AISLIN | I

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"State your business!" One of the soldiers announced. His voice boomed, echoing off the looming mountains.

"We've come to see Méabh." I said. My statement was met with doubtful looks from both guards. I reached into the inner pocket of my vest and removed a large silver pendant. I held it out to the guard to see as Kingsley did the same. The pendant was round, about 3 inches in diameter, and had a leather cord strung through the top. On it was engraved the Chief of Merk's family crest. When Méabh had returned home, she knew the clan wars were escalating. She had given each of us one so that if we ever needed to find her we wouldn't be put on trial as spies.

The guards' eyes widened at the sight of the pendants. They shuffled apart and pushed the gates open, ushering us through.

The village of Merk was nested in the side of the mountain. It was protected on three sides by the stone and wood wall and the fourth side by the mountain.

Lookout towers stood at every corner and three were perched on various precipices along the rocky slope. The gates opened into the village square. The gravel roads were lined with wooden huts and shops with thatched roofs. I scanned the moderate hustle and bustle for a familiar face.

There! Drystan stood in a group of men amongst the busy crowds chatting. As we approached the group he looked up and a smile spread across his face. He excused himself from his group of companions and made his way toward us, his hazel eyes holding an expression of disbelief.

"It's really you!" he exclaimed as he reached us. "I thought I was imagining things! What are you doing here? Something to do with my little sister I presume. She hasn't gotten into trouble now has she? Need me to set her straight for you?" He asked playfully.

Drystan was Méabh's older brother. They contrasted and complemented each other at the same time. He was tall and muscular, she was short and petite, but almost his match in strength. He was outgoing, she hid her true self until she knew you wouldn't betray her.

He had dark brown curls in a mop on his head, she had straight light brown hair that stretches all the way down to her butt. It was hard to believe they were siblings, but when you saw them work for the good of their people, it was obvious they were cut from the same cloth.

I had offered to take Drystan on as a student as well, but he felt that someone should stay and help their father so he forfeited the opportunity and sent Méabh off with me, Kingsley, and another girl from the village; Blakley-Rose.

"I'm not sure where Méabh has run off to, but let me take you to the city hall. She'll show up there anyway and Da would be thrilled to see you." He said, wrapping an arm around each of us in a gentle hug, the hug reserved for family friends who you liked, but didn't know very well. He released us and turned, leading us away from the square.

I couldn't help but feel mesmerized as I watched the townspeople come together, and be a family. The kingdom of Mark always gave me a warm home feeling that I will never forget.

We continued our trek through the busy crowds and along the stone roadways when we stopped at the doorstep.

Drystan grabbed a hold of the doors metal ring handles and pulled the large oak doors open.
The great city hall glowed in the embers of that evening's fire. Lit torches lined the two side walls and backs walls, creating a warm and living atmosphere.

The raised stone fire pit was stationed in the middle of the giant room. Eight long rectangular tables lines both sides of the fire pit. The walls were lined with mounted torches and hunting trophies and racks of weaponry rested along the back wall.