My uncle, she whispered suddenly. He is here in my head. There is blood! Someone is hurt. Gartnait! She had gone very white.
He did not ask her how she knew. Nervously he moved behind her. What do we do? he asked under his breath.
Wait. She raised her hand, gesturing him back, then she spun to face him.
This way! she cried. She was already running towards the trees.
They found Gartnait lying beneath one of the old pines, his head cradled on his mothers lap. His face was like chalk and his eyes were closed. The shoulder of his tunic was soaked in blood.
Gemma looked up. Brid? The one word was a desperate plea.
Brid was already on her knees by her brother, her hands flying over his body, barely touching him as though feeling for his wounds.
How is he? Adam knelt beside her. He smiled uncertainly at Gemma and shyly reached over to pat her hand.
A-dam. Good boy. Gemmas face was tired, but she managed to return the smile.
What happened?
She shook her head. The tree break. Gartnait should know not to be there. She gestured at the fallen branch with its rotten shredded broken end and near it the axe Gartnait must have been wielding when he was hit.
Brid had pulled away the blood-soaked fabric of the shirt. It was Broichan. He has done this to punish me. She was tight-lipped.
Broichan? Gemma stared at her, shocked.
Brid looked up, her face hard. Broichan. Enough. I will make Gartnait better. He is hurting. She glanced up at Adam. I will make my brother sleep while we clean the wound.
He did not stop to ask her how. Shall I fetch some water?
She nodded. Good. And moss. From the wood box under the lamp.
Moss? He hesitated at the word but she was already cutting away her brothers shirt with the small knife she carried in her girdle.
Adam filled a leather bucket with cold water from the burn and found the moss as she had predicted in a small chest in the hut below a bronze candlestick. Also in the box were some small pots of ointment. He sniffed them cautiously and decided to take them all.
Brid nodded approval when he put his finds beside her. Gartnait was lying before her quietly, his face relaxed, his eyes closed. Adam watched as with neat deft fingers Brid swabbed the deep bruised cut she had exposed over Gartnaits collar bone and applied one of the ointments he had produced. Satisfied that it was properly cleansed and sealed she packed the wound with moss and while Adam held it in place deftly bandaged it with her own girdle.
She glanced up at Adam and gave a quick, worried smile of approval. You make good healer.
He smiled. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
Doctor?
Healer.
She nodded. Good. Now, Gartnait must come back. She put her palm flat over the unconscious young mans forehead and sat quietly, her eyes closed.
Adam watched, intrigued. What are you doing? he whispered at last.
She glanced up, surprised. I put him to sleep so he could go away from the pain. He waited while we make it better. Now I go and tell him he can come back. The pain is not so bad, and it is better he come to home and we make him medicine to stop the hot time coming.
The fever, we call it, Adam corrected her. He was impressed. He could see the young mans eyelids fluttering beneath Brids commanding hand. It seemed to Adam only a matter of seconds before Gartnait was sitting up, staring round him groggily, and not long after that that they were making their way back towards the hut, Brid and Adam supporting him, one bent beneath each shoulder, Gemma hurrying ahead to stir up the fire and set a pot of water over the flames to heat.
Brid had, it seemed, a store of medicaments ready for just such an occasion. Adam watched as she brought a woven bag out of the hut and produced an array of small packages. Inside were numerous substances, most of which he guessed had dried herbs of various kinds.
A handful of this and a pinch of that were thrown into the steaming water. A bitter, strong smell began to flavour the air. Gartnait caught Adams eye and smiled wryly. Will not taste like chocolate cake.
Adam laughed. If the young mans sense of humour had returned he was starting to mend, in spite of the startling pallor of his face and the purple bruise which was beginning to spread down his cheekbone.
To Adams relief the venison stew was placed back on the fire beside Brids medicine and, thanks to Gartnaits sudden healthy hunger, it was not long before they were all eating bowls of it, sopped up with chunks of coarse bread torn from the loaf.
Brid? Only once her son was settled, his arm in a rough linen sling across his chest, did Gemma at last turn to her daughter. What has Broichan to do with this business? Her eyes were sharp on her daughters face.
Brid scowled. He threatened to hurt Gartnait.
Why?
He does not trust me. My power is too strong.
Gemma stared at her for a moment, then she shook her head. That is no answer, daughter.
No. Brid stuck out her chin. I have the power from you and from my father
Your father is dead! Gemmas voice was hard. His power was not strong enough, Brid. He was killed by the enemies of our people when he thought he was invincible. Nothing magic. A simple sword thrust in the dark from a raider, that was all it took to kill him. She could not hide her scorn as she leaned forward and put her hand on Gartnaits forehead. You will endanger us all by mocking Broichan. My brother is the most powerful Druid in the land and you would do well not to forget it. You are being conceited and foolish in challenging him. And you are selfish. You put this boys life at risk when you bring him here to our forbidden places.
Adam had been following the conversation with great difficulty but as they all suddenly stared at him he looked away, embarrassed and frightened.
A-dam has power of his own! Brid retorted firmly. He is a traveller between the worlds and he is a healer
He is not of our world, Brid. Gemmas voice was very firm. We will give him food, then he must go. Before Broichan returns. And you must appease your uncle. You have seen the strength of his magic
Mine is as strong
Not strong enough!
Adam had never seen Gemma angry before. Sitting, hugging his knees by the fire, he watched uncertainly as the two women confronted each other, their antagonism mounting. The moment of silence was intense.
And in the silence no one saw the dark shadow of Broichan materialise out of the night. Their visitor arrived so silently and so swiftly there was no possibility of escape. He was standing over them before any of them realised it and Adam could only look up and meet the furious, pale-blue eyes of Brids uncle a few feet from him. His stomach knotted into a cold lump, and he felt the total paralysis of terror settle over him.
No one said anything for several seconds, then at last Gartnait put down his mug of ale and hauled himself painfully to his feet.
Greetings to you, my uncle, he said respectfully. Adam understood that much. What followed was wholly incomprehensible but Adam could follow the meaning of the gestures as clearly as though he understood every word. They did not bode well for him or for Brid.
Brid and Gemma were both very pale. They sat with downcast eyes and for all her earlier defiance, Adam could see that Brids hands, still clutched around her beautifully decorated goblet, were shaking visibly. The mans voice grew louder. He appeared to be working himself into a furious rage.
Brid and Gemma were both very pale. They sat with downcast eyes and for all her earlier defiance, Adam could see that Brids hands, still clutched around her beautifully decorated goblet, were shaking visibly. The mans voice grew louder. He appeared to be working himself into a furious rage.
Gartnait raised his chin. The young mans meekness vanished in a torrent of angry words. His eyes, dark and flashing, met those of his uncle and he was gesturing first at Brid and then at Adam.
The shouting match ended with such suddenness that the silence that succeeded it was shocking in its intensity. Terrified, Adam glanced from one to the other. Brid and her mother were white-faced. Gartnait beneath his defiance also looked afraid. Adams blood seemed to have turned to ice. For a moment they all remained motionless, then Broichan stepped forward. For a long moment he stood over Adam, his eyes seeming to probe deep inside the boys head. Adam shrank back. He could feel the strength of the mans mind inside his brain. It hurt him physically like a red-hot iron, and then suddenly it was over. Broichan spat on the ground in front of him. Then he stooped and seized Brids wrist, hauling her to her feet. Her goblet fell from her hand. With a little cry she tried to pull back but he gripped her more tightly and dragged her away from the fire.
Adam looked from Gemma to Gartnait and back. Neither had moved a muscle. There were tears in Gemmas eyes.
What is happening? he cried suddenly. Do something. Dont let him take her.
Gartnait shook his head. He gestured at Adam sharply to stay where he was. He has the right.
He doesnt. Whats he going to do? Adam scrambled up, bewildered.
He takes her back to Craig Phádraig. Gartnait shook his head. It is her destiny. He will not let her come back.
But he cant do that! Adam was frantic. You cant just let him take her.
I cant stop him, A-dam, Gartnait said quietly. It is her chosen life. And you must go. Now. You must not come back to the land beyond the north wind. Not ever.
What do you mean? Why not? What have I done? Whats wrong with me? Bewildered, the boy could feel tears in his own eyes.
You live in another place, A-dam. The place beyond the stone. Beyond the mist. Gartnaits gaze was on the retreating forms of Brid and Broichan. No one is supposed to go there or come from there. My uncle told me about it so that I could carve the stone. Brid followed me. She learned the way from me. She will learn about it in her studies, but it is secret. It is a secret which no man may tell. My uncle believes that we told you the way. I told him that your father is a powerful priest on your side of the stone, and that you learned the way from him, but he is still angry.
My father didnt teach me the way here. I found it myself. Adam was confused. Or Brid shows me. What is so special? I dont understand. Why should a track through the wood be so secret?
Gartnait frowned. It leads to the back of the north wind, where no man may go. Not Broichan himself, not Brid, not even me. He sighed. I told you to beware my sister, A-dam. She is a daughter of the fire and her power will kill. Forget her, A-dam. She is not part of your destiny. Come, my young friend. I will walk with you.
Adam shook his head, confused and miserable. No, you stay here. You shouldnt walk after your accident. And besides, you should stay with your mother He looked at Gemma for a moment.
She shook her head. Go, A-dam. You bring trouble for us, my son. She gave a small sad smile and turning away, she disappeared inside the cottage.
Distressed, Adam hesitated. May I come back? His face was burning with shame.
By the fire, Gartnait shook his head sadly as he turned back to the flames. He hoped Adam would never realise how close he had come to death that afternoon; how only his eloquence, courage and the fact that he had convinced Broichan of the power of Adams father had saved the boy from the razor-sharp blade which, hidden in the older mans sleeve, had been destined for Adams throat.
Gemma? Adams voice was husky with misery. He had a sudden vision of his own mother crying and fighting with his father. Was he always destined to cause trouble for the people he loved?
She reappeared in the doorway and she held out her arms to him. He ran to her and she hugged him and kissed his cheek. No, A-dam. Never come back. She softened the words with a gentle touch on his face, then she turned away once more and ducked inside.
5
A few days later, to his surprise and delight, Adam found his old school friend, Robbie Andrews, waiting for him by the gate to the manse. The boys face split into a huge grin as he punched Adam on the shoulder. Where have you been? Ive been hanging around all afternoon.
Adam shook his head. Ive been up on the hill. Mooching aimlessly around the stone. To no avail. There was no sign of Gartnait or Gemma or the cottage. He grinned back at Robbie, snapping out of his depression. Robbie, the son of the factor on the Glen Ross estate, had once been his best friend, but when Robbies mother had died Robbie had gone to boarding school and stayed with his grandparents in Edinburgh. Robbie had, he now discovered, come to spend the summer with his father up at the factors house on the estate.
Ive got a message for you. Robbie glanced round conspiratorially. He was a tall thin boy with startling red hair, and at seventeen was a few months older than Adam. Come over here. He ducked down out of sight of the manses study window and led Adam back down the street and towards the river. Only when they were in the wood by the burn did he stop and find them a fallen tree trunk to sit on, out of reach of the spray from the waterfall. He reached into his pocket and produced a crumpled envelope. Here. Its from your mother.
Adam stared at him. His mouth dropped open and he found he was having to fight a sudden urge to cry. It was two years, almost exactly, since his mother had left home and he had long ago given up hope of hearing from her ever again.
He put his hand out for the envelope and sat staring at it. It was her writing all right. Every thought of Brid and Gartnait fled from his brain as he turned it over and over in his hands.
Arent you going to open it? Robbie was eager to know what it said.
Adam shook his head. He shoved it into his pocket and leaning forward, elbows on knees, picked up a moss-covered stone to throw towards the burn.
She came to see my grandmother, Robbie prompted him. She said she had written to you and you never bothered to answer. She said she understood that you must be very angry with her.
She never wrote. Adams voice was strangled. Not once.
Robbie frowned. She said she did.
There was a long silence. Adam was struggling to control his tears. When he managed to speak at last it was in a croak. How was she?
Good. She was looking very pretty.
Pretty? Adam picked up on the word sharply.
Robbie nodded. She had a blue dress. And pearls round her neck. And her hair was kind of long and curly. Not like it used to be here.