The House of Mountfathom by Nigel McDowell

Author:Nigel McDowell [McDowell, Nigel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471404054
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Published: 2017-02-13T15:19:16.774000+00:00

LUKE

Luke stops at the top of the stairs and listens to the faces of the Driochta in the Gabbling Gallery –

‘If Mountfathom has seen violation, then I don’t know what will be next!’

‘Don’t be so melodramatic! This is not one of your plays, Jack!’

‘No need for such personal insult, Lady Vane-Tempest!’

‘The Spells were so well set, I believed.’

‘There’s no telling what way land will go, Spells or no Spells.’

‘Too true, Lawrence.’

‘But Mountfathom! Surely the land knows to whom it belongs?’

‘Do I hear some doubting there, Flann?’

‘Not at all, Helena! I am simply concerned …’

‘Aren’t we all! So, what is the plan, Edith?’

A moment before Luke hears his mother say, ‘Firstly, Dublin must not hear of this. Major Fortflay must not be told – that is the priority. Word that the Spells of Mountfathom have been breached must not travel. Agreed?’

Only firm agreement –

Face of Jack Gorebooth: ‘Of course!’

Face of Helena Vane-Tempest: ‘Absolutely.’

Of Flann Dorrick: ‘Won’t say a word to anyone! Though you should know – eleven more Houses have been lost to the Land Grabbers this night.’

Face of Lawrence Devine: ‘I heard that too, on the wireless – five in Mayo and six in Clare.’

‘Also by Indigo Fire?’ asks Luke’s mother.

Dorrick: ‘From what witnesses are saying, yes indeed.’

‘Then that Cailleach is still helping them,’ says Luke. He can’t stay silent – walks into the Gallery and stands beside his mother, swiftly returned that night, along with Lord Mountfathom. Sees the four pale faces of the Driochta swimming in their dark mirrors. All eyes turn to watch him. He goes on. ‘They’ve clearly made a decision to use Magic. The Land Grabbers don’t care that it’s something they swore they’d never use.’

‘Indeed,’ says Lady Vane-Tempest, ‘attitudes are changing. If they can find a way to empower themselves, they will take it.’

‘How are you, lad?’ asks the Lawrence Devine. Luke wants to say he is fine, or that he will be – that he will cope. But he says nothing. His mother places a hand on his shoulder and Lawrence Devine says, ‘I knew Mrs Bogram for forty years and she was some woman.’

‘Oh yes!’ says Vane-Tempest. ‘Very formidable!’

‘So very kind and attentive too,’ says Jack Gorebooth. ‘Always at your side, Luke. Always there to –’

‘What is the plan?’ asks Luke. Has heard enough talk – needs some sense of action.

‘We must do nothing to arouse suspicion from the Castle in Dublin,’ says Lady Mountfathom, addressing the Driochta. ‘I hope you will agree that we cannot place our entire trust in Fortflay any longer – he has lost his belief in us, and so we must be cautious.’

All faces agree.

‘And my requests to each of you are as follows,’ says Luke’s mother. ‘Helena – I wish you to track down this Cailleach. We need to know what her next move will be.’

‘I accept your request and will begin at once,’ says Vane-Tempest, and instantly she departs her mirror.

‘Flann,’ says Lady Mountfathom, ‘can you please keep a close watch on the goings-on at the Castle.

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