The Wyrd’s laughter pealed out. ‘That is no great talent. You are still young and your expressions are honest. You have not yet learned to disguise what you are thinking. Though you should – at least when you are around Chara’s mother.’
Kaelin chuckled. ‘She’s a fine-looking girl. I think she knows magic, for my heart beats like a drum whenever she is close.’
‘All women know that magic,’ said the Wyrd.
‘Even you?’ The words were out before he could stop them. ‘I am sorry,’ he said swiftly. ‘That was rude.’
‘Yes, but it was honest. Yes, even the Wyrd. I have chosen to hold that magic within me. It strengthens my powers to be celibate. Why that should be I don’t know.’ Her green eyes locked to his dark gaze. ‘However, my time in Old Hills is short, and I’ve little of it to waste on matters philosophical.’
‘Nor I,’ said Kaelin. ‘Aunt Maev will be angry about the fight and I need to be getting home. I don’t doubt she’ll scold me over it. Scolding is one of her talents.’
‘Aye, she’s a hard woman. Difficult to live with.’
Kaelin laughed. ‘I’ll vouch for that.’
‘You know how you came to live with her?’
Kaelin looked away. ‘I know my mother was killed two nights after I was born. The beetlebacks came into the village. They slew all who could not escape to the woods. After that Aunt Maev raised me.’
‘It was a night of sickening slaughter,’ said the Wyrd, her voice low. ‘Some women managed to run to the woods. However, Maev – instead of fleeing – ran back to your mother’s hut. The soldier who killed Gian was standing over her body when Maev slammed a dagger into his throat. She killed him, Kaelin. She avenged Gian and she took you from your crib and carried you to safety.’
‘She has never spoken of it,’ said Kaelin. ‘I did not know.’
‘She is Rigante, Ravenheart, and in her flows the blood of Ruathain and Meria, two of the great heroes of our past. Aye, and Lanach and Bedril, who held the pass. Maev is old blood. As are you. As is Gaise Macon.’
‘Varlish blood. Murderer’s blood.’
‘Chara Ward is Varlish blood, Kaelin,’ said the Wyrd. ‘Do you hate her?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Then think before you speak, Ravenheart. Chara Ward is good and kind.’ The Wyrd suddenly seemed sad. Kaelin expected her to speak, but instead she reached down to a canvas sack at her feet and opened it. From it she took a muslin pouch. ‘Now, listen to me. Ramus has given you good herbs and they will help Shula a little. They will not, however, save her life. When you get home put this in a pint – no more – of boiling water, then leave it until the water is merely warm to the touch. Make her drink at least half of it. When she does so she will fall into a deep sleep. It will be like death. You might not be able to detect a pulse. Do not fret. She will recover, but she will sleep for at least three days. You understand?’
‘Aye. Thank you, Wyrd. And now will you tell me about this Stag?’
The Wyrd smiled. ‘I’ll tell you this, for now. When Raven the hound came to the rescue of a stag it brought you your soul-name. It linked you to the land. Yet it was also a prophecy, Ravenheart. One day, you too will need to rescue the Stag. Now get off with you, and take my herbs to Maev.’
CHAPTER FOUR
BANNY HAD NOT YET REGAINED ANYTHING LIKE HIS FULL STRENGTH, and the walk up to the hidden meadow had all but exhausted him. He lay on the grass watching Jaim Grymauch and Kaelin Ring practising with wooden swords. The sun was shining, and the grass felt soft as a feather bed beneath him. Jaim and Kaelin were laughing and joking as they circled one another. Banny felt privileged to have been invited to join them. Even wooden swords were outlawed among the clans and Banny felt a glow within that these two full-blooded clansmen should trust him so.