Page 204 of Forbidden

“Aye,” Erik said. “But you might be able to reach her, Duncan.”

Slowly Duncan’s head came up. Hope struggled against despair in his eyes.

“You are her dark warrior and she is your golden light,” Erik said. “The rowan gave you to Amber and Amber to you.”

The words ran through Duncan like lightning. He stood in a rush, dragging the pendant with him. When the cool amber brushed his hand, he made a sound as though he had been raked by steel talons.

For the first time, Erik saw the dull pendant. Color drained from his face. The cry the peregrine gave was a naked lament.

Moments later Cassandra appeared in the doorway to the great hall, her scarlet robes flying. A single look at the pendant told her why the falcon had screamed.

Instinctively Meg came to her feet and stood next to the Glendruid Wolf.

“What is it?” Meg asked. “What has happened?”

“Amber,” Cassandra said. “Taking the Druid way all but cost her life.”

Duncan yanked Erik around to face him.

“Tell me how to get to Amber,” Duncan said curtly.

“God’s blood,” Erik said. “Look at the pendant! ’Tis too late. She is dying.”

“Tell me what I must know,” Duncan commanded. “Quickly!”

“You aren’t Learned,” Cassandra said. “The only way is the Druid way, and even I—”

“Bring the pendant over to the fire,” Erik interrupted.

Cassandra started to object, but a glance at Erik’s savage yellow eyes stopped her words in her throat. She laced her hands together and let her long scarlet sleeves hide her fingers.

Swiftly Duncan followed Erik to the fire.

“Cup the pendant in your hands,” Erik ordered.

Duncan’s breath hissed between his teeth as he did what Erik asked. The amber was cool, but it burned viciously.

“’Tis like holding a live coal,” Duncan said in a strained voice.

“Now you know why she left,” Erik said.

“What?”

“’Tis Amber’s pain you are feeling.”

But Erik’s voice wasn’t without sympathy, for he knew the pain had become Duncan’s also.

It gave Erik hope.

“Breathe over the pendant gently,” Erik said. “Don’t blow. Just open your mouth and let air flow out until the amber fogs with the breath of your own life.”

Duncan closed his eyes, grappled with the pain as though it were a living enemy, and then exhaled gently into his cupped hands.

“Again,” Erik said.

In taut silence everyone watched. Cassandra watched the most keenly, for what Erik was doing had never been tried with someone who wasn’t Learned.

“Is the amber hazed?” Erik asked.