The King's Druid by G. R. Grove

Author:G. R. Grove
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magic, druids, bards, medieval ireland
Publisher: G. R. Grove

The killing spells were not simple. The Master from whom Fedelmid had learned them in his youth had taught him to direct them with his hand, much as the Druid Fence was constructed, but he thought that Fráechán’s rod might be an even better tool. They discussed it at length, and Fráechán practiced summoning light from the rod and then letting it sleep again, as he had done in Oweynagat, to strengthen their connection. Then there was the question of a target. Once he had learned the words of the spells, they walked out into the countryside together, and he practiced first on small creatures such as birds or voles. Even then he felt those small deaths as a shock, and wondered how a human death would feel. He was not eager for the knowledge, and said as much to Fedelmid, who nodded.

“You should not be,” the Archdruid said. “I have only killed a man once that way, and the memory still comes back to me sometimes in dreams. I had just dropped the Druid Fence, and he turned back and saw me, and drew his bow to shoot me. I was exhausted as usual from the Fence, but I did not want to die, and one of us was about to. I pointed my hand at him, and said the words, and stopped his heart… I felt it as if it were my own heart stopping.” Tight-lipped, he paused, and sighed. Meeting Fráechán’s dark eyes with his gray ones, he said seriously, “Never do it unless to save a life—either yours, or that of one as dear to you as your own. Steel will cause you less pain.”

“I will remember,” said Fráechán. “And I thank you for your trust.”

“You have earned it,” Fedelmid said, and smiled.

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