The scout, p.18
The Scout, page 18
“At one time, it was more than just a bow,” I said, lifting my chin. “It defeated Fianna before, along with Cigfran and Pysgod. It could do so again.”
“You come to me with nothing more than stories of years long gone. I do not have time to waste on such foolishness.”
“It is not foolishness,” I said, my nostrils flaring. “It is an outrage for you to even speak of it as such.”
“It is an outrage for you to think this conflict will be solved by an ancient relic!” He shook his head with disgust before swiftly walking off once more.
“I saw death!” I hurried after him, not willing to let it go. “I saw your warriors perish. I saw Bran die. How many more lives must be lost?”
Father let out a bitter laugh, curling his lip. “I should have known this was about your regrettable choice of a lover.”
“This is about more than just him,” I said through gritted teeth. “It is about this very clan and all of those who call it home. If Fianna controls Blaidd, there will be nothing left. How can you stand here and pretend to not see what is right in front of you? Find a way to use the bow, send the full strength of your warriors north to crush Lorcan and Fianna once and for all. You are supposed to care for this clan! Why won’t you?”
“My caring for this clan cost me my son!” Father came to an abrupt stop, jabbing a finger at my chest. “You know nothing of sacrificing for Blaidd. Do not make such accusations when I have made the greatest sacrifice anyone should ever be forced to make. Fianna is none of your concern. The sooner you accept that, the better.”
He turned, striding up the staircase and leaving me standing at the foot of it. He had never been more wrong. Fianna was my concern. Because of the blood that ran through my veins, it had always been my concern, but it was even more so now, after the vow I had made to the Wolf Spirit.
There would clearly be no reasoning with him, but I would not ignore what I had been shown. I would not lose our clan or the man I loved because of Father’s blind arrogance. If defying him once again was my only option, so be it.
Chapter 27
Schemes and Relics
Seren
I didn’t sleep that night. Nor did I spend the long dark hours of night in my bed. Instead, I had retreated to the anteroom in my chamber, seeking the guidance of the Spirits, but as dawn broke over the Dail, I had little to show for my efforts other than what I had already been warned of. A heavy weariness engulfed me after my long night and I could see sunlight peeking through the drawn curtains.
Again and again, I had seen what I had been shown at dinner the night before. Again and again, I had seen Rhonwen’s bow. And yet nothing I’d seen was certain. Sometimes the warriors appeared and sometimes they did not. Sometimes I was able to loose an arrow at the shadow creature before it devoured me; other times I wasn’t. Sometimes Bran died and sometimes he was spared. The only things that had not changed had been Fianna and the presence of Rhonwen’s bow.
There was a quiver in my stomach as I slowly got up off the floor. The brazier was still going strongly, filling the room with the scent of pungent herbs. I walked over to the table and put it out. I could feel the slight shake in my hands as I worked, a silent reminder that I had pushed my body close to its limits.
I knew I had to act, but I had hoped for some sort of direction, some hint as to what exactly I was supposed to do. Shaking my head, I stepped out of the antechamber. Just give me something, I thought, not even truly expecting an answer after a night of uncertainty, but then I felt it. A cool, gentle breeze brushing the back of my neck. I froze with my hands still on the door, my breath catching.
North, the Wolf Spirit whispered. The bow must go north.
I blew out a shaky breath as its presence vanished. North it was then. As I stepped back into my common room, Awyr and Cryfder both lifted their heads, the two of them sprawled out on the stone floor, soaking in a ray of early morning sun. They got up at the sight of me, trotting over to greet me. I rubbed the tops of both of their heads, my stomach growling. It would be time for breakfast in the Great Hall soon, but I had reason to linger in my own chambers for a while longer.
I had sent word to Cian last night, asking him to meet me in my chambers this morning before the morning meal. If anyone would be willing to aid me discreetly, it would be him, especially with the absence of Emer, Lewella, and Bran. I dressed and readied for the day, the familiar routine offering some distraction for my anxious feelings. I had just walked back out into the common room when I heard a knock at the door. Cryfder and Awyr both tensed, their ears pricking toward the noise, and they stayed right at my heels as I walked over to answer.
Cian stood on the other side, but when I caught a glimpse of the figure standing behind him, I sucked in a sharp breath. I certainly hadn’t expected Domhnall. I shot Cian a questioning look, my grip on the door tightening. I had specifically asked him to come alone.
“Domhnall wished to speak with you as well,” Cian said, clearing his throat before lowering his voice. “And after speaking with him, I believe he could be of help.”
I hesitated, worrying my lower lip, but after a moment, I stepped back to allow them in. I had trusted Domhnall before, and he had proven that my trust was not misguided multiple times over the last few weeks. I could trust him now. The three of us sat in the chairs near my hearth, Awyr and Cryfder coming to lie at my feet.
“You said you have seen death?” Cian asked.
“I have seen many things,” I answered as I rubbed my forehead, the slight remnant of a headache lingering after a long night of separating my soul from my body. “I fear that Drystan and those with him might be in considerable danger.”
“Your father knows this?” Domhnall said.
“Yes, and he has made it clear he would rather continue to play ignorant and do nothing,” I replied, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.
“A council could be called if you see this as a big enough threat,” he offered.
“There isn’t time for that. And… there is more.”
Domhnall raised his brows while Cian studied me thoughtfully. I took in another deep breath before continuing. I trusted Cian’s connection with the Spirits enough that I didn’t think he would scoff at me outright, but Domhnall was another matter entirely.
“I believe Rhonwen’s bow has the power to play a role in defeating Fianna,” I said. “Not only do I feel that Drystan needs to know of these growing threats, but I feel that the bow needs to be delivered to him as well.”
“I know the stories, but…” Cian rubbed the back of his neck. “No one has even touched that bow in a hundred years. The power it once had is long gone.”
“I know,” I replied, “but I also know what I’ve seen.”
“I don’t mean to speak any disrespect toward the Spirits, but… it’s just a bow.” Domhnall shook his head. “There are many old relics from when the island was created, but their power has all faded.”
My jaw tightened. So much for hoping they wouldn’t doubt me. I knew how it sounded, but I also knew what I had seen. I knew what I had been told. Rhonwen’s bow had a role to play in all of this, whether anyone else could see it or not.
“I’m taking the bow north, one way or another. Just as I am going to warn Drystan of what I have seen,” I said, lifting my chin. “You can either help me or not.”
“How are you planning on even getting a hold of it?” Cian asked. “I don’t think Uncle is going to just let you just walk off with it.”
“He won’t,” I answered. “Which is why I’ll be taking it without him knowing.”
“You’re planning to steal it?” Domhnall jerked his head back.
“That bow belongs to the clan, not to my father.” Even as I said the words, I felt a slight quiver in my belly. What I’d said was true, but I doubted Father was going to see it that way.
Cian massaged his temples, grimacing before dropping his chin. “You’re deadly serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
He heaved a heavy sigh before looking back up at me. “Then I guess I’m going to be helping you break into Uncle’s study.”
We both looked at Domhnall, who pursed his lips before letting out a long, low breath. “I suppose count me in as well. Fianna has to be stopped, through whatever means necessary, and…” He hesitated, holding my gaze as he continued. “I made Bran a promise that I would look out for you and aid you while he was away from this place. And I don’t make such promises lightly.”
I blinked rapidly, my brow wrinkling at the unexpected mention of Bran. The two of them had always struggled with even being civil to one another, but perhaps they’d found a way to move beyond that and Domhnall had put aside some of his prejudice.
“We’ll have to wait until nightfall to break into the study,” I said. “After midnight. We can make everyone think we’ve gone to bed and then meet there. The castle will be asleep. We can get our hands on the bow and hopefully slip out before anyone realizes we, and it, are missing.”
“Your father has resumed warriors standing guard outside his study since Fianna’s return,” Domhnall said. “Not to mention the warriors standing guard at the gates.”
“Leave them to me,” Cian said.
“You?” Domhnall’s brows shot up and he looked over at Cian with disbelief.
“Just because I’m not a warrior doesn’t mean I don’t have my own ways of disabling someone,” Cian replied.
Domhnall looked between the two of us. “Truly, sometimes your family frightens me with the lengths you’re all willing to go to.”
“I’m not going to kill anyone,” Cian said with a wave of his hand. “And Seren is right, she’s not taking something that belongs solely to Uncle Cadfael.”
As we made our plans, I tried to ignore the unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Father would be furious if we were discovered. I knew that we could trust Gruffudd to help us slip in and out of the stables without notice, and Cian expressed that with a little help from Mair, who he also felt was trustworthy enough to let in on our plans, he could come up with supplies for our journey.
Once our plotting was complete, the three of us left my chambers with the wolves in tow, heading to the Great Hall to partake in the morning meal. We would go about our days as normally as possible and hopefully Father and the rest of the castle would be none the wiser until we were well on our way from here.
Cian kept up small talk as we walked, but my thoughts were consumed with what lay ahead. I had clearly heard the Wolf Spirit tell me that the bow must go north, but what then? You’ll figure it out, I told myself. I had to. Fianna would not rest until it controlled every inch of Blaidd and I could not let that happen. When we reached the hall, Cian stepped through the double doors first, but Domhnall placed a hand on my arm, gently tugging me to a stop. I turned toward him with a questioning look.
“There is one thing I want you to know,” he said, his voice soft as he held my gaze. “No matter what happens, I would protect you with my life.”
There was something in his voice, in his eyes, a longing that momentarily threw me. I knew at one point he had harbored deeper feelings for me than mere friendship, but since I had made my affections for Bran clear, I was almost ashamed to admit that I hadn’t thought of such things. The look in his eyes, however, left me wondering if Domhnall had so easily put those feelings aside. Did he still care about me in that way? He knows how I feel about Bran, I reminded myself.
“I thank you for that,” I said.
He took my hand in his, giving it a squeeze before offering me a respectful nod. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I remained where I was for a moment, watching him walk into the hall and make his way over to Laoise before squaring my shoulders and stepping into the hall, myself. I shoved aside any uncertain thoughts of where Domhnall and I stood. In this moment, my focus needed to be on my people. I would not fail them.
Despite knowing that I was doing what had to be done, my heart still pounded and my palms were sweaty as I rounded the corner of the hallway that led to the Ri’s study. Stealing away from the castle in the dead of night was inviting its own trouble, I knew that from experience, but this time, I was going a step farther. I was stealing Rhonwen’s bow. Whether or not it belonged to the clan and not Father wouldn’t matter to him. My thievery would be yet another betrayal to add to the long list he kept tallied.
The people need this. Blaidd needs this, I reminded myself, shaking off my disturbing thoughts as I drew nearer to the study. The hallway itself was dark, only a few torches lit here and there since it was well past midnight and the rest of the castle was asleep in their beds. Thankfully, I knew the castle well enough to navigate with ease in the dark. The small pack that was slung across my back was light enough that it didn’t make any extra noise, but I still moved cautiously. The last thing I needed was to be discovered.
As I approached the study door, I saw three shadowy figures. Two of them were slumped on the ground, leaning up against the wall. Cian hovered over them. I let out a quiet sigh of relief when I reached him. His plans for sedating the guards had gone off without issue. He was taking the pulse of one of the warriors and while the man’s head was lolled to the side, his chest rose and fell with a steady, even rhythm.
“They’re going to have a splitting headache in a few hours,” Cian said quietly, dropping the man’s wrist and straightening. “But other than that, they should be no worse for the wear.”
“Have you seen—”
I didn’t get to finish the question, cut off by a loudly whispered curse in Old Pernish. I whirled around to see that Domhnall had crept up on us, his eyes wide as he looked down at the unconscious warriors.
“By the Spirits,” Domhnall said. “I hope you didn’t kill them.”
“They’re fine,” Cian replied. “The key?”
“Here.” Domhnall pulled it from his pocket and Cian and I stepped back to give him access to the door.
Because of his position as advisor, Domhnall had been the one with the easiest access to the key to the study. He opened the door and ushered Cian and me inside ahead of him. The room itself was eerily empty, only the faint light of the moon shining in through the windows and allowing us to see.
The bow was mounted on the wall over the stone hearth. I made my way over to it, my pulse racing. We didn’t have much time to do this and we couldn’t afford any mistakes. Cian and Domhnall were right behind me and when we reached the bow, I turned to my cousin.
“You’re the tallest,” I said. “I’ll get a chair.”
“I’ve got it,” Domhnall said, holding up a hand.
He strode over to the table at the room’s center, picking up one of the wooden chairs and carrying it back over to place in front of the hearth. Cian climbed up onto it, but even with his height and the added boost from the chair, he still struggled to get leverage on the bow. It was no small weapon and as Cian tried to lift it up off the wall, it thumped loudly against the stone. I held my breath as the noise reverberated through the empty room and Domhnall let out another curse under his breath.
“I could lose my place on the council for this,” he muttered with a huff.
I cast him a sharp look. “Your place on the council won’t matter if this clan is under Fianna’s control.”
“Seren,” Cian said, “grab me a few books. I just need a little more height.”
I left Domhnall to help Cian off the chair while I hurried over to one of the shelves carved into the stone walls. Grabbing the largest of the leather-bound volumes that I could find, I raced back over to Cian and Domhnall. We stacked them up on the chair but I bit my lip when we finished. It wasn’t going to be the sturdiest of perches for Cian to balance on.
“We’ll try and steady you,” I said, motioning for Domhnall to go to Cian’s other side.
Between the two of us, we helped Cian as he climbed back onto the chair. The tension in my muscles mounted as Cian once again grappled with the bow, but soon, the weapon came free. Cian scrambled back down and passed me the bow. As I took it in my hands, my fingers running over the ancient carvings etched into the wood, an odd sensation jolted through me. I blinked rapidly as I looked down at it, remembering the day I could have sworn I heard it speak. Had the power that had disappeared in the wake of Rhonwen’s death truly returned to it?
“Let’s get out of here,” Cian said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“And what about all of this?” Domhnall said, gesturing to the chair and the haphazard stack of books.
“It won’t matter so long as we’re away from here before the break of first light,” I said, striding toward the door.
Cian and Domhnall followed behind me and we once again stepped out into the hallway. I released a long breath, trying to quell the quiver in my stomach as we passed the still unconscious warriors. Domhnall paused and shoved the key into the pocket of one of the warriors and I felt a twinge of guilt over the blame the man would take. Remember what’s at stake here, I told myself as we took off into a jog.
The castle remained dead quiet as we darted down the hallways, but my chest was still tight and my mouth was dry. When we eventually burst through one of the servant’s doors and out into the back courtyard, I felt like I could finally draw a deep breath. We were one step closer to our goal.
We continued on at a jog to the stables. The horses were turned out for the night in the small paddocks, which made it easier for us to access them without drawing too much attention. Domhnall and Cian left me to fetch our mounts while the two of them went to sneak into the tack room and gather our tack and the rest of our gear. Gruffudd had promised to make certain it would all be in a place that would be easy to get to without being seen.
