Back then he had prayed, given offerings, done everything he could think of to get someone, anyone, to intercede and save his wife. They had not. So why should he accept their help now? He knew all too well that those with power always wanted something in return for their aid. What did this spellweaver expect from him?
A sudden shout rang out from the dunes above. “My laird! Was that really who I think it was?”
The voice was laced with excitement and as Cailean turned, he saw Maggie hurrying towards them. She was sprightly for her age and held up her skirts on one side like a girl as she skidded down the dunes and puffed right up to them.
“I felt it!” she said, her eyes alight with excitement as they fixed first on Rose and then on him. “A surge of… something. Then when I looked out of the window, I saw Her standing on the beach. Was it really Her? Was it Lir? Has she come to save us?”
Cailean scowled. “No. But she brought us a visitor.”
“Hi,” Rose said, holding out her hand. “I’m Rose MacFinnan. A pleasure to meet you.”
Maggie’s eyes widened as she took Rose’s hand in both of hers. “MacFinnan? Did ye say MacFinnan? As in MacFinnan spellweaver?”
“That’s the one.”
“And Lir brought ye here?”
“She did.” Rose smiled wryly. “And then promptly disappeared on me. Cailean here saved me. I would have drowned without him coming to rescue me. Not exactly how I planned my arrival.”
Maggie’s mouth formed a surprised littleO. “Lir be praised!” shecried. “And ye too, my laird! Ye have brought a MacFinnan spellweaver to save us!”
“I have done no such thing,” Cailean snapped. “And she isnae staying. She’s going right back where she—”
Ignoring him completely, Maggie linked her arm through Rose’s and led her along the dunes and onto the path to the keep, keeping up a steady stream of dialog as she went.
Cailean glared after them. Why did he feel like those sands were shifting beneath his feet again? With an annoyed grunt, he strode after the two women, catching them up in a few strides.
“Wait,” he snapped. “I didnae give permission—”
“Maggie!” somebody shouted. “Is it true? Was it her?”
A crowd had gathered at the base of the hill, clearly alerted by Maggie on her way down to the beach, and now they swarmed around the three of them, all eager to get a glimpse of Rose.
“Aye!” Maggie replied. “It was Lir! She and the laird have brought a MacFinnan spellweaver to save us!”
“Bless ye, laird!” someone shouted.
“We never doubted ye!” shouted another.
Cailean ground his teeth. He wanted to tell them all that this was nothing to do with him, that they should not be putting their faith in something so nebulous. But they wouldn’t listen. And could he blame them? Suddenly, they had hope. Suddenly, they had something to believe in.
It was more than he’d been able to give them over these last few months.
He glanced at Rose. She’d gone very pale, her eyes wide, as she took in the crowd. She didn’t look like some all-powerful spellweaver sent by a goddess. She looked like a woman out of her time, frightened and bewildered by all the attention.
An unexpected wave of protectiveness welled up inside him. He stepped closer to her side and bellowed, “Out of the way! Back, all of ye!”
They obeyed his command, making room on the path so that he, Rose, and Maggie could walk unhindered.
“Thanks,” Rose muttered from the side of her mouth. “That was a bit… intense.”
“Aye,” Cailean replied. “My apologies. They are excited, that’s all. MacFinnan spellweavers are something of a legend in these parts.”
Rose raised an eyebrow. “No pressure then. I don’t even know what’s going on here, let alone whether I’ll be able to help.”
“Oh, ye will, my dear,” Maggie said from Rose’s other side. “Lir wouldnae have brought ye here otherwise.”
She spoke with total confidence, her faith in Lir unshakable. Cailean envied Maggie’s faith. It had been a long time since he’d believed in anything.
