March 19th Day Two of the Festival – 6:00 am
Sunny woke up early the next morning. She rolled over on her back and stretched. Her feet nudged Bracken where he slept at the foot of her bed. He grumbled, inched over, and went back to sleep. The Watcher now slept in her room most nights, sneaking in through an open window. He pulled the soft tee shirt closer around his head and resumed his soft snore. She sighed looking up at the narrow ceiling planks of pale oak and thought of her ride home with the infamous Nicodemus Fury. She rubbed her hands over her face brushing the tender spot on the inside of her ring finger. Sunny examined the small spot where Sean's ring had pricked her. There was a pale pink area but nothing that gave any clues to what had caused the injury.
She ran a finger over the spot and frowned. Other than it being slightly tender, like a paper cut, there was no other damage. She lay in bed a few minutes more, then got up and padded to the bathroom.
When she was done brushing her teeth, she heard Fiona stirring in her bedroom. She went back to her room to dress and brush her hair. Sunny looked around the room and saw Bracken was gone and his t-shirt was rolled up and tucked under the bed. She looked in the closet at her collection of gowns and decided on a deep burgundy and crème dress that was embellished with glass beading, bright-colored green vines, and leaves of lush forest green. She slipped on her leather closed-toe sandals and when she was done, she looked at herself in the oval mirror. She had loosely cinched in the bodice of her gown, but it did not look right until she had nipped in the waist and the top of the gown gently cupped her bosom, giving her instant cleavage. She liked the effect and smiled as the sage advice of her teenage dressers sang in her head, "Show them off!"
She brushed her hair and let it hang loose around her shoulders. The deep russet waves spilled well past her shoulders to stop just below her shoulder blades. She was a changed person in the few weeks she had been in Ballencoo. She smiled faintly and turned away, heading downstairs.
She knew that all she would have time for was coffee and she had it brewing when Fiona came down. "I over-slept!" Fiona said in greeting.
"You kids were out late," Sunny remarked with a grin. "I wasn't the only one who had a good time last night."
Fiona chuckled and accepted the cup of coffee gratefully. "I haven't danced that much since I was – well since I was your age!"
Sunny sat down with her second cup of coffee and patted Fiona's arm. "Good, I hope this day will be just as enjoyable!"
"I must admit that I hadn't expected Michael to go after your wreath," Fiona said.
Sunny felt her face grow warm and she ducked her head. She wondered if she should tell Fiona that it was not Michael Fury who had claimed her but Nicodemus. "I wasn't prepared for that at all either! Tully did warn me of the Fury charms."
"Aye," Fiona murmured. "But you could easily resist those charms if you were of a mind – but most women do not!"
Sunny shrugged lightly, "Having all the male attention last night was something out of the ordinary—but I enjoyed it."
As they sat talking about last night there was a knock on the front door. Both women jumped at the sound and Sunny rose, went to the door, opened it a crack, and peered out. Standing out in the courtyard was none other than Nicodemus Fury. He was cloaked with the older version of himself. Sunny was beginning to get accustomed the the superimposed image that floated over his true self. She looked past him and saw the group of mounted men waiting for her.
"Good morning, Rom," Sunny said opening the door fully. She waved to the men as Fury stepped to her side. She recognized most of them as dancing partners from the night before. They smiled back but remained at attention.
Nicodemus smiled, his black gaze taking in her appearance. The pink blush that crept to her cheeks only made her more beautiful. He nodded to her. "The Morrigan has requested you be escorted to the council meeting. It is to be in the Badger Clan encampment."
Sunny nodded, "Let me just let Aunt Fiona know and I'll get Orion's tack."
Fiona was just behind her in the hall and had the bridle and bareback saddle in her arms. "I still don't think this is a good idea to be riding Orion around like a regular horse."
"He's on his best behavior, Aunt Fiona," Sunny said taking the tack and saddle from Fiona. "It will be fine."
Fiona nodded with a worried frown creasing her forehead. She watched with interest as Fury took the saddle and bridle from Sunny. He stood close, his full attention on her. They walked around to the side where Orion waited.
"Did you sleep well?" Nicodemus asked solicitously.
Sunny glanced over at him. "I did." She replied giving him a pert smile. "And you?"
"I did not," he replied softly. "You invaded my dreams and occupied my waking thoughts."
Sunny scoffed, "You are a scoundrel!"
Nicodemus smiled and took note of her flushed cheeks. Exactly the desired effect he wanted.
Sunny spotted Orion just coming into the yard from the forest. She stepped away from Fury and waited for the Pookah to greet her in his usual manner. He lowered his great head, gently pressed his forehead into her chest, and sighed. Sunny smiled and stroked his cheek. "Good morning, Orion. I'm to be at the council for the Lightrock trial. It's at the Badger Clan encampment."
Nicodemus came to stand just behind her. He handed her the bridle. Orion submitted to having Sunny slip it over his head. He shook his mane and snorted as she looped the reins over his neck. She positioned the saddle and quickly buckled the cinch, making sure it was not too tight but snug enough that it would not chafe. Orion bent low and Sunny mounted quickly. "The guard is here to escort us, so be nice," she told the Pookah, who snorted disdainfully and emerged around to the front courtyard. Once Nicodemus was assured Sunny was properly mounted. He returned to the front courtyard where his mount waited. Orion arched his neck and sent a baleful glare at the men and horses as he passed them.
Orion marched up and took position next to Fury and his mount's right side and stared ahead. Fiona walked out into the front courtyard to watch the spectacle. Sunny glanced at Fiona. "You'll bring Bracken with you?"
"I'm sure he's already on his way," Fiona remarked wryly, "there's going to be food!"
Sunny chuckled softly and then looked over at Fury, "Shall we?"
"We are your escort," Fury said, pulling his leather gloves on and glancing over his shoulder at his men, "Lead the way, Sultana."
Sunny frowned at the title, but Orion stamped the ground with one hoof and moved off with the others following behind. Sunny felt the Pookah's self-satisfied thought of having the lead and the others having to follow behind him!
They moved over the Trickle Bridge and then off onto the trail that would take them through the woods and past the Wolfe Clan. Orion pranced majestically as the members of the clan came to watch their passing.
Shannon broke away from his brothers and ran up to the trail. "Hey, Sunny!" He waved and was grinning happily as she rode past. She broke the severe dose of decorum that had settled over the escort party and waved back. "Hi Shannon! I'll see you later on at the concessions?"
Shannon grinned and then bowed gallantly, "I'll be there, Roma!"
They rode on, with Orion deciding to pick up the pace. When they broke into the sunlit pastures, his hide, mane, and feathered legs glowed as he all but danced down the trail toward the Badger encampment. As they reached the entrance, the clan soldiers stepped back and let them pass without question. There were others of the clan watching the procession but with guarded curiosity. Orion seemed to know exactly where he was going, and Sunny did not try to rein him in. Fury urged his mount up next to them. "Oran and his good wife do not know about Orion. It is best not to cross their wards."
Sunny nodded and leaned forward to pat Orion's shoulder gently. "You understand the need for discretion?"
Orion grumbled, but he understood and bobbed his head in compliance. They arrived at the center of the encampment where Oran Bishop's caravan had been moved and a canvas tent had been pitched. There were palace soldiers positioned around the tent and it looked like the other council members were still arriving with their escorts. Sunny followed Fury's lead and prepared to dismount. He came around and was there to catch her as she slid from the saddle. The action forced her to brace herself against his shoulders. As she was lowered to the ground, she came very close to him, close enough to see the steady pulse beating at the base of his throat and catch the scent of him that mingled with the aroma of leather and horses. He set her gently on the ground and stepped to the side offering his arm. Orion stopped several men coming to lead him away in their tracks by growling low and laying his ears back.
"You can let him roam, he will not go far from his mistress," Fury said to one of the nearest men waiting to corral the horses at a picket line set for the visitors.
Sunny laid her hand over Fury's forearm and together they stepped over the threshold of the charm Oran Bishop's wife had set. Just inside the tent, there was a row of tables set on a raised stage, already the Morrigan and several of the others were seated. Clan members and council members and their entourage were filing in from the open sides of the canvas tent. There was a general hubbub of voices and the occasional clearing of the throat as Fury and Sunny entered the tent.
Sunny left Nicodemus' side just inside the tent and she walked to stand before the Morrigan. She curtsied low and went to take her seat at the far end of the council table. She sat down and noticed her chair was positioned just a bit closer to the other council members. Apparently, with the smaller venue, they had to move closer together to fit. She smiled pleasantly at a council member she did not know, and he nodded back.
Before the council members, another table was set with Lightrock, Oran Bishop, and two senior clan members in attendance. Next to them was another table with Kinnel Finch, the representative from the Winterbourne family, and two empty seats. The audience in attendance behind Lightrock and his council and where Finch sat were all from the Badger Clan.
The Morrigan looked down the length of the table to either side. "We gather here this morning to determine the punishment of one called Lightrock."
Oran Bishop rose. "We request that the Badger clan handle the punishment of Lightrock."
The Morrigan scowled over at Bishop for a moment. "I can understand your desire to handle this within your clan, but this extends far beyond the boundaries of your clan."
"I respectfully disagree," Oran rumbled. "It is already established that our clansman was unaware of the deception of the daemon and was simply trying to help Lady Winterbourne."
"He overstepped his position!" Finch snapped.
As Sunny listened she realized that she could take them all back to that night and they could see for themselves what had happened. All it would take would be for her to listen to Lightrock tell his story. Of course, if she revealed her ability to do that, it would put Fiona and her friends in danger. She glanced over at Fury who seemed to be following her line of thought and he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. It was then that Danu sailed in through the open canvas of the tent and sailed up to perch on a tent pole support. He cackled and tilted his head to one side to angle a black eye on the people below. When most of them flinched away from being directly underneath his perch he chuckled even more and began to strut back and forth. Then another of his brethren flew in and perched next to him.
The Morrigan glared up at the two ravens, "Whom do you represent!" she demanded.
Danu did not respond, and the other ruffled its feathers and croaked, "Affaron!"
The Morrigan looked to Danu, but he did not feel compelled to answer and remained silent. He turned and floated down to perch on the high back of Sunny's chair chuckling softly. He tilted his beady black eye on the men and women assembled in the tent. The Morrigan turned her hawkish eyes back on Finch. "There will be punishment -- we all understand, and Winterbourne will have to be satisfied with our judgment."
"Then that one will recuse herself from the judgment." Finch jumped up and moved around the table toward Sunny. He pointed an imperious finger in her direction and stabbed it several times to hammer his point across.
There was a sudden rumble of movement as several of Fury's men appeared in front of the council dais in front of Sunny. Finch stepped back his hands flying to his throat. "Tell your men to stand down!" Sudhene said to Nicodemus as he appeared at the tent entrance.
The Morrigan looked to the counselor, "You have information bearing on this judgment?"
"Aye," Sudhene replied and looked once again at Fury. "Ask your men to stand down!"
"Sit down Finch!" The Morrigan told the Winterbourne counsel. When Finch slowly lowered himself to the camp chair Nicodemus nodded to his men who melted back against the wall of the meeting tent.
The Morrigan looked to Sudhene, "Tell us what you have found."
"A watcher who was there that night has come forward," Sudhene said and glared at Finch when the man leaped to his feet to protest.
"You have an issue?" Sudhene asked turning to Finch.
"Where is this Watcher?" Finch demanded.
Sudhene turned back to the Morrigan, "Watchers reveal themselves only to their clients and trusted friends. The Watcher is here; concealed from view."
Sunny looked around the tent wall and then let her eyes drift upward. There, tucked away into the shadows was a very small Watcher. He realized Sunny could see him and he put his dark brown finger to his lips, then looked down at Sudhene. "The Watcher has made the following statement," Sudhene began, reading from his small scroll of parchment. "On the night in question, he saw the lady Winterbourne come in later than usual from her riding and noticed something different about this lady. Where she normally called for a groomsman to take her horse away, she led her mount to an empty stall and walked quickly out."
"I don't see…" Finch began.
"Silence, Finch!" The Morrigan snapped and looked back to Sudhene, "Continue!"
"Lillias Winterbourne did not go as expected to her quarters; instead, she went in search of his highness. She did not locate him and from there the Watcher loses contact. It was later in the evening when Lillias Winterbourne began to walk through the palace, taking to the shadows when a servant passed her. She seemed to be searching for something or someone in the palace. It appeared to the Watcher that she was unfamiliar with her surroundings; going over searched hallways several times," Sudhene reported. "She found Lightrock standing guard at the south entrance of the royal family's quarters. She spoke to Lightrock and at one point wept and begged for his help. He was to help her secure a fast mount and allow her to leave the palace unquestioned. When he agreed, she left."
"Who does the Watcher report to?" Finch asked.
"The Watcher will not reveal their client," Sudhene said. "I was led to believe the client is of some prominence."
The raven from the Affaron camp paced along the tent supports, hopping from rafter to rafter in an agitated way. Sunny watched for a moment then glanced over her shoulder where Danu sat now quietly observing. Something was not especially encouraging the way the raven stood still and silent.
The Morrigan looked over where Nicodemus stood. "What of your informants? Did you have prior knowledge of this attack against the Ard Ri?" she asked him.
"I was not aware of this particular threat," Fury said. "My informants did report there was daemon activity – but they did not relate any specifics."
"Well, that's hardly worth anything at all! Dealing with these so-called informants is treacherous!" Finch said waspishly. "You might as well give them the keys to the palace!"
Fury leveled a hard gaze at the man. "My informants risk their lives to bring reliable information back across enemy borders!"
Finch scoffed and flicked a dismissive hand and looked over at the Morrigan. "What is to be done with Lightrock? It was by his actions – charmed or not – that allowed these daemons into the palace!"
"You can hardly execute someone who had no idea of what he was doing!" Oran Bishop said standing up and shaking a fist in Finch's direction.
Sunny was shocked! Would they have to decide on whether Lightrock lived or died? She was not prepared to be a part of such a decision.
"Time to take a vote!" The Morrigan looked at Sunny. "What say you, Siobhan O'Neil?"
Oran Bishop turned to her, and all eyes were on her. Sunny took a deep breath and prepared to answer. Danu and the other raven began to caw loudly then both cried one word together: "Affaron!"
Sunny's eyes found Nicodemus and he looked as surprised as everyone in the tent. There was silence and then from the side entrance of the tent the flap swung back, and a man stepped in from the sunlight.
Everyone was on their feet and bowing low to this quiet almost serene man. He was not extremely tall and while he was a trim-looking man, he was not an athletic individual. He nodded to Oran Bishop and then he looked over at the council. His dark brown eyes looked at Sunny then slid off her to make eye contact with each member of the council as he walked down to stand before the Morrigan.
"Jae'ha, you are well?"
"I am well, Your Highness," she said, managing another deep curtsey.
"May I?" he asked and the Morrigan nodded extending her hand out to take the floor. "My brother, Rory Affaron, the true king of Nu'Ada has bade me to bring his words to this council." He turned to glance at Sudhene, who bowed low and stepped away, giving him the floor. He gestured that everyone should sit and as one, everyone took their seats and looked expectantly at the Ard Ri's brother.
"It is with a heavy heart that we strip Lightrock of his commission as one of our officers of the Partholan Guards. Lillias Winterbourne was our ward, given into our care by a very close friend," he looked at Finch. "Telos Winterbourne is a boyhood friend and while he and the Ard Ri have come to a peace -- the loss of his daughter while in our care, has put a strain on our alliance."
There was a shuffling of feet and a shifting of chairs as if to get ready to act.
Affaron raised a hand and turned to the council. "You must act as you deem fit, but we would speak for Lightrock and ask that your sentence be not so harsh as to take his life."
"That is very generous of his highness." The Morrigan said.
"Not generous at all," Affaron said with a grim smile. "We failed to keep Lillias Winterbourne safe while she was in our care. This is our burden. Lightrock could not know of the treachery at work that night," He looked over at the man. "Lightrock, you left your post, and you placed our family at risk."
Lightrock dropped his head into his hands and sobbed bitterly. Affaron sighed heavily and then turned to look directly at Sunny. "To you Siobhan O'Neil, we offer you our deepest gratitude, without your quick action to aid our family, that fateful night might have turned into tragedy affecting far more than the Winterbourne family."
Sunny did not know what to say but only nodded sadly. Finch rose slowly to his feet, careful not to draw swords against him. "Have you word for me from our Ard Ri?"
Affaron's shoulders fell as he turned to Finch. "You are released. Return to your province."
Finch bowed stiffly, turned on his heel, and walked out of the tent with the Winterbourne escort following behind. Affaron faced the Morrigan once again inclined his head in a curt nod and turned and left from the opposite side of the tent. As Affaron slipped through the tent flap, there were guards to escort him back to Nu'Ada. Oran looked to the Morrigan, "Give Lightrock to his clan, and we will mete out his punishment."
"We will take a vote!" The Morrigan announced and looked down at each side of the council table. One by one they voted to turn Lightrock over to Oran Bishop. Then when it came time for Sunny to make her vote, she was unsure of what she should do. The Morrigan frowned. "What is your vote?"
"I understood that I would not be required ---,"
"As Dannan ---," Diamenia began but was cut off by comments from the audience.
"I am not the Dannan!" Sunny returned over the sudden rumbling from the gathered clan witnesses.
Danu launched himself from the back of Sunny's high-backed chair and disappeared through the tent flap. Nicodemus glanced up at the raven in the rafters. It remained positioned in the shadows, watching avidly. He let his gaze drift into the upper struts of the tent and spotted a half-dozen Watchers observing. Bracken was not among their number, and he found that unusual.
Sunny moved down from the council table to stand before those seated with the Morrigan. Each one of them represented the tribes on both sides of the arch. Oran Bishop who had eased down in his camp chair now was on his feet and coming to the front. "The others should be here! This concerns all the chieftains!"
The Morrigan waved a hand to either side of the council table, "The tribes are represented here!"
"No!" Bishop roared. "This is wrong!"
"It most certainly is!" Nicodemus Fury moved from where he stood up to confront the Morrigan. He glared down at Birch, and then the Morrigan, "Up to your old tricks, Jae'ha, hmm?"
"You do seem to be continually entangled in the concerns of the Dannan women!" The Morrigan murmured.
"It appears that I must be," Nicodemus replied, "Since you seem determined to press an issue that has been resolved!"
"It has not been resolved!" Diamenia hissed. "If it had been resolved then she would be the proper Dannan!"
"Has there been an issue that I am unaware of?" Nicodemus asked scanning the council. "Has there been a breach and the daemons are at this moment sitting in Cluny's tavern arguing over a couple of pints?"
"Do not make light of this!" The Morrigan said sharply, "With no commitment, there is no assurance the geis will be honored!"
"We are here to decide the fate of Lightrock!" Oran Bishop said.
Nicodemus turned away from the council table and looked over at Oran Bishop. "Lightrock does indeed hold responsibility for his actions that night, but what young man has not in his efforts to impress a young woman done things he is not proud of? Lightrock had no way of knowing the Lillias Winterbourne that came to him was none other than the beautiful young lady that had flirted with every young officer in the palace?"
"You cannot know this!" Sudhene said stepping up to Nicodemus. "To cast aspersions on the dead ---
"I believe if you were to question the other officers you would hear differently," Fury said cutting the counselor off.
"Then what punishment would you deem appropriate?" The Morrigan asked.
"Has not Lightrock suffered enough?" Nicodemus asked. "He has lost the respect of his fellow officers and been stripped of his commission. What else would you do to him?"
There were murmurs in the audience and among the sitting council members. Lightrock looked up through tear-reddened eyes at Fury. "Bless you, Rom!"
Oran Bishop placed a hand on the officer's shoulder, and he fell silent and bowed his head once more. "Exile him to his clan here; never to return to Nu'Ada."
Sunny nodded in agreement, "If you are going to force me to vote, then I can agree to this! Let Lightrock be exiled to his clan here in Arwyn!"
Diamenia studied Nicodemus Fury with renewed interest. She laid a hand on Jae'ha's arm and leaned to murmur something in the old woman's ear. She frowned and looked searchingly into Diamenia's dark worried eyes. The Morrigan drew a deep breath then with the wooden mallet at right she raised it and slammed it down on the wooden table. "So be it!"
With that, everyone rose and began to file from the tent. The raven reporting to Affaron chuckled from its perch and sailed from the tent crying, "Done! Done!"
Danu sailed out silently and disappeared into the forest to rejoin his brethren. Nicodemus watched the council filing out then met Sunny's admiring gaze. It annoyed him to see not only Sunny's admiration but many of the others attending, with the same look on their faces. Nicodemus turned to Sunny, his black gaze fierce. "Fiona is waiting with Tully near the concessions."
"Oran Bishop will be waiting outside for you," Sunny said as she glanced out the flap of the tent. "Along with all of his clan."
"I need to get you to Fiona," Nicodemus murmured. He looked around the tent in thought.
Sunny took hold of his sleeve, "If you have someplace else to be, can get there on my own."
Nicodemus took hold of Sunny's wrist, "I know you can, but I am responsible for you, and your safety."
Sunny smiled, "Yes, Rom."
Nicodemus frowned at her. He drew her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Stay close and let us hope Orion lives up to his reputation!"
Orion did not disappoint! He had a half-dozen men trying to keep him at bay and when he spotted Sunny. He scattered the crowd from his way to get to her. Once Sunny was safely mounted, Fury mounted and moved up next to her and Orion. Orion was enjoying the spectacle and pranced his way up the main boulevard with the escort following close behind.
Bishop waved them on with a pleased smile and watched as they passed the entrance of the encampment toward the town. They reached the field that was on the edge of the concessions. Already there were crowds from the clans and outsiders, coming to shop and enjoy the day's activities. Once they arrived at the festival grounds, Fury dismissed his escort. He dismounted Kai and turned him over to one of his men. He turned to Orion and looked up at Sunny. "Tully is on his way, come down and release your Pookah to enjoy the forest."
"How do you know Tully is coming?" Sunny asked as she prepared to dismount.
"The ravens," Fury replied. He came and caught Sunny as she slid off Orion's back. He caught her up against him and held her in his embrace. "I can see what they see when I need to." He set her on the ground and before he could step back Sunny took hold of his shirt. He froze as she leaned into his embrace. It was a tremendous effort to ease away from her! "Now is not the time, Siobhan." When he saw her disappointment, he moved closer to whisper in her ear, "Not yet!"
She nodded but before she turned away to head up the trail, she laid a hand against his cheek. "Soon, let it be soon."
Nicodemus watched her leave. It was the first time he had been swayed by a woman! He laughed softly and disappeared into the forest.