Keepers of the Moon

Chapter 13. The King

Indigo

The weather had turned for the worse, again. The soft drizzle that came down this morning had now turned into rain and an angry fog was beginning to form on the bay behind Gaeilaí castle. The Cuillin were shrouded in clouds and looked eerily gloomy in the veil of grey. People were rushing their work out in the garden so they could return to the warmth of the castle, hoping to grab a steaming cup of coffee in the cantina. I was running down the path and they looked up in astonishment. This was not the place where people were hasty. They knew something was up. With Abi still tucked away safely in my arms I ran inside the castle. The drum of the rain suddenly stopped and the warm air inside was a welcome change from the dreary weather on the other side of the door. I skidded to a stop and send water droplets flying everywhere. This resulted in a very disgruntled look from the janitor who started mopping the floor again without saying a word.

Now that I had finally arrived I wasn’t sure what to do or who to talk to. What if I was wrong? What if it had nothing to do with Gaeilaí castle? What if I was overreacting and send everybody running for nothing?

What if I wasn’t?

I looked around to see if I could find someone I knew, but the hall was almost completely deserted. Due to the King’s presence the museum had been closed, no tourists were allowed inside. I needed to find someone who would listen. I felt like this was important. Abi became fussy as she realised that she was back at the castle. She wanted to play and go to Miss Wells, but I kept holding onto her. Until I was sure everything was fine and safe I would not let her go. If something happened to her here, I would never forgive myself.

‘Let me go-oo.’ Her childish pleading had no effect on me. I had lost her once, I was not going to do that twice.

‘No, you stay with me. You can go play after I’m done.’ She tried to wiggle her way out of my arms but I knew every move she would make, before the made it. She was not going anywhere.

With a firm step and my heart pounding in my chest I made my way into the living quarters, hoping to find Ben or Sir Macintosh. The way had never felt so long and my heart became heavier with every step.

And as I finally left the museum and entered the long, familiar corridor I immediately realised that there was something wrong.

Very wrong.

Tension was coursing through the air, angry, fearful voices were shouting, people were running up and down. This was such a stark contrast with the people who I’d seen on my way here that I just stood there watching the drama unfold in front of my eyes. Faces I vaguely remembered were walking around with their hands in their hair and hearts beating too loud.

Then someone bumped into me and just kept running without even apologising. From behind I recognised that it was Ben, running full speed into the corridor and then nearly kicking down the door of Mo Bhean. I could hear him frantically throwing stuff around and groaning in agony and frustration. Only seconds later Sir Macintosh flew past me, followed closely by none other than the King. They didn’t even acknowledge me, their faces read fear.

I was too late.

Something was already happening.

I had doubted myself and now everything was happening because of it.

But maybe I could still help.

Maybe there was something I could still do.

I switched Abi to my other shoulder and with strong steps I walked towards Mo Bhean’s room, who I knew was still inside the hospital wing. She had made it through yet another night, but her condition remained worrisome and a mystery. Why everybody was rushing to her empty room was odd to say the least. Maybe they had found a clue as to why she had been attacked, or how.

Inside I found a panicking Ben running up and down frantically pulling stuff aside and looking in every corner of the room. Sir Macintosh was sitting on Mo Bhean’s bed, his expression blank. He looked defeated, just completely knocked down. King Domhnall was wavering in the doorway, just standing. Looking scared and confused.

‘What happened?’

My voice cut through the tension in the room and Ben almost tripped over his own feet when he realised that there was someone else in the room. His hair was sticking to his forehead and his eyes were puffy. He was crying, panic written all over his face. He looked like a child who had lost his mom in the market. It was a look I very well remembered.

Macintosh looked at me, but it was King Domhnall who answered.

‘Mo Bhean’s missing. Someone took her.’