{"id":1187,"date":"2012-04-18T00:00:52","date_gmt":"2012-04-18T04:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1187"},"modified":"2012-04-16T11:01:03","modified_gmt":"2012-04-16T15:01:03","slug":"autumn-chapter-8-01","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1187","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 8 – 01"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A shadow was coming toward them, silhouetted against torchlight in the corridor.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife glanced up, toward the open door.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWere we expecting someone else?\u201d she murmured to her three companions.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Teague looked past her into the hall and frowned, starting to rise.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are you doing here, Seamus?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI wasn\u2019t aware this was a private party,\u201d the older man said, easing the door shut behind him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Teague sank back down as Seamus pulled up another seat around the brazier, wedging himself between Neve and Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhere\u2019s the mead?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan wordlessly passed him a skin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Teague hunched in on himself, brooding and half-glowering at his brother, jaw set and tight.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve\u2019s gaze bounced between her brothers for a moment.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Finally, she just sighed.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s gone wrong now, Seamus?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m always the bearer of bad news these days, aren\u2019t I, little sister?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes,\u201d she said, her tone precise.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She drew herself straight to emphasize every ounce of regal bearing she\u2019d inherited from her late and sainted mother.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo out with it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus took a long swallow of mead and stared into the coals.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze met Teague\u2019s for a moment, then he looked away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A jolt went through Aoife.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>Is he afraid?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ashamed?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It wasn\u2019t like Seamus to not be able to hold someone\u2019s eye, peacemaker or not.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He was the steadfast one.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus had to take another deep draught from the skin before he was able to speak.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI am to be married,\u201d he said at last. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cInto one of the Southron broods, in order to solidify the alliance between our bloodlines.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A ripple of shock washed through the little gathering.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife swallowed a few times to try to hide her surprise.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>Uncle would send him south into one of those clans?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>But for what?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What does that gain us?<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA little piece of mind, cousin,\u201d Seamus said softly, as if he\u2019d read her thoughts.\u00a0 <\/span>He might have\u2014sometimes he could.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It was a gift of their Otherworld blood, like Teague\u2019s visions.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe have enemies to our north, to our east.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>An alliance with one of the smaller Southron groups would benefit us both.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho is it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Teague asked, voice rough and dull at the same time.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He gestured for the skin of mead.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus gave it to Phelan, who handed it around to his cousin.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>Poor Teague.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her cousin had been in poor spirits since he\u2019d sent his lover away to safety with the Imbolg.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She would have almost given anything to see him smile again.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Teague uncorked the skin and took a deep swallow.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell?\u201d he prompted.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho\u2019s the unlucky bride to your unlucky bridegroom?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe one Father meant for you,\u201d Seamus said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBefore you bound yourself to that woman.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Teague stiffened.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve bit her lip and Phelan leaned back for a moment, then cleared his throat.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPerhaps now really isn\u2019t the best time to\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI sent her away,\u201d Teague said quietly, pain mixing with anger in his voice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat more does he want from me, Seamus?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I bloody well sent her away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He should be <\/span><\/em>happy<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Now he\u2019s forcing you into a marriage that may not be what\u2019s best for our people.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd yours was, I suppose?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus didn\u2019t sound angry, simply weary.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBrother, it had to be one of us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They know of your connection to her and they would not hear of allowing father to sever that bond.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>So it has to be me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019re safe, at least for now\u2014from Father\u2019s matchmaking, anyhow.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey knew?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan asked, blinking in surprise.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey knew about Teague and her?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cApparently, we would be surprised at what they did and did not know,\u201d Seamus said dryly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He looked sidelong at his sister.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStep lightly.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI always do,\u201d Neve said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOne of us has to stay in Father\u2019s graces.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Did you upset him?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I was appropriately enthusiastic about the match\u2014I thought so, anyway.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps he thinks differently.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He reached over the brazier and took the skin of mead from Teague.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI suggest we all stay well out of his sight for a few days, though.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Just in case I\u2019m wrong and he has an axe to grind with one or all of us.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy would he?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Teague asked bitterly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m the only one he ever has reason to be angry with.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus stared at him and sighed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBrother, he\u2019s upset and worried.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can you blame him for his anger?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His grandchild is going to be born out there in the world and will likely die before his first year is out\u2014if he\u2019s born at all.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Teague half-rose from his seat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I sent her away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She should be safe with the Imbolg.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re not known to be our allies.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot anymore,\u201d Seamus agreed, \u201cbut do you really think that our enemies will stop their advance just because they\u2019ve dealt with all of our allies?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019ll take the whole isle if they can, and more besides.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He shook his head slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEven the Imbolg will not be safe.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe chieftain is of our blood, removed and diluted through it might be,\u201d Phelan said quietly, \u201cand she has connections to Southron powers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They won\u2019t trouble her if they know what\u2019s good for them.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Seamus shook his head slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI pray you\u2019re right, cousin.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If we\u2019re wrong, the price could be dear.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Somewhere beyond the door, a large bell began to clang a warning.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The three men shot to their feet.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan asked, straining to hear the coded message within the bell\u2019s ringing.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShips,\u201d Seamus said grimly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCome.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Father will need us.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSo much for staying out of his way,\u201d Aoife muttered to Neve, who shrugged helplessly.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s nothing we can do for it now.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Come on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019ve got our own work to do.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Aoife blinked as Neve tugged her by the hand out of the room, in the wake of their brothers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLike what?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Wait for wounded with the other women?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo,\u201d Neve said, a dangerous glint in her eye.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe ride for the villages, then for the Imbolg and the Fianna.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If Seamus is right, they\u2019ll need to be warned.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYour father will <\/span><\/em>kill<\/span> us, Neve.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot if we succeed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Come on!<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We don\u2019t have much time.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A shadow was coming toward them, silhouetted against torchlight in the corridor.\u00a0 Aoife glanced up, toward the open door. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWere we expecting someone else?\u201d she murmured to her three companions. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Teague looked past her into the hall … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,46,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-8-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-j9","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1187"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1188,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1187\/revisions\/1188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}