“So be it, and I add my curse to yours for what that is worth,” Lhiannon said, stirring in her chair.” I declare to you that your people and the Romans together shall work to punish them.”
Bendeigid began to speak but Lhiannon silenced him with a gesture. “Enough; I have said it. Now go; let it be as Caillean has seen and I have declared. You can take Red Rian on the seashore.”
“Lady, how know you this?”
“Have you forgotten that I and mine can rule the winds when we choose?” Lhiannon said. “He will not find a breeze to bear him hence till you have caught up with him. Will all this content you?”
“For the sake of vengeance against those devils – if it must be so,” Bendeigid declared. “But I swore to ally even with Romans if they would help me to vengeance, though it goes against the grain -and we will need their help to drive these raiders and murderers forever from our shores!”
Dieda drew a long breath. “Will you await the coming of Cynric?”
“That will be at least partly for Macellius to say,” Bendeigid said grudgingly after a moment. Lhiannon’s gaze fell on Eilan.
“But look you, our newest novice is quite perished with cold,” she said. “Where is your cloak, child?”
“I left it in the other hall with the priestesses,” Eilan murmured, unsuccessfully trying to control her shivering.
“You must go to bed soon. But the herbs have burned off now, come to the brazier and warm yourself, child. In a little, Caillean shall see to taking you to the novices’ dormitory and give you nightclothes and the dress of a priestess.”
“Well said,” put in Ardanos, “and it is time we were going as well.”
Lhiannon drew Eilan to the fire, and gradually the girl’s shivering subsided. But still she trembled within. Caillean put an arm around her.
“It will pass, child, I know . . . It can be very cold between the worlds; I felt you riding with me, though it was not intended. We shall have to guard against that another time.”
Bendeigid wrapped his cloak around him, but before he followed Ardanos out he paused before Eilan. “Daughter.” He coughed as Eilan looked up to meet his gaze. “I do not know when we will meet again. But I leave you in safety, and that is a comfort to me. May the Goddess bless you here.” He embraced her.
“I will pray to Her for your safety, Father,” she said softly, her throat tightening.
Bendeigid reached out and touched the tendrils that had escaped from the braid coiled upon her brow. “Your mother’s hair grew just this way,” he whispered, and quickly, then, kissed her on the brow. She was blinking back tears when the door closed behind him.
“Well, that is done, and it is late indeed,” Caillean said with a touch of relief. “Eilan, is there anything you want to ask me?” She came and took the girl into a hearty embrace. “If you are warm now, come along and I will get you settled into the novices’ dormitory.”
This time with Caillean at her side, Eilan crossed the windy courtyard which separated Lhiannon’s dwelling from the hall where she had first been welcomed among the priestesses. Years later, when she knew every inch of these dwellings as well as the house in which she had been born, she was to remember her first sight of the Forest House and wonder that on this night it had seemed so enormous.
Eilidh and some of the other women were still gathered in the hall where Eilan had been first welcomed. They all looked at Eilan with curiosity, but a gesture from Caillean kept them still.
“We cannot ask you yet to take vows,” Caillean said to Eilan, “But for your first year among us you must make promises.” She stood upright and her face changed. Eilan watched her warily, wondering what was coming now.
“First of all — you have come among us of your free will? You have not been forced or threatened into seeking admission here?”
Eilan looked at her, astonished. “You know I have not been.”