by Phil Parker
‘You’re doing fine sire, just keep putting one foot in front of the other.’
I half-turned to find Cernunnos still at my side, waving and smiling at the crowds as though he hadn’t said a word.
‘You were in a war zone in the human realm, sire. You can’t convince me it was worse than this.’
I chuckled at the idea and found a real smile form on my lips. He was right. I’d experienced far worse things than being welcomed by so many happy people. I waved at people as I mounted the steps, they waved back and cheered in return.
‘Long live the High Lord!’
They had no idea how much I wished for that too.
An honour guard, ebony armour and purple plumes and sashes, appeared on either side as I entered the Great Hall. At the head of their column, wearing the same dark uniform but sculpted to fit her physique, was Mab. She caught my eye and gave me the slightest of smiles as she led the soldiers forward in line with me. I glanced at her feet, astonished to find her black boots clean and shining. She must have spotted me noticing the change because she wiggled heavy eyebrows and smirked at me.
I’d only been inside the Great Hall once, three days earlier for my rehearsal. I’d been astonished at its beauty then but now, decked with the flags of the aristocratic families, it looked even more magnificent. The huge doorway, hewed out of the same black marble as the steps, looked like an enormous mouth ready to swallow me up. I took a deep breath and kept telling myself it was just a door.
Inside huge wooden beams of the vaulted roof created a space so high and vast the painted stars on its ceiling could have been real ones. They reflected the constellations that looked down on us each night and contained stories depicting the birth of the Fae and the creation of Tir na nÓg, each one painted in lustrous gold.
Waiting in long rows were the powerful aristocrats, behind them the families whose wealth compensated for their lower birth but bought them the honour of witnessing this moment of history. It amused me that I was the one striding through their midst, a one-time servant who’d suffered their bad tempers and eccentric foibles. As I drew level they were the ones bowing to me, rather than the other way around.
I reached the High Magistrate without the embarrassments of my dream. The honour guard melted away discreetly to leave me in front of the old man. We waited as the required roar of support, led by Lord Cernunnos, filled the building, to echo amidst its rafters, the whole time the old man smiled benignly at me.
‘Are you nervous sire? If you are, don’t be. This part is the easiest,’ he whispered.
I smiled my thanks as the cheers quietened. I knelt at his feet, careful to make sure my lengthy garments didn’t trip me. A couple of courtiers arranged my fur robes in a fan behind me before disappearing into the shadows. I was grateful that earlier High Lords had simplified the coronation process to a few short responses, he was right, this part would be easy. What was more important, there had been no attempt on my life. I remembered Darcel’s advice and relaxed my shoulders and took a deep breath.
Lord Rowyn might be High Magistrate but he’d been genuine in his respect when we’d met three days earlier. He’d explained the legalities and the history of the coronation and how he hated the dreadful robes he had to wear because they made him sweat. I’d met so many of the aristocracy who had looked down their noses at me, but this old man was different. I felt comforted by the sagging skin, the lines around his eyes and mouth that showed he laughed a lot, the kind blue eyes that twinkled all the time.
I looked up at him as the Great Hall went silent and he winked at me.
‘This auspicious moment celebrates the history of our people as we crown our next High Lord, a role which encompasses the values of our society. It is the role of this man to extol the virtues we hold dear. He will uphold our wealth, our peace and security. He will maintain the welfare of our society, ensuring it remains steadfast and true to those who founded our race. We place into his hands the supreme responsibility to protect these values.’
He turned his attention to me.
‘My lord, do you, willingly and of your own free will, accept these responsibilities?’
I’d filled my lungs ready to speak loudly and clearly.
‘I do.’
‘Then, it is my duty as High Magistrate to proclaim you, Lord Keir, our new High Lord.’
The walls of the Great Hall echoed with cheers.
Lord Rowyn looked down at me and scowled. Those blue eyes narrowed into slits as he took a deep breath and I wondered what I’d done wrong to upset him; how could two words be delivered incorrectly?
As I knelt in front of him, anxiously wondering how I could have upset this sweet old man, he reached inside his voluminous silver robes and pulled out a dagger. I stared at it, dumbfounded. It was plain, not so much as a jewel on its handle and I felt insulted that I was going to be killed by such an ordinary looking weapon.
The old man brought it down with such force and speed there was no time to react. I heard cries of alarm nearby, saw people rush towards me but I knew they’d be too late. I closed my eyes and felt the blade strike my chest with such force it knocked me backwards. The old man fell on me, hacking away with the dagger, those blue eyes wild and manic.
I struggled to find air, none came. I found darkness instead.
Chapter 13
Mahon regarded empathy as a stranger.
According to the big man, I whined and moaned a lot. Not only that but I hadn’t shown any gratitude for all the trouble he’d suffered in rescuing me from Taranis. I’d groaned after he’d stumbled over a pothole and he wasn’t going any further until I put matters right. He placed his end of the stretcher on the ground to stand over me with his arms folded and glared.
The jolt sent waves of pain through me, as if Taranis’ torture continued, albeit from a distance. I heard Cori heave a heavy sigh, Luke rolled his eyes but neither said anything. I suspected they knew the source of the resentment, Mahon had likely bored them endlessly with it. In the time it took for me to recover, Mahon’s irritation had increased.
‘I didn’t ask for this,’ he growled, ‘I could have stayed where I was. Because if we get caught…’
I looked up at him and tried a smile. It had no effect.
‘They strapped you on to my back, did you know? Like a fucking horse I was. All I needed was a bridle and reins. Fucking horse.’
‘I’m sorry Mahon,’ I wheezed. I really didn’t want to do this now but it looked like I didn’t get a choice. Not when he was fifty per cent of the transport.
We were in the shadow of a wood, hopefully safe from prying eyes as he looked down at me, stern and pitiless. Most of his face was covered in hair, in the dying light from the sun, he looked like a hungry bear that had wondered out in search of food.
‘I’m grateful,’ I said and tried to smile again. ‘I truly am.’
I got a snort and a sniff. Mahon had never been a man of many words. I didn’t feel like getting into a counselling session but I knew what was at the root of his bad mood.
‘She’s tried to get to see you. She has, Mahon. She hasn’t given up on you.’
I wasn’t in any condition for bear-baiting and, for a moment, I wished I’d kept my mouth shut because I thought I was about to suffer for my attempt at marriage guidance. Instead he gave an even louder snort and shook his head but the stern looks faded.
‘Going for a piss.’
He ambled over to a nearby tree and leaned against it heavily. Cori looked at me with an expression of pure confusion while Luke only shrugged. Mahon returned, silently picked up his end of the stretcher and waited for Luke to do the same. We set off again. Occasionally I noticed Cori glance at the big man, with the same bewilderment.
We stopped when we reached another patch of woodland where we could hide, should the need arise. The air had turned humid despite the sun dropping below the tree line, Mahon and Luke sat on a fallen tree trunk and wiped their foreheads. They were both sweating heavily.
I realised what a burden I was. Thankfully Mahon’s mood had improved slightly, now he was just silent. Rather than resentful and silent.
Just inside the wood we heard the splashing of water, Luke returned from investigating it with a big grin on his face.
‘There’s a shallow pool and a little waterfall. Have we got time…?’
They laid my stretcher on a mossy bank fringed with ferns and silver birch trees. Cori mopped my forehead with a cold cloth wrung out from water from the pool. My over-heating seemed to be wearing off, I no longer felt like I had a furnace in my head. Cori placed his head against my chest, listened, sat up and nodded.
‘Starting to feel more like normal?’ he asked.
I told him I was.
‘I owe you my life.’ My voice was still raspy. ‘Thank you. I don’t know why you risked your life. You don’t know me.’
He gave me a friendly smile. Sat next to me he was no bigger than a child but his eyes held a sadness I’d noticed each time he’d ministered to me.
‘I know of you.’
I knew what that meant. My ignominy had spread throughout Tir na nÓg and I told him so. His mane of hair shook as he told me I’d misunderstood.
‘Not just for killing Llyr but what you did as a Trooping Fairy long ago.’
‘You can’t have been born then.’
A casual shrug of narrow shoulders. ‘My brother was a teacher. He read a lot of history books. He’ll be excited to meet you.’
So that was where we were going, no one had explained their plans. I just hoped it wasn’t very far. He glanced over at the pool, I’d kept looking at it longingly.
‘Do you want to bathe?’
I was filthy and sweaty, I wanted to remove all traces of the dungeon from my body and Cori’s plague victim art work. Embers of Taranis’s cocktail still burned in my body, I wanted the water to soothe the heat. Cori helped me to stand up, slowly and carefully, and helped me out of my cotton loin cloth. Luke was up in an instant and helped me walk the few steps to the pool. The water was freezing cold, according to Luke as it reached his knees, I thought it was pleasantly cool and slowly lowered myself onto a flat rock beneath the surface. I sat there smiling, like an idiot. Luke chuckled.
‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
I gave a loud sigh and swirled the water around me, washing whatever I could reach.
‘You have no idea. I think I want to live here.’
He chuckled again but his face darkened quickly.
‘I thought you were going to leave me here for good. Especially when we found you in that torture chamber.’
It brought back memories I’d been trying to shun.
‘Me too. It was just my stubborn refusal to let the bastard beat me.’
He grinned and nodded. ‘I guessed that would be a factor. Even so, do you remember our competition?’
I did.
‘Well, you won it Robin. You won it in style, my friend.’
I looked across at him, at his expression, it held the kind of respect that soldiers crave from one another. I thanked him. I went back to my ablutions and was surprised moments later when Luke emitted a high-pitched gasp as he sat next to me, also naked. He started to wash himself, though he shivered in the process. I chuckled. He pointed between his legs.
‘It’s not usually this small but the water’s so bloody cold!’
I laughed again and so did he. The moment reminded me of a campaign shortly before I left the Trooping Fairies. Days afterwards events would turn bloody and all-too-memorable for me but we happened across a pool like this one. We were hot, sweaty and had been marching for hours, when we were given an hour of R&R around that pond the bonds of friendship were reignited. The same was true now.
I glanced across at the sullen figure of Mahon who remained stolidly planted at the edge of the pool, staring into its dark depths. Luke moved his head closer and whispered.
‘What you said to him, I think it’s helped. We stayed in Cori’s home until he could get your condition stabilised and make arrangements to move you. Mahon went to look for Islene. She was nowhere to be found. Their house was a burned shell and a neighbour told him she’d left.’
The guy needed me to reassure him, like I used to do. I hoped time hadn’t driven too great a wedge between us. I kept my voice down and leaned in to Luke.
‘You remember Islene is a Pixie? And what they’re known for?’
He nodded.
‘He never completely trusted her. Pixie’s have a high sex drive and women are highly prized in some places. Mahon thought she’d leave him for some rich man. The idiot never believed her when she said she loved him. She thought the sun shone out of the idiot’s arse. He’s torturing himself thinking that she’s abandoned him.’
‘You don’t think she has?’
‘Never. I don’t what she’s doing, but I know it won’t be with another man.’
Luke stood up, dripping. ‘Aren’t you frozen yet?’
I shook my head but Cori came over and told us we ought to get moving.
A purple twilight filled the sky when we reached the village that nestled in a basin of green meadows and a winding stream, surrounded by small hills topped with trees. The two dozen houses were little more than large huts, made from hazelnut saplings and rushes from the marshy corners of the stream. A handful of children saw us approach, they immediately ran to their homes and brought out adults who watched us suspiciously with pitchforks and wooden bats. When we got a little nearer Cori waved and called out, it brought an immediate change as the villagers visibly relaxed. All the children ran to greet him and ask questions, not least who was on the stretcher. I was given a full-scale scrutiny by all the children, noting my injuries with scowls and frowns. From amidst the gathering of adults another small man, identical to Cori, stepped forward smiling; the two hugged each other warmly. I wasn’t surprised by the announcement that they were twins.
Introductions made, mine provided last, Cori’s eyes firmly focused on his twin’s reaction.
‘You are Robin Goodfellow?’ Geralt gasped. He hesitantly stepped closer and reached out a hand, then apologised when he thought I might not be able to respond. We shook, the young man never taking his eyes off me for a second.
‘There are so many things I’d like to discuss with you. I’m a keen student of ancient campaigns and…’
‘Ancient?’ I said.
He apologised profusely and flushed so much I had to smile. Cori stepped in.
‘We need a place to hide while Robin recovers.’
There was no hesitation, Geralt waved towards the village, the other adults nodded just as enthusiastically. I was carried into the village like an injured war hero, which embarrassed me beyond belief. The huts were deceptive, bigger than I imagined inside, cosily furnished with roughly woven blankets and furs that lay over beds. In the middle of the settlement two middle aged women tended to a large fire and cooked an animal I didn’t recognise on a spit, while liquid in a large copper cauldron bubbled and steamed. They were all outcasts I quickly learned from Geralt, people who had escaped the kind of punishment I’d enjoyed. When Cori explained what had happened to me, the others nodded knowingly, they’d all lost friends in similar ways.
I was installed in a bed in Geralt’s hut, behind a curtain hastily installed for my privacy. Cori ministered to me with his usual thoroughness. Luke and Mahon had been instructed to wait outside, it hadn’t bothered Mahon who’d found a long-lost friend but the villagers were uncertain how to deal with a human. He sat on his own outside the hut until my examination was completed, when he joined me I could see the look of relief on his face.
‘How did we get out?’ I asked.
Luke jerked a thumb at Cori. ‘This young man has a wonderful ability to tell very convincing stories. Do you remember the jailor with his sex-mad wife?’
‘I do. He didn’t like my comments about how I’d satisfied myself with her.’
It drew a chuckle from both men.
The three of us stared at the floor, no doubt thinking the same morbid thoughts as I was, that if it hadn’t been for Cori, we’d still be there.
‘Why Cori? I know you said you knew my history, but even then…’
He didn’t reply immediately but stared at the dried mud floor. He sighed heavily.
‘The Imperium value knowledge above everything. You know that. It’s why our people are used as teachers, lawyers, medics. Like every other race the Fae have encountered, we have been enslaved, though you could argue our chains are less visible. The result is we are knowledgeable enough to rebel against this subjugation. Sometimes we are discovered, like Geralt. His teaching was questioned when he taught alternative social models to the one used in Tir na nÓg, it led to them discovering the pamphlets he published criticising the likes of Llyr and Taranis and others in both Courts. He escaped and set up this community. He has a vision of social revolution but my brother is a dreamer, Robin. He is one man.’
There was a pause, long enough for me to guess where this was going.
‘I arranged your escape for two reasons. I watched as you fought to stop Taranis break your spirit. I came to understand how that strength of purpose led to you killing Llyr. So I decided that if I could free you, we might persuade you to fight one more battle, to bring about the revolution this land needs so badly. It needs a figurehead Robin, someone people will unite behind, someone they know and respect.’
I didn’t want to let this young man down, not after everything he’d done for me, for us. But he was wrong. He was a dreamer as well if he thought one person could change a society that had existed for millennia. Perhaps he read my expression because I didn’t get a chance to reply, he stood up and gave me the saddest smile I had ever seen.