield, where love, danger, adventure and romance awaits you.

  Table of Contents

  1: THE MADNESS OF WARRICK

  2: THE RESCUE

  3: LIVES FOREVER CHANGED

  4: TO BEGIN ANEW

  5: JOYOUS NEWS

  6: THE JOURNEY HOME

  7: THE FAMILY ARRIVES HOME

  8: THE ADVENTURE

  9: A TIME OF ADJUSTMENT

  10: THE COURTSHIP

  11: THE FAMILY GATHERING

  12: THE FIRST WINTER

  13: SAYING GOODBYE

  14: A MOST EVENTFUL WEEK

  15: THE WEDDING IN ARDARA

  16: THE CHILD OF THE KINDRED

  NOTE TO READERS

  1: THE MADNESS OF WARRICK

  Lady Ellos made her way hurriedly down the staircase, her eyes wide with shock at the mayhem that lay before her. Servants were running about, fearful and without any purpose. Lady Ellos could hear intermittent outcries of fear or pain coming from all corners of the castle lobby and nearby rooms. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was stunned and horrified to see three large and filthy, brutish men coming from the dining hall. They carried out the large silver candelabras, wine goblets, the wooden chest of silverware that had been in King Garron’s family for generations, as well as other valuable pieces. The mercenaries were laughing garishly, making their way out of the castle. As Lady Ellos walked into the centre of the lobby, she saw to her revulsion, a dead Gwenlais Guard lying in a pool of blood. Three maids, including Muirgen the head maid and Milo, were kneeling beside the guard’s body, crying and lamenting the horror which was taking place. Milo looked over and stood up, quickly walking over to Lady Ellos, fear and concern on his face as he approached her. Lady Ellos’ eyes filling with tears as she saw that the beloved head of staff had an ugly cut above his right eye, as well as a dark bruise on his cheek.

  “My Lady. It is much too dangerous for you to be here. Please, allow me to escort you back to your room,” Milo entreated with a shaking voice as he took her hand.

  “Milo…what is happening? What madness is this? My brother…did he order this to happen?” Lady Ellos asked incredulously, her mind not wanting to believe Warrick could be responsible for all that was occurring.

  “Yes, my Lady. The Guard lying on the floor was attempting to defend the maids that were being accosted by the ruffians. Two of them killed him and then Warrick insisted they just go about their business and leave the women alone for a time. Now please, Lady Ellos, I insist you let me bring you back to your room, as your brother mandated,” Milo begged her once more as they both looked over to watch two male servants removing the guard’s body.

  Lady Ellos looked around the lobby once more, her breathing becoming more laboured with her anxiety.

  “Milo, where are Laurel and Tulla?” she asked in a voice choked with emotion.

  She then noticed Muirgen, and the other maids begin to cry even more pitifully at her question. Milo took her hand, a half smile on his face as his eyes filled with tears at her question.

  “My Lady,” Milo began, pausing for a moment to control his emotions. “Her Highness has been brought to the tower. She is being held there under Warrick’s orders. We have not seen Tulla since Warrick brought her into the study. To my knowledge, Warrick is still in there as he had just ordered a bottle of wine be brought to him a short time ago,” Milo answered, his voice trembling as he desperately tried to hold back his sorrow and anger.

  Lady Ellos’ expression changed from fear and confusion to anger and determinatio
n as she kept her head up and narrowed her eyes.

  “Walk with me to the study Milo. It is time for me to talk with my brother,” she replied, her voice soft but filled with irritation.

  “My Lady, I must insist…” Milo began to disagree, before being interrupted.

  “No Milo. As much as I truly appreciate your concern, this madness must end. I will not allow my brother to hold myself and my children, as well as everyone here hostage. I must at the very least, try to reason with Warrick. I dread to think what will happen when Prince Caleb returns,” Lady Ellos answered in a shaking voice, as she began to walk down the lobby towards the study.

  “It has been said my Lady, that the Prince will not be returning. That he has been, in the ruffians’ words, “dealt with”. I fear for all of Gwenlais if this is true, for the King of Heathwin will show no mercy for the loss of his sons,” Milo spoke with fear in his eyes, picturing the Warrior King’s wrath upon Gwenlais.

  Lady Ellos smiled ruefully as she continued to walk purposefully towards her late husband’s study.

  “I feel you greatly underestimate the Princes of Heathwin my dear Milo, as well as our Captain Deaglan, for I am aware he accompanied them. Do you feel these nasty brutes are any match for them? Yes, they may have overwhelmed, for now, the Guards and people, but when their Captain and Prince Caleb returns it is his wrath that Gwenlais will face. I shudder at what his reaction will be when he hears of his beloved being held in the tower. If even half of what I have been told is the truth, of what the Princes and their father are like when provoked…may the Maker have mercy on us all,” Ellos remarked, as she stopped just outside of the study.

  Taking a deep breath, she smiled at Milo’s nervous expression as she placed her hand on the handle of the heavy door.

  “Leave me now my loyal friend. I ask you, please to go and look after my children. No! Shh, this is something I must do alone,” Lady Ellos spoke with quiet determination, as Milo began to protest.

  “Very well my Lady,” Milo replied with sad resignation, as he turned and started to walk back to the stairway.

  Milo turned and looked once more as he watched her enter the study, her head held high, looking regal and lovelier than he had ever seen her.

  “Warrick! This must stop now! The ruffians you have hired are ransacking the castle and have killed a Guard! And what is the meaning of locking Laurel in the tower? Have you gone completely mad? Are you not aware of what the Prince will do to you when he returns?” Lady Ellos asked in anger, slamming the door behind her.

  “You were told to stay in your room, my dear sister. It is not safe right now,” Warrick answered with a sneer, as he gulped down a glass of wine.

  “You will not hold my children or me hostage in our home. What do you honestly hope to accomplish by doing this? Where are Phineas and Tramaine? Surely you would at least listen to one of them. Warrick, I am begging you to stop this insanity and leave before Prince Caleb returns. You know what he will do. And then all of Heathwin itself will come thundering down upon us,” Lady Ellos entreated as she leant down to the desk, desperate to reason with her brother.

  “The barbarian will not be returning. I have made certain arrangements assuring that. As far as Heathwin’s retaliation, they will do nothing as long as I hold the Princess. They will all starve without the provisions from Gwenlais. I will hold their very lives in my hands,” Warrick retorted in a haughty tone, as he poured another glass of wine.

  Lady Ellos eyes went wide with the shock and realisation, her brother had gone truly mad. The idea that he actually believed he could control Heathwin just by threats was unfathomable to her.

  “What arrangements have you made? What have you done, Warrick? Do you really think, the King of Heathwin will not come and exact vengeance on us all, for the lives of his sons?” Lady Ellos asked incredulously, raising her voice as she became more frantic.

  “Do not dare lift up your voice to me Ellos! I am no longer your little brother to tell what to do. I am the new ruler of Gwenlais! I will show them all, that I am now the one to be reckoned with,” Warrick shouted at Lady Ellos, as he stood up and walked menacingly over to where she stood.

  Lady Ellos shrank back from him slightly as he approached, then with resolve, controlled her fear and held her strong bearing as she looked at him directly.

  “You must understand Warrick; they will not let this happen. Please…let us go find Phineas. He is a good and reasonable man, he will help us sort this out,” Lady Ellos spoke calmly, as she reached over and touched the side of Warrick’s face.

  Warrick abruptly pushed her hand away, scowling at her attempt to reason with him.

  “Phineas will be no help to us. I had the traitor thrown in the dungeon. After I secure Heathwin’s allegiance, he will be publicly executed, along with any others who dare to defy me,” Warrick stated with arrogance.

  “Warrick, please listen to me. When Heathwin arrives, there will be no securing any allegiances. They will kill you Warrick, and any who side with you. They are a Kingdom of warriors, and no amount of threats will secure their loyalty,” Lady Ellos stated in a shaking voice, unfallen tears filling her eyes.

  She began to tremble at the thought of the military might of Heathwin, crushing down upon them all, led by an angry and vengeful King.

  “I hold the Princess. I have their precious Treasure, they will not dare try to usurp my rule,” Warrick boasted, speaking with the confidence of a clouded, delusional mind.

  “Which makes them all the more dangerous Warrick. You have no certainty you have accomplished your plans concerning Prince Caleb and Prince Aiden. They are highly skilled warriors, trained to be so since their childhood. They kill slavers and raiders, Warrick, as easily as a hunter kills game. The brutes you brought with you are no match for them or their Sentinels. The people of Gwenlais will not stand behind you,” Lady Ellos desperately explained to him, her heart crushed as she saw the madness and cruelty in his eyes.

  “I do not need them to stand behind me. I have allies, Ellos, strong and powerful allies,” Warrick said with almost gleeful enthusiasm, as he grasped her arms.

  “I do not understand Warrick. Where would you find allies?” Lady Ellos asked, tears now falling from her eyes.

  “Come to the garden with me, and I will explain everything,” Warrick said in an icy cold voice, smiling charmingly as he led Lady Ellos out of the room.

  Milo and Muirgen stood back further down the corridor, pressed against the wall so as not to be so easily seen, watching Warrick lead Lady Ellos out into the garden.

  “I must find Crayton. No good will come of this,” Milo whispered to Muirgen, turning and walking away as quickly as he could.

  Once outside, Warrick walked Ellos to the far side of the garden away from the castle entrance and terrace, the side that was most secluded. Lady Ellos felt a tremor of fear course through her body as she saw the hired ruffians barricading the gate to the garden entrance. They began yelling out threats to the Sentinels on the other side, threating to harm Laurel if they came through.

  “We will slit her throat if you so much as put your boots across this gateway,” the largest of the men growled out to the Sentinels.

  She could hear the Sentinels, yelling out to each other in their language, then the sound of several horses galloping off.

  I must stop this, Lady Ellos thought to herself in fear and desperation, realising now how far it had all escalated.

  “Now please, tell me of these allies. I am most frightened Warrick, who convinced you to do all of this? Can you not see that you are just a pawn in their game?” Lady Ellos enquired of him in a desperate tone as she stopped walking.

  “This is no game Ellos. It is very real. A vision of the future, our future. I did this for us, for you,” Warrick spoke with a desperation bordering on hysteria, as he grasped Ellos’ arms once again.

  “For me? I would never have you do anything like this for me! How could you even think I would be party to this? Can you not see my pain, Warrick? I cannot bear to think of what you have been convinced to do. I have just lost my husband, and my heart is broken. Must you now completely destroy it?” Ellos asked, mortified and in disbelief.