Page 329 of The Daughters of Avalon
Born Sylph,
From head to toe, fiery and strong.
Chapter
Thirty-One
They found the oubliette in, of all places, the evening shadow of the church, constructed so that the spire, with its swordlike crucifix, might cast its long, punitive shadow into the rat-infested pit—a daily reminder to repent.
Clearly, the Prince hadn’t any compunction over his sins. He spat at Wilhelm before entering the pit. “My only regret was that you were not there when Warkworth burned,” he said, and Wilhelm reared back, and punched the man, breaking his nose, drawing blood. The Prince squealed indignantly, bringing a hand to his face to catch the blood. “Do you know who I am!” he railed. “Do you know who I am?”
With something like a snarl, Wilhelm pushed the man backward, not bothering to afford him a ladder or rope. He plummeted downward, landing with a thud and a crack.
Rhiannon was close enough to hear the exchange, but not close enough to know whether he was injured—clearly, not badly, because she could still sense his heart flame strong, and he continued to shout so loudly that his voice carried all throughout the bailey.
She could still hear him, even as she searched the garden, hoping to find ingredients for a good meal.
Although there was little to celebrate, they would need their strength over these coming days, and Rhiannon hoped there might be enough vittles to provide them all sustenance after asennightof travel.
Unfortunately,magikcould not produce food from thin air. That’s simply not the way it worked. It was only possible to manipulate theaetherin ways that did not violate the laws of nature.
Fortunately, there were still several chickens living and thriving, nourished by the remnants in the garner. She counted more than a dozen hens and two healthy cocks pecking around the yard. Without delay, she and Marcella collected two of those hens, then found the kitchen to clean and prepare their prizes, then Rhiannon returned to the garden to see what else she could find.
At one time, these raised beds must have been well-cared-for. But they had gone wild during these past few months while the castle sat empty—not more than two or three, she thought. She was heartened to find radishes, peas, parsnips and leeks, as well as carrots.
However, whilst she was exploring, she caught an image as she passed… It was her sister Elspeth, kneeling with a lovely young woman next to a bit of bedstraw, both tugging at weeds. It was no more than a glimpse, but she knew intuitively it was a look into the past, and she fell to her knees where her sister had once knelt, missing Elspeth so dearly that she feared she might weep.
Five years.
Five long years since she’d last seen any of her sisters, except through visions and dreams…
“Soon,” she whispered. “Soon.”
For better or worse.
She thrust a hand into the cool, damp earth, and just as surely as she could feel it fill the palm of her hand, she knew she would see her sisters again…
It was a feeling she couldn’t explain, but it was strong now… strong enough to squeeze her heart.
Ellie had been here… right here, in this very garden… perhaps en route to Aldergh…
Perhaps, in truth, this was where Malcom had left her that day when he’d returned to Wales to find Rhiannon.
Smiling over the memory of Malcom Scott approaching her tumbril, she sprinkled the soil back into the bed.
She knew who he was the instant she saw him. Tall, with a great bearing and a face that no doubt made women swoon, he’d approached her tumbril with a sense of purpose and she’d had little doubt he would draw his sword and fell every guard assigned to her travels.
She wouldn’t allow it.
Affecting a pretense so that her guards wouldn’t realize she wasmindspeakingwith him, she’d shouted obscenities at Lord Aldergh and tossed a makeshiftgrimoireat his head. She felt badly about that now, but a sense of panic had come over her when she’d realized he meant to free her.
I go where I need to go,she’d said.
Straight to her destiny…
Straight to Cael.
During a thorough searchof the premises, Giles and Wilhelm discovered a well-equipped armory. Unfortunately, most of the weapons had already been confiscated. Still, there remained an anvil and forge, and more than enough tools and scraps to effectrepairs. Therefore, while Giles assisted, Wilhelm put to use his modest skills, honing all their weapons in preparation for the struggle to come.
