It still hurt to come this way. Barranca picked his way carefully through the rocky river bed, as he had that day; the day he had lost his sight; and his heart. His heart was heavy today, too; how could he have said those things to Scott? The look in his brother’s eyes spoke volumes of the pain those words had caused; and he didn’t deserve it.

The palomino snorted and threw his head back without warning, jolting Johnny out of his reverie. It took a few moments for him to see what had startled his horse, and even then, he had to rub his eyes to convince himself he was really seeing what he thought.

Half way up the hill sat two white dogs, whose red-tipped ears stood pricked as though listening for something.

“Dwch! (d-ow-k)” a single command and both dogs turned, bounding up the hillside towards the female voice.

Barranca danced around, diverting Johnny’s attention from the scene just above him, but gradually he brought the stallion under control so he was able to follow the sound.

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“Good evening Johnny, are you feeling better now you’ve had something to eat?” Teresa enquired.

“Wasn’t really hungry, thanks,” he apologized.

“And how is Barranca?” She had seen him walking his horse into the yard.

“Would you like me to take a look at him?” Dafydd asked. “I’m a veterinarian.”

“I think he’ll be OK with a few days’ rest. Shouldn’t have pushed him so hard; he didn’t deserve it. But if he don’t start pickin’ up tomorrow I‘d sure appreciate it.”

“Want to talk about it, Johnny?” Scott asked.

Johnny, amazed that his brother should even speak to him shook his head. “No, you’ll all think I’m crazy and it won’t happen again.” Then he remembered that Scott was a gentleman and they had guests, so any arguments would wait till later.

Scott turned to his father and resumed the conversation. “So, Murdoch, how did you celebrate Halloween as a boy?”

“Father was a dominie - a schoolmaster,” he explained, “and an elder in the kirk, so he couldn’t openly support a pagan ritual but we used to watch the other bairns guisin.”

“What else did you do?” Scott prompted

“We were allowed to go bobbing for apples - a large bowl or a tub would be filled with water, the water would be stirred up and the apples thrown into it, then you had to try to catch one in your teeth as it floated past. That wasn’t as easy s it sounds because you couldn’t use your hands. There was also the bonfire, the whole village built it up and everyone went. Near the end, we’d put our tatties - potatoes to you - in the embers and let them cook - and then at the end of the evening, everyone would take an ember home to begin a new fire in the ovens.”

“Why?”

“Romans, like the Romans in the Bible?” asked Johnny. “You mean they really existed?”

“The Roman Empire was one of the greatest that has been recorded,” Scott said. “I had to learn Latin - that was their language.”

“They did overrun Europe somewhat,” agreed Davydd. “Samhain was a time when the animals were brought down from the summer pastures and the best selected to be fed through the minter. The rest were slaughtered and the meat preserved, their bones were burnt on a fire - the original meaning of the word ‘bonfire’. ”

“You see, the Celts believed that around the time of Samhain, your Halloween, the barriers between the spirit and the mortal realms were weak and the sprites and other magical creatures could pass into our world easily.” Olwen’s melodic tones broke into the conversation. “A place would be set at table for the ancestors or they’d get annoyed and not help in the coming year.”

“Hm, I remember one year you telling us that Great Aunt Rowena had demanded we remove the carrots from her plate,” Davydd interjected. “As she died some 40 years before Olwen was born it gave us a bit of a stir, I must say.” He smiled fondly at his daughter. “Some still believe that the borders between the two worlds is thinner on ‘Ancestor Night’,” Davydd continued. “The souls of the dead can enter the land of the living and speak to anyone sensitive enough to hear them. The ancient Celts looked for guidance from their ancestors and very much hoped to communicate with them. It was a time to celebrate life over death and remember those who had lived and died before.”

“Something like Dia de les Muertos, in Mexico. It’s a three day holiday when we remember the dead. We take food to the graves and….” Johnny’s voice trailed off as he realized everyone was looking at him.

“Odd, isn’t it, that two nations so separated by time and distance should have a similar outlook to their dead.” Davydd mused.

“So, what do these spirits look like? Do they take the form of dogs?”

“Why Johnny?” Olwen queried

“Because I saw two dogs…two white dogs but their ears were kinda funny. See they looked like they were tipped red an’ they didn‘t make a sound, not even when they started runnin’ when she called ’em”

“The Cwn (coon) Annwn, the hunting dogs of Gwyn ap Nydd, Lord of Annwn. Then what happened Johnny? What did this ‘she’ look like?” Olwen encouraged him gently.

“We were in the river bed, you know Murdoch, the boundary stream tween us and the Wade place.”

Murdoch nodded. “But the Johnstons have been living there for some time now.”

“ It’ll always be the Wade place ta me. Anyway, I got up onto the high ground and that’s when I saw her; the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, she had long blond hair that kinda folded over and in on itself, and her eyes were so dark I could swear they were black. She was on this white horse, no saddle or bridle, nothing an’ her dress looked as though it was spun outa pure gold, but just as I got close enough to talk ta her, she rode off. I tried ta catch her, Barranca give it all he had but I had ta pull him up ‘cause he was gonna kill hisself tryin’ ta catch them. Then she just disappeared. Had ta walk Barranca back ta Lancer, that’s why I was late. See, told ya ya’d all think I was mad.”

“Not mad Johnny, it sounds like you came across Rhiannon, Maid of Annwn.” Olwen’s voice was soft. “Tradition has it that she still responds to people in emotional pain, she brings acceptance and reconciliation.”

“Annwn? You keep saying the word, but what is it?” Scott asked.

“Otherworld, it exists alongside our own and is where heroes go when they die. Legend is that it lies to the west, although I don’t think the Celts thought of this far west, but then, they didn’t know there was anywhere this far west. She paused for a few moments appraising the younger of the two brothers. “When you see her again, Johnny, ask her to please stop and talk; for you’ll never catch her.”

“You think I will?”

“I’m sure of it.” Her dark brown eyes regarded him appraisingly and saw much to admire; after all, who was she to argue with the assessment of the Maid of Annwn.

Barranca didn’t seem to be too affected by the mad chase the previous day, although he was walking stiffly. Johnny decided it would be better to release him into the paddock rather than keep him cooped up in the stable.

Johnny had been in the wrong saying what he had to Scott; he was determined to sort things out with his brother which was the reason he was saddling the bay as Murdoch entered the barn.

“I need to speak to Scott.” Johnny said simply. He had his scheduled work but it wouldn’t be done till he’d had a chance to talk to Scott. He wasn’t asking Murdoch, he was stating a fact.

“Everyone has noticed the atmosphere. Want to tell me what happened?”

“Nope.” He’d finished saddling the animal and prepared to lead him out. “I hate what I did and I gotta try ta make it right - if Scott will listen ta me. Can’t leave it any longer.”

“Well, I’ll get your chores covered till you get back.”

Johnny paused and looked at Murdoch in surprise; his father wasn’t usually so quick to agree with him not doing his allocated work; but this was important and they both knew it. As Johnny mounted up, Barranca called out to him as he clearly didn’t want to be left behind. Johnny still felt guilty at his treatment of his compadre and couldn’t bear to look in his direction.

“I hope you get this sorted, son.” Murdoch gently placed his hand on Johnny’s knee.

“Me too Murdoch.” he turned the horse’s head south to the pasture Scott had headed for a short time ago.

They made haste slowly. Johnny was torn between wanting to see Scott and fear of being rebuffed. That was something he feared more than anything else that had ever happened in his life.

He saw his brother just ahead riding with the hands. He sensed that Scott was aware of his presence but didn’t acknowledge him.

“Scott,” Johnny called.

“I came…I want to say I’m sorry.”

“And that is supposed to make everything OK, is it?” Scott demanded angrily.

“No, Scott, I’m sorry…I got mad and…”

“Oh well, that’s OK then.” The sarcasm in Scott’s voice cut him to the bone. “So Johnny Lancer - or was it Madrid who drew on me - gets mad then calms down and I’m supposed to say ‘Don’t worry about it, it was just in the heat of the moment thing.’ You could have killed me!” Scott stormed.

“I would never hurt ya, ya know that!”

“No, I don’t! Did you even see who it was in front of you?”

“Of course I did!”

“But you still drew on me!”

“It was a reflex action. Kinda like when ya touch somethin’ too hot, but I swear, I would never have shot ya!” Johnny protested.

“When you’re looking down the barrel of a gun, that’s a fine distinction you don’t consider. Have you any idea what it was like for me?” Scott turned away.

“I’ve said I’m sorry Scott, what more can I do ta prove ta ya…”

“Nothing, absolutely nothing,” Scott spat. “ You don’t get it do you? There’s nothing you can say to put this right. Don’t you have some work to do? Because I have.” “Murdoch knows I wanted ta come over ta talk, said he’d get someone ta cover me.”

“Does he know what you did?” Scott demanded.

“Not unless ya told him. I haven‘t.”

“Well, you’ve said your piece and I’m not interested. So you might as well be on your way.” With that, Scott swung his horse’s head round to catch up with the hands who’d continued with their journey.

“Wait up, Scott, PLEASE!” But his brother didn’t stop or even pause and Johnny felt more alone than he had at any time since arriving at Lancer. He realized how much he’d hurt Scott; if he could go back and change things he would, he’d give anything to put things right.

He felt her before he saw her. Horse and rider immobile, the only perceptible movement the rippling of errant hairs by the morning breeze. Johnny recognized the hidden tension in the pair, poised to run as soon as he moved towards them, but he remembered the instructions given to him the previous night.

She gave a slight nod. “After your next sunrise come to where you first saw me. It needs to be all of you”

“How am I supposed ta do that?”

“You will, it’s too important to you for you to fail.”

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Johnny was relieved that Aggie had been invited to dinner that night; maybe Murdoch had done it deliberately knowing Scott would never be less than his most charming and polite self in company.

“Johnny, drink?” Murdoch asked as Johnny entered the room.

“Thanks,” he muttered in response.

“Catch up with Scott?”

He nodded.

“Do I need to ask how it went?”

“Didn’t.” he replied tersely. “Where’s Scott?”

“He hasn’t come down yet. Aggie’s talking to Teresa.”

“Can I ask ya ta do somethin’ tomorrow without askin’ too many questions.”

“Shoot.”

Almost doing that had caused the whole thing, Johnny thought, but prevented himself from saying it. “Could ya get Scott ta go ridin’ with ya tomorrow, meet me by that waterfall on the stream ‘tween us an’ the Wade place. Only don’t tell Scott ya goin’ ta meet me or he won’t go.”

“Is it that bad between you?”

Johnny nodded miserably. “I’m gonna keep tryin’ Murdoch. He ain’t jus’ my brother, he’s the best friend I ever had an’ I can’t lose him. Jus’ can’t.”

Murdoch looked at his younger son and saw the pain in his eyes. “OK, I know where you mean. We’ll be there - even if I have to knock him out and tie him to his horse! If I can helping any way, I will, Johnny, you know that.” He smiled.

“Thanks.”

Any further discussion on the subject was ended as Teresa and Aggie came bursting in through the door, rapidly followed by Scott, each carrying a serving dish.

“We need you two as well,” Teresa announced. “That is, if either of you want to eat tonight.”

“We’ve got ours.” Scott laughed. He was carrying the platter of roast beef and the aroma preceded him.

“Come on, Johnny, I know when I’m beaten,” Murdoch muttered as he went through the door with Johnny in close pursuit.

“Be careful, the dishes are…” Teresa began but was interrupted by a yell from Johnny in the kitchen. “hot!” she finished, grinning mischievously.

“Ya coulda warned me!” he grumbled as he came back in; placed the dish on the table and blew frantically on his damaged fingers.

“I did,” she asserted, “just a bit late for it to be of any use.”

“I see things are coming along well for the party tomorrow,” Aggie said.

“”Hmph, if you can call losing some of my best hands to Teresa ‘well’,” Murdoch grumbled. “She has two of them carving pumpkins, four building a bonfire, one hunting for apples and one doing the rounds of the guests to say that fancy dress is an option with a prize for the best one!”

“Well, the pumpkins I understand, but the fire, apples and fancy dress?”

“Scottish customs,” Teresa said. “Mr Williams and his daughter were here last night and they and Murdoch were talking about customs in Wales and Scotland.”

“The Williams, they’ve recently moved in. Nice family, Gareth is away somewhere building a narrow gauge railway.”

“Don’t see no point in them toy things,” Johnny announced.

“They aren’t toys Johnny, they’re extremely efficient and much cheaper to build than standard gauge,” Scott explained. “I’d love to have a talk with Gareth when he’s home,” he added.

“Wont let a stallion near her. Seems last time she caused a lot of…err…damage to the…well, you get the idea. Just as well Davydd is such a good veterinarian.”

“So how come you know so much about them? ” Murdoch enquired.

“Oh, Murdoch!” Aggie teased. “Talking of your Scottish connections, has Murdoch told you about your ‘noble’ connections?”

“Not now, Aggie!” Murdoch pleaded.

“Yes, Aggie, now,” Scott almost pleaded.

“Yeh, come on Aggie, ya can’t leave it there,” Johnny added.

“Seems that Murdoch should have inherited the title of ‘Laird of Lanchreisch’ but his grandfather (your great grandfather) lost the title and the lands that went with it…” she paused, to continue eating her dinner. “This is delicious, Teresa.”

“Aggie, please!”

“Aggie, please!”

Both boys shouted in unison.

“It appears your great grandfather bet his heritage on the slower….” Aggie was clearly enjoying the discomfort of Murdoch and teasing the boys. Taking another mouthful, she chewed slowly.

“This is killin’ me, Aggie.” Johnny was the first to break.

“The slower…SNAIL!” she finished triumphantly.

It was unfortunate that Johnny had taken a sip of milk as it was sprayed over his dinner then began to choke. Scott went into fits of laughter, holding his ribs as they began to ache.

“A…a….sn…r…” he was unable to get the full words out as breathing was impossible to achieve.

“I fail to see what is so funny about it!” Murdoch pushed back from the table, his appetite clearly gone, “I told you that in confidence, Aggie.”

“No, Murdoch, you told me that when you were drunk!”

“Hey, Scott, ya missed out on bein’ a ‘Laird’.” Johnny announced.

“If the title had remained on Murdoch’s side of the family, he would never have been allowed to leave Scotland; isn’t that what you told me?” Aggie interrupted.

“So he would never have met either of our mothers,” Scott announced.

“We owe our existence to a slow snail.” Johnny sniggered.

“Seems like it.” Scott looked at his brother and realized in spite of everything, he couldn’t imagine life without Johnny.

Johnny left early; he wanted a head start on his father and brother. He wondered if Murdoch would be able to pull it off, whether Scott would turn up, and if it would make any difference.

The morning was misty, the chill in the air a herald of winter as he made his way to the stream and the waterfall, his thoughts full of Mattie. What was she doing? Was she happy? Had she met anyone else? He pulled his jacket tighter to close the gaps the mist had found, chilling him to the bone.

He eased his horse to a halt and dismounted with fluid grace. Then he looked for somewhere to tether it out of sight.

“They will not see it.” Her voice made him turn with a start.

“You know, ma’am, sure wish ya wouldn’t sneak up on a body. Likely ta get yaself shot.” He warned.

“I do not believe that your weapon could harm me.”

“Yeh, well I don’t wanna take the chance.”

“Are you ready to begin your quest?” she asked.

“Thought we had ta wait for the others.”

“There is someone waiting to see you. She is most anxious.”

“She? She who?” he quizzed.

“To know that you will need to come with me. Are you ready?”

“It would be rude ta keep a lady waitin’, ‘specially if she’s anxious ta see me. She come far?” He hesitated as they approached the water’s edge, remembering how cold the water was.

“Trust me.”

How often had he heard that before - and been betrayed? This time, he knew, it was different.

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She had her back to him but he recognized her immediately.

“Mama,” he said softly.

She turned, as young and beautiful as she had been the day she….his mind refused to go further.

“Juanito!” She ran to him, launching herself into his arms, clinging to him for several minutes before prizing herself away. “How handsome you have grown. Of course, I knew you would be. You take after your mama.”

He struggled to contain his emotions, uttering just one word. “Why?”

“So you took me away from where I could have been safe….”

“Nowhere would have been safe for you.” Her tone was regretful. “I knew the kind of life you were destined for, I realized what we had done bringing you into the world, but it was too late. We both loved you so much. I loved your papa more than any who came after. They meant nothing.”

“You let them beat me!”

“I was afraid, Juanito!”

“So was I mama! After you died and I was on my own, I was afraid. I couldn’t go to Murdoch because you’d told me he didn’t want me. I was eleven years old and alone!”

“I’m sorry! Dying wasn’t part of my plan. I always thought I had time to tell you the truth. So you could go back to your papa and let him see what a fine young man you’d grown into.”

“I spent a lifetime hatin’ a man for no reason! I leaned how ta use this.” He took the gun from its holster and thrust it into her face. “I’m good at it mama, real good. How proud do you think he was of me when I first came to Lancer? An ya know where I was when the Pinkerton man found me? About ta step in front of a firin’ squad. That’s where your lies took me!”

“I am sorry Juanito. So, so sorry.” She folded to her knees sobbing.

Johnny dropped beside her, cradling and gently rocking her.

“I know. Mama, I know. Please don’t cry.”

“Maria!”

Johnny and his mother turned to face Murdoch.

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“So, Murdoch, this estate that our great grandfather lost, how big was it?” Scott mused as the rode.

“A few thousand. Aggie had it wrong, you know. The title of ‘Laird’ simply means ‘landowner’ even though it sounds similar to the English ‘Lord’.”

“A few thousand in Scotland, a hundred thousand in California - you certainly restored the family honor, didn’t you!”

“It wasn’t like that, Scott. It isn’t why I came to America.”

“Why did you?”

“Oh, a man could find out for himself who he really was and be judged on his abilities not who his father was. I wanted something different, but wasn‘t sure exactly what. Then I met your mother in Boston and the rest is history.”

“She knew what she wanted.” Scott said simply. “It’s still like that in Boston, you know - connections are everything. If you aren’t from an accepted family, you can’t break into the right circles. Grandfather may have looked at you with different eyes had he known you were descended from…what is the term…‘landed gentry’. It isn’t like that here, although the Lancer name doesn’t hurt.” He finished with a grin.

“Oh it would have gone down very well with Harlan that I was the grandson of an inveterate gambler who lost the family fortune to his younger brother in a snail race, of all things!” Murdoch thought for a moment. “The big difference here is that the ‘name’ is a sort of introduction only; what you do with it after that is your own affair. If, as you and Johnny have proved, you’re a fine young man with principles then you’ll be accepted as that.”

“You realize Johnny and I have argued,” Scott said. Both men were riding side by side. Scott’s head was down and he glanced sideways at his father.

“It would be hard to ignore the fact that something has happened,” Murdoch agreed. “And I know he’s desperate to try to make things right.”

“I’m really not sure we can get round this. At least that’s how I felt until last night.”

“And now?” Murdoch prompted. They had reached the spot Johnny had asked Murdoch to meet him but there was no sign of his younger son.

“I suppose I realized how close we were to not being here at all - Johnny especially. Perhaps this is the way things are meant to be.”

“Indeed they are.” The two men turned to face the direction of the sound. There was no doubt about it, this was Johnny’s ‘lady’. Neither man had heard her approach yet there she was .“Iuean has gone ahead. Do you have the courage to follow?”

“Who is ‘Yay-an’?” demanded Murdoch

“Your son and brother - John. He has much pain within him and he has gone to confront the one who forced him to repeat the lies about you.” She looked at Murdoch.

“Maria? But she’s dead! How can Johnny possibly talk to her? ”

“Maria is nothing to do with me,” Scott responded. “Did you know Johnny was going to be here?” He rounded angrily on his father.

“He asked me to bring you. He said you wouldn’t come if you knew….” Murdoch didn’t have time to finish.

She led them towards the water, then turned.

“Welcome to Annwn.” Rhiannon turned slightly. “There is one thing you must remember. Take nothing from this place save your memories. Neither may eat or drink for if you do, you will forever remain here.”

They followed Rhiannon along the path where the grass was considerably shorter than the surrounding land with its many different forms of plants. The greens were so vibrant, their eyes could almost feel them. They emerged from the forest path to a clearing. Tree branches arched over like a cathedral vault and they saw two figures in the middle. Scott recognized his brother and he assumed the lady with him was….

“Maria!” Murdoch shouted.

Johnny and Maria turned in the direction of Murdoch’s voice.

“Guess you two gotta lot ta talk ‘bout,” Johnny said as he released his mother. Every instinct screamed at him to stay with her, never to let go again. His needs had to take a back seat his parents needed time together.

“You took your time,” Johnny whispered to his father as they passed each other.

He saw a tall, blonde lady approach his brother. Scott did take after his mother, Johnny thought, crouching, leaning against a tree for support.

“You’re alone, there are two groups you could join,” Rhiannon commented.

“I been on my own much of my life, so nothing’ new there. I figure mama and Murdoch got things ta sort out and Scott never had a chance ta know his mama so they need time ta sort things out. Looks like I got you though, ma’am,” Johnny drawled.

“You are presumptuous, mortal.” she teasingly scolded.

“If’n I knew what that meant, I might agree with ya.” He said, “I might jus’ ‘gree with ya anyways, ma’am.” He grinned, the light of mischief in his eyes. “Do you know why Murdoch went ta speak ta my mama ‘stead of Scott’s?”

“He can’t see her yet. You said it yourself, Scott and his mother have a lot to talk about.”

“So, ma’am, you gonna tell me why we’re here?”

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Murdoch’s heart stopped when he saw Maria and Johnny. They were kneeling on the grass and Johnny had his arms around his mother. His Maria! He shouted her name and watched the pair turn to look at him. As Murdoch closed on them, Johnny stood up and walked away, taking the time to comment on how long Murdoch had taken getting there, though Murdoch was sure they’d arrived soon after Johnny.

She remained on her knees her head down; a pose so often reflected by her son.

“Maria,” Murdoch said softly.

She looked up at him through long eyelashes, her eyes still red from crying.

“Did yesterday really happen?” Johnny asked as he helped himself to pancakes, ham and eggs. Maria had prepared breakfast before disappearing to help Teresa tidy the yard.

Scott made a big show of looking out of the window at the debris strewn across the yard. “I would say ‘yes’.”

“Ya know what I mean, Scott.”

“Logic says it couldn’t happen, but if it was a hallucination…well, I guess we all shared it which wouldn’t seem logical either.”

“Ya see Murdoch tryin’ ta keep up with the pair of them at the party last night?”

“I thought he was going to have a heart attack,” Scott agreed.

“Maybe they wanted to keep him,” Johnny sniggered.

“Who wanted to keep who?” Murdoch enquired as he slowly poured a cup of coffee.

“That should be ‘whom’ Murdoch,” commented Scott, “and how are you feeling this morning?”

“Think I must have twisted my back on that ride yesterday morning,” Murdoch replied.

Johnny sniggered and was on the receiving end of one of his father’s glares.

“You spent some time talking to Rhiannon; did she give you any idea why we were ‘chosen’?” Scott asked.

“That’s it. Maybe you shoulda talked ta her, Scott, probably woulda understood more’n me.”

“I think she had her reasons.”

“Come on, Johnny, did she say how we represented….well whatever it is we’re supposed to represent?” Murdoch prompted.

“Er, yeh. We represent a part of her story. It’s kinda involved an’ it was long, so I’ll try ta keep it short.

“After seven years the kid turns up, everyone’s happy and Rhiannon was allowed back into the palace.

“She said you, Murdoch, had not one but two sons stolen from ya. Scott, you blame yourself for a death that had nothing’ ta do with ya. Me, well…”

“You were forced to repeat a lie,” Murdoch said softly.

“Somethin’ like that. She wanted ta give us a chance ta confront our pasts an’ get answers.”

“She certainly did as far as I’m concerned,” said Scott.

Murdoch and Johnny nodded in agreement.

“Think she likes it?” Johnny asked.

Murdoch looked at his sons, shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

“Wonder if we’ll see her again?” Scott asked, not really expecting a reply.