The Sacrificial Boy by: Elsbeth Aislin learns that all choices in life come with consequences

Chapter 18

Baroness Ráisán, the former Speaker of the Council of Elders, slowly made her way through the deserted hallways of Dun Láiidir. Her thoughts dwelled upon the council’s first meeting with the Máithair.

Well, before she began to learn the use of her gifts, Ráisán had always enjoyed listening to stories of ancient magics. When brought before the Council and the High Seat for the first time, a relic from those times, she had always considered it the most exciting moment in her life, until now.

Truthfully, like her sisters, she did not believe that the Máithair would return one day. Even when rumors began to surface of a new Black Sorceress, few gave it any serious thought. Most knew the council’s archives contained stories of others who had tried to claim the title, but all had been either killed or mysteriously disappeared.

However, those beliefs changed when a panicked apprentice burst into a meeting, proclaiming that the three large spirit stones that crowned the High Seat had begun glow. That news, along with the fact that meeting the apprentice interrupted a discussion concerning a terrible disease that had ravished Lord Kelvin’s lands and the young person who had supposedly healed the sickness. Immediately Watchers were sent to seek out this so-called sorceress and to question the former elder, the Wisewoman Ina, and the one named Aislin.

With the spirit stones glowing bright, the different political factions inside the council wasted no time in holding meetings on how to curry favor with the Máithair. Most assumed that like others who wanted to be Speaker, she would ally herself with one group or another. What they come to realize tonight, the Máithair was power all her own.

“Nikkei?” The Baroness stopped at the top of the stairs, her apprentice interrupting her musing.

‘She isn’t coming back, is she?” The young girl stood in the doorway to her sister’s room, staring at an empty bed.

Waving off the servants who had followed behind her, the Baroness took the hand of her youngest grandchild leading her away from the empty room.

“Come, I’ll help you get undressed.”

Afterward, the two sat while Ráisán ran a brush through her granddaughter’s hair. “When your mother was younger, I used to do this every night.”

Seeing her apprentice finally relaxing, but not wanting to ask about Macha directly, she asked. “So, what are your feelings about what happened tonight at the meeting?”

“I like Aislin; I mean the Máithair.”

“I don’t think she would mind you calling her Aislin, child.”

Shrugging, the young girl looked down while playing with her fingers. “Are you upset that you are no longer the Speaker?”

The Baroness gave a small sigh. “Well, I won’t deny that it did upset me at first, but I trust the Máithair. Ina is a better choice. Most of the council respects her, and frankly, I have too much history with the old council. While meeting with Aislin this week, it opened my eyes to the challenges that lay ahead for all of us and the need to step away from our petty rivalries.”

“She didn’t say much at first.”

“True, why do you think she did that?”

Thinking for a moment, Nikkei explained, “She wanted to make sure everyone was able to voice their concerns. However, it seems to me that the same arguments that happen at every council meeting started up again tonight. Lady Cassandra and Mistress Aya yelled at one another as usual. Mistress Melinda and her group argued with you and Lady Caitlyn as usually argued with everyone.”

“But then surprisingly, they all stopped.”

“From what I could tell, everyone seemed pretty embarrassed about the whole thing.” Nikkei almost giggled at the faces of the elders, most of them as old as her grandmother, who looked at one another ashamed.

The Baroness nodded, feeling unhappy that she too had started to fall into old habits. She couldn’t believe that someone like herself, who had seen over fifty summers, acted like a child in front of the Máithair.

“I did hear something strange about what happened right before the meeting, though. Was it true that Lady Morag challenged Aislin? I didn’t understand why. Myrtle, you know Mistress Daphne’s apprentice told a bunch of us what happened.”

Baroness Ráisán had been informed about the encounter as well, surprised to hear that her old friend would challenge Aislin. In this day and age, even for one as powerful as Morag to call for the ancient challenge seemed unthinkable.

As well known as a scholar of the ancient world, she must have assumed that using the old forms, she might embarrass the young woman revealing Aislin as an impostor. Unfortunately for the Countess, the Máithair knew the old ways all too well.

According to the rumors, something flashed crossed Aislin’s eyes, and for a brief moment, the Máithair seemed to be far away, but with a flick of her wrist, a glowing blue circle appeared on the floor as she accepted the challenge.

The Baroness had also felt her power when she first met her, so she felt sorry for her friend after hearing that the challenge ended in mere seconds. Apparently, no one knew exactly what happened, but one moment Lady Morag stood in the center of the room, the next she curled up on the floor whimpering.

Someone else might have left the woman on the ground. From what she heard, Aislin stood still for a moment before kneeling down, taking the old woman into her arms.

“Why did Lady Morag challenge the Máithair? Everyone knows the High Seat is hers by tradition, even if she might seem too young. Mistress Lynette told me once that experience, not power, was needed to rule the council.”

The old woman could help but give a dry chuckle. Expertise in politics perhaps and the ability to gain the support of others gives power to the Speaker.

“So why did it happen?” The young girl turned around, confused.

“Do you know that Lady Morag is also a King’s Healer? She must have felt a need to test the Máithair powers. ”

“So does that mean the King’s Healers challenge one another like that?”

The Baroness laughed. “Oh no, my dear, not in a long time. Lady Morag has always been a bit of a traditionalist, though. Perhaps she also wanted to embarrass the Máithair, or maybe prove something she was not.”

“Not a very smart thing to do if you ask me, but then again, how could she have known? I mean, when I first met Aislin, I couldn’t feel her magic at all.”

The Baroness smiled, remembering meeting Aislin for the first time as well and the surprise how easily the sorceress managed to slip through her spirit wards, entering the tent without notice.

“Also Myrtle mentioned something odd, why did Countess Elaine start to beg the Máithair forgiveness about her husband’s betrayal? We didn’t understand any of that. ”

No, the young girls wouldn’t understand the horrors of twenty years ago. Of the battles that took place, rivers of blood spilled in the grab for power. Whole families destroyed, villages burned too much death. Everyone involved just wanted to forget those times and move on.

It, of course, came as no surprise when the older women of the council faces paled when the Máithair entered the room. Like the first time she met Aislin, it was like seeing a ghost.

“Countess Elaine even removed herself from the council afterward.” Nikkei shook her head. “And then, the whole thing with Mistress Ina. I mean, how stupid can I be. I didn’t know she was a Court Baroness. Between the way, I treated Aislin at first and that I was never really respectful to her grace. Macha must hate me.”

Baroness Roisin sighed. As the youngest of six children, and with most her siblings away from home, Nikkei had been doted upon by her mother. She came to her last year entirely unprepared to be an apprentice. The first night, she fought with Macha over who she would be an apprentice to. Nikkei berated her, explaining that for someone of their family’s status to be apprenticed off to a mere Wisewoman was an embarrassment.

“She doesn’t hate you, Nikkei.” Ráisán gave her grandchild a hug. “But don’t worry, you will see her tomorrow.”

“I know. I just missed having her around.” The young girl whispered. Leaning back, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Suddenly, she giggled. “Did you hear that Aislin lives in a flying castle?”

“Where did you hear that?” A flying castle indeed, the Baroness laughed.

Sitting back, excited. “Well, you know, Moriah, she’s from the Kingdom of Osie.”

“That’s pretty far to the south, near the Grey Wastes?”

“Right, they seem to have different stories about the Sorceress. They really like her down there, I think. Anyway, Moriah said that Aislin lives in a golden castle that flies around pulled along by a pair of Storm Dragons.”

Roisin smiled at her grandchildren’s sudden change in attitude. Helping her up, she tucked the young girl into bed. “You will have to ask Aislin tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait until tomorrow, then.”

Baroness Roisin of House Creil could still remember the surprised faces of the Elder Council when Countess Elaine marched into the chamber, declaring that Baroness Ina now held her seat on the council, then immediately turned around and swore fealty to Aislin.

“So do I child, so do I.”

--0--

For King Conall, the day had already started in disaster. Upon waking up, he discovered that four mercenary regiments had detached themselves from his service. Rumors abound throughout the Army about why this happened, but no one really knew. For the mercenary commanders, they merely paid the penalty for breaking a contract before the start of the first battle of the season but gave no other word.

“By the gods of battle, three regiments of heavy horse, one light, and all good troops.” Duke Blathmac scratched his head, reading the parchment listing the forces that had departed.

“Now this, the Kareivis have departed as well? How could you have let them leave?” The King sat down on his chair.

“How could I stop them, your Majesty?” The Count shook his head. The departure of the best heavy foot in the realm had shocked the entire army.

“The Kareivis do what they want, it’s not like we can stop them anyway. They don’t have a contract with us; they fight because they want to fight.”

“I ran into Cailtram and asked why they were leaving. He claimed the Blessed One has returned.”

“Seems our Black Sorceress has her claws into the Kareivis as well. Anyway, it seems we are not without some luck.” The Prince pushed a piece of parchment towards his father. “It appears our dear cousin has also lost a few regiments as well, all of them marching out of his camp last night. Fortunately for us, the ‘Whites’ departed his army as well.”

“Damn Willow wands, glad we don’t have to face them.” Count Volan grumbled.

“I wouldn’t be too sure.”

“What do you mean, Uncle?” Prince Burin looked up from the list.

“Take a look at this.” The Duke set a map on the table, revealing the deployment of both armies. As he did so, he pointed to one section of the map in particular. “All of the regiments last night, including the ones from this morning army have begun to redeploy along the southern half of the battlefield.

“So, I wake up this morning to learn part of my army march out of camp last night, and I am now sitting in an untenable position.” King Conall slammed his fist down on the table.

Each and every man knew that although the troops were sitting on their far left flank would not be enough to do real damage; they left the army terribly vulnerable if the forces of King Llwynog launched an attack.

“Should we redeploy?”

“No, I don’t think we should, my Prince. We don’t wish to give King Llwynog an excuse to move against us as all three of our forces are still under the Bann.”

“At least he can’t be happy with those troops leaving his line of battle.” Prince Burin laughed but then looked thoughtful. “Father, what if the two are working together?”

King Conall grimaced. “If that is the case, we will know soon enough. Give the orders, Blathmac. Every regiment needs to make ready for battle but do not deploy them until I give the word. Let’s see what this so-called Sorceress has to say for herself and see how she managed to entice those mercenary troops away from us.”

--0--

Beyond the two armies, a small camp nestled among the trees of the Forest of Wyre. Unlike the other two camps, men and women began to ready themselves for battle, a fight that most hoped would not happen. Although it was commonly known who now commanded the small force, many couldn’t help but stop and stare at the beautiful young woman and the black and blue Griffin banner that flew above her.

Astride a beautiful white mare, the Black Sorceress waited patiently as her friends and allies readied themselves for her meeting with the two Kings.

“You look tired.” A warm, familiar voice said one that she had missed very much.

“Didn’t sleep much last night.” Aislin smiled at her surrogate grandmother.

“Seems Macha didn’t get much sleep either.”

“Grams.” The Sorceress gave a quiet whine. Aislin might be something out of legend, but to the woman who sat next to her, she was still the child who used to sneak into bed with her during thunderstorms. Aislin wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Sorceress smiled at the memory of their recent reunion. The two women started apologizing to one another, both afraid that they had hurt the other. It didn’t take long for the two of them sitting down, with Aislin telling Ina her tale. From beginning to end, she told her everything.

“Anyway, Baroness.” Her eyes sparkling with mischief, Aislin made sure to emphasize the title.

Ina smiled naturally; she too had a lot to apologize for.

“Oh, Gran did you speak to Elaine last night?”

“Yes, she will be joining us in a moment. Although she didn’t mention you or your house by name, she did manage to get your cousin's oaths on both sides to refuse battle.”

“Good.”

“Well, I believe you have the right of it. King Llwynog explained to me last night, like yourself, he is in the opinion that King Conall will not go on the offensive unless he outnumbered both forces.”

The Sorceress nodded. She needed to be careful. Just the right amount of pressure needed to be applied. Any more and King Conall would react aggressively and less, and he wouldn’t take the threat seriously. Placing her newfound troops on his flank would be quite the wake-up call this morning for King Conall.

Macha's eyes widen as she rode up, hearing the end of the conversation. “Are you expecting one, Aislin, I mean a battle?”

The Sorceress turned on her saddle, smiling as Mach approached. “By the goddess, I hope not, but it’s better to be prepared.” She then nodded to Cailtram, the leader of the Kareivis.

Unlike her Aunt, the original Black Sorceress, Aislin had no prior military experience, so she was happy to have help from those who have spent most of their lives on a battlefield.

Thankfully, Cailtram had more than helpful in positioning her troops in a way that if need be, they could retreat unhindered or if necessary, pressure King Conall's forces.

“Hail Burvju, how fair you this morning.”

“Good morning to you, my Johtaja. Will you join me this day?”

“My life is yours.” The ruler of the Kareivis grinned then turned to look approvingly at the young man carrying Aislin’s banner who rode forward.

“How did you learn how to speak their language, Aislin?” Mach nudged her horse off to the side, a little afraid of the hard-looking man.

Aislin looked at her for a second before smiling. “Magic.”

All four turned at the sudden shout and cheer, as a lone banner-man pushed forward bearing a banner that had not been seen for over twenty years.

“I never thought I would see this day again?” Ina whispered as she wiped a tear from her eye.

“Grandma?”

Aislin smiled as Ina reached over and squeezed her hand. Moving her horse around, she looked up at the banner and the young man carrying it.

With a grin, she looked at her grandmother and said. “Let’s go surprise my Uncles.”