The White Mare by Jules Watson

Author:Jules Watson [WATSON, JULES]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC010000, FIC009030, FIC014000
ISBN: 9781468301311
Publisher: The Overlook Press
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 39

Eremon sent a messenger to tell the council of his success, and asked him to seek out Rhiann to give her the news.

She was deeply relieved to hear that there had been so few losses, and that her friends were safe. But beneath that, her fear and pain surged anew. For Caitlin would be coming home.

No word had come from Linnet, and no one in Dunadd knew that anything had changed. And yet for Rhiann, everything was different. She spent the days after the confrontation in a cold haze from which she could not awaken.

Until on a day of soft sun, Eithne arrived with her belongings in a pack, and Rhiann was forced to emerge from her darkness to take the girl in hand.

Rhiann had already warned Eithne about Didius, and she was relieved to see the girl display curiosity when she first saw him, rather than fear. And after all, Didius was so despondent, merely sitting and staring at Rhiann’s walls, that he couldn’t appear frightening to anyone.

‘Eithne, I have one very important duty for you,’ Rhiann said, when Eithne had deposited her meagre belongings on a shelf. She led the girl to Didius’s pallet by the fire. Rhiann smiled at the Roman, and received a wary look in return. ‘Eithne,’ she said, pointing at the girl. Didius barely nodded.

‘Now, Eithne, I need you to start teaching Didius our language. I don’t know how long he will stay here, but we will never be able to make any use of him unless he can speak – and I think his time here will be easier for him, as well.’

Eithne’s black eyes widened, and darted to the Roman’s face.

Rhiann smiled. ‘The other rule here is that you can say what is on your mind. Will this duty I speak of distress you?’

‘Oh, no, lady. If it will help the tribe, I would be honoured.’ She raised her chin proudly.

‘Good. It is a very important task, as I said, and we all must do our part.’

‘But lady, why do you want to make his time easier? He is the enemy!’

Rhiann chose her words carefully. ‘His people are our enemies, that is true. But compassion is part of the way of the Goddess, Eithne, and so lives in this household. All people are Her children – even Romans, though they seem not to know it. I would defend myself against any Roman trying to harm me, or those I loved. But Didius will not do so, I sense it strongly. And the Source is about balance – perhaps something will come of our compassion for him, something good. Do you understand?’

Eithne smiled shyly. ‘A little, lady.’

‘Then let me be more plain. His information may aid us, but I will not allow him to be tortured. If we – you and I – can win his trust, then we accomplish what we need without cruelty. Now do you understand?’

Eithne’s smile broadened. ‘Oh, yes, lady! I will do my best.’

‘I’m sure you will. Just point at things and tell him the words.

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