They parted ways. Aoife’s route home took her past the now silent square, though she was careful not to get too close.
Aoife’s stomach clenched. The Eldrossi despised everything about the people of Inis Morra: their culture, their customs. Seeing them as less than. Seeing them as savages. Why were they even here if they hated them?
It was bad enough they’d come in and taken over the country, demanding payment in food and resources for almost nothing in return. Now, even their mourning was forbidden.
***
Aoife whispered to the Sheedar as she crossed the running water, a habit her mother had taught her before she could even walk. Morgane was already there, singing as she washed her clothes in the river. Katell and Gwen were deep in conversation as Aoife arrived.
“They’re talking about the Athraith,” Morgane leant over to inform Aoife. “My husband saw it yesterday, up by the forest when he was collecting firewood.”
Aoife’s hands stilled in the water.
“He swore it was taller than a house,” Morgane insisted.
That depended on the size of the house.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Katell said. “I saw it a few years ago; it was no bigger than a regular horse.”
Morgane shrugged. “That’s what my husband said, taller than a house. Those were his exact words.”
“Why do you think it came?” Aoife asked, trying not to give anything away in her tone. Her encounter with the Athraith wasn’t something she was ready to share.
“It’s an omen, no doubt about that.” Morgane said as she scrubbed a troublesome stain against a rock.
“It was for Dromdara,” Katell said.
“Then why didn’t it appear at Dromdara?” Morgane asked. “No, it’s a sign of something still to come.”
Gwen shook her head. “It’s here for one of our young people.”
Aoife thought about what Cormac had said. “Is it true they carry people off to the Otherworld?”
“It sure is. My grandmother told me,” Gwen replied, leaning closer. “The Athraith were plentiful once, but their numbers dwindled so they were forced to find mates among humans. They take human form to charm their chosen, luring them to ride on their backs. Then they carry them away to the Otherworld. Never to be seen again. Happened to my grandmother’s best friend, she said.”
“You’ve nothing to worry about,” Morgane chuckled, looking at Aoife’s stunned expression. “It’s the one who sees it should worry.”
“Maybe you should lock your husband at home for a few days,” Katell said with a smile.
“The Athraith can have him.”
The women laughed.
Should Aoife worry? Was the Athraith there to carry her off to the Otherworld?
The thud of boots hitting stone drew everyone’s attention, branches breaking as a figure rushed towards them.
Cormac arrived, breathless. “Aoife. Your father. They caught him poaching at Blackthorn Hall. The guard has him.”
Aoife dropped the wet sheet she was wringing. “Where are they taking him? To the magistrate?”
Cormac shook his head, urgency in his eyes. “No. Lord Halverton demanded that the hearing take place immediately. On his estate. Says it’s only right, since that’s where the crime was done.”
Aoife’s stomach lurched. Stories of the punishments Halverton dished out ran rampant through the village.
She didn’t wait to think, only followed Cormac at once, feet slapping over the damp grass.
“I’ll fetch your washing,” Morgane shouted after her. The words didn’t register.
