The sloping paths that wound down the south side of the mountain were dug into the rock, no doubt by the skill of those chosen by Earth. The rocky walls at either side were cloaked in moss and lichen so that Kaetha seemed to be walking between two giant serpentine creatures.
“No wonder people talk about there being dragons in these mountains,” she said.
Naru laughed. “And when is it you’re leaving these dragon-infested rocks?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I can no longer imagine leaving. I feel as though I’m meant to be here. Are you willing to train me?”
Naru blinked, his eyes wide. “That’s a sudden change of heart. Weren’t you in a hurry to travel south for some reason?”
“I was.” She remembered her urgency to find her father as if it had been part of a dream. “Now, I don’t see what use that journey would be. I feel like I belong here. More than I’ve ever felt I belonged anywhere.”
“You’re sure about this?”
“I am.”
Naru sat on a mossy ledge. “Tell me what you know of your Fire gift, how you’ve used it.”
“The first time I summoned fire, it was by accident, the flames were fierce, frightening, but they saved me. Other times, it came only as sparks. It seemed to be channelled through my fear and anger.”
“That is not unusual,” said Naru.
“But another time, I used the power of the sea.”
He raised his eyebrows.
She could still hear the crashing of those waves on the night she freed Tam. She remembered the thrill of their power, almost as if she was standing on that rock once again.
“You summoned flames from the energy of the sea? Not from your own strength?”
She nodded.
“I’ve not heard of someone using Fire magic in such a way without training.” A crow swooped down from a rock, its cawing cry cutting through the air. “You hear the echo of the crow’s call?” he said. He reached out one hand towards the crow. It called again, only this time, the sound didn’t ring as before, it was blunt, as if it was cawing to Nannie from within her little cottage rather than crying out to the mountains. Naru’s other hand was directed towards a cluster of flowers, violet petals closed in a patch of shade, sitting on their stalks like beads. Then a soft, pale light shone from Naru’s open palm and the flowers peeked open in response.
Kaetha touched the delicate flowers. “You used the energy of the crow’s echo to do that? It’s not all about fire and destruction then.” She smiled.
“What we call ‘fire’ is just one manifestation of the element. Ultimately, it’s a force that enables change. It can be a light in the darkness. It can bring healing. But, aye, it can also burn. That’s why it’s so important to gain control over your gift. We have a responsibility to the life of this world, Kaetha, to its balance, its song.”
“How long are Appointed ones silent in their training?” she asked.
“It varies. For some it is only a few months. Others take years. In silence we learn to truly hear and recognise the gift within us. We four at the head of the Order decide when a trainee is ready to come out of their silence.”
She imagined not being allowed to speak for months and decided to make the most of her freedom now. “You made a long journey here, from Shamlakah.”
“It had long been just me and my two sisters making our way in the world. They cried when I told them I was planning to leave. My sister Adanna hadn’t cried in years. Not since our parents died.”
“But they let you go?”
“They understood that it was something I had to do, but I think it must have broken Adanna’s heart when Kahina left too.”
“Kahina? The one who made the balm for my hand?”
“Aye, she’s my sister. I didn’t know she was gifted when I left.”
“But you’ll see Adanna again someday too?”
He paused, thoughtful, tracing the contours of a stone on the wall. “I hope so. I knew I would miss them but I had to learn about my gift and was fortunate enough to hear about this place.” He paused, a twitch of a smile making him look nervous. “I wanted to prove that human magic wasn’t something to be afraid of but something that could be used for good.”
“Prove it to whom?”
There was a flicker of vulnerability in his face. “To the Calliack,” he said. He smiled to himself. “I saw her once, you know.”
“The Calliack?” she breathed, awed at this revelation.
“I was walking in the foothills beyond the city of Amalba. The sun grew oppressive, so I found a stream to drink from. There I saw a woman fishing. Or, what I thought at first was a woman. Her skirt of leaves and river weeds was hitched up to her knees as she stood, barefoot in the cool water, her bodice of snake scales catching the light of the sun. I watched her as she fished, reaching into the water and drawing out fish for her basket as if the creatures wanted to be caught. Her hair was white, like an old woman’s but when she turned to see me, her face had the bright smoothness of youth. I’ll never forget that look. She saw me as a trespasser. It stopped my tongue before I could speak. Then the sun crested the high rock ahead, dazzling me. I blinked and she was gone. Few have seen her and I knew many wouldn’t believe me. But I knew it was her, the ruler of the Fiadhain.”
“I believe you.”
They slowly made their way back. “And I believe, Kaetha, that those who gain the most control of their magic, are those who have the strongest reasons to do so. You should think about what your reasons are.”
Naru had told her that it would be easier to feel the energies around her which she might otherwise overlook, if she did not rely on her sight. Alone, wrapped in the darkness of the cave, she reached out with her senses, The wind howled like a wolf; lichen was rough under her hands; the cold, earthy scent of a storm brewed in the distance. She breathed slowly as Naru had just taught her, respecting every source of energy, grateful for their strength, being careful not to take too much. Flames leapt, licking the air without needing her strength to summon them or any fuel to feed them.
“How did you do that?” Donnan was standing a few yards away and didn’t come any closer.
“Shh.”
“We’ve been back over an hour. I’ve been looking for you. Why hide yourself here of all places?”
Kaetha kept her voice low. “We find it easier, in the quiet, in the dark.”
“We?” Donnan’s voice echoed harshly through the cave.
“I’m going to become an Appointed one, it’s all arranged. The ceremony’s tonight.”
“What? And who arranged that? Meraud?”
“I’ll be saying my vows, they will mark my face to show that I am Chosen by Fire and then I will stop my voice, to hear and learn all the better.”
“Kaetha, listen to yourself! Still better, I’ll take you to Mairi. Maybe she can talk some sense into you.”
“I’ll gladly see my stepmother. But she will not deter me from my purpose. You must understand, I have to do this.”
“I certainly do not understand,” he said, gruffly.
“Perhaps you can’t understand because you don’t have magic.” Donnan’s tight grip on her arm surprised her as he marched her out of the cave.
Upon entering the hall, Mairi rushed over to her, wrapping her arms around Kaetha in an embrace.
“What’s wrong, lass?” Mairi said, looking her over as if she saw something the matter with her.
“I’m quite well, thank you,” she said. “How are you?”
“I’m—” Mairi looked as though she didn’t understand her, her eyes darting to Donnan, then back to her, “I’m well enough . . . now. I’ve been worried.”
“Branna, there’s something you must know,” said Donnan, his tone seeming, to Kaetha, far too familiar and urgent than could possibly be necessary. “Meraud has done something to Kaetha, I’m sure of it. She’s made her feel, all of a sudden, that she’d be happy to give up on her family and become one of your
silent servants.”
“What?” said Mairi, looking at Kaetha as if she’d just received a slap. “Is this true?”
“It’s not like that,” said Kaetha. She walked a little away from them, gazing up at the great windows which glittered like water in the torchlight. “You really don’t need to worry about me. Meraud did nothing wrong. She helped me realised that my place is here now, where I have the chance to reach my potential, where I am truly accepted for who I am.”
“What about our journey? Going to your aunt? You wanted to find out about your father, to see if there was a way of saving him.”
“If I left now, with no proper training, what good would I be to him anyway? What chance would I have? I may not be able to help him but perhaps, in the future, my gift might be used to help others. I’m sorry, Mairi,” she said upon seeing her stepmother’s face fall, “but we have to accept that there’s nothing we can do for him. We must let him go.”
“Let him go?” Mairi shouted, her shrill voice resounding around the stone walls. She came to Kaetha and gripped her by the shoulders. “These are not your words – they can’t be!” Tears welled up in Mairi’s eyes.
“This is my decision. I wish you’d try to understand,” she added, giving Mairi’s arm a reassuring squeeze.
“I understand that this isn’t you, Kaetha. Look, you know I never thought marching into Ciadrath was a good plan. I preferred the idea of finding somewhere like this, protected from the dangers we escaped from. I want you to be safe.” Softly, she held Kaetha’s face in her hands. “But not like this. Not if you’re not yourself anymore. I know you and I know that you’re not thinking the way my Kaetha does and I won’t see you caged like this in your own mind.” She turned to Branna. “Is it the one Donnan spoke of? Does she have the ability to do this to her?”
“She wouldn’t,” Branna shook her head, a twitch of her features betraying her uncertainty.
“She has,” said Donnan, striking his fist against a pillar.
“Kaetha,” said Branna, “I didn’t ask your permission before but I ask you now. May I hear your thoughts?”
“Certainly. You needn’t ask,” said Kaetha.
“Listen to her,” Donnan muttered in an undertone to Mairi. “She wouldn’t say that.”
Branna looked steadily into her eyes. “Kaetha, I want you to recall what passed between yourself and Meraud earlier today, before you decided to stay. Relive it in your mind in as much detail as you can.”
The glint of light on water – my rudeness to Meraud – how I am sorry for that now – Meraud’s hands on my head – being freed from what had pulled me down – the feeling of floating – fears and worries gone – contentment in my new-found loyalty to the Appointed – desire to train and be one of them. Meraud’s eyes looking into mine, like my mother’s.
“You see?” said Kaetha. “This is what I want.”
“It’s clear that, even before you spoke alone with Meraud, you wanted to explore your gift.”
“But joining you is not what she really wants!” shouted Donnan.
“Yet,” continued Branna, ignoring Donnan’s interruption, “I see that your feelings have been . . . tampered with. Manipulated. You can’t know what you truly want.”
Kaetha put her hands to her temples as if this might help her think more clearly. “No. Meraud wants the best for me. She cares about me. She wouldn’t do that, you said so yourself.”
“I said that out of shock, for I am deeply shocked. Meraud has misused her gift to the detriment of your liberty. That is not what we stand for.”
The door creaked open and Naru enter the hall.
“There she is!” he said. “Branna, can I borrow Kaetha? I told her I’d go over the vows with her and explain—”
“She won’t be taking vows this evening, Naru.”
Kaetha didn’t know whether or not she should contradict Branna. She felt once again like driftwood, but this time frustrated at being tossed about in different directions, without clarity, certainty or control.
“But there is something you can do.” Branna told him what she believed Meraud to have done. Appearing to understand what she needed him to do, he placed his large hands softly on either side of Kaetha’s head.
“It’s going to be alright, Kaetha,” he said in his softly deep voice.
She blinked up at him, then closed her eyes. Warmth flowed into her with a comfortable familiarity, like slipping on her old boots. Then Naru released her and stepped back. She gazed at them all in silence and, before her thoughts had fully formed, she found that her hands had become fists.
“Where is she?” she yelled. “Meraud!” Her voice filled the great hall. “Meraud!”
Soon, a side door opened and, graceful as a swan, Meraud swept into the hall, followed by a line of silent ones.
Kaetha charged up to her, noticing the alarm in her eyes, seeing too how she held her ground, head held high, forbidding as an iceberg. But hands gripped Kaetha, holding back her arms. She struggled in Donnan’s grasp as Meraud edged backwards, raising her hands in supplication. Someone flew past her and the next thing she saw was Mairi pinning Meraud to the door.
“How dare you do that to my daughter! How dare you, witch!” Mairi slapped Meraud hard around the face and Meraud shoved her away. She staggered back, Naru catching her before she fell.
Meraud regained her composure. “I’d be more careful if I were you.” She looked Mairi over. Mairi’s face grew pale. Some understanding passed between the women which Kaetha couldn’t make out.
“Lock her up,” said Branna, her eyes like angry storm clouds, “whilst we discuss her punishment.” Silent ones moved in to restrain her but hesitated as Meraud glared at them.
“It was for your good, Kaetha,” said Meraud, standing tall and proud as if her plans had not just been defeated. “Destiny pulls you in its current. My way would have made your course much easier.”
Kaetha looked back at Donnan, touching his hand and he released her from his grasp. She came before Meraud. “You lied to me,” she said, softly. “Why do you just stare at me like that? Don’t you feel any shame? Don’t you feel anything?” Every muscle of her body tightened.
“Calm yourself, Kaetha,” said Naru.
“It was you who sent those thieves after me, wasn’t it?” she continued. “I’ll bet you were behind the rescue at Doocot, that it was all part of your plan to get me here, under your power.” Meraud’s face remained unreadable. Branna’s grew pale. “Why did you do this?” Anger boiled through Kaetha’s blood. “You deceived me,” she shouted.
“Kaetha, this is not the way,” said Branna.
“You lied!” she thundered and a blast of anger became a burst of fire. Flames licked Meraud’s robes and her hair. Her eyes were big, her nostrils flared as she shrieked.
Then, closing her eyes, she made herself calm and the flames gripping her died away. There she stood, her robes turned to sodden rags, her hair straggly and cropped. She was a mess but unhurt, staring at Kaetha before a wall of flame.
“The doors!” shouted Branna. “Meraud, the doors. Please.”
Meraud blinked slowly, staring at her, doing nothing to save the beautiful ancient carvings of the doors.
“What have you done, Kaetha?” Naru’s disappointed voice burned painfully in her ears.
Branna turned away from her. “It’s time you left, Kaetha.”
Meraud sent Kaetha a hint of a smile, before silent ones took her away.
TWENTY FIVE
Caught up in the Current
Smoke lingered in the air as Kaetha walked with Mairi and Donnan, following the torches of two Appointed ones who led them down a different path to the one they arrived by.
“Careful of the step,” said Deorsa.
“About what happened,” said Kaetha. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“Control yourself? No.” He exchanged a look with the bald silent one walking beside him.
Kaetha considered how her family hadn�
�t wanted her. The communities she’d lived in hadn’t wanted her. A bastard and a witch, she thought bitterly. But here, illegitimacy doesn’t matter and magic is valued. Yet they still rejected me. What does that say about me?
The tap of a falling stone made her turn. There was movement in the shadows of a distant path. A glimpse of long hair – the edge of a pale face – then swamped in shadow. A shiver crept over her like cold fingers. So Meraud escaped. Or was set free. She told herself that it didn’t matter where Meraud went. Surely the Order was best rid of her.
Hurried footsteps sounded behind them. “Wait!”
“Kahina? What are you doing here?” said Deorsa.
“You can speak now?” asked Kaetha when Kahina had caught up with them.
“As of this evening.”
“We’re trying to persuade her to replace Meraud and train those chosen by Water.”
“I’m pleased for you, Kahina. Naru must be very proud.”
Kahina’s bright smile glinted in the torchlight. “Here,” she put a leather purse into Kaetha’s hands, its coins weighing heavily. “And I’m so sorry. She shouldn’t have done what she did and I should have realised what was happening.”
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“And I’m sorry that Branna wanted you to leave so quickly, in the middle of the night. It doesn’t seem fair.”
“It’s alright,” said Kaetha. “I understand. But you don’t have to give us money because you feel sorry.”
“Who said you could anyway?” asked Deorsa.
“It’s not the Order’s money,” explained Kahina. “It’s from one of the people we rescued.”
“Who?” Kaetha asked, feeling sure that Catrin, Meg and Roddie brought nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
“I don’t know his name. He just wanted you to have it. My advice is that you go east to Creagairde. It’s a town built on the steep hillside by Loch Deur. From there you might pay for passage on riverboats from town to town. It would be a swifter way to travel south.”
“We must be getting on,” said Deorsa.
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