“Perhaps then, the Chief High Priestess, whom you appointed, is also unqualified for her position,” Neelyn remarked.
“I haven’t studied her actions overall.”
“Aoife once occupied that position. Did she perform this poorly?”
“I have no indication that she did.”
“Yet you dismissed her.”
“For having a relationship with the dark Faery.”
“Which you have also done.”
“Yes, I freely admit she did no worse than I have done. But I wanted to ascertain that the girl, Rhiannon, had actually died.”
“For your own curiosity.”
Dandriloc paused. “I suppose that is true.”
“Tell me, if you’d discovered she hadn’t died, but had simply been brought over to the Vampyres, what would you have done?” Cagwn asked.
“Ascertained whether or not she’d gone willingly.”
“For which you’d have only their word.”
“I would have interviewed the girl – at great danger to myself, I might add.”
“But you discovered no more than what the priestess told you.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“And you asked Aoife to contact Simon after your own judgement against her forbidding her to do so?” Cagwn asked.
“I was willing to allow it.”
“Yet, you had no reason to expect any new information.”
“That is true.”
“Thank you.”
The Chief High Priestess was also called. Her answers were brief and condemning. She had not visited the Cantares regularly, and did not know of the troubles there. In view of the fact that someone had died – been driven to take her own life, in fact – she was chastised and removed from her position as Chief High Priestess.
The council adjourned and reconvened the next day. Aoife didn’t know which way the druids would decide. Everyone had been shown in a bad light or at least had been made to feel they had. She had no ill will toward Dandriloc, but in view of his judgement of her, she felt it only fair that he lose his position.
Neelyn stood once all were assembled.
“We have decided. It is a bad business altogether for our kind to have dealings with the dark Faery. We have practiced toleration of Shauna Faun because they do not victimize our people, but feed on Humans, to whom their feeding is as nothing. They have also kept other Vampyres – for the most part – from attacking our kind. In recompense, we have kept their secret and allowed our children to enjoy their music with only a hint that there is danger in it.
“It is an even worse business when our own do not care for our own properly. The druids and priestesses have the command of the goddess to do so. And by far, the worst business is needing the dark Faery to tell us our own business and what transgressions we have committed. For this reason I uphold Dandriloc’s decision to remove Eleni from her post. Further, the decision has been rendered to remove Angharad from the position as Chief High Priestess.
“Because Aoife only sought out the dark Faery for the good of our kind and to prevent death – something Angharad and Eleni failed to do – and additionally, because she refused for any reason to break the command she was given at her tribunal, she is to be restored as Chief High Priestess. Angharad will be given temporary position as High Priestess of the Celestials. If, after a year, she has proven she can fulfill that position, she will be permanently seated there. If at any time during that year she proves unworthy, she will be returned to the House of the Priestesses and forever be barred from a position as a High Priestess.
“The position of High Priestess for the Cantares will go to Lila Cantata, who is originally of the Cantare clan.”
Neelyn had rendered decisions on all of the issues but one: Dandriloc. The hall was silent Generally, Dandriloc was well respected. But his association, however brief, with the dark Faeries confounded everyone.
“Dandriloc,” Neelyn said, and the Chief Druid stood. “You have been a fastidious and steadfast Chief Druid these many years. You were stringent with Aoife for her transgression, even though she had justification for her actions. She was denied her rightful position for a period of three years. You had little to truly justify your contact with the dark Faeries. Your otherwise exemplary behavior rescues you from being permanently removed. However, since you yourself made the penalty for dealing with Vampyres loss of position, you will step down from your place as Chief Druid for a period of five years, owing to having less reason than Aoife had. During that time the council will act in your stead. You will not be part of the council during that time.”
“I accept your judgement,” Dandriloc said, his voice quiet, his tone humble.
The tribunal adjourned and Aoife’s family surrounded her to congratulate her on being reinstated. Only Hugh and Dawn were not there, since neither was a witness or part of the priesthood. But Bran, Teilo and Jessica were there to share the news.
The priestesses, except for the two who had been removed from their positions, came to her in ones and twos to welcome her back. While she didn’t know what Angharad was like as a leader, she knew the woman had been docile and obedient as an ordinary priestess, and wondered how she could possibly have done a good job as Chief High Priestess. Aoife had doubts about Angharad leading the Celestials. Time would tell.
Still, Angharad and Eleni did not even look in Aoife’s direction. She would give them time to recover from their embarrassment, but not too long. They would have to answer to her before too long.
XVIII
When Aoife had been duly congratulated, Teilo left the others and sought out Simon. It took only a few moments from the time Teilo called out until Simon appeared.
“I thought you’d like to know Aoife has been returned to her position.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It’s good to see you, Teilo.”
“I’m glad to see you,. I thought you’d like to know the outcome of the tribunal.”
He told Simon about the verdicts, how excited everyone was that Aoife was restored to her former position, and that Dandriloc was asked to step down.
“And they weren’t concerned with Rhiannon’s being turned to a Vampyre?”
“I think they were resigned to it because she tried to kill herself. They’re not very forgiving about that, I suppose.”
Simon smiled mirthlessly. “Your goddess doesn’t sound very forgiving. In some ways I’m glad we’re not her people.”
“You have no gods?”
“We have no souls, they say. So what need have we for gods?”
“I’m glad Rhiannon will have the opportunity to use her voice as it was intended.”
“Yes, it is good. She’ll be an asset to our band. And it’s good to see you, Teilo. I’ve missed your company.”
“Thank you, Simon.”
“Despite what the druids say, we like your sort. I’ve never looked at you as food.”
Teilo laughed.
“How does Rhiannon get on?”
“Very well. Would you like to come see her?”
“Would that be safe?”
“She’s fed and we’ll all be around her. I know you still wear an amulet. You can’t get too close, but you can watch us practice. Everyone would like to see you again.”
Teilo smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Oh, what else did you want me for before we go?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to visit with you.”
Simon smiled and they flitted off to the cave.
The band was glad Teilo had come.
“Rhiannon, I believe you’ve met our friend, Teilo?” Simon asked.
She nodded. “He tried to help me. Thank you, sir for what you did.”
“It was little enough,” Teilo replied. “I am anxious to hear you sing.”
“I have only just started.”
The band began to play, and Harry and Rhiannon sang a duet. Rhiannon’s voice sounded lovelier than ever.
Teilo hadn’t seen Shauna Faun
rehearse in a long while. They were happier and more carefree than he remembered.
There was another new member he didn’t know. They introduced him as Vincent, and told Vincent that Teilo had once been their tooth Faery. Teilo found the memory sweeter than the fear he’d known while he worked for them. Perhaps the world was falling into its proper order.
When they finished Teilo thanked them for allowing him to listen, and bid them good night. Simon walked with him as far as the doorway.
“I hope you’ll come again sometime to visit,” Simon said.
“I’d like that. I’ve missed seeing you and felt bad for only calling you for favors.”
Simon smiled, well pleased.
“And we’ve missed you, Teilo,” Zoe commented, coming up behind Simon.
Teilo flew off to his home where Jessica waited for him.
“Did you go to see Simon?” she asked with none of the accusation in her voce she’d once had about his visits to the Vampyres.
“Yes. No one bothers to tell them the outcome of things they’ve helped with.”
“And the girl? How is she?”
“Rhiannon? Wonderful. She finally looks happy. And Harry, one of the other dark Faeries, seems to be her beau.”
“I’m glad,” she said.
“Are you?” Teilo asked.
“She had no happiness in this life, and if Simon and his coven can give that to her, then there is worth in them.”
“Do you accept what they say happened?” he asked.
“Simon has never lied to us, and we saw the girl’s unhappiness.”
He hugged her. If he’d ever had any doubts about turning down Simon’s offer to make him a dark Faery, he was certain now he’d made the right decision. And he thought perhaps Rhiannon had made the right decision, too.
End
Dark Faery IV: The Cantares Page 9