Blade of Fortriu (13 page)
Authors: Juliet Marillier
“It’s all right,” Faolan said, and she felt his hand come up to stroke her hair. He spoke again, but it was Gaelic and her limited knowledge of the tongue meant she understood only a word here and there. Perhaps
he was telling a tale; the soft, rhythmic flow of it soothed her even as it made her tears run faster. In time, there seemed to be no more tears in her, and she lay still, the warmth of his touch, the lilt of his voice a ward against the uncertainties of the night and of the morning to come.
he was telling a tale; the soft, rhythmic flow of it soothed her even as it made her tears run faster. In time, there seemed to be no more tears in her, and she lay still, the warmth of his touch, the lilt of his voice a ward against the uncertainties of the night and of the morning to come.
Still later, when perhaps he thought her asleep, he sang a snatch of the same tune she had heard from
his lips as they crossed that other river, the song about a traveler and his Otherworld sweetheart. Ana had heard the best of bards in her home, at the king’s court of the Light Isles. She had listened to the offerings of accomplished musicians in Bridei’s household at White Hill. But never in her life had she heard a voice like this, so sweet and so full of sorrow. It did not matter that she could
not understand most of the words. She knew he sang of hopes dashed, youthful ideals quenched, the bonds of love cruelly severed. And yet, his song was a beguiling thing, like a tune from beyond the margin, calling her into a different world. The clear, sad sound of it wrapped her like a soft cloak, and she fell into sleep.
his lips as they crossed that other river, the song about a traveler and his Otherworld sweetheart. Ana had heard the best of bards in her home, at the king’s court of the Light Isles. She had listened to the offerings of accomplished musicians in Bridei’s household at White Hill. But never in her life had she heard a voice like this, so sweet and so full of sorrow. It did not matter that she could
not understand most of the words. She knew he sang of hopes dashed, youthful ideals quenched, the bonds of love cruelly severed. And yet, his song was a beguiling thing, like a tune from beyond the margin, calling her into a different world. The clear, sad sound of it wrapped her like a soft cloak, and she fell into sleep.
“
K
ING BRIDEI MUST think me a fool,” observed Alpin of Briar Wood, leaning his florid cheek on one hand as he stared into his ale cup.”Doesn’t the manner of his offer arouse your curiosity as to the reason for such haste?”
K
ING BRIDEI MUST think me a fool,” observed Alpin of Briar Wood, leaning his florid cheek on one hand as he stared into his ale cup.”Doesn’t the manner of his offer arouse your curiosity as to the reason for such haste?”
His companion pursed his lips and frowned. “There’s no doubt this is in response to some information that’s come his way,” Odhar said. “Word from Dalriada, most
likely. I wonder who’s been talking? I had not thought any man privy to our negotiations save ourselves and the lords of the Uí Néill. Can there be a Priteni eye in the heart of Dunadd? Is King Bridei a mage, that he ferrets out secrets where no other can penetrate?”
likely. I wonder who’s been talking? I had not thought any man privy to our negotiations save ourselves and the lords of the Uí Néill. Can there be a Priteni eye in the heart of Dunadd? Is King Bridei a mage, that he ferrets out secrets where no other can penetrate?”
“The tale is that he was raised by a mage,” Alpin said heavily. “Fellow called Broichan; powerful and devious. That suggests there’s
more to this than meets the eye. Is it possible they plan to move early? Perhaps before next spring’s thaw?”
more to this than meets the eye. Is it possible they plan to move early? Perhaps before next spring’s thaw?”
“Or still earlier,” suggested Odhar, a thin man in the tattered clothes of a wayfarer. He was the kind of person nobody looks at twice. It was a semblance he had worked hard to achieve.
Alpin’s dark brows rose in disbelief. “Before the winter? Surely not. Fortriu has a council planned
for Gathering, so I’ve heard. They’re expecting the king of Circinn himself. What purpose can there be in such a grand meeting, save to plan for a concerted assault on Gabhran in the west? Bridei can hardly be planning that for autumn if Drust the Boar isn’t to be consulted until harvesttime.”
for Gathering, so I’ve heard. They’re expecting the king of Circinn himself. What purpose can there be in such a grand meeting, save to plan for a concerted assault on Gabhran in the west? Bridei can hardly be planning that for autumn if Drust the Boar isn’t to be consulted until harvesttime.”
Odhar gave a nod. He was drinking little; he had a long road ahead of him. “You speak sense, Alpin.
Still, you must consider that this may be a deliberate attempt to lead you astray. A ploy devised by Bridei’s coterie of advisers: druids, mages, and wise women, the lot of them. They make difficult enemies. The fellow even took a woman of the Good Folk for his wife. What kind of king does that? It sounds like the action of a young fool.”
Still, you must consider that this may be a deliberate attempt to lead you astray. A ploy devised by Bridei’s coterie of advisers: druids, mages, and wise women, the lot of them. They make difficult enemies. The fellow even took a woman of the Good Folk for his wife. What kind of king does that? It sounds like the action of a young fool.”
“But?”
“You know what’s being whispered. That this new
king has awoken something in Fortriu, something old and dangerous. That his people are flocking to his banner. That he may be the one to do what no king of the Priteni has managed to do thus far: drive the men of Dalriada back across the sea to where they came from.”
king has awoken something in Fortriu, something old and dangerous. That his people are flocking to his banner. That he may be the one to do what no king of the Priteni has managed to do thus far: drive the men of Dalriada back across the sea to where they came from.”
“And he offers me a bride, just like that. Holds out a choice morsel to tempt me away from the alliance with Gabhran. Eighteen
years of age and a rare beauty, that’s what the message said. Gross exaggeration, no doubt. If she’s a rare beauty, why hasn’t she been wed these six years or more?”
years of age and a rare beauty, that’s what the message said. Gross exaggeration, no doubt. If she’s a rare beauty, why hasn’t she been wed these six years or more?”
“You will refuse, of course,” Odhar said, making it not quite a question. “Send her back forthwith.”
Alpin’s fleshy lips curved in a smile. “Not necessarily,” he said. “I’ll look her over first. After all, I am unwed, without legitimate
heirs, and if the message is accurate this girl has an impeccable bloodline, no less than the royal line of Fortriu. I may decide to keep Bridei’s generous gift.”
heirs, and if the message is accurate this girl has an impeccable bloodline, no less than the royal line of Fortriu. I may decide to keep Bridei’s generous gift.”
“But—” Odhar began, then thought better of speaking.
“Don’t leap to conclusions, my fine Gaelic friend,” Alpin said. “I am a subtler man than this boy-king. If I play this right, I will achieve my goal and acquire, into the bargain,
the right to father a future king of the Priteni. If I like the look of this girl, I’ll try her out and see if she breeds boys. Should she not please me I’ll dispatch her home with a message to Bridei to mind his own business. I don’t see how I can lose. Once I’ve bedded the girl, Bridei can hardly ask for her back when he decides he doesn’t care for some new friend I may make.”
the right to father a future king of the Priteni. If I like the look of this girl, I’ll try her out and see if she breeds boys. Should she not please me I’ll dispatch her home with a message to Bridei to mind his own business. I don’t see how I can lose. Once I’ve bedded the girl, Bridei can hardly ask for her back when he decides he doesn’t care for some new friend I may make.”
“Does his letter
state a requirement in relation to Dalriada? Is the offer contingent on your keeping out of the conflict entirely?”
state a requirement in relation to Dalriada? Is the offer contingent on your keeping out of the conflict entirely?”
“It was implied rather than specifically laid out. If Bridei had not dispatched this bride already—”
A sharp rapping at a small, inner door made both men start. Their conversation had been private, with a guard posted outside the chamber where they sat over their ale. Odhar’s visits
to Briar Wood took place covertly; few in the household had ever seen his face.
to Briar Wood took place covertly; few in the household had ever seen his face.
“I’m not to be disturbed,” growled Alpin.
The knock came again.
“I said, no interruptions!” Alpin rose to his feet, a formidable bear of a man, his fine head of hair and luxuriant beard adding to the semblance. He fished a key from his pouch, strode across to unlock the little door at the rear of the chamber, and
opened it a chink. Behind him, Odhar drew his hood forward to conceal his features. “Make this good!” Alpin snapped. “I’m in council.”
opened it a chink. Behind him, Odhar drew his hood forward to conceal his features. “Make this good!” Alpin snapped. “I’m in council.”
“I regret the interruption, my lord.” The man who stood outside was short, bald, and possessed of broad shoulders and a barrel chest. He wore a long dark robe, slit at the sides to reveal loose trousers, and carried a staff. “Your brother wishes to see you. He
says it’s urgent.”
says it’s urgent.”
“My brother can wait,” said Alpin, glancing over his shoulder at his visitor. “You know not to come and seek me out at his every whim, Deord. I’ll see him after supper as I always do. It can wait.”
Deord gazed up at him. He was a man whose relaxed grace of posture and calmness of eye made him seem far taller than he was. “He says it cannot, my lord. I would not have disturbed
you otherwise. He’s seen something he says requires immediate—”
you otherwise. He’s seen something he says requires immediate—”
“Didn’t you hear me? Later!”
“Travelers,” Deord said quietly as the door began to close in his face. “A man and a fair-haired girl of unusual beauty. Their escort was set upon by the Blues at Breaking Ford.”
The door stopped moving. “And?” queried Alpin.
“Drustan can tell you,” said Deord. “It was not I who saw this. They’re in
trouble.”
trouble.”
Alpin cursed under his breath. Deord waited, silent and still. “Tell my brother I’ll be there shortly,” the chieftain growled.
Deord bowed and moved away. The door closed.
“Confounded servants,” Alpin said. “I must leave you, I’m afraid. Are we done here?”
“Whether we are done or no, I must be gone,” said Odhar. “I want to be on the way south before nightfall. Your message, then,
is unchanged? This offer from Bridei makes no difference to your decision?”
is unchanged? This offer from Bridei makes no difference to your decision?”
Alpin smiled. His eyes were cold. “None at all, save that I will consider making my men available somewhat earlier than I intended. The fleet will be ready; they’ll work on the boats over summer. I expect there will be more information to be had before long. Indeed, its sources may be closer to home than I ever imagined.”
“I don’t suppose we will meet again soon,” Odhar said, rising to his feet. “My sphere of influence is not the battlefield.”
“Who knows?” Alpin’s tone was light. “Farewell. Safe journey.”
His guest dismissed, the chieftain of Briar Wood made his way in long, impatient strides to the distant part of the fortress where his brother Drustan was housed. It was a lengthy walk through outhouses and
narrow ways, all behind the locked entrance that opened from his own private chamber. Nobody was going to find Drustan’s quarters by chance. The final approach led Alpin down a deep path between high stone walls that were pierced by chinks of windows. Through each of these could be seen a glimpse of the world outside: a sliver of dappled green, a dark swathe of needled pines, a flash of water under
the spring sun. Above the walls, Briar Wood’s tall elms presented their crowns to a pale sky. Birds passed over, crying. The sound of them made Alpin’s flesh crawl. He hated coming here. It filled him with memories. His hands began to tremble, and he clenched them into fists. If only he could do it; if only he could put an end to this. Move on, start anew. A wife. A beautiful young wife. That would
be a powerful tool for change. But not with his brother hanging around his neck. Not with Drustan immured here, forever dragging him down. Why was he thus cursed? What had he ever done to anger the gods so?
narrow ways, all behind the locked entrance that opened from his own private chamber. Nobody was going to find Drustan’s quarters by chance. The final approach led Alpin down a deep path between high stone walls that were pierced by chinks of windows. Through each of these could be seen a glimpse of the world outside: a sliver of dappled green, a dark swathe of needled pines, a flash of water under
the spring sun. Above the walls, Briar Wood’s tall elms presented their crowns to a pale sky. Birds passed over, crying. The sound of them made Alpin’s flesh crawl. He hated coming here. It filled him with memories. His hands began to tremble, and he clenched them into fists. If only he could do it; if only he could put an end to this. Move on, start anew. A wife. A beautiful young wife. That would
be a powerful tool for change. But not with his brother hanging around his neck. Not with Drustan immured here, forever dragging him down. Why was he thus cursed? What had he ever done to anger the gods so?
The walls curved around, carrying the path between them, and the iron gate came into view, the chained and bolted gate that led to the place where Drustan lived with his keeper. Alpin thought
he had done well for his brother, all things considered. The indoor quarters were clean, private, and of reasonable size. Outdoors there was a patch of grass, a bench, a small pond. This area was securely walled, of course, and roofed with iron grillwork. That made the little garden dim. Drustan would never again see the Shining One in her perfect fullness, save quartered by the bars of this open
cell. And just as well. At full moon he was at his most unreliable.
he had done well for his brother, all things considered. The indoor quarters were clean, private, and of reasonable size. Outdoors there was a patch of grass, a bench, a small pond. This area was securely walled, of course, and roofed with iron grillwork. That made the little garden dim. Drustan would never again see the Shining One in her perfect fullness, save quartered by the bars of this open
cell. And just as well. At full moon he was at his most unreliable.
Alpin knew he could have been far less generous. There were those who would have thrown his brother into a dungeon, never to see the light of day again. The crime he had committed warranted that. But Alpin had not done so; Drustan was kin, for all his ill-doing and his strangeness. Let him see the sky, as long as he could not
fly away.
fly away.
Deord unlocked the iron door at Alpin’s call, and locked it again behind the chieftain.
“Where is he?” Alpin was already restless. “I don’t have long.”
“By the wall, there.”
Alpin peered into the shadowy corner of the enclosure, following Deord’s pointing staff. “Is he chained?”
A flicker of expression passed across the shorter man’s face. “We comply with your requirements, as
always, my lord.”
always, my lord.”
Alpin glanced at him sharply, suspicious of the blandly obedient tone, but Deord appeared calm and relaxed, as ever. For a man of such muscular build, a man whose every move spoke of harnessed power, Drustan’s guard displayed a remarkably even temper. Alpin considered this combination ideal in a keeper for his brother. He wondered, sometimes, if there were more to Deord than
met the eye, but the fellow never gave much away.
met the eye, but the fellow never gave much away.
Alpin advanced toward the corner where, now, the figure of Drustan could be seen in the shadows, a tall man, as tall as his brother, but lean and wiry with none of Alpin’s bulk. A shock of tawny hair fell across Drustan’s shoulders. His hands were tightly clenched; he leaned against the stone wall, head tipped back, eyes closed. Nearby, up in
a niche, three birds perched in a row, staring down at Alpin unwinking: a hoodie, a crossbill, a tiny wren. Alpin glared back. He loathed the creatures that seemed to haunt this place, coming in and out through the impossibly small openings in the grille; their preternatural stillness unnerved him. Drustan stirred as he approached, and there was a shiver of metal.
a niche, three birds perched in a row, staring down at Alpin unwinking: a hoodie, a crossbill, a tiny wren. Alpin glared back. He loathed the creatures that seemed to haunt this place, coming in and out through the impossibly small openings in the grille; their preternatural stillness unnerved him. Drustan stirred as he approached, and there was a shiver of metal.
“At last!” Drustan exclaimed,
eyes snapping open to fix his brother with the bright wildness that never failed to send a chill down Alpin’s spine. “She’s in danger—lost and frightened—she needs help—”
eyes snapping open to fix his brother with the bright wildness that never failed to send a chill down Alpin’s spine. “She’s in danger—lost and frightened—she needs help—”
“Now, now.” Alpin attempted a placatory tone such as one might use toward a distressed infant or temperamental horse. “Let us take this slowly, Drustan. Come, sit here on the bench, take a deep breath and—”
“The ford—Breaking
Ford—they were caught by the Blues, and a man fell, and then the river snatched them away—”
Ford—they were caught by the Blues, and a man fell, and then the river snatched them away—”
“Drustan!” The tone had changed; now Alpin spoke as to a disobedient hound, sharply commanding, and pointed at the bench. His brother moved; a metallic music followed him as the fine chain that linked the iron bracelets around his wrists, then ran to a ring set in the stone bench, snaked along beside him.
Drustan would not sit down, perhaps could not, for a vibrant energy, a deep restlessness possessed him, and he shifted from one foot to the other, moving his hands, jangling the metal.
Drustan would not sit down, perhaps could not, for a vibrant energy, a deep restlessness possessed him, and he shifted from one foot to the other, moving his hands, jangling the metal.
“Stop it!” Alpin snapped in irritation. “Now what did you see? Tell me in simple words, as if it were a story. Who was there? A woman, Deord said. What woman? I need all of it. Slowly, Drustan.”
“A party of travelers.
An attack. I couldn’t help them. I couldn’t warn them, I tried but I couldn’t—the Blues came. One man dead, another wounded. A flood—a terrible, sudden wave, like the anger of Bone Mother—so many fallen, broken, scattered … all swept away, swept away down …”
An attack. I couldn’t help them. I couldn’t warn them, I tried but I couldn’t—the Blues came. One man dead, another wounded. A flood—a terrible, sudden wave, like the anger of Bone Mother—so many fallen, broken, scattered … all swept away, swept away down …”
“And then?” prompted Alpin with a sigh.
“She was brave. So brave. So beautiful. Like a princess in a song. She saved a man. Bone Mother
nearly had him. The river nearly took him. She saved him. All gone, horses, men, baggage … nothing left. Cold … wet … lonely … You must help her, Alpin. Go now. Now!”
nearly had him. The river nearly took him. She saved him. All gone, horses, men, baggage … nothing left. Cold … wet … lonely … You must help her, Alpin. Go now. Now!”
“This woman. You say beautiful, like a princess. Was she young? Richly dressed?”
Drustan had fallen silent. His eyes changed, warmed.
“Drustan!”
“A princess.” His voice was quieter now. “Hair like a stream of gold; eyes full
of courage. Young, yes. And sad.”
of courage. Young, yes. And sad.”
“Where are they now?”
“Coming to Briar Wood. Along the old path. A man, a woman, a tired horse. A little fire by night. You must go, brother, go and find her. She’s cold.”
“A man. What man?”
Drustan said nothing.
“What man, Drustan? Black Crow save us, you have enough to say when it suits you, why can’t you give plain answers?”
Deord shifted slightly. He
was watching from a distance, expression impassive, staff in hand. Alpin welcomed that. He was never quite sure what his brother would do or which way he would move. And Drustan was quick. He had always been quick.
was watching from a distance, expression impassive, staff in hand. Alpin welcomed that. He was never quite sure what his brother would do or which way he would move. And Drustan was quick. He had always been quick.
“A dark man,” Drustan said. “Her companion.”
“A guard?”
“Her companion.”
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