“Greetings, all.”
“Why are you here, Lia?” Dyna asked, leading the group to a forest clearing and tossing a few plaids on the ground for them to sit on. “You always have a purpose.”
“I’m here for three reasons. First, to make sure we plan the visit to the banshee correctly. And second, I need to greet Magni. I know he’s been expecting me.”
“After all these years, he still thinks of you as his sister, Lia.”
“I know. I thought of coming back as an adult, but I’m not sure Magni could handle that yet.”
“And the third reason?” Dyna asked, tipping her head.
“You can guess. I’m here to apologize for my behavior. I’m not usually affected so, but you need to remember that I’ve been around for a long time, just like Erena. There are things about that hill that I recognized. I’m not going to discuss it now, but you’ll learn eventually. Let’s focus on the banshee and the three hairs for now.” She tucked her golden tresses behind her ear and looked away. “So, I should stay this age until Magni sees me?”
Ailith was quite sure Lia deliberately dropped the subject of the faery hill. She wasn’t sure she was prepared to hear everything about it yet.
But Dyna didn’t let it pass. “You’ll tell us when you can?”
Lia gave her a subtle nod. “Let’s move ahead. We have much to discuss. Magni first.”
“We all like you in your green gown, the green faery maiden,” Sylvi said. “Sandor doesn’t remember you at all.”
Lia glanced at Tora, who whispered, “A wee bit? I have a few fond memories of you, Lia.”
Dyna said, “I remember you with the fondest memories of all. Now where shall we start, wee lassie?”
“I’m glad the four of you are here. I suggest you hold hands and try to see what you can on the isle. In my opinion, you have three things to uncover. First, you need to find out exactly where the banshee is, as she moves about. Second, we must figureout how to handle her. Many who have gone to her have never returned, and we cannot risk that. For this reason, not everyone should approach the banshee directly.”
Tora asked, “Why can’t we go as archers, have our best warriors go too and demand the three hairs? She’ll give them to us.”
“Because those who confront the banshee with violence are usually unsuccessful.”
“What exactly does she do? Kill them?” Sylvi’s shoulders hunched up, and Ailith knew they shared the same thoughts. This was not going to be a pleasant visit.
“She might, but she has other ways. Have you never learned about the banshee’s scream?”
“Not really,” Ailith said, glancing at her cousins for confirmation.
“Her scream, at its most potent, will steal a person’s hearing. They’ll never hear another sound. It happens in an instant, reaching long distances, so running away doesn’t work. Or she can kill if she wishes. She also has ravens in the trees that can wield their own weapons. Typically, talons into the eyes of the evil ones.”
Sylvi cringed. “I don’t want to go, Mama.”
“Me neither,” Tora whispered, looking at her mother expectantly as she grabbed her sister’s hand. That surprised Ailith because Tora was usually a bit bolder than her sister.
“You don’t have to.” Dyna gave both girls a swift hug.
“So, that makes one more decision you have to make: who is going.”
“And the third thing? You missed it.” Ailith settled a plaid on the ground and sat down, hugging her knees as she looked at the faery sitting on the tree stump.
“WhatisEdan? There’s something different about him. I can’t get near him, and I don’t think Gruin could either. Andhis presence seems to amplify your headaches or maybe your visions, Ailith. Sometimes it doesn’t bother you at all, but other times, especially when you were near the hill, it caused serious problems. Is that how you experienced it?”
“Aye, it’s strange. But the headaches were definitely worse near the hill. I don’t think it was Edan, or else I couldn’t have ridden abreast of him. He has something unusual in his blood, or so the old healer thinks. But I can be near him most of the time. As soon as I neared the hill, the visions started, and I couldn’t control them until Maitland took me away. I don’t understand any of it,” Ailith said.
Lia’s hands waved above her head and then settled back on her lap with a sigh. “That explains it. Edan amplifies your visions. His power is something we don’t understand yet, but hopefully we will come to.”
“Do you think Edan knows why Gruin ran from him?” Lia asked.
“Nay, I doubt it,” Dyna said. “He would have used it earlier if he knew he had some power. We have to help him find out what that is.”
