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“Do not think to cast a spell over me,” he said.
“I do not know how to prove to you that I am not a witch.” She sighed, fearing she would forever need to defend herself and fearing a day might come when not given the chance to do so.
These last few days had made her realize how nice it would be to be a clan healer. Her mum and grandmother would not agree with her, having warned her that when things went bad in a clan, the healer was often the first to be accused, condemned, and made to suffer for it. But she had spent so much time alone that she was enjoying the company of others. And with no warning in her head about doing otherwise, she had allowed herself to enjoy it and not think about what her future might hold. But that was not wise of her to do.
“It is time you let me go into the woods,” she said, knowing if she could prove that no God of Death haunted there, it might make everyone see reason, and, of course, win her freedom. She would miss the company of others now that she had come to experience it. And strangely enough, she did not like the thought of leaving her husband even though her marriage impeded her freedom and her husband’s demanding ways could challenge. But he needed someone to show him a caring heart and she could do that.
“I forbid it!” Varrick commanded and stopped walking, seeing that his outburst had caught the attention of those nearby.
“But we agreed I would do this and earn my freedom,” Fia said, confused that her husband now refused to give her permission for the very thing he had brought her here to do.
Varrick kept his tone more reasonable. “That was before you exhausted yourself these last three days tending to almost the whole clan.” At least that was the excuse he gave himself.
“It has been more invigorating rather than exhausting,” Fia said with a pleasant smile.
She was pleased to be doing what she loved, and it had also provided her with a chance to gain more knowledge along the way. With so many to tend, it had allowed her to take note of similar complaints and helped her more easily recognize the cause of some.
Her smile stirred something inside him, something unfamiliar but not unpleasant. However, it did not stop him from being abrupt with her. “It matters not. You will do as I say.”
“What if you took me for a walk in the woods and see if I could sense anything?” she asked, knowing if she did not at least try to discover what plagued the clan and it got worse, she might suffer for it.
Before her husband had a chance to respond, the questioning pinch of his brow telling her that he was giving it thought, Argus came rushing toward him.
“Animals have been found dead near the castle wall—squirrels, rabbits, and a bird or two,” Argus informed him. “And the news spreads. Already people are whispering among themselves.” He lowered his voice. “Some say the God of Death is angry he’s been denied the soul of Marsh’s bairn and takes it out on the forest animals.”
“Sinead is still on her perch?” Varrick asked, having left her there this morning after releasing her at dawn for a flight and to feed. He had waited and watched and when she had finished, she had lingered on his arm after returning to it. She had remained with him on the battlements looking out over the forest as they often did. The forest had appeared quiet, at peace, with a sizeable amount of snow covering it and yet death had stalked there.
“Aye, she remains content where you left her earlier,” Argus confirmed.
“Where are these dead animals? May I see them?” Fia asked, ready to follow Argus.
Argus was not eager to do as Fia requested and looked to Varrick.
Fia did the same, realizing it was her husband’s decision to make. “Please let me examine them. I might be able to tell what killed them.”
“Bring them here,” Varrick ordered Argus without hesitation. He could see people were already beginning to gather in groups and whisper among themselves. There was no telling what the consequences might be over this.
Argus hesitated and Fia was quick to speak for him. “There is fear to touch the dead animals.”
Argus could not hide his surprise that Fia said what he thought but was hesitant to say. However, he did confirm it. “Aye, there is.”
“There is no need to gather them. I will see for myself where they fell,” Fia said.
Varrick’s first thought was to forbid her, but he quickly dismissed it. He had brought her here to help, had been sure she was the witch he needed to solve the problem. But was she? The only way to find out was to let her do what he brought her here to do… fight evil.
Fia saw that her husband debated his decision and she hoped to help him by saying, “It would be useful for me to see where they fell. There may be some clues to their death there.”
“You will take us to where the animals were found, Argus,” Varrick commanded and started walking in the direction of the gate, keeping his hand firmly clamped around his wife’s.
They hadn’t gone far when Corwin approached them and kept his voice low when he spoke. “The news spreads fast and all fear that, Arawn, God of Death, was not satisfied with the death of the animals and that he will demand a soul since the bairn escaped him.”
“No howling hounds have been heard,” Varrick reminded.
“Not yet,” Corwin said. “And Brother Luke is not helping any. He warns people that Arawn can shapeshift into anyone or thing and that he no doubt walks among us now. He warns people that Lady Fia is a cohort of Arawn and not to be trusted.”
A trickle of fear turned Fia’s skin to gooseflesh, recalling her mum and grandmother’s warnings about how fast a clan could condemn a healer. Her only recourse in protecting herself was to find a reasonable explanation for what was going on here and see the matter settled.
“I could secure him in the dungeon for now,” Corwin said.
