“That I shouldn’t come here spying, and something about time…” My teeth were chattering uncontrollably and it seemed as though the dark of night had descended on us.
“Well, she was right on both counts,” my companion pointed out, reining in by the side of the river where the trees thinned out a bit. “It’s well past sunset, and even the twilight is starting to fade.”
I looked about then, appalled to realize that the moon had set already, and the late glow of the summer sky was giving way to night and stars.
“There’ll be a real ruckus going on at home, I expect.” Kevin’s voice had gone deep with concern, and I groaned inwardly at the thought of what we could expect ahead. “We’d better find the path, and make the best time we can,” he added, urging Gulldancer forward.
So we left the Black Lake, with Kevin in the lead and me clinging to Featherfoot with a rising dread. I expected the Priestess to appear before us at any moment, barring our way and laughing at our distress. The hatred and suspicion that had crossed her face when we met was more frightening than anything I had ever seen before, as though somehow I had looked upon the very heart of darkness, and I fled from it, terrified.
As we made our way out of the Sanctuary the night spirits floated about us, gliding past in the form of an owl and rattling through the trees with the sound of the nightjar. Kevin set a reasonable pace, but it seemed unbearably slow, for I wanted to get safely back as fast as possible.
Once we were beyond the mountain base and the forest opened up, I drew abreast of him and pushed Featherfoot into a canter. Within a few strides she stumbled, and I careened forward, landing with a crunch on the ground below.
Kevin was kneeling beside me immediately, muttering dire warnings to the Gods and begging me to say something.
“Is Featherfoot…?” was the best I could manage, for my stomach was heaving and I couldn’t get my breath.
“She didn’t go down,” he answered, sliding an arm under my shoulders and raising me slightly.
“Yooww!” I howled as a flash of pain twisted through my shoulder. Kevin carefully ran his hand along the bones of my arm, then up over the shoulder, and paused at the base of my throat.
“No more racing through the dark for you tonight,” he said grimly as I cursed the web of bad luck enmeshing us.
“We’ll be in for it now,” I gulped, furious that I had ever set out upon this mission.
Kevin went to check Featherfoot, and as he led her back to me I could see, even in the starlight, that she was limping noticeably. The fact that I had caused her injury made me feel worse than my own wrenched shoulder or the lecture I was bound to get at home.
“We’ll both ride Gulldancer,” Kevin announced, bringing the gelding over. “Featherfoot can walk, but slowly. We’ll have to lead her.”
He lifted me onto the gelding’s withers, then handed over Featherfoot’s reins. It took a bit of scrambling for him to take his place behind me, but at last we were settled and making our slow way home.
This is all the Lady’s doing, I thought, wondering what further disaster she might contrive for us. I sat rigid with misery and fright, seeing the gold eyes of wolves in every shadow and starting at the faintest sound.
“Now, now,” Kevin said softly, one arm around my waist, “it won’t do any good to spook the horses further.”
He began to talk, his voice gentle and reassuring as much for our mounts’ sake as for mine.
“’Tis a sky studded with diamonds, my lass, now that we’re clear of the heavy woods. Look there—the Bear shines bright, and the mists are all gone. I’m thinking the Gods are with us in that, at least. Here now,” he added, pulling me back against him, “you just relax and we’ll be home in no time. I’ll take you back safe and sound, with no more wild moments and fearful encounters.”
He continued to croon in a singsong fashion, lulling my racing heart and the throbbing of my shoulder. I nestled into the shelter of his arm, not even aware when I started to cry. There was something unutterably sweet about being enfolded within the protective circle of his care, and I gradually relaxed and let the tears of pain and anger and relief wash from me.
I could feel his cheek resting against my hair, and he suited his singing to the rhythmic motion of the horses.
“And if I had my way, sweet girl, I’d be taking you straight to the palace at Tara, with its great hall and carved pillars and fine rich trappings. And there I’d set you on the throne, and give you a golden crown as my queen, and together we’d rule the whole of Ireland.”
He spun the dream out slowly and beautifully, and I followed it softly in my heart. Tara it might not be, but surely the Great Hall of Appleby would do, and together we would reign in Rheged. The idea was so splendid, and such a surprise, it fluttered through me like butterflies. I wanted to laugh and sing and cover him with kisses all at once, and at the same time was loath to disturb the sweetness of our contact.
He lapsed into a song Brigit sometimes sang, and once I caught a snatch of a lullaby Mama used to croon before I went to sleep. I smiled silently, and turning in his arms, snuggled my head into the angle between his neck and his shoulder. I slid my good arm around him, and we rode for some time in that half-embrace.
When we reached the ford of the river a night bird awakened, sending a sleepy trill of song questing through the dark.
“Do you know what he says?” I murmured, and Kevin shook his head. “He says I love you.”
Kevin was silent for so long I pulled away from my snuggled position. “Did you hear?” I asked.
His eyes were hidden in the starlight, but the white flash of his smile was unmistakable. Still holding me in the circle of his arm, he planted the softest of kisses on my forehead.
“This is not the time to explore the matter,” he said gruffly, and I giggled. “Now you just settle back and get some rest, lass, for we’ve still another hour or more to go.”
Leaning back against him, I was so happy I silently thanked the Lady for bringing us together this way, and drifted in a half-sleep where dreams and reality blended so that afterward it was never exactly clear what had been said and what not.
I came slowly to wakefulness when we turned onto the flat road that leads to the bathhouse. The windows were dark and silent, but the light of a hooded lantern glowed by the gate, and a sleepy voice called out softly, “Kevin?”
“Is that you, Brigit?” he answered, equally low. He pushed me upright as the horses turned into the yard.
“Aye, it’s me. Where on earth have you two been?” she scolded. Then, seeing the empty horse behind us, she caught her breath. “Where’s Gwen?”
“I’m right here,” I whispered quickly. “I fell from Featherfoot after we left the Lady…”
My voice trailed off, for I was now fully awake, and I turned to look at Kevin, wanting to make sure it wasn’t all a dream. But my companion was already sliding to the ground, and when he reached up to help me his face was hidden in shadow so I didn’t see his expression.
The pain in my shoulder had awakened as well, and I bit my lip as I dismounted, half sliding, half helped by Kevin. He held me briefly while I steadied on my feet, then let go of me and turned to lead the animals off to the barn. I watched him limp away, dazzled by the love that welled up within me at that moment.
Brigit was looking at me intently, and now she unpinned her mantle and threw it across my shoulders.
“I suppose there’s an explanation for this whole escapade, but morning will be soon enough to hear it. You have no idea how much trouble I had keeping the rest of the household from worrying. Your father is suspicious yet, though I said I’d sent you to the farm on the river and expected you to stay over with that family.”
I gazed contritely at the paving stones underfoot, wretched that our adventure had led to Brigit’s having to lie. It had not occurred to me that my rebelliousness might lead to difficulties for her too. At least no one had been sent out looking for us.
“Are
you badly hurt?” she asked when we reached the kitchen and she’d lit a rushlight from the flame of the lantern.
“Something happened to my shoulder when I fell. I think it’s the shoulder, and not the collarbone,” I added hopefully. She ran her fingers along the bone, just as Kevin had, then nodded absently and turned to the cupboard.
“Do you want something to eat?” We were still whispering so as not to wake the household, and I shook my head.
“Well, best you sleep in my room for the rest of the night, what there is of it,” she said. “No point in waking Nonny by going upstairs.”
“What about you?” I asked as she pushed me toward her pallet.
“I’m going down to the barn to talk with Kevin. I’ll be back later.”
“Don’t be angry with him, Brigit,” I implored. “I made him come with me, and it was the Lady who beset us with mists and darkness. It wasn’t his fault,” I added, seeing the firm, set lines of her face.
“Maybe not,” she answered, her voice more gentle than her look. “At least you’re back in one piece, more or less, and that’s what matters.”
And with that she was gone. I lay down on her bed, pulling the wool blanket over me, and fell asleep without even taking my boots off.
It was well past dawn when I awoke to find her leaning over me, stroking the hair back from my face. She looked tired beyond measure, and I guessed that she hadn’t returned to her room during the night. I started to rise up on my elbow, but the shoulder rebelled violently and I grimaced and settled back down.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” she asked, sitting on the bed beside me. Her expression was weary, but there was no anger in her face, so I began at the beginning and told her everything up to the point of our return…the terrible magnificence of the Lake, and the echoes that lingered from Arthur’s Investiture, and how the Lady had made me think of a wild, primitive animal, like the fox. For some unknown reason, however, I didn’t want to tell her about my newfound dream.
“And that’s all? You and Kevin didn’t…stop anywhere, for anything?”
The pause in her voice made me laugh. “Of course not, silly. Why should we stop? We didn’t have any food to cook, and we didn’t meet anyone along the way. Something strange just happened to the time, for I’d swear it was only early afternoon when we entered the woods.”
I thought of the Lady’s powers and hastily made the sign against evil.
Brigit sighed and grinned lopsidedly. “Well, that, at least, is a relief,” she said cryptically. Then she stood up and began to strip out of her clothes, going to the basin to wash before donning new things.
“There’s much that’s happened while you were off cavorting with the Lady of the Fairies,” she said slowly. “It seems the news that King Leodegrance has a daughter coming up on marriageable age has gotten out, and an emissary from your first suitor arrived last evening. That’s the reason I had to cover so fast for you, for your father wanted to present you at dinner.”
“Instead of a third course?” I inquired, not really taking in the import of her news.
“They were put off until this morning,” she said, ignoring my attempt at humor. “But you’re to hurry upstairs and make yourself as fit for scrutiny as you can. Nonny will know what you should wear, and we’ll have Kaethi check your shoulder at the same time.”
“Wait a minute,” I said, sitting fully upright. “You mean I really am going to be looked over like some milk cow on Market Day? And just who are these suitors? Where did they come from?”
“They’re from the court of King Mark, in Cornwall. I gather he heard about you at the King Making. It seems the old fool is looking for a young—very young—wife and since his party was in the area, decided to send a delegation to meet you and report back to him.”
She slid a long dress over her head, and when it was settled on her shoulders she turned and glanced at me.
“Good heavens, Gwen, why are you looking like that?”
“I don’t want to be married, at least not to any old King Mark!” I sputtered. It was appalling that anyone would even consider the subject without asking me first. “Besides, I’m not nearly old enough. I haven’t become a woman yet, and no girl has to marry before she starts her cycles.”
“Some do,” Brigit said with a sigh, “though I agree you shouldn’t be forced to. I’m sure your father won’t make you accept if you tell him you don’t want it, but it is quite an honor to be considered. And you must be polite to them; they are our guests, after all, and due the best of Celtic hospitality.”
I went off to my chambers to be examined for broken bones by Kaethi and fussed over and scolded by Nonny. The shoulder was badly wrenched and bruised, but would not require more than poultices and general rest to let it heal. According to Nonny my hair was another matter entirely, so I sat while she combed and coaxed, braided and waved it into what she felt was a suitable coiffure.
And all the time I mulled over this new turn of events. Not only was there this unexpected talk about marriage, they also seemed to be quite matter-of-fact about the notion of packing me off to the other end of Britain. The very idea of leaving Rheged for such a reason was stupid and barbaric, and I vowed inwardly I’d never let them do it. Like the goddess Rhiannon, I’d run away first.
Nonny took the enameled barrette out of Mama’s jewel box, and I started to tell her there was no point in going to so much trouble, as I intended to get rid of these guests as soon as possible. But she seemed so pleased to be decking out a royal lady again, I held my tongue and concentrated on what I was going to do about the question of marriage in general.
There was really no reason why I couldn’t marry Kevin. He could never be king because of his foot, of course, but other queens have had consorts while they ruled. Cartimandua, for instance, who was Queen of the Brigantes here in Rheged when the Legions arrived. Yes, it was possible that if I could fend off these suitors now, all I’d have to do was wait another two years until I came of age and then announce that I wanted Kevin to be my mate. That way, I would be able to stay in Rheged, and Kevin and I could continue to explore the tenderness that had begun to awaken last night.
The idea was so simple and so exciting, I was quite giddy by the time I went to meet my first suitors.
Chapter XXIII
Tristan
The chamber that was used for State meetings was broad and comfortable, with tiled floors and walls of soft pink plaster. As I approached the archway I could hear our guests already in conversation with my father. Ailbe was lying by the door, head extended on his long shaggy paws, and he rose to his feet and came to stand beside me as I waited to be called forward.
The three men were so engrossed in what they were saying, I had a chance to appraise our guests unobserved.
The older one was trim and muscular, with a knowing look and mischievous smile, and he moved with the easy assurance of a man long used to being a courtier. He also appeared to be the spokesman for the two. The other was a tall heron of a fellow, angular of frame and hand, who spent most of the time scratching his dark head or stroking the cover of a small harp which lay in his lap.
Both guests rose to their feet when my father gestured for me to join them. As I started forward the wolfhound moved too, pacing beside me when I crossed the room. I let my hand rest on the top of his head as a reminder of my love for Kevin.
“Guinevere, this is Tristan, nephew of King Mark,” my father announced, gesturing toward the youth. “And Dinadan, his companion.”
Once they were standing the true height of the young man became evident, and I thought it no wonder he seemed all knees and elbows when he was seated. I curtsied to both of them and Tristan stepped forward as though to take my hand. The moment he moved the dog came between us, hackles rising and a deep and continuous growl emerging from his throat.
“Ailbe!” I cried, “stop that! This is a person come in friendship.”
The hound paid no attention but kept eyes, ears and nose a
ll focused intently on the stranger. When I tried to step around him, Ailbe moved with me, always keeping that massive body sideways in front of me and always between me and the threat he perceived.
“I beg your pardon, M’lord,” I said hastily. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him; he doesn’t normally behave this way.”
I smiled brightly even as I realized how poorly I had phrased the comment, but Tristan was oblivious to its implication. Glancing hastily at Dinadan I caught a look of quiet amusement, and at that point Edwen managed to get a lead on the dog’s collar and drag him, stiff-legged and unwilling, from the room.
So I took my place in the small circle of conversation, full of chatter and pleasantries. At first I wished someone like Kaethi had been included, so that it was not entirely up to me to fill the awkward spots, but as the visit progressed I found my father quick to fill in any gaps that arose.
At one point the visitors made some reference to having hoped to meet me yesterday, and I started to answer only to find my parent interrupting with a question about the harvest in Mark’s country this year. I glanced at him quickly, wondering how much Brigit had told him. The subject didn’t come up again, however, and I was relieved when we adjourned for the midday meal.
The trestles had been set up on the sands by the edge of the lagoon, and the food was served with all the splendor Brigit and Gladys could create. There were silver salvers and glass goblets, fine bowls of red Samian ware, and even an enameled wine pitcher like the one Arthur had admired in Carlisle. Having once been a rich Roman port, Ravenglass had one of the most complete treasure chests in the country, and this afternoon it was all on display.
The scene was lovely, for the tide was out, leaving a broad swath of ivory sand glowing `against the soft blue of the water, and a gentle breeze tempered the sun’s heat.
Tristan talked exuberantly about the wrestling matches he had won at the King Making games, his loud, booming voice making him sound even bigger than he looked. I found him boring and dull to talk with, but his obvious concern about where to put his feet and how to confine his gestures so as not to knock things off the table was touching in a way. It was clear that he took his position as emissary of his king very seriously, and wished to make a good impression on us.
Child of the Northern Spring (Guinevere Trilogy) Page 24