Part 43 (1/2)
”You? At court? What a picture that paints! Who will lead the Hillwild in your stead? Your heir is one of her acolytes. Raenulf is dead.”
”If you are not here to seduce me, then what is your purpose?”
”Eyslk has spoken to me often about how Taminy readies our Cyneric for his own Crask-an-duine.” She smiled. ”Our daughter very much wants me to like her G.o.ddess.”
”Eyslk does not wors.h.i.+p Taminy.”
”Do you?”
”Your point, Deardru.”
”Her reports disturb me. She tells of Airleas Malcuim's strong aidan. Of how Taminy schools him in its use. I've seen this myself. I've seen the child walk upon the water of the Gwyr's pool as if it were solid ground. I've overheard her lessons with him.”
Catahn frowned. ”Airleas is a boy who must quickly become a man. More than that, he must become Cyne-a Cyne with powers he must know how to-”
”Catahn, are you that pa.s.sion-blind? She doesn't school a mere Cyne. She schools an Osric.”
Catahn had to allow he'd never considered that. It made sense. With his strong Gift, Airleas Malcuim would be unique among the Cynes of Caraid-land. His appearance now, at the time of an equally unique Cusp was all part of a Plan, surely.
”I think you may be right. What disturbs you?”
She stared at him. ”I tell you she would give us an Osric, and you accept it? No, wait. You needn't answer. You accept whatever she desires. But this? Catahn, think what this means. An absolute ruler. One who will determine law through revelation, one who will govern with another whispering in his ear.”
”Cynes ears have always been whispered into. Only now the Whisperer will have the best interests of all Caraidin at heart.”
”Including the Hillwild, you think? What faith you have. So, the Hillwild are now to be under the yoke of a lowlander?”
”We have long existed in willing cooperation with the Malcuim and the Hall. I would remind you that there is Hillwild blood in Airleas Malcuim's veins-else he would likely not have his Gift.”
Deardru shook her head, face eloquent with disgust. ”You'd sell your soul for her. No, not only your soul, but your daughters' souls and the soul of every Hillwild, living or dead. Well, you may be willing to surrender your honor to a pretty Wicke and a lowland boy, but I am not.” She put up her hood and turned away with a flourish of her cloak.
”What do you think you can do, Deardru?” Catahn asked, pausing her. ”You're a gifted woman, surely, but she is the Osmaer.”
”Oh, and what is that?”
”Something you should respect, if you weren't so blinded by . . .” He found himself unable to say it.
Deardru's eyes flashed wry anger at him. ”By jealousy? Why not revenge? You took my husband from me, my daughter, my home, my pride. I offered you love and you rejected it. I would have given you more children-”
”Deardru,” said Catahn wearily. ”I never loved you. I loved only Geatan.”
”Oh, yes? And yet, you bring her here with your wors.h.i.+pful l.u.s.t-”
Catahn thought his face must peel away in the sudden blast of inner heat. ”Don't-” he began, but Deardru was already laughing at him.
”Yes, you give yourself away. Does your tender virgin know how you burn for her? Well, of course she does. She's Osmaer.”
She walked away from him, back toward the village, her cloak sending up a sparkling wake.
Catahn stood where she left him, a hulk of darkness-shadow stretched across the field of gleaming white. He was all shadow. All.
In the midst of his despair, he sensed Taminy's call but could not bring himself to answer it.
Ice crystals, flung by a biting wind, tattooed Daimhin Feich's face with random patterns of red. They stung without his notice. Through the veil of snow, bright pinpoints of light glinted against the sky-eating flank of Baenn-an-ratha.
Airdnasheen.
Feich turned triumphant eyes to Lilias Saba. ”There. The holt of the Hillwild-Catahn. We have but to send our troops up to encircle it.”
Lilias smiled, nodding. ”Then I will soon avenge my brother's death. Do you think that girl, Iseabal, will be here?”
”Doubtful. I can't imagine the Madaidh would have consented to bring her here. If they tried, they'd still be struggling through the foothills.”
”Then I shall have to take my revenge upon her Mistress.”
Feich glanced at her sharply. ”Taminy is my affair.”
”My brother's blood-”
”And my dead Cyne's. And the honor of Caraid-land's ruling House. And my own honor. All these cry for retribution as well.” Seeing a hard look cross her face, he smiled and softened his voice. ”Trust me, Lilias. The revenge I exact will satisfy all. Now . . . we will deploy our men to the west, along the mountain's flank and to the east through the gap.” He gestured sweepingly.
To Feich's left, his cousin Ruadh nodded agreement. ”My thoughts as well. The gap ought to take us around to their main access. Though, it will likely be a difficult climb.”
”See to it, then. I want the siege troops to be in place by morning.”
Ruadh gaped at him. ”You can't be serious.”
”Never more so.”
”Daimhin, those maneuvers will be dangerous in daylight. In this dark and wind, this blowing snow-”
”You're afraid.”
”Afraid? Yes, I'm afraid! Of losing men and horses to these G.o.d-forsaken crags. You're mad if you think I'd send our men up there now.”
Daimhin twitched in irritation. ”Then send Dearg to secure the positions and our kinsmen may follow them up after.”
”No. Not even Dearg will I sacrifice to your . . . obsession.”
”I am your superior, Ruadh,” Feich reminded him blandly. ”I speak with the authority of my father, The Feich.”
”You're not The Feich, Daimhin. You're only his lieutenant. As Marschal of the Feich forces, it's up to me to decide as to their deployment. The Feich's Marschal is telling you, Regent, that to do as you plan would undermine the military success of this campaign you seem so attached to pursuing.”
”I'm not sure military success is even necessary.”