Gideon's Spear (11 page)

“Ah, good,” Mac Roth boomed. “I am glad ye two are home.” He held up several pizza boxes. The not-unpleasant aroma of hot pepperoni mixed with steaming cardboard wafted through the air. Behind him, Lochlan stood with a bulging plastic bag dangling from one hand. “When I asked the boyo what he would like for supper to celebrate his first day, he asked for pizza. Now, can ye believe that?”

“What's wrong with pizza? It's got all four food groups.” Lochlan peered around the Knights. Spotting Finn by the steps, he gave a grin and a nod.

“
Fáilte
,” Finn replied, without thinking, then winced.
Oh, real smooth
. He mentally slapped himself upside the head.
Like anyone younger than three hundred years old even says that anymore
. His eyes widened when Lochlan began jabbering away in Gaelic.

With a look of delight, Gideon responded. “And where did you learn to speak so fine?” he asked, switching to English.

“Mom. She wanted all of us kids to learn ‘the auld tongue,'” Lochlan said in a passable accent.

“Would ye look at the young braggart.” Mac Roth shook his head, then hefted the boxes in his hands. “Since the pizza restaurant was offering a two-for-one special, we decided to come share our bounty with ye.” He grinned when Finn moaned in anticipation.

“Sodas, too,” Lochlan held up the bag with a rustle.

They made their way to the kitchen. Pausing to let the Knights go first, Finn fell in beside Lochlan. They studied each other out of the corners of their eyes. When they passed the fireplace, Lochlan paused.

“Insane,” he breathed, looking up at the row upon row of weapons. “My dad said there's a rumor Gideon Lir might have the Spear in his collection, but nobody really knows which one it is.”

“Well, it's not any of
those
, I can tell you that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.”

With Lochlan on his heels, Finn led the way to the kitchen. Taking the bag from the other boy, he placed it on the counter and pulled glasses out of the cupboard. As Lochlan went over to the table to help his master with the pizza, Gideon joined Finn.

“Look, I know I was rude earlier, and I'm sorry,” Finn said in an undertone before the Knight could speak. “But could you wait and yell at me
after
they leave? Please?” He held his breath as he waited for the verdict, then let it out in relief when Gideon gave a brief nod. They turned around at an angry bark from Mac Roth.

“And just what do ye think
ye're
doing, Lochlan O'Neill? Helping yerself so freely?” He glared at his apprentice, who stood by the table already chowing down, one hand holding half a slice.

“Eating,” Lochlan mumbled around a mouthful of cheese and pepperoni. He swallowed. “That's kind of the whole purpose of buying a pizza, Big Mac.” He took another bite.

Finn's jaw dropped. Next to him, Gideon coughed, trying to smother his laughter.

The redheaded Knight blinked. “
Big Mac
?”

Lochlan grinned. “I thought it up this morning. Pretty good, uh?” His smile dimmed as his master's face grew as fiery as his beard. “What?”

Finn jumped when Gideon snagged his elbow and tugged him toward the back door. Ushering the boy ahead of him, he closed it hastily. “We best give them a moment alone.” A roar of indignation from Mac Roth, followed by Lochlan protesting that he wasn't being disrespectful, just funny, escaped through the kitchen window.

Laughing, Finn and Gideon headed to the back wall. The woods beyond were full of birds singing their mates home for the evening. Finn hoisted himself up, kicking his heels against the stones. Gideon took a stance next to him, resting an elbow on the bronze sheeting as he gazed back at the house. For a few minutes, they stayed in silence.

“You got to admit it, Gideon, that was pretty funny.” Finn chuckled. “
Big Mac
. I wonder what Mac Roth is going to do—”

A crow soared past their heads. It croaked once, circled above the house, then returned, landing with a clap of midnight wings on the wall next to them. Bobbing and bowing, it cawed a second time, then pointed its beak upward as three more joined it.

The hair on Finn's arms stood at attention. Swallowing through a suddenly dry mouth, he slid off the wall and landed in a crouch, one hand going for his weapon. Next to him, Gideon stared into the forest, his blade already drawn.

Half a dozen more birds dive-bombed the wall and shoved into place. With needled beaks, they poked and stabbed at each other like miniature Tuatha De Danaan turned to the dark side. The cawing grew louder.

Gideon motioned to Finn. “Fetch me a dagger and Mac Roth.”

Finn sprinted across the yard. Flinging the door open, he threw himself inside. “Amandán,” he yelled as he bolted past. Mac Roth was already out the door, with Lochlan on his heels, by the time he reached the living room. Snatching Gideon's dagger from the rack, he paused, then grabbed a hatchet. Tearing back through the now-empty kitchen, he raced across the yard toward the trio clustered around the gate in the corner.

“Good lad,” Mac Roth said as Finn handed him the hatchet. “I was about to send Lochlan for this.” He hefted it in one hand; the other held a hunting knife.

“How many?” Finn panted as Gideon took the dagger from him.

“Enough to make the evening interesting, if the crows are any indication.” Even as he spoke, the flock rose into the air and soared off, their forms black against the indigo sky. They headed west.

“Awesome. Maybe I can nail one and earn my torc,” Lochlan said, testing a thumb gingerly on the edge of his knife. “And get my dad off my case about it.”

Jealousy nipped at Finn. “Yeah, right. Like you're going hunting your first day as an apprentice.”

Gideon looked at Mac Roth, a question in his eyes. The Knight shrugged.

“Well, I must admit, Lochlan has been well-trained; he gave quite a demonstration this morning during his ceremony.” Mac Roth tucked the handle of the hatchet into his belt as he studied his apprentice. “I think we should allow him to come along. After all, we've
three
warriors to look after him,” he added, pointing his knife at Finn's torc with a trace of a wink.

Pride swelled Finn's heart at Mac Roth's words. “Seems like I'll be babysitting another O'Neill,” he joked.

Lochlan snorted. “I just hope you do a better job with me than you did with Asher.” Color drained from his face as soon as the words tumbled from his mouth. “Oh, crap. Look, Finn, I didn't mean it that way…” His voice trailed off.

Remorse twisted Finn's guts.
But it's true
, he thought.
It was my fault Asher got killed. I wasn't fast enough. Or maybe I really did wish him dead
. “No worries,” he said to Lochlan through stiff lips. He stooped down, pretending to tighten his shoelaces. Schooling his face, he straightened and nodded to his master. “Okay, all set.”

Hesitating for a moment, Gideon started to speak, then stopped. “Right,” he said instead. He pulled the gate open and stepped out onto the trail running parallel to the wall. The others joined him.

He led the way along the path as it turned and plunged into the ravine and up the other side. Setting a brisk pace, he headed westward into the woods, following the flight of the crows. Finn trotted behind, one eye on his master and one on the thick vegetation screening the trail. The evening breeze flowing down from the foothills rattled the dry leaves, making him jerk his head around at each rustle. Several yards behind, Lochlan matched him stride for stride, while Mac Roth stumped along as rear guard.

When they crested another hill, Gideon slowed, then stopped at the base of a jumble of boulders. He studied the crows circling overhead. “I'd say we've a goodly number of goblins nearby. Any sign?”

“Not as yet.” Mac Roth scanned the surrounding woods, the rays of the sun glowing on the tips of the pine trees. “But I wish the beasties would hurry along. Me supper is growing cold.”

While the Knights continued their vigilance, Lochlan motioned Finn off to one side. To his surprise, the other boy held out a hand.

“Listen, I'm sorry. I was just making a joke, and it came out wrong. It's not your fault Asher died. It was those goblins that killed him.” He kept his eyes locked on Finn's.

For a moment, Finn hesitated. Then he shook hands with Lochlan. “Thanks.” They let go and grinned shyly at each other.

“Sometimes I say things before thinking,” Lochlan admitted.

“Well, you're an O'Neill. It goes with the territory.”

“Hey!” Lochlan laughed and punched Finn on the arm.

A branch snapped behind them. They both turned to look. “Um…” they said at the same time.

Bellows split the evening. Half a dozen Amandán exploded out of the bushes on all sides.

Fifteen

S
tifling a yelp, Finn dropped into a crouch. A paw swung past. The Amandán's black-tipped fingers brushed his hair as they whiffled by. He stabbed for its leg and cursed as he missed. Howling, the beast lunged for him again, its arms and mouth stretched wide. Finn gagged from the reek of the beast's open maw just inches from his face. Flinging himself to one side, he began chanting between frantic gulps of air. Over the thunder of the pulse in his ears, he could hear Mac Roth shouting for Lochlan to move his arse.

He kept chanting. Power ran down along his spine; his legs muscles trembled from it. Gathering his legs beneath him, he gave a cry and leaped like a salmon hurtling a waterfall. Soaring over the head of his foe, he landed behind it and spun around. With a grunt, he thrust his knife into its back.
Bury your blade
. From hours upon hours of training, Gideon's voice whispered in his ears.

The Amandán exploded. Finn held an arm in front of his face. Squinting through the cloud of goblin remains, he looked about for the others.

A few yards away, at the roots of a massive pine, Mac Roth swung his hatchet back and forth in an arc at the trio of Amandán in front of him. Tucked behind him, Lochlan stood ready with his knife in one hand. “Come along, ye beasties,” the giant shouted over their growls of frustration. “Me apprentice requires some practice.”

“Actually, I'm okay to just watch this time,” Lochlan joked, his face pale but resolute.

Finn grinned. More bellows yanked his head around.

Further up the trail, Gideon waited with his back against the boulders. Dagger in one hand, hunting knife in the other, he shouted a challenge as two more goblins galloped toward him. They closed in on him, hiding him from Finn's sight.

Screeching, the Amandán disintegrated into a cloud. A few moments later, Finn breathed a sigh of relief when his master appeared through the haze, wiping his weapons clean on his sleeve. His eyes gleamed battle-blue out of a mask of dust.

“We best aid Mac Roth.” Gideon started forward. Finn followed on his heels.

No need.

A hatchet swung through the air and lopped off the nearest goblin's head. It flipped up into the air before exploding. Goblin shrapnel rained down on Mac Roth and Lochlan while the rest of the carcass coated their faces and chests. The other two Amandán yelped, then turned and bolted.

Straight into Gideon and Finn's weapons.

Squeezing his eyes tight, Finn grimaced at his second faceful of Amandán residue. Next to him, he could hear his master's grunt of disgust, then a faint rustle. A cloth was pressed into his hand.

“Here. Wipe your face, boyo.”

“Thanks.” Finishing with his master's handkerchief, he handed it back. “What's the deal with the crows? Why didn't they warn us about—”

Master and apprentice looked over at a sudden splattering noise. Finn tried not to laugh at the sight of Lochlan bent double, hands on his knees, as he vomited into a nearby bush. Next to him, Mac Roth patted him on the back as he shook his head.

“Aye, the beasties do reek something awful, eh? But ye'll get used to it in time.” He grinned when Lochlan made an inarticulate noise and heaved some more. “Why, I remember one occasion when Knight Lir lost his entire—”

“Shut your mouth, Mac Roth,” Gideon growled.

“No, no! Keep going,” Finn said.

“—breakfast down the front of his shirt and trousers. Of course, this was when he was just a wee, skinny rabbit of an apprentice.”

“Skinny rabbit?” Finn mouthed, a look of delight on his face. He hastily wiped the expression away before Gideon could catch it. “Hey, how're you feeling?” he asked, walking over as Lochlan straightened with a groan.

“Like the south end of a northbound goblin.” Lochlan rasped. He started to wipe his mouth on his filthy shirt, then changed his mind. Instead, he spat to one side. “Okay, that was embarrassing.” He spat again.

“Why, no need to feel shame. ‘Tis a common enough reaction. Ye did well, boyo, for yer first encounter with the Amandán,” Mac Roth said as he dug in his pocket for his own handkerchief. Handing it over to his apprentice, he studied Lochlan. “But I think it's high time we return to Knight Lir's home. We've had enough excitement for one day.”

“Plus, we still haven't eaten supper yet, and I do love me some pizza,” Finn said with a smack of his lips.

Lochlan closed his eyes and leaned against the tree, one hand clutching his stomach. “You just had to mention that, didn't you?”

“Ye'll feel better after ye walk it off.” Mac Roth cleaned his weapons as best he could on his sleeve, then tucked the knife away. The hatchet he kept in his hand. Stepping to one side to allow Gideon to lead the way back, he motioned for his apprentice to join him.

Walking with his master, Finn glanced back over his shoulder at the pair behind him.
Maybe he's not like Asher after all. He seems pretty cool. I wouldn't mind hanging out with him
. Gloom weighed his feet.
Which is good, since Mr. Steel pretty much shot down my friendship with