The Druid

Chapter 14

"My brother is a bloody fool," Thomas Quinn said. He nursed a cold mug beside the river, the group gathered around him. Maggie had just told him the news. He sighed. "But he loves his people."

"That man was your brother?" Alan asked. "You guys don't look anything alike."

"That's me brother, alright," Thomas said. "He's a bloody pain in te ye know what, but I'll be damned if he ain't the man for the job. Cursin' at te Arch-Druid is just another piece of chopped wood to him. So, what now, Mags?"

"He has to return to the Surfaceworld," Maggie said. "And kill the kelpie."

"What?" Alan blurted. The other teenagers were outright shocked. A bunch of words rushed to his mouth, but he settled for, "What?" It was a rather good question.

"It's the lowest hanging fruit, Alan," Maggie said. "If you are to prove yourself worthy. And you must."

Alan felt his stomach drop for the millionth time today. He stared at his naked sword with an open mouth. I don't know how, he thought, to use you. I don't know anything about fighting. The thought of actually killing someone manifested itself in his mind and he suppressed the urge to hurl. Chills ran manically across his body. I have to kill.

"I figured as much," Thomas said quietly. He slapped Alan on the shoulder and then squeezed it. "Boy." He waited for Alan to look up. Sympathy was what Alan needed, and it's what Thomas gave him. "Mags be right, as usual. Ye have te kill the damned thing. Understand this, killing any Fomorian won't do, as bloody fulfilling as it may be. A king protects his people, first and foremost. As of right now, yer people are back in te Surfaceworld. By defendin' yer world, ye have an opportunity to prove te our world just what yer made of." He squeezed Alan's shoulder harder. "And, boy, it's pretty strong stuff, if ye ask me." He let go and dramatically straightened himself. "And ye won't be doin' it alone, of course."

Alan appeared hopeful. "You're going to help me?" he asked.

"Of course. I'm Rowan, after all. It's what we are born to do. Killin' sea Fomorians was my favorite game growin' up." He laughed. His belly would have shook, if it wasn't so muscular. "Ye got to learn somewhere, don't ye? Who better te teach ye than me and Mags?"

Alan's eyes switched to Maggie. "You will help, too?"

She nodded.

In the manner which Thomas stared at Maggie, he got the sense that there was something unspoken being transferred. Thomas was eager when he spoke of helping Alan, to kill the kelpie, but he didn't have the glint of fervency in his eyes that he did now. That was comforting to Alan, to know that this behemoth of a Druid was eager to do battle at his side. Alan looked at his sword again. I can barely hold you, he thought. How am I supposed to swing you?

To kill with you.

"What about us?" Callum said. "What do we do?" He earned a slap on the back from Thomas and some jestful mutterings that he aimed into his cup, before taking a swig.

Maggie answered. "You will fight alongside Alan," she said. "Your wound, it has strayed from the healing path, but nor does it appear pernicious to your health. I, believe, as does Belenus, that the state of your wound has been altered by your close connection to Alan."

Thomas's mood suddenly shifted. He took a sip and frowned when there was nothing left.

Callum frowned. "What?"

"You are not a Druid," Maggie stated, "but you are of Alan's kin, as well as his best friend. Druidry is spiritual magic and there are few things more ethereal than a loving kinship. You are not the same as you were, not anymore, but I'm not sure what. Belenus was not sure either."