Page 57 of Highland Queen

Epona sat back and sighed. “The gods play games. They move us as they wish, and then leave us blind as they wish. What did Andraste say?”

“That they were Duncan’s children.”

“And how many hard choices did you make based on her words?”

My life. My whole life had been set into motion based on those words. “Many.”

“The gods move us, Cerridwen. Andraste, she has become like them. Perhaps she is a goddess now, I cannot say. The magic she uses is beyond my understanding,” she said then shook her head. “But I have never cared for her meddling. Nor for her, to be honest.”

“Then it is possible that they are Gillacoemgain’s children after all? Is that what you’re saying?”

“My visions were no more exact than your own. I cannot say for sure Duncan was the father. I saw children. I saw you round with twins. But the father…”

My knees felt weak. I sat down.

“You must ask Andraste. That secret, black, and midnight hag. You must convince her to tell the truth. After all, it’s done.”

“What’s done?”

“The deed without a name.”

I was about to ask Epona what she meant when the door opened to reveal Juno, whom I had met only once before, and two women I did not know.

I rose.

“Cerridwen,” Juno said with a smile. “Many welcome returns.”

“By all the gods, this is Cerridwen?” the older of the two women asked.

Epona laughed lightly. “Cerridwen, this is Tully.”

I smiled at the woman. She had long, pale blonde hair streaked with grey. Like Uald, she wore trousers and a tunic. Her skin was tanned and weathered, a testament to her days on the road.

“I’m so pleased to finally meet you,” I said, moving to embrace her. All these years, I had heard tale after tale of the mysterious Tully who wandered the country looking for new recruits, following wherever the Goddess led, traveling to each of her sacred groves.

“Your timing is auspicious. I am about to travel north, now that our new rulers have things quieted down,” she said with a wink.

Epona chuckled lightly. “Cerridwen, this is Flidas,” she said, introducing a girl with long, brown hair standing behind Tully. At once, I noticed the girl bore a tattoo on her brow that was not unlike Banquo’s.

“Sister,” I said, inclining my head to her.

“Flidas is called by the nature spirits, creatures of the wood. Her mother is the leader of another coven,” Epona explained.

“It’s good to meet you, Cerridwen. You are much spoken of here. And well-loved.”

I smiled at her, feeling uneasy under the sharpness of her gaze. It was almost as if she was seeing through me to someone or something else. “I’m pleased to meet you as well.”

Flidas smiled at me.

“I was about to make breakfast,” I said, picking up my bowl once more. Turning to the fire, I lifted the pan and began ladling cakes thereon.

“Epona, let us finish your work,” Juno said, taking the water pitcher from Epona’s hand.

Epona relinquished her work without complaint then sat on a stool before the fire. She watched me work. The other women went into the kitchen of the house, chatting busily.

“The other covens,” I said to Epona. “I am in a position to do more. To help. It would be helpful to know where—quite literally—I can be of use.”

“Balor,” Epona said. “Speak with Balor. I do not have the say I once had.”

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