Tree of Ages Box Set

by Sara C. Roethle

  The townsfolk on the outskirts watched them warily as they approached. Fear that hadn’t been there a day before now shone in their eyes. He wondered if the Alderman was now regretting the decision to allow magic users in his burgh. Magic always brought danger, no matter who wielded it. He’d learned from experience, traveling with Finn.

  He exhaled in relief as a familiar figure came into view, twin daggers at her hips. Conversing with someone hidden by a market stall, she turned and spotted their group, then waved in greeting.

  Kai waved back and laughed.

  “There’s Ealasaid,” Finn pointed with her free hand, keeping the other arm firmly around Naoki to still her. Sure enough, Ealasaid had stepped out from behind the stall to peek in the direction Anna pointed.

  Iseult grunted in acknowledgement. “And Maarav.”

  Feeling safe now that they’d crossed the boundary into the burgh, and anxious to hear just what had happened, Kai urged his horse to a trot. Soon enough, he reached Anna, waiting by the wide road intersecting the first rows of homes.

  As he dismounted near Anna, Ealasaid and Maarav moved to surround him, along with a woman somewhere in her fifties, dressed in black, her gray hair pulled back in a tight braid. She was somewhat familiar, but Kai couldn’t quite place her.

  Ealasaid opened her mouth to ask a question, but stopped as Iseult, Finn, and Bedelia reached them.

  Iseult dismounted, his gaze not on his brother, but on the gray-haired woman. He put a hand on Finn’s leg to prevent her dismount. He eyed the older woman like she might bite. “Explain,” he said simply, turning his gaze to Maarav.

  “We intend to,” Maarav replied, positioning himself between Iseult and the older woman, “in private. For now, you have nothing to fear from Slàine.”

  Iseult narrowed his eyes at Maarav, but stepped aside so Finn could dismount. With her arms around Naoki, she swung her right leg over the saddle. Iseult put his hands on her waist, easing her down without disturbing her bundle.

  Together, they led the four horses down the main road toward the inn.

  After the short walk, Kai and Iseult handed their reins to the stableman. Kai held out his hand for Finn’s reins, but she seemed unsure. Clutching Naoki protectively, she turned and looked at her white horse, as if asking for permission. The animal flicked its mane from side to side, and Finn exhaled in relief. She handed her reins to Kai, who then handed them to the stablehand, along with a few coins. Bedelia passed her reins off behind them, remaining silent, as she had the entire ride from the meadow. Kai sensed something burdened her, but did not know her well enough to ask.

  Soon enough, they were all inside the warm inn, sharing a table. Naoki had been left to rest in Anna’s rented room, exhausted from her long journey, perhaps longer, than any of them had endured, due to lack of proper care. The dragon seemed more than content to curl up on the floor before the fire, judging by the way she began to snore within a few short moments.

  Kai wouldn’t have minded a proper room himself, but there were more pressing matters than rest, hence, his presence in the common room. They’d all had their wounds tended, and now he and Iseult sat on either side of Finn, like bookends sandwiching her to keep her in place. He knew Iseult was likely feeling the same as him, like Finn might suddenly disappear at any moment, or be taken away. They both guarded her with watchful eyes.

  Across from them sat Slàine, Maarav, and Ealasaid, with Anna and Sativola positioned at the end of the table. Bedelia sat on her own at the other end. Tavish, Rae, and the other black clad assassins sat at a separate table, conversing quietly amongst themselves. Their presence made Kai uneasy, but he trusted Anna’s judgement. If she felt they were safe from the assassins, then they were.

  Slàine cleared her throat, calling the impromptu meeting to order. Kai turned his gaze to her, eager for an explanation.

  “We tried to stop this from happening,” she explained, her eyes intent on Iseult, as if he were the only one to whom she owed an explanation. “Not only the bloodshed that occurred outside of this town, but the bloodshed that will likely follow. As I already told Maarav, we wanted Finn not to turn her in for coin, but rather, to stop her from fulfilling her part in an ancient prophecy. We were the ones who put out the original bounty, simply as a means of finding her.” She took a deep breath. “This prophecy, passed down through generations, states that when the seasons change, growing unseasonably cold, magic will return to the land. The Faie will awaken from their long slumber, and three queens will seek the Faie Queen’s Shroud in order to rule them all. Two queens will die. One will live. And the world as we know it, will end.”

  Kai shook his head in disbelief. This had all been because of a prophecy? “And you would have killed us all to prevent this prophecy from fulfilling?”

  Slàine nodded. “My mother was a seer, as was her mother before her. While I lack such gifts,” the edges of her mouth turned downward bitterly, “I made a vow at my mother’s deathbed that I would continue her work. I would not allow this prophecy to come to pass, even if it meant cutting down everyone who stood in my way.”

  Kai could practically feel Finn’s anxiety radiating from her small form. He turned to find her biting her lip, as if preventing the words threatening to escape.

  Slàine smirked, seeming to know just what Finn was thinking. “You are one of the three queens. By birthright, you are Queen of the Dair, not just of your tribe, but of all. Oighear the White is Queen of the Aos Sí, and we do not know the name of the third queen, only that she is a magic wielding human.”

  Finn nodded, and Kai’s eyes widened. Could it be true?

  “Rulers among the Dair are not chosen by blood,” Finn explained, her eyes flicking from Kai, to Iseult, then back to Slàine. “We’re chosen by birth,” she continued. “I was born during a rare alignment in the stars, placing me next in line to rule, but our previous queen, Maeveen, still lived until just before I-” she hesitated. “She was killed,” she explained evenly, “and I was no longer around to take her place.”

  More confused than ever, Kai watched as Finn batted at the tears forming in her eyes. Iseult placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She nodded and muttered, “I’m well, do not fret.”

  Still reeling from the news, Kai turned to Slàine. “So you went after Finn instead of Oighear, not bothering to figure out the third queen’s identity?”

  “We know only that she is human, and will reveal herself in time. That left us with two queens to choose from, and we knew Oighear would be difficult to reach once she resurfaced. Finn was the most practical choice.”

  “And you would have killed her,” Iseult stated before Kai could, even though he’d been thinking the same thing. If Slàine wanted to prevent the prophecy at all costs, she would eventually resort to killing the three queens one by one.

  Slàine shrugged. “If we had to. As you may recall, the bounty asked for her alive and unharmed. We were willing to negotiate.”

  “Hmf,” Iseult replied. “I gather your presence here means you’ve reconsidered the power you hold in this situation?”

  She nodded, pushing a stray lock of gray hair behind her ear. “Yes, I know I cannot stop Finnur if she chooses to move forward. I now only hope to convince her of the truth.”

  Kai turned his gaze to Finn at the odd elongation of her name.

  Not seeming to notice, she frowned so deeply it cut her face in half. “Well Oighear is already dead,” she admitted, “and there was no third queen there when she was killed, unless you mean Bedelia.”

  All eyes turned to Bedelia, who shrunk like a black and blue flower wilting in the cold.

  “Not her,” Slàine confirmed. “The third queen is a magic wielding human. Each of the queens is,” she hesitated, “or was, in Oighear’s situation, capable of ruling over all with their innate powers. No matter which queen wins, the world will change, and countless lives will be lost. Such great change cannot come about without great tragedy. It does not matter who dies first or las
t. It is the claiming of the shroud we’d hoped to prevent.”

  Kai tensed. If that was the case . . .

  “It is already done,” Finn muttered, her gaze on Slàine. “I have claimed the shroud.”

  “Then it is finished,” Slàine sighed. “One of the three queens has claimed the shroud. I have failed.”

  “I’ll step down,” Finn pleaded. “I was never officially acknowledged after Maeveen’s death. If I refuse to claim my birthright, then the prophecy cannot come to pass.”

  Slàine shook her head. “That you are ruler by birth is all that matters. It is the claiming of the shroud by a woman meant to rule that will set things in motion.”

  Finn looked like she might cry. Kai took her hand and gave it a squeeze, wanting only to offer comfort.

  Her tears began to fall. “It’s all my fault then. The world will end because of me.”

  Kai looked to Slàine hopefully. There had to be some sort of catch. Finn would never bring about the end of days.

  Slàine simply stared back at him, her gaze unwavering.

  He sighed. “What will happen now?”

  She shrugged. “I do not know. The prophecy ended there. Regardless, we have failed.”

  Ealasaid, who had been hunched in her seat, making herself as small as possible, cleared her throat. “Forgive me, but didn’t you say that two of the three queens must die for the prophecy to come to pass? From what you’ve explained, the shroud is only the first step. If Finn and this third queen are both still alive, perhaps not all is lost.”

  Slàine narrowed her eyes at her, then nodded. “Perhaps.”

  Finn exhaled in relief. “I will do whatever it takes to stop anything horrible from coming to pass. I will put an end to the Cavari, and any others who might threaten this land.”

  Slàine’s eyes widened, then she bowed her head. “If that is truly your will, my people will aid you. If we cannot stop this budding war from occurring, we can only hope to end it quickly.”

  Kai watched, somewhat awestruck, as Finn nodded sharply. Something had changed in her demeanor. She was becoming the powerful woman she was always meant to be.

  Slàine and the others continued to converse well into the evening, while Kai contented himself with a dram of whiskey, glad to at least be safe and warm with Finn by his side.

  He knew, perhaps, he should fear her new role, and her magical capabilities. Only a fool would care more for the fate of the dangerous creature beside him, than for himself or his countrymen.

  He sighed. So then he was a fool, but he’d never claimed to be anything else.

  Later that evening, Maarav finally found a moment to be alone with Slàine, while their respective companions rested from their long journeys.

  “How could you not have told me?” he finally balked at her prolonged silence. “You practically raised me.”

  He looked to the woman he thought of as his mother in many ways. The woman who had taught him to fight. Taught him to kill. She was just as deadly now as ever.

  Slàine smirked at his half-empty brandy mug, letting him know she’d been watching just how many times he’d had it refilled . . . which probably meant too many, though he’d long since lost count.

  He followed her gaze as she glanced at Finn and the others, sharing drinks around a separate table, along with Tavish, who’d seemed glad to rejoin the group after having faced down the Cavari.

  “I knew you might have conflicting interests,” Slàine said distantly. She turned back to him. “Were you aware that I knew your mother before you were sent to us?”

  His eyes widened. “I was aware she knew someone within Áit I Bhfolach. I did not know that it was you.”

  “You know better than to speak the name of our home out loud,” she hissed, then hunched back into her seat, “but yes, it was I your mother made her bargain with. She wanted to take her sons to Migris, and I wanted one of her sons in return.”

  He pursed his lips in thought. Part of him felt like he should be angry, but the wounds of abandonment were so old, he could not muster any ire. “Why are you telling me this?”

  She snatched his cup from his hand and emptied the rest of his brandy down her throat. Handing the empty mug back, she answered, “So that you will understand why I kept my secret from you. Your mother confided in me of your curse, and of her need to save her boys. I also knew that one of the three queens would be a Cavari woman who would spend a century melded with the earth as a mighty oak, after cursing your people. When the Faie sightings increased, I knew she was soon to return, and I spread word of the bounty.”

  Maarav nodded. “Yes, so you could have Finn brought to you, and you could decide what to do with her to stop the prophecy from being fulfilled. I still don’t know what that has to do with me.” He raised his empty mug to gain the barmaid’s attention, but she seemed to be busy with their companions.

  “Honestly,” Slàine replied tiredly, “I had hoped to use you as a bargaining tool. If she agreed to my terms, I could hand over one of the last members of your clan. She cursed your people once. I thought maybe she’d hate the bloodline still.”

  His mouth fell open. “So you raised me up to be slaughtered? Am I nothing more than a tasty pig to you?”

  Slàine scowled. “Why do you think I encouraged you to go off to Migris without any of our people? I changed my mind.”

  He leaned back against his chair. The room was spinning nicely, softening the blow of learning his adoptive mother had once thought to sacrifice him. At least she had changed her mind.

  Slàine’s features softened. He knew she would not apologize, nor would she ask for forgiveness. It was not her way. They were both here, alive, and that was what mattered.

  “You like that girl,” she observed with a suddenly smug grin, nodding in the direction of Ealasaid. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you so taken with someone.”

  He smirked. “The girl calls lightning from thin air and runs into battle without fear. The girl, is terrifying.”

  Slàine laughed, then lifted her hand to successfully catch the barmaid’s attention. She pointed to Maarav’s cup, then held up two fingers. Turning her gaze back to him, she taunted, “I didn’t think you were the type of man to turn his back on danger and . . . terror.”

  The barmaid hurried over to them with her tray of fresh drinks in hand. He took two mugs of brandy from her as he stood, placing a few coins on her tray. He turned back to Slàine with a wink. “I’m not.”

  He sauntered across the room, then gestured for Tavish to move so he could resume his seat next to Ealasaid. He handed her the fresh brandy, then leaned in close to her ear. “You better drink up,” he whispered. “Tomorrow you begin your leadership of An Solas, with me as your humble advisor.”

  She took a swig of the brandy, though she was clearly already a bit drunk. She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Why Maarav, I thought you’d never ask.”

  Though the whiskey before her soothed Bedelia’s sore body, it did nothing to alleviate the weight on her mind. She watched Finn carefully, laughing with Kai and Sativola. She wished she could be part of the jovial scene, but she still needed to speak with Finn. She’d told Iseult all of her secrets, believing there was no way they’d survive Oighear’s dungeon.

  No. That wasn’t right. She would have told him regardless. She had planned to do so in Badenmar, but lacked the courage. It was only with death staring her in the face that she’d been desperate enough to speak out.

  Her gaze met Iseult’s across the room. He sat near Finn and the others, but remained somehow separate. He gave her a small nod and she took a quavering breath. He believed Finn would forgive her. After all, she’d forgiven him.

  She stood, brushing imaginary dust off her freshly cleaned breeches, then forced her feet to carry her across the room. Finn noticed her before the others and smiled.

  “May we speak in private?” Bedelia asked sheepishly upon reaching her.

  Kai looked at her questioningly, but did not object as
Finn nodded and stood. “Of course.”

  The two women made their way across the common room toward the stone fireplace, blazing with a comforting fire, and an empty bench placed before it. Together they sat, and Finn waited patiently for her to speak.

  “I have some things I need to tell you,” she sighed, “but I do not know where to begin.”

  Finn smiled softly. “Does it have something to do with why you were in the woods the night we met, all alone as if waiting for me? And why you later conveniently waited on the Sand Road at the perfect time, even though I’d been out to sea for weeks?”

  “D-did Iseult tell you?” she stammered. “I told him I would tell you myself!”

  Finn raised her hands in a calming gesture. “He told me nothing!” she laughed. “Well,” she began more sedately, “nothing except to be careful what I said around you, just in case. He thought it odd how you so conveniently happened upon us.”

  Her heart’s nervous patter slowed. So Finn had suspected her all along? She was such a fool to believe she could have so easily deceived everyone. She was a warrior, not a trickster.

  She took a shaky breath, then met Finn’s earnest gaze. “I was sent by Keiren Deasmhumhain, daughter of Àed Deasmhumhain, to gain your trust.”

  Finn gasped. All humor suddenly drained from her face. “Àed? Do you know where he is?”

  She nodded. “I will get to that soon. Keiren sent me to meet you in the woods that first night. I did not know her plans, nor do I now. All I knew was my quest, to gain your trust, and eventually lead you to Keiren. There was something or someone protecting you from her sight. I was there the night the Archtree burned. Well,” she hesitated, feeling overwhelmingly guilty, “I burned it, upon Keiren’s orders.”

  Finn was shaking her head over and over again. “I do not understand. Why would you burn the Archtree?”

  “Keiren had hoped to stop you from finding answers,” she explained. “Now that I’ve heard Slàine’s prophecy, I believe it has something to do with that. She wanted to manipulate you in some way. After you left the Island, she sent me to wait for you on the Sand Road.”