Rebel Fay

Chapter Seventeen

Wynn heard footsteps approach outside the elm.

Sgaile leaned in around the doorway curtain. "It is time." Wynn was partially relieved. Trapped inside with Magiere and Leesil for two solid days had been trying. With little to occupy them, the days crawled by, broken only by meals, Brot'an's infrequent visits, and Leesil's incessant sniping at the tall anmaglahk.

Sgaile glanced at Magiere's attire but said nothing.

Over the previous days, Brot'an had decided upon her appearance for the hearing. Magiere argued, of course, but he won in the end, and Wynn privately agreed with Brot'an's suggestions. Appearances meant much to elves, but Magiere was still grumbling moments before Sgaile arrived. She now wore a clean, light tan elven tunic with a square-cut neck and breeches to match.

Wynn had braided Magiere's hair so that not a strand would fly free, and she looked like a simple human woman. Far less dangerous in appearance, but there was nothing to be done about her pale skin and blood-tinged black hair.

Leesil changed into his oversized muslin shirt-complete with stitched rents-chocolate-brown breeches, and his own boots. He still looked a bit ragged with his hair hanging free about his shoulders. Chap was the only one who caused no grief, sitting quietly for once as Wynn brushed out his fur.

But all of their busy preparations could not dispel Wynn's fear. If Magiere was found guilty, she would be executed, and there was nothing any of them could do to stop it.

Wynn closed her eyes for a moment, trying to push such thoughts away. But she failed, and her mind wandered in directions more morbid. How might the elves decide to kill Magiere? If they believed her undead, beheading orfire were the only options… and Sgaile had once expressed revulsion at the prospect of dismembering the dead.

Wynn opened her eyes and steadied herself. No, it would not come to that. They still had Brot'an.

He had explained only the barest bits of the coming proceedings. Most Aged Father had made a claim concerning Magiere's true nature. Until this was settled, there would be no direct trial before the elders. Instead, the claim must first be substantiated as a dispute between opposing parties. Wynn grasped only scant nuances, and Chap had been no help. Instead he had filled her head with questions that Brot'an never answered.

"Where is Brot'an?" she asked, for he had not returned this day to escort Magiere.

Sgaile ignored her. "It is time. Come."

Leesil headed out, and Wynn fell in behind Magiere and Chap.

Osha was among the Anmaglahk escort waiting outside. His face filled with concern as he met Wynn's eyes. Sgaile led the way, his guards flanking and following. Chap trotted along outside their retinue.

Wynn did not see Lily or any other majay-hi. She stayed close behind Magiere as they headed inland through Crijheaiche. She had no idea where they headed, but in her mind, she pictured some mammoth oak nurtured by elven Shapers into a council hall.

Cultivated trees and brush passed by in a blur until they came to an open area and were herded between two wide oaks where many elves waited. They had reached the gathering of the elders, but there was no council hall, and the number of those gathered was greater than she had guessed.

Ancient oaks surrounded a long and gently sunken clearing covered by a lawn. Lower branches were as thick as a normal tree's trunk and grew together in bridges from one tree to the next.

Onlookers, dressed in varied attire, sat or stood upon those bridge-branches and gathered in masses between the wide trunks. Those closest turned their eyes on the newcomers, the interlopers, the humans in their midst.

One elderly woman with filmy eyes sat in a wood chair of tawny grain. All of the chair's flowing curves, from its head-high back to its armrests and legs, were made from a single piece, like the rain barrels of Gleann's home. The woman wore a maroon cloak of raw-spun cotton over a matching robe, and she held a rolled parchment on a walnut spindle in her lap. Two younger men in similar cloaks stood at her sides, and others close by shared aspects of their attire.

Their glances were more studied than others, though Wynn did not find that a relief as she stepped by them. She was gripped by an impulse to grab Magiere's hand and offer comfort, but knew she should not.

Among the crowd gathered around every inch of the clearing, many were elaborately dressed. Wynn saw hair ornaments of wood rings for tails, circlets garnished with wildflowers, sparing jewelry of polished wood and stone, and a few crystals or gems that sparked in the bright sun. Few sported metal accoutrements of any kind, although one cluster of elves wore strangely shaped broaches of copper and brass. Everywhere Wynn looked, large amber eyes watched her from within dour caramel and triangular faces.

Partway around the clearing's far side was a cluster of short figures crouched upon the grass-the Aruin'nas. Shirtless, exposing their elaborate body paintings, and with their hair shaped into spirals and curls by dried mud, two of their elders sat cross-legged on the depression's lip. Wynn squinted, trying to make out the blue-black markings on their skin. Something about those symbols reminded her of the sigils and diagrams of thau-maturgy and conjury she had seen in the guild's library in Malourne.

Clan elders were not difficult to pick out, due to their age. Each was accompanied by attendants, though many had larger retinues.

Then she caught the yellow and russet of the Coilehkrotall, Sgaile and Leanalham's clan, but she did not see an elder sitting before them.

Chap crept in beside Wynn, and there was more than one curious glance over his presence. She dropped a hand on his back, curling her fingers in his thick fur.

At either end of the clearing's floor were oval oak tables. Brot'an stood behind the nearer one, sifting through scrolls among leather-bound sheaves of paper. He looked up, his expression passive but for those severe-looking scars skipping over one eye.

Sgaile led the way downslope, and Wynn lost all self-confidence. She stepped out into full sight of the council ofthe an'Croan.

"Well met," Brot'an said.

He looked solid and distinguished in his green-gray, though he wore no cloak. Without it, his shoulders seemed too broad for his tall frame. A forest-green ribbon held back his silver-streaked hair. Sgaile and his guards retreated to the slope's base.

"What are we waiting for?" Wynn whispered.

"Most Aged Father," Brot'an answered. "It should be a quietly dramatic entrance."

Wynn raised one eyebrow. Was that sarcasm?

"Who's the prosecutor?" Magiere asked in a low voice.

"The council has not chosen one," he answered, "as the claim against you must be settled first. Frethfare is 'advocate' for your accuser. Sgailsheilleache serves as 'adjudicator' of proceedings."

Leesil sighed.

From the depression's upper edge and bridge-branched trees, a swarm of amber eyes looked down upon Magiere-and Leesil. Those behind Brot'an's table were close enough for Wynn to see their curiosity, anger, and baleful fascination. The elder elven woman and her companions displayed only cold interest.

As a child, Wynn had attended a livestock fair with Domin Tilswith. A calf born with three legs was on display at a center stall. Everyone stopped to stare and point. Wynn felt like that calf, though she guessed Magiere suffered far worse.

Caramel faces among the crowded turned, one by one, and then more. Wynn followed the wave of shifting focus.

Freth came down the far slope, dressed the same as Brot'an, with her hair pulled back. Four Anmaglahk followed behind her, bearing the ends of wooden bars over their shoulders.

Between the bearers, Most Aged Father sat upon an ornate chair with rounded sides that cradled his frail body. He was wrapped in a blanket or long shawl of the gray-green, the color of his Anmaglahk. Whispering murmurs filled the clearing at his entrance.

Most Aged Father's face was overshadowed by a fold of his wrap, but Wynn thought he squinted against the bright sun. His emaciated features and pale skin were worse to look upon than in his root chamber's dim candlelight. The bearers settled him beside Freth's table, and he turned his head slowly, examining the crowd.

Sgaile stepped to the clearing's center and lifted his face to the gathering, calling out in clear Elvish, "I welcome the people and their clans, as represented by their elders, to hear the claim in dispute."

Not a breath passed before Frethfare's voice rose. "Brot'an'duive, you are already in breach of our ways. Only the accused may stand at your side. The others will be removed immediately."

Brot'an stepped around his table past Magiere. For all his calm ways, his voice thundered across the clearing.

"Leshil is involved by implication and has a right to be present. And I choose the one called Wynn"-he pointed to her for all to take note-"to serve as Magiere's translator."

All eyes turned to Wynn, and she shrank from them, stepping halfway behind Leesil.

"The accused has the right to hear all that is said," Brot'an continued, "as it is said and not thereafter. I will not allow the accuser's advocate to complicate matters by requiring me to be Magiere's translator as well as her advocate! That would be a breach of courtesy… if not law."

Sgaile cut off Freth's retort with a hand raised toward Brot'an.

"The accused's advocate is within custom and law. The advocate for the accuser"-and he turned toward Frethfare-"has no further grounds for this challenge."

Frethfare scowled and went to crouch beside Most Aged Father.

Wynn quickly translated all that was said for Magiere and Leesil, though a few nuances of dialect frustrated her. The night before, Brot'an had advised them that proceedings were conducted in Elvish, the proper language, and few clan leaders spoke any other tongue. He told them little else, claiming there was no time to understand more. Too much preparation might work against Magiere, if Frethfare tried to trip her up amid rehearsed responses.

Wynn was uncertain how much of this was just Brot'an's own scheming. Undoubtedly he risked alienating Most Aged Father and his own caste in standing as Magiere's advocate.

Brot'an stepped further into the clearing. "I thank the council for being present to render judgment, but I fear your time is not well spent."

Frethfare stood up. Both she and Most Aged Father turned rapt attention on Brot'an as he gestured toward Magiere,

"Most Aged Father gave this woman and hercompanions safe passage and sent Sgailsheilleache under oath of guardianship to escort them to Crij-heaiche. Now, her own host claims that she is one of the humans' undead-something unnatural, returned from beyond death to this world. A human without a guide would have succumbed to the forest, left to wander until captured or dead. An undead could not have entered at all, as none have ever been seen in our land. Yet she walked among us for many days and in the company of a majay-hi. The claim of the accuser is shown false by Magiere's very presence."

Wynn hurried her translation, but as Brot'an paused, her gaze slipped to Most Aged Father. She unconsciously shifted back half a step at the steady hatred upon his face. The ancient elf appeared about to erupt, but Brot'an resumed in a forceful voice.

"Look upon the accused in the full light of day.Human, without doubt. For as little as we know of their kind's… 'undead'… our land and the spirits of our ancestors have never tolerated such before. By both these ancient authorities, the claim against her should be dismissed as superstition."

Wynn heard dissenting voices, high-pitched in anger, and her attention swung to their source-the Aruin'nas. One of their elders shouted to a nearby elven clan. Wynn could not follow their strange language, though its sound and cadence was akin to Elvish. Clearly they came only to see a human put to death.

Brot'an returned to his table as Wynn finished translating.

Leesil smoldered with satisfaction-perhaps surprised and pleased by the strength of Brot'an's statement. But this was only the beginning. Wynn knew the claim against Magiere could not be dispelled with words.

Most Aged Father leaned toward Freth, whispering, and she crouched briefly to listen.

Freth shook her head emphatically, and Most Aged Father squirmed in seething frustration. She stepped around her table, but Most Aged Father shouted out before she reached the clearing's center.

"Twister of truth!"

The wizened old elf jabbed a bony finger at Brot'an.

Brot'an dropped his eyes to the table, and Wynn faltered in her translating.

Murmurs faded among the gathering as Freth turned in shock to Most Aged Father.

"She is undead!" he shouted weakly. "I know her kind, as the rest of you do not. My caste witnessed her change withtheir own eyes. Sgailsheilleache was present, and who among you would doubt his word?"

"Do something," Leesil hissed at Brot'an.

"Be quiet," Wynn warned.

Brot'an did not look up. Neither did he seem affected by the old elf's words.

Several elders around the clearing turned to attendants and companions. Some called out to each other, while others sent companions weaving through the crowd to nearby clans. There were too many low voices for Wynn to catch anything that was said, but she noted surprise mixed with concern on many faces.

Brot'an remained placidly silent, which only made Wynn more nervous by the moment.

Freth looked hesitantly at Sgaile, as if waiting for him rather than Brot'an to say something. She backed away as Sgaile stepped out.

"The accuser…" Sgaile's voice faltered. "The accuser will leave his claim in the hands of his advocate and remain silent until called upon. And as all are aware, the adjudicator is not permitted to witness for either side of a dispute."

When Brot'an lifted his head, he showed neither reluctance nor satisfaction-only cold poise.

Sgaile, standing within Most Aged Father's plain sight, was an obvious choice for support. Even Wynn understood that choice, for what she knew of Sgaile, but he had a rigid adherence to his people's customs, as well as the hidden codes of his caste.

Brot'an's blunt opening had been a goad thrust at Most Aged Father. The old one could not containhimself, and his outburst had served Brot'an. But Wynn realized still more.

If Most Aged Father's claim was proven true, then he was accountable to the elders for having given Magiere safe passage in the first place. If proven false, the elders might see him as senile and erratic for claims against one under his own protection. And either way, he might be held presumptuous for allowing humans into this land at all. The council grew unsettled by his inappropriate action.

Wynn turned a suspicious eye on Brot'an.

The tall and scarred anmaglahk played a dangerous game with his leader-with Magiere caught between them. Yet who better to stand against the claims of a patriarch of assassins than a master among the Anmaglahk?

Wynn slipped her hand around Magieres wrist and squeezed lightly.

Freth reclaimed the clearing's center and began in a calm, clear voice.

"Do not be fooled by this woman's appearance. As Brot'бnduive says, we know little of the humans' undead. Who among you could swear to know one upon sight? Three days past, I saw her eyes turn black, her teeth and nails like a predator's, and her strength grow beyond any human's. She attacked my caste like a feral beast. Any acceptance by our land or the majay-hi was achieved through trickery. She is dark-begotten and must be destroyed…"

Freth pointed around at the ring of clan elders. "…Before one of yours dies at her hands."

Wynn hesitated to translate those last words. As she did so, Leesil blew a sharp snort through his nose, but Magiere and Chap remained silent.

Sgaile stepped forward. "The accused's advocate will present first arguments."

Brot'an picked up a parchment to take the field, but a rustle among the crowd made him halt and turn. Wynn looked back as someone pushed through and descended the slope behind Brot'an's table.

Medium height and slight of build, even for an elf, he wore a cloak of dull yellow over a russet shirt. When he pulled back the hood, steel-gray hair stuck out in an unkempt mass.

Gleann of the Coilehkrotall approached Brot'an with an owlish smile. "I see I am late, but my barge only just arrived."

Magiere's wide eyes mirrored Wynn's own surprise.

"It is pleasing to see you once more," he said to them in Belaskian, then returned to Elvish. "Brot'an'duive, have you not stopped growing yet? How you do not knock yourself senseless on the forest's low branches is beyond me. Hmm… now, where am I sitting?"

Gleann gazed about but his eyes settled at the clearing's far end.

"Aoishenis-Ahare, well met," he said and raised a hand. "And still alive, I see. Sgailsheilleache-oradjudicator, is it-where am I sitting?"

His entrance brought the proceedings to a standstill, though Magiere looked relieved. Brot'an's mild frown did not hide his subtle amusement. Wynn was about to point out the other Coilehkrotall when Sgaile hurried over.

"Grandfather, why are you here?"

"Do not be dull-witted," Gleann answered. "I represent our clan. Hui'u-vaghas could not attend, but one of ours should hear and judge this claim."

Sgaile was openly distressed. It occurred to Wynn that Gleann hadarrived a little too quickly compared to her own long journey down the river, and apparently he had more than a passing acquaintance with Brot'an. Why would a wry humored old healer have anything to do with a master assassin?

Across the clearing, Most Aged Father-who never replied to Gleann-looked both offended and anxious as he gestured Freth to his side.

"Can we continue?" Freth called out.

Sgaile rushed Gleann upslope to their clan. Brot'an waited politely until the elder was settled before addressing the gathering.

"I call no witnesses at present. Rather, I begin with a test, as it will require time."

Even Most Aged Father grew attentive.

"In the burial ground of our ancestors," Brot'an continued, "reserved for those first in this land, rests the ancient ash tree that began all things here-Roise Charmune, the Seed of Sanctuary. Those who come of age seek it out and take the true name they bear for life. Most all here have done this… have felt the strength of hallowed ground beneath their feet… felt the presence of our ancestors close upon them. But Magiere is human and not allowed to attempt what I propose."

He let his pause hang until all curious eyes were cast his way.

"A proxy must go in her place to Roise Charmune-and the ancestors-to plead for a branch."

A rumble spread quickly around the clearing. Brot'an raised his hand but had to shout over the crowd.

"What greater counsel is there than that of our first blood?No one can approach the Seed of Sanctuary without just cause, and a branch would only be given if the cause served our people. That would settle any claim against this human woman."

Wynn translated as fast as she could. Leesil stepped out before she even finished. Both she and Magiere tried to grab him before he could unwittingly commit some breach of custom, but he slipped out of their reach.

"I'll go," he demanded. "I'll do it."

"Leesil, no!" Magiere hissed, but he ignored her.

Most Aged Father crackled something at Freth, and she called out, "Leshil does not know the way-and should not. He is not pure of blood, and he is notan'Croan."

The crowd's rumbling grew uneven.

Brot'an's voice hammered the gathering into silence. "Do you now speak for the ancestors as well? Do you wish to raise claim concerning Leshil at this time?"

Freth hesitated for a long moment. "He will not survive," she said finally. "He will not be allowed in, as he is not one of us."

"That is a decision for the ancestors, not you," Brot'an replied. "But if Leshilreturns, and the accused takes hold of the branch without harm, then neither of them could be a threat to us. Or would you, Frethfare, care to tell how some 'human trick' could fool the spirits of our first blood?"

Leesil stood too far off for Wynn to tell him what was said. He looked about, at a loss, and Brot'an did not translate his words.

"What's happening?" Magiere whispered.

Wynn told her and then grabbed Magiere before she went after Leesil. "Do not say anything!"

Freth made no reply to Brot'an's final barb. Stranger still, Most Aged Father watched the elders around the clearing with concern.

"A guide must be chosen for Leshil," Brot'an added."Someone acceptable to the people by their elders."

Osha stepped forward. "I will take him."

"No!" Sgaile shouted, too loudly. "I am adjudicator… I am the impartial here… I will guide Leshil."

Soft murmurs grew slowly, but no voice lifted in dissent. Wynn caught a flicker of surprise on Brot'an's face before he regained stoic composure.

"Sgailsheilleache, it shall be. As Most Aged Father said, no one would doubt his word. I ask for adjournment untilhe and Leshil return-or for three days as the limit."

All around, elders rose amid their clans in implied consent. The gathering broke into smaller clusters, talking among themselves in a low-voiced cacophony that filled the depression between the encircling oaks. Across the clearing, Freth and Most Aged Father were lost in conspiratorial whispers.

As Leesil returned, Magiere grabbed his arm. "What did you do?"

"You do not know what is involved," Wynn added.

Leesil didn't answer either of them.

"Sgailsheilleache will lead you," Brot'an said in Belaskian. "I do not know why, but he is a better choice than I had hoped for."

"Hope?" Magiere snapped. "You hoped? That's all you've got?"

"No one will doubt his word," Brot'an assured her.

Wynn tried to calm Magiere and then noticed Sgaile.

Anmaglahk were difficult to read-except the plain-faced Osha — and Brot'an and Urhkar were the hardest of all she had met. Wynn could not take her eyes off Sgaile.

Osha approached him with open worry, but Sgaile did not react. He seemed weary, and flinched when Osha touched his shoulder. Sgaile turned his head, watching an oblivious Leesil.

Fear passed across Sgaile's narrow features.

Magiere pulled away from Wynn, closing on Brot'an like a wolf.

"What have you gotten Leesil into?"

"How could you blindly agree to this?" Magiere ranted.

She paced the open space of their domicile elm, watching Leesil shove the last of the grapes and a blanket into a canvas pack.

"You don't know the forest," she went on. "You don't know what you're facing!"

When Leesil looked up, Magiere went numb at his familiar expression. Cold and hard desperation suggested he would try anything without a thought for the danger.

"I'll face an ash tree," he said flatly. "What's so dangerous about that?"

"Didn't you hear Wynn? Ancestors… spirits! You don't know what that means." Magiere ran a hand down her face. "I can't believe I trusted Brot'an."

"Did you think this would be settled through persuasive oration?" Wynn asked. "The elders must see that you are not what Most Aged Father claims. I do not understand it, but if this branch provides disproof of the claim, then we will use it."

Magiere turned angrily on the sage, but her voice failed.

For the first time, she understood how Leesil felt in Venjetz. While she'd moved freely about, he'd remained trapped inside Byrd'sInn. But the thought of two or three more days in this tree, with him far beyond her reach, was almost more than she could bear.

Chap lay dejected on the floor, staring toward the curtained doorway.

"And you," she snapped at the dog. "Don't you have anything to say?"

He lifted his muzzle to her and then returned to his strange vigil. Magiere looked to Wynn for any response the dog offered, but the sage just shook her head with a shrug.

"Brot'an is doing better than I expected," Leesil said. "If I bring back this branch, it looks like that will settle it. Hopefully there'll be no following trial. Freth and her withered master will have nothing left to counter."

He got up and grabbed Magiere's hand.

"This is my fault for bringing you here. It's a sick twist that Brot'an is the one to give me a way to fix this, but I'll take it anyway. It's time I woke up and did something. Please, just wish me luck."

He was desperate for her support. All Magiere could do was hang on to his fingers.

"I do," she answered, her voice breaking. "But I can't stand that you're doing this alone. I should be with you, not Sgaile."

As if called, Sgaile stuck his head through the doorway curtain. "Leshil, are you prepared? We should begin."

Leesil leaned in and kissed Magiere, quick and soft. "I'll be back in a couple days at most, and everything will be all right."

He let go and headed for the door. Chap got up to follow, but Leesil stopped him.

"No, you stay with Magiere and Wynn. We can't leave them alone among the elves."

Chap barked sharply twice in denial, and Magiere knew exactly how he felt. But the dog turned his eyes on her and then Wynn. He whined and flopped back down. There was nothing else to say, and Magiere sank to the floor beside Chap.

The curtain fell into place as Leesil left, cutting him off from her too abruptly.