Seamus closed his eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath, gathering all the strength of his will before he opened his eyes, turned back, met Marin\u2019s gaze. She watched him quietly, one knee drawn up to her chest, her expression impassive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that they\u2019re meant for something,\u201d she continued, her voice quiet, barely audible over the crackling fire. \u201cEven if I hadn\u2019t seen it, I could feel it. This…these children…Seamus, tell me that they\u2019ll be okay, even without us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course they will,\u201d he said, stomach dropping to his knees. How much had she seen?<\/p>\n
The former Taliesin went to her and dropped to his knees by her side. He touched her shoulder and shook his head slowly. \u201cYou\u2019ll be there when it matters the most. I know you will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo the stories say that?\u201d she asked, a trace of bitterness in her voice. \u201cThe prophecies?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCameron\u2019s son will return his father\u2019s sword,\u201d Seamus said, his expression deadpan and his voice toneless. \u201cYour bow never passes to your boy, but you\u2019ll use it to save his life, Marin. Trust in that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAssuming we don\u2019t get ourselves killed first.\u201d Her gaze grew distant. \u201cWhat will they do, Seamus? How are they going to…to bring us back from the edge?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a war coming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll end the war.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d She glared at him, eyes narrowing. \u201cHow are they going to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Seamus said. \u201cBut the prophecy said that they would\u2014and that the Taliesin would be with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPhelan,\u201d Marin said quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOr his successor,\u201d Seamus admitted, then sighed, getting up to tend to the kettle and their tea. \u201cHe may decide to choose one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marin was quiet for a few long moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would choose Angie,\u201d she finally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a child,\u201d Seamus said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we don\u2019t live as long as you do,\u201d Marin chided. \u201cHe\u2019d have to start early. She\u2019d only have the mantle for a short time before she started passing along what he\u2019d taught her to her own successor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou assume that not everything\u2019s changed,\u201d Seamus said quietly.<\/p>\n
Marin just stared at him, her expression blank, complexion pale with the shock delivered by his words. Seamus smiled weakly.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything\u2019s changed, mo chara daor<\/em>. Everything. Maybe even that. Maybe even that.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Seamus closed his eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath, gathering all the strength of his will before he opened his eyes, turned back, met Marin\u2019s gaze. She watched him quietly, one knee drawn up to her chest, her expression impassive. … Continue reading