Page 51 of Highland Queen

“That’s why I need you. Will you go with her? I need to see Crearwy, but Tavis…”

“No. You stay. I will take Druanne.”

“I have a man at the old camp. He will ride with you.”

“Corbie has another man. That’s not much of a surprise.”

“Not that kind of man,” I said. I had enough problems to sort out without complicating things further by entertaining a romantic dalliance.

Uald rose and grabbed her things. She nodded to me.

We crossed the coven square to Druanne and Aridmis’ house. Uald knocked on the door.

There was a shuffle inside. A moment later, Aridmis, her blanket wrapped around her, opened the door.

“Good evening. Or is it morning?” she said.

“Who is it?” Druanne called.

“It’s Uald. And Cerridwen.”

“What?” Druanne asked sourly. Her bed creaked, and a moment later, Druanne appeared behind Aridmis. She scowled at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you,” I said, biting back the hundred or so nasty words that wanted to spew from my mouth. “Tavis is with Madelaine at the keep. He took a sword wound and is gravely ill. The wound has festered. I think it may be in his blood. I have no proper medicines with me, and Fife’s healers are unlearned. We need you.”

“Where is Epona?” Druanne demanded.

“Asleep,” Uald answered, a sharp tone in her voice.

Aridmis looked at Druanne.

“And you want me to go…out there?” Druanne asked.

“I will ride with you,” Uald said. “And Cerridwen has an escort for us.”

“Oh…wonderful,” Druanne said, rolling her eyes so hard it must have hurt.

“Enough, Druanne. Tavis is dying. That man has been true to the secret of this coven and one of its daughters for many years. Please. Please come,” I said.

Druanne blew air through her lips then turned and went back into the house. I heard the rattle of boxes, bottles, and tools as she began collecting her things.

“I’ll get the horses ready,” Uald said then turned and headed back to her smithy.

Aridmis stepped outside, pulling her blanket more tightly around her.

“I wish you many felicitations,” Aridmis said. “I saw it there, your crowning,” she said, pointing to the heavens. “But wish I had seen it with my own eyes. Queen of Scotland.”

I nodded. “May the Goddess guide me.”

“Hmm,” Aridmis mused with a heavy shrug.

I looked at her. “Aridmis, you’re making me nervous.”

“What’s fair is foul and foul is fair,” she said.

“You’re not the first to say that to me,” I told her, remembering that Andraste had said those very words to me just before my entire life turned upside down.

“I know,” Aridmis said with a wink.

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