The scout, p.29
The Scout, page 29
“You’re alright?” Father asked as he stepped back, giving me a once-over. “You’re unharmed?”
“Thanks to Cian,” I replied.
His face paled and I winced, slightly regretting my words. Spirits only knew how worried he’d been since I’d left. I didn’t need to worry him further.
“What happened?” he asked.
“An arrow to the shoulder,” I answered. “It was minor. Completely healed now.”
“Is it true what they say about Ri Cadfael?” Father asked, lowering his voice as two other stablehands, leading yet more travel-weary horses, walked past us.
“It is,” I replied.
Father cast a sidelong glance toward the other stablehands, waiting until they were out of earshot before speaking again. “I know it is not wise to speak ill of the dead, but Cadfael has reaped what he has sown.”
“I can’t say I disagree with you.”
I did not grieve the Ri of Blaidd, not after he had made my life a living horror, and I doubted I ever would. Of course, even his daughter and his wife do not fully grieve him, I thought, thinking back on Seren and Esyllt’s earlier conversation.
“You must be careful in the wake of all of this,” Father said, his expression grim.
My brow furrowed. “Careful?”
“A hatred like what Cadfael spewed forth does not die with one man. No one was expecting him to die, certainly not in this way. There will be those who wish to continue on like he did, for nothing to change, and plenty more who are afraid of what the future will bring. Fear changes people, even good ones.”
“Cadfael had many loyal to him, yes, but surely they will realize that the clan cannot live in the past. It must move forward.”
“There are plenty within these walls who will want to continue to live in the past, no matter how bloody and tragic it was, simply because it gave them power.”
A quiver settled in my stomach. I wanted to deny his words, but I had spent years with Lorcan. I had seen firsthand what a lust for power could do and I knew there were still many at Castle Clogwyn who, like Cadfael, desired power and control above all else.
“Just be careful, is all,” Father said, clasping me on the shoulder. “Maybe lay low for a bit until all of this passes and Seren is able to get the clan under control.”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid there won’t be any laying low for me.”
“And why is that?” Father raised his brows.
“Seren and I married while we were in Dearg.”
Father’s eyes widened. “I know you love her, but Bran, I… You could be killed with Cadfael’s laws.”
“Seren is going to change things,” I said, holding his gaze. “The moment she becomes Ri, she will get rid of Cadfael’s edicts against shifters. She’s going to make this clan a safe place for us again.”
Father rubbed the back of his neck and I could see the doubt in his eyes. “Grand plans are good and well, Bran, but she may see such things differently when she is faced with the challenges of leading this clan.”
I bristled. I knew Seren. She would stay true to her word.
“She’s not going to change her mind on this. She means it,” I said.
“It’s not her I question.” Father sighed. “I fear it isn’t going to be as simple as her making a few decrees to get this clan to accept shifters again. Not with the terror that Fianna and Cadfael stirred up, and not with the way Cadfael died.”
“Cadfael died because of his own pride,” I said, my jaw tight. “It’s a start. We’re not foolish; we know it won’t be that simple, but neither of us is going to rest until things in Blaidd have changed—for the better. Banrion Esyllt will be behind us as well. We’ll have support.”
“Just… promise me you’ll be careful.”
Even as my frustration at him grew, I could see the fear plainly written in his features. Fear that I understood. He’d already lost me once. That wasn’t a trauma so easily forgotten, for either of us.
“I will,” I told him. “I promise. Have you stopped for the midday meal yet?”
“I did earlier,” he replied, “and they need me here with all these horses to tend to. I’ll find you at dinner tonight.”
I bid him farewell, somewhat reluctantly leaving him so that he could return to his duties. I’d wanted him to show more happiness at the news of my marriage to Seren, but at the same time, I also understood his worries. We’ll manage, I told myself as I stepped out of the stable and walked back across the courtyard to the stable. We’ve faced Fianna, for Spirit’s sake. Surely, we can face this.
Once inside the castle, I made my way to the Great Hall to get something to eat. Like breakfast, the midday meal was an informal affair, with food laid out in the hall for a few hours and the castle inhabitants able to come and eat when it suited them. Seren would be tied up with Sioned and Esyllt for the next few hours, seeing to the details of Cadfael’s funeral pyre, but after that was done, I would rejoin her. We’d both wanted to go ahead and move my things to her chambers. Word was that the council would meet tomorrow regarding the future of the clan and it was at that meeting that we planned to formally announce our marriage.
A few curious, and some unfriendly, looks were thrown my way as I entered the hall and got my food. I offered a pleasant smile here and there, knowing that whether I liked it or not, I would need to convince the people of Clogwyn to trust me if I wanted to be of any help to Seren. Once I’d filled my plate and gotten a mug of ale, I took a seat at a far table, near one of the tall, narrow windows that looked out onto the castle gardens. I was halfway through my meal when I spied Mair threading her way through the tables toward me. She looked a bit harried and a slight feeling of unease settled over me as she slipped into the seat across from me.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” she said, glancing over her shoulder before looking back at me, keeping her voice low. “Cian wanted me to pass this on to Seren, but she’s apparently not to be disturbed right now and I have to get back to the infirmary soon.”
“I’ll make sure she hears it,” I replied, tilting my chin in a motion for her to continue.
Mair took a deep breath, briefly glancing around us once more. “Ithel takes treatments for an illness he has with his skin. He was due another batch today and I told Cian I’d take it to him.”
My food felt rock hard in my stomach at the mention of the advisor. Ithel had been one of Cadfael’s staunchest allies and one of Seren’s greatest detractors.
“Go on,” I said.
“I heard yelling when I reached the door. Him and what sounded like Laoise. They were talking about Fianna and the role it played in Cadfael’s death, along with its ties to the shifters. And then Ithel started ranting about Seren being an unacceptable choice as Ri, that she would undo everything Cadfael had ever worked for, and that he would never allow her to take the title. And it sounded like Laoise agreed with him.”
Ithel wasn’t wrong, Seren would undo everything Cadfael had done, but that was what the clan needed. Though we’d all known the council was unlikely to easily accept Seren as Ri, my chest had still tightened as I listened to Mair’s story. Were they already plotting against her?
“That can’t be.” I shook my head. “Laoise knew the danger Cadfael posed. That’s why she was helping us. She’s been Seren’s ally; why would she suddenly change her mind now?”
“I don’t know, and I’ll admit, I didn’t hear it all clearly, but Ithel wouldn’t let me inside and when I passed him his treatment at the door, I saw Laoise in there with him. I don’t know if they’re actually up to anything or not, but Cian felt that Seren should know.”
“I’ll be certain to tell her,” I said. “Thank you.”
“I have to get back to the infirmary,” Mair said as she got to her feet, “but for what it’s worth, I think Seren is exactly who this clan needs.”
Even with her vocal support, my unease remained as she walked off. As Banrion, Esyllt could make it harder for the council to work against Seren, but there would still be plenty of opportunity for Ithel and others like him to plot and scheme. As much as I’d distrusted Laoise initially, I found it hard to believe she would betray us after all she’d done to aid us in opposing Cadfael.
I grimaced at the thought, Father’s warnings ringing in my ears and leaving me without much of an appetite. Seren and I had known this wouldn’t be easy, but I had thought that for certain, after the truth of what had happened in Ioliare came to light, the people would have to recognize the pivotal role Seren had played in saving the clan. They would have to see her as the best choice for Blaidd’s future. Now, I worried we might have more of a fight on our hands than either of us had anticipated.
Chapter 45
Led Astray
Alannah
Almost a week had passed since my near drowning, and I had made no move to leave Aengus’ home in Beag. Neither had he even once indicated that he did not wish me to stay. I had told him the first night what had become of Lorcan and I had concocted a half-truth as to how I had not met a similar fate, telling him that I had managed to get away from the battle after Dara had turned on me and tried to kill me. We had not spoken of it since. Those memories weren’t ones I wanted to revisit and Aengus had been kind enough not to press me.
The two of us had settled into an oddly comfortable sort of rhythm. The first few days, he had kept me confined to the bed in his spare room, insisting my body needed time to heal from the cuts and scrapes I picked up during my brush with death in the river, along with my slight hypothermia. Once he’d deemed me healed enough, I’d begun taking over simple tasks for him while he was off seeing to his patients: tending to his horse and his small flock of chickens, along with fixing our meals.
I suspected the novelty of domestic life with Aengus would wear off soon, but thus far, I had heard nothing from Fianna, and I wasn’t so unwise as to try and make my next move without it. I carefully stirred the pot of stew I had cooking over the hearth, glancing over my shoulder at the common room. Aengus had spent a better part of the day tending to a sick woman in the village and had told me he expected to be home late. Night had since fallen and I hoped he’d return soon. If he didn’t, I’d be eating without him and setting his dinner aside. There was no sense in letting the food grow cold.
It hadn’t taken me long to realize the oddity of the hours Aengus kept. I’d wondered how much it had to grate on him, being at everyone’s beck and call, expected to tend to their every whim, but he’d brushed the question off when I’d asked. I’d just removed the stew from the hearth, the meat and vegetables inside now fully cooked, when I heard the door open. I couldn’t hide my smile as I ladled up bowls for the two of us. Aengus’ days, and the occasional night, were for those who demanded his healing abilities, but everything else was for me. He hadn’t ventured into my bed yet, but we’d had our fair share of kisses and touches in the darkness of night.
“That smells excellent,” Aengus said as he came up behind me, slipping his arms around my waist.
I smiled, leaning into him and pressing my back up against his broad chest. “I bartered with Trefor this afternoon, a few eggs for some of his summer squash. Hopefully it will add a bit of flavor.”
“I’m sure it will be wonderful.” He kissed the top of my head before backing away and picking up the two bowls.
He took them into the common room, the two of us taking a seat beside one another at the small table. The candles I’d lit earlier brightened the space, despite the darkness that had descended, and a comfortable silence fell between us as we ate. We’d grown accustomed to one another surprisingly quickly. To me, it was another sign that we were meant for one another.
“I heard that news has come from the south,” he said when we were halfway through our meal.
“Oh?” I asked, tilting my head as I looked over at him.
“It seems Seren does intend to take the place of Ri.”
I stiffened, fighting to keep the scowl off my face. This was not how this was supposed to go. Aengus was supposed to be Ri, not Cadfael’s wretched daughter, and I was supposed to be his Banrion.
Patience, Fianna hissed, the scar on the inside of my wrist tingling with a short, sharp pain. Seren will not steal what is meant to be his, but her demise is one that must be carefully orchestrated.
I bit down hard on my lower lip to hide my wince, rubbing my stinging wrist against my thigh under the table. I hadn’t been able to hide the mark from Aengus, and I could tell he was curious about it, but I didn’t want to draw any more attention to it than necessary. Not yet.
“Of course, it’s not decided yet.” Aengus lightly shrugged one shoulder. “Seems the council has to weigh in on the matter before it’s all said and done.”
Some of the tension in my shoulders eased. All my months of spying at Clogwyn for Lorcan had shown me that Seren had no real allies within the castle walls.
“Hopefully the matter will be settled soon,” I said, focusing on my stew as I tried to school my features. “Spirits know the clan needs stability.”
Aengus nodded, making a noise of agreement before focusing once more on his meal. Silence fell between us again and soon we finished our food. Aengus gathered the bowls to take them back to the kitchen, but he froze when a scratching noise came at the door. I furrowed my brow, the scratching coming a second time, followed by an eldritch hiss I knew all too well.
I leapt to my feet before Aengus could react, hurrying over to the door as if I were pulled by some sort of invisible string. I knew the creature that was outside, and I was drawn to it. Aengus shouted my name, racing up behind me, but I’d already flung open the door and stepped out into the night. There, at the bottom step, a shadow creature paced, barely visible in the darkness save for its glowing ember eyes. The creature whipped its head around, stopping its pacing the moment it saw me.
“Alannah!” Aengus grabbed me by the arm, moving to push me behind him, but I threw him off.
“It won’t hurt me,” I told him.
“Do you know what in the blazes that is?” he said, his eyes wide as he shook his head in disbelief.
“I know exactly what it is and I’m telling you, it won’t hurt me.”
He reached for me again but I easily evaded him, descending the steps to the creature. It stalked over to me, letting out a strange purring noise as it rubbed against my legs, little puffs of smoke coming from its nostrils.
They will answer to you now. I felt a rush of Fianna’s power as the Spirit whispered into my thoughts. I will teach you to control them and they will learn to obey you.
The creature let out another eerie purr, its eyes flashing with flickering flames as it looked up at me. I stroked the top of its head, my hand growing hot, as if I could physically feel the otherworldly connection between me and it.
“Alannah.” Aengus’ voice was wary as he spoke, still staring down at me from the safety of the top step.
Fionn’s bastard is ready to know the truth, Fianna said. Convince him of what must be done. The creatures will not be far. All you need do is call them.
The creature nudged my legs with an odd sort of affection before loping off into the night. I watched it until it disappeared into the forest behind Aengus’ home. A strange thrill coursing through me, I turned my attention back to Aengus. I could see the paleness of his features in the light of the moon, his expression somewhere between admiration and horror.
“Come inside,” he said, shakily motioning for me to do so. “Before someone sees.”
I cast one last look at the shadowy forest before doing as he bade. He wasn’t unwise to not want to linger. The people of Beag would hardly know what to make of one of Fianna’s creatures being here. I walked back into the common room and took a seat in the closest chair, Aengus trailing behind me. He jerkily ran a hand through his hair, swallowing hard as he came to a stop a few feet away. He didn’t take a seat, instead staring me down with haunted eyes.
“How did you… what just happened?” he asked, his voice slightly strangled.
“I am connected to them,” I answered, relaxing in my seat in a languid manner. He needed my confidence right now. He needed to know there was nothing to fear. “Fianna has seen the plight of the people of Blaidd. It has seen how the Wolf Spirit has failed them. It knows it is time for a new era.”
Aengus averted his gaze, working his jaw as the Stag Spirit’s intoxicating darkness filled the room. It was here; I could feel it, like a lover’s caress brushing against the back of my neck.
“Blaidd will have its new era,” Aengus finally said, still not meeting my gaze. “Cadfael is dead. Seren is the next Ri.”
“Seren is Cadfael’s own blood.” I couldn’t hold back a scoff. “Surely you do not expect her to end what he began?”
“She is different than he is.”
“She is weaker, that is for certain.”
Aengus stiffly shook his head. “I have met her. She is not her father. The people of Blaidd have suffered, but I do not see that for their future.”
“You hold her in such high esteem,” I said, disdain tinging my voice. “But she will be no different than her father in the end.”
“Neither of us knows that.” He finally looked at me, holding my gaze. “And even if she isn’t, Fianna is no being to be trusted. Look at Lorcan’s fate.”
“Lorcan brought his fate upon himself.” My spine stiffened and one of my hands curled into a fist. “I would not be here without Fianna. I would be dead on a battlefield. For I assure you, if Fianna had not spirited me away and Seren had found me instead, she would have taken no mercy on me.”
His eyes widened and he swallowed hard. I had told him nothing of Fianna saving me, but he needed to know that truth; he needed to know that Fianna was not what he had been taught to fear.
“Alannah,” he said, softening his tone, “don’t you want something different? Different than the life you had with Lorcan? Has it been so bad these last few days?”
