First chapter of a book

Aeva an Rua Fael ni Seadhna/ Aeva the Red Wolf:
“Bebhinn, I know the true colour of her hair and you cannot lie to me! Tell me, woman! That filthy cartographer! Is he not the father of the whelp?!”
The roar of Earnan, the man Aeva had lived with all of her life as her father, lashed out like a whip. In her mind, she could see the veins bulging in his neck as his fury fueled his blood and his body to action. The tell-tale footsteps of the King of Agriemeth rang out across the floor in spite of the rushes laid upon it, and came to a sudden stop. Aeva knew he was inches from her mother, and her mouth went dry in fear. She listened closely, hearing Bebhinn's sigh as she made her reply.

“Aye, husband, you are correct. My shame is known, and I await your judgement.”

'Bomanta bhean!' Aeva screamed in her mind at her mother. 'Always weak, always turning the other cheek to him!'

“Indeed, your shame is known, and I will make sure it is known for all of Gwwlly to know, nay, for all Agriemeth to know! And judgement! To be sure, it will be just and exact!”

“I accept that my life has come to an end, husband. How long have I to live? May I see my children one last time?”
There was a snort of disgust, followed by a low, vile laugh.

“To answer your questions, no, your life will not end. Oh no, that would not be punishment enough, not for the whore that you are. I will be sure you live a long and lonely life, my wife. And as for your children, no, I will not let you see them. I do not want them to be influenced by you any longer.”
Here there was a pause, and then he resumed, the sound of his fingers tapping the hilt of his sword.

“No, I must correct myself. I will not allow you to see 'our' children anymore. But I will let you see your child, oh yes.”
At this last, Aeva felt as though someone had walked over her grave and her hands began to shake. She forced them to be still, and she dared to peek around the tapestry to get a look at her parents.
Earnan an Cloch mahc' Cian was indeed inches from her mother, Bebhinn, who looked unfazed by what was being said to her. The only sign of her emotion was the hands behind her back which were white and trembling as her own had been. Her face was unreadable, her head held high and her eyes fixed straight on her husband, the ruler of Agriemeth. The King glared at her as he grimaced menacingly into her face.

“Tomorrow, at high noon, you will stand upon the eastern tower and watch as your daughter is thrown to the ground below. May the dogs and vultures enjoy their feast!”
He watched her face eagerly and obvious pleasure beamed in his steel blue eyes as he saw her composure break at last. The corners of her mouth turned downward and her green eyes dropped to the floor. Her slight body shook as a great sob erupted from her throat and she collapsed on the floor, her honey-blonde hair falling over her shattered face.

“Guards!” Sieze her now, and find the whelp!”
But his command came too late. As soon as Aeva had heard him mention the eastern tower, she had fled the antechamber and down the passage to the hidden chamber where she had stored a few changes of clothing, food, coin and keepsakes. She had seen this coming when she had removed the wig her mother had arranged to be made for her and saw in the mirror's reflection the image of her eldest brother, Ogan, the night before. For a fraction of a second, she saw his eyes, but she knew the look it said, for it said, Ha! Found you out! Aeva knew it wouldn't be long and he would run to Earnan to tell him what he had seen. So, she had spent the long hours of the night not sleeping, but in readying her anticipated flight with her next eldest brother, Torcan.
At last, Aeva came to the bend in the passage and removed the stones that were loose. Aye, the packs are still here! She hefted one on each shoulder, and then put the stones back in place. She hastened down the dark passageway and into a drop that sloped down to the laundress's room. With a plumph! she plunged into the greasy mountain of tablecloths and nearly blacked out from the stench. 'Pagh!' she cried in her mind. She nearly vomited smelling the cloying aromas of the foodstuffs spilled upon the cloths. Frantically, she dug her way to the open air and looked around the room.
She spotted Ornait, the laundress, walking away from her, and her arms were full of dirty linens as she headed for the trough to wash them in. Aeva immediately sprang from the bog of linens and headed out the door leading to where Ornait hung the clean linens. Then, it was a quick leap over the low wall that divided the hanging area from the gardens. Aeva landed neatly on the ground and dashed behind an ornamental hedge in the shape of two swans.
After a careful check of the area, she saw that no one was there and she ran for the postern at the southern wall. She hardly breathed as she knocked softly thrice, and then gave a low whistle. A low whistle and a replying knock answered hers, and she let out her breath in a relieved gasp. The heavy oak door swung outward and Torcan stood there, a finger to his lips. He was laden with packs as well, and he motioned for her to follow him.
Along the wall they crept, and Torcan peered around the corner. He looked back at her and motioned with his hand again. The pair broke into a run up the hill leading away from the castle and leapt into the ditch on the other side. From the safety of the ditch, they could hear the sound of horses being made ready to ride, followed by the sound of the portcullis grinding upwards. The gate opened and the company rode forth in a thunder of hooves and dust. They both looked at one another as they noted who was leading the group.

“Bastard! “ Torcan spat as he narrowed his eyes at the sight of Ogan leading the riders to the road leading to the city of Olirihan. “ I always knew he was a sell-out. Let's go.”
Aeva followed Torcan the opposite way the horses had went and into the thick trees behind the castle. Soon they were shrouded by the forest and were able to speak freely to each other.

“It'll be rough going at first, I'm afraid. We'll have to make our way through this, “ Torcan waved, indicating the forest, “ and then through the Crualacht to the Keth of Creann Conchobhar. They'll help us, I'm sure.”

“You're sure? Not absolutely certain?! And just why should they help us?”Aeva exclaimed, looking aghast at her brother.

“Aeva, we have no choice, now do we? Besides, it was Ogan that bested his eldest son, not I. Even I'm not that stupid. Look, where else can we go? We can only hide here for so long, and they'll be sure to find us, and then what?” he replied, hefting his packs higher on his back. Aeva sighed, looking at him in near despair as she replied.

“Aye, I suppose you're right. Then let's be off and come what may. By the way, how do you know they won't be coming here anytime soon?”
Torcan looked at his sister with that mischievous expression in his steel-blue eyes she had come to love and trust.

“Ah, you know how daft Ogan is! All I had to tell him was I had seen a map of the road to Allidrake on your bed this morning before the summons came for mother. By the look in his eyes, I knew his mind was going in circles, trying to figure out who you were running to. So, was it bad for her?”
Aeva stopped and looked blankly into the trees as she began walking again.
“It was,” she stated, talking to the ground, not wanting Torcan to see the tears springing from her eyes. “At first, it seemed she was so composed, at least until he told her what he was going to do to me.”

“Oh,” was all Torcan said and he went quiet, guessing from her tone that she did not want to speak any further about it. He sighed inwardly and contemplated the events that had led them to this predicament.
It was their uncle, Iain mahc' Mochta, who had sent Seadhna, the cartographer to the castle over twenty years ago. The man had been hired on a temporary basis to teach Ogan and Torcan their geography, being one of Yizanthia's pilgrims. Red hair, he remembered, and emerald-green eyes that were always twinkling as if he had a secret only he was privy to. 'It's a shame he had to leave when he did.' Aeva's hair hadn't always been red like Seadhna's, though she always had those same impish green eyes. Torcan recalled that for the longest time, his sister's hair had been identical to their mother's. 'Ah, those years were grand, with Aeva following us everywhere we went, and all the times she tormented Ogan! He always hated it when she would beat him in the sword ring, and at the crossbow!'
It was in her thirteenth year that her hair changed, right along with her girlish body assuming the form of a woman. Their mother had entusted him to go secretly with Conchobhar and their uncle, Iain, to the wigmaker and purchase a wig for Aeva, an exact match to the honey-blonde hair of Bebhinn's. And, for the space of four years, no one suspected, at least until Ogan discovered the truth. When he'd seen his older brother rushing from Aeva's chambers, he knew in his gut what had happened, and hurried to tell his sister that he would make preperations, and to meet him the following morning at the postern gate.
'And here we are, traipsing through the Ciaran Forest like we know what we're doing! At least we know this forest as well as we do!' Torcan mused, and he said a silent prayer to Yizanthia, hoping that because of his sister and her heritage, that they would make it safe to Conchobhar's Keth. A quiet feeling filled his heart and mind and he smiled grimly, hoping it was the Goddess telling him that they would make their destination.



The first few hours passed peaceably enough, the only sounds being their footsteps as they went along, crunching the fallen needles of the pine trees on the forest's floor. Every now and then, a bird would call out in the branches above them, making Torcan look up as he tried to locate the sound. Aeva couldn't help but dmirk at his nervous reactions. They made their way around a large rock, and Torcan's head snapped up at a sudden crack off to their left. A squirrel dashed across their path and scurried up a tree, stopping to chatter at them before it disappeared into the pine's branches.

“What's the matter, Torcan? Were you expecting a giant?” Aeva teased, and her brother scowled back at her.

“That's not funny, Aeva,” Torcan muttered, picking up his pace.

“Oh, come on, Torcan! What, do you think that I sent a missive to Granite Thorne overnight, telling them that you would be in the forest and be available to be thrown into their cookpots, eh?”
Torcan responded to her taunt by grumbling under his breath, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye as she caught up to him. Aeva chuckled as she tossed her hair over her shoulder, and she reached inside of the pack slung over her right shoulder. Her fin- gers wrapped around the familiar form of her pennywhistle as she pulled it out of the pack, and she put it to her mouth, piping out a merry tune.

“Aeva! What are you trying to do, let anyone who is within hearing know that we are out here?!”
Aeva stopped piping as she removed the whistle from her mouth.

“And I suppose you think that your yelling won't be heard? Easy, Torcan.Weren't you the one who said no one would be looking for us in here?”
Torcan scowled again as he stopped and turned to face his sister.

“ Aye, I did, but sooner or later, Ogan will realize that what I told him was a ruse. We've been to Conchobhar's too many times, and surely our father and he will both remember that.”
Aeva narrowed her eyes at him, placing her whistle back in her pack as she answered him.

“You've been to Conchobhar's too many times, and Earnan's not my father!”
Torcan's eyes rolled in response, and he waved his hand at her as he started walking again.

“It's not my fault that Fionbharr took a shine to you, Aeva,” he called back over his shoulder, and Aeva rolled her eyes back at him.

“ And I suppose you are suggesting it is mine? I never asked for his attention. Why do you think I stopped going to Laean Laidir?” she retorted, glowering at the memory of Conchobhar's eldest son. Torcan grinned as he waited for her to catch up to him.

“I thought it was because the Creannan wouldn't let you participate in iarnbhal,” he laughed, and Aeva smacked him hard in the shoulder.

“Gah! I can play that game better than you, or Ogan!” she growled, and Torcan chuckled at her response as they resumed walking.



“Be night soon,” Aeva muttered, peering at the dying light stabbing through the trunks of the trees. “Will we keep going?”

“Aye, we have to. Surely you don't think we can stop and build a fire to sleep by?” Torcan replied hastily, and Aeva frowned as she spoke.

“Of course not,” she shot back, stopping to catch her breath. “But maybe we could at least eat something? It's been nearly ten hours since we ate last, hasn't it?”
Torcan stopped as well and nodded in reply. He was getting tired, and he felt a dull ache forming in his temples. He reached up with his right hand and rubbed at it absently, and then swung the pack down from his arm as he reached inside of it.

“Here, there's some jerky and dried fruit. Do you have something to drink?” he asked, handing her some of the food he had brought out.

“Aye,” Aeva answered, taking the proffered food as she sat down on the ground. She pulled the leather wine flask from one of her packs, took a long drink, and then hungrily bit into the dried meat Torcan had given to her. Torcan followed suit, and the two of them ate quietly in the deepening shadows of the trees. When they were through, Torcan rose to his feet and went to the treeline to take a closer look at the lay of the land beyond the forest's edge.

“Aeva, come look and tell me what you see,”he said, motioning with his hand for her to come closer. Aeva got to her feet and stepped over to him, searching the land beyond the treeline. The dry grasses sloped away gently at first, and then rose sharply to meet the first of the sharp, craggy- faced rocks protruding from the ground. The last rays of Halid-ien and Perriden slid over them and were suddenly gone, eclipsing the sky into twilight. Aeva turned to her brother and nodded as she smiled.

“ The Crualacht, at your service, my dear brother, “ she stated, making a sweeping gesture with her hand. Torcan slapped at her hand and grimaced at her.

“ Well, let's hope they're more hospitable than they look. “


It took the two of them less than half of an hour to reach the first outcropping of rocks. The silver face of Merydwen was just beginning to peek over the tops of the trees, casting the forest's shadows in long lines across the jutting granite. Aeva and Torcan looked at each other, and then back at the rocks and began to climb over them, as there was no other way to traverse the Crualacht. An earthquake had shook the land of Agriemeth two ages ago, when their mother was a child, and that is when the sprawling stone forest was born, erupting from the loam like bones beneath the skin of the ground. The Crualacht itself was not even two miles long, but to cross it was another thing entirely.
Aeva focused her mind on placing her hands and feet one after the other, straining her eyes to find hand and footholds on the jagged rocks. She was a few paces ahead of her brother, who was following her lead as he struggled to keep up with her

“Slow down, Aeva!” Torcan gasped. “Are you in a hurry to see Fionbharr, or what?”
Aeva shot him an irritated look over her shoulder as she pulled herself up the face of the rock she was climbing.

“That's not amusing, Torcan! Hey, tell me, if you were the King, what would you do?” she queried as she began to lower herself down the other side of the rock. Torcan answered as he began to climb up behind her.

“Ah, I don't know. Never gave it much thought. Hmm, probably make Ogan clean the stables and the privies, I don't know.”
Aeva laughed as she shook her head at his response.

“Can't you be more creative than that?”
“No, sister, not at the moment. I'm a bit too busy trying to keep from sliding down on top of you,” Torcan stated as he looked down at her. Aeva's eyes widened and she scrambled to get out of his way.

“Oops, sorry! Aren't you going to ask me what I would do?” she asked as she began to crawl up the next rock.

“If you insist, Aeva. Tell me, what would you do?” he queried, and Aeva grinned as she replied.

“Build a fleet of ships!” she quipped, and Torcan groaned as he remembered her behaviour on the Endeavour, the ship they took passage on to the spring and autumn festivals in the capital city of Allidrake.

“How did I know?” he mused aloud as he reached the dip between the two rocks. “Tell me, Aeva, why is it that I am about to pass out from exhaustion, and you look like you could go on for hours? What are you, part elf?”
Aeva's head whipped around and she scowled down at him.

“No! What makes you think something as stupid as that?!” she retorted as she pulled herself up the incline of the rock in front of her.

“Well, as I recall, your ears do seem a little pointed, or hadn't you ever noticed?” Torcan called up to her, and Aeva frowned as she reached up with one hand and felt the top of one of her ears.

“Of course I have, Torcan! Maybe I inherited Seadhna's ears, ever thought of that? Be serious, Torcan! The only elves in Agriemeth are the mountain elves down south,” she growled, and Torcan fell silent for a while as they continued to crawl over the jutting rocks.


What felt like hours seemed to pass by, and suddenly Aeva cried out excitedly to her brother as he caught up to her again.

“Look, Torcan! We've finally made it across!”

“It's about time,” he gasped, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, and he wiped the perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Aye, my sentiments exactly,” Aeva stated as they crawled down to the dried grass at the base of the rocks. The two of them sprawled out upon the grass and stared up at the moon's silver face looking down at them.”May as well get some sleep, Torcan.”

“No, you get some sleep, Aeva. I'll keep watch first. Who knows, maybe you'll have your favourite dream this time,” Torcan mused, and Aeva looked at him sharply.

“You mean about the black wolf? I haven't dreamed about him since I turned thirteen, Torcan. No, I couldn't get so lucky,” she muttered as the lids of her eyes began to close.


Unfortunately, both of them passed out, sleeping well into the next day. It was sometime in the early afternoon when Aeva woke up, and she wondered who had brought her a warm washcloth for her face. Her green eyes opened, widening when she realised what it was and she leapt to her feet. Before her stood a great red dog, his tongue lolling out over his grinning teeth and his bushy tail wagged slowly back and forth. Behind him stood two men, both dressed in fielahmohran, leinan and leathern ghillian. One was dark-skinned, and the other was fair. The first one had black hair, while the other's was blonde, like her mother's. But other than that, the resemblance was uncanny, for both were of equal height and build, and as the fog of sleep slipped from her mind, she narrowed her eyes as she recognized the two sons of Conchobhar mahc' Dundas.

“Aye, Hamish, thanks for waking me up,” she said, patting the dog on his head.
Hamish wagged his tail even faster, until his master spoke.

“Hamish! To me!”
The dog whimpered and slunk back to Fionbharr's side, his tail drooping down between his legs. As he returned to his place by his master, he turned about, seeming to wink at Aeva as he promptly flopped down on the ground as if to say it was all too much and he was just too tired.

“Ah, Fionbharr, he's only saying his hello to her,” said Torcan from behind her. Aeva turned and reached out to help her brother to his feet. They exchanged glances, Aeva nodding in understanding and she waited for Torcan to speak first.
Before he could speak, Fionbharr cleared his throat, and Torcan held his tongue for the moment. Fionbharrtook hold of the rough leathern collar around his dog's neck, looked piercingly at them both and said, “Why are you on my father's land, Torcan? And who is this?”
Torcan looked quizzically at Aeva, and then began to laugh heartily.

“Oh, Fionbharr, do you not recognise her? Ha, but I forget, you've never seen her without her wig, have you?” he roared, slapping his leg. Fionbharr looked insulted at first, and then his face softened as recognition dawned in his dark brown eyes.

“Aeva? Why is your hair red? I admit, it's very becoming to you, but you look like that snotty cartographer that used to live at the castle,” he commented, taking a step closer to her. Aeva quickly backed up, nearly tripping over her own feet. Memories of Fionbharr's attentions and flirtations with her were all too fresh in her mind and she was in no mood to go there now.

“Aye, Fionbharr, it is I and aye, my father is that snotty cartographer, not Earnan! Now that you know, are you happy now?!” she retorted, defending the dim memory of the man she hardly knew. Fionbharr looked bemused at her reaction, and then shook his head in response.

“I am sorry, Aeva, please accept my apolgy. I did not intend any offense. That indeed is better than Earnan being your father, I agree. So,” he said, looking back at Torcan, “is this why you're both out here?”
Torcan nodded, gazing wearily at the ground. He looked back up at Fionbharr as he replied to his question.

“Aye, it was only two days past that Ogan found out that she had been wearing a wig to cover up her hair and he ratted on her and our mother. We had to leave.”

“We?” Comhan asked, breaking his silence. “Why did you have to leave? Surely it is not your fault, Torcan?”

“Nay, Comhan, you're right, but how could I remain? You both know I bear little love for my father. It is Ogan that gets all the glory there and all his love, “ Torcan explained. He ran his hand through his dark-brown hair, and then looked at his sister. “ I want to know that Aeva will be safe from him, you must understand that.”
Fionbharr grinned warmly at that, making Aeva blush and look down at her feet.

“Aye, I do. Look, why don't you both come to An Talla, and take a rest? I'm sure our father will be interested in all this,” he stated, exchanging glances with his brother. Comhan nodded in agreement, and he smiled warmingly at them, his blue eyes sincere.
Aeva frowned at first, folding her arms across her chest. She arched her brows high over her eyes and stared hard at Fionbharr, obviously wanting a concession. Fionbharr's expression quickly sobered, and he looked earnestly at her as he spoke.

“My lady, rest assured, no harm or unwanted attention will be forced upon you, I give you my word, as the eldest of Conchobhar mahc' Dundas.”
Aeva's brows lowered over her eyes as her face softened slightly and she nodded in acquiescence.

“Fine, we will go to your father's hall.”
Fionbharr breathed a sigh of relief, nodded at Comhan and the brothers led the way away from the Crualacht, Aeva and Torcan following them, and a large red dog bounding along as well.


It was nearly evening when they arrived at Conchobhar's rath, and the four of them stopped at the sound of voices arguing on the other side of the stone wall. Fionbharr put his finger to his lips, and he crept up to the wall surrounding the rath.

“And I'm telling ye, I have not seen either of them!” a familiar voice shouted angrily, and Aeva knew from the sound of the man's voice, that it was Conchobhar.

“Oh really? And why is it that your two sons are nowhere to be seen as well, hmm? Could it be that they are hiding the two of them? Tell me now, Conchobhar, or I will have you dragged in chains to Gwwlly!”
Aeva frowned as she recognized the sound of the guard's voice. She did not know him by name, but she remembered that he was one of the Kanoden in Earnan's army.

“Now what are going to do?” Torcan whispered into her ear, and Aeva grinned as she looked at him. She reached down, and picked up a large rock from the ground. Reaching back, she tossed the rock high into the air, sending it crashing into the trees, Suddenly there was the sound of feet running, and the gate flew open as the two guards ran out.

“Hey there, looking for me?!” Aeva called out, and the two men skidded to a halt as they turned around.

“There they are!” one of the guards bellowed, and the two of them began to run towards them. Hamish began to growl menacingly, his ears going back as he put himself between the guards and them.

“Get them, Hamish!” Aeva urged, and the dog bolted forward, sinking his teeth into the leathern armour wrapped around the right leg of the nearest guard. The man howled, reaching for the hilt of his sword as Hamish dragged him around in a circle

“Get him off of me!” the guard hollored, and he finally pulled his sword free. Before he could take a swing at the dog, a well-aimed rock struck him right above his left eye, clanging on his helm and the guard slumped down to the ground. The other guard looked up in surprise as Hamish let go of the uncincious man, and the man began to back away as the dog began to move towards him.

“Stop right where ye are,” Conchobhar warned as he stepped through the open gate. The Creann's eyes narrowed as he flung another rock at the second guard, and this time the missile hit the man in the eye, making him grab at his helm as he blinked hard from the sting of the rock. Hamish took adavantage of the situation, leaping forward and knocking the guard flat on his back.

“Ah, n-no, d-don't let him hurt m-me, please!!” the guard pleaded, and Conchobhar grinned down at him as he laid his hand on the dog's head.

“Oh no? Ok, Hamish, go lay down, now!”
Hamish cocked his head to the right as he whimpered at Conchobhar. The dog obediently walked away and curled up on the ground next to Fionbharr.

“Oh, thank you!” the guard cried, and Conchobhar's brows arched over his eyes as he grabbed the man's helm and slammed his head into the ground.

“I don't need yer thanks,” the Creann stated as he pulled the man's sword out of it's scabbard. Conchobhar threw his weight on the sword, shoving the blade deep into the man's chest. He turned around and repeated the same to the other guard. When he was done, he nodded with a grim smile, his eyes looking up as walked over to where the four of them waited by the wall. “Well, well, well. What have we here, hmm? Torcan and Aeva, come to visit me, eh? Comhan, Fionbharr, drag their bodies inside before any others show up and see them. Quickly now!”
His two sons hurried over to the dead guards and began to drag the bodies in through the open gate of the rath. Conchobhar began to follow them, and then looked back at Aeva and Torcan.

“Well, it's best that the two of ye come in, unless ye want to be found that badly?” he mused, and both of them shook their heads in reply. “That's what I thought. Hamish, come along now.”
The dog jumped to his feet and ran past Conchobhar in his haste. Conchobhar waited for the two of them, and then followed them through the gate.

“Ye two are a bit far from home,” the Creann observed as he closed the gate behind him. Torcan nodded as he looked back over his shoulder at Conchobhar.

“Aye, we are, Creann Conchobhar. We can explain,” he began, and Conchobhar waved his hand at him to cut him off.

“Explain to me after ye've eaten a hot meal, lad. I already have an idea, thanks to those two bomanan,” Conchobhar stated as he pushed open the door of his hall. He held it open, and the two of them stepped past him as they went inside. Aeva nearly ran into Torcan as he came to a stop, and she kicked him in the back of his shin.

“Torcan, watch where you're going!” she complained, and Torcan scowled as he looked back at his sister. Conchobhar heaved a sigh, shaking his head as he shut the door.

“Easy, ye two! Feme, fetch Nuala and tell her that we have some unexpected guests.”
The servant he had addressed looked up from the firepit to which she had been tending.

“Aye, Creann Conchobhar,” Feme replied, and she returned the bellows to the wall behind her. The servant hurried away and disappeared through the yawning arch leading to the rooms beyond the main room of the hall.
Aeva followed Torcan to the firepit, glad that the girl had got the fire going. The fire in the great pit roared, and the flames licked hungrily at the fresh fuel that had been fed to it. Sparks danced and popped around them, and the two of them held their hands out from beneath the folds of their cloaks to warm them.

“The two of ye are hungry, are ye not?' Conchobhar askedm and both of them nodded in unison.

“ Aye, we are, Creann Conchobhar,” Torcan responded, and the older man nodded as he made his way over to the large table set between the firepit and the arch- way.

“Well, come have a seat when ye're warmed up. Ah, there ye are,” Conchobhar said as he greeted his brown-haired wife. Nuala smiled down at him and gave him a quick kiss, and her blue eyes widened as she saw who the ' unexpected guests ' were.

“Aeva and Torcan? Uh oh, it's an ill wind that's blown the two of ye here, that I can tell already. Where are the boys?”
The door to the hall suddenly opened, and Fionbharr and Comhan stepped inside, as if in answer to her inquiry.

“Hello, mum,” Comhan called out to her cheerfully, and he paused to wipe his hands on the pleats of his fielahmohr as Fionbharr closed the door behind them. Nuala arched her brows over her eyes as she watched the two of them make their way towards her.

“And just what have the two of ye been up to? Are ye the ones that brought them here?” she asked, and Fionbharr nodded as he gave her a gentle hug.

“Aye, that we did, mum.”
Nuala nodded slowly, and then accepted the next hug from Comhan. As he stepped back from her, her eyes scrutinized the two of them and she smiled slightly. Nuala glanced back to the archway, and spoke to Feme, who was waiting there.

“Feme, check and see if our supper is ready. Tell the cook that there will be two more mouths to feed this evening.”

“Aye, Ceile Nuala,” Feme replied, and she disappeared once again.

“So, are the two of ye going to stand there all night?” Conchobhar called out, and Aeva and Torcan made their way over to the table, taking their seats next to one another across from him. As they sat down on the bench, Nuala sat down next to her husband, joined by Fionbharr and Comhan.
Aeva looked around her, seeing that the hall looked about the same as the last time that she'd been there, which was when she'd been eight years old. Torcan and she had run away, trying to escape being punished by Earnan, which at the time had been a daily occurrence for them. Aeva sighed, not wanting to think about the past. Her eyes scanned the length of the hall, and she tried to gauge the size of it.
Judging by the size of the Great Hall back home, I'd say this hall is nearly sixty-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide, nearly as large as a ship! Aeva decided in her mind as she continued to survey the hall. The windows were covered by great hides of fur stretched along the walls to keep out the cold, interspersed with brightly woven breacan- an hung as tapestries. Thankfully there were two sets of large iron candelabras set in all four corners of the hall, helping to illuminate the place.

“Creann Conchobhar? Your supper is ready.”
Conchobhar looked up, his blue eyes swiveling to look around at Feme. The girl held a large wooden platter, and she was followed into the hall by three other servants. Feme set the platter down in the middle of the table, while the one of the other servants laid out the bowls, plates and utensils. Another set down the tankards and filled them with ale, and then the last servant set down the large pot of steaming stew. Aeva's mouth watered at the smell emenating from the pot, and she watched eagerly as the young boy scooped the stew into their bowls. He handed the first serving to Conchobhar, and the Creann nodded in thanks to the servant.

“Good, thank ye, Moidin,” he said, and the boy gave him a quick smile as he finished his job. The servants backed away from the table, and left them to their meal. Conchobhar picked up his tankard first, and took a long drink of the ale. He peered over the rim of the vessel, and his eyes met Aeva's as he set it down on the table. “Eat up, lass.”
Aeva nodded as he gave her a wink, and she couldn't help grinning in response. She had always liked Conchobhar, despite how his eldest son behaved around her. 'Well, at least he's behaving now!'Aeva told herself as she began to eat her stew. She helped herself to the bread and butter, and the hall was filled with the sounds of eating and drinking for a time. When they were through with their meal, the servants returned and cleared the table, leaving their tankards and two fresh ewers of ale behind.
Conchobhar brought out a long wooden pipe from the folds of his fielahmohr, and from his sleeve, a small leathern drawstring pouch. He pulled the string loose and pulled forth a pinch of luchair. Into the bowl of the pipe he placed it, and then lit it with one of the candles from the candelabra in the corner behind him. The Creann placed the candle back in it's holder and he began to puff away, blowing smoke rings across their heads. He looked across the table at Aeva and Torcan, a frown curling down the corners of his mouth.

“So, what did ye do this time, eh?” Conchobhar mused, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of them as he puffed again on his pipe. Aeva opened her mouth to speak, but Torcan laid his hand on her arm to prevent her from doing so.

“Creann Conchobhar, first of all, I would like to thank you for your hospitality,” he began, stopping as Conchobhar glowered at him.

“Thank me later, Torcan! I want to know why those guards were looking for ye here in the first place! Tell me now, before I lose my patience!” he thundered, pounding the tabel with his other fist. Both of his sons jumped, and Aeva nearly giggled in response. She bit her lip to keep herself from doing so, and cast her eyes down at the foamy ale in her tankard. Torcan heaved a sigh and began to speak again.

“We come, Creann Conchobhar, seeking refuge from my father. Ogan discovered the fact that Aeva has been wearing a wig for the last four years, and he told Earnan right away.”
Conchobhar held up his hand, preventing Torcan from going any further. He nodded slowly, casting a sad look at Aeva.

“I knew this day would come. I told Bebhinn so when she told Iain and myself of her preganancy. I'll never forget the trip that the three of us made down to Cilinidd, Torcan, to purchase that wig. Has he hurt yer mother?”
Aeva spoke up quickly, answering him before Torcan could reply.

“Nay, Creann Conchobhar, at least as far as we know. However, he was going to have me thrown from the top of the northeastern tower at noon this very day.”
Fionbharr visibly blanched at this and he frowned down at the table. Aeva caught the look, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes in response. She took a deep breath as she continued to speak.

“Ogan must have followed me to my chambers the other night. He must be improving in his skills at walking quietly, as I never heard him. I've never understood why he has hated me so, Torcan.”

“ Because after a while, mother couldn't stand to be around him, Aeva. It started when you began beating him at the sword and crossbow, remember? He seemed to go cold, distancing himself from us. After some time, she just stopped reaching out to him, as did I. He seemed all too content with father's attentions anyway. The both of them are so much alike, cold-hearted and cruel,” Torcan replied, frowning as he remembered the past. Conchobhar nodded at this, and his moustache drooped as he frowned.
“I rue the day that I asked Iain to marry off Bebhinn to Earnan. But at the time, it seemed the best thing to do, and as I recall, yer mother seemed to fancy the idea of being his Queen. Funny, to think that she might have actually loved the man at one time. Damn-aigh, I'm sorry, lass,” Conchobhar whispered, reaching forward and patting her hand. Aeva shook her head in response and suddenly got to her feet.

“There is naught to be sorry for, Creann Conchobhar. My uncle and you did as you thought best, and I do not hold it against either of you. Wouldn't do any good now, would it? All I ask is that we be allowed to stay here until we figure out where to go from here.”

“ Because mother couldn't stand him, Aeva, ” her brother replied. ” It started when you began beating him at the sword and crossbow, remember? It seemed he was always cold, no matter what we said or did, so soon mother and I just left him alone. He seemed all too content with father's attentions anyway, like father, like son, both of them cold-hearted and cruel. “
Conchobhar nodded at this. His moustache drooped as he frowned, and he scratched the heavy beard on his chin.

“ Aeva, I regret that yer mother married Earnan. But there was naught else to do, after their father, Deanach, died. And, at the time, I needed peace with Earnan. Damnaigh, I'm sorry, girl, “ he whispered, reaching forward and patting Aeva's hand.
Aeva shook her head in response and she got to her feet.

“ There is naught to be sorry for, Creann Conchobhar. You did as you thought best and I do not hold it against you. I only ask that we be allowed to stay until we figure out where to go from here. “
Conchobhar looked up at her and smiled, his eyes twinkling at her determination.

“Aye, and stay here ye will. I would not have it otherwise. Nuala, have Feme ready them a place to sleep.”
His wife nodded and beckoned to the returning girl. Nuala got up from the table, and both women led Torcan and Aeva away to the rooms at the other end of the hall. As soon as they were gone, Conchobhar turned to his sons. They looked at him and Fionbharr was the first to speak.

“ We must rescue Bebhinn from that monster, da, “ he whispered to his father, and Comhan nodded in agreement.

“ Aye, Aeviar help us “ Conchobharr replied, a weary look crossing his face as he spoke.



Aeva slept deeper that night than she had since before she'd left the castle. But the dream that had pervaded her sleep for the last two months came again, causing her to toss and turn, and she whimpered in her sleep. She must have disturbed Nuala, for when her eyes opened, she saw the woman standing over her, a candle held in her hand.

“ Aye, girl, it is all right now. It's only a bad dream, is all, “ she said, holding out her hand. Aeva took hold of her hand and got to her feet. Torcan was still asleep on the other side of the room, snoring softly. Aeva yawned hugely, stretching her arms and back as she toddled over to the chamber pot.
“ Is it morning yet? “ she asked Nuala, and the Creann's wife nodded as Aeva finished her morning business.

“ Aye, it is, but Merydwen is still in the sky. Do you want to talk about it, about the dream? “

“ Aye, I do, “ she admitted to Nuala as she rubbed absently at the creases in her tunic and breeches. Aeva followed her back out to the table where they had eaten the evening before. Nuala softly called for Feme, and the girl came without complaining. She saw that they were awake and she went to fetch water to make the tea. Soon the girl returned with hot tea to drink and both women were warming their hands and bellies with the sweet brew.

“ Is this the first time you've had that dream? “ Nuala asked, putting her cup down on the table. Aeva shook her head, and then took another sip of her tea before putting her cup down as well.

“ Nay, I've been having it fairly often over the past few months, and it's most always the same. I'm on a ship, a large one with many sails and there's a shackle around my ankle. I'm chained to the mainmast, along with my mother. I ask where the other prisoners are and one of the crew slaps me and tells me to keep quiet or I can swim the rest of the way. Then suddenly, a storm erupts out of nowhere and waves higher than mountains come crashing over the deck, tossing everyone about like leaves, all but my mother and myself. Suddenyl a great flash of lightning cracks the sky and I can see the sails of another ship and by it's flag I realize that it's a pyrate ship. Before I can decide if this is good or bad, the pyrate ship rams the one we're on, and that's when I always awake. Ah, it's dreadful, I know, but I can't seem to stop from dreaming it. It seems I have even more trouble ahead of me, “ she stated, peering into her half-empty cup. Nuala sighed gently and placed a comforting hand on Aeva's shoulder.

“ I believe dreams are not always what they seem, nor do they always play out the way we dream them, Aeva. Don't fear the unknown, for ye may just find that there is more to your dream than meets the eye.”
“ Aye, I can just imagine, “ she told Nuala, listening to the familiar snore of Torcan drifting out into the hall. “Whatever happens, I will meet it head on.”