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CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
The fire was raging. Kin could see nothing but flames and smoke billowing up into the air. He cried out, trying desperately to see through the furnace. It was the same dream–the castle on fire, his family trapped, and Kin powerless to save them. He tried again to call out for help, to make someone listen. But all around him, nothing–only the flames engulfing the castle and the screams of those inside.
“Why will no one help them?” he cried, desperately trying to go forward.
This was the point in the dream where everything went black, and he would awake in a state of fevered agitation, cursing himself over and over for his feebleness. But this time, something was different… he did not wake up, and now his feet carried him forward. He was running towards the castle, and a figure now appeared from the smoke. It was Gilroy, and he was pointing upwards to the flames.
“Help me, Gilroy,” he cried, but the spymaster shook his head.
“Tis’ ye who must help them, Kin,” he said, pointing into the flames.
And now, Kin realized the truth of the dream–there was no one else to help him. It was he who had to help himself. The flames were growing greater, the heat stronger, but Kin now felt a surge of courage, and he raced forward straight into the furnace, calling for his family, knowing he could play his part in saving them.
“The fire!” Kin exclaimed, sitting bolt upright in bed, even as he clutched at his side in pain.
He had been dreaming the same dream, but now… a resolution. He stared around him, surprised to find Cillian sitting at his side. The flaming castle was gone, the cries of his family, too. He was in bed, and now he remembered it all.
“What fire?” Cillian said, looking at him with a worried expression on his face.
“The… the fire. But… Murdoch, yes, Murdoch is… punished,” he said, and Cillian nodded.
“Aye, he is languishin’ in the laird’s dungeon as we speak. Ye need have nay fear of him,” he said, and Kin breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then tis’ all over,” he said, and Cillian nodded.
“Ye have had a bad dream–tis’ normal after such injuries, I am sure. Lie down again and rest,” Cillian said, but Kin was wide awake, and he struggled to the side of the bed, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“But this was… it was a dream I have had many times before. I watched as the castle that belonged to my parents was set on fire. At previous times, I had been powerless against it. I could do nothing. But tonight… tonight was different. I realized that no one else could help me, only I could be the one to save them. I failed then, but now… I have brought that man to justice,” he said, sighing deeply.
The burden of his guilt was gone. He had done what he had set out to do and brought peace to his heart. That was why he had joined the fellowship of the knot; that was why he had risked so much, even to the point of death. It had all been worth it, and now a smile came over his face, and he reached out and put his arm around Cillian, who still looked confused.
“Do you mean you have done what you set out to do?” he said, and Kin nodded.
“I am at peace now, Cillian,” he replied, just as the door opened and Murdina appeared, staring anxiously at him before a smile came over her face.
“The two of ye look content together,” she said, and Cillian blushed.
“I hope he is nay delusional,” he said, but Kin only laughed.
“Delusional? No, I am not delusional. I am quite within my mind. It was the dream, Murdina. I had that same dream again, and now I am at peace,” he said, struggling to get to his feet.
But the pain in his side was too great, and he collapsed back on the bed with an agonizing cry.
“Be still now, ye cannae leap to yer feet like that,” Murdina exclaimed, rushing to his side.
“But I… I feel as though I could,” he said, breathless as he smiled up at her.
“Well… ye are certainly much better than ye were before,” she admitted, and he nodded.
“In the dream, Murdina, I saved them… well, I did not save them, but I knew what I had to do. It was the final part of the puzzle. Gilroy was there. He told me it was I, and no one else, who had to save them. It was quite remarkable. That is why I joined the order, the brotherhood of the knot, or whatever strange name we called ourselves. I had to see my family avenged, and now… they are,” he said, lying back with a smile on his face.
“Ye should be in bed,” Cillian said, but Murdina shook her head.
“I am wide awake, and I understand what Kin is sayin’ now–tis’ a dream he had on our journey, one that helped him to remember more, a dream which needed to be resolved. Daenae worry, Cillian, he is quite within his mind, but… perhaps ye will go to bed now and leave us,” Murdina said.
Cillian raised an eyebrow, but he made no objection, rising to his feet and bidding them both goodnight.
“But nae more gettin’ out of–or am I to be yer jailer again,” he said.
