Riona fell in beside them and nodded. “I agree.” They headed north into the woodland. “I sense you’re navigating newemotions yourself, sis.” She considered her. “That you and Liam have discovered new things?”
“We have.” Shannon surprised him with a revelation he hadn’t sensed off of her. One he hadn’t put together himself yet. “I know who Liam was in our last life.” She glanced from Liam to the others. “And you’ll never believe it.”
When Riona perked a brow in question, Shannon went on.
“He was King Óengus Osrithe.”
He heard the emotion in Shannon’s voice as she continued. How much his former incarnate had meant to her. Not surprisingly, she knew her history either because she’d studied it before traveling back in time or mayhap because of her inner druidess.
“It seems Óengus was the first king of the Osraige people,” she revealed. “Though information about him is sporadic at best, he was the kingdom’s founder in the first century.”
“Which aligns with the symbols at King’s End,” Riona exclaimed.
“It does.” She glanced at Liam and his brothers for confirmation. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Osraige is currently located between the Kingdom of Munster and Leinster, with this kingdom, Meath, at its northern border.”
“’Tis there but considered more of a tribe than one of the main kingdoms nowadays.” Declán considered her. “Though their power has diminished greatly over the centuries, should we look at them more closely?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Shannon shook her head. “I didn’t get the feeling they play any major role in all this.” Her curious gaze drifted to Tréan. “Not really, unless....”
“Unless what?” Liam prompted, sensing a shift inside her. A shift inside himself, for that matter. One he couldn't put words to.
“Well, the word Osraige was eventually anglicized, or influenced by English culture and renamed Ossory.” Her gaze flickered over Tréan again. “Where normally I wouldn’t think anything of that, given all the magic involved with you guys and how folklore seems to be at the heart of so much, I can’t help but think of—”
“The Werewolves of Ossary,” Liam exclaimed, realizing what she alluded to. He glanced from Tréan to Shannon. “Surelynot.”
It couldn’t be? The Werewolves of Ossary were very much folklore.
Or so they thought.
“Is anything really off the table here?” Shannon explained to her sister when Riona looked at her in confusion. “The Werewolves of Ossary are apparently the subject of a number of accounts in medieval Irish, English, and Norse works. They’re said to be the descendants of Laignech Fáelad, whose line gave rise to the Kings of Ossary.” She gave Liam a look. “So quite possibly you in another life.”
Shannon shrugged and went on when he seemed dumbfounded.
“More realistically,” she said, “or so I would have thought days ago, the legends of these wolves simply derived from the activities of warriors in ancient Ireland who were the subject of frequent literary comparisons to wolves. Ones who may have adopted lupine hairstyles or worn wolf-skins while they "went wolfing" and carried out raids.”
Shannon eyed her familiar. “What say you, Tréan? Does any of this ring a bell?” She offered him a teasing smile. “Any chance you’re a werewolf?”
He seemed ready to respond but stopped short instead. His ears perked forward as though he heard something, and he bolted ahead.
“Ye must hurry,”he said into Shannon’s and Liam’s minds.“They are under attack!”
When their warriors tried to fall into formation to protect the five of them, Liam shook his head at Conall. “Nay, let us lead the charge.” He was never so certain of anything after seeing so many animals come to their aid yesterday. Certain they would again today. He looked at his warriors. “Half of ye fight with me. Half hold back and remain with Conall.” His gaze returned to his second-in-command. “Ye take the lead and get back to our people if we fall. Protect them at all costs.”
While clearly unsettled, Conall gestured at their men and followed orders. Liam thought for sure he would find Aodh’s men being attacked by Siobhán’s warriors, but much to Liam’s disappointment, he discovered it was Aodh’s men attacking his warriors posted at the border.
Being led by the very man who had summoned him.
They had been betrayed. Aodh’s kingdom clearly intended to stand by his brother’s side despite the terror he’d rained down on Declán’s kingdom mere days before.
“Hell,” he growled under his breath. He freed his blade, roared in rage, and rushed into the mayhem.
“Be careful, mo leath eile,” he said into Shannon’s mind, trying his best to close off his emotions. To not fear for her life every step of the way. It had been torture on the shore yesterday and seemed worse today, but he had no choice.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”She rushed into battle alongside him, flanked by endless animals that seemed to pour out of nowhere. And yet again, she was magnificent. Her ability to battle came as naturally as it had for her sisters.
A few of his border patrol had already fallen, but most still fought with a wrath that made him proud. Furious over those lost, Liam cut down several at once before he laid eyes on Aodh’s second-in-command. As large as his dragon brethren,the man had tree trunks for limbs and was well known for his ferociousness in battle. He even looked the part with a scar that sliced across his face like a lightning bolt. He was nearly as fast as lightning, too. Notorious for cutting down his opponents before they saw him coming.
So Liam was surprised that his fighting seemed more defensive than offensive when the two of them clashed blades. He had known him since they were children. Had once considered him a friend.
