Page 38 of Shaw

Now the druid averted his gaze as he rearranged his robes over his lap. “Aye, we attended a few of the tribe’s slaves after you freed them. They all chose to end themselves rather than reunite with their kin. Yet your brother decided return home, so he mustnae suffer a grievous possession.”

Valerie sensed he wasn’t being truthful, and experienced a twinge of frustration. It wasn’t as if she could jump across the table and grab hold of him; Connal would be horrified and what if she was wrong? Druids might seem kind and gentle, but they had magic that often rivaled that of the Fae.

Wait, and watch him, she thought.

“Shaw refused speak of what he endured at the hands of the Pritani, yet over time we’ve all seen him show dark abilities,” her husband said. “He transforms into something like black water that moves faster than any may see. His skinwork also moves across his flesh whenever he grows agitated. He retreats to the lists, and beats his fists against a stone wall there until he regains control over the beast inside him. Sometimes he does thus until his bones poke through his torn flesh. Ken you the evil inflicted on him by the tribe?”

“The old symbols, they’re very distinct, but possess different meanings.” Trabalar hesitated before he added, “I remember tales of the chieftain from my life as Taupal. ’Twas said the NightRiver sent him out alone on the battlefield, as but the sight of him would make their enemies run, or even fall on their blades. No slave warrior then or since commands such terror.”

Valerie sensed the druid was trying to be diplomatic while still lying through his teeth. “I’m guessing that isn’t all you heard.”

“After so many victories the NightRiver grew too bold in their confidence,” the druid said sadly. “They left their village and marched south. Some said they intended pit Shaw against the Romans in the great fortresses beyond the walls, and seize them for their own. Instead they returned with only half their men, and your brother near death from starvation. I believe you and your clan came a few days later to liberate the slaves, so you must recall his wretched condition.”

Connal frowned. “He never told me they’d starved him on a march to battle. Why should they treat him thus when they wished him fight.”

“You mistake my meaning, Laird.” Trabalar sighed. “’Twas said the chieftain stopped eating, and slew anyone who attempted force food on him. I reckon he did thus so he might end himself.”

A maid came over with a tray filled with the promised mugs of brew and a platter of fruit, and Valerie got up to help her distribute them. As her arm brushed the maid’s she saw her memories from earlier that morning, when she had gone out to help the laundress, and spotted the ferryman’s boat, and the MacMar who had jumped off it before it had reached the bay dock.

“You’ve already talked to Shaw,” Valerie said, placing one of the mugs in front of the druid. “He came to meet the ferry before it reached Caladh. Why don’t you tell us what you discussed with him?”

Trabalar’s smile faded. “You’ve a grand boon, my lady. Aye, Chieftain Shaw swam out to MacLeir’s islet, and there sat down with me. I vowed keep secret that on which we spoke.”

“Whatever he asked you do, I beg you refuse him,” Connal said. “For I’ve no doubt ’tis some means by which he may end himself and the darkness inside him.”

“I cannae speak on such. Indeed, no’ a word of our discussion may pass my lips after making such a promise.” The druid went to pick up the mug, and then left his hand resting on the table, and gave Valerie a slight nod.

She picked up the platter of fruit to place it in front of Trabalar, and the side of her wrist brushed his. In that instant a stream of words came into her mind, voiced by Shaw and the druid as they spoke on the ferry.

“Please, enjoy the brew,” she said before she regarded her husband. “Honey, can I have a word with you in private?”

Chapter Ten

Fiacail took her time as she swam back to the caves, giving more thought to what Speal had proposed. The notion of Derdrui and Duxor fighting and possibly destroying each other entertained her to no end, but she doubted that would happen. Her aquatic master had managed to avoid being captured and killed by the MacMar and his own kind. The enchantress had survived being imprisoned by the Fae king for centuries, and had escaped Elphyne as well. With their powers neither of them would easily prevail over the other.

What if they mated? She tried to imagine the sort of creature Derdrui would birth from Duxor’s seed. A Fae with gills and webbed toes but a weakness for water.

As she approached the caves she pushed aside such hilarious thoughts, for her master famously had no sense of humor. Outside his hideaway several hybrids hovered, obviously commanded to stand guard. They bowed their heads to her as they moved away from the cave entry. Inside floated several mortal bodies in various stages of bloat and rot; her master must be keeping the failures to feed to the others.

Fiacail entered the main chamber, where Duxor now floated, his short form wrapped in long ropes of pearls. Since discovering he could send out his hybrids to gather the gems from the oyster reefs he had taken to consuming them until the euphoric effect made him slumber. As he was right now Fiacail could rip out his throat and take charge of the transformed mortals and Cait Sith, and use them for her own purposes.

Do I wish end the game now, or wait until the enchantress sees what became of me?

Sister. Dearg swam into the chamber, followed by Teine. Since being brought back from the brink of death the wee fiend had behaved remarkably sane, as if her transformation had healed more than her injured body. Dinnae think such things.

He shallnae wake, no’ for hours yet. Fiacail saw what looked like pity flash over the one-eyed shifter’s face and bared her teeth. You reckon me pathetic, Teine? You wish put me out of my misery? Come and try.

I reckon you’ve endured much alone, Sister. The maimed shifter bowed her head. Forgive me. You didnae deserve the enchantress’s cruel treatment.

Pretty words and sentiments shall change naught. She pushed back the cold fury building inside her, and regarded the smaller shifter. You wish save our master, then? He kept you from your end. A pity I dinnae share your affection for him.

Dearg took hold of her, and dragged her along as she swam out of the cave. Teine followed close behind, and only when they had crossed several currents did she stop and release her. As Fiacail shifted into her predatory form the one-eyed shifter put herself between them.

Before he ate the pearls Duxor ordered the others end you if you threatened harm him, Teine said. The mortal hybrids, they all hear your thoughts when you’re close to them. They’d attack the moment you decided slay our master.

Reckon you I wish live, then? Bitterness swamped her anger and drowned it. I bowed in shame before Speal today. Shall I do the same with the immortal who made me a monster?

Dearg came and wrapped her arms around her, and then Teine did the same. She didn’t wish to be held or cossetted, but as their wordless thoughts flooded into her mind she suffered again the embarrassment as when Speal had reminded her of who the Cait Sith were and would always be.