Page 49 of Luthias

“A real druid, huh?” Emery went over to the window to peer out, but all she saw was Cook’s broad figure by a tall, slender one in a dun-colored robe that vaguely resembled those worn by the sages. “Why is she making a fuss over him?”

“Cook’s blood-kin, they came from a Pritani clan. She doesnae follow the old ways, but she’s ever respectful of the magic folk.” The maid glanced at her. “They never truly end, you ken. ’Tis said they’re born anew after they die, and live over and again.”

Emery eyed the door leading outside. She’d promised Luthias she wouldn’t leave the castle again by herself, but the herb gardens were between the two curtain walls. Technically speaking they were located inside the stronghold, or that was what she would tell him if he caught her.

Quietly she walked out, checking both ways before she crossed the grounds to the first of the herb beds. She was glad the sage plants had grown so tall, for they provided excellent cover as she crouched down and listened.

“’Tis enough for my needs, Mistress,” a low, soft male voice said. “My thanks for providing the ritual herbs. I hadnae thought to bring much with me from home.”

“Come back tonight, and I shall pack you some food for your journey back, Master Lusk,” Cook said. “You shouldnae eat the swill they serve at the village inns. I vow, ’twill poison you.”

“You’re kind and generous. Surely the Gods shall smile on you.” The druid stopped a few feet from where Emery crouched and cleared his throat. “The laird tells me you’ve a lady from the future visiting the clan. May I greet her before I leave?”

The druid knows about me? Emery thought, panicking a little.

“If you but toss a stone there,” Cook said in a dry tone, “You may hit the silly wench in the head.”

Emery cringed a little before she quickly stood and smiled at both of them.

“Fair morning, Mistress. I was just picking some sage because the maids are so busy. You know how much I love to sprinkle extra herbs in my pottage.” She regarded the druid. “Hello. I’m Emery Parker, silly wench from the future. What’s your name?”

He smiled a little, his dreamy eyes full of amusement. “Cailean Lusk, my lady. ’Tis a great honor to meet you.” He bowed.

Emery returned that with a curtsey that only looked a little ridiculous because she was wearing trews. “I never thought I’d meet a real-life druid. What brings you to Dun Lasair, Mr. Lusk?”

“Naught for you to ken, lass,” Cook scolded. “And ’tis Master, no’ Maister.”

“Call me Cailean, please,” the druid said. “I’m traveling with Laird and Lady Gordon, who happened to be visiting their kin nearby.”

“Master Lusk, save me.” A little girl in a beautiful gown came rushing into the garden, and flung herself into the druid’s arms. Cailean picked her up. “What do you here, my lady?”

“Brother says I should be put in the dungeons when we go home,” she said, pointing at a tall, slim teenage boy walking quickly toward them. “Bespell him to forget I hid in your carriage so he cannae tell Papa.”

“No one shall lock you away, Lady Bethanne,” Cailean said, and frowned at the boy. “You shouldnae scare your sister, Lord Danyel.”

“Then Annie shouldnae terrify our màthair with her antics,” Danyel told him, sounding annoyed. “You ken how she feels when the wee brat yet again vanishes.”

“I’m no’ a brat,” the little girl insisted. “I’m ‘venturous, like Lady Kinley.”

“If you’ll excuse me, my ladies, I must escort my charges back to their parents.” The druid set down the child, bowed, and then took her hand and with the boy walked toward the gates.

“Rats. I wanted to talk to him about druids and what they do in this time.” Emery glanced at Cook. “Those kids look just like Cailean. Are they family?”

“Aye, of a kind.” The older woman chuckled and shook her head. “You’d think Master Lusk but a lad like Lord Danyel, eh? Yet he’s older than you, lass.”

“I’m not that old,” Emery protested as Cook walked back to the door to the kitchens. “Hey, you know in my time I’m practically still a kid.”

As she went to follow her Tom came rushing toward her from the outer gate.

“My lady.” He looked pale and sick, and he was shaking so much his whole body trembled. “My Da, he’s found a wondrous thing in the woods. He bid me fetch you so you may come and look.”

“Okay, sure.” Emery glanced at the stronghold. “I’ll just go and grab Ameron and Kyal.”

“No, my lady.” Tom almost screeched the words before he gulped some air. “Only you may come. He––my Da bade me tell you come alone.”

Emery saw the tears in the boy’s eyes, and knew he was lying. She also guessed if she called the guards that whoever had put Tom up to this would kill his father. This was why Luthias didn’t want her leaving the stronghold alone; she would be walking straight into a trap.

Now it begins, something very old and sad whispered in her head. Save the clan.