Beneath the Forsaken City Read Free

consequences involved his death was now out of his hands.
    Your death does not serve My plans , came a voice in his head, the words as clear as if they had been spoken aloud. But you shall still suffer the consequences of your disobedience.
    Eoghan sagged in relief, not just at the reassurance he would not die today but at the return of the voice that had been a constant companion throughout his life. It had been silent for too long, and he’d been afraid to wonder what that might mean.
    Aye. I chose to break the law. I will take my punishment.
    He could probably avoid that punishment if he just toldMaster Liam the truth, but that was impossible. For one thing, he would have to admit he had hidden his unusual gift from the Fíréin his entire life. For another, he wasn’t sure the Ceannaire wouldn’t think him insane as the parents who’d abandoned him had. Most Balians believed their Creator guided their steps, but there were precious few to whom Comdiu spoke directly.
    Eoghan climbed the hundreds of stairs automatically, his footing sure on their slick surface. The traditional tales of Carraigmór, the home of the first and only Seareann High King, spoke of a keep on a cliff. In reality, the dwelling had been carved from the cliff, its chambers burrowed deep underground with only the glass windows and narrow terraces on the sheer face hinting at what lay beneath.
    When he reached the top and entered the balcony, a glint of surprise crossed the guard’s face. “Brother Eoghan. The Ceannaire wishes to see you.”
    No doubt the guard was one of those who supposed he’d fled with Conor. Eoghan simply nodded and let himself through the heavy, iron-bound door into the fortress.
    The great hall was more of a cavern than a room, a dome-shaped space lit with torches and candles and lined with the high-backed chairs used by the Conclave. Beyond them stood the Rune Throne, an ancient tangle of polished roots cradling an etched marble seat. Eoghan turned down a corridor and followed the tunnel to where it ended in a door atop a short flight of steps. He rapped and then entered.
    Master Liam sat at a large table, making notations on a sheet of birch-bark paper beside a pile of wax tablets. He didn’t look up. “Are they away from Seare?”
    Of course Liam already knew. What information his sight didn’t provide, his vast network of sentries and informants did.“Aye, sir. They’re safely aboard a ship to Aron. I submit myself to your judgment.”
    “You could have gone with them.”
    “I could have.” Eoghan’s palms prickled with sweat. “But I took an oath, and even if I hadn’t, the others who helped me would be punished.”
    “You know I am within my rights to order your execution.”
    “Aye, sir.”
    Liam sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily. “Yet I cannot bring myself to destroy my own apprentice, my successor, for following his conscience. Tell me, why didn’t you give me the courtesy of a request?”
    “I couldn’t be sure you would agree, sir. If I left without permission, I broke only the brotherhood’s laws. If I left after you forbade it, I would have disobeyed a direct order.”
    “Aine is my mother’s daughter, and Conor is one of us, even if he chose to leave the brotherhood. I might have looked sympathetically on your task, had you seen fit to ask.”
    Eoghan studied the wall behind Liam’s head. Given the Ceannaire’s refusal to become involved in the kingdoms’ wars, he’d been so certain Liam would withold aid. “I’m sorry, sir. I did what I thought best.”
    “I understand that. But you broke both our laws and your oath. I cannot ignore that, even for my own successor. I must sentence you to twenty-five lashes before the brotherhood, to be carried out at dawn tomorrow.”
    Eoghan jerked his head up. “What?”
    “Do you disagree with my punishment? Would you prefer death?”
    “No, sir. I accept your judgment.”
    “Good. You may go.” Liam waited until Eoghan reached the door