The Hallowed Isle Book Three Read Free Page A

destiny.
    A stone turned under her foot and she grasped at the arm of Dugech, who walked beside her.
    â€œLady, please, let me send for a litter to take you back to the dun!”
    Morgause shook her head. To give up now would be an admission of weakness. She straightened defiantly.
    â€œThen let us carry you down—”
    Morgause started forward again without answering. The sky was growing lighter. The far side of the cleft stood in stark outline against that pallor; a gulf of darkness gaped below. I am descending into the Underworld , she thought, suppressing panic. For a moment she considered letting Dugech have her way, but now that the exercise had got her blood running, she felt better than she had before.
    â€œThe rite requires that I walk to the spring, and it will do me good. I have sat too long indoors. Only stay close so that I do not fall.”
    They moved on. The pallor above brightened to a pearly grey, and then, as the torch flames grew pale and the shapeless masses of shadow that edged the path became shrubs and trees lightened, with a hint of rose. They had reached the crossroads where the way that ran down the vale crossed the path that descended from the dun. Morgause turned. Behind the jagged peak of the Watch Hill the sky was beginning to flame with gold.
    She tried to hurry then, ignoring the slow ache across her lower back. She wished now that she had called for the litter, but she had almost reached the spring. With relief she felt the pathway level out and took a deep breath of moist air. Beneath their mantles the white linen garments of her maidens glowed. Morgause paused to undo the pins that held her own cloak and straightened gratefully as its weight slithered to the ground. The flesh on her arms pebbled at the touch of the brisk air, but her blood was still heated from the walk and she did not mind the cold.
    She beckoned to red-haired Leuku, who was carrying the bronze vessel, and strode toward the spring. To the east the sky was bright gold. Overhead the heavens glowed pale rose, but the scattered clouds, catching the sunlight, had hung out banners of flame.
    The women stood in silence, watching that radiance intensify until the rock above was edged with a sliver of flame. As the sunwheel rolled up the sky, light blazed between the birches and sparkled on the waters of the well as if a fire had been kindled within. Pent breath was released in a shout—
    â€œWater of life from the depths upwelling—” sang the queen.
    â€œBring us thy blessing!” her maidens chorused in reply.
    â€œFire of power from the heavens descending—”
    â€œBring us thy blessing!”
    â€œFire in the water kindling cool flame—” she sang then, and waited for the others to reply.
    â€œPower we drink and protection we claim.”
    Carefully, she bent and tipped the rim of the kettle so that the glittering water trickled in. As she began to stand up, the ache across her loins became a sudden pang. For a moment Morgause could not move. When she could breathe again, she straightened, telling herself it had only been another preliminary pain. She had been having them for weeks, and knew them for the distant thunder that heralds the storm.
    But with her next step, Morgause felt a trickle of warm fluid between her thighs, and understood that the time of waiting was done.
    â€œMy lady!” cried Dugech as the gush soaked the back of the queen’s gown.
    Morgause managed a smile. “The waters of my womb flow like those of the holy well. Let them be my offering.. . .” She held out the cauldron, and Leuku, her eyes wide, took it from her hands.
    Without waiting for orders, Dugech whispered to one of the younger girls and sent her sprinting back up the trail.
    â€œLet us spread our mantles to make a bed for you, lady, and you can lie down until the litter arrives.”
    Morgause shook her head. “I walked half the night to bear my first child.