On Fallen Wings (21 page)

“I don’t care what they say,” shouted Owen, shaking his fist. “It’s more than one man. Otherwise, where has all the stuff he’s taken gone? No man needs all that.”

“It would be hard for several men to hide such a crime,” said Cael, swinging a goblet absently in the air.

“Would it?” asked Father. “While everyone in the village cowers into their homes at night, men from Morgan could walk into town with torches, and no one would notice.”

“What do you think we should do, Neal?” said Earl. “Myself, I prefer to guard my home and my gardens. I’m not going to let some vile creature come and invade my living.”

Sean lowered his goblet to the table; I noticed a tiny splash; it was still full from his first pouring. “Who was the latest victim?” he asked.

The men looked at each other as if expecting another to speak.

Colin left the kitchen with grace and joined the men at the table. “The Tully’s home was robbed last night,” he said. His high voice was a bright contrast to the low, grumblings of the other men. “The bandit is real—whether alone or not—and he’s among us.”

We stood silently, all of us watching Colin while he spoke. Not known for long oration, the Chief Elder commanded respect whenever he offered an opinion.

Colin continued. “As a matter of discussion, I appreciate your enthusiasm.” He balanced a long pale hand on Cael’s shoulder. “And as a point of wisdom, we must remember that words during these dark nights will merely carry us until our sleep. Our actions will determine what fate offers us the following morning.”

Madeline and Mother, who stood beside me on both sides, nodded. Father noted his agreement by lifting his goblet.

“Should we hunt him down?” asked Owen. “Find the demon and chase him from the village?”

Colin waved a cautious finger. “No, such action requires approval from the rest of the Elders. That’s where we should begin.”

“I don’t understand why the Elders have to approve everything,” said Cael.

His words created a discomforting silence. Earl shook his head and mouthed a warning to stop.

Cael took another drink; it seemed to give him courage. “I don’t mean to disrespect you, Colin,” he said, raising his voice, “but the men of this village can solve this on our own.”

“What do you mean, Cael?” Colin’s face was rigid. “I understand that the substance of your argument is wrought with liquid; however, your outburst demands an explanation.”

I froze, barely daring to breath. I had never heard anyone defy an Elder, especially the Chief, and I had never seen Colin firm and commanding in this way. The crackle of the fire was the only sound until Cael spoke again.

“Being older doesn’t always make you wise.” He stood straight. “The men of the village know how to stop the fear, but you won’t allow us the chance to act on our suspicions.”

“What are you saying, Cael?” asked his father. “What suspicions? What do you know?”

“The village is scared because the Elders tell us to be scared. The people are afraid, because—” he looked at Colin.

“Go on,” growled Colin. “I’m listening.”

“—they are afraid because no one is protecting them.”

Colin nodded. “What protection are you suggesting, Cael?”

Cael took a long drink. “We should set up a guard,” he said. “Men, or even young men, will patrol the road, like we did during the celebration.”

“Who will patrol at night?” asked Colin. “Aisling is a peaceful village, full of hard working people who spend their days toiling in the sun and providing for each other.”

“I’ll do it,” said Cael. “My friends will do it. We would be honored to have your trust.”

“You have our trust,” said Colin. “And such an action could not guarantee safety for the village. You cannot be everywhere at once.”

“We can try.” Cael pounded his fist onto the table. “You said a moment ago that you want to see action. Did you mean it?”

Murmurs filled the room. Earl grabbed Cael by the shoulder, but he shrugged his father away. Colin stood firm and unwavering, waiting.

Cael raised his voice and plowed ahead. “We have a strong village, and our strength should be welcomed, not shunned by the Elders. We could be much more than a few hundred homes scattered in the trees.”

“Cael, you’ve abandoned reason for a moment of exhilarated passion,” said Colin. “Collect your thoughts and present them to your employer when you’re not drunk.” He pointed at Nia’s father. “Owen may argue to the Elders on your behalf. This peaceful home is not the forum for an outburst, and you are not prepared to debate successfully.”

“You’re not listening to me!” Cael’s eyes glowed. He lunged forward, but his father caught him. “You’re holding us back,” he yelled. “There doesn’t need to be an argument, or a council. Don’t you understand?”

Sean grabbed his brother by the arm. “Come on, Cael, you’ve said more than enough. Take a seat over here, or go outside and cool off in the weather.”

Cael wrestled his arm free and thrust Sean backward. “Let go of me. You don’t know anything; you haven’t been here. While you were off chasing dreams, I was here—protecting everything you love.”

Cael’s words made my face burn with anger. I wished I had told Sean what Cael had said to me before the celebration. Father stepped aside and placed his goblet back on the table. Mother and Madeline looked shocked, their hands covering their mouths. Colin stood steady by the wall, watching Cael intently while Sean and Earl wrestled to calm him.

“You drank too much, son,” said Earl, reaching for the goblet in Cael’s hand. “Calm down and relax. You’re being dishonorable.”

“That’s right,” said Sean. “You’re embarrassing me in front of our hosts and my future family.”

With a yell that shook the windows, Cael threw a shoulder at Sean, knocking him into Colin. Sean stumbled, kept his footing, and stepped forward, grabbing Cael in a firm grip around the neck.

“Calm down, now,” Sean spoke slowly, “or, I will hurt you.”

Cael wrestled his shoulders and twisted his body, but Sean locked his arm, refusing to let his brother go. With a snarl, Cael tossed his goblet at the open fireplace.

In an instant, flames filled the air.

I dropped to the ground, screaming as a wave of heat scorched my back. The room became bright as day, and my voice was drowned out in the chaotic scramble that followed. I couldn’t tell who else was yelling.

As quickly as it erupted, the commotion ended. When I lifted my head, I expected the house to be on fire. Instead, a small glow flickered in the stone fireplace, as if nothing had ever made it grow. Sean held Cael firm. Owen pushed both of his sons toward the hall. Colin had his back against the wall; the strings around the neck of his tunic were charred and the tips of his eyebrows glowed.

Father held a metal pitcher of water, and searched the room for something to extinguish, but there wasn’t a need. The commotion and the flames had disappeared. He returned the pitcher to the floor next to the stone hearth.

“I’m sorry about this, Neal,” said Sean, holding his struggling brother tight. He turned to me; his face was flush red and I saw the pain in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Rhiannon. I wanted our night together to be more than this.”

“I understand,” I said, nodding. I forced back a tear. “It isn’t your fault.”

Earl shoved Cael in the chest before turning to Colin and bowing. “Sir, I’m embarrassed,” he said. “My son is drunk and his thoughts are twisted.”

Colin smiled and walked slowly to the kitchen. He reached an arm around his wife. “Earl, you are a noble man, and have a valiant son.” He looked at Cael and Sean without changing his calm expression. “It’s a shame our youthful energy battles aged wisdom, when both seek the same result. One day the sun will rise on our village, and someone who combines both will guide us all to greatness.” He bowed his head. “I search for that day.”

Earl nodded to Colin, then turned to my father. “I’m sorry, Neal.”

Father wiped his beard and reached across the room to grab Earl in a large hug. “You’re family now.” He patted Sean on the shoulder. “We’ll greet you again soon. It’s good to have you home.” He poked Cael in the chest. “Get some sleep, boy. There’s no damage here, if you learned something.”

Cael fought to speak, but Sean covered his mouth and pushed him to the end of the hall. As he passed me, Sean motioned with his head to follow him. Earl offered hugs to Mother and me before rushing to the front door. I took cautious steps after him, but paused when a flurry of curses echoed off the trees outside. I peered out the open front door; Cael was loose and running toward the road. Sean remained on the porch.

“When can I visit you again?” he asked, turning back toward me. As he stepped forward, Cael slammed the front gate and cursed the moon.

“You’re my betrothed,” I said. “You can visit me whenever you want.”

Sean shook his head. “I’ll need to find someone new to come with me, if I’m to visit you after dusk.” He paused, looked behind him, and then glanced over my shoulder. “Unless, I sneak back home in the darkness.”

“Don’t break the law for me,” I told him. “Maybe Father will allow you to stay the night.”

Sean chuckled softly. “I don’t think he’s ready for that. He’d stand guard with a short sword at the bottom of the stairs to keep me from wandering up during the night.”

“Would you try to visit me in the night?”

His smile revealed the temptation. “Nothing can keep me away from you, now. I wouldn’t put your Father through the grief.”

Sean squeezed me tight. I could smell burnt ale on his tunic, but I passed my warmth to him and accepted his. I closed my eyes and imagined a night in the near future when we wouldn’t have to say goodbye.

“I should go,” he said. Sean released his hug and kissed me. “I’ll visit you in a day or two.”

“Will you come sooner?” I asked. “I’m already missing you.”

Sean lifted the diamond briolette on my necklace and kissed it. “Here’s a piece of me,” he said. “Whenever you wear this, I’ll be close.”

I caressed the small jewel.

Sean smiled and then pulled away. “Goodnight.”

In the dark, I could only see his shadow and watched it drift away while listening to his footsteps, until they faded into the quiet of the night. I touched the pendant on my necklace once more and imagined it still carried the warmth left by Sean’s lips. Spring suddenly felt so far. After a final glance at the darkness, I rejoined the group inside the house.

“Is everything all right?” asked Nia, staring at me when I entered the kitchen.

“Yes,” I answered. “It’s been an eventful night. That’s all.”

Madeline glided toward me and offered me a hug. “We’re here for you, Rhiannon. All of us.”

I accepted her warmth and breathed in the perfect scent of minty rose that lingered with her. “Thank you,” I said, sniffling. “Getting married is harder than I imagined.”

Blood and Aurelia Leaves

The empty cart rocked and clattered on the uneven path while I pushed it through Aisling. Despite my thick gloves, its vibrating handles made my hands tingle. I stopped pushing, allowing it to roll to a stop ahead of me, and removed the gloves. I massaged my fingers and stared at the sky. The sun was out, but the day was as cold as I could remember. Thankfully, there wasn’t any wind.

“Let’s go,” said Leila, turning back to watch me. “I want to get there before midday.”

I cupped my hands together and blew warm air between them. “You can take the cart if you want. I’ll catch up to you.”

Leila revealed a frozen smile and kept walking. “Go ahead and push,” she said. “I want to keep my hands warm.”

I replaced my gloves, tightened the top of my cloak and hood, and shoved the cart forward again. Mother had chosen a pitiful day to send us for baking flour.

When we arrived at Tara Dunn’s stone house, Leila knocked on the front door. I rested the cart near the trunk of a tree. The door opened and Leila disappeared inside. As I approached, a young boy opened the door enough for me to enter.

“Thank you, Andrew,” I said, relishing the warm air—redolent with the scent of baked bread—that occupied the front room.

“It’s a cold day,” said Andrew, trying to sound older than he was. He was born the same year as my brother. “I’m surprised you came.”

“My mother insisted,” I told him honestly. I removed my gloves. “I don’t think anyone should be outside today.”

I tucked the gloves into my cloak pocket and followed him past the small room and into the kitchen. Leila stood huddled near a large fireplace, rubbing her shoulders. Trips to the Dunn home were normally pleasant; today, the cold had filtered past my layers of stockings and sweaters. I was miserable.

“Would you both like some warm cider?” asked Tara, as she entered the kitchen. Her apron was covered in flour. She grabbed two wooden goblets from a white cupboard and approached the fire, where a kettle warmed.

“Yes, please,” Leila and I answered together.

She filled the cups with copper liquid. “Here,” she said, carefully handing them to us. “This will warm you while I collect your order.”