Dark Faery IV: The Cantares

by Bridget McGowan

  Neither of them expected any problem. Harry detailed what he’d done, and Simon confirmed he’d changed her correctly. Still, sometimes things went wrong, so it was necessary to keep watch.

  Meanwhile, Simon went to the Cantares’ village to see the priestess. He glamoured himself so that she wouldn’t recognize his nature. While her amulet would keep him distant, it wouldn’t be unseemly. A powerful priestess would not be fooled, but he suspected she wasn’t such a one.

  “You wished to see me?” Eleni asked when she appeared on her porch.

  “I did, Milady,” he said with a bow that covered the wince her amulet caused.

  “Do come in,” she said.

  “Alas, no, I am sorry, but I have a terror of closed places,” he said.

  She looked surprised. “You are not a Cantare?”

  “No, Milady, but I have something of your clan to report.”

  “Indeed?”

  “A death. A suicide, really,” he said, knowing that suicides were not given funeral pyres and sent down the stream. He doubted they’d want to give Rhiannon one, so this relieved them of their duty and they wouldn’t delve deeply into the circumstances.

  “A suicide? Do you know the person’s name? Are you certain it was a Cantare?”

  “Indeed, Milady. I once heard her sing. A girl named Rhiannon, and gifted with the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.”

  The priestess stiffened at the name and looked as if he’d insulted her.

  “She is of doubtful lineage,” she replied.

  “Still, she sang magnificently, and considering the poor performance of the singers at the Beltane festivities, I wonder she wasn’t with them.”

  “How dare you criticize our singers!”

  “Ask anyone in any other clan if they were impressed as they should’ve been. Many wonder how Master Legato maintains his position, leaving out a voice like that and failing to bring out the most in the other voices. It is said the Cantares have fallen far from their past glory, yet rest upon what is long past rather than pull themselves out of the mud. I don’t seek to criticize; I only repeat what has been said.

  She shook herself to keep from throwing her wrath upon him.

  “You say the girl is dead?”

  “Aye. I was returning from Beltane and as I came to a clearing I often pass through, I saw her throw herself over a falls in the stream and crash onto a jagged rock at the bottom. I couldn’t reach her before she jumped. By the time I got close, she floated face down in the pool.”

  “How do I know you didn’t kill her?”

  “Would I dare show my face to a priestess if I were guilty? Priestesses can discern truth,” he said, knowing her powers were weak.

  She was flattered and accepted his word.

  “You must know that she could not receive proper burial if she killed herself.”

  “I know it, Lady. That is why I did not bring her to you.”

  “What did you do with her?”

  “After I discovered that she was, indeed dead, I buried her body that she not infect those animals that might wish to feed on her.”

  She nodded and smiled.

  “You are wise for one so young,” she said, thinking he wasn’t finished school.

  “And you, Milady, are too wise to let the Cantares continue in their conceit without cause. If other clans complain to the druids –”

  She was brought up short by that.

  “I will see to the matter. We need not involve the druids.”

  He bowed and started to leave.

  “Boy, I would compensate you for your efforts.”

  “It is no more than anyone would do. I have no need of compensation.”

  He left before she could bestow a blessing.

  Eleni was easily corrupted but not so foolish as to wish to have the druids take action against Master Legato. She first informed the Widow Breve that her charge was no more. The widow made a show of bemoaning her fate but the priestess held up her hand.

  “Do not pretend with me, Widow Breve. It was a slave I provided you with. People began to speak of the marks you left on the girl. You have simply lost someone to do your bidding.”

  “You had no love of her,” the widow protested.

  “Nay, I did not, or she would never have stepped through your door. But there will be no others, so don’t profess any love where there was none.”

  With that she turned and flitted off to the practice hall.

  Master Legato hadn’t seen her come in, and went about his normal routine, which involved little in the way of correction. After he had accepted mistakes several times when even Eleni would have had the singer repeat the passage, she spoke up.

  “Don’t you think Cantares and anyone worthy of that name could do a better job, Master Legato?” she asked.

  He turned and gazed at her, his face red.

  “Indeed,” Dandriloc said, coming out of the shadows. “I wondered that same thing at the Beltane performance.”

  Eleni was as shocked as Legato that the Chief Druid was there. The boy must have carried out his threat despite the fact that she said she’d handle it.

  “In fact,” Dandriloc continued, I’ve thought for some time that the Cantares should be ashamed of the way they’ve fallen. When Benevolents and Mercifuls complain – those who forgive nearly all – it is more than time to take action.”

  “That is just what I’m doing,” Eleni said.

  “Indeed?” Dandriloc asked, amused. “How did it escape your notice for so long a time? How could you allow such incompetence to be shown to all of our Faery clans?”

  “I have –”

  “You have subjected my own clan to ridicule!” Dandriloc said. “I thought none of my High Priestesses could be so unworthy of their placement. Indeed Aoife, who was rightfully stripped of being High Priestess of all for her consultation with Vampyres, is more worthy than you! At least she had justification for seeking out the dark Faery. What is your justification for this? Hmm?”

  “I –” she was silent.

  “You are hereby stripped of your rank of High Priestess for the Cantare clan. You will return to the House of the Priestesses and learn your craft as an ordinary priestess.”

  He turned to Legato, who dared to smile at Eleni’s misfortune.

  “And you, Legato. How were you ever created a master? I suspect treachery.”

  “No, Milord, that is untrue!”

  “I understand there is a girl with the very voice of sweetness itself. Where is she?”

  “She has not bothered to come today,” Legato said disdainfully.

  “She is dead, Milord,” Eleni said.

  “Dead?” Dandriloc and Legato said together.

  “I was visited by a boy who said he saw her jump before he could stop her. The same one who came to you, I daresay.”

  “No one came to me. I have ears.”

  Eleni described what Simon had told her.

  “And who is the boy?” Dandriloc asked.

  “I know not. He is not a Cantare, but did not say who he was.”

  She described him to Dandriloc.

  “Simon Mallow!” he said angrily. “You were taken for a fool by a dark Faery! Aoife at least had sense enough to recognize what they are.”

  “A dark Faery? No, he couldn’t be.”

  “I assure you, he is. How do we know he didn’t do the deed himself – change her to one of theirs?”

  She had no words for him. She stared, fear contorting her face.

  “But to give the dark Faery his due, if he was telling the truth, what reason did a girl with a beautiful voice have to kill herself? And why was she not singing at Beltane?” he asked Legato.

  “I – she – the girl did not fit in with the choir.”

  “Indeed? Considering how poorly they sang, I have no doubt. I would think distress over your treatment of her – as I’ve heard about it from those not in your clan – drove her to kill herself.”

  “But a dark Faery! H
ow can you think to take his word?” Legato asked.

  “I didn’t need to take his word. I have heard your work and listened to people of the clans. You, Master Legato, are no longer a master. You will study under the new master, and if your skills are not mastered within a year, you will leave the Cantares.”

  “And who is to be this new master?”

  “It is not for you to question me! I will test those journeymen and so-called masters living here to determine whether or not any are worthy of the name Cantare. Until then this choir will disband.”

  The others scattered lest Dandriloc remove them from the Cantares as well. Disgraced, Legato skulked out of the hall.

  Dandriloc waited while Eleni gathered her belongings to accompany him back to the House of the Priestesses.

  By the time she left the village, word had spread that the Chief Druid had banished her and taken Legato from his position. Very quickly the opinion in the village changed from one of acceptance of what was to anger that it had taken so long to rid them of the viper, Legato.

  Many in the clan had been unhappy with the way things had been going over the past several years, but Eleni held the village with such an iron fist, few wished to bring down her wrath. Slowly, over time, they had been beaten down into believing that Legato was doing an appropriate job. Still, others didn’t know what could be done, and so had simply kept their disappointment and embarrassment to themselves. Now, the usual musical hum of the village took on a sweeter tone.

  Legato saw the way things went and prepared to leave for parts unknown once the majority of the village had gone to sleep. He would not be mocked and made an example of, even if it meant becoming an outlaw. Perhaps he’d find a better life in a foreign country. First he’d be clear of Cantares land, and then he’d seek his future.

  It took a few days before anyone remarked on Legato’s departure, but the villagers didn’t mind it at all. His actions had lowered the whole clan in the eyes of the other local clans so they were glad he’d gone.

  XV

  Dandriloc visited Aoife. She was surprised by the visit. She had, of course, heard of the happenings in the Cantare clan, but she was no musician, so she couldn’t imagine what he might want of her.

  Word had spread quickly throughout the clans of Eleni’s dismissal, and Legato’s disappearance after being stripped of his mastership. While Faeries didn’t tend to gloat over others’ misfortune, most were glad that Dandriloc had stepped in. It was an embarrassment to all Faeries of the country that one clan had sunk so low. They only hoped those in other lands had not heard.

  “You’ve no doubt heard of the scandal?” he asked after the formal pleasantries were dispensed with.

  “I have.”

  “Your Vampyre friend has had some interference in it.”

  “I have no Vampyre friend.”

  Dandriloc looked annoyed. “No one’s accusing you of anything, Aoife. I speak of Simon Mallow.”

  He outlined what he knew of Rhiannon and Simon’s role in trying to right the situation with the Cantares’ clan. Aoife couldn’t help but grin inwardly, although she kept her face neutral.

  “So you believe he lied about the girl?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “He wouldn’t, I believe, make up such an elaborate story. If he took her and she hadn’t committed suicide, he would simply have told them that he took her because they’d tossed her aside.”

  “And risk war with us?”

  “Would we wage war on the Vampyres over a single child? I know of a few who chose to cross over. It caused no alarm.”

  “I need to know whether or not he has her, and if so, the circumstances. Can you contact him?”

  “I thought –” she began, reminding him of the terms of being allowed to remain a High Priestess that he set for her.

  Dandriloc waived his hand dismissively, his face showing annoyance.

  “This is a special circumstance.”

  “So was my son’s kidnapping, but you judged otherwise. I will not be held to a double standard!”

  “Aoife, I can’t make you High Priestess over all while the current one lives! She has done nothing to warrant removal.”

  “Neither did I, but it was done.”

  “What do you want?”

  “You can offer me nothing, Dandriloc. If you can’t restore me to my former position and Angharad to hers, you have nothing to offer me.”

  Dandriloc was clearly exasperated. Aoife was right, and he knew it. He now wished to be allowed the leeway she’d been denied.

  “So you won’t do this for me?”

  “I won’t. And if you do it I will bring forward a request that you step down as well. What is good for me is good for all.”

  “Do what you will. Can you at least tell me how to go about contacting Simon?”

  “I’ve never known. Go to Teilo Feather. He was once Simon’s thrall. He can contact him for you.”

  “Thank you,” Dandriloc replied as if the words were an epithet, and left without staying for a traditional guest meal.

  Teilo was surprised to see the Chief Druid. He had never spoken to him, and had only seen him on ceremonial occasions. Jessica greeted Dandriloc at the door and while she was surprised to see him, she wasn’t awed by his presence, having grown up amongst the priestesses and druids.

  “What can I do for you?” Teilo asked as he and Dandriloc sat.

  “You are a thrall, I understand.”

  “I was,” Teilo replied slowly, wondering what trouble this might bring on him.

  “I’m not concerned with how you conduct your life or who your friends are. I have an urgent matter that requires my speaking to Simon Mallow. I’m given to understand that you can contact him.”

  “I can.”

  “Would you be willing to do that for me?”

  “Of course, Milord. Isn’t it unusual for –?”

  “It is and I wouldn’t have anything to do with them if it weren’t necessary.”

  Jessica brought tea and cakes into the room and set plates out for each of them, then poured the tea.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Feather. It’s most kind of you,” Dandriloc said absently.

  “I can, of course, contact Simon. If you’ll wait here, I’ll go see to it and return shortly,” Teilo said.

  Without waiting for further comment, Teilo left the house to contact Simon.

  “Doings are strange,” Jessica said, “when druids and Vampyres converse.”

  “I dislike the whole business, but there’s a Cantare girl I must discover the truth about. Her voice was described as exquisite, yet she was forbidden to perform, and now I’m given to understand she’s dead.”

  “Dead? Rhiannon is dead?”

  “Is that her name? How do you know of her?”

  “Teilo and I tried to adopt her, but were refused.”

  “Adopt? I would have intervened on your behalf had I known.”

  “She’s an orphan and was given to a widow in their clan who, according to the girl, ill-used her. We sought to end her misery. How sad that her life is over. How is it, if I may be so bold, that Simon could help you with such a matter?”

  “He visited their priestess to say he’d found her dead. I wish to know whether or not that’s the truth of it.”

  “Much as I dislike him, Simon has always been honest with us,” Jessica said.

  “You dislike Vampyres, yet your husband is a thrall?”

  “Teilo collected teeth for them at one time. His father couldn’t offer him the family business because Teilo has an older brother, so Teilo thought it an opportunity.”

  “Yet he left them?”

  “For my sake,” she said. “Yet folk seem more often to seek Simon through him than when he worked for them.”

  “Your sister will seek to have me unseated a Chief Druid because of this.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me. You unseated her as supreme High Priestess for the same thing, and in defense of her own family. This, if
you will pardon my bluntness, is to satisfy your own curiosity.”

  “It is for the safety of my people. If he’s taken her –”

  “If he has taken her, it was with her consent. Simon takes no one against their will.”

  “How would you know that?”

  “He and his clan all attest to it. I’ve observed Simon to be an honest Faery.”

  Teilo returned.

  “It is done. Simon awaits you at the concert hill. Do you know where that is?” Teilo asked, assuming the Chief Druid had never attended a Shauna Faun concert.

  “I do, indeed.”

  “If you would be so kind, wear only one amulet and leave the others here. We will safeguard them until your return.”

  Dandriloc was startled by the request, but complied without comment.

  Simon studied his nails as he waited for Dandriloc. He waited until the druid came as close as Simon could bear.

  “That’s close enough,” Simon said, looking at the druid.

  Dandriloc looked as if he could bear no closer proximity to the Vampyre either.

  “You lot always seem to need our help,” Simon said. “What is it this time?”

  “It isn’t help, it’s information.”

  Simon leaned against the tree, looking bored.

  “There’s a girl, a certain Rhiannon.”

  “Little enough any of you cared for her while she lived.”

  “Is she dead, then? Is what you told the priestess true?”

  “You care now? She was abused and her talents wasted, yet you and yours did nothing! Now you care about her welfare?” Simon shouted. He might be a predator, but he killed quickly, and didn’t cause any more pain than absolutely necessary. Indeed, he caused no pain to light Faeries.

  Dandriloc closed his eyes in an attempt to keep his temper. “I was not aware of her circumstances until now.”

  “You should’ve been. It was one of your priestesses who put her in that untenable position. She didn’t even intervene when an incompetent master was running the choir.”

  “That situation has been rectified.”

  “After my intervention. I should not have to intervene in light Faery affairs.”