“On mine.”
Cold washed the druid’s flesh.
The voice belonged to neither guards nor driver, but instead to one he knew far too well.
“I’m sorry for the trouble, but I’m afraid one is keen to make off with something precious.” Hirí’s seductive drawl was a blade at his neck.
“Butmy cart is barren,” said the driver. “They’ve emptied it into the stores.”
“Rest assured,” said the priestess, “no one shall blame you.”
Heavy footsteps joined the fray and a pained cry made his skin prickle. The druid peered through the wooden slats, seeing a third guard approaching.
“It was just as you said, Speaker. The druid’s chambers were empty.”
A desperate wail filled his ears, and he pinched his palm till he bled. He could just make out the quivering form of his chambermaid in the guard’s tight grasp.
“Where is he?” shouted the guard, dragging Halla before the priestess. “You helped him to escape!”
Halla squeaked. The man raised his hand, ready to strike the old woman. Yanking the sheet from over his head, the druid shot up between the crates.
“Release her,” he said. “It is I you want, not she.”
Halla’s watery eyes blinked up at him, but the druid could not bear to see. He looked at the moon priestess. The abandoned posts. The unmanned yard. “This was your snare,” he said, meeting her chilling gaze. “How could you have known?”
Hirí laughed, pale eyes flashing. “Oh my dear, you still don’t understand?”
Yes, how foolish he was to believe he could flee.Theywould always find him.
“Traitorous hag.” The guard spat. “The Vaich will have you flogged!” He held the maid’s wrist and twisted. Halla cried out, and the druid rushed down to place himself between them.
“I coerced her; thus, she is innocent. There is no need to cause her harm.”
“Íridh—” she moaned.
“Hush,” he told her, more plea than command, but on his tongue he tasted shame. “Whatever punishment would be hers, I beg you, give it to me.”
The chambermaid wept. The guard looked unconvinced, but the priestess intervened. “Enough. Let the servant be.”
“But—” the guard began. Hirí silenced him with a look.
“TheVaich needn’t know of this troublesome business. He is occupied entertaining his guests.” She glanced sideways at the druid. “As should we. Isn’t that right?”
The druid felt himself more trapped than he had moments before, stowed away on a vegetable cart. He understood her design.
It was doomed before its start.
“Yes,” he answered quietly.
“Good,” said Hirí. “Do as you are told.”
“Aye, Speaker,” the guard grumbled, releasing the chambermaid’s hand.
The old woman rushed into the druid’s arms. “Forgive me!”
He had never been embraced and knew not what to do, but patted her awkwardly on the back.
“There is nothing to forgive.” Once more, he looked to the priestess. “Swear to me she will be well, and I will come as you wish.”
