Day 1 of Midwinter, Midday

Heart-shaped Pool, Midlands

Annwn

“My friends,” Tadg said as he entered the tent. Outside, I could see a handful of Ellyllon soldiers flanked by larger men in armor. “I am pleased to report that you have been cleared to stay with us here in Mag Mell for as long as you would like.”

“Is that an invitation or a summons?” Fí took a step closer to Tadg.

“You are very gracious,” Morias interjected. “What Fíadan is trying to say is that we must make our way south. We have an appointment in Flamebright that we must keep.”

“What my most illustrious sage doesn’t know from his time away is that these lands have become much more dangerous to traverse in recent years.” Tadg sat near Morias, keeping his hands plainly visible. “The Midlands are overrun by Fae with…questionable allegiances.”

“Indeed.” Morias motioned to Fíadan and I. “But as you can see, I have come with my own escort.”

“Yes,” Tadg slapped his knees. “I am most interested to hear the story of how the human, Bren Callahan, rescued you from the Cailleach Bhéara.”

I could see Fí flinch at the sound of Tadg’s hand striking his knee. Studying her more closely, I saw her breathing had quickened. I started to stand up to go sit near her, but her eyes flicked my direction with an unspoken command to stay.

“It is quite the tale,” Morias said.

“What I’m most interested in hearing is how the three of you came to encounter the Old Woman of Winter in the first place.”

“Hag,” Fí corrected.

“As you say.” Tadg nodded to her. “I wonder what the Hag of Winter wanted with the three of you.”

Morias sighed slightly and gave a faint smile. “I remember when your father first brought you to Annwn. Do you remember the day we first met?”

Tadg’s demeanor softened a bit at that. “I do. You were very kind to me.”

“Aye,” Morias’s voice was soft. He placed his hand on top of Tadg’s hand. “Your father brought all his boys to me for a tour of the capital on their first day.”

“That was the day I got lost in the marketplace.” Tadg laughed as he recalled the story. “I found you two hours later sitting on the fountain of Uncle Lir.”

“Oh, you didn’t get lost, my boy,” Morias said. “I simply gave you a chance to explore the marketplace on your own.”

“You didn’t!” Tadg’s face broke into a genuine grin.

“I did indeed. And…truth be told, it wasn’t every day I could enjoy purveyors’ sweet treats and the ales of the marketplace.”

Tadg and Morias continued reminiscing about old memories for the next few minutes. Fí and I just sat there listening, not sure of our roles in this conversation. It was Morias’ tone that brought me back into the conversation.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“Your older brothers are different than you, Tadg. Caicher was always so self assured. He never doubted his first instinct, even when it was wrong. Ethadon, on the other hand, always took the world exactly as your father defined it.”

Tadg gave a slight nod. “We are different people, indeed.”

“You have always needed the space to figure things out on your own,” Morias continued.

“I see your meaning, sage.” Tadg pulled away from Morias and stood. “But I have changed. Father thinks you are keeping secrets. He wants me to keep you here until the truth is discovered.”

“And what if I don’t let you keep us here?” Fí said, unable to stay silent any longer.

“My respect to you for your past victories, fair Ellyllon, but you are outmatched and outnumbered.” Tadg looked uncomfortable. He was clearly unhappy about having to threaten us.

“I like my odds.” Fí looked down meaningfully at Stick.

Tadg looked to Morias, who still sat with a calm look on his face. “I will give you two options, for an old friend. Either we do as my father wishes, or you must allow me to accompany you on your trek to Gorias.”

Fí looked mortally offended. “You ain’t the boss of me, kid. How about I give YOU two options?”

Morias shot her an exasperated look. “Fíadan, please.”

Fí glared at Tadg. “Either you take that pretty face of yours out of this tent and pretend you never saw us, or…” She paused for effect.

“Or?” Tadg straightened up to his full height, towering over the fairy.

“Stop!” I lurched to my feet to stand between Tadg and Fíadan. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt because of me.” I dug in my still-damp pockets. “They’ve both said that you are a good man, so I’m going to trust their judgement.” I produced one half of the Stone of Destiny and held it out to Tadg.

“Is this…” he said in wonder, reaching for the stone.

“The Stone of Destiny,” I replied. “I don’t know why it came to me, but I think THIS is why that hag was after us.”

“What are you doing?” Fi hissed.

“Trust me,” I said as Tadg took the stone from my hand.

Tadg turned the stone over in his hands. “It is not at all like I pictured.”

“Be careful,” I cautioned. “It has a tendency to change shape at odd times.”

Morias pointed at the stone in Tadg’s hands. “This is where I have been all of those hundreds of years. Keeping the Stone safe.”

Tadg looked up, startled. “From who? Father has been looking for this Treasure longer than you have been missing!”

“I know.” Morias held Tadg’s eyes with his own.

“Father will see this as a betrayal,” Tadg warned. “He isn’t a bad man.”

Morias inclined his hand in agreement. “I agree with you. And yet, do your instincts not tell you that something is afoot?”

Tadg suddenly looked troubled. “Is that the reason you left?”

“My counterparts in the other cities were killed, Tadg. How much longer would I have lived, had I stayed?”

Tadg nodded. “And now you are back?”

“I was sent for.” Morias motioned to Fíadan.

There was a crash from outside of the tent. Tadg’s eyes flicked to the tent opening. “What was that?” he yelled to the guards outside.

“Not sure, sir,” came a voice.

“Find out and report back.” Tadg turned his attention back to us. “Is the Dagda a part of this conspiracy? I assume that is why you are traveling to Gorias?”

“There is no conspiracy, my boy.” Morias kept his voice level and shook his head sadly. “The Dagda has always kept his own council. You know this.”

There came another crash from outside of the tent. But this time it was followed by a scream and yelling. The body of a man with a caved-in chest plate tumbled into the tent He groaned and coughed a spatter of blood before going still.

“We are under attack!” came a shout from outside the tent.

Tadg came close to Morias and placed a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Stay here, please… Stay safe.” He turned and ran from the tent.

“Well… that’s our cue!” I announced. “Let’s get out of here.”

“We can’t leave now, you idiot.” Fí looked at me like I was an idiot. “You gave the farthing relic to Captain Conflicted out there.”

“I’ve got a plan.”

“Does your plan involve giving anything else away?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Enough, Fíadan,” Morias interjected. “Bren is right. We need to get out of here.”

Fíadan’s face showed her conflicted emotions. “My task was to get you both to Gorias. I’ll come back for the Stone.” She stood, pulling her blades, her face grim. “Stay behind me. The girls and I are gonna make it rain red.”