by P. C. Cast
“I will not allow him to touch you.”
“I know you won’t.”
He held me tighter.
Two knocks sounded at the door, and a voice said, “My Lord, my Lady, the banquet is about to begin.”
“Thank you,” I called. Before I pulled away, ClanFintan bent and kissed me.
“I love you,” he said simply.
“I love you, too. That’s why I’m scared.”
He smiled and tapped the tip of my nose. “Do not be.”
I smiled back at him before I turned and pulled on the beautiful dress. But I couldn’t shake the empty feeling in my stomach—and, for once, I knew it had nothing to do with food.
ClanFintan held my hand as we joined the crowd that was making its way to what must be a humongous banquet room. The centaurs were all smiles, looking relaxed and happy as they followed their hostesses to dinner. It was hard for me to imagine they would be going into battle in twenty-four hours.
We stepped into the banquet hall, and I gasped with appreciation for the exquisite room. It was filled with tables and chaises, and food and wine were being set out everywhere, but my eyes were drawn upward. At least a dozen huge crystal chandeliers hung suspended from the high domed ceiling, which was painted with a mural depicting the night sky, complete with constellations encrusted with sparkling jewels. The entire room glistened with a glow that made the stars appear to move in the painted sky.
“There has to be magic in here,” I whispered to ClanFintan as we were shown to our places at the head table.
“Yes,” he whispered back, “there is always magic present at the Temple of the Muse.”
“Wow!” He bent so that I could keep my voice soft. “Now, that is amazing!”
His eyes glistened with laughter, and he kissed me on top of my head. “You will find magic is much like life, its gifts are best when they are unexpected.”
“Then this room is a great gift.” As was this surprising new life of mine, I added silently as we made our way to the center table.
“Ah, Lady Rhea, ClanFintan! Please, join us.” Thalia motioned to a large chaise that sat between her regal chair and another beautiful woman’s chair. I was happy to see Victoria was already reclining on the other side of Thalia.
Our chaise was set up so that ClanFintan and I could position ourselves in our preferred mealtime positions, with him reclining, and me perching next to him.
I wonder how the hell she knew so much about us?
As if she could read my mind, she said, “I know more than just that, Shannon.” The Incarnate Muse of Comedy leaned close to me so that our voices wouldn’t carry.
I blinked at her in surprise, a clear question on my face, before I realized she couldn’t see me, and I attempted to babble something that sounded like, “But—I—don’t…”
Her infectious laughter sparkled between us. “Do not worry, I am pleased that Epona’s true Chosen has finally arrived—as are we all.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling completely out of my league.
Concern passed across her face and she quickly explained, “Do not fear what you do not immediately understand. Your Goddess is with you. That is all that is really important.” She patted my hand kindly, suddenly reminding me of my mother. I felt unexpected tears catch in my throat.
“What is it, child?” she asked.
“I’m just glad to be here.”
She reached out unerringly and touched my cheek, exactly as my mother would have done. “You must be hungry.” She clapped her hands together, and servants carrying trays laden with steaming food began circulating around the room.
As I devoured a delicious stuffed quail, I winked at Vic. “Hey, did you kill any of this food?”
“Not tonight, Rhea.” She winked back. “I offered, but they said they had already been preparing for our arrival. So I had to content myself with sipping a goblet of wine and waiting for you to finish—” she raised her eyebrows suggestively in ClanFintan’s direction “—dressing.”
“Stop, you bad thing,” I giggled at her. “What can I say, he’s big, so he takes a lot of—” I raised my eyebrows suggestively, too “—washing.” We dissolved into girlfriend giggles. ClanFintan pointedly ignored us, but Thalia joined our laughter.
With the next course I noticed Sila entering the room and being led to our table, and I was chagrined that I’d forgotten completely about the threat of smallpox. Before Sila took her appointed place next to Victoria, she paused to address Thalia.
“You seem to have the outbreak quite under control.” Her voice was filled with respect. “Melpomene asks that I inform you that none of the young ones have worsened, and the marsh people will soon be well enough to be on their way.” Her brow wrinkled as she continued, “But Terpsichore has become ill, and will be unable to attend the feast.”
“Thank you, Sila. Please rest and refresh yourself.”
I leaned over and whispered to ClanFintan, “Isn’t Terpsichore the Muse that danced at our handfast?”
“Yes,” he replied, keeping his voice low.
“And Melpomene is Muse of Tragedy,” Thalia surprised me by leaning toward me and volunteering. “She feels she needs to be in charge whenever there is an illness.”
“Then you’re familiar with smallpox?”
Thalia’s expression remained serene. “It is not unusual for illness to come out of Ufasach Marsh, and we have dealt with the pox before. But we were saddened to learn it had spread to Epona’s Temple.”
“We have the sick quarantined, and our Healer says it is under control.”
“Excellent.” She took a sip from her crystal wineglass before she continued in a voice pitched low for my ears alone. “Perhaps you would like to know that next to your husband sits Calliope, Muse of Poetry. Beside her reclines Cleio, Muse of History.” She tilted her head, listening, before she continued. “At the head of the nearest table, Erato, Muse of Love Lyrics, is entertaining young Dougal, who has so recently lost his brother.”
My eyes followed her introductions and I was pleased to see Dougal’s face glowing with rapt attention as the lovely Erato spoke animatedly.
“Seated at the table with the leaders of the warriors are Polyhymnia, Muse of Song, Rhetoric and Geometry, who is wearing a violet robe, and Urania, Muse of Astronomy and Astrology, who should be attired in her typical velvet robe the color of the night sky.”
“Yes, it’s exactly as you describe.”
“You have already heard that Terpsichore, Muse of the Dance, has fallen ill…” Her voice lowered with sadness. “And Euterpe, Muse of Lyric Poetry, became ill two days ago.”
“I’m sorry. Terpsichore danced at our wedding. She was beautiful.”
“And if her Goddess wills it, she will be again.”
“Thalia, thank you for explaining all of this to me. And thank you for accepting me.”
“You are very welcome, child.” She straightened, still smiling, and clapped her hands together twice. The room fell silent in expectation. “Allow us to entertain our brave centaur warriors.” Her smile was as bright as the chandeliers. “And may all of our Goddesses bless you tomorrow.”
The Muse Erato was the first to rise. She began a touching song about a young peasant girl who won the heart of a Chieftain’s son, and the feats he had to accomplish before his father would consent to their marriage.
I tried more delicious food than I could keep count of, then, satisfied, I leaned back against my husband’s warm chest to enjoy the talent of the Muses, and the delicious quality of their red wine.
Erato was followed by Calliope, who expertly recited a rousing epic poem about the first centaur High Shaman, which concluded to the thunderous applause of her audience. Then Polyhymnia sang a hauntingly beautiful ballad that reminded me of something I could have heard on an Enya CD. As several dancers entered the huge chamber and began a sensuous dance, accompanied by pulsing drums, I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy.
ClanFintan’s arms encircled me, and
I tried to swim back to wakefulness.
“Shh, child, sleep.” Thalia’s motherly voice drifted into my semiconscious mind. “Your Goddess calls.”
And blackness overcame me.
* * *
This time I wasn’t eased out of my sleeping body by a delicious dream. Instead, I felt my spirit wrenched upward, through the diamond-encrusted dome in response to the order Come!
I hung above the enormous temple, momentarily disoriented. The temple looked misty and confusing—and I realized that clouds had rolled in with the night, obscuring the familiar landmarks of the mountains and river. But laughter and music floated in the night around me. Despite the bad weather, the Muses’ temple was alive with esprit de corps—in other words, morale was damn good.
Too soon my body began moving in a westerly direction. I began passing over the fields that separated Laragon Castle from the Muse, catching only occasional glimpses of the green beneath me through the low-hanging clouds. I hadn’t gone far when I began to feel an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of my stomach.
My body slowed—then stopped.
My heart was racing, and I heard the blood pounding in my temples. Below me, just outside the western edge of the temple’s grounds, the misty fields were thick with the moving bodies of the Fomorian army. They were approaching silently, using their wings to increase their insect-like gliding strides.
No! I closed my eyes and willed my spirit back into my body…
* * *
I leaped up, interrupting the lovely dance as I screamed the word aloud, “No!”
“Rhea!” ClanFintan reached for me. “What is it?”
I gasped for air—my body was shaking violently. “They’re coming! Now! The Fomorians are almost on the temple grounds.”
The room erupted in pandemonium, and ClanFintan shot to his feet, raising his arm and shouting for silence. Centaur and human obeyed.
“Then the time has come,” he addressed the centaurs with the confidence of an experienced leader. “Herdsmasters, assemble your warriors on the western lawn. Dougal, send our swiftest runner with orders to skirt the Fomorian line and get to the humans. Tell them we await their aid. Loose the pigeons with the same message. And remember, centaurs, they must not break through our lines.”
Bless them, Beloved.
I was filled with a sudden calm, and my voice rang out across the huge chamber. “We are counting on your courage. And you are courageous. I know it because courage is not measured by the crude vulgarity of claws and fangs overpowering women and hacking apart unprepared men. Courage arises from a sense of duty, and the firm resolve of goodness and right. And that is what I see before me—your nobility and integrity. May Epona’s blessing and grace go with each of you. My love surely does.”
A shout of “Hail Epona!” rang to the domed ceiling. Then the room exploded into a sea of moving centaurs.
The Incarnates of the Muse were making their way toward Thalia. The blind priestess’s face was serene. She spoke in a calm voice to the women who surrounded her.
“Priestesses, our students know they are to assemble here. Keep them busy, it will help to keep them calm.” The Priestesses murmured agreement, and they began calling to the young students who had begun arriving as the centaurs were leaving.
“Mistress Thalia,” Sila addressed the Priestess, “have your students begin boiling large quantities of water, and tearing linen into strips for bandaging. I will check on the ill ones and inform them of what has happened. Then I will return here to help your students prepare for the injured.”
“Thank you, Sila.”
“Victoria!” ClanFintan called the Huntress to his side. He put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes as he spoke. “While I am away, I entrust to you the safety of my wife.”
Vic covered his hand with her own. “Fight the battle with a clear mind, my friend. I will protect Rhea with my life.”
ClanFintan put his arm around me and led me a few paces away from the women. For a moment we just looked at each other, then he bent and his mouth covered mine. I clung to him, wanting to drown in the taste and heat of him. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and took my face in his hands. I felt my lip tremble, and I blinked my eyes rapidly, willing the tears that were waiting there not to fall. I didn’t want to send him into battle with me blubbering like a sissy.
“Remember always, I was born to love you. You are as much a part of me as my soul. If you stay safe, a part of me will always remain safe.”
“No, it doesn’t work like that.” I knew I sounded frantic, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Nothing can happen to you—don’t tell me all that crap about if I’m safe, you’re safe. It’s bullshit unless you really are okay.” I put my hands over his. “Promise me you will live and come back to me. I couldn’t bear it if you did not.”
“Rhea, you—”
“Promise me!” I said with a violence that surprised even me.
“You have my promise.” He pulled me against him roughly, and I felt his lips press the top of my head. “Stay with Victoria. I will find you when it is over.” He released me, and without looking back, turned and left the room.
I heard Vic’s hooves clip sharply against the marble floor as she came to stand beside me.
“Thalia has told me of a way we can reach the roof of this temple. She says it will be tricky, but the Huntresses and I should be able to climb to it. Let us go watch from there.”
“It’s dark.” My voice sounded numbed.
“It will not be for much longer. Dawn is only a few hours away.”
I could see the other Huntresses had entered the room. I noticed they were all carrying an impressive array of crossbows and quivers filled with deadly-looking arrows. The sight of their quiet confidence broke my numbness.
“Vic, I need to change out of this dress and back into my riding clothes.”
She nodded in understanding. “We will wait here for you.”
As I hurried back to the banquet room, it was easy to tell that the scene was already more organized. The students were quietly clearing away the feast and pushing the tables to the sides of the room. Several large pots were suspended over the hearths in the walls. The Priestesses were moving among their young students, stopping here and there to speak words of calm encouragement. I saw Victoria and the five Huntresses I knew from Epona’s Temple standing in the far corner of the room. Vic made a motion for me to join them. As I moved across the room, Thalia intercepted me, handing me a long bronze tube.
“It will help you to see,” she explained.
I took the small telescope and tried to thank her, but she had already moved away and was speaking to a group of nervous young girls.
The Huntresses were standing in the arch of an exit that led to a circular stairway that wrapped its way upward.
“Come, Thalia says this leads to the roof.” Victoria began climbing the precariously small stairs first, followed by me, then the other Huntresses.
The passage was narrow. The Huntresses could stretch their arms out and touch the smooth walls on either side, which they did to help them maneuver their way up the tight spiral.
“If you trip and fall backward, you’ll squish me,” I informed Vic.
Without turning her head, she said, “Huntresses do not trip.”
“That’s a good thing,” I muttered.
I heard the Huntress directly behind me, I think her name was Elaine, snort a quick laugh at my response. Nope—they sure didn’t act nervous.
Just when I thought the spiral would never end, Victoria heaved herself through another carved doorway. I heard her hooves clatter on the roof as she moved aside so that the rest of us could emerge.
We spilled out onto a narrow passageway that wrapped around the domed roof. It was not quite a horse’s width across, which meant the Huntresses had to stand sideways and hug the wall to pass by one another. The outer wall was lined with balustrades. Between each column were large earthenware planters filled with gera
niums and overflowing ivy, trailing a green waterfall of wide-leafed plants over the side of the temple.
In the murky light of predawn, Victoria surveyed the rooftop.
“This was meant to be a garden, not a place of defense.” The Huntress sounded annoyed.
“It’s a school for women, Vic, not soldiers.” I felt the need to come to the Muses’ defense. After all, this was the equivalent of Rhiannon’s university, and I sure wouldn’t want anyone making fun of the University of Illinois (go Illini!).
Vic made a disgusted noise, which was echoed by the other Huntresses.
“Spread out. Take up positions several lengths apart, all facing the west. Let me know when the armies become visible.” The Huntresses moved to obey her. I took up my own position next to her.
I peered out into the gloom and worried.
“He is a great warrior,” Vic said.
“Even great warriors bleed when they’re cut.” I sighed. “Maybe I should try and sleep so that my spirit body could go find him.”
“He would sense your presence,” she said gently. “You would distract him.”
“I hate waiting.”
Vic nodded in agreement.
CHAPTER 14
We sat in silence. I strained to see or hear any sound of fighting, but the only noises came from the light breeze whispering through the ivy, and an occasional call of a lark that was greeting the new day with innocent exuberance.
The sky behind us began to lighten, and the gray lifted, but only a little. The clouds from the night before were obviously there to stay, and even a weird fog was drifting out of the marsh to hang suspended over the temple grounds. My body jerked with understanding.
“Carolan said Fomorians don’t like to move around in the daylight. But they’re attacking today because of the damn weather.”
Grimly, Victoria nodded.
To the north the mountains swam into and out of view. I raised the lens to my eye, turning the wheel in the middle of it until the misty side of the closest mountain came into focus. No creatures visible there. Yet.