A blue-grey expanse of water stretched out before her, the sun glinting off ripples and waves as the boat rocked under her. A salty breeze washed over her and the sun warmed her. Bat wanted to sink into these sensations, to ignore the responsibilities pressing down on her.
“Ya summoned me, oh goddess on high?” Ailis popped up in front of her. The trooping fae’s green hair was a mess, her deep-blue t-shirt was worse for wear, and dried blood decorated her arms. But her smile was bright, and the usual mischief sparked in her eyes.
Shar’s arms tightened around Bat once more.
“Uh. Giant of mine, I must have room to breath.” Bat’s voice was faint as she attempted to suck in oxygen.
Her pirate-giant grumbled but loosened his hold. Bat patted his arm again then turned her attention back to Ailis. “I was wondering if we could… talk.” Bat had never understood why people used that one word to cover a multitude of hidden meanings—until now, that was. Talk. The innocent word could conjure both dread and secret meanings. Even to her own ears it sounded ominous, and she really hadn’t meant it to be.
Ailis’s brows rose and Shar’s arms tightened, again.
“It is nothing bad,” Bat hurried to interject. “I simply have too many thoughts to easily sort out on my own. The brothers are needed to handle the boat—” this she added for Shar’s sake, “—and Finn is still helping the injured.”
“So, I’m yer fifth choice.”
“No!” Bat bit her lip. “Of course not…”
Ailis laughed again. “I’m just poking at ya. Come on, let’s go.” Ailis reached down and pulled her up. There was a brief tug-of-war before Shar finally released Bat.
Bat turned back to him for a moment. Using her free arm, she tugged his head to hers and planted a light kiss against his lips. “I would love to stay in your arms the rest of the day, but Dub no doubt needs your assistance with the boat, and I need to speak with Ailis.”
Shar frowned but didn’t protest further. She knew she had hurt him on some level by choosing Ailis to speak with, but she really couldn’t talk over most of her concerns with him, or any of the brothers. Not until she got some clarity.
And Ailis was very good at telling her just the things she needed to hear to gain that clarity.
“Ya can just tell him it’s ‘girl talk’ next time. Most men back away from that phrase like it’s gonna tear chunks of flesh from their hides,” Ailis said as she led Bat around the upper cabin and salon toward a narrow ladder leading up to a small observation platform.
“I’ve been exploring. This is as much privacy as we’re going to get on this boat,” the fae told her.
When they were settled, Bat stared at her friend. Where do I start?
Ailis waited.
“I met Alatrom.” Bat decided to begin with the one thing she had a clear question about.
“Ah.”
“He… was not what I expected him to be.” Bat fingered the hem of her light sweater. “He kicked them out of the clan, which some may call cruel, but…”
“It’s what they’ve always wanted, to be on their own,” Ailis said, her tone even. Gone was the teasing humor.
“I think he knew that. I think he… I think this invitation he sent was a last effort to connect with them. I do not believe he meant it as a threat, or as anything other than one last chance to see his sons gathered together and with him. I… saw some things when I met him.” Bat took the time to choose her words. She wouldn’t reveal the details of the vision, for that was something private between the brothers and their father.
“A vision.”
“Yes.”
Silence fell between the two women. Voices filtered to them from below. Someone slammed a door, and heavy steps carried on the air.
A dark head appeared at the top of the ladder. Dub’s hair was wild and his jaw was shadowed with scruff. He wore his concerned frown. “Ya all right, storeen?”
Bat swayed, drawn toward this not-man. “Yes,” she finally answered. “Ailis and I needed girl talk.”
Dub’s eyes narrowed, but the magical words worked. He nodded. “You’ll tell us if it’s something we need to know.” It was not a request.
It was Bat’s turn to frown. “Of course I will tell you. Do you not trust me?”
Dub snorted. “Of course I trust you,” he shot back, echoing her words. “But ye’re keeping secrets again. I know you well enough now to be able to know that much.”
Bat’s eyes widened. She’d been keeping secrets for not even a full day. How…?
Dub raised his brows. “See? Secrets.”
Ailis came to her rescue. “A woman is entitled to her secrets, Dub O’Loinsigh. If you take all the mystery from a relationship, you take most of the fun.” The green-haired fae waved a hand. “Now, go away. We’re not done with our girl talk.”
Dub’s frown turned to a scowl and he took a step down.
“Wait!” Bat called out.
He paused.
She hurried to lean forward and press a kiss to his lips. “I am glad you are well, now.” She studied his face as his expression eased. “The injury was not too bad?”
He grunted. “It was manageable.”
“I will come see you when I finish with Ailis? There are many things to discuss and plan, once I have my thoughts gathered.”
He gave her a kiss of his own, deeper than the quick peck she’d given him. “The boat only has a quarter tank of fuel, and no provisions. Saoirse knows of a town with a small marina about an hour from here where we can stock up. Ye’ve got time. I’ll be down in the pilot house.”
Bat gave him a confused look.
“The bridge,” he clarified. “Where the boat’s controls are.”
She nodded and watched as he disappeared from view.
Ailis cleared her throat. “Ya handle them verra well.”
Bat’s cheeks flushed with heat. “I’ve been meaning to ask, but there never seems to be time, who is Saoirse?” she asked in a nonchalant tone, or what she hoped was nonchalant. She buried the small tendril of jealousy that had formed at the sound of the woman’s name coming from Dub’s lips.
Ailis flashed her a look that let Bat know she wasn’t fooled. “She’s a selkie, a daughter of Lir. And she’s no threat to ya, so don’t be pulling out yer claws just yet.”
Bat’s cheeks heated further. “I am easy to read, am I not?”
Ailis reached out and gave her shoulder a playful shove. “Maybe. But it’s not a bad thing.” The fae sobered. “Saoirse is a good ally to have. I’m not sure why she decided to help us, but having a daughter of Manannan mac Lir on our side is a true advantage.”
“So, she’s the seal from my vision,” Bat said.
“Probably. We may have the men of ba to track the cauldron, but Saoirse will be able to lead us through any ocean pitfalls as we make our way there. And… she probably knows more than she’s saying. Most fae do. I think we need to trust her, for now.”
Bat nodded. “I need to make the time to finish scanning everyone.”
“Can’t the men of ba do that?”
Bat paused. They could, and she trusted them. “Yes,” she finally said.
“Ya need to remember we’re all a team now.”
Bat lay on her back, her head butting up against the low bulwark. There was just enough room with her knees drawn up. “I know. I suppose I… need the reminder.” She’d been alone for millennia. Those habits would not change in a matter of days, or even weeks. She’d done well over the last couple of days with utilizing the skills and strengths of the people around her. She just needed to remember that this was a war—even if there were only a few players—and that she had allies and fighters waiting for her to direct them. “That is yet another thing. I need to finish meeting everyone. I need to know all their strengths and weaknesses in order to properly strategize, and I—“
“Bat, stop.” Ailis appeared over her, leaning in on one arm. “Again, rely on those around you. I happen to know the answers
to every single thing you just mentioned. Finn and Dub and the rest know it all too. They are experienced warriors and battle leaders, they can handle that side of things.” Ailis’s gaze softened. “I don’t mean to belittle your purpose here, but from what I see, the main thing we need from you is information. Your visions, your intuitions, your guidance. And maybe a song and a smile or two to keep everyone in line.” Ailis’s tone was matter of fact as she said all this, and she never broke eye contact with Bat.
The words hurt, but at the same time brought a sense of relief. A part of her felt she was letting everyone down by not being able to take on all of these tasks. She was the one they were looking to for guidance, to lead them, and she did not know how. She did not know anything about boats, and held only the smallest knowledge of strategy from those brief sessions with Narmer and Seth during the war to unite Egypt. Other than their favorite drinks, and who preferred a reel over a ballad, she knew so little about the fae that now accompanied her, and even less about the best way to utilize them.
It was all a reminder of how removed she’d been from the world for most of her existence. And as much as she’d broken out of the shell of isolation she’d built around herself, that confidence was new and all too fragile sometimes.
“Thank you,” she said to Ailis.
The fae sucked in a breath and blushed. “Now, no need to be going and making this awkward.”
Bat chuckled. “I mean it. Somehow, you always know just what to say to me.” She reached over and poked her green-haired friend’s side. “Even if your words are sometimes harsh.”
Ailis stuck out her tongue then sobered. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t meet everyone and learn about them. You should. They’re only here because of you. I’m saying not to worry about it, we got this. Also, we need to feel useful too.” The last was said in her usual playful tone. “Got it?”
“Got it.”
Silence fell once more as they let their minds wander. Bat’s thoughts eventually returned to their original discussion.
“I don’t know what to tell them about Alatrom,” she said.
“The O’Loinsighs?”
Bat nodded, her head shifting against the wood of the platform.
“I’m not sure you need to say anything.”
“But…” Bat searched for the right words. “I saw pieces of them in him. There was so much of Dub and Mell and Shar mixed together in Alatrom, it was impossible for me to hate him, even if I wanted to for their sakes.”
“You want to mend that rift.”
“No. I do not think so. I just want them to stop hurting. Maybe if they realize he held some care for them…”
“Or it could make everything worse. Would you rather be hurt by someone who hated you, or someone who loved you?”
The simple question silenced Bat. The answer was easy.
Pain was so much worse when inflicted by the ones who were supposed to love you.
Ailis sighed. “If they ask, tell them the truth of what you saw, what you think. But wait for them to bring it up.”
Bat smiled up at the blue sky. “What would I do without you?”
“Probably flounder in confusion and make a mess of things.”
“I’m glad you found me on the street that night.”
Ailis was silent for a long moment. “Me too,” she finally said.
With that, Bat allowed her mind to turn to the next problem. As Dub had said, she was keeping secrets.
“Ailis?” She waited until the fae grunted at her. “Do you believe there are some secrets that must be kept?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in the short answer.
“Even from those you love and trust?”
This time Ailis didn’t answer right away. “Yes. Trust doesn’t mean you tell everyone everything you know. Trust goes both ways. If you are holding something secret, I trust you are doing it because you must.” Then she whispered, “Some things are not meant to be known.”
Ailis’s words played around in Bat’s mind and resonated deep inside her. They firmed Bat’s resolve to keep the secret of Osiris’s re-birth just that—secret. Part of her resented the Egyptian god of the Underworld for telling her this truth, for giving her the burden of something that must remain unspoken. The other part of her realized just how much of a burden it had been for the god to carry.
Once more a comfortable silence enveloped them, broken only by the creaking of the boat, the lapping of waves against the hull, and the trickle of conversation from below. Bat took the opportunity to sort through everything that had happened that day, everything that she had been through, every change that had occurred since one cream and gold invitation had been delivered to The Dubros pub.
Ailis was right, she needed to concentrate on figuring out what her visions meant and what path they needed to take so that Dub and the others could figure out the strategies needed to follow that path.
Bat conjured up each vision she had received since this quest began. There were the visions of the past that gave her clues to who the players were and what they were after, there were the flashes that showed her the direction her actions should take, and then there were the ones that hinted at futures to avoid, such as the one of Shar and Ari in the alley behind the pub.
Was the one of her playing her harp for the cauldron one to avoid, or one to follow? On the surface, it was obviously a future eventuality that should be avoided, but something in her urged her not to dismiss that future so readily.
A narrow path to take. The Morrigan’s words came back to her. Just how narrow could the path to taking down Balor be?
Flash. Daniel-Balor and Ailis lay lifeless amongst the shards of a destroyed cauldron.
Bat let out an involuntary whimper. Surely this was not the ending they were headed toward? Could there be another way? Her eyes burned as a pale and limp Ailis haunted her, overlaying the sight of the clear blue sky above her.
“Bat?”
She swallowed, her throat thick. “Yes?”
“Ya all right?”
She remained silent for a long moment. Then she uttered what may have been the hardest words she had ever needed to say. “Some things are not meant to be known,” she whispered.
Clothing rustled as Ailis shifted. Then she let out a sardonic laugh. “Guess I deserved that.” Ailis’s hand found Bat’s and gave it a squeeze. “Ya do what ya gotta do, goddess.”
The words were full of trust. Bat gripped her friend’s hand as her throat tightened and tears threatened once more.
She would find a way to change at least one part of this latest vision. She would not lose this person, nor disappoint the trust given to her.
Chapter 14
Bastie,
I like silence.
Never thought I’d say that. I spent all too much of my existence in silence.
Now, I am growing to appreciate it. Especially when that silence is spent in good companionship.
I really do believe you would like Ailis. Maybe one day I’ll be able to introduce you two.
- Bat
BAT
She and Ailis stayed like this for another ten minutes before one last thing occurred to Bat.
“Ailis?”
“Hmmm.”
“Why did you hesitate this afternoon?”
“When we were attacked? Not sure. There was something… almost like a glamour, but not. If it were a glamour we would have sensed it right away. Whatever it was, it clouded my mind, and I couldn’t move. I was seeing what was happening, but not, all in the same moment.”
“It didn’t affect everyone.”
“No. I suspect it’s some kind of battle magic. I was going to bring it up to Dub and Finn during the next huddle.” Ailis sat up. “Which is probably soon. Any more girl talk we need to engage in?”
Bat pulled herself up as well. “No. I think that was mostly it.” She tilted her head. “Is there any girl talk we need to engage in for you?”
Ailis laughed. “Unfortunate
ly, no. My life’s a bit barren of company of the male persuasion. But I’ll let ya know if that changes.” Ailis sent her a wink and stood. She peered over the edge of the lookout and laughed. “I was wondering why no one was bothering us.”
A red streak shot into the air above Ailis’s head. “Goddess are ya done broodin’? The grumpy one said it was ‘girl talk’ but I know that just means ye’re broodin’ but I also know it’s best to let a female brood or—“
A pink spot appeared next to the male pixie. “Ya stop it, Daire. I told ya it’s no’ broodin’. Just because ye’re a male and a fool does no’ mean ya can—“
“I’m after thinking ya should both stop now and let them down.” This last was from Taire, her silver glow nearly invisible against the bright sky.
“Oh!” the two other pixies exclaimed before zipping away from the top of the ladder.
Bat grinned at them as she approached the low rail. Peering over the side, her grin widened. Killer and the two other pups whose names she had yet to learn had stationed themselves at the foot of the ladder, preventing anyone from approaching.
She climbed down and gave her baby a good scratch behind his ears. “You are such a good pup, my Killer.” His tail waved in gentle agreement to her compliments. The other two pups pressed against her, begging for attention, and she gave it to them.
Once all the heads were scratched and puppy-love had been given, she headed for the place the boat was steered from—the bridge, she reminded herself. “I really need to learn about boats and ships,” she muttered.
Glass and windows surrounded the bridge. Dub, Finn, Con, Mell, and Saoirse were crowded inside. Five people did not seem like many, but the space was tight, filled with equipment and controls housed in panels and cases ranged around the perimeter.
Dub and Saoirse stood close, their heads bent together. Mell, Finn and Con were in a conversation of their own.
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