“A Kelpie is a mythological river horse that lured children onto its back. It would take the child under the water,” Stag explained.
“Excellent, Kelpies are similar to the Each Uisge, which exist in Scottish folklore. They are said to be beasts of the ocean, shape shifters that can appear as alluring men or horses.
Many aspects the mythologies of the Celtic World are still unknown. The meanings of the Pictish symbols can only be guessed. The traditions of the tribesmen and many ruins remain enigmas.”
An image of a few Pictish symbols appeared on the projector. One looked like a hand held mirror, another appeared to be a comb or a tool of some sort, and one was definitely a spiraled snake. Cassidy’s mind took another trip to la-la land as she pondered the image that reminded her of a mirror. Did they have those back then? she thought.
“On a recent research trip to the University of Aberdeen, I came across evidence that one Roman officer may have learned the Pictish language from a native and recorded aspects of their lives that we do not yet know. Unfortunately, the documents he recorded have been lost to time, along with answers to many Celtic mysteries. One source indicated that the documents were last seen in 1840, in Ireland, just before the potato famine. It is possible that the documents immigrated to the United States with one of the many people who came from Ireland.
“So, if you have Celtic heritage feel free to check your parents’ attic,” Savali jested. The audience responded with chuckles.
“All kidding aside, I highly recommend submitting genomes to my longtime friend, Dr. Abigail Crane. You will receive both monetary compensation, as well as a full genealogy chart of your ancestors. If for some reason you did not have a genome taken as a child, Dr. Crane can take a cheek swab. She will be available next door to take swabs for the next hour.”
As she spoke, Abigail beamed at the audience from her seat at the front of the room.
“I hope you enjoyed my presentation, please have a lovely evening,” Savali finished as the screen slowly ascended toward the ceiling behind her.
The audience clapped as Crane and Savali glided out of the room. Several people in the audience started to go through the consent procedure to submit their genomes. Eadowen leaned over his sleeping friend. For a moment Cassidy thought he was going to kiss him, but instead he retrieved Taban’s water bottle. Eadowen poured some of the water onto his hand and let it drip through his fingers onto Taban’s face. Taban sat up so quickly Eadowen barely had time to move the water bottle.
“Why do you always do that?” Taban groaned.
“Only way to wake you. Would you prefer Donovan’s method?” Eadowen asked. “My youngest brother pours a bucket of ice water on Taban to get him up,” he elaborated for Cassidy and Danny’s benefit.
“Don’t ever let Donovan wake me up again,” Taban shivered. “He doesn’t even wait for the ice cubes to melt. It hurts!”
Cassidy and Danny snickered.
“Did you enjoy the lecture?” Eadowen asked.
“I’m going to submit my genome analysis to Abigail’s project,” Danny added excitedly. “I can’t wait to take more biology classes.”
“Edana, please don’t,” Eadowen begged. “Your information is particularly vulnerable.”
“Eadowen’s right,” Cassidy nodded. “That’s a lot of personal information to volunteer.”
“But it sounds so interesting.”
“It’s fascinating, but there are some things you need to know first,” Eadowen said. “Will you—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Stag came charging up the lecture hall stairs. After acknowledging Cassidy and Danny with raised eyebrows, he scanned the chairs in which they had been sitting. “Follow me outside now!” Stag commanded, yanking a couple of Danny’s hairs out of the backrest.
“They’re going to come find you because you answered that question,” Taban growled as they hurried out into the hallway.
Stag didn’t speak again until they had crossed almost to the other side of the now crowded campus. When he did speak, it came out as a rapid stream of consciousness directed at Eadowen.
“I’ll keep ‘em sidetracked by submitting my genome and telling them all the Celtic history and mythology you’ve taught me. They’ll probably pick me as the most likely sample group at this school and then Savali will move on to the next school. It’s too bad this is Crane’s home base. I’ve been checking around campus this week. This afternoon they’re paying students to approach people who fit the phenotype of someone with strong Celtic heritage. The students get money for each sample they collect, so some of them try to cheat and take hair samples they find. Even though only cheek swabs would hold up for analysis, if they found anything.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Eadowen sighed. “Oh, and just to be safe, could you find out if Savali was doing anything important that caused her delay?”
“Anytime.” He and Eadowen exchanged a quick peck on the cheek. “Take care of yourselves.” Stag nodded to the girls and departed.
“What the heck is going on?” Cassidy said, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable and confused.
“Where are you going next?” Taban asked.
“We’re—” Cassidy started to explain, but with considerable effort she stopped herself.
“We’re going to meet—” Danny began, but Cassidy dug her fingers into Danny’s arm.
“We’re not telling you anything until you explain what’s going on,” Cassidy said firmly.
“I assure you that we will,” Eadowen said. “Please, come to our house this evening for dinner and we’ll explain everything you need to know. Though, if you mention my name to your mother she’ll never let you go.” He spoke so softly that Cassidy had to lean in to hear him. “Listen closely, Danny. You and I are from the same family tree, so we’re both at risk. I just want to help you.” He drew back as a young woman approached Danny.
“Hey do you want to submit your genome?” she asked cheerily. “All you have to do is sign here, little lady.”
“We’re in a hurry,” Cassidy replied more than ready to escape from all the bizarreness that had occurred in the last hour. “Come on.” Cassidy and Danny bolted giving no one a chance to stop them.
“What if I want to find out about my genome?” Danny jogged next to Cassidy. “Maybe Eadowen and Taban are trying to trick me?”
“We don’t know anything. No one is going to touch your genes until we do,” Cassidy assured her.
* * *
When Cassidy and Danny reached the parking lot, they saw Ms. Reyes furrow her brow as she read something on her tablet. She turned the tablet around and showed it to Danny. “Is this the lecture you went to?” she asked fiercely.
Danny swallowed and looked at her mother. Ms. Reyes towered over her with worry and anger shifting in her eyes.
“Yes,” Danny answered hanging her head.
“That was the lecture that was offered to us on the tour,” Cassidy explained. “It was just a talk about Celtic mythology.”
“Were you both awake last night?”
“Not the whole night,” Danny replied.
“Don’t be smart with me, Edana Arthur Reyes. Did you overhear anything?”
Both Cassidy and Danny stood petrified. Inspecting the ground Danny kicked a rock. Cassidy tried to make her expression as vapid as possible, which was challenging, since she liked to display intelligence.
“You did hear him. I should have known, with your hearing, you would. I thought when I married your father—he was nothing like them—I thought I’d never have children like you.” Ms. Reyes braced herself on the car door and covered her face. “I’m so sorry honey. I have to cancel your trip. You are going back to Victoria and staying there. Victoria is far away from them.” She looked at Danny’s hurt expression and softened her voice. “Get in the car, both of you. This isn’t your fault.”
“Who are ‘them’?” Danny pleaded.
“Please, just get in the car.”
Danny he
ard the clopping of platforms hitting the pavement behind her.
“There you are!” Taban ran up to Ms. Reyes with a winning smile. Huffing, he extended a hand, which she accepted warily. “You must be Danny’s mother. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope that Danny and Cassidy will have time to join us. Do you think you could drop them off at Dal later this evening?”
“What?”
“Oh there’s this dinner thing for prospective students. It’s held at my friend’s house. He’s part of student government.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“But mother …”
“No buts, Edana!”
“I would be happy to pick them up if you are unable to drop them off.” Taban edged closer to Danny’s mother. “Cassidy is so clever and Danny is so enthusiastic. I think the University would like really benefit by having these two brilliant ladies as part of the incoming class.”
A tremble on Ms. Reyes’ lips almost turned into a smile. “That might be okay,” she said.
“Thanks so much,” Taban purred.
“You’re, um, welcome.” Ms. Reyes held her forehead as though she had no idea what had happened.
Danny almost knocked her mother over when she threw her arms over her mother’s shoulders to show her gratitude. Feeling a warm hand on her arm, Cassidy looked up and caught a wink from Taban as he brushed past her.
CHAPTER 4
WHEN WINNERS
WRITE HISTORY
AS TABAN CROSSED the freshly mowed lawn, he heard the sound of quick footsteps behind him.
“Taban! Hey!”
Taban recognized the athlete from earlier that day. “Hello, again.” He tried to look pleased to see Michelle, while maintaining a distracted air. “I need to get going, but was there something you wanted?”
He already knew what she wanted. Her minimalist workout clothes showed off her legs and chest. She was very attractive; it was a pity that if he complied, she’d probably regret it.
“I just …,” Michelle began, then looked down and ran her fingers through her hair. “I wanted to know if you wanted to go out sometime—maybe to coffee?”
Taban folded his arms so that his left hand caught the sunlight. Her eyes darted to the ring.
“As friends is fine.” She smiled sadly. “I guess you are with Eadowen. Hir’s such a lovely person.”
“There’s a guy with purple hair running around.” Taban walked away from her. “He’d be happy to help you with the commercial and anything else you might need,” he added over his shoulder.
Taban spotted his friend sitting under a maple tree with a black teapot, two tea cups, and a couple of scones on a cloth napkin next to him. A five-fingered leaf floated down, landing on the stack of worn papers in his friend’s hands. Eadowen brushed the leaf away, letting it fall onto his folded wheelchair, and continued reading. Taban jogged to his friend and knelt beside him. On the off chance the young woman was still watching him, he slid his hand under Eadowen’s. Intertwining his fingers with Eadowen’s, Taban touched his lips to the back of his friend’s hand.
“You have no audience right now,” Eadowen said flatly. “I prefer it when your affection is sincere or whatever the equivalent of that is for you.”
Taban laughed, letting Eadowen open his hand. He pressed his palm to Eadowen’s. They had almost the same hand size. Eadowen’s index finger was much longer than his own, but his ring finger extended past Eadowen’s. While Taban compared their anatomical differences, Eadowen pushed a cup of tea toward him and continued reading.
“Not gonna play up that sexy Scottish accent for me?” Taban feigned whining. “You sure put it on for them.”
“Thought they’d find it intriguing.” Eadowen flipped to another page. “Canadian is just as fetching.”
“I can’t believe you’re reading that on paper.”
“You know why I can’t make an electronic copy. It’s too risky. This is the only copy I made of the stone tablets in our vault.”
“I still can’t believe that’s the Roman officer’s journal that Savali was talking about.” Taban tasted the tea. He didn’t have to check the temperature because Eadowen never offered him anything that would burn him.
“Right.”
Looking over Eadowen’s shoulder, Taban saw the familiar Latin script. He didn’t want to learn how to read it, because he would know the exact words, and for Eadowen’s sake it was better that he didn’t. Taban had gathered from Eadowen’s allusions to the content of the writing that it was a Roman officer’s journal from around 100 to 150 AD.
“I needed to reread it after Savali’s lecture.”
“You have it memorized—you read it like a favorite novel,” Taban teased. “These look delicious.” He picked up a scone, but Eadowen blocked his arm.
“I put those in an insulated container, so they’re still hot,” Eadowen said and continued on the other topic. “It would be my favorite novel if it was fiction.”
“Still have a crush on the Tuatha de Danann in it?” Taban lay down in the grass next to his friend with the tea and scones between them.
“I don’t have a crush on Endymion or the Tuatha de Danann descendant he encountered.” Though Eadowen spoke in his usual pleasant tone, Taban detected harshly tapped r’s in his friend’s accent. He smiled up at the tessellated leaves. It had taken him years to hear that subtle change. It was hard to provoke Eadowen, but the challenge made it deliciously satisfying to do so. Attempting to snatch a scone while his friend was preoccupied, he was again thwarted by Eadowen.
“Endymion?”
“The Roman officer’s name.”
“If it’s such a risk to keep those old tablets around, why do you?”
“They’re the only clue to my family’s origins. They meant so much to my parents and so many other people. I can’t imagine destroying them.”
“Whatever you say.” A leaf rested on Taban’s chest. He plucked it off and tickled Eadowen’s cheek with the fan, catching a rare glimpse of Eadowen’s teeth in his smile.
“You can eat it now.” Eadowen brushed the leaf away from his face. “You know what’s most fascinating about this piece? Endymion asserts that the Each Uisge and the Fomori were one and the same.”
“Whoa, wait. I don’t know much about Celtic mythology, but that’s wrong. One was ugly, the other could morph into a hot guy.” Taban ripped open one of the salt packets he kept in his Ogham compartment and sprinkled it over his scone.
“That’s just it. Endymion says the descendant of the Tuatha de Danann he met told him this. In a weird way it makes sense; the Tuatha de Danann won against the Fomori and …”
“…and winners end up writing history,” Taban finished his sentence. “Interesting thought.”
Before Eadowen could reply, his Ogham flashed. He answered it using a metallic bio-feedback device that looped over his ear to align with his temple. Taban always thought the device looked like an intricate gold earring, which didn’t bother him. However, not knowing when Eadowen was going to answer his Ogham could get annoying at times.
“Message from Stag: Dr. Savali’s delay was for a family member, it had nothing to do with the research.”
“What was the family matter?” Taban demanded.
“Message from Stag: I don’t think it’s relevant. That’s another person’s personal inform—”
“If she told you it can’t be that secret,” Taban said.
“Stag,” Eadowen said. “I admire your ethics. Just to be sure, is there anything you’d be comfortable sharing?”
“Message from Stag: Her son was looking at surf kayaking gear and they missed a shuttle. Like I said, not important.”
“Thank you,” Eadowen replied.
“Message from Stag: By the way, a beautiful person named Michelle started talking to me about a commercial. What did you do?”
“Consider the pretty girl a thank you present,” Taban said. “Have fun.”
“Message from Stag: Don’t treat her like a commodi
ty, that’s horrible.”
“You know, Stag, most guys would kill for my cast offs. Just go talk to her,” Taban replied.
“Cast off is such a disrespectful term—”
Taban cut Stag off by ending the conversation with a tap on Eadowen’s Ogham.
Taban tried to soak up the sun, but he felt cold. He envisioned himself falling asleep beside Eadowen and never waking up. There was a vial under his bed back home that would make that possible, but for now, he had two people to protect: Eadowen and Telyn, his younger sister. Rubbing his tattoo, Taban thought of Telyn, still in the clutches of the most charming monster he’d ever met.
“If you dislike your tattoo so much, why don’t you get it removed?”
“Can’t. I mean … I just hate that it looks like the Loch Ness Monster. I think the symbol is even called the Pictish Beast.”
“I see a dolphin.”
“Dolphins aren’t always nice to people,” Taban explained. “They’ve been known to …”
Eadowen kissed the mark and Taban felt warmth suffuse his entire body. Taban’s Ogham buzzed. He checked the name at an angle Eadowen couldn’t see. The chill crept up his spine again. “I have to go,” he said.
“Bye.”
***
Taban jogged to the Life Sciences Centre, where a woman, waited for him, while fiddling with her hair pin.
“Hello, Taban.”
“Hi, Abigail. What’s going on?” He placed his hand on her hip and guided her into the cool shade of the building. He glanced around, as though Eadowen could see across campus. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her into a long kiss. “Any news?”
“Yes.” Dr. Abigail Crane’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “May Savali found some evidence that the journal came to North America during the Irish immigration caused by the Potato Famine.”
“Hm?” Taban ran his hands down her sides, so that she wouldn’t notice that her comment made him shake.
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