“You know me? From when I was a child?” Sasha asked, her eyes searching for any sort of resemblance in the old woman’s face. “What is your name?”
“You may call me Clodagh,” she said, a smile playing around her lips. “Aye, child, I kept you warm and safe until I could find a home for you.”
“Where did I come from? Why didn’t you keep me? How long was I with you?” Sasha peppered the woman with questions, and she raised a hand, chuckling.
“First, let’s get you in out of this cold. Though our lodgings be humble, you and your friends are welcome here. You’ll come to no harm within our borders.”
Declan lifted his head and scanned the hills, acknowledging the men he now saw posted at various intervals, as well as the press of magickal wards that safeguarded the place.
“Is she right? Are we safe here?” Sasha asked, turning to look up at him over her shoulder.
He lost his breath for a moment as he looked down into her beautiful eyes. “Aye, we’ll be safe here. But we should not tarry long. It’s best to keep moving on.”
“He’s right. But you can take a night. We’ll have food, a fire, and you’ll be able to camp in our tents. I’m sorry we can’t offer more at the time,” Clodagh said with a shrug, but Declan waved her away.
“We are a tough breed. There’s nothing wrong with tents. We’re grateful for your hospitality,” Declan said.
Sasha found herself being charmed by his kindness. What was it with this man? She’d successfully ignored dating for several years and now she was all but drooling over this man who spent most of his time deliberately annoying her.
He must have magicked her. Sasha nodded to herself briskly. ’Twas the only explanation.
“How long did you know me for? Did I live here when I was younger?” Sasha asked and Clodagh beamed at her.
“Why don’t we get your friends settled and some food on before we have ourselves a wee chat?”
Sasha felt the old familiar angst in the pit of her stomach – the feeling of wondering why she was abandoned, where she really came from, and why no one had wanted her. Shaking it off, she forced herself to push the feeling down. It didn’t matter. Not now – not when she had been pulled into a massive quest centuries old, full of magick and fae and who knows what else. If anything, it was probably selfish to be thinking of herself at a time like this.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. This isn’t about me. We’d be grateful for a bite and the warmth of the fire,” Sasha said easily.
The old woman peered at her through wizened eyes. “It’s most certainly about you, little one. And that’s just fine for it to be,” Clodagh said, her tone almost sharp as she turned and beckoned for the others to follow her. Sasha mulled that over as they all grabbed their packs from the car and followed the old woman.
The rocky road they were on dipped and twisted, a rutted lane that was worn from footsteps, splitting off like roots from a tree to each hut. Clodagh wound them past the huts, leading them to where tents – the old kind, made of heavy canvas with a wooden floor – were clustered in a row of three.
“It may look like not much, but the canvas is tied tightly, and you’ll be warm beneath the wool blankets. You’ll be safe here tonight,” Clodagh said, gesturing with a hand that was wrinkled with age. Sasha noticed just a bit of a shakiness to it, and wondered briefly just how old Clodagh really was.
“I’m calling this one,” Maddox said immediately, and Sasha tilted her head at the wide grin on his face.
“We’ll take this one.” Bianca gestured to the middle tent, which left the last tent for Sasha and Declan. Sasha slitted her eyes at Maddox, who just shrugged cheerfully.
“I’ll stay outside to keep watch,” Declan said, and walked away before anyone could respond. Sasha watched him stomp across the field, his head swiveling in all directions as he assessed the land and any weak points of entry.
“Well, that didn’t go the way I was hoping,” Maddox said.
“Right? What the hell?” Bianca said.
Sasha sighed. “Will you all stop with the matchmaker shite? It’s not happening,” she said, and stormed into her tent, annoyed with everyone and just wanting to crawl into a bed – any bed – and pull the covers over her head. But that’s not what fierce warrior women do, she reminded herself as she slung her pack onto the double cot and assessed her accommodations.
The old woman was correct, Sasha mused, as she crouched and examined where the canvas was connected to the planked floor. With the ceiling coming to a point, a small table with a lantern, and another long table with a jug of water and glasses, the tent was sparse, but cozy. Piled high on the cot were several pillows and decidedly lovely woven blankets that immediately provided Sasha with a feeling of comfort. She wondered if magick had been woven into them.
She paused. She’d barely believed in magick days ago, and now here she was seeing spells and magicks woven into blankets? Sasha reminded herself that a true master always remained open to learning. If she was to conquer this mission that had been handed to her, well, she’d need to suspend all disbelief and keep her mind open.
It just might save her life.
Chapter Nineteen
“Well, it’s not exactly glamping, is it?” Maddox said as he zipped his leather coat tightly and sniffed once for emphasis.
“Glamping?” Sasha raised an eyebrow at him.
“Glamourous camping,” Bianca said, leaning around Maddox to look at Sasha. “It’s like where all the rich people want to go camping and do outdoorsy stuff but want all the fancy accommodations of a hotel.”
“Why is this even a thing?” Sasha wondered. “If you’re going camping, don’t you want to camp?”
“They sing songs by the fire and muck around in the hills, but still have fancy food and designer sheets,” Bianca continued.
“Why would you pay to go hiking?” Sasha asked, sweeping her hand out to gesture at the hills behind them, where the last of the day’s light was just peeking over the tops. “There’s hills and hikes everywhere. It’s free to go for a nice walk.”
“Speaking of a nice walk...” Maddox murmured and Sasha turned to see Declan striding across the hill, his shoulders back, his hair tucked beneath a woolen cap. He looked every inch the master of his domain – and it didn’t seem to matter what the domain was. If he was in it, he owned it.
“Aye, he’s a fine one, isn’t he?” Clodagh asked cheerfully from behind them, and Sasha almost bit her tongue to stop herself from biting out a nasty retort. It was becoming increasingly annoying how much Declan was intruding upon her thoughts.
“Clodagh, I meant to ask, is there a bathroom we can make use of?” Sasha asked, deliberately turning her back on Declan.
“Aye, there’s a bathroom and shower house just around this way.” Clodagh pointed it out and Sasha nodded her thanks. “Come meet us by the fire shortly. We’ve got a nice lamb stew simmering and a wee bit of whiskey to share. It will be enough to warm your bellies.”
They all made use of the sparsely appointed bathhouse and returned to wander toward the fire. Several people were clustered around it, many wrapped in long cloaks, all busy attending to one task or the other. Sasha felt oddly out of place with nothing to do, so she immediately approached Clodagh and offered her help.
“Sit, sit. You are honored guests,” Clodagh said, gesturing to one of the long benches tucked by the fire. “We give thanks to our Goddess by providing our hospitality to you as well as a bit of wee help along the journey.”
Sasha tilted her head in question at Clodagh. “You know what we’re about then, do you?”
“Aye, child, I know.”
“Can you tell us where the sword is?” Sasha demanded and Clodagh threw her head back and laughed, taking easily twenty years off her face. Sasha could see that she had once been a great beauty.
“I’m fairly certain you’re the only one who can be telling us that,” Clodagh said, and Sasha went to sit on the bench, crossing her arms over h
er chest and finding herself inexplicably grumpy. Why was she the one who was supposed to have all the answers? She had just learned of this stupid legend. Everyone else had known about it for ages and they could’ve spent at least some time researching it. Now it was all on her to figure out?
“What’s with the face?” Declan demanded and Sasha started, turning to look up at him where he stood by the fire.
“Do you need to be sneaking up on me, then?” Sasha demanded.
A quick grin flashed in Declan’s face, making Sasha’s heart skip as the light from the flames played on the angles of his cheekbones.
“I hardly crept. You were lost in thought and clearly having a bit of wallow.”
“Excuse me? I was not wallowing,” Sasha said, glaring at Declan. Had she been wallowing?
“I know a grumpy face when I see one,” Declan said, his eyes leveled on hers.
“I’m not grumpy,” Sasha said, but even as she said it she realized how grumpy she sounded. “Fine, whatever. I’m annoyed. It’s not your problem.”
“Everything with you is my problem. Talk,” Declan demanded, sitting down next to her on the bench. His nearness made Sasha’s body jolt to attention.
“Gee, that’s a surefire way to get someone to spill their secrets to you – call them a problem and then demand they talk,” Sasha said, her grumpiness growing. She tried to edge slightly away from him, conscious of how big his body was next to hers and how her body seemed to tingle anywhere his touched it.
Declan sighed and scratched his head briefly, adjusting the wool cap, before stretching his long legs out in front of him so that his feet almost reached the fire.
“Sasha, tell me what is bothering you,” he said, his voice rumbling against her as he closed the gap she had just created between them.
“I’m just annoyed that I have to be the one to figure everything out when all of you have been privy to this knowledge for ages. Like, couldn’t you have done some research? Gathered a few clues? Something? If you knew you were going on this epic quest, one would think you’d be a little more prepared. Instead you’re letting the least prepared, and the least-educated in anything fae, to be the merry little leader of this ragtag group we’ve got here.”
“Anything else?” Declan asked dryly.
Sasha wanted to smack him on the leg, but refrained from doing so. “Why are you sleeping outside tonight?” she demanded and then almost slapped a hand over her face. Where had that come from?
“Are you worried you’ll be lonely, then?” Declan said, his eyes dancing with delight at her question.
Sasha buried her face in her hands, all pride lost in the moment. “I just think it’s ridiculous that you take this aloof stance from all of us. You can keep warm in a tent is all,” Sasha grumbled.
“It’s my job to protect you. How am I going to do that if I don’t keep watch?”
“You’re safe here,” Clodagh said, overhearing his comment as she came forward offering two bowls of stew. Sasha almost groaned in delight at the sight of thick chunks of potatoes and carrots swimming in a thick broth in a cheerful blue earthenware bowl. Smiling, she took the bowl and immediately dipped her spoon in.
“I agree.” Declan inclined his head in thanks as he took the bowl from Clodagh, the bowl almost disappearing in his large hands. “Your wards are excellent and I can feel the stronghold you’ve created. Excellent magick. I don’t suspect we’ll have trouble tonight. Still.”
“Your only job tonight is to be what you need to be,” Clodagh admonished him lightly.
Sasha wondered just what that meant, but was distracted by Bianca sitting next to her.
“This stew is amazing,” Bianca exclaimed and immediately peppered Clodagh with questions for the secret ingredients. Silence fell around them as the group dug into their dinner, and Sasha let her eyes wander over everyone seated around the fire. There were several men, but more women, and only a few children. The family resemblance was striking, and Sasha wondered how long they’d lived here. Might any of them recognize her?
“You’re wondering about how you know us, aren’t you?” Clodagh asked, and her eyes, gleaming across the fire at Sasha, seemed young in contrast to her wizened face.
“I don’t really have a history,” Sasha shrugged. “It’s natural to wonder where I came from.”
The family remained silent, and it was clear that Clodagh was going to lead this conversation, though one woman did nod at Sasha across the fire.
“Aye, ’tis natural,” Clodagh agreed, brandishing a bottle of whiskey and distributing it among small cups. The wind picked up, teasing Sasha’s braid and sending a chill down her back. She stiffened when Declan put his arm loosely around her waist, drawing her in just slightly for warmth. She shouldn’t allow this, Sasha admonished herself, but his nearness felt nice.
Like he fit.
“It was a night much like this one, but colder, you understand? The damp was the kind that seeps into the bones, and most of us were huddled up and in for the night. Except for me. I’d had an anxiousness that day – something that kept me pacing. ’Tis rare that feeling comes for me, as we are wanderers and we take the days as they come. Living in the present allows us to pay little attention to anxiety or happy or unhappy; we just are, you understand me? There’s no need or want for this deep existential study of happiness. We exist.”
Sasha nodded. It was pragmatism at its best, and something she could certainly get on board with.
“Yet that day, I was restless. I decided to wander that night, leaving the safety of our circle and walking into the night. I closed my eyes and listened, lifted my face to the wind, and read the energy of the earth. Nothing was amiss. Now, my magick is not fae magick and not any magick that you need to fully understand, but I trust my instincts and what I’ve learned through the years. The natural world was giving me no concerns. And yet the anxiety persisted. I continued walking.” Clodagh gestured with her hand toward the hills. “And then I saw it.”
“Saw what?” Sasha asked.
“Light flickering. As though someone had a fire burning, much like this one, way up on the hills. I didn’t hesitate to investigate, although thinking back, ’twas foolish of me to go alone. I worry little about mortal dangers though.” Clodagh shrugged as though that attitude were normal, and Sasha wondered once again just what type of magick hers was.
“What happened next?” Bianca asked, scraping the bottom of her soup bowl.
“I found the light – and I was correct, it was a fire. But like none I have ever seen, before or since. It was most certainly magick,” Clodagh said, turning a sharp eye on Sasha. “It was a lovely bluish-white, almost like the deepest point of a flame, you understand? And it was a circle. Within the circle was – well, was you, my child.”
“I was in a fire?” Sasha exclaimed.
“Aye, though the fire didn’t touch you. I sensed it was more for protection. And you looked up at me, calm as could be, and waited for me to pick you up. I reached right through the flames, not feeling an ounce of pain – which was how I knew I was meant to be the one finding you – and took you into my arms. I brought you back with me, knowing that you were touched, but unsure of what that meant.”
“Isn’t there some American song like that?” Bianca demanded.
Sasha turned to look at her. “Shut up. ‘Ring of Fire’?” she said, feeling the beginnings of a hysterical bubble rising in her throat.
“Yes! A country-western one!” Bianca hummed a few notes and despite herself, Sasha found herself humming along. It was a catchy tune.
“Except instead of falling into the fire, you were pulled from it,” Maddox said, smiling at Sasha.
“Was there anything with her?” Declan interrupted the levity, his deep voice rumbling in his chest against Sasha’s side.
“Aye, there was. The instructions said to give it to her when the time was right. I’ve never opened it.”
“Oh! A clue!” Bianca clapped her hands in delight and Seamus
squeezed her shoulder. Sasha found herself oddly comforted at having them along on this journey now. Bianca’s joy and wide-eyed delight in all things fae brought an innocent yearning to the quest that made Sasha more intrigued. She found herself hungering for more information – much as the rest of them were.
“Clare had a clue too, from her parents. It was this beautiful ring. I wonder if you’ll get a piece of jewelry too. Like ‘one ring to bind them all,’” Bianca said, her pretty face squinched in thought.
“Personal talismans are powerful,” Declan murmured.
Sasha had to wonder what else she needed. She already had a dagger that could shoot fire.
“I want to hear what happened next. Why didn’t I stay with you?” Sasha waved away the clue and focused on Clodagh. A part of her thought her life would have been significantly better if she’d been allowed to stay with these magickal wandering gypsy-folk instead of being thrust into the arms of unwilling foster parents.
“We couldn’t protect you at the time, my child. I gladly would have kept you. Och, you were the happiest baby,” Clodagh said, a smile creasing her face in remembrance. “Those big eyes, and laughing at everything.”
“I don’t remember being a cheerful child,” Sasha said stiffly, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of having been a happy baby. Frankly, she couldn’t remember her childhood being happy at all.
“You were. You radiated light. I’m sorry you lost that,” Clodagh said, and Sasha stiffened, her guard up. This was dangerously close to discussing things she didn’t like to recall.
“It’s fine. You took me out of here then? To Kilkenny?” Sasha prodded, wanting to move past the images of her as a laughing baby.
“Aye, I took you to a family in Kilkenny. The house was warded and it was understood that lookouts in the city would assist if needed – which was more than we could offer. Though my heart did pinch a bit having to let you go. It’s good to see you, though I barely can reconcile the happy baby that once was with this fierce warrior woman in front of me.” Clodagh appraised her with eyes that Sasha thought saw way too clearly. “That lightness is still in you, child.”
Sword Song: The Isle of Destiny Series Page 6
