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“Mapmaker.”
Reena froze, not certain if she’d heard the whisper or imagined it. The night shadows made it impossible to see clearly, and heavy clouds had moved in to conceal the full moon’s light. Was it her imagination? Did she hear a voice?
“Listen well, mapmaker.”
Her breath caught and her heart raced at the sound of the Dark One’s harsh voice. He blended with the night shadows so well that Reena had no idea where he was, and she did not care to look upon him and his ominous dark garb.
“Tell Magnus that he must look closer.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, curious and eager to help the man she loved.
“Tell him.” His response was harsh and firm and expected obedience.
She expected further explanation. “I cannot tell him what I do not comprehend.”
“It is not for you to comprehend, you are merely the messenger.”
She was fast to argue. “I will deliver no message I myself do not understand.”
“You refuse to do as I say?”
Reena thought for a moment, a mere moment, since it did not take her long to disagree. “You comprehend me clearly, now what say you? Do you explain, or do I continue on my way?”
A moment of silence was followed by a low rumbling laughter. “He will have his hands full with you.”
“Aye, and I will love him and understand him as no other can.” She raised her head in pride.
“He is lucky to have found you.”
“I intend to remind him of that often.”
He laughed again.
“Tell me of what you speak,” she urged, “so that I may help him.”
The Dark One obliged her, the harshness gone from his tone. “What is it that Kilkern seeks?”
“A map,” Reena replied, “to support his claim that Dunhurnal land is actually Kilkern land and that Magnus has no claim to this property.”
“So then if he seeks a map to prove his claim, who better than to provide him with one?”
“A mapmaker,” she said in a hushed whisper. “Kilkern needs a mapmaker to map the land for him, proving his claim.” It took a moment for her to digest the information and realize that she was in danger. “My friend Brigid has no need to worry?”
“Kilkern seeks Brigid for a different reason. He is a man that intends to get what he wants at any cost.”
“So he seeks Brigid for pleasure and me for mapping.”
“Aye, but at the moment the map is more important. He can find another woman to satisfy his lust; he cannot find another mapmaker with your knowledge of Kilkern and Dunhurnal land.”
“I am valuable to him.”
“More than you realize. Be careful and share this information with Magnus, for I am not certain he is aware of it.”
Reena remained silent.
“You hesitate.”
“Magnus will keep me confined once he learns of what you say.”
