The Tower of Ravens

by Kate Forsyth

  The company planned to ride on again the next day and Nina had prepared a feast to celebrate. The village of Linlithgorn had provided them with fresh fruits and vegetables and ripe cheeses and newly baked bread, which everyone had enjoyed very much, and now Rhiannon was replete and drowsy, and ready to hear at last what had happened while she had been lost in nightmares.

  ‘So what did ye do then?’ Rhiannon asked Lewen.

  ‘Well, it was just as Iven predicted. The gatekeeper opened the gate and was surprised to see us. He told us there must be some mistake, no-one had been in or out o’ the gatehouse all day, but he sent his lad to fetch the laird when Iven insisted. The laird made us wait for ages, which made Nina furious, and she marched into the castle. When the gatekeeper tried to stop her, she sang the spell o’ sleep, which was rather funny, particularly since Cameron did no’ heed her warning to cover his ears and so he fell fast asleep too. She ensorcelled half the castle garrison and quite a few servants too, and at last found the laird in his library, much to his dismay. Ye should’ve seen his face when he called and called for his servants, and then found them all snoozing!’

  ‘What did he do?’ Rhiannon asked, grinning.

  ‘He was all honey and poison, looking Nina up and down as if she was a madwoman and speaking to her very soothingly. I must admit she looked rather wild, being barefoot and dressed in a torn and bloody nightgown, with her hair looking like she’d ridden through a whirlwind. Nina dinna care, though, she looked and acted like the countess she is. I do no’ ken what would’ve happened, if the auld lady’s servant had no’ come bursting in, sobbing and raving about Lady Evaline. That must’ve been so horrible, seeing her fall like that.’

  ‘It was,’ Rhiannon admitted. ‘I wish she had no’ done it. I canna help feeling it was my fault. If only I’d been quicker, happen I could’ve caught her or something.’

  ‘Ye probably all would’ve fallen then, Blackthorn’s no’ strong enough to carry such a load.’

  ‘Aye, happen so … still, I wish she hadna done it.’ Rhiannon pressed Lewen’s arms about her more firmly, the star amulet pressing into the tender flesh between her breasts.

  Lewen kissed her temple and went on. ‘Anyway, after that, the laird had to change his tune. He acted all shocked and distressed and pretended he kent naught about it. He put the whole thing onto Lady Evaline and her companion. Miss Prunella confessed to helping the seneschal kidnap thirty-four boys over the past twenty-five years, and to helping him dispose o’ them when they failed to make Lady Evaline happy. That was why they did it, she says. To make the auld lady happy.’

  ‘And the laird is trying to pretend he’s innocent in all this?’

  ‘Very persuasively,’ Lewen replied grimly. ‘He has the reeve o’ Linlithgorn more than half-convinced.’

  ‘But I saw him!’ Rhiannon said indignantly.

  ‘Aye, but ye’re no’ the most credible witness, my love,’ Lewen said. ‘The laird has argued most compellingly that ye are trying to deflect suspicion away from yourself. Nina and Iven have had to admit, most unwillingly, that they never actually saw the laird’s face. Ye were the only one.’

  ‘What about his eye?’ Rhiannon cried. ‘How does he explain Blackthorn putting out his eye?’

  ‘He says the seneschal did it. He said he’d been worried and suspicious about Irving for some time, since he was often no’ there when the laird wanted him, and so he had lain in wait for him that night, wanting to see where he went and what he got up to. Except Irving pulled a sword on him and slashed him, and the laird was so sorely wounded he was unable to pursue him. The laird says Irving had been his brother’s servant and was faithful to Lady Evaline, no’ to him.’

  ‘It’s unbelievable!’ Rhiannon was so angry and upset she sat up, and Lewen had to draw her down into his arms again.

  ‘Unfortunately, it’s all believable. For every accusation we’ve made, the laird has been able to come up with a most plausible explanation. And the fact that he has placed himself so willingly in the reeve’s hands has worked in his favour too. All he asks for, he says, is a chance to go to the Rìgh’s court and plead his case. He has offered to pay restitution to the grieving families for their loss, on behalf o’ his sister-in-law, who he says was quite mad. He has offered to give any assistance he can to the Rìgh’s officers in their investigation. All he asks for is a chance to clear his name.’

  ‘It’s very odd,’ Rhiannon said after a moment. ‘What about the necromancy?’

  ‘Again, ye are the only one who saw that,’ Lewen said unwillingly. ‘Basically, he’s put his word against yours. The reeve did find a chest full o’ red cloaks, and black candles and so on, but that was hidden under the seneschal’s bed, and so Laird Malvern has been able to deny any knowledge o’ it. A few o’ the footmen have fled, and the auld groom, and a few others, making it seem as if they were the ones involved.’

  ‘But I saw him! Laird Malvern! He called the ghost his brother.’

  Lewen said nothing.

  ‘But I’m a half-satyricorn accused o’ murder and treason,’ Rhiannon said glumly. ‘And he’s a laird.’

  ‘The worst thing is, Miss Prunella, the auld lady’s companion, canna be questioned about her role in all this anymore.’

  ‘Why no’?’

  ‘She’s dead,’ Lewen said shortly. ‘She took poison … or someone gave it to her, we do no’ ken which. We never thought … if we had only guessed what she planned, happen we could have stopped her somehow.’

  Rhiannon was appalled. ‘Ye mean, she just died? And now she canna tell anyone the truth o’ it all?’

  Lewen nodded. ‘That’s right. I canna help wondering how she got the poison. I swear the nursemaid Dedrie kens more than she’s saying, but she’s shut up tight as a clam and willna say a word, and neither will any o’ the other servants. They have all been arrested too and face trial with the laird in Lucescere, but they do naught but swear their innocence most convincingly.’

  ‘I guess they all fear the hangman’s noose too,’ Rhiannon said in an unhappy voice.

  Lewen kissed her. ‘They willna hang ye now, Rhiannon, surely? No’ after ye saved Roden. He’s heir to the Earl of Caerlaverock, after all, the Rìgh’s dearest friend. Nina will testify on your behalf, and His Highness has a real soft spot for her, he’s known her since she was a babe. I’m sure he’ll pardon ye.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Rhiannon shivered.

  ‘We ride for Lucescere tomorrow. We’ll be there in a few weeks, and then we’ll ken. Do no’ fear, Rhiannon. With Nina and Iven and me all vouching for ye, the Rìgh canna condemn ye.’

  ‘Well, we’ll find out all too soon,’ Rhiannon said. She looked up at the star-strung sky and the sliver of new moon hanging over the mountain. By the time the two moons were full, she would be in the Shining City, facing her fate. Despite Lewen’s confidence, Rhiannon could not feel the same optimism. Satyricorns believed in dark walkers and fearsome gods. Happy endings were not part of their mythology. She had the space of one moon, though, to grasp what happiness she could. She slipped her hand under Lewen’s shirt and caressed his bare back, her chain rattling.

  ‘Since we are so tightly shackled together, do ye think Iven would notice if we slipped away to the forest? I have had enough o’ ghosts and death. I want some warmth and loving.’

  Lewen’s breath caught and he bent his head and kissed her. ‘I think he may turn a blind eye … for a wee while.’

  ‘Let’s go then,’ she said and stood up, tugging him up by the chain fastened to his wrist. ‘Though I think we’ll need more than just a wee while.’

  ‘Ye’re a forward lass,’ he said approvingly, getting up with alacrity. Hand-in-hand they went away from the flames and into the darkness of the wood, the chain swinging between them.

  acolytes: students of witchcraft who have not yet passed their Second Test of Powers; usually aged between eight and sixteen.

  ahdayeh: a series of exercises used as meditation in motion. Deriv
ed from the Khan’cohban art of fighting.

  Annis: apprentice to Ashelma, the witch of Ardarchy.

  apprentice-witch: a student of witchcraft who has passed the Second Test of Powers, usually undertaken at the age of sixteen.

  arak: a small, monkey-like creature.

  Arran: south-east land of Eileanan, ruled by the MacFóghnan clan.

  Ashelma: the witch of Ardarchy.

  Aslinn: deeply forested land, ruled by the MacAislin clan.

  banprionnsa: princess or duchess.

  banrìgh: queen.

  Beltane: May Day; the first day of summer.

  Ben Eyrie: third highest mountain in Eileanan; part of the Broken Ring of Dubhslain.

  blaygird: evil, awful.

  Blèssem: rich farmland south of Rionnagan, ruled by the MacThanach clan.

  Blue Guards: the Yeomen of the Guard, the Rìgh’s own elite company of soldiers. They act as his personal bodyguard, both on the battlefield and in peacetime.

  Brann the Raven: one of the First Coven of Witches. Known for probing the darker mysteries of magic, and for fascination with machinery and technology.

  Broken Ring of Dubhslain: mountains which curve in a crescent around the highlands of Ravenshaw.

  Bronwen NicCuinn: daughter of former Rìgh Jaspar MacCuinn and Maya the Ensorcellor; she was named Banrìgh of Eileanan by her father on his deathbed but ruled for just six hours as a newborn baby, before Lachlan the Winged wrested the throne from her.

  Candlemas: the end of winter and beginning of spring.

  Carraig: land of the sea-witches, the northernmost land of Eileanan, ruled by the MacSeinn clan.

  Celestines: race of faery creatures, renowned for empathic abilities and knowledge of stars and prophecy.

  Clachan: southernmost land of Eileanan, a province of Rionnagan ruled by the MacCuinn clan.

  claymore: a heavy, two-edged sword, often as tall as a man.

  cluricaun: small woodland faery.

  Connor: a Yeoman of the Guard. Was once a beggar-boy in Lucescere and member of the League of the Healing Hand.

  corrigan: mountain faery with the power of assuming the look of a boulder. The most powerful can cast other illusions.

  Coven of Witches: the central ruling body for witches in Eileanan, led by the Keybearer and a council of twelve other sorcerers and sorceresses called the Circle. The Coven administers all rites and rituals in the worship of the universal life-force witches call Eà, runs schools and hospitals, and advises the Crown.

  Craft: applications of the One Power through spells, incantations and magical objects.

  The Cripple: leader of the rebellion against the rule of Jaspar and Maya.

  Cuinn Lionheart: leader of the First Coven of Witches; his descendants are called MacCuinn.

  Cunning: applications of the One Power through will and desire.

  cunning man: village wise man or warlock.

  cursehags: wicked faery race, prone to curses and evil spells. Known for their filthy personal habits.

  dai-dein: father.

  Day of Betrayal: the day Jaspar the Ensorcelled turned on the witches, exiling or executing them, and burning the Witch Towers.

  Dedrie: healer at Fettercairn Castle; was formerly nursemaid to Rory, the young son of Lord Falkner MacFerris.

  Dide the Juggler: a jongleur who was rewarded for his part in Lachlan the Winged’s successful rebellion by being made Didier Laverock, Earl of Caerlaverock. Is often called the Rìgh’s minstrel.

  Dillon of the Joyous Sword: captain of the Yeomen of the Guard. Was once a beggar-boy and captain of the League of the Healing Hand.

  Donncan Feargus MacCuinn: eldest son of Lachlan MacCuinn and Iseult NicFaghan. Has wings like a bird and can fly. Was named for Lachlan’s two brothers, who were transformed into blackbirds by Maya the Ensorcellor.

  Dughall MacBrann: the Prionnsa of Ravenshaw and cousin to the Rìgh.

  Durward: Lord Malvern’s bodyguard.

  Eà: the Great Life Spirit, mother and father of all.

  Eileanan: largest island in the archipelago called the Far Islands.

  Elemental Powers: the forces of air, earth, fire, water and spirit which together make up the One Power.

  Enit Silverthroat: grandmother of Dide and Nina; died at the Battle of Bonnyblair.

  equinox: a time when day and night are of equal length, occurring twice a year.

  Evaline NicKinney: widow of Lord Falkner MacFerris, former lord of Fettercairn Castle.

  Fairge; Fairgean: faery creatures who need both sea and land to live.

  Falkner MacFerris: former lord of Fettercairn Castle.

  Fettercairn Castle: a fortress guarding the pass into the highlands of Ravenshaw, and the Tower of Ravens. Owned by the MacFerris clan.

  Finn the Cat: nickname of Fionnghal NicRuraich.

  Fionnghal NicRuraich: eldest daughter of Anghus MacRuraich of Rurach; was once a beggar-girl in Lucescere and lieutenant of the League of the Healing Hand.

  First Coven of Witches: thirteen witches who fled persecution in their own land, invoking an ancient spell that folded the fabric of the universe and brought them and all their followers to Eileanan in a journey called the Great Crossing. The eleven great clans of Eileanan are all descended from the First Coven, with the MacCuinn clan being the greatest of the eleven. The thirteen witches were Cuinn Lionheart, his son Owein of the Longbow, Ahearn Horse-laird, Aislinna the Dreamer, Berhtilde the Bright Warrior-Maid, Fóghnan the Thistle, Rùraich the Searcher, Seinneadair the Singer, Sian the Storm-Rider, Tuathanach the Farmer, Brann the Raven, Faodhagan the Red and his twin sister Sorcha the Bright (now called the Murderess).

  Gearradh: goddess of death; of the Three Spinners, Gearradh is she who cuts the thread.

  gillie: personal servant.

  gillie-coise: bodyguard.

  Gladrielle the Blue: the smaller of the two moons, lavender-blue in colour.

  gravenings: ravenous creatures that nest and swarm together, steal lambs and chickens from farmers, and have been known to steal babies and young children. Will eat anything they can carry away in their claws. Collective noun is ‘screech’.

  Greycloaks: the Rìgh’s army, so called because of their camouflaging cloaks.

  Harriet: servant to Lady Evaline.

  Hogmanay: New Year’s Eve; an important celebration in the culture of Eileanan.

  Horned Ones: another name for the satyricorns, a race of fierce horned faeries.

  Irving: seneschal at Fettercairn Castle.

  Isabeau the Shapechanger: Keybearer of the Coven; twin sister of the Banrìgh Iseult NicFaghan.

  Iseult of the Snows: twin sister of Isabeau NicFaghan; Banrìgh of Eileanan by marriage to Lachlan the Winged.

  Iven Yellowbeard: a jongleur and courier in the service of Lachlan the Winged; was formerly a Yeoman of the Guard; married to Nina the Nightingale and father to Roden.

  Jaspar MacCuinn: former Rìgh of Eileanan, often called Jaspar the Ensorcelled. Was married to Maya the Ensorcellor.

  Jay the Fiddler: a minstrel in the service of Lachlan the Winged. Was once a beggar-lad in Lucescere and member of the League of the Healing Hand.

  Johanna: a healer. Was once a beggar-girl in Lucescere and member of the League of the Healing Hand.

  jongleur: a travelling minstrel, juggler, conjurer.

  journeywitch: a travelling witch who performs rites for villages that do not have a witch, and seeks out children with magical powers who can be taken on as acolytes.

  Kalea: a nisse.

  Keybearer: the leader of the Coven of Witches.

  Khan’cohbans: a faery race of war-like, snow-skimming nomads who live on the high mountains of the Spine of the World.

  Lachlan the Winged: Rìgh of Eileanan.

  The League of the Healing Hand: a band of beggar children who were instrumental in helping Lachlan the Winged win his throne.

  leannan: sweetheart.

  Lewen: an apprentice-witch and squire to Lachlan; son
of Lilanthe of the Forest and Niall the Bear.

  Lilanthe of the Forest: a tree-shifter; married to Niall the Bear, and mother to Lewen and Meriel.

  loch; lochan (pl): lake.

  Lucescere: ancient city built on an island above the Shining Waters; the traditional home of the MacCuinns and the Tower of Two Moons.

  Mac: son of

  MacAhern: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Ahearn the Horse-laird.

  MacBrann: one of the eleven great clans; descendants of Brann the Raven.

  MacCuinn: one of the eleven great clans, descendants of Cuinn Lionheart.

  Magnysson the Red: the larger of the two moons, crimson-red in colour, commonly thought of as a symbol of war and conflict. Old tales describe him as a thwarted lover, chasing his lost love, Gladrielle, across the sky.

  Malvern MacFerris: lord of Fettercairn Castle; brother of former lord Falkner MacFerris.

  Maya the Ensorcellor: former Banrìgh of Eileanan, wife of Jaspar and mother of Bronwen; now known as Maya the Mute.

  moonbane: a hallucinogenic drug distilled from the moonflower plant.

  necromancy: the forbidden art of resurrecting the dead.

  Niall the Bear: formerly a Yeoman of the Guard; now married to Lilanthe of the Forest, and father to Lewen and Meriel.

  Nic: daughter of.

  Nila: King of the Fairgean; half-brother of Maya the Ensorcellor.