The Heart's Call: Part V

"Where are you taking me?"

"Nowhere. You're taking yourself. Go home." Once more Shane noticed the accent had disappeared from the Scotsman's voice. "The sleeping powder in the cider will keep them under to morning and the little I drank is already starting to make me sleepy. You're on your own. But there is a favor you can do Tyralor for his helping you out. Go straight home. How long will it take to walk to the manor?"

"A little over an hour." Shane gingerly touched the bump on his head. "This might be hard to explain, though."

"Lucky for us your father is off on patrol, then. Wait until he's back to tell him if you can. But even if your mother questions you, it'll be awhile before they find this place. All McDougal asks is that you give him enough time to retrieve me. It will avoid some embarrassing questions." Dhugal opened the door and looked up and down the dark street "All right. The way is clear. Off with you now!"

Shane made to shake the man's hand, then stopped as he realized the black glove on the left hand had two strangely limp fingers. He caught himself and just nodded. "I thank you for helping me. But what of you? Won't those two suspect something?"

"Not if they find me sleeping as they were. Didn't you know, boy? You're a bard! You've just used your honey tongue to put three brigands to sleep and make good your escape! In a day or two, once it gets about The Hook, you'll be legend." He winked at the astonished boy, and then shut the door to leave Shane staring at it in the dark. Then the young elf grinned and walked away.

*********

It took Shane a bit longer to get home than he had told Dhugal. Like most of elven blood, he could see very well at night, but there was the lump on his head and a pounding headache that was compounded by a second problem. He could hear Arista in his head, singing or humming. Ari had never had the ability to link minds that her elven blooded brothers and sisters shared, and yet here she was filling his mind with her thoughts. It was his anchor as he slipped wearily through the woods and meadows towards Blackthorn Manor, and the love and concern she was feeling made him feel small and ashamed for his thoughts that afternoon. He wondered how much of that she could feel from him now.

He thought of something he recalled his father saying: "You can pick your friends, but not your family. Yet Corwin and I chose each other. He is the brother of my Heart, my Heart Bond. I know I can tell him anything, and he will understand."

Walking home in the dark, Shane knew he was not really alone. Even if she didn't know it fully yet, Arista was truly the sister of Shane's Heart. She was his Heart bond, his closest friend. "Gods help our Soul Bonds when we find them"

He was still chuckling when she greeted him at the front door.

"Hello, sister. We need to have a talk"

*********

"Dhugal? Dhugal, wake up! We haven't time for you to sleep away the morning." Something struck him lightly on the cheek.

The Scotsman yawned and opened one eye. Tyralor was crouched by his side, hand drawn back to give him another tap. "Enoof! I'm awake. Wha' happened? " He pushed himself to his feet and looked about. "Where are th' Welshmen? Where's th' boy?"

"No need to dissemble any further, Dhugal. Your `numpties' left some time ago. I watched them bolt down the street as quick as they could once they realized the BlackWatch is starting a search of the district. Although I think my worried comments about irate elven bards and their warrior parents might also have had something to do with it. I take it Young `Thorn was not too badly damaged by the whole experience?"

Dhugal nodded, immediately regretting it. "And y' business wi' Grayson?"

"Our business is concluded. So is Master Grayson, as it happens. I'm continually amazed by how high strung some folk are. I'll fill you in on the way to the inn. You look like you could use a little hair of the dog!"

"Forget th' hair!" Dhugal grumbled as they walked outside into the overly bright sun and he shielded his eyes. "Gie me th' whole damn dog!"

*********

A little over a month later, a young elf and a young girl stood by the same pool where they'd first met ten years before. The girl's red hair and smile were the image of her mother; the elf stood tall and there were much of his father's features in his own face. Over his shoulder hung a lute.

"So, did you choose a name? Wait!" Ari held her hand out to him. "Don't tell me! I know only Da and Uncle Ashe can hear it because they performed the Naming ceremony for you."

Shane smiled. "You can hear it too, Arista. You need only listen." He sent the name to her through their link, gently, for this was still all so new to her, and watched as her eyes widened.

"It's beautiful Shane. And it fits you! You look so dashing, brother; Ma is bursting with pride today. We better hurry along inside the Firehall. It's quite a dinner we're having in your honor."

Shane looked back at the door and grimaced. "So many people. You sure you wouldn't rather sit out here and sing with me for a bit?"

Arista Blackthorn smiled, and held out her hand. "What, and miss dancing inside with Kylan? Come along, Shane."

"I'm your sister. Don't worry, I'll take care of you."

Together, they walked inside.