LITMIR.BIZ

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father has forbidden it.’

      ‘Then let me go.’

      She let go and walked away. I picked lettuce out of my nose with as much dignity as I could muster. ‘Oh yeah,’ I called after her, ‘well, that tunic makes your bum look big.’ It was a stupid thing to say. She didn’t look back, but it did make her stop for a second before she continued off.

      The afternoon light was disappearing on my second day of training when I received a message to meet with Gerard in his library.

      Before I left, Dahy said, ‘I have a gift for you.’ He handed me a banta stick with copper bark and a pale knob.

      ‘Do you recognise the wood?’ he asked.

      ‘I don’t, it’s too light for oak.’

      ‘It is hazelwood. Light enough to be used for walking, but strong enough for a fight. It was given to me by your grandfather Liam. I want you to have it.’

      I looked at the lacquered finish. It almost looked like the skin of a snake.

      ‘Did you know him – my grandfather?’

      ‘Yes, he was a good and wise man.’ He chuckled to himself. ‘He was also stubborn and careless. For ages I tried to get him to set up a garrison in the Hazellands, but he would not hear of it. “The House of the Tree of Knowledge is a place of learning, not war,” he would say. Well, I was right but there is no comfort in that.’ He sighed. ‘I know he would have wanted you to have the stick. Now go, Conor, Gerard is waiting.’

      ‘Thank you, Master Dahy,’ I said, and I bowed my lowest ever bow.

      I was surprised to find Fergal and Araf sitting with Gerard in the library. I had not seen Fergal since he had woken me up with a backhand. I had seen Araf around, but as usual we didn’t gossip much.

      ‘Sit down, Conor,’ Gerard said. I did and almost disappeared into an overstuffed chair. ‘It seems that the fates have thrown you and Fergal together. Not only did you meet by chance on the road, but your future paths also seem to be linked. Fergal here would like to meet Deirdre too.’

      ‘Why?’ I said, a little shocked.

      Gerard replied for him. ‘Fergal’s motivations are his own, as are yours. I know why both of you seek an audience with Deirdre, and I can assure each of you that the other’s reasons are noble. If you wish to tell the other, that is up to you. For now, I need to ask you, Conor – will you accept Fergal as your travelling companion?’

      It didn’t take long for me to decide. ‘As long as he promises not to stab me, or hit me with sticks, or steal my shoes, or sleep with me – then I’m fine.’

      Fergal’s smile matched my own. He stood up and then, seeing me struggle, helped me out of my chair. We shook on it with both hands and then he slapped me on the back.

      ‘And you have to stop slapping me on the back.’

      ‘OK,’ he said, and then he did it again.

      ‘Araf has agreed to accompany you.’

      ‘As our guide?’

      ‘No, Araf does not know the Eastlands. I am having difficulty procuring you the proper guide – but I will. You will leave the day after tomorrow.’

      ‘How will we travel?’ I asked.

      ‘I will provide horses,’ Gerard said.

      ‘Oh – I can’t ride.’

      ‘What!’ Fergal and Gerard said in unison.

      ‘It’s not my fault. They didn’t have horses in … where I grew up.’

      ‘Right,’ Gerard said, ‘you have a day to learn to ride. Araf, will you teach him?’

      Araf nodded.

      I looked at Araf. ‘In order to teach me, you might actually have to speak, are you prepared for that?’

      He gave me one of his hallmark blank stares.

      ‘This calls for a special toast.’ Gerard climbed the ladder to the top of his wine rack and found a bottle. He blew the dust off and placed it in a gold bucket. As he went to the cabinet to get glasses, the cork slowly rose out of the bottle by itself. He poured us each a glass of the blood-red wine.

      ‘This is a very special vintage. I pressed these grapes when Essa’s mother was pregnant with her. I have saved most of it for her wedding, but I steal a bottle now and again for special occasions.’ Gerard raised his glass. ‘To your success and a safe journey.’

      We drank. Man, was it good. Even if Essa looked like Porky Pig I would have considered marrying her, just so I could have another glass of that wine. As things stood, she wouldn’t even talk to me – so I guessed that marriage was a long shot.

      That night I dreamt that Sally and Essa had a banta fight. They both kept looking at me – wanting me to root for one or the other. The problem was I couldn’t decide who I wanted to win. It finally made both girls so mad, they stopped fighting each other and came at me …

      I was shaken awake in the darkness. When my eyes adjusted I saw that it was Essa.

      ‘I was just dreaming about you.’

      ‘Get up,’ she said. ‘We have to go.’

      ‘We? Go? Where?’

      ‘We leave for the Fililands – now.’

      ‘You are coming with us?’

      ‘I’m your guide.’

      ‘Cool, but I thought we were leaving tomorrow.’

      ‘Change of plans,’ Essa said. ‘We leave now.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘Because Cialtie and his Banshee witch are on the way. They will be here for breakfast.’

      That popped me wide awake and out of bed. I threw on some clothes. ‘Does he know I’m here?’

      ‘I’ll go and ask him, shall I?’

      ‘Hey, unnecessary sarcasm. Are you going to be mean to me this entire trip?’

      ‘We’ll see.’

      I grabbed my sword and hazel stick. ‘Seriously, do you have any idea what Cialtie is doing here?’

      ‘I think he is coming to see me,’ Essa said.

      ‘Why you?’

      ‘Rumour has it, he is going to ask me to be his bride.’

      ‘Yuck!’ I said. ‘We gotta get out of here.’

TWELVE

      ACORN

      Araf and Fergal were waiting for us in the hallway. We followed Essa down a narrow stairway that was concealed behind a tapestry. With every step the smell of horses became stronger. A short passageway led to a bale of hay that we pushed aside, and we found ourselves in the stables.

      Gerard and Dahy were almost finished saddling the horses. Let me tell you – the horses in The Land are just huge! I had no idea how I would even get up on one of those guys, let alone ride it. The thought terrified me.

      Gerard bid Fergal and Araf goodbye and then gave me a hug so he could whisper in my ear. ‘When you see your mother and father, tell them they are welcome here. Take care of yourself, son of Duir, and take care of my daughter.’

      ‘Yes, sir, and thank you.’

      Dahy

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