March 8: 10 Days Before the Festival (1:00 am)
In Fiona's kitchen, a small group of men sat in tense silence. Tully, Rainbow Wells, the clan leader of Thorne, Oran Bishop, the leader of Badger Clan, and the two young men Tully had tried to stop from killing each other were deep in conversation. A bottle of whiskey sat in the center of the table, with full glasses at everyone's place, but no one was drinking.
Sour looks passed between the two young men across the table, but the elders were the ones actively negotiating.
"Nicodemus is not here to defend himself or his name," Tully replied. "Making accusations without proof – "
"So, it is true!" Fiona exclaimed as she walked into the kitchen. Her eyes darted between the two men sitting at the table.
"He said the old man was here to steal our horses!" the boy jabbed his index finger at the other boy across the table.
"That's a lie, and you know it!" The other boy flung back.
"Both of you, shut it!" Oran glared at both boys and silenced them with a fierce look. "You're just looking for a reason to fight!"
"Aye," Rainbow said solemnly. "We don't need this happening so close to the start of the festival."
Oran nodded in agreement as well. He spat into his hand and extended it to Rainbow. "Then there will be peace!"
Rainbow followed suit, spat into his right hand, and then took the big chieftain's hand. They looked to the boys, who, after a long moment of glaring at each other, nodded grudgingly.
Tully glanced at Fiona. "The word is out that Nicodemus is coming."
Fiona looked at Rainbow and asked, "Is that true?"
The two boys looked between the elders at the table and then eagerly at Rainbow for confirmation. Rainbow shrugged lightly, "We hear the same rumor every year, and every year he does not show."
"He's comin'!" growled the boy from Oran's clan.
"You do not know!" snarled the boy from Rainbow's clan.
"If you can't get along with one another, then stay out of each other's way!" Fiona told the boys. "The festival goes on for only a few days, and then you'll be on your separate ways again."
Oran looked between Fiona and Tully. "You haven't heard any word that Nicodemus and his men will show up this season, have you?"
Tully shrugged his shoulders. "I have not heard a word from Nicodemus or any of his kinsmen in several years."
Oran good-naturedly scoffed at Tully's denial. "We all know that is not true – Fury might not have been to the festival in a long time, but he has been seen in the woods."
"That may be true," Fiona replied, glancing at Tully, who kept looking around the table with an angelic smile plastered to his face. "But I haven't laid eyes on the man in almost fifteen years."
Oran looked up at the kitchen ceiling, then back to Fiona. "I had thought that with Colleen's granddaughter being here, all sorts of people would be coming to pay their respects."
Fiona shook her head. "Siobhan will only be here a few weeks; she knows nothing beyond that."
Oran and Rainbow exchanged looks, then looked sadly away. "Well, we'd better be on our way," Oran said, rising to his feet. "Our thanks to the Dannan for all your help this evening."
Fiona nodded and took Oran's hand in farewell, doing the same with Rainbow. The two clan leaders stepped into the courtyard, followed by the two boys, heads down and hands shoved into their pants pockets. Weapons and belts were returned to their owners, and as everyone busied themselves strapping on their knife belts and adjusting them properly, the chieftains spent several more minutes talking to the young men and their followers. Then they parted ways, mounted their ponies, and slowly rode off in different directions.
Tully flexed his forearm experimentally. "I'll be thanking the Dannan for her fine stitchery!"
Fiona smiled bitterly at the blacksmith. "You rest that arm for a few days before you take up the hammer, Tully."
"Aye, ma'am!" He climbed into the front of his wagon and looked down at Fiona, noticing her tense expression. "I will see you in the morning?"
Fiona smiled at him and nodded. "Aye, in the morning, I'll check to make sure the stitches aren't too tight."
Tully clucked at the bright red-and-white cob mare and rolled into the night. Fiona went inside and shut the door. Fiona looked up the stairs, thinking of Sunny. If Fury was truly coming back, the past wasn't finished with them. And nothing good ever happened when ghosts appeared in daylight.
The Raven Prince and his men traveled to the Arwyn Gate with their line of horses. The ravens were already waiting to enter when the gate opened. For a short time, the ravens could move back and forth through the portal freely. Rumors spread quickly among the Dannan tribespeople about their special guest. The Raven Prince usually traveled separately from the tribes, but this time he was near the back of the caravan. Many sat around their campfires, talking about why he was headed to Arwyn after so many years. It had to be the appearance of a First Daughter! The Prince listened to the idle gossip his ravens eavesdropped on from the trees. Many were surprised by how much he had aged. Why was he traveling with the Dannan clan? As the Raven Prince sat around the large campfire with his men, one of the sentries stopped to give his report. "My lord, there was word of an incident involving a knife fight between two young men; apparently they were betting on your appearance at the festival when things got heated, and one tried to stab the other. Tully was the one who caught the sharp end of the dagger."
"He is going to get himself killed one day," the Prince said, then asked, "How badly was he hurt?"
"He received treatment from the Dannan," the sentry said. "She stitched him up. The Thorne and Badger chieftains made peace, and everyone went their separate ways."
The Prince nodded, and the sentry moved on. A raven swooped down from the trees and landed on his raised forearm. "Show me," the Prince whispered.
The raven saw the girl at the window. She opened it and leaned out. "Good evening, Your Highness!"
The Prince frowned in annoyance. The raven moved closer. She leaned on her elbows toward the bird. "There was some excitement going on downstairs tonight." She spoke casually to the bird. "Someone is coming to the festival, and apparently, he is a scoundrel. I'm sure it's probably just gossip," she concluded, then added, "I'm tempted to sneak down and listen, but I don't understand a word they're saying, so I guess I'll go to bed." She glanced at the woods, then back to the raven. "Have a good night, Your Highness."
The Prince allowed a faint smile to creep across his lips. She had no idea who she was talking to! He broke the connection, and the raven, along with his companions, flew into the forest. He closed his eyes and called the girl to his mind's eye again. Unaware of his actions, he placed his hand over his chest. An ache stirred beneath his fingers—unwelcome, familiar. He dismissed the image with a flicker of annoyance, but it lingered like smoke.
March 8
In the morning, Sunny woke to another bright, clear day. She heard the grandfather clock downstairs chime the half-hour. She could smell coffee and cooking breakfast, so it was still early. She hurriedly put on her clothes and quickly brushed her hair into a ponytail. She brushed her teeth, then hurried downstairs and slid into the kitchen on her socked feet.
Hugh and Tully were sipping their morning coffee. Fiona turned from the stove with a bright smile of welcome. "Well, good morning, my dear, how did you sleep?"
Hugh smiled and rose from his meal. "Good morning, Sunny!"
Tully nodded toward her, lifting his coffee cup. "Bright as a copper penny and lovely as the morning!"
Sunny grinned at all of them. "Good morning, everyone! I didn't intend to sleep in."
Fiona turned back to the stove to nudge her skillet over the flames. "Tully took care of the chores since he caused such a ruckus last night."
"The least I could do," Tully replied with a sly smile and a wink at Fiona.
Hugh tucked back into his breakfast and nodded, "I guess it's been brewing quite a while." He murmured around a bite of toast. "I'm surprised it hasn't blown up long before now."
Fiona placed Sunny's plate in front of her and sat down to finish her coffee. "Well, I hope not to see any more shenanigans from anyone!" She glanced sharply at Tully.
"Who is Nicodemus?" Sunny asked, her voice light but probing. She'd heard the name whispered like a warning.
Immediately, the others all froze and looked at each other, then Tully reached over to pat Sunny's arm. "Nicodemus is a cousin to the devil, and a thoroughly enjoyable sweetheart of a man!"
Sunny laughed. "Sounds charming! But I take it not everyone thinks so highly of him?"
"No," Fiona replied, offering a sour smile to Tully. "He's not been at the festival in many a year, so maybe he'll continue and not show up this season."
Sunny looked at Hugh. "Have you met him?"
Hugh gulped down his coffee, then smiled and shook his head. "No, can't say I have had the pleasure."
"Is he with a clan or something?" Sunny asked. "Those two boys were from different clans, but the boy from Rainbow's tribe looked like he was standing up for him."
"Nicodemus isn't with any clan," Fiona replied, glancing at Tully. "Tempers were high, and they were just looking for something to argue over."
"Tully's a longtime buddy of his, aren't you?" Hugh replied with a grin at Tully, who nodded with a cherubic smile.
Sunny shook her head. No one was willing to share any information about this Nicodemus! She dropped the subject and turned to Hugh. "Who have you brought for me to ride today?"
"Ah, she's a fine pony!" Hugh cheered. "Bella Rouge is awaiting your pleasure."
Tully nodded in agreement. "A bonny pony with a sprightly gait and a flirt if I ever saw one!"
Sunny grinned happily, "Can't wait!"
"Then come on," Hugh told her, "We're burning daylight!"
Fiona shooed her away from the table. "Tully will help me here. I see Lady Margaret today, so I'll meet you two at Thornegate later."
Sunny paused at the front door to put on her boots before heading out to see Bella Rouge. She was a delicate cob with a snowy white mane and tail, long and silky like all Gypsy Cobs. Her coat was a bright coppery red with white patches and white silky feathering on her legs. Bella pawed the soft grass where she was tethered, waiting. When she saw Sunny, she tossed her head and whickered invitingly.
Hugh rode a similar pony, but it was heavier and had a deeper red coat. Hugh called him 'Rusty'. They mounted up and started along the road before turning off into the field roughly in the same direction as the ruins. "You'll see that it's changed into a small village since yesterday," Hugh told her. "Rainbow's camp is at the center with the other wagons and caravans all around. A little like spokes in a big wagon wheel – he's the hub."
They rode to the top of the hill, and Sunny was amazed to see the change. It was exactly as Hugh had described—a small city alive with color and sound. Smoke curled from cookfires, children's laughter rang through the air, and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifted on the breeze.
"Wow, then there must be quite a few camped in the forest," Sunny replied. "I'd love to see that camp. I saw so many lights moving in the forest; it was so pretty!"
Hugh rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I doubt I could get past the sentries stationed at the edge of the woods. They're a closed bunch except for a few."
"Rainbow's people are here," Sunny replied, pointing to the caravans in the valley. "Where is the Badger clan staying?"
Hugh pointed toward town. "They are going to be at the edge of Ballencoo. More of Oran's people travel here by trucks and caravans. Only Rainbow and a few of his captains have trucks and motorized caravans."
"How many different clans will be coming for the festival?" Sunny asked as they headed toward Thornegate Manor.
"Badger, Wolfe, Thorne, and those of the old Danann tribe in the Ballencoo forest," Hugh told her. "The only one I know with a passage to the old clan is Tully – and your Aunt Fiona, of course."
"Not even Ian McTavish?" Sunny asked.
"Not even Ian," Hugh responded. "He protects the wood, but I don't think he's ever gone much farther than the back hedgerow of his yard."
"Interesting," Sunny murmured.
They continued in silence. Sunny thoroughly enjoyed the ride, and Hugh kept up the lesson. They traveled around Thornegate and toward the other side of Ballencoo, crossing several stone bridges over the Trickle River. They walked together in a comfortable silence, the kind that settles between people who are beginning to understand each other.
Somewhere among the trees, a raven observed their progress, sharing the scene with its companions. The Prince allowed the images to surface, and once again he felt the familiar ache, his fingers twisting into the folds of his coat. "How many times do I have to tell you!" he hissed, the ache twisting deeper than he would admit. He sent a flash of burning annoyance to his flock. "I do not want to see this!" The curious flock dispersed in dozens of directions, except for one— it puffed up its shining midnight neck ruff and chuckled in delight. It continued to avidly watch the girl and made all it saw available to the Prince. The Raven Prince watched, fuming.
Finally, Sunny glanced at Hugh and asked, "Hugh, since I've arrived, I've only seen a little of what Aunt Fiona does here in the village. Do you think she'll ever tell me everything?" Sunny asked him.
"What do you mean, everything?" He wanted to know.
Well, I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's more happening than just the 'family' business, Sunny replied. There's way more going on.
"What has Fiona told you?"
"Not much," Sunny replied, flinging her hand up at the sky in annoyance. "But it's what she's not saying that makes me think there's more going on. Aunt Fiona told me that my grandmother, her sister, moved away and left her to take over after their mother passed away. She was trained to prepare remedies for the folks in Ballencoo." Sunny said as they walked along the road. "My own mother never, and when I say never, I mean never, discussed Aunt Fiona and what all goes on here in Ballencoo. It's like she was afraid to say anything. Then my breakup happens, and Mama packs my bags and sends me straight to the very place she's avoided her whole life because she thinks it will help me forget," she paused to look over at Hugh, "Don't get me wrong; it has helped me; I feel whatever passes for my 'normal' for the first time maybe in my whole life! So, here I am, and in the last few days, I haven't seen anything so terrible about what Aunt Fiona does."
Hugh smiled at Sunny and lightly shrugged. "You know when the time is right, she'll tell you everything." He paused and moved to remount. "I don't know about you, but I could use a spot of ale."
She grinned, "Yeah, all this agitation has made me thirsty!"
They headed into Ballencoo toward the tavern. Much more activity buzzed outside the town, with more people gathering. The grocery store was doing excellent business, as was the butcher shop and other stores selling various items to tourists and visitors.
The tavern was lively, with patrons scattered around the bar and tables toward the back of the room. Cassie greeted them as they walked in beneath the chime of the bells. "Hullo, Hugh! Sunny, I'm happy to see you!"
"We're dry and stopped in to have a pint with our favorite barkeep!" Hugh called Piper, who nodded back with a broad smile.
Cassie led Sunny to a booth near the front of the tavern and placed a basket of bread and butter in the middle of the table. Hugh brought over two glasses of dark brown ale with a creamy tan head forming from the bottom. Sunny sipped the foam and smiled appreciatively. "Tell me now, taking riding lessons, eh?" Cassie asked.
"Oh yes, Hugh is giving me lessons," Sunny said, giving Hugh a fond look. "He's been very kind."
"She's a natural," Hugh responded, laying an arm over the back of the booth.
Cassie smiled and waved at the basket of bread. "Nibble on that, and I'll send a couple of loaves with you to Fiona and Lady Margaret."
Sunny sipped her beer and ate a few pieces of bread that Hugh buttered and handed to her. They watched and listened to the people who came and went in the tavern with mild interest. Sunny started to wish she had brought her sketchbook; she could have easily lost herself in drawing the people who entered the tavern.
Hugh looked around the tavern and didn't recognize anyone, then glanced at Sunny and asked, "So, how do you feel about your riding lessons so far?"
"I'm having such a great time, Hugh!" Sunny told him as she set her glass down. "I appreciate you offering to teach me."
"As I said, 'you're a natural',"
"You really think so?"
"I do," Hugh responded.
Suddenly, the tavern door swung open, bells jangling overhead, and a young man poked his head in. "He's here! I tell ye he's here!"
Piper glared at the man. "Who's here, man!"
"Fury! Nicodemus Fury!" the man called out before disappearing, slamming the door and causing the bells to jingle again. He turned and trotted down the narrow street.
Immediately, half of Piper's clients grabbed their jackets, paid their bills, and headed down the path the young man had taken. Sunny looked at Hugh curiously and asked, "I take it that this is extraordinary news?"
Cassie brought over two large canvas bags filled with warm loaves of bread wrapped in brown paper. "It's been years since Nicodemus Fury has actually been in Ballencoo."
Hugh drained his glass. "Come on, Sunny, let's get going. Your Aunt Fiona will be looking for you."
"Give Fiona my best," Cassie said, throwing them a beaming smile.
Sunny gave the woman a quick hug and followed Hugh outside, waving to Piper as she went. As the news of Nicodemus's return spread through town, more and more people poured out into the open field, probably hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous Fury. As Hugh helped Sunny mount and made sure her feet were in the stirrups, Sunny watched people gather at the edge of town. "It's like a rockstar has arrived."
Hugh swung into the saddle and looked toward the direction Sunny was paying attention to. "I believe you're right."
"Maybe we could take a look?" Sunny asked.
Hugh opened his mouth to answer when a shadow passed overhead. Sunny looked up and saw a raven land on the roof of Cluny's tavern. It had eyes only for Sunny. Hugh frowned at it as it chuckled and angled a beady eye down at them. "Friend of yours?" Hugh asked.
Sunny smiled at the bird. "Good morning, Your Highness! Have you come to watch the excitement?"
Hugh's frown deepened. "What's it got in its beak?"
Sunny shrugged. "I can't tell." She replied. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I don't have anything to trade with you."
The raven pushed off the roof and sailed over the riders. As it flew over, it dropped the item in its beak into Sunny's lap. It flew off with several companions following.
"What is it?" Hugh asked.
Sunny examined it. "It's a bracelet of some kind," She murmured. "It's braided leather." She handed it to Hugh.
He studied it for a moment, then noticed the carved stone horse. "It looks like it has been worn for a long time. Someone is going to miss it."
The Prince was patting his face dry with the towel when he realized his leather horse charm was gone. He draped the damp towel over his shoulders and turned slowly to glare up into the canopy. "Where is it?"
The raven hopped further up into the cedar's branches and clicked loudly. "Girl!"
"You're smitten! Have you lost your mind?" the prince growled. "You had best stay out of my sight, or I'll pluck you bald!"
The raven chuckled at the Prince. Of all his flock, his oldest raven was the best tracker and observer. Also, the only raven who knew exactly how far to push the Prince!
The Prince huffed in annoyance and set off to see how the horses had settled.
Hugh handed the bracelet back to Sunny. She slid the bracelet onto her wrist. "When I see his highness again, I'll make him take it back to the owner."
Hugh laughed, "You talk like the bird is going to listen to your orders. They're smart and crafty, but I don't think they have much of a moral compass."
Sunny smiled smugly at Hugh. "We'll see!"
They rode quickly toward the road leading to Thornegate. Sunny didn't mention how fast Hugh had gone, but as they crossed Trickle Bridge, Hugh slowed down, and Sunny caught up next to him. "You didn't want to see him, why not? What's the big mystery about this Nicodemus Fury, anyway?"
"Fiona and Tully both told me to steer you clear of Fury. I'm not sure why," Hugh shook his head. "I personally don't know much about the man. But given what happened last night, maybe that's why?"
"Maybe Aunt Fiona will tell us," Sunny suggested. "I'd like to know."
When they arrived at Thornegate, the groomsman came out to fetch the horses. Miggs and Fiona's wagon was parked under the trees as usual. Hugh took Sunny's arm and led her into the solar, where Lady Margaret and Fiona sat having tea. From the library, Alister McDonnell stepped out. He looked like a more mature version of Hugh, with silver hair and moss-gray eyes that twinkled merrily beneath bushy silver eyebrows. "Well, this must be Siobhan O'Neil!"
Sunny shifted the bread packages to her left arm and took Allister's hand in greeting. "Very glad to meet you, sir."
"And I you," Alister replied. "How was the ride?"
"Excellent!" Hugh responded.
Allister pointed to the packages. "Would that be from Cassie?"
Sunny grinned and handed one over. "It's still warm."
Hugh nodded into the solar. "We've heard some news."
Allister's smile faded slightly. "What's happened?"
"Nicodemus Fury has arrived in town," Hugh replied.
"Did you see him?"
"No, but one of the guys came into the tavern and made the announcement. He was at the fairgrounds when Sunny and I left town," Hugh replied.
Alister looked at Sunny and raised an eyebrow in doubt, to which Hugh shrugged. "Not sure if he'd heard about the fighting or not."
"We should let Fiona know," Alister replied.
They entered the solar, and when Fiona looked up to see the serious expressions on their faces, she immediately knew it wasn't good news. "What's happened?"
"Nicodemus Fury is in town," Alister said.
Lady Margaret put a hand to her throat in alarm. "Oh dear!"
"It was only a matter of time before he showed up again," Fiona replied. "How many years has it been?"
"More than twenty-odd years or more since I've seen him," Alister replied, sitting beside his wife and taking her hand in his. He patted her hand gently. "I can't imagine it's to settle old business."
Fiona glanced at Sunny and said, "Well, I suppose I should tell you the tale of Nicodemus Fury."
Lady Margaret reached out, took Fiona's hand, and looked at her son. "Hugh doesn't know the story either, do you, dear?"
Hugh shook his head. "No, I've heard things, but most of what I heard sounds like tall tales."
Fiona smiled at Lady Margaret and then at Hugh. "The Fury family is legendary. They are royalty among the clans. Nicodemus Fury, in particular, was a prince among princes!" she began her tale, and her audience sat back in their seats, captivated. "He was a wild boy, eyes black as midnight and hair like a raven's wing—blue-black and flowing past his shoulders. His skin was copper from being half-naked in the sun. The Fury family bred and sold magnificent horses, both cobs and those whispered to be stolen Arabian stallions, though no one could prove it. So, twice a year—spring and fall—when the clans gathered, all of us girls would wait on the stone wall in Ballencoo, hoping to catch a glimpse of Nicodemus. And he never disappointed. He'd arrive riding into Ballencoo with a string of wild horses, often out in front on a barely tamed stallion, usually without a saddle, sometimes without a bridle. Riding along with him were his father, three brothers, uncles, and a handful of men connected to the Furys, employed by his father to help with the horse sales. As far as I ever knew, no Fury women ever attended those festivals."
Lady Margaret nodded, "There was a sister, but I never saw her. Did you, Fiona?"
Yes, I met her briefly the summer I turned thirteen, but not since then.
"Can't think she had a good go of it," Allister murmured, "Being a woman in a family of Fury men." They fell silent for a moment, then Fiona continued.
"The moment Nicodemus and his family arrived, there would be trouble of some kind. It seemed to follow Nicodemus like a dark cloud. Young men would challenge him, and he'd never back down from a good fight. Whatever he put his hand to, he was successful. Fighting, he was superb. Knives: he was excellent. Horse racing: now there's where he and his family all excelled! The horses from the Fury family could outrun anything on four hooves. Nicodemus could ride anything! He was the envy of every man in town, every young girl's dream, and every father's nightmare."
Sunny laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with delight. "He sounds fascinating!"
"Oh, he was!" Lady Margaret cheered, then blushed when her husband glanced sideways at her in question.
Nicodemus and his family traveled without any clan's protection. They were independent and paid tithes to no one. The closest clan they ever allied with was the Danann clan, but it wasn't in the strictest sense; only if there was trouble did the Fury family support the Danann clan," Fiona continued. "The year I turned sixteen, a terrible sickness struck. It hit hardest among young children and the elderly. It came on quickly, and some even thought it was a plague. It was one of the last cures my mother made and gave out while I was by her side."
Fiona looked over at Sunny. "Your grandmother had already left for England a year earlier, and mother was now showing me how to mix and dispense medicines. When this illness took hold, I was eager to help her as much as possible. It was the fall festival, and that year it was unusually warm and wet. When the Badger clan arrived, several cases were already present. Mother mixed and dosed the few elders, and they quickly began to recover. The Wolf clan also had a handful of cases, and then folks in Ballencoo started to get sick. On the day of the festival, it rained so hard that no one came out to trade. Then the Thorne clan arrived with so many sick people that Mother stayed in their camp, and I was sent back and forth to fetch fresh herbs and plants from the apothecary. I was so scared that Mother would come down with this sickness," Fiona said, her voice growing thick as the recollection of that time became clearer in her mind.
"The Dannan clan," Sunny asked, "What happened to them?"
"They had enough sense not to come to the festival that year," Fiona replied. "Tully was the only one who showed up that year, and he only caught a mild case because he and several Thorne clan boys were always together."
When Nicodemus and his family arrived with their horses, they found that no one was buying, selling, or trading. Jacob Fury outright refused to take the cure my mother brought for him and his family. Nicodemus fell ill with the fever, and it wasn't until it claimed two of Nicodemus's brothers, his uncles, and nearly killed his father that he finally agreed to take the cure. His father was so sick and weak that my mother had to force the medicine down his throat."
"Old Jacob was never the same after that sickness," Alister said. "Even Nicodemus retreated. He, his father, and what was left of his liegemen disappeared, and we didn't see him — it was what, nearly fifteen years later."
"Aye," Fiona said with a sad sigh. "There were rumors that Nicodemus and his father would occasionally come and stay for a short time with either the Danann or Thorne clans, but no one ever saw them at the festivals. Then I must have been thirty-one or thirty-two when Nicodemus rode into Ballencoo for a summer festival. Nicodemus and a handful of men came to the summer festival with a string of wild horses! He had been gone so long, he was just a memory. He was still wild, handsome, and now every grown woman's fantasy. He turned the heads of many a young woman when he rode into town. It was the wrong woman, in fact; it was the young wife of Connor Doyle, the Wolf clan chieftain – I forget her name now…"
"Alyssum," Lady Margaret supplied. "I remember her, so pale and fragile looking."
"Oh, aye," Fiona said, "Alyssum Mack."
"She was such a sad girl!"
Aye, but Nicodemus was to blame; he should have never gotten involved with the girl," Fiona replied. "She knew the trouble that would follow. She knew Nicodemus would never back down from a fight, and she thought that if he managed to kill the chieftain, she would be free.
"Free to go with Nicodemus?" Sunny asked.
"Nae," Fiona said, shaking her head.
"She had her sights on some other lad from outside the clans." Lady Margaret replied.
"She manipulated both of them just to get free?" Hugh asked.
"Aye," Fiona said with a slight disapproving frown. "I seriously doubt she would have gone with Nicodemus even if he had asked her; she just wanted to be free from the marriage."
Lady Margaret replied, "I heard it was a terrible mess within the Wolf clan, and her family was disgraced."
"What happened?" Hugh and Sunny asked in unison, then chuckled as they realized they were drawn into the story.
Fiona smiled at them. "It's a tragic story. Connor challenged Nicodemus to a fight. Of course, Nicodemus never turned down an opportunity to show off his prowess and skill with a knife; he accepted. The challenge was made and witnessed by many of the clan elders. The two men met in the field just outside of town. There was a huge crowd that night."
"You all were there?" Sunny asked.
"Why didn't the constable arrest them both?" Hugh wanted to know.
"It was between the clans, and no one in Ballencoo was going to interfere in clan business," Allister replied, then nodded at Sunny. "Yes, we were all there. We all knew what this meant and witnessed it."
"I remember watching Alyssum as she stood on the sidelines like a pale statue," Lady Margaret said. "She was there, not moving a muscle or showing any concern for either of the men."
"Connor fought like a crazed animal; the energy of his strikes had Nicodemus reeling, and for a while it looked like Connor might win," Fiona said. "Then skill triumphed over anger, and it was over, with Nicodemus standing over Connor's body."
"That one incident shattered what was left of the trust between the Wolf clan and the Furys," Lady Margaret replied sadly.
"What happened immediately afterward is still somewhat of a mystery," Allister said, as he looked over at Fiona. "Did Nicodemus show up at your place, Fiona?"
Sunny looked at her great-aunt with curiosity. Even Fiona hadn't told her closest friends what had happened that night after the fight.
"He did," Fiona replied. "It was a shock to see him standing at my front door. I was already in bed when I heard a knock. I went downstairs thinking it would be Tully with more news. But it was Nicodemus Fury. He had been drinking, but he wasn't drunk; he was stone sober. I asked him to come in, and we went into the living room. He sat for a moment, then got on his feet and paced back and forth. He was very upset about having killed Connor and wanted someone to know the truth. He wanted me to know there was never anything between him and Alyssum. Connor had just been installed as the chieftain of the Wolfe Clan, and he wanted no impediment to his rule, whatever the cost to him. He was the one who decided to let the battle go on as planned. Fury agreed, and we know the outcome of that night." Fiona concluded.
"Rather noble of him," Hugh remarked.
He could have gone before the chieftains' council and explained everything," Alister said.
"And lose his reputation?" Sunny said. "Just think if everyone had discovered the great mysterious Nicodemus Fury was a good guy and not a wild, untamable rebel."
"Image is everything," Hugh said softly to no one in particular.
Fiona smiled grimly. "I suppose that was it. He has never gone out of his way to try and redeem himself among the clans."
"He was dishonest?" Hugh asked with a worried frown creasing his brow.
"Not that anyone could ever prove," Allister remarked with a wry grin. "Fury maintains dangerous connections. Now, to say outright he is just as dangerous – I cannot say."
"Best to leave him be!" Lady Margaret cautioned.
Sunny seriously doubted this man was as dangerous as he maintained. She shook her head. "Nicodemus Fury couldn't give up his reputation, not even to save his standing among the clans. He paid his respects and then disappeared into legend."
"And now he's returned," Allister said. "What would bring him back out in the open after all this time?"
Everyone, including Fiona, looked at Sunny for a long moment, then she shrugged. "He's never really been gone, just not visible."
"He must be back with horses to sell or trade?" Sunny asked, glancing at Hugh. "That's probably what Rainbow was talking about."
When Hugh started to fidget, Allister wagged a finger at him. "Hugh, are you going to parlay for a Fury stallion? How'd you manage that?"
Hugh ran his hand through his hair and shrugged. Fiona waved her hand dismissively, saying, "I'm sure it was Tully who arranged it."
Hugh nodded, "It would improve the line!" He glanced at Sunny to see if she disapproved. Sunny smiled and turned back to Fiona, thinking more about Nicodemus than horses.
Allister looked at his son, then at Fiona. "So, this is just a simple case of horse trading?"
Fiona nodded her head absentmindedly, "I suppose so," she murmured, then looked over at Sunny. "Perhaps it is. Tully didn't seem to be worried at all about the thought of Nicodemus returning."
"It was all just the high blood of the young boys in the camps?" Allister guessed. When Fiona nodded, he chuckled. "Tully is a master of understatement!"
Maybe we should all adopt a 'wait and see' attitude, right? Hugh said, "Tully is usually right about most things."
"Well," Allister replied, drawing a heavy sigh, "any kind of fighting or warring among the clans during a festival is bad business – bad for business, I should say. I'd imagine the clan chieftains don't want anything to affect their trade or sales. During festivals, they all do a bang-up business among the folks coming in from out of town. We all do!"
"Aye," Fiona replied. "They'll keep the troublemakers at camp if need be."
"I find it hard to believe that it's already festival time!" Lady Margaret said. "It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the fall festival, and now it's spring again."
"You didn't actually see Nicodemus, did you?" Fiona asked Hugh.
No, I believe it was one of the Badger clan boys who came into Piper's, announced Nicodemus had returned, and then left.
"With half of Piper's clients rushing out after him," Sunny said.
"Maybe we ought to go see if it's all true?" Allister said, looking over at his son.
Hugh grinned at his father. "I'm thinking we ought!"
"Well," Fiona said, clapping her hands together. "I'm thinking, Sunny, and I should be heading back to the house. We've got things to do around the apothecary."
Sunny perked up and leaned forward. "You're starting my training?"
Fiona looked at her with a strange expression, then chuckled, "Well, I don't know that it's necessarily training, but I know I'm running low on some plants, and there's collecting to be done. Two sets of hands are better than one."
Lady Margaret followed everyone out to the side entrance of the garden. The stable hand brought Miggs and the cart over, waved to Hugh, and went back to the stables. Hugh helped Fiona in and then turned to Sunny, offering a courteous bow; folded up the step and secured the cart doors. "See you tomorrow, Sunny."
"I'll be ready!" she answered with a grin.
Lady Margaret and Allister waved from the garden gate. "On we go, Miggsy!" Fiona called, waving goodbye.
Sunny waved, then turned to Fiona as they left the courtyard. "Aunt Fiona, do you think we could visit the Dannan clan while they're here?"
Fiona looked at Sunny and asked, "Why on earth would you want to visit their camp?"
"Well, they're a little like family, aren't they?" Sunny asked. "I'd like to meet them."
Fiona chuckled softly. "I guess they are a little like family. I'll tell you what we'll do; when we're out collecting plants, we'll make a pass over to their encampment."
"Excellent!" Sunny cheered. "I'm looking forward to meeting them."
"And I'm sure there will be plenty of the clan who will be curious about you!" Fiona replied.
Fiona settled Miggs in her stable, munching noisily on a ration of sweet oats. Then the two went into the apothecary to take inventory of the various glass jars, tins, wooden boxes, and crockery pots holding dried plants, flowers, pods, stems, bark, and other ingredients Fiona used to make her medicinal potions and blends.
Sunny was instructed to check each crockery jar on one side of the apothecary to see how much was inside. If Fiona thought it was low, she would note that plant for collection.
Fiona identified each dried item and explained its purpose. Sunny found the whole process fascinating. She examined each plant, pod, flower, or bark, sometimes sniffing it experimentally, then setting it back on the shelf. Finally, the clock in the hall chimed one o'clock, and Fiona put her pencil down and sighed. "That's enough for now; let's get a bite to eat and then finish up the inventory. There are several things we can harvest now, either from the garden or out in the field."
"Okay," Sunny said, "There's this last big jar on the bottom shelf." It was a large crockery jar with a rubber gasket and a heavy wire latch that formed a tight seal. Sunny cracked the seal and lifted the lid. Immediately, a strong, pungent odor like a strange mix of pine needles and Narcissus blossoms filled the air. It was so indescribable that Sunny quickly slammed the lid back on in shock. "Aunt Fiona!"
"What is it, dear?" Fiona asked, looking up in startled surprise.
"Is this what I think it is? Is this --- Marijuana!" Sunny whispered, her eyes wide.
Fiona chuckled. "Cannabis is a key ingredient in many blends. We've used it for hundreds of years. Mother used it for many of the wasting illnesses where the appetite needed stimulating."
Sunny carefully took what looked like a grey-green matted clump from the jar and examined it closely. "Where do you get it?"
"From my garden, of course!" Fiona exclaimed.
Sunny continued examining the clump, holding the dried specimen in her fingers to catch the light. As she placed it back into the jar and looked at Fiona in disbelief, "You grow your own?"
Aye, I've got maybe fifteen or so plants out there now, but they're not ready to cut yet. Maybe by late summer they'll be at their prime," Fiona replied matter-of-factly. "Sometimes I harvest some of the leaves to make a mild blend for a client.
Sunny's grin grew wider. "Who all do you dispense it to?"
"Well, Lady Margaret, for one," Fiona replied. "When she first came home, she had no appetite at all and was having a hard time keeping food down. My blends, with a little cannabis added in at the right time, have helped her regain some of the weight she lost."
"Wow," Sunny murmured, "It seems that there are a lot of things I hadn't realized you could grow."
Fiona nodded. "Many of the plants and herbs I can grow in my garden, but many of the more potent plants grow wild in the forest. They must be carefully gathered. It's a year-long process; even in the dead of winter, some types of lichen continue to grow on trees, and there's mistletoe, wild holly, fir, and other evergreens that need harvesting."
Sunny nodded, "I suppose after a while you begin to know where these plants grow, and like a farmer harvesting a field, you go there and gather what you need?"
Indeed, and since you're here to help me, I'll be able to harvest even more!" Fiona told her. "There are things that get very low, and during the cold months, there are fevers, coughs, and similar ailments that affect the folks here in Ballencoo. With no physician for miles, I'm the one people come to, or I go to them when they call."
Sunny looked at Fiona and tapped the jar's lid. "Aunt Fiona, is this why Mama's been so touchy?"
"It's very complicated," Fiona replied with a shrug.
Sunny frowned at her, saying, "So you've said, or rather haven't said," as she looked around the apothecary.
Fiona opened her mouth to speak when there was a loud knock at the front door. She smiled and glanced heavenward. "Who could that be?"
Sunny pointed a finger at Fiona and headed to the hall to see who was at the door. "Hold that complicated thought!"
Fiona followed her into the hallway and waited to see who the caller was. Sunny opened the door and stepped aside as a large gray wolfhound pushed past the man at the door and settled in the hallway.
"Beggin' your pardon, miss," the man said, taking his hat off, "I was looking for the Danann."
"Is that you, Griffin?" Fiona called as she approached to join Sunny at the door.
Griffin grinned broadly, his weathered brown face crinkling with amusement. "Aye! I hate to stop by so soon, but I was wondering if you have any of that ear oil, since several of the lads have come up with sore ears."
"Of course," Fiona said. "Come in, Griffin; Sunny, this is Griffin Doyle, Chieftain of the Wolf clan. Griff, my great-niece, Siobhan O'Neil."
Griffin shook Sunny's hand and stepped inside, surveying the entrance hall. Sunny wondered what Griffin's connection was to Connor Doyle. Fiona looked down at the dog sprawled on the floor. "And who's this?"
"Shanley," Griffin said, smiling sheepishly at Fiona and then to Sunny, "He's still a pup and has no manners at all!"
The large shaggy head lifted off the floor, and big golden-brown eyes looked at Griffin for a moment. He stood up and sat on his haunches. He tilted his head toward Fiona and Sunny. Fiona chuckled. "He was just a little thing when I last saw him!"
"Aye, he and his brothers have all nearly grown up," Griffin replied proudly. "Of all of them, Shanley's the only one not showing sore ears."
Fiona nodded, "Well, it would be best to dose him too, just to make sure."
Shanley whimpered and growled softly beneath his breath. Fiona turned away to go back to the apothecary. "You know it won't hurt at all, Shanley!" Fiona called over her shoulder.
Sunny smiled at the dog because, from his expression, he was not at all convinced! Shanley seemed to have an uncanny understanding of what the humans were saying. She leaned close to the dog, "I'll hold your paw if it will help."
Shanley yipped, his tail thumping the floor. Griffin shook his head at the dog and looked at Sunny. "For the attention of a pretty lady, he'll suffer!"
"You said Shanley was just a puppy," Sunny said, looking at the hound in disbelief. "He must be over six feet tall if he stood on his hind legs!"
"Aye," Griffin replied. "When full-grown, he'll stand just over eight."
"Wow!" She looked at the hound, and he was studying her, tilting his head from one side to the other. He watched Griffin, whined, and opened his mouth to reveal a set of sharp white teeth and a pink tongue that briefly lolled out to one side before snapping back as Fiona came out of the apothecary with a large green bottle. He let out a low growling whine, which Griffin scolded. "Hush that lad!"
Shanley dropped his head and hunched his grey shoulders guiltily, and Sunny had to giggle. The dog was so expressive! "Maybe if you warmed the oil a little, it wouldn't be so uncomfortable going in?"
Fiona smiled at Sunny. "Excellent idea! When you get back to camp, place the bottle in a small pan of warm water, then add a few drops to each ear and massage it in to help it work down. Doing this a couple of times should do the trick. As for Shanley, dose his ears once, and he should be fine for the rest of the summer."
"See?" Sunny said to Shanley. "It won't be bad, just one dose, and you'll be good for the rest of the summer."
Shanley opened his mouth in a canine smile and approached, leaning against Sunny's side and gazing up at her with warm, golden-brown eyes. She gently reached out and stroked his head.
Griffin took the bottle from Fiona and looked over at Shanley. "Come on, lad, let's get back to camp."
When Griffin opened the door to leave, Shanley looked up at Sunny, gave a small yip, and trotted out the door with Griffin close behind. Fiona waved, shut the door, and turned to Sunny. "Shall we gather up the baskets and head out to harvest the lichen I need?"
"Will you tell me more about the family business?" Sunny asked.
"Well," Fiona said with a deep sigh. "I'll tell you what I can."
"Great!" Sunny cheered. "I'm going to get my sketchbook; I'll be right back!"
Fiona watched Sunny run upstairs. "What am I going to have to tell the girl to settle her curiosity?"
Dannan Encampment
The Raven Prince had set his camp at the edge of the Dannan encampment, far enough to discourage curiosity, close enough to remain within the bounds of tradition. His presence was acknowledged but not invited. He preferred it that way.
He paid his respects to the Dannan chieftain, quietly and formally, and assured him there would be no trouble. The chieftain nodded warily. Few knew the Prince's true nature, but everyone knew his reputation.
A raven, one of his oldest, hopped down from a branch and landed on the peaked roof of the Prince's caravan. Its feathers gleamed like polished obsidian.
"You're in a good mood," the Prince remarked, glancing up.
The raven chuckled, a soft clicking sound deep in its throat. "Happy!"
The Prince scoffed. "Happy, are you? And why is that, pray tell?"
"Girl!" the bird croaked, then launched into the air, joined by several others. Their calls echoed through the trees as they vanished toward Ballencoo.
The Prince watched them go, his expression unreadable. He knew they would take turns watching her, circling, observing, whispering among themselves. He turned back to his gear, lifting the saddlebags with practiced ease. His silver braid slipped over his shoulder, a deliberate part of the disguise.
The guise of an elder Fury served him well. It demanded respect, invited no challenge, and allowed him to move through the camp unnoticed. Age was a cloak, and he wore it with precision.
Soon, he would make his presence known. But not yet. The ravens would watch. And he would wait.
Movement! He froze, eyes scanning the canopy. A Watcher.
The creature hung in the branches like a shadow stitched to the leaves. The Prince opened his mouth to acknowledge it, but the Watcher moved first, dropping a grisly handful of matted black feathers to the forest floor.
Not one of his. But a warning.
The Prince narrowed his eyes. He sent a silent command to his flock: Avoid the Ballencoo Watcher. It does not distinguish. And it does not show mercy.
The forest grew still again. But the Prince felt the shift. The game was changing.