The cursed towers 204
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the war conference? Should ye no' rest?"
Iseult looked at her swiftly and one hand dropped to her abdomen. "I wish I could, but we are planning
tactics and ye ken those woolly-headed lairds know naught about such things."
"But . . ."
Iseult looked at her sternly and Sukey's words faltered in her mouth.
"His Highness does no' ken," Iseult said, "and he must no' ken! Do ye understand me?"
"Aye, Your Highness," Sukey said meekly. Iseult's gaze did not relent and the nursemaid's color rose and
she gave a little curtsey, dropping her eyes. Iseult walked to the door and said, "I must get back. I've
been gone too long as it is."
"I'll bring ye a hot posset o' herbs that the lady Isa-beau used to make for ye," Sukey said.
Iseult gave a shrug of exasperation and said, "As ye will then, but be discreet, I beg ye."
"Aye. my lady," Sukey answered as Iseult walked out the door.
The army marched down the highway, their gray cloaks rolled up on top of their heavy packs, enjoying
the mild spring sunshine on their bare arms and heads. To the north thickly forested hills rose, while to the
south a patchwork of fields, hedges and small copses of trees sloped down to a little river.
The fields were freshly tilled and planted, and already a fine green mist was covering the soil. A shepherd
was grazing his sheep among the grass at the verge of the road. He fell to his knees as Lachlan and Iseult
rode past and called Ea's blessing upon them, much to Meghan's satisfaction. The old witch was well
pleased with how easily many of the common folk had shrugged off the teachings of the Awl and returned
to the old ways of the Coven. Although she knew much of their compliance was due to gratitude at the
Righ's success in driving the Bright Soldiers from the land, it was her hope that a more genuine reverence
for Ea would soon be animated in their hearts.
The spring equinox had been celebrated all over the countryside with the burning of sweet-scented
candles, the making of evergreen wreaths and the ringing of the bells in every village meeting-house.
Meghan, Matthew the Lean and the other witches had spent the winter and early spring overseeing the
planting of the fields and the procreation of new lambs and kids. It had been too late to plant wheat and
rye, but they sowed mixed fields of barley and oats, with beans to grow up the oat stalks, and vegetable
plots with peas, leeks, potatoes and cabbage. All over lower Rionnagan and Blessem new cottages and
barns were built, broken walls and hedgerows were mended, orchards replanted and drainage ditches
dug.
Many skeelies and cunning men had flocked to join the Coven as the Righ's army had triumphed over the
few remaining Seekers of the Awl. Among them were many of the witches who had been rescued during
the Awl's reign of terror, and hidden away about the countryside. Although most stayed behind in the
safety of Lucescere, learning new Skills at the Tower of the Two Moons, some had the courage and
Talent to join Meghan and the other witches and lend them their strength.
Lachlan had spent the winter overseeing the repair of the gates that guarded the mouth of the Berhtfane,
so that the Rhyllster was safe once more. Their reconstruction at first confounded them all. The river
gates and locks had been designed and built by Malcolm MacBrann in the time of Aedan Whitelock, at
