Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) Read Free Page B

a long way yet to go.” Turning, she continued down the tunnel.
    The children followed her without a word, not even questioning once about the tunnel or how she called it forth. Time seemed endless in the tunnel. The smoke from the torch was becoming unbearable. The children knew not how long they walked or where they would end up once they emerged, or if they would even find the end.
    Shiovra began to grow weary of walking. Her feet ached and protested with every step she took. A rock would occasionally dig into a tender part of her foot and she would bite her tongue, as not to cry out in pain. After a while, Mahon came to an abrupt halt and ducked down so that Shiovra could climb onto his back.
    They continued until a breeze began to whisper through the passage and the flames of the torch danced wildly in response . A dim light came from where the passage turned ahead of them .
    Extinguishing the flames, Réalta told the children to take each other’s hands and follow her. She led them th rough the dimly lit passageway and, a s they made their way towards the turn, it became easier to see in the tunnel . Finally, an opening came into view.
    A cool, damp breeze swirled around them as they stepped out into t he first graying of dawn . The ground shook gently as the tunnel fell in on itself, once more becoming part of th e land . Turning, they found Tara behind them , just off in the distance . The fire s no longer burned and smoke drifted from the charred remains of cottages. The attackers had left and Tara remained standing , for the most part .
    A man on horseback made hi s way towards them, another steed following.
    Shiovra , fearing him the enemy, held onto Mahon tighter. As he neared, however, she rec ognized his as Daire ’s father, Ceallach Neáll. His clothes were torn and dirty , splattered lightly with blood. There was more blood on his face, but none of it appeared to be his own .
    He came to a stop a s he nea red them, his face ever the unreadable mask .
    “What tidings, C eallach?” queried Réalta anxiously .
    “The attackers have gone . They were an unusual lot, with hair that had been was hed in lime ,” he replied , dismounting . “I do not believe the attack is connected to Ailill …” He paused a moment , his eyes drifting back to the village . “There were but a few deaths, mostly injuries. Ainmire lives, as does Deirdre . I could see no obvious purpose behind the attack , other than it was meant to be a warning . For now, we must focus on tending to those who were wounded .”
    “And…” Réalta continued, he sitation in her voice. “What of my sister ?”
    Ceal lach met the woman’s gaze . “She…has f allen,” he said heavily . “Tríonna received a g rievous wound while protecting some of the village women . We could not stop the bleeding and…her life was lost.”
    Shiovra fell to her knees, letting her tears fall freely as she grieved the loss of her mother .
    Réalta bowed her head. “May Dana’s light be with her through the darkness and may she only know tranquility,” she murmured softly. “See to it that my sister is given the honor due to a priestess of the Túath. May her pyre burn brightly.”
    Ceallach nodded. With a set face, he turned to Mahon. “Come, young Mahon, ” he said quietly. “Y ou as well , Daire . We will need every hand possible.”
    The boys nodded mutely.
    Réalta turned to Shiovra , touching her lightly on the shoulder . “What of you, Shiovra ? Do you wish to remain here and aid in their recovery, or come with me and train so that you may be able to protect these people? ”
    Mahon started. “No!” he protested , rushing to Shiovra ’s side and throwing his arms around her tightly . “Don’t take her from me! We just lost mother, and we’ve already lost father. I will not lo se her as well!” Anger and pain hung heavily in his voice . “ Shiovra …please don’t leave…”
    Shiovra remained numb, unable to bring herself to move.
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