Page 58 of The Daughters of Avalon
“What is that?” asked the swordsman, bending to lift it up.
Malcom swept it up before he could touch it. “Whatever it is, ’tis mine now,” he said, lifting his gaze to the man. “Bloody she-wolf.”
“Indeed,” said the swordsman. “Bitch bites like a wolf as well. You should take that to Ersinius and be done with it. Everything she touches is evil.”
Malcom’s gaze scanned the faces of the other two men, and did, indeed, spy one whose cheek bore the mark of a full set of teeth.
He deserved it.
Malcom concentrated on speaking to her the way he had with Elspeth.I don’t doubt it.
There you are,she said, her tone smug.
Take the grimoire to my sister, Malcom Ceann Ràs. Tell her our mother came sooner than we anticipated. She has our sisters, but worry not. So long as she believes them to be compliant she won’t harm them. Rather, you must return quickly to Elspeth, hasten her north. Amdel is no place to keep her.
Malcom had no need to ask how she knew where he’d left her sister—or even how she’d known his name.If, indeed, Elspeth’s abilities unnerved him, her sister’s unnerved him all the more. The very air here was filled with her presence, as though her spirit loomed larger than life.
You must go… now… Beauchamp is sworn to my mother.
Morwen?
Aye.
Stunned, Malcom remained stooped by the broken wagon wheel, bemused. He examined the book in his hand, and then, as though it were an afterthought, slid it into his tunic, letting it fall to his waist, catching on his sword belt. Only now he realized how stupid it was that he’d left Elspeth alone, with naught more than a dirk for protection. Indeed, he must go. But, he couldn’t abandon Rhiannon.
I go where I need to go,she said.
Inconceivably, Malcom argued with her—in his head.These men are no match for me…He realized he didn’t know her name.
Rhiannon,she said.They are no match for me either, Lord Aldergh. Who do you think broke their wheel?
Of course, Malcom didn’t answer. And if the men wondered why he remained stooped so quietly, staring at a broken wheel, they said nothing, and he knew instinctively that Rhiannon wastelling the truth. Only fearing Elspeth would never forgive him if he abandoned her to these lackeys, he couldn’t bring himself to leave her. He examined his surroundings, considering how best to engage these three men. Only one of them was armed.
He waited so long, a procession of monks, all bearing buckets with dying burdens came up over the rise, marching past. Pretending to consider the tumbril, Malcom waited for them to pass, all the while fiddling with the broken wheel.
“Afternoon,” said the swordsman to the monks.
“God bless,” said the monks.
“More fish?”
“Aye, sir. Carp and pike.”
“Pity they’re still flailing or I’d steal a bite.”
The monks all chortled and walked on by. The swordsman returned his attention to Malcom. “As you say, m’lord… there’s naught to be done with that. I’ve no idea why you were sent when I specifically told Randel to tell them we needed a replacement and a wheelwright.”
Malcom raked a hand through his hair. “If you give me the prisoner, I will take her off your hands, save you the delivery.”
“Nay, m’lord. Where would you put her? I’d not have you lose an ear to the filthy bitch, and then have it said I did not do my job.”
Malcom nodded, considering that if he took out the swordsman, the other two would prostrate themselves easily. The tumbril was another matter entirely. As old as it appeared, the bars were each at least a centimeter wide, and as corroded as they might appear, he was fairly certain that the most he would get by wrestling with the rusted metal was a case of Holy Fire.
I know what you are doing, Lord Aldergh. I will not allow it. If you release me, they will arrest you. If you kill them, they will know it was you, and what recourse will you have when you face my cousin in defense of my sister? This game will belong, my friend. There will be time enough for heroics before all is said and done. Go now,she demanded.Before the chance has fled.
No sooner had she finished speaking, when she shrieked insanely, kicking a leg out between the bars, narrowly missing Malcom’s jaw. “Away, fool! Or I’ll put a turd in your teeth and turd in your bride’s teeth too!”
Startled, Malcom cast the girl a beleaguered glance. He stood, confused though he oughtn’t be by now. The past two days had borne more things than ever could be explained. Still, it took him a moment to regain his bearings and then he said to the swordsman, “Regrettably, you are right.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he cast a weary glance at Rhiannon, and then back to the swordsman. “If only I’d realized, I would have brought you lads a bit of ale to pass the time.”
