AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then why take a human heart?” Argus continued to argue.
“To learn would be my guess.”
“It does not sit right with me,” Argus said. “And it worries me. I do not want to see what she may do to you if she truly is a witch. Or what she may do to the clan. Already she is directing suspicion away from the God of Death and to some unidentified, evil person. Do you not think that strange? Do you not question that the God of Death commands her?”
“I believe Fia would battle the God of Death to save those she heals just as her grandmother once did. And I believe it is worth considering that someone may be responsible for some of what has gone on here and in the woods. Now what of the men who were sent out to learn if anyone plots against me?”
“The two warriors who had to go to the distant clans have yet to return. The third warrior, George, who visited the two closest clans, has returned already. He says both clans were surprised by his arrival but pleased that you had sent him to see if they were in need of anything before the deep winter set in.” Argus stopped to take a generous swallow of ale.
“Something you hesitate to tell me?” Varrick asked, his friend always in the habit of pausing before delivering unpleasant news.
“Both chieftains spoke with George privately, asking if it was true that Lord Varrick had trouble protecting his clan from some strange happenings and if he wed a witch to help him. They worry you are no longer the heroic warrior that everyone once admired, and if so, they dread what their own fate may be.” Argus spotted the anger in Varrick’s blue eyes, and he spoke to him like family. “You had to expect the news to spread and tongues to wag when you sent me to secure the witch for you. You would do well to rid yourself of her when this is done, so no one can doubt your skills. But if you keep her…” He left it unsaid, knowing Varrick understood the consequences.
Until Varrick could admit to his wife that he loved her, he would not tell anyone else. Or was it that he still questioned it himself? There was also something else to consider now.
“And if she carries my child, heir to the clan, what then?” Varrick asked, the thought more pleasing than he cared to admit.
“Do you truly want to take a chance that the heir to the clan be born of a witch?”
“Many already believe I command an army of the dead or that I sprang from the dead myself, so why should it matter if I wed a witch? Everyone will just fear me more.”
“Those are tales concocted by wagging tongues to hear and enjoy like any tale, not so your marriage to a witch. That is truth and that causes fear, and fear can have people doing foolish things, like clans faithful to you pledging their fealty to another clan. Then before you know it, we are surrounded by clans who not only owe us no loyalty but fear us as well. That leaves the clan ripe for attack and warriors wondering if they fight for the right leader.”
“Isn’t that exactly what someone is trying to do to us… weaken the clan with doubt?” Varrick asked, hearing Argus put it that way making it seem more probable.
Argus halted the tankard he had brought to his lips, his brow puckering.
“You said it yourself. Does it not make sense?” Varrick asked.
“It does, but why this way? Why not just meet you on the battlefield?”
Argus asked the very question Varrick had posed to his wife when she had suggested the possibility.
“When we discover the answer to that, then we discover the culprit,” Varrick said. “So, I believe we look at both possibilities… someone who wishes me ill will and a visit from the God of Death. Now I intend to walk through the village and remind everyone that I am in command and intend to stay in commend.”
“Then I walk at your side, for I will forever stand with you just as we have always done for each other,” Argus said and saluted Varrick with his tankard before downing the remainder of the ale.
As soon as they stepped outside Varrick spotted Sinead circling the sky in an area just outside the castle walls. He had neglected to spend time with her this morning, too busy making love with his wife. He would make it up to her and make sure he did not neglect her again.
Argus was looking elsewhere, squinting his eyes as if he wasn’t sure of what he was seeing. “Is that Lady Fia running through the village?”
Varrick’s glance followed Argus’s and sure enough he spotted Fia running as if the hounds of hell were chasing her, and she was headed for the castle’s entrance. She couldn’t possibly be headed beyond the castle walls. He had warned her that she was never to go there without him.
“Something is wrong,” Varrick said and ran to follow his wife. She had given her word to him, though had let him know that if it were necessary, she would not hesitate to do what she must. With how fast she ran, something was seriously wrong.
Argus followed him, and Corwin and Marsh saw and rushed behind them.
* * *
“Open the doors! Open the doors!”Fia screamed as she passed under the gate and the guards were startled by her forceful command, or they feared her, she cared not which one it was only that they obeyed her without hesitation and open the doors… and they did.
The snow was not easy to get through beyond the castle walls, but she pushed through it. She had to get to Sinead, she had to. She had barely stepped out of the healing cottage, finished for the day, and was looking forward to seeing her husband when the voice alerted her.
Sinead is in danger. Get to the woods. Now!
She hadn’t hesitated. She ran. She trudged through the snow, finding the least deep path while casting worried glances at Sinead. What was it? What danger was she in?
Sinead finally began her descent toward the feast she had targeted.
