Chapter 193: Manor Kist
*A kist is a box, also a term for a coffin. The manor is built over the family crypt. – Fiona*
It was early evening when they turned off A86 just on the far side of Fort Augustus. Twenty minutes later, they left the lane and crossed under an iron arch declaring they had arrived at THE MANOR KIST.
There was a lush green meadow surrounded by a forest just beginning to wake from winter. The further that they went down the gravel track, the more mystical it seemed.
A looming gray stone manor came into view. Three stories with towers in each corner. Large multi pane windows that were five feet wide and twice as high. Six were on either side of the large double doors that, unlike the windows, went all the way to the ground.
The grand portico of the door was so large that two additional windows were on the upper floors. Instead of going to the front, they followed Siobhan around the side of the large building.
Smaller tracks led off to cottages that could be rented short term or, in the case of one elderly couple, extremely long term. Directly behind the large manor was a smaller version. Only two stories and the windows were much smaller.
Siobhan parked in front of the smaller house and got out. As the others followed her example, the front door opened as an old man walked out.
“Acht, they look like highlanders.” He said hugging Siobhan. “Where is me grandson?"
Toad took Gunner out of his carrier and handed him over. “Here you go, Papa Dean.”
The old man handed his Shillelagh to an older version of Siobhan and snuggled the new born close. Looking at Nessie he smiled brightly.
“Yeh look good, lass. This is your Thomas?”
“Aye, Knuckles.” Nessie smiled back as another woman with graying black hair and bright blue eyes that saw way more than they should stepped out. “Halò, Moira.”
“Ness.” The woman around Siobhan’s age replied as she inspected Knuckles. She wore a plain dress of forest green and no shoes, even on the cold rough rocks. Inclining her head towards her student who was rubbing her chest, Moira asked Knuckles, “Do yeh know why she does that?”
“The Stones are calling her.”
“Aye. She needs to go to them. And yeh need to take her. Now.”
Knuckles accepted the key for the Land Rover from her and then guided his woman to the one that Moira indicated. Nessie was still barefoot, having explained that feeling earth, and now Scotland, under her feet made her happy. She preferred to be barefoot when she was outside.
Even when there had been six inches of snow on the ground at the clubhouse, she had been barefoot.
Nessie got into the passenger seat, which Knuckles still thought was on the wrong side. He got into the driver’s seat and was surprised to find that the ignition was still on the right. Familiarizing himself with the controls and dials, he couldn’t help but smile as Nessie laughed at him fumbling.
They finally pulled away oblivious to the dispute between his brothers and her family. When they moved to the Land Rover, the other Saints moved towards a van.
“She needs no protection here.” Papa Dean told them.
“I’m not taking any chances with her life.” Toad said.
“The dead will protect her.” Siobhan told them.
“You keep saying that.” Werewolf said angrily. “How the hell will the dead protect her?”
“The dead can do a lot. Much more than you think.” Nana Bee said taking the infant from her father. “Besides, Grams had told him a long time ago that the only thing that Petros would find here, would be his own death.”
The men stopped and looked at the woman. They then turned back towards the bus as the Land Rover began to make its way down the track.
“Toad, I don’t remember there being an audience the first time that we were together.” Siobhan said bluntly. “Give them the same respect.”
“Now?” Werewolf demanded.
Siobhan and her family all confirmed this, almost in unison.
