The Sword and the Song by Carla Laureano

Author:Carla Laureano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9781621842125
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2021-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

“What you are saying shouldn’t be possible.” Riordan’s words were disbelieving, but they held more wonder than skepticism.

“I understand that. But I verified that it was him. He knew things that even Niall couldn’t know.” Aine looked around the table to see how the others were taking the news. For the second time in a handful of hours, she found herself surrounded by the entire Conclave, though this time she didn’t mind being the focus of attention.

“Surely this doesn’t change anything,” Fechin said. “He is still infected with the sorcery. That alone would keep him from crossing the city’s wards.”

“Except the presence of Keondric’s soul has already proven to be a buffer between sorcery and the runes. That’s why he’s been able to use them on others. Add the shield rune and he would be impervious to any magic, including the city’s wards.”

“Here’s what we know,” Eoghan said. “Niall has been experimenting with the shield rune on ensorcelled men to see if he could move them into Ard Dhaimhin, but they died in the process. He won’t be anxious to try it on himself. As long as he doesn’t know of Keondric’s presence, he won’t take the risk. But he can use the runes individually, which is why he’s attempting to collect them from the old fortresses.”

“So Keondric is the key,” Gradaigh said.

Eoghan nodded. “The way I see it, we can use this information in two ways. We can try to prevent him from getting the runes and assume he won’t attempt to enter the city. But that’s a temporary plan at best. Or we can have Aine contact Keondric and try to seize control of his body from Niall. But if he’s unsuccessful, we risk hastening the very scenario we are trying to prevent.”

“Realistically, what is the danger he could do if he himself could enter Ard Dhaimhin?” Dal asked.

“He was once the Ceannaire. He could conceivably still be able to open the Hall of Prophecies. And once he did, he would have access to everything, including the Oath-Binding Sword.” Eoghan dragged his hands through his hair, loosening strands from his braid without noticing. “Remember, the runic magic is dangerous enough that it’s been removed from our grasp twice in the last thousand years. What could a man with truly evil intent accomplish with that knowledge?”

They fell silent, mulling the possibilities. Each way involved its own risks, and not just to them. For the first time, Aine truly understood why Balus had said that the storm of darkness must be stopped in Seare before it spread over the face of the earth. The runic magic was nearly limitless. Niall could become the emperor of the known world with a combination of magic, sorcery, and the sidhe to enforce his unholy will.

He could usher in a true age of darkness.

“There is one possibility we’re not considering,” Aine said. “Keondric should not still be here. He should have moved on to his eternal rest. Without his presence, the druid has nothing.”

“You’re

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