Divine by Mistake (47 page)

“To a new beginning!” I said and raised my goblet.

“A new beginning!” the group repeated solemnly and we raised our glasses together.

And then we got busy.

“Moving has never been any friggin fun,” I mumbled to myself as I plodded down the hall to my bathroom. I needed to use the facilities, and I didn’t want to use the public ones (even if I knew where the hell they were). I noticed there weren’t any guards stationed outside the door to my bathing chamber, which made sense. The temple was alive with activity. Everyone had a job—there was no free time to stand in front of a door and look muscular (which was, in its own way, tragic).

The misty warmth of the room enfolded me, and I tried not to think about the fact that I may never see this room after this morning. I looked around at the steaming water and the skull candleholders—I’d miss this place.

After I’d finished my private business, I wandered over to the vanity, taking a moment to uncork a fancy bottle and breathe deeply of the soapy fragrance…and it brought back an evening under a fat moon when I’d bathed in a cold pool with a centaur who was rapidly becoming my lover. And my friend.

Please, Goddess…I closed my eyes and breathed a silent prayer. Please let him live through tomorrow. The door opened, and before I turned I recognized the click of hooves on stone.

“Alanna said she saw you sneaking in this direction.” I could hear his smile.

“I wasn’t sneaking. I just wanted some privacy.”

“Shall I leave?” he asked.

“Not privacy from you.” I grinned up at him and stepped into his arms. “How do your wounds feel?”

“Better—I told you centaurs have amazing powers of recovery.”

“So I have already noticed.” I nipped the spot just below the middle of his breastbone, enjoying the way his muscles twitched in response. “Too bad we don’t have more time.” I nipped him again.

“We will—” he hugged me to him “—tomorrow and tomorrow and many tomorrows after that.”

“I hope so,” I said, feeling safe in the circle of his arms.

“I know so.” I felt his warm lips against the top of my head. “Morale seems to be good.”

“They’re really brave. I’m proud of them.”

The women had been working since they had been notified hours before of the new evacuation plan. Told they could only carry a wineskin, a weapon and an extra change of clothing, they had set about preparing themselves for the move with an admirable lack of whining. Now, as dawn approached, families were assembling in the courtyard, quietly readying themselves for what was to come.

No one talked about the fact that there were obviously more Fomorians than humans and centaurs, and that many members of our group were hurt orill. Or the fact that the sun was rising into another misty, rainy day—which was good for the Fomorians but bad for us. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the luxury of waiting for a sunny day. And then there was the river itself, which was several hundred yards away from the temple walls, and was wide and treacherous. Many of the women could not swim. No one talked about it. Instead, the women sat with their husbands and fathers as the men quietly hefted the lances the warriors had distributed to them, trying to get a feel for weapons most of them had never before used. There were no tears—no hysteria. No talk of death.

“I’m still worried about Epi.” We had decided that she and the other mares would have the best chance at making it out of the temple and to the river if they were let loose to run at the same time the warriors departed. The creatures shouldn’t be interested in horses—so, they would probably leave them alone.

Unsaid was the thought that they might serve as a distraction, allowing the phalanx time to get closer to the river.

“She is fast and smart. She will make it to the river.”

I nodded against his chest and sent up another plea to the Goddess for her to watch after the mare.

“I want you to know something.” I pulled back so that I could look into his eyes. “You’ve made me very happy. You are everything I ever wanted in a husband.”

He tapped the tip of my nose with his finger. “As I have already told you, I was born to love you.”

“I think that’s amazing.” My eyes widened as I realized, “Hey! It’s magic.”

He laughed and bent to claim my lips, kissing me thoroughly.

Two knocks sounded on the door to the bathing chamber, and Alanna breezed in.

“ClanFintan, Victoria is asking for you. She wants to know exactly where you want her Huntresses stationed.” She glanced at me. “And I need to get my Lady ready for our trip.”

I could see Alanna was putting on a brave face, and I smiled in response.

“It’s always the appropriate time for proper accessorizing,” I said.

“Do not take long,” he said as I pulled him down to kiss his cheek before he left.

The door clicked shut and I took Alanna’s hand as a sudden idea sprang into my head.

“Dress me in something that shines!”

She looked confused. “Rhea, I do not think that is very wise. Nuada will be looking for you, you should not be easily seen.”

“There are more important things than Nuada.”

“Yes, keeping you from him is more important,” she said simply.

“Listen, you have been telling me since I got to this world that Epona’s Chosen is the leader of her people, spiritual and otherwise. Right?”

She looked a little trapped, but nodded.

“Well, how can a leader hide and expect her people to be brave and confident?”

“But you cannot be taken. That would devastate your people.” She sounded shaky.

“I have no intention of being taken.”

She looked doubtful.

“Alanna, do you truly believe I am Epona’s Chosen? And I mean me, Shannon Parker, not someone who is only pretending to be Rhiannon.” I watched her closely as she answered.

“Yes, I truly believe it.” She didn’t hesitate.

“So do I,” I said slowly, realizing once and for all that I did believe it. “I need to be there for the people, and I believe Epona will protect me.”

She still had a scared-rabbit look, so I added, “How about this—dress me in something that shines, but give me a dark cloak. I’ll cover myself unless I’m needed.”

A look of relief passed across her pretty face as she nodded in agreement and quickly began rummaging through the nearest wardrobe, discarding one silky outfit after another. I busied myself taking off the clothes I wore already.

“Yes!” Alanna squealed in delight. “Here it is.”

She turned to me, holding a spectacular piece of material in her hands. I gasped with delight, and I couldn’t stop my hands from reaching out and stroking it. The silk was unusually heavy and thick—it felt like cloth that had been made from a waterfall of copper gilded with gold. Within the fabric were sewn tiny crystal jewels, which caught the candlelight and flickered back a rainbow of fiery color.

“It’s amazing,” I breathed delightedly, holding out my arms so Alanna could begin her magic.

The dress wrapped around my torso in an attractive crisscross pattern. The skirt part of the outfit was long, and fell gracefully to the floor. I sat obediently and let Alanna comb out my hair. When she began the French knot of steel, I stopped her.

“Just pull it back with a tie.”

“It may come loose and get in your way.” She was confused by my request.

I shrugged my shoulders in a nonchalant way. “When
isn’t
it in my way?”

Before she could answer, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in!” I yelled.

“My Lady.” One of my warriors stepped into the room. “ClanFintan asked me to tell you the time is now.”

“Thank you. Tell him I am coming.”

He hurried away and Alanna tied my hair loosely back. I set my coronet snugly on my head while she turned back to another wardrobe, from which she emerged carrying a long, drab, gray poncho-like cloak, complete with cowled hood.

“Oh, please. Rhiannon wore
that?
” Didn’t seem her style; definitely wasn’t mine, either.

“Only when she was going somewhere she didn’t want to be recognized.” Alanna helped me on with the mousy cloak. Then she stood back and surveyed her work. “You look covered.” She sounded satisfied.

“Good, let’s go.” We walked to the door and headed out to the front courtyard. I took her hand. “No matter what happens, get to the river.”

Her frightened gaze flitted to me, but before she could respond we stepped out into a mass of people.

The phalanx had been formed in the courtyard and stretched through the grassy area between the outside wall and the temple. The outermost ring was made up of centaur warriors interspersed with my humans guard. Each of them carried wicked-looking long swords in one hand, and shields in the other. The next ring was made up of men who looked determined but out of place holding various weapons—everything from claymores to daggers. They were obviously the grandfathers, fathers, brothers and sons of the women in the inner ring. My heart squeezed as I watched the women standing quietly. Between comforting babies and watching toddlers, they sent encouraging looks and confident smiles to the men surrounding them.

“Hail Epona!” ClanFintan’s strong voice greeted me, and the phalanx turned, echoing his words.

“Hail Epona!”

My husband reached my side and raised my palm to his lips. I felt very calm as I said, “I would like to bless the people before we go.”

“Of course, Beloved of Epona.” He bowed his head and graciously stepped aside. The temple grew still.

“We each have one life to live, one little gleam of time between two eternities, no second chances, no ‘I’ll go back and relive tomorrows.’” My voice carried like I was speaking into a microphone as it was enhanced by the tangible presence of my Goddess. “Life isn’t about pain or pleasure—it is about the serious business of living authentically, and the magic that can happen between moments—” I glanced at my husband and smiled “—and between souls. Today let us walk boldly and bravely into the light, because just as surely as there are beasts and demons out there, so there is goodness and love in here.” I swept my arm around me in an arch, including all of them. “Epona will be close to us on our journey. Darkness cannot cover a flame, so let us be flames!”

The people answered in a roar that was a single voice. Then ClanFintan stepped forward.

“The phalanx will move out when the Huntress gives word that we have taken our position between you and the Fomorians.” He nodded and Victoria moved to the entrance to the top of the wall, disappearing briefly, then reappearing atop the battlement. “When we are in position, the outer ring of the phalanx will lead you through the temple gates. Do not hesitate. Do not stop. Your single goal is to make it to the river. When you cross it you will be safe. Then we will follow you. May Epona go with you.”

The people nodded and turned quietly to face the temple gates.

“You must put yourself in the middle of them.” He spoke softly to me.

“I thought you were going to lead us.” I knew I had to be brave for my people, but the thought of him being surrounded by the entire Fomorian army was making my chest hurt.

“Victoria will lead you; I must stay with the other centaurs.” He pulled me into his arms and whispered, “I will join you across the river.”

“Please stay safe.” My voice shook.

His kiss was hard and fast. Then he whirled and was gone.

Alanna took my hand in hers.

“Come,” she said.

The phalanx parted, allowing us to move to the exact center where, I was pleased to see, Tarah and Kristianna stood bravely beside Carolan. He kissed his wife and greeted me.

“ClanFintan insisted I stay in the center. He said I must remain safe so that I can save him from Victoria’s needlework.”

I tried to come up with a pithy reply, but in actuality I was relieved when Victoria’s voice cut through the need for any further words.

“The centaurs have left the rear of the temple and are moving out across the grounds.” She was looking intently to the north. “The mares have been loosed.” She paused. “They are in position—ClanFintan has signaled. Begin moving out!” The ring of warriors started forward as Victoria left the wall and galloped to the front of their ranks.

The pace increased steadily as the front of the phalanx passed through the safety of the temple walls. By the time those of us in the center of the phalanx departed the temple, we were jogging.

What had started out as a foggy, rainy dawn was rapidly becoming a clear, warm morning. I was pleased to see the distinct outline of the sun above and in front of us. Please, Goddess, I prayed, let it burn off all of this fog and be a serious hot pain in the ass (or wherever) to the Fomorians. I craned my head around to the left, trying to get a glimpse of the battlefield, but between the last vestiges of the fog and the tight ring of warriors, I couldn’t see anything.

But soon I realized that didn’t matter, because I could hear. Sounds of shrieks and snarls drifted eerily over the treeless temple grounds.

“Keep moving!” Victoria shouted when the women reacted to the noise by faltering in their steady jog.

“Come on.” I took up Vic’s encouragement and called to the women surrounding me. “We’ll be fine—just keep up with the warriors.”

Then the sound of hooves thundered through the dissipating mist, and as the last of the fog lifted, the herd of terrified mares galloped into view. They milled around, white-eyed and uncertain, when they saw us.

“Do you see Epi?” I yelled above the din, trying to pick her out from the sea of moving horses.

“No!” Carolan answered.

Then my eyes widened in horror as a dark, winged shape came into view. Then another, and another. They mowed through the terrified horses, slashing and clawing. Somewhere behind me one of the girls screamed, and that piercing cry carried across the field. I could see Fomorian heads swivel in our direction, and they left off the slaughter of the horses and began their gliding run toward us.

“Forward! Move!” I shouted in my best teacher voice, and our group surged forward. Another screech drew my attention back to the battlefield, and I looked over my shoulder in time to see a centaur warrior chase down and hack the head from one of the creatures pursuing us.

“They’ve broken through the centaur ranks, but the warriors are in pursuit.” Carolan’s voice was grim.