Finn Finnegan

by Darby Karchut

  The Knight smiled grimly while the two goblins circled around below him. “A wee leery of attacking me straight on, eh?” He wiped the sweat and ash from his eyes with the back of a hand. “Since I took out two of yer cronies?” He tightened his grip on the knives. The rain hammered on the metal roof, muffling the creatures’ growls and insults.

  From the corner of his eye, he caught a dark shape darting out from behind a nearby pillar. He cursed as something landed behind him with a thud, the table rocking underfoot. He staggered, then spun around and slashed at the new threat. With a cry, the figure dropped to its knees.

  “Gideon—it’s me!” Finn crouched low, a knife in one hand. He peeked up at the Knight. “Um…hi.”

  “Finn! What the bleedin ‘ell are ye doing here?” he roared, then lunged over the apprentice’s head to stab at the goblin that had started creeping up on the bench behind the boy. The creature jerked back to avoid the blade and stumbled, falling to the concrete pad with a yelp.

  To Gideon’s astonishment, Finn crawled between his legs and scrambled to the far end of the table. Raising his knife, he plunged it into the other Amandán’s hand as it reached for the Knight’s ankle, and pinned it to the wooden surface. The creature shrieked. It wrenched its limb to and fro, trying to free itself.

  “I’m helping you,” Finn shouted back. He scooted over until his shoulder pressed against Gideon’s knee, cradling his injured wrist.

  “Ye gods, stand up! I’m going to trip over ye, and ye’re no bleedin’ good down there!”

  As Finn lurched to his feet, Gideon suddenly grabbed the top of the boy’s head and shoved him back down again. With a flick of his wrist, the Knight sent a knife into the chest of the goblin attempting to free its companion. A moment later, he slammed the second blade into the pinned creature. Both Amandán exploded, sending a double portion of ash everywhere.

  Reaching over, Finn pried his weapon loose from the table with a grunt. He stood up, pulled the second knife from his belt, and passed it to the Knight. Both armed, they braced for another attack.

  Quiet fell over the area, broken only by the pinging of rain on the metal roof.

  After a few minutes, Gideon dug the moonstone back out of his pocket and raised it high, scanning the bushes and trees around them. A final rumble sounded from the sky as the storm began to diminish.

  “All clear.” Tucking the stone away, Gideon turned around, his face hard. “What, in the name of the Goddess Danu, am I to do with ye?”

  Finn shook his dripping hair out of his eyes and squared his shoulders. “Look, I know you’re mad at me. Again. But I don’t care. Because there’s no way I am going to let you hunt by yourself.” He locked eyes with Gideon and waited.

  The Knight sighed and rubbed his knuckles along his jaw as he studied the young face. Ye gods, the lad reminds me so much of myself at this age. Stubborn, temperamental, and already befriending a mortal. How can I punish him for acting the same way I did? He smiled to himself. If only my old master could see this now.

  “Perhaps ye were right to follow me, boyo.” Gideon chuckled when Finn’s mouth sagged open. “I probably shouldn’t have hunted alone.” He reached out to tap the boy’s tore with the handle of his knife. “Not when there’s another warrior in our home.” He stepped off the table and onto the bench, then to the ground. Finn followed with a hop and a grin.

  “So, does this mean I’m not grounded anymore?” He hurried to collect the Knight’s blades, careful to wipe them clean on his soaked jeans.

  “I suppose not. Maybe I should just beat ye black and blue instead. With a bleedin’ hard stick.” He took the weapons, keeping one in each hand.

  “Yeah, right,” Finn scoffed.

  They left the pavilion to go home. The drizzle washed their faces and clothes, leaving streaks of damp ash. Finn lengthened his stride as he tried to match the Knight’s. For a few minutes, they squelched along in silence.

  “Um…Gideon?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry I lied. About Rafe and my wrist and all that.” He held up his arm, the elastic bandage filthy with goblin remains and mud.

  Gideon nodded. “Apology accepted. And we best rewrap that wrist again when we get home. We’ll talk in the morning about the Steel children. Perhaps we can come to some agreement, ye and me.” He glanced down at Finn. “Ye understand, do ye now, that being friends with you might be dangerous to them? The Amandán are quite happy to hunt down any mortal they perceive as our ally.”

  “Yes, sir, I get it. And I like Rafe. And Savannah. But I don’t want them to get hurt.” He looked around in the darkness, then overhead, watching the stars when they appeared between shreds of clouds. “Things are going to get worse, aren’t they? For us De Danaan?”

  The Knight hooked an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Aye, lad. Much worse. So, promise me something.” He stopped and pulled Finn to a halt, one hand still on his shoulder.

  “What?”

  “Ye’re never to put yerself in danger to protect me, such as ye did this evening. Now, do I have yer word?”

  Finn glanced away. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “I can’t make that promise, Gideon. I’m sorry.”

  Nor would I have, at his age. The Knight shrugged. “I dinna think ye would, but I had to try.” He turned again for home, the boy by his side.

  “How did you know I wouldn’t?”

  “Because for good or for bad, me old master’s fondest desire has come true.”

  “Which is, what?”

  “That the Fates send me an apprentice exactly like meself.”

  The Journal of Gideon Lir: June 20

  The Celts have always believed that life is a Circle. An unending, repeating pattern that twists and turns and brings us back to the beginning.

  And if that is so, then it must stand to reason that Finnegan MacCullen was destined to be my apprentice. And I his master.

  But now we are also friends. A great gift, tobe sure.

  Perhaps the greatest gift in this round world.

  Seventeen

  Fidgeting beside Gideon as his master spoke with the bank teller, Finn eyed the pen attached to a chain on the counter. Picking it up, he swung it back and forth a few times. After a few swings, he began twirling it around, faster and faster. I wonder if I could get it to hum. He spun it harder, picking up speed. The chain made a rhythmic clinking.

  He yelped when a work boot kicked him in the ankle. “Ow.” Glaring over at his master, he let the chain wrap itself around his hand before putting the pen back down. “That hurt.”

  “Aye, I’m sure it did.” Gideon gave a polite nod to the teller as she handed him a deposit slip and some money. Stepping away from the counter, he checked the paper, then folded it in half and tucked it in his pocket. He kept a couple of bills in one hand. “Thank the gods ‘tis the first of the month. June was just a bit too tight, financially.”

  “No kidding.” Finn followed his master across the lobby and through the heavy glass doors. Colorado’s combination of high, thin air and summer sun was already cooking High Springs’ downtown.

  “But, I’ve good news, boyo.”

  “Computer?”

  “Still no.” Before Finn could question him further, a cultured voice spoke behind them.

  “Why, good morning, Gideon Lir.”

  They turned around. A tall, white-haired man, accompanied by an older teenage boy, was walking toward them. The boy’s eyes, a rich brown that matched his hair, were filled with curiosity as he gazed at Finn.

  “And to ye, Basil,” Gideon said in way of a greeting. As he chatted with the other man, the boy sauntered over to Finn.

  “How’s it going?”

  “Okay,” Finn replied.

  “I’m Griffin, Basil’s apprentice,” he said. Tilting his head to one side, he studied Finn. “You’re a Tuatha De Danaan, aren’t you?”

  “H-how did you know?” He even pronounced it right, thought Finn.

  “Oh,
Basil told me about your people once. You two hunt monsters, or something?”

  “Uh, yeah. A kind of goblin,” Finn said vaguely. “Did…did you say you were an apprentice?’

  “Yup. Basil’s my Mentor. What you might call a master.”

  For a long minute, Finn stared at Griffin, who waited with a trace of amusement. He licked his lips in confusion. “Are you guys…you know…”

  “Human?” The other teen supplied for him. He shook his head. “Actually, we’re angels.”

  Finn blinked. “Angels.”

  “That’s right.” Griffin grinned, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “The very top of the supernatural hierarchy, you might say. Basil and I are Terrae Angeli—guardian angels who control the four elements. My specialties are Earth and Fire.” He held up a hand and snapped his fingers. With a whoosh, flames ignited and began dancing along their tips. “Especially Fire.”

  “Whoa!” Finn took a step back. “How did you—”

  At that moment, Basil summoned Griffin. Clenching his hand into a fist, he extinguished the flames and hurried away.

  Finn joined his master. They watched as the other two walked into the bank. Pausing in the doorway to let Basil enter first, Griffin looked back over his shoulder. He gave a nod and disappeared inside.

  “Are they really…?” Finn flapped his arms up and down.

  “Aye, that they are,” Gideon said. “I usually find Terrae Angeli a bit pretentious, but Basil is a right decent bloke. Down to earth, ye might say.”

  “I didn’t think angels really existed. And lived here, in High Springs.”

  “Oh, ye’d be surprised who else shares the city with us,” Gideon said. He strode along the sidewalk toward their truck, Finn on his heels.

  “So, what’s the good news you were going to tell me?”

  “We have adequate funds to purchase food, clothing, gas, and pay all our bills. And even a wee bit left over. Ye may have these.” Gideon handed him two ten-dollar bills.

  “What’s this for?”

  “Thank ye, Gideon” said Gideon. He glanced over, one eyebrow raised, and waited.

  Finn stared back. “What?” He shoved the money into his pocket, then ducked as Gideon aimed a swipe at his head. “Oh. Yeah. Uh, thanks.”

  The Knight sighed. “I believe, oh, clueless apprentice, that it is customary for human teenagers to have some spending money.”

  “What do you mean, human teenagers?”

  “Ye’ll need to act the part if ye’re going to have a mortal as a friend.” Reaching their vehicle, he unlocked the door and climbed inside. Finn joined him in the cab.

  “Hey, thanks again for letting me hang out with Rafe,” Finn said with a grin. “He asked me to come over later.”

  Gideon coaxed the engine on and checked the side mirror as he edged into traffic. “Be careful not to wear out yer welcome.” He raised his voice over the truck’s grumble. “In fact, toward that end, I want ye home today.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Mac Roth is meeting with Iona today about some new information she’s uncovered. Something that might help us finally locate the Spear.” His jaw muscle twitched. “We certainly need it now, more than ever.”

  “Why aren’t you meeting with her, too?”

  The Knight shifted in his seat. “I have nothing to say to her.” As Finn started to press, Gideon growled, “Leave it be, boyo. I mean it.” Changing the subject, he added, “So, Asher’s going to be with us for a few hours. It would be good for ye to train with another apprentice.”

  Finn made a face. “It’s bad enough we have to hunt with him. Now we have to babysit the creep?”

  Gideon frowned as he glanced over at Finn’s sullen face. “And just why do ye two dislike each other so much?”

  “Because, he’s a jerk.”

  “And ye, an innocent lamb?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “So, ye do nothing to bait him? Like call him Ass-her?”

  Finn blushed and said nothing.

  “That’s what I thought,” Gideon said as he drove home.

  Eighteen

  “Get the door,” Gideon said, at the loud thump echoing through the house. He stood rummaging through a stack of papers on his desk. “And stop complaining. ‘Twill not kill ye to spend an afternoon with Asher.”

  “It might,” replied Finn, from the depths of the sofa. “Then, you’d feel really bad.” He clicked off the television set and hauled himself to his feet. Stumping over, he opened the door. “Fáilte,” he greeted the giant waiting on the porch.

  “And to ye, young Finn,” boomed Mac Roth, his flaming beard wreathing his wide smile as he stepped inside. He reached out a massive paw. Grabbing the boy’s chin, he tipped Finn’s head back. “‘Tis a fine tore ye’re wearing. Did ye steal it, now?”

  Finn grinned, eyes dancing as Mac Roth let go. “Aye, I did,” he replied, heavy on the accent. “Is yers missing?”

  Mac Roth roared with laughter. “Oh, the wee one has a glib tongue.” Still chuckling, he glanced over his shoulder as Asher joined them.

  The boys locked eyes. A chilly silence filled the space between them. The Knights exchanged glances across the room and shook their heads.

  “Well, I best be off.” Mac Roth turned to his apprentice. “Behave. Or Knight Lir will kick yer arse. And then I will.”

  “But Mac…” Asher pleaded, but stopped when his master raised a hand.

  “We’re not having this conversation again, boyo.” Mac Roth lowered his head. He spoke softly to Asher, one hand dwarfing the apprentice’s shoulder. “I’d rather ye not be home alone if at all possible, lad.” He grinned when Asher grumbled under his breath.

  “Here is the list ye asked me about,” Gideon said, passing it over to the other Knight. “I’m afraid it is not very accurate, nor up to date.”

  Glancing down at the sheet, Mac Roth nodded, then folded it in half and tucked it inside his leather jacket. ‘“Tis a start, for now.” With a wave, he turned and left. The Jeep rumbled away a few moments later.

  Finn crowded past Asher as he went to close the door. “You wanna get out of the way?” he muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

  “You wanna shut up?” Asher hissed back. He elbowed Finn in the ribs as he walked past.

  With a growl, Finn shoved him backwards. Before Asher could retaliate, Gideon stepped closer and grabbed them both by the backs of their necks. He gave each a shake.

  “Enough,” he said, in a stern voice. “Now, outside with ye.” Releasing them with another shake, he led the way across the house, through the kitchen, and out the back door. A flawless summer day awaited them.

  Gideon nodded toward the far wall. “Finn, twenty leaps, and I want them cleanly done. Over and back counts as two, but no touching the top stones.”

  As Finn jogged over to the fence to begin his routine, Gideon pointed at a wooden target nailed to the side of the house, its red and blue painted circles chipped and scarred. “Asher, knife throwing practice until Finn is done. Then, ye two switch activities.” He waited until Asher slipped two blades free and stepped twenty paces from the target. “I’ll be back shortly.” He spun on his heels and went back inside.

  Ignoring the thunk of the other apprentice’s knife as it struck the target, Finn focused on the exercise, trying to make each leap without touching. By the last jump, his legs were concrete. His lungs burned as he gasped the line from the Song. Pushing off the ground on the far side of the wall, he knew in mid-air he wasn’t going to make it. His toes snagged the top of the wall as he sailed over. With an oof, he landed on his hands and knees, and collapsed. For a moment, he lay sprawled on the lawn, wheezing.

  “Oh, real smooth, halfer.” Asher stood in the far corner, watching. “Is that how you earned your tore? By falling on the goblin?”

  Finn rolled to his feet and wiped the sweat off his face. “At least I have a tore,” he panted, resting his hands on top of his head as he walked around, catching his breath
. “And I, unlike someone else, don’t need a babysitter.”

  Asher narrowed his eyes, juggling the knives. He grasped the tip of one of them between fingers and thumb. Cocking his arm back, he threw it, end over end, toward the target. The knife impaled the dead center of the bull’s eye. “I bet you can’t do that.” Before Finn could reply, the side gate banged open. A voice called out.

  “Hey, Finn! You back here?” Rafe strolled around the corner of the house. “I wanted to see if…” His voice trailed off when he saw the various training apparatuses scattered around the yard, and the knife in Asher’s hand. “Whoa. What’s all this for?”

  “Hi, Rafe.” Finn gestured at the items. “Oh, we’re just…messing around.” He walked over to his friend and aimed a punch at his stomach.

  Rafe laughed and blocked it with a flip of his arm. “Who’s that?” he asked, nodding toward Asher. He watched with interest as the other boy threw again. “Wow, he’s good.”

  “Um…that’s…my cousin. Asher.” Finn leaned closer to Rafe. “He’s a jerk. I call him Ass-her’,” he whispered. They grinned at each other.

  “Well, well,” Asher drawled as he sauntered over. He stopped a few feet away, and studied Rafe up and down for a moment. “Gideon lets you hang out with his kind?”

  The amusement died in Rafe’s face. He started to say something, then whirled around and stalked away.

  “You’re dead meat,” Finn snarled at Asher. He turned and ran after his friend. “Rafe—wait a sec!” He caught up with the other boy by the side of the house and grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop. “Look, he’s a butt, okay? Just ignore him.”

  “No big deal.” Rafe jerked his arm free. “The world’s full of racists,” he said, not looking at Finn. Hurt flickered in his black eyes. Without another word, he walked away.